RECAP: REP. HALEY STEVENS TAKES ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, FIGHTS FOR MICHIGAN FAMILIES

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

Washington, D.C. – This week, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens continued her fight against the Trump administration’s chaos agenda, standing up for Michigan families on public health, education, rising costs, and ICE accountability.

 

 

ON MONDAY: 

Rep. Stevens slammed Trump’s ICE following two fatal shootings of civilians in Texas and Maine and re-upped the call for her Hold ICE Accountable Act.

“The blatant disregard for human life from Donald Trump’s ICE is horrifying and outrageous,” said Stevens. “The families deserve justice.”

 

 

ON TUESDAY:

Rep. Haley Stevens sounded the alarm over Michigan’s growing cyclosporiasis outbreak, slamming RFK Jr. for dismantling public health safeguards and calling for his impeachment.

“Michigan families deserve leaders who trust science, strengthen public health, and act with urgency—not politicians who dismantle the very systems that keep us safe,” said Stevens.

ON WEDNESDAY

At a House hearing, Stevens blasted Trump and Republican efforts to shut down the Department of Education and cut critical support for students, teachers, and families.

“I have spent countless hours with the educators, administrators, and families in Michigan. And over the last year and a half, we have discussed the challenges facing the teacher workforce pipeline, our inability to fully fund Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,” said Rep. Stevens. 

“We need to get back to the basics. Before we bely the American people and their tax dollars that this is some effort to serve you better and to streamline. Because it’s not. It’s more failed policy at our expense.”

“It’s more failed policy at our expense,” said Stevens, while calling for investments to address teacher shortages, support students with disabilities, and protect career and technical education.

ON THURSDAY

Rep. Stevens introduced the Tariff Refund Act, which would provide up to $1,700 to qualifying households to offset costs from Trump’s tariffs.

“Donald Trump’s tariffs have cost Michiganders in every aspect of their lives, from groceries to school supplies to home appliances,” said Rep. Stevens. “We must lower costs for hardworking families and give them relief from Trump’s out-of-control economy.”

Congresswoman Stevens also joined more than 200 House Democrats in demanding independent investigations into the deaths of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero and demanding accountability over the horrific actions of ICE and DHS agents.

 

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Kelly legislation to end DOJ's weaponized surveillance passes House Judiciary Committee

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), the “Congressional Records Protection Act,” which would protect the separation of powers enshrined in the United States Constitution and end the weaponized surveillance of Members of Congress, passed the House Judiciary Committee.

The legislation now advances to full consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Throughout the Biden administration, the Department of Justice repeatedly targeted and surveilled its political enemies. This legislation makes it clear: no matter your party, illegal surveillance of a Member of Congress, congressional employees and the American people is flat out wrong,” said Rep. Kelly. “Partisan bureaucrats should not have the power to weaponize their prosecutorial power over fellow government officials without probable cause simply because they disagree politically.”

“Rep. Mike Kelly’s Congressional Records Protection Act protects privileged legislative materials while preserving law enforcement’s ability to pursue legitimate criminal investigations. It also safeguards Congress against weaponized surveillance and helps prevent politically motivated witch hunts like the Arctic Frost and Jack Smith investigations,” said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH).

Original co-sponsors of the legislation include House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Representatives Lance Gooden (R-TX), Bob Onder (R-MO), Russell Fry (R-SC), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), and Wesley Hunt (R-TX).

BACKGROUND

The Congressional Records Protection Act would prohibit any governmental entity from seeking or obtaining a search warrant, grand jury subpoena, court order, statutory authorization, certification, subpoena, or administrative order that is likely to capture material implicating the Speech or Debate Clause. The U.S. Constitution’s “Speech or Debate Clause” provides that “for any Speech or Debate in either House, [Senators and Representatives] shall not be questioned in any other place.” The Speech or Debate Clause shields records related to Members’ official duties from compelled disclosure.

During the Biden-Harris Administration, the Department of Justice (DOJ) disregarded this constitutional protection and the separation of powers by issuing secret subpoenas for Members’ phone records. This includes Rep. Kelly’s phone records during former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s partisan investigation known as “Arctic Frost.”

The Congressional Records Protection Act would require prosecutors and investigators to notify Members and congressional staffers when seeking compelled disclosure of materials that may be protected by the Speech or Debate Clause under the Act’s limited exceptions.

The Congressional Records Protection Act states the target of a criminal investigation is the person whom the governmental entity has probable cause to believe has committed a crime. If the target is a Member or congressional employee, a judge must certify that probable cause exists prior to the governmental entity seeking or obtaining a search warrant, grand jury subpoena, court order, statutory authorization, certification, subpoena, or administrative order.

You can find bill text here.

Rep. Panetta Joins Introduction of Bipartisan Patients First Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, D.C. – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined Reps. Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), and Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) in introducing the bipartisan Patients First Act, comprehensive Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) reform legislation. The Patients First Act would make necessary changes to keep patients healthy, preserve competition, and deliver affordability.

The legislation includes Rep. Panetta’s longstanding priority of reforming the Medicare physician fee schedule, improving seniors’ access to care by strengthening the incentives to keep doctors in practice, improving access to primary care physicians, and stabilizing the cost of care.

Rep. Panetta also co-leads the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act to protect seniors’ access to care by ensuring Medicare keeps pace with rising health care costs. The bill helps prevent doctor shortages in Medicare by indexing payments to inflation to ensure they better reflect the real cost of delivering care, especially in rural, underserved, and low-income communities. This year he passed legislation to end Medicare Advantage “ghost networks” and joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to reform Medicare Advantage payments and end prior authorization abuses.

“Medicare patients in California’s 19th Congressional District are facing significant barriers to care, with practices closing, physicians leaving the community, and monthslong wait times for even a checkup,” said Rep. Panetta. “I’m proud to cosponsor the bipartisan Patients First Act to stabilize doctors’ practices and payments, cut red tape, invest in primary care, and increase choice for patients, ensuring seniors have access to the care they’ve earned. I am also proud this legislation includes my longstanding priority to attach Medicare rates to inflation. This is the type of bipartisan work necessary to help doctors and patients alike.”

“Our nation is in a primary care crisis, and if we don’t act swiftly to reform the system, patients will lose access to care, costs will rise, and physician practices will continue to close,” said Rep. Schrier. “Consolidation in our healthcare system is forcing small, independent physicians to sell their practices to corporate entities, decreasing choice and competition, and increasing costs for patients without delivering better quality. This bill gives stability to independent practices, reduces red tape and burdensome paperwork, and invests in primary care. By introducing the Patients First Act, we are addressing the challenges physicians face with a commonsense, bipartisan solution. Patients deserve better, and this bill delivers on that promise.”

“The House of Medicine is at a crossroads. We can maintain the status quo that rewards more costly, less personalized care, or we can put our heads together to build a modern framework that addresses the challenges that impede physicians’ ability to care for their patients,” said Rep. Joyce. “We often talk about expanding access to high-quality care, but without meaningful Medicare reimbursement reform, that mission becomes nearly impossible to achieve. Putting patients ahead of politics, we worked together to develop this comprehensive legislation to address a system that has for far too long undermined patient access to affordable, physician driven care within their communities. We can and must do better. This proposal deserves serious consideration because the future of patient care, the strength of our physician workforce, and the survival of independent practice all hinge on whether we choose to act rather than accept inaction.”

“As a practicing urologist for more than 30 years, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges physicians face in keeping their doors open while providing the highest quality care for their patients,” said Rep. Murphy. “Our current Medicare physician payment system is unsustainable. It has fueled consolidation, increased administrative burdens, and made it harder for independent physicians in rural communities to continue serving the patients who rely on them. The bipartisan Patients First Act delivers long-overdue reforms that strengthen independent practices, invest in primary care, and ensure physicians can spend more time caring for patients instead of navigating bureaucracy. When physicians succeed, patients receive better care, and that’s exactly what this legislation is designed to achieve.”

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) is bipartisan legislation signed into law on April 16, 2015. The law:

  • Repealed the sustainable growth rate (SGR) methodology for determining updates to the Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS),
  • Established a merit-based incentive payment system (MIPS) to consolidate and replace several existing incentive programs, and
  • Incentivized the development of, and participation in, alternative payment models (APMs).

Specifically, the Patients First Act:

  • Ties physician reimbursement to an inflationary measure.
  • Establishes a primary care hybrid payment pilot program that pays Primary Care Providers (PCPs) a per-member-per-month payment along with regular services, better capturing the work PCPs do.
  • Establishes the POINTS program, which creates a physician and clinician-led task force at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop quality metrics that are streamlined and reduce administrative burden.
  • Freezes Advanced Alternative Payment Model participation thresholds for three years and creates notice and comment periods for Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation mandatory models.
  • Increases the budget neutrality threshold from $20 million to $54.3 million. 

Running an independent physician practice is costly, with physicians increasingly forced to either close their doors or sell their practices due to low reimbursement rates and increasing practice expenses. When physician practices are acquired, patients are often left with fewer and more costly options for care.

Not only is care becoming more consolidated and costly, America is also facing a primary care crisis. Primary care providers foster a lifelong relationship with patients and provide disease prevention, treatment, and management. Today, less than five cents of every Medicare dollar goes to primary care, even though it accounts for more than half of all physician visits. It’s no coincidence that more than 100 million Americans don’t have access to regular primary care. 

More information on the Patients First Act is available here.

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LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON ATTACK AT 26 FEDERAL PLAZA

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

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:

I am grateful to law enforcement for their swift actions to stop an attack at 26 Federal Plaza this morning, for successfully apprehending the suspect and for keeping the people of New York City safe. Acts of terror and violence have no place in our City and will never be tolerated. The individual responsible for this must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 

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ICYMI: Congressman Al Green joined Democracy Now! to discuss the ICE‑involved killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

Congressman Al Green joined Democracy Now! to discuss the ICE‑involved killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Congressman Green’s participation in a Houston rally with organizers demanding justice, and the upcoming Homeland Security Committee hearing that will examine the case.

You can access the news segment by clicking the link here.

Aderholt Supports Sunshine Protection Act While Highlighting Student Safety Concerns

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today voted in favor of H.R. 139, the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, legislation that would end the twice-yearly clock changes by making Daylight Saving Time permanent. The proposal has enjoyed broad bipartisan support among the American public for years, as many Americans have grown tired of changing their clocks every spring and fall. 

“The twice-a-year time change has long been a source of frustration for families, businesses, and workers across the country,” said Congressman Aderholt. “I’ve heard from many constituents who simply want to pick one time and stick with it. The Sunshine Protection Act accomplishes that by providing consistency throughout the year.”

While supporting the legislation, Aderholt noted that permanent Daylight Saving Time presents unique challenges for communities in North Alabama, particularly during the winter months.

“One concern I do have is the impact on school children,” Aderholt said. “In December and January, permanent Daylight Saving Time would mean the sun would not rise until nearly 8:00 a.m. in much of North Alabama. That means many students would be standing at bus stops or walking to school before sunrise. As a father and soon-to-be grandfather, that’s something I take seriously.”

Aderholt said he hopes school systems, local communities, and state leaders will work together to minimize those concerns should the legislation become law.

“I believe we can enjoy the benefits of ending the clock changes while also making sure student safety remains a priority,” Aderholt continued. “Whether that means reviewing bus schedules, adjusting school start times where practical, or identifying other commonsense solutions, we should make every effort to ensure children are not routinely waiting for the bus in the dark.”

Supporters of the Sunshine Protection Act cite the benefits of eliminating the disruptive seasonal clock changes, including greater consistency for families, commerce, and travel, as well as more daylight during evening hours. The legislation has advanced with bipartisan support in Congress and has been the subject of public debate for several years. 

“Like many Americans, I believe it’s time to end the twice-yearly ritual of changing our clocks,” Aderholt said. “As we move forward, we’ll continue working to ensure the transition is implemented in a way that best serves families here in Alabama.”

Congressman Cohen Announces FEMA Grants to Shelby County and Memphis Shelby County Schools

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing grants to Shelby County and to Memphis Shelby County Schools. Shelby County will receive $190,926 for its warning and alert system, which represents 75 percent of the cost. Memphis Shelby County Schools will receive $224,908 for security camera repairs and replacements, also repenting 75 percent of the total cost.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Two recent severe storms did serious damage to our safety infrastructure. I’m pleased to see these federal investments being made to shore up our ability to alert the public and critical first responders when a disaster threatens our region.”

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DelBene, Sewell, Chu, Khanna Introduce Bill to Crack Down on Wealthy Tax Evaders

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Terri Sewell (AL-07, Judy Chu (CA-28), and Ro Khanna (CA-17) introduced legislation to provide the IRS with the resources to improve taxpayer services and enhance tax enforcement focused on high-income tax evasion. 

The Inflation Reduction Act included funding for the IRS to enhance taxpayer services, improve outdated technology systems, and target high-income tax evaders. This funding drastically improved customer service at the IRS. For example, in 2022, the average time to speak to an IRS customer service representative was 28 minutes. In 2023, it dropped to four minutes and then down to three minutes in 2024. Additionally, in 2024, $1.3 billion was recovered from high-income, high-wealth people under the IRA enforcement initiatives. Congressional Republicans cut this funding, making it harder for the IRS to enforce the tax code and provide services to taxpayers. 

The Stop Corporations and High Earners from Avoiding Taxes and Enforce the Rules Strictly (CHEATERS) Act would restore the $83 billion in funding for the IRS, which would go to taxpayer services, enforcement, and modernizing the agency. These enforcement investments would ensure the wealthy and well-connected pay their fair share of taxes and is estimated to generate $998 billion in revenue, according to the Yale Budget Lab.

The $83 billion would be allocated as follows:

  • $45.6 billion for enforcement efforts
  • $25.4 billion for technology modernization
  • $9.6 billion for taxpayer services improvements
  • $3.1 billion for business systems enhancements

“For too long, wealthy individuals and large corporations have gotten away with not paying their fair share of taxes,” said DelBene. “Instead of addressing this problem, Congressional Republicans continue to cut IRS funding which makes enforcement more difficult. This bill restores the necessary funding so the agency can ensure that the tax code is enforced fairly and ensure wealthy tax evaders pay their fair share.”

“As working families continue to struggle to afford the rising cost of gas and groceries, Donald Trump and Republicans are rigging the economy to benefit themselves and their wealthy friends while dodging accountability. That is why I am proud to support the Stop CHEATERS Act to restore essential IRS funding and shift auditing and enforcement toward high-income individuals and large corporations,” said Sewell.

“When the ultra-wealthy and corporations cheat our system by not paying their fair share of taxes, working-class taxpayers and our economy suffer. Unfortunately, Republicans have only greenlit millionaire and billionaire tax cheats by slashing IRS staffing and funding that Democrats have fought so hard to bolster,” said Chu. “Our bill would restore $83 billion in IRS funding to strengthen taxpayer services while ensuring the ultra-wealthy finally pay their fair share.”

“Too many ultra-wealthy individuals and large corporations have exploited an underfunded IRS to avoid paying what they owe. The Stop CHEATERS Act gives the IRS the funding it needs to stop tax evasion by those at the top and would raise nearly $1 trillion in revenue over the next decade,” said Khanna.

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Don Beyer (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Andre Carson (IN-07), Danny Davis (IL-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Jesús García (IL-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), John Larson (CT-01), Summer Lee (PA-12), Sarah McBride (DE-At-Large), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At-Large), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Emily Randall (WA-06), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20).

The legislation is endorsed by AFL-CIO, AFSCME, American Federation of Teachers, Americans for Financial Reform, Americans for Tax Fairness, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, Groundwork Action, Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Main Street Alliance, National Treasury Employees Union, Patriotic Millionaires, Progressive Policy Institute, Public Citizen, P Street, SEIU, Small Business for America’s Future, Small Business Majority, Take on Wall Street, Taxpayers for Common Sense, Tax the Greedy Billionaires, and Third Way.

The text of the legislation can be found here.

Krishnamoorthi Condemns Deadly Iranian Attack, Warns Iran Against Further Attacks, and Calls for Diplomacy to End Trump’s Illegal War

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) released the following statement after two American service members were killed in an Iranian attack:

“The deaths of two American service members in today’s Iranian attack are a tragic reminder of the escalating human cost of this illegal war of choice waged by Donald Trump. Iran must immediately cease its attacks against Americans and abandon any threats against civilians, or face even greater international isolation and military consequences. The conflict is now spiraling, and we cannot allow it to become another forever war that costs more American lives abroad and drives up prices here at home. President Trump must work with our friends, partners, and allies to pursue a real diplomatic path to end the war he recklessly started.”

ICYMI: Rep. Al Green Warns Public – President Trump Will Pardon ICE Officers if Federal Crimes Are Proven

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Washington, DC) — On Thursday, July 16, 2026, Congressman Al Green delivered remarks on the House floor warning the public that President Donald Trump will pardon ICE officers if federal crimes are proven.

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s speech on his official YouTube page or by clicking here. The floor speech highlighted is also accessible on various social media platforms, including BlueskyFacebookInstagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).