MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) to expand federal death and disability benefits for firefighters was signed into law. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act will expand the Public Safety Officer’s Benefits Program (PSOB) to cover specific cancers linked to firefighting and emergency response, and make the expansion retroactive, so that families can claim PSOB benefits for deceased loved ones.

“Firefighters and other first responders put their lives on the line every day, often facing deadly carcinogens in the process. Expanding the Public Safety Officer’s Benefits Program to cover service-related cancer deaths is the right thing to do to honor the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice. I’m proud this bipartisan legislation was signed into law, and I will keep working across the aisle to support first responders and their families,” said Rep. Carbajal.

Today, cancer is the leading cause of death for America’s firefighters. Currently, firefighters are only eligible for support under the Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program for physical injuries sustained in the line of duty or for deaths from duty-related heart attacks, strokes, mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and 9/11-related illnesses. But this program does not cover service-related cancer deaths, despite a wealth of evidence linking first responder service to developing cancer. 

The bill is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and 10 other organizations representing first responders. The bill is co-led by Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL-28), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and Gabe Amo (D-RI-01). Its Senate counterpart is led by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).

More about the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act:

• The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act would expand the Public Safety Officer’s Benefits Program (PSOB) to cover certain cancers and cancer-related deaths. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and educational benefits to first responders who are killed or injured in the line of duty and their survivors. Firefighters are frequently exposed to carcinogens during their service and are more likely to develop and die from cancer as a result. Currently, the PSOB program does not cover cancer-related disabilities or death. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act would expand the PSOB program to cover specific cancers linked to firefighting and emergency response, and it would make this expansion retroactive so that families can claim PSOB benefits for deceased loved ones.
• The Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program provides benefits to the survivors of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders who are killed as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty. The program also provides disability benefits for first responders who become permanently or totally disabled. The Public Safety Officers’ Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The PSOB and PSOEA programs are administered by the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act builds upon Carbajal’s Federal Firefighter Fairness Act, which was signed into law in 2022. The legislation improves disability and retirement benefits for federal firefighters by ensuring they receive the same access to job-related disability and retirement benefits as state, county, and municipal firefighters.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — During the 2025 legislative year, House Republicans and President Trump advanced the most aggressive Republican agenda in recent memory, despite one of the narrowest House majorities in modern history. The unified Republican agenda focused on putting money back in the pockets of American families and putting America first, through lower taxes, border security, unleashing American energy, permitting reform, national defense, appropriations, and government efficiency. 

Legislative Output

• 441 bills passed by the House.
• 70 executive orders codified through legislation.
• 23 Congressional Review Act resolutions adopted, with 16 signed into law.
• $9 billion rescinded through the Rescissions Act of 2025.

Economic Policy & Tax Relief

• Enacted the Working Families Tax Cuts, preventing the largest tax increase in history.
• Eliminated federal taxes on tips and overtime, increasing take-home pay for working Americans.
• Provided tax relief for workers, seniors, small businesses, and farmers.
• Made a historic $60+ billion investment in America’s agriculture economy.

Border Enforcement

• Increased funding for border and interior enforcement
• Continued construction of border infrastructure
• Expanded operational capacity for Border Patrol and immigration enforcement

Energy, Permitting & Infrastructure

House Republicans passed multiple bills to expand domestic energy production, strengthen grid reliability, and streamline federal permitting:

National Defense

Fixing Democrats’ Broken Health Care System:

• Advanced the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act which: 
• Cuts Obamacare marketplace premiums by at least 11% and lowers premiums for ALL Americans in the private market.
• Saves approximately $30 billion over ten years by reducing federal subsidy costs.
• Expands coverage options for workers, small businesses, and the self-employed.

Appropriations & Regular Order

Public Safety & Election Integrity

Landmark Crypto Legislation

• Enacted landmark bipartisan digital asset legislation establishing a federal regulatory framework for stablecoins
• Passed broad, foundational legislation, the CLARITY Act, to ensure cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies and those who use them have certainty and confidence for decades to come. 

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Representatives Haley Stevens (D-MI), Don Bacon (R-NE), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Lois Frankel (D-FL) introduced the Protecting Students on Campus Act, bipartisan legislation to address rising antisemitism and other forms of discrimination on college campuses.

At a time when hate is surging domestically and globally—resulting in horrific antisemitic violence, including Sunday’s deadly shooting in Bondi Beach, Australia—this legislation provides meaningful protections to ensure students can learn in safe, inclusive environments.

“Acts of blatant antisemitism are unacceptable in Michigan and everywhere else. We must ensure our campuses are free of harassment and violence targeting the Jewish community,” said Rep. Haley Stevens. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to put student safety first, and make sure our classrooms are places of learning, not fear.”

“Antisemitism and hate are surging on college campuses and around the world, and the consequences are deadly—as we saw in the vile attack in Bondi Beach,” said Rep. Frankel. “Students cannot learn if they do not feel safe. The Protecting Students on Campus Act gives students clear pathways to report antisemitism and discrimination, strengthens accountability for colleges, and helps ensure campuses are places where hate is not tolerated.”

The bill increases transparency, oversight, and accountability by enhancing the role of the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), helping schools identify discrimination early and take action to protect students.

The urgency is unmistakable. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), 83 percent of Jewish students report witnessing or experiencing antisemitism on campus since October 7. Nationwide, antisemitic incidents have increased nearly ninefold over the past decade.

“Jewish students deserve better than empty promises when antisemitism erupts on campus. The Protecting Students on Campus Act transforms rhetoric into action by requiring real transparency and giving students the tools to hold their universities accountable,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). “In this climate of rising antisemitic incidents on campus and in Jewish communities around the world, as we’ve seen with the recent, horrific attack at Bondi Beach, this legislation couldn’t come at a more urgent time. We thank Reps. Frankel, Bacon, McBath, Ciscomani, and Stevens for their leadership and urge the swift passage of this legislation so that our campuses remain places of learning, not fear.”

“American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) State of Antisemitism in America 2024 Report found that 35% of Jewish college students experienced antisemitism during their time on campus and 48% felt unsafe or avoided expressing their views or Jewish identity. These numbers reflect an alarming reality: Jewish students are being targeted and marginalized in unprecedented ways,” said Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee. “AJC applauds Representatives Frankel (D-FL), Bacon (R-NJ), McBath (D-GA), Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Stevens (D-MI) for taking action by introducing the Protecting Students on Campus Act, legislation that empowers students to report discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, while providing critical accountability to ensure the U.S. Department of Education responds appropriately to federal complaints.”

The Protecting Students on Campus Act:

The Protecting Students on Campus Act is endorsed by the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and the Jewish Federations of North America.

For the full text of the bill, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today sent a letter to Senior Official Performing the Duties of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator David Richardson to inquire about the status of Emergency Food and Shelter Program (ESFP) grant funding for awarded entities in the district, particularly First Step Domestic & Sexual Violence Services. 

“As you know, the ESFP supports the work of local service providers to provide shelter, food, and supportive services to community members in need of such support,” Dingell said. “First Step provides comprehensive services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and is a critical provider for constituents in my district and across Michigan.”

“Services permitted under the ESFP grant can make a significant difference for survivors and their families,” Dingell continues. “Organizations like First Step rely on this funding to keep their doors open and provide essential services that support survivors’ journey to safety and healing, and in many cases are lifesaving. In a crisis, even a simple meal goes a long way.”

“This lapse in funding is deeply concerning, and grant recipients deserve clarity and action on the funding they depend on. Without these funds, First Step will be limited in their ability to carry out the full range of programs they provide to support survivors and their families,” Dingell concludes. “I urge you to take measures to ensure that ESFP grant funding is released and provide clarity to grantees on the timeline of receiving this expected funding.”

Read the full text of the letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

This week, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on KBLA’s Tavis Smiley, where he reiterated that Democrats are committed to protecting healthcare and that Republicans have a responsibility to join them by extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits.

TAVIS SMILEY: It is true that he is the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives. It is true that if Democrats can take over the House in November, he will be the first African American to be Speaker of the US House. But it is also true he’s my fraternity brother. He’s a good Kappa. Please welcome—we are pleased to welcome Hakeem Jeffries to this program. Leader Jeffries, how are you, sir?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Great to be with you. Alpha Chapter in the building. Always appreciate you, Tavis, and also congratulations on the success that Indiana University is having with their football season. An extraordinary season.

TAVIS SMILEY: You are kind to say that. I’m looking forward to going to the Rose Bowl to see them play. They’re coming out my way here in California, so it makes it easy for me. I ain’t got to travel but 15 miles down the road to see them. I know you got a tight schedule, just about five or six minutes here. Let me just ask you to give me and give the audience an update. Here we are near the end of the year, everybody concerned about these healthcare subsidies. What’s happening in real time, Leader Jeffries?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we were very successful yesterday in obtaining the 218 votes needed. All 214 Members of the House Democratic Caucus, plus four House Republicans joined us yesterday morning to trigger an up-or-down vote on extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits connected to legislation that I’ve introduced that would extend it in a straightforward way for three years, because we believe that working class Americans, middle class Americans, Black and brown Americans deserve the same level of certainty that Republicans always try to provide to the wealthy, the well-off, the well-connected and their big donors. So right now, we’re waiting on Mike Johnson—demanding that Mike Johnson actually bring that legislation to the Floor today. Connected to the Rules, he can wait as much as seven legislative days, which would take us into early January, but there’s no reason for him to wait, and we’re going to continue to keep the pressure on him so we can get these tax credits extended before they expire at the end of the month.

TAVIS SMILEY: I said this program yesterday that this is so—it’s kind of stuck on stupid. That’s my language. You’re more classy than I am, so you wouldn’t say nothing that like that. But it’s also—they’re stuck on stupid for me because this is going to impact their base. Their base cares about rising healthcare costs as well. Why are they so blind on this?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah. It’s unbelievable. And these people really are blind. They’re burying their heads in the sand, and they’re obsessed with the Affordable Care Act. These people have tried to repeal it now more than 70 different times over the last 15 years, and the American people have only grown in their affection, in terms of the support for the Affordable Care Act, because it impacts everyone, Tavis, as you just indicated. Republicans, Democrats, Independents, people all across the country. In fact,the ten states that would be most adversely impacted if the Affordable Care Act tax credits expire are all states currently run by Republicans.We’re talking about West Virginia, Wyoming, Alaska, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, North Dakota and South Dakota, and Florida has millions of people as well who would be adversely impacted if there are changes made that are adverse to the Affordable Care Act. So it’s extraordinary to me, […] this isn’t a partisan fight, it’s a patriotic fight because we’re fighting to make life better for everybody.

TAVIS SMILEY: My colleague, my White House correspondent, Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey is here. Dr. Quartey, your question for the Leader.

DR. NII-QUARTELAI QUARTEY: Leader Jeffries, can you dial us in to what’s the strategy in the Senate? So if you’re successful in the House and if the four Republicans join the Democratic Caucus, what assurance do you have it’s going to pass the finish line in the Senate?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, you know, Abraham Lincoln once said that public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed. We’ll have renewed momentum if we can move the legislation out of the Republican-controlled House over the objection of Donald Trump and over the objection of the Deputy Speaker, Mike Johnson, right, because Donald Trump says he’s both the President and the Speaker. And we’re able to go around them in order to do what’s right for the American people. That will intensify the pressure on the Senate. Now, we also know in the Senate, though the bill initially did not hit the 60-vote threshold, that the three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits did secure the support of at least four different Republicans, and that bill has more support than any other bill in the Senate chamber. So we think there’ll be renewed momentum and opportunity. We’ll work closely with our Senate Democratic colleagues. But what’s important, of course, is to jumpstart the effort again by getting it out of the House of Representatives.

TAVIS SMILEY: Leader Jeffries, I know you got a full schedule. My final question. What’s your gut tell you about what’s about to happen?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, listen, I think that Johnson is going to try to delay this as much as possible, but many of his traditional conservative Members who have now partnered with us don’t want to leave town without getting this done. And so, we’ve made clear that, listen, we should stay here until the Affordable Care Act tax credits are extended. And if the House adjourns, it falls squarely on the Republicans, and there are many up on the other side of the aisle who don’t wanna take that heat. So, you know, the next couple of days will be interesting. But we’re going to keep the pressure on, and ultimately, I believe, even if this waits until early January, we are going to successfully get this bill out of the House. It will have bipartisan support, and that will increase the pressure on the Senate, and then retroactively, we’ll have to deal with, perhaps, reopening the open enrollment period so we can restore the health insurance to people and make it more affordable, having gotten the tax credits restored.

TAVIS SMILEY: It’s been fun, but I know my good Kappa brother has got to run. Hakeem Jeffries, I love you, and I appreciate you. Thank you for your time, sir.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Love you. Appreciate you, brother.

TAVIS SMILEY: Alright, good to have you on the program.

Full interview can be listened to here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

LOS ANGELES, CA — After successfully suing the Trump administration and winning a federal court ruling restoring Congress’ right to conduct unannounced inspections, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) today carried out an oversight inspection of the Roybal Allard Federal Detention Facility (B-18) in Downtown Los Angeles. 

Rep. Gomez was a plaintiff in the lawsuit that blocked ICE from unlawfully denying Members of Congress access to detention facilities. The decisive court ruling forced the administration to reverse its illegal policy and allowed Rep. Gomez to enter the facility after being denied access three separate times earlier this year. 

“I fought the Trump administration in federal court and won in order to gain access to ICE’s B-18 detention facility in Downtown Los Angeles to carry out my oversight responsibilities,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “What I saw confirms violations of basic standards and the law: people held for up to 72 hours in a facility designed for short-term processing, with no working kitchen, no on-site medical staff, and food limited to chips, cookies, and frozen burritos. For nearly a year, this administration has unlawfully shut out congressional oversight while detentions surged, concealing unsafe conditions inside. As a U.S. Representative, I will continue using every oversight tool available until DHS restores transparency and follows the law.” 

Today’s inspection marks the first time Rep. Gomez has been permitted to conduct an unannounced visit to the facility since the ruling. The court’s decision restored a critical oversight tool necessary to identify unsafe, overcrowded, or inhumane conditions inside immigration detention facilities. 

Rep. Gomez will continue conducting inspections and demanding accountability to ensure DHS and ICE comply with the law and protect basic standards of care. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Washington, D.C. – Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) introduced the Military Care Access, Reporting, and Evaluation (Military CARE) Act, bipartisan legislation to modernize how TRICARE beneficiaries report and resolve health care access challenges at military treatment facilities.

The Military CARE Act addresses access-to-care gaps by creating a secure, standardized digital platform for TRICARE beneficiaries to submit and monitor care issues, requiring real-time notifications to patient advocates, directing the Defense Health Agency to analyze complaint trends each quarter, and mandating annual reports to Congress that outline challenges and corrective actions.

“Our military families deserve timely care and a clear path to raise concerns when the system falls short. The Military CARE Act gives service members and their families a direct line to report care access issues and track their resolution, while ensuring Congress has the data needed to identify and fix systemic problems across the military health system,” Rep. Bacon said. “I’m pleased to co-lead this vital effort with Rep. Horsford to strengthen access to care for the families who sacrifice so much in service to our nation.”

“Military families serve our nation and sacrifice so much for it, and they deserve a health care system that serves them just as well,” Rep. Horsford said. “Too many families struggle to get timely appointments or clear information, and they’re left without a reliable way to raise concerns or track whether problems are fixed. This bipartisan bill gives military families a real voice, gives providers the tools to respond quickly, and gives Congress the oversight needed to ensure servicemembers and their loved ones are never left behind.When we support our families, we strengthen the entire force.”

“Access to timely, reliable health care is both a personal issue and a readiness issue.  Too often, military families hit administrative roadblocks or long delays with no clear way to raise concerns or track whether problems are being fixed,” Rep. Houlahan said. “The Military CARE Act brings transparency and accountability to the system by giving TRICARE beneficiaries a straightforward way to report access issues and ensures those concerns reach patient advocates and senior leaders. This bipartisan, commonsense bill helps Congress identify systemic gaps and ensures our military health system works for the people it’s meant to serve.”

“Today, America’s servicemembers, veterans, and military families are forced to fight endless red tape and navigate a confusing and deeply frustrating system to get the healthcare they have earned,” Rep. Goodlander said. “That’s not right. Our commonsense bipartisan bill will cut senseless red tape, restore basic accountability, and return the power back where it belongs: with patients. This bill is about ensuring accountability, strengthening readiness, and keeping the sacred promise we make to those who serve our country.”

“Without reliable data and transparency, access-to-care problems in the military health system remain unseen and unresolved,” Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, USAF (Ret), President and CEO, Military Officers Association of America said. “The Military CARE Act ensures beneficiary experiences are captured, tracked, and reported – giving leaders and Congress the visibility needed to identify systemic issues and drive meaningful, lasting improvements for military families. MOAA is grateful for the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Horsford, Kiggans, Bacon, and Houlahan in advancing this critical reform and MOAA priority.”

The bipartisan Military Care Act, co-led by Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02) Steven Horsford (NV-04), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) also includes the following original cosponsors: Reps. Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), and James Moylan (GU-AL).

The legislation is endorsed by Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA), Air and Space Forces Association (AFA), Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Services (COA), Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), Gold Star Spouses of America, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV), Military Chaplains Association (MCA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), National Military Family Association (NMFA), Naval Enlisted Reserve Association (NERA), Reserve Organization of America (ROA), Secure Families Initiative, Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), SPARTA, The Enlisted Association (TREA), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), TRICARE for Kids Coalition (TFK), U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA), USCG Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA), and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)

Read the full text of the Military CARE Act here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

EAGAN, MN – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig announced that her office has returned more than $3.2 million to constituents across Minnesota’s Second District this year.

Since coming to Congress in 2019, Rep. Craig and her casework team have worked to help constituents resolve issues with federal agencies and access the refunds and benefits they deserve. Through these efforts, Rep. Craig has returned $8.77 million to residents of Minnesota’s Second District and resolved over 2,700 individual issues with federal agencies. In 2025 alone, Rep. Craig’s constituent services team successfully closed 878 cases

“Working through issues with federal agencies can be confusing and frustrating, and as a result too many Minnesotans choose to forgo the refunds, benefits and payments they are rightfully owed,” said Rep. Craig. “To combat this, my office has spent countless hours cutting through red tape and advocating on behalf of constituents. I’m thrilled to announce that this year we’ve successfully put over $3.2 million back into the pockets of hardworking Minnesotans.”

If residents of Minnesota’s Second Congressional District are having trouble with a federal agency, they should visit Rep. Craig’s website at https://craig.house.gov/casework.  

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

In letter to DHS Secretary and USCIS Director, Rep. Craig condemns Administration for targeting immigrants from 19 countries named in President’s June travel ban

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig released the following statement on her vote against the Republican-led Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act.

“My Republican colleagues had ample opportunity to address the health care crisis in this country when they repeatedly rejected calls to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire this month. Now they’re trying to save face by putting forward an unserious bill that fails to extend the ACA tax credits and lower health care premiums for tens of thousands of Minnesotans.

“Unsurprisingly, Republicans’ legislation also takes aim at a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions by banning ACA plans that cover abortion – targeting safe-haven states like Minnesota that require their plans to cover reproductive care.

“At the end of the day, this sad excuse of a bill is a half-hearted attempt to address the health care affordability crisis President Trump and Republicans in Congress created.

“I look forward to my Republican colleagues having to go on the record next year on extending the ACA tax credits. Every American deserves to know where their Representative stands on making their health care more affordable. I can only hope they’ll do the right thing by ALL Americans.”

###