Source: United States House of Representatives – CONGRESSMAN JIM HIMES (4th District of Connecticut)
Himes, DeLauro, Ocasio-Cortez, Torres, and Latimer Urge Amtrak to Prioritize Penn Station Access and Reimburse MTA for Delay Costs | Press Releases | Congressman Jim Himes
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)
Washington, D.C. – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined Rep. Sam Liccardo (CA-16) and a coalition of Bay Area Members of Congress in urging the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to prioritize and strengthen federal funding for active transportation infrastructure for walking and cycling.
In addition to Reps. Panetta and Liccardo, the letter was also signed by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) and Reps. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), and Mike Thompson (CA-04).
“The Bay Area’s transportation network increasingly relies on non-motorized options like the San Francisco Bay Trail, which connects communities, parks, schools, and transit across more than 350 miles in nine counties and is planned to expand to 500 miles,” wrote the Members.
The delegation called for robust support for the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside, and the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program, which help communities build safer pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, trails, and connections to transit.
Currently, insufficient funding threatens access to green and active modes of transportation. The Members urged Committee leaders to increase dedicated funding to make active transportation infrastructure a priority in this year’s surface transportation reauthorization bill.
“Programs and funding dedicated to active transportation routes will help expand safe, reliable access to jobs, schools, and essential services,” continued the Members.
“These federal funding programs are critical to complete the Bay Trail and other trail networks around the region,” said Save The Bay Executive Director David Lewis. “We need to invest in healthy transportation options that connect more communities with nature, jobs, and critical services.”
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
Dear Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen:
As Members of the San Francisco Bay Area, we write to urge you to prioritize and strengthen programs that support active transportation infrastructure, including the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, its Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside, and the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program, in the next surface transportation reauthorization bill.
The Bay Area’s transportation network increasingly relies on non-motorized options like the San Francisco Bay Trail, which connects communities, parks, schools, and transit across more than 350 miles in nine counties and is planned to expand to 500 miles. The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside, which directs a portion of the Surface Transportation Block Grant program funding to smaller-scale local projects, has proven critical to improving our pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, safer routes to transit, and trails. Throughout California, our local communities leverage federal resources with substantial state investments through the Active Transportation Program (ATP) under Caltrans.
The Bay Area has long led on active transportation investment, and the ATP has played a central role in that success. Our region includes one of four communities in the nation that participated in the Non-Motorized Pilot Program established under SAFETEA-LU in 2005, demonstrating the impact and cost-effectiveness of targeted investments to close infrastructure gaps. This success highlights the value of expanding the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP), created through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides a mechanism for states and regions throughout the country to build on the success of the non-motorized pilots. ATIIP provides a mechanism to scale these successes nationwide, yet current funding levels are insufficient—applications exceed available funds by a factor of 40. We urge you to increase dedicated Trust Fund funding for ATIIP.
Programs and funding dedicated to transportation alternatives will help expand safe, reliable access to jobs, schools, and essential services. We respectfully urge the Committee to make investments in transportation alternatives a priority in this year’s surface transportation reauthorization bill.
Thank you for your attention to our concerns, and for your partnership in boosting the mobility and recreational opportunity for millions of Americans.
Sincerely,
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed by voice vote H.R. 7431, the Fostering the Future Act, which includes the text of the bipartisan Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act introduced by Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Rep. Nathaniel Moran (TX-01).
The Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act would improve access to postsecondary education for older and transition-age foster youth by strengthening and modernizing the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (“Chafee program”).
The ETV program provides support for foster youth pursuing a college degree, and Rep. Chu’s bill would increase the maximum value of the voucher from $5,000 to $12,000 – the first increase since the program was created 25 years ago. The bill would also improve state outreach so more youth are aware of ETV, make applications more accessible, and help foster youth keep their vouchers for the duration of their education by providing a grace period for those who may be temporarily struggling with their academic progress.
“The ETV program is in need of some overdue updates to best serve our foster youth, and I am proud that we are one step closer to ensuring foster youth have the financial support that can make a meaningful difference in pursuing their education,” said Rep. Chu. “My bipartisan bill recognizes that when we address the barriers faced by our foster and transition-age youth, we can empower them to achieve their full potential.”
Click HERE to read the bill text.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)
WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party and sponsor of the bipartisan Six Assurances to Taiwan Act, issued the following statement after President Trump said he discussed U.S. arms sales to Taiwan “in great detail” with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their recent summit:
“For more than four decades, presidents of both parties have upheld a clear bipartisan principle: the United States does not consult Beijing on arms sales to Taiwan. President Trump said he discussed Taiwan arms sales ‘in great detail’ with President Xi, marking a troubling break from that longstanding bipartisan framework and risking the deterrence and stability it has helped preserve in the Taiwan Strait. That is precisely why I introduced the bipartisan Six Assurances to Taiwan Act, which would codify our long-standing policy that decisions regarding Taiwan’s security should not be shaped through consultation with the Chinese government. At a moment of growing aggression and coercion from the Chinese Communist Party, America must project clarity and resolve, stand firmly with democratic partners, and negotiate from a position of strength. Taiwan’s security should never become a bargaining chip in negotiations with Beijing.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)
Today legislation introduced by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02), the Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act, passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bipartisan legislation would cut red tape for veteran truckers by allowing VA to streamline the approval of certain apprenticeship programs.
“It’s unacceptable that veterans are losing employment opportunities due to unnecessary and redundant bureaucratic hurdles. Cutting red tape so trucking companies can employ veterans is a commonsense step that will increase opportunities for veterans and help address the driver shortage,” said Congressman Pappas. “I’m thrilled to see our bipartisan legislation pass which will ease the pathway for veterans embarking on new careers as truck drivers. I urge the Senate to swiftly pass this legislation and send it to the President’s desk.”
Currently, interstate trucking companies must obtain approval from every state in which they operate for veterans to use their VA education benefits for apprenticeship programs at that company. VA has reported that some trucking companies are opting out of offering apprenticeships to veterans due to the bureaucratic hurdles of obtaining approval from more than 20 State Approving Agencies (SAAs). This legislation would help address this problem by allowing interstate commercial carriers to obtain a single VA approval for all their apprenticeship programs, simplifying program administration for motor carriers, and enabling them to accommodate more veterans as truck drivers.
This bipartisan legislation is endorsed by the American Trucking Association and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO), a former paratrooper and Army Ranger who serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Armed Services Committee, spoke at Foreign Policy for America’s Leadership Summit.
On a panel titled “A Foreign Policy that Delivers for the Working Class,” Crow discussed how the country’s foreign policy is broken and historically left working class Americans behind. At the event, he outlined his vision for a foreign policy that is rooted in working class values and representative of all Americans, not just the elite.
“We’re a nation at great risk right now. We know that. Our democracy and institutions and norms are on the ropes. I believe there is a path through this, and on the other side of it, with the right leadership, our nation can have a democratic enlightenment that puts our nation in a better position than it was in before,” Congressman Crow said at the event.
Crow was joined on the panel by International Director of the AFL-CIO Cathy Feingold and former Deputy Undersecretary for International Labor Affairs Thea Lee. The panel was moderated by Staff Writer at Foreign Policy Rachel Oswald.
Congressman Crow continues to lay out his affirmative vision for Colorado and the country, including with a recent speech on the Future of American Foreign Policy. He is looking to build a future that brings Americans together, protects our democracy, and ensures leaders are accountable to working class Americans—his vision for New American Patriotism.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)
During today’s House Armed Services Committee hearing, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) questioned Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Daniel Zimmerman and Admiral Brad Cooper, the Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), about the cost of the ongoing war in Iran, the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, and the current status of U.S. humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza.
The hearing, entitled “U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in the Greater Middle East and Africa”, examines Defense Department policies, programs, and activities in the Greater Middle East and Africa in preparation for negotiations on the 2027 defense budget.
Download a video clip of Rep. Carbajal’s questions here. See the full hearing here.
A rough transcript is available below:
Rep. Carbajal
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to the witnesses for being here today. You know, it’s interesting to hear that during Biden and Obama, there were challenges, gas prices were high, and that was terrible back then, but now it’s okay. Now it’s okay. Talking about partisanship, I think it’s important to understand what’s being said. I want to start by expressing my condolences to the families of the 13 service members who lost their lives in this war, and of the two service members who passed away during the training exercises earlier this month in Africa. Admiral Cooper, I also want to thank you and all the men and women serving under you for your service to our nation during this difficult time and a misguided war. We are quickly approaching three months of deeply unpopular war, a war that still has no clear objectives and end in sight. A war that is costing billions of taxpayer dollars, a war that is driving up the cost of living for every American, especially at the pump. This war was not authorized or budgeted, which means the Department will be asking Congress for a supplemental funding package on top of the proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027. Secretary Zimmerman, we know the cost of oil has gone up globally, with some estimates over 55%. How much has this increase in oil cost CENTCOM directly over the duration of Operation Epic Fury, and now into Operation Project Freedom?
Secretary Zimmerman
Congressman, I would be happy to take that question back and get you as accurate an answer as I can.
Rep. Carbajal
Is there any percentage in the increase of cost? Anything?
Secretary Zimmerman
I think I’ll have to get back to you on that.
Rep. Carbajal
I don’t think that anyone is questioning that Iran’s military capabilities have been severely degraded over the course of this campaign. Yet, despite the intense bombing campaign and the apparent eradication of Iran’s navy, they are still able to blockade the Strait of Hormuz and hold targets around the region at risk. Admiral Cooper, do we possess the military capability to open the Strait of Hormuz against a military that has been severely weakened?
Admiral Cooper
Congressman, I wouldn’t want to talk about any specific capability, but broadly speaking, we have – we are well postured to execute military operations across virtually any contingent.
Rep. Carbajal
But the Strait of Hormuz is still closed.
Admiral Cooper
Congressman, the Strait of Hormuz, in the last couple of weeks, has had multiple instances of ships passing through, including U.S. destroyers, U.S. flagships, and just last night…
Rep. Carbajal
Secretary Zimmerman, earlier this month, there were reports that the Civil-Military Coordination Center, or the CMCC, was set to be shut down. The administration denied these reports. Can you confirm whether the CMCC is actually closed or there is a plan that it will be absorbed into another entity?
Secretary Zimmerman
Congressman, my understanding is no final decision has been made along those lines, and the thing I would like to say is that first of all, as has been said before, no one does more to protect civilians in a wartime scenario, in a conflict scenario, than the United States. And we are moving, if I may borrow a phrase, actually from, from the Admiral, we are moving from compliance to culture. The principles that are inherent in protecting civilians are now baked into our processes in a way that hadn’t been before.
Rep. Carbajal
Let me, let me continue. How much is the CMCC currently overseeing the distribution of humanitarian aid into Gaza? What are the current obstacles to aid delivery, and how would the closing of the CMCC affect aid delivery?
Secretary Zimmerman
Can I defer to you on that? Let me defer to Admiral Cooper on that.
Admiral Cooper
So, the CMCC plays an indispensable role in both stabilization and the coordination of the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Since its inception, more than 70 countries and international organizations are in the CMCC.
Rep. Carbajal
Admiral, what are they doing right now?
Admiral Cooper
They are helping to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and keep the ceasefire in effect, which has been successful for the last seven months.
Rep. Carbajal
How much aid has been delivered in the last six months?
Admiral Cooper
I can come back with the exact number, but back in December, the IPC, who is the oversight organization for aid, said that famine is no longer a threat in Gaza. I think it’s a reflection of U.S. service members’ absolute commitment to this mission, which has gone extremely well.
Rep. Carbajal
Thank you. Mr. Chair, I yield back.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming a federal funding notice for American Samoa from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), announcing $220,542 through FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program.
Congresswoman Amata with Secretary Markwayne Mullin – Edited
The funding supports management costs for American Samoa’s Fiscal Year 2022 BRIC project and is funded at a 100 percent federal cost share.
Amata is also recognizing the continued work of the Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum Management (ODAPM), under Director Lologa Olo, for its coordination with FEMA and ongoing preparedness, recovery, and mitigation efforts in the Territory.
“Although my first priority with grant notices is informing our people about available funding, it is also important to recognize the work taking place here at home that helps make these efforts possible,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Thank you to ODAPM and everyone involved in helping American Samoa remain prepared and strengthening our readiness for future needs.”
The BRIC program helps communities improve disaster preparedness, strengthen resilience, and support long-term planning before emergencies occur.
This funding supports the planning, coordination, reporting, oversight, and administrative work needed to manage preparedness and mitigation activities. While it is not direct public assistance or construction funding, it helps support the work behind disaster readiness efforts across the Territory.
This award is categorized as a Hazard Mitigation grant under FEMA’s BRIC program and is authorized under Section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Act. FEMA provides the funding directly to American Samoa for administration and eligible use.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined the NAACP, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, student-athletes and advocates for a press conference, in which he emphasized that House Democrats refuse to sit idly by as SEC universities remain complacent amidst Republican attacks on Black political representation in the South.
LEADER JEFFRIES: This is an unprecedented moment featuring an unprecedented attack on Black political representation, and, therefore, it requires an unprecedented response. We are here standing in solidarity with the NAACP and its call for athletes to boycott institutions within the SEC that belong to states that have unleashed these Jim Crow-like, racially oppressive tactics, which is unacceptable, unconscionable and un-American. And we believe that the silence of these institutions is complicity, and we will not stand for it.
At the same period of time, the Congressional Black Caucus strongly and uniformly opposed the so-called SCORE Act, resulting in Republicans having to pull the SCORE Act from the Floor. And we will continue to oppose it. We will continue to stand with the NAACP in encouraging athletes in our community to look elsewhere until these racially gerrymandered maps in the South are reversed, buried in the ground, never to rise again.
With respect to the SCORE Act, our position has been clear. If LSU is for it, we’re against it. If the University of Alabama is for it, we’re against it. If Ole Miss is for it, we’re against it. If the University of South Carolina is for it, we’re against it. If the University of Tennessee is for it, we’re against it. And if the SEC schools are for it, we are against it, and we will continue to stand against it because we’re standing on the side of liberty and justice for all. And silence in this moment is complicity.
The African American journey in this country has been characterized by moments of progress followed by moments of backlash. We had the progress of emancipation and reconstruction, followed by the backlash of Jim Crow. We had the progress of the civil rights movement, followed by the backlash of mass incarceration. We had the progress of Barack Obama’s election and the rise of a multi-racial democracy, followed by the election of Agent Orange and the rise of MAGA extremism and Project 2025. Progress followed by backlash.
And for us to get through this moment of backlash and usher in a new era of progress, as has been done by generations in the past, it’s going to require character, it’s going to require courage and it’s going to require conviction. This is a Bill Russell moment. It’s a Muhammad Ali moment. And it’s a Jackie Robinson moment. And we’re going to stand together to make sure we bring about the type of country that the African American community deserves and that everyone in the United States of America deserves.
And so if you believe in a multi-racial democracy, join us. If you believe in free and fair elections, join us. And if you believe in fair Black political representation in the South and all across America, join us. Welcome to what I’ve started to call Project 42, which is we’re going to make sure that we battle through the turbulence, the trials and the tribulations of this moment, push back aggressively against the racial gerrymandering that has taken place. And I’m confident, though it won’t be easy, if we continue to stand up and show up and speak up for what we know is right, one day soon we shall overcome.
Full press conference can be watched here.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) will host a joint press conference making the case for indicting Raúl Castro following his involvement in the 1996 shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft and highlighting the national security threat that the Castro regime poses to the United States.
Held on May 20th, Cuba’s Independence Day, members will gather at a pivotal moment for the island to reaffirm a message growing across Cuba and throughout exile communities alike: the moment for a free Cuba is now.
Earlier this year, U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart, Maria Elvira Salazar, Carlos A. Giménez, and Nicole Malliotakis sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump asking that his administration consider indicting Raúl Castro for his involvement in the 1996 shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft, which resulted in the cold-blooded murder of four individuals, including American citizens.
Read the full letter here.
WHO:
WHAT:
Press Conference making the case for indicting Raúl Castro
WHEN:
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
9:00 a.m. ET
WHERE:
Studio A – HVC 117
U.S. Capitol
Washington D.C.
Please note:
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