MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and 122 House Democrats, led by House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Co-Chairs U.S. Reps. Sean Casten (IL-06) and Mike Levin (CA-49) introduced the Energy Bills Relief Act, a family- and consumer-focused approach to United States energy policy that ensures Americans have access to the most reliable and low-cost source of power available – renewable energy.

The SEEC Energy Bills Relief Act incorporates legislative priorities to lower energy costs for hardworking American families that U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor has championed in Congress, including policies to connect more clean energy to the grid, deploy advanced technologies, and protect families and small businesses from rising power demand.

“Trump and Congressional Republicans are making electric bills unaffordable for our neighbors back home,” said Castor. “American families deserve better than a constant struggle with the high cost of living. Clean energy is the fastest, lowest-cost resource we can add to our electric grid to help lower bills. I’m thankful for Reps. Casten and Levin’s leadership, and I’m proud to support legislation that lowers costs and commits to clean energy innovation.”

Text of the legislation can be found here.

A section-by-section can be found here.

A one-page summary can be found here. A three-page summary can be found here.

Statements of support from key issues advocacy organizations and industry leaders can be found here.

The Energy Bills Relief Act prioritizes consumers and ensures access to low-cost energy for our homes, businesses, and economy by:

• Reinstating tax credits for home and system-wide energy improvements that were ended by President Trump and Congressional Republicans
• Incentivizing utility companies to save consumers’ money by rewarding them for making their systems more efficient, thereby lowering bills 
• Providing financial assistance to American families to make sure their power isn’t shut off
• Cracking down on price gouging, so energy companies can’t take advantage of you to boost their profits
• Ensuring that facilities like data centers are paying for their own costs because it’s not fair for their expenses to be pushed onto your household if one opens in your area
• Giving a voice to the American people so they can benefit from energy projects in their community

Electricity rates are surging nationwide, and millions of households are struggling to pay their rising energy bills. The most effective way to lower utility costs for American households is to expand access to renewable energy — the most reliable and low-cost energy source.

We have the tools to power America with abundant, reliable, American-made clean energy. The missing link between those tools and expanded access to that low-cost and efficient energy is a consumer-first energy policy. 

For too long, U.S. energy policy has boosted the profits of energy producers at the expense of energy consumers. The Energy Bills Relief Act shifts our focus to lowering costs and increasing reliability for American homes and businesses by deploying more renewable energy. It is firmly rooted in the American values of choice and competition. It prioritizes consumers and ensures access to low-cost energy for our homes, businesses, and economy.

The Energy Bills Relief Act is what American families need to see costs go down, reliability go up, and ensure our electric grid can meet rising demand.

Last September, Reps. Casten and Levin released a discussion draft of the legislation under the name of the Cheap Energy Act.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

Congressman Scores 100% – Top in GA Delegation – Highest Lifetime Score of 97% 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced today he earned a perfect 100 percent from The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) on their 2025 National Environmental Scorecard, which tallies the performance of every member of Congress every year on key environmental votes.

Rep. Johnson’s lifetime LCV score is 97 percent, one of the highest in the Georgia delegation. Congressman Johnson, a member of the Safe Climate Caucus, is regularly honored for his environmental voting record and advocacy on part of the National Park System and advocacy for the expansion of clean energy.

“As the Trump administration pursues its disastrous ‘drill-baby-drill’ policies, the American people and the planet suffer,” said Rep. Johnson. “We see what over-reliance on fossil fuels and a myopic energy policy looks like, and it’s not good. Voting to protect our natural resources and the planet from existential climate change isn’t difficult, it’s just common sense. I urge my Republican colleagues to get the heads out of Trump’s ass, find a backbone and a little common sense themselves before it’s too late.”

The average House score was 48 percent.

For more than 50 years, the National Environmental Scorecard issued by LCV has been the nationally accepted yardstick used to rate members of Congress on environmental, public health, and energy issues. For more information, visit http://scorecard.lcv.org.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

The package includes two bipartisan bills co-led by Pappas, the Accelerating Home Building Act and the Property Improvement and Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

Harder forced the Stockton ICE facility to open its doors to the public for the first time

Following Kristi Noem’s firing, Harder sending key demands to Senate leaders ahead of replacement vote

WASHINGTON – Ahead of an upcoming vote to confirm a new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) sent a letter to U.S. Senate leaders demanding clear reforms at DHS or stiff consequences, including rejecting nominees. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), the current nominee, is appearing before the Senate Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee today for a confirmation hearing.

Weeks ago, Harder forced the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Stockton to open its doors for the first time since recent escalating attacks began. During the oversight investigation, Harder called for former Secretary Kristi Noem’s removal and made several demands for reforms at ICE – Harder is now urging the Senate to condition approval of Sen. Mullin and any replacement for Noem on commitments to clear reforms.

“We’re demanding that ICE adhere to the same rules as any other law enforcement agency – any nominee who can’t commit to that should be rejected,” said Rep. Harder. “Under Kristi Noem, our neighbors were unlawfully detained, demonstrators were brutally attacked, and families were torn apart. This can’t be a reshuffling of the deck chairs on the Titanic – we need real accountability from top to bottom.”

Harder’s demands for a replacement DHS Secretary include:

1. Clear standards governing ICE enforcement operations.
2. Bans on face coverings used by federal immigration agents.
3. Visible identification requirements for officers conducting immigration enforcement.
4. Reasonable use-of-force policiesfor federal immigration agents.
5. Bans on racial profilingincluding stops, questioning, and searches based on an individual’s race and ethnicity. 

Following today’s hearing, the U.S. Senate will vote on Sen. Mullin’s nomination in the coming days.

Read the full letter here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, together with Democratic Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding answers for the administration’s failure to protect Americans in the Middle East prior to President Trump launching the Iran war. The letter demands that Secretary Rubio explain in writing what planning, if any, the State Department undertook prior to the start of his Iran war to ensure for the safety of thousands of Americans now stranded in countries across the Middle East.

Cosigners of the letter include Representatives William R. Keating; Joaquin Castro; Ami Bera; Sara Jacobs; Jared Moskowitz; Gabe Amo; Madeleine Dean; Bradley Scott Schneider; George Latimer; Greg Stanton; Dina Titus; Pramila Jayapal; Johnny Olszewski, Jr; Jonathan L. Jackson; Ted W. Lieu; Kweisi Mfume; Jim Costa; Julie Johnson; Sarah McBride; Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

A PDF of the full letter can be found here.

“…Despite these anticipated retaliatory attacks, the Department did not begin to order or authorize the departure of U.S. diplomats and their families until March 2—two days after the war had begun—from Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. U.S. personnel in Karachi and Lahore were evacuated a day later, after the attack in Karachi had already occurred. Additionally, you indicated that more than 1,600 Americans were stranded and seeking means to leave the region after the war began.

“There is no higher responsibility than the safety and security of Americans overseas. Yet the Department under your direction did not prioritize getting Americans out of the conflict area or sufficiently preparing U.S. embassies and personnel for the consequences of President Trump’s decision to begin the war on February 28. It was not until March 2 that Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar posted on X for Americans to, ‘DEPART NOW … using available commercial transportation’ from 14 countries. But by that time, commercial flights had largely stopped across the region, leaving Americans stranded. The conflicting messaging telling Americans to leave without means of evacuation sowed mass confusion. It took another day for President Trump to state that the United States would start providing government-chartered flights.” 

 

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

WASHINGTON, D.C.  — This week, U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Chairman of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax, Mike Thompson (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax, introduced the IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act to make commonsense reforms to the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Whistleblower Awards Program.

The IRS’ whistleblower program has enabled the agency to collect more than $7.5 billion from individuals and businesses caught dodging taxes. It has retrieved additional billions through the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program, which was created as a direct result of actionable information brought to the IRS by whistleblowers.

“The legislation ensures fairness and accountability for the hardworking American taxpayer,” Rep. Kelly said. “Whistleblowers are essential to ensuring the integrity of our tax laws. Exposing wrongdoing by tax cheats and fraudsters guarantees our voluntary tax system is fair for all Americans.”

“A strong whistleblower program helps the IRS recoup taxpayer dollars that were lost to tax fraud or tax evasion,” said Rep. Thompson. “The IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act will help the IRS crackdown on tax cheats. By strengthening this vital program, it will provide an incentive to anonymously report incidents of tax fraud and improve the IRS’s compliance and enforcement efforts while deterring those who seek to exploit the system.”

BACKGROUND
The IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act includes six measures to bolster the successful program, ensure fairness and protect the whistleblowers who come forward. The legislation would:

• Provide for De Novo review in appeals heard by the U.S. Tax Court, allowing for new evidence to be admitted to the record;
• Establish a presumption of anonymity for whistleblowers before the court;
• Provide that interest be paid to awardees if the whistleblower award has not been paid within one year of the IRS collecting all proceeds;
• Bring the tax treatment of attorney’s fees into line with other whistleblower programs; and
• Improve the program’s annual report to Congress to help tax writers identify areas in most need of attention.

The Kelly-Thompson legislation is supported by the National Whistleblower Center.

You can find the bill text here and a section-by-section here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA) in reintroducing legislation to provide more support to living organ donors and address the increasingly high costs of donation. The Expanding Support for Living Donors Act would remove financial barriers that prevent many people from donating life-saving organs.

“Becoming a living organ donor is an extraordinary act of generosity, but for many Americans the financial costs tied to donation remain a serious barrier. No one who steps forward to save a life should be left worrying about lost wages or out-of-pocket expenses. This is why I was so happy to partner with Congresswoman Suzan DelBene to reintroduce the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act, which strengthens and modernizes the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program by extending it through 2037. This way we can expand eligibility and increase reimbursement amounts beginning in fiscal year 2027. By updating this program to reflect today’s economic realities, we can better support donors and help ensure more patients receive the life-saving transplants they need,” said Congresswoman Miller.

“Donors give the gift of life to their fellow Americans, but too often they’re held back by high personal out-of-pocket costs. No one should have to choose between saving a life and paying their bills. This legislation would remove unnecessary financial barriers that contribute to the transplant list growing every year. By making donations more accessible, we can help more patients receive the life saving transplants they need,” said Congresswoman DelBene.

“As a doctor, I have seen firsthand the life-changing impact that organ donations have and know that these donations add years to recipients’ lives, giving them a new lease on life and precious, additional time spent with their family and loved ones. Unfortunately, living donors often face burdensome financial barriers when trying to donate, such as travel costs and lost wages. These barriers can be the only obstacle standing between patients and the lifesaving care that they need. That’s why I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation to help address this issue and increase access by expanding financial assistance to living donors,” said Congresswoman Schrier.

The bill is supported by the following patient advocacy and medical groups:
National Kidney Foundation, American Society of Nephrology, Nonprofit Kidney Care Alliance, American Kidney Fund, Waitlist Zero, Centers for Dialysis Care, Central Florida Kidney Centers, Independent Dialysis Foundation, Northwest Kidney Centers, Puget Sound Kidney Centers, Renal Physicians Association, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Liver Foundation, American Nephrology Nurses Association, Dialysis Patient Citizens, Ardelyx, Washington State Hospital Association, American Diabetes Association, DaVita, Fresenius, American Medical Association, and The Rogosin Institute. 
 
“Giving a life-saving organ as a living donor is one of the greatest possible gifts. The American Society of Nephrology believes that living donation should be a cost-neutral act and commends the introduction of the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act,” said Samir M. Parikh, MD, FASN, President, American Society of Nephrology. “This bipartisan bill breaks down barriers to living organ donation by covering more out-of-pocket costs incurred during the living donation process for most Americans, enshrining our nation’s commitment to those who give the gift of life.” 
 
“In the United States, twelve people die every day waiting for a kidney transplant,” said Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant recipient. “Living donors make an extraordinary and selfless choice to save lives, and they should never face financial barriers because of that generosity. Strengthening the National Living Donor Assistance Center will help remove those barriers and ensure more patients have a chance to receive the life-saving transplant they need.” 
 
“The American Kidney Fund is proud to support the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act, which would increase the number of living donors eligible for important federal programs,” said LaVarne Burton, President and CEO, American Kidney Fund. “There are many Americans moved to donate a kidney that may hesitate because they can’t afford time off, dependent care, transportation or lodging. By improving access to federal support, this legislation would ultimately help ensure more people on the kidney transplant waiting list receive the life-saving transplant they need.”  

Click here for bill text.

Background: 

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

WASHINGTON — In their haste to defend criminal illegal aliens, Democrats have shut down the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – the third longest government shutdown in U.S. history – and jeopardized our national security at a time of heightened threats on our homeland. Democrats claim they are taking a stand against deportations, but their legislation tells a different story.

Following Senate Democrats’ failed attempt last week, House Democrats are trying to force legislation to partially fund DHS but leave Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unfunded, conveying that they either don’t understand the function of federal law enforcement agencies or they are attempting to revert to the dangerous open border policies of the Biden Administration.

“Democrats refuse to reopen TSA and FEMA and the Coast Guard and these other critical functions of government unless they can reopen our borders to illegal aliens,” Speaker Johnson said this week. “CBP is the largest federal law enforcement agency. Any bill that strips its funding weakens our defenses against terrorist plots, undermines the integrity of our borders, and disrupts lawful travel through US ports of entry, including the millions of American and international travelers processed at our airports every single day.”

CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

CBP is the largest federal law enforcement agency in the U.S. with more than 60,000 active personnel. The agency is charged with securing our borders, countering terrorism, combatting transnational crime, facilitating trade, protecting intellectual property, and facilitating lawful travel through US ports of entry. 

SECURING AMERICA’S BORDERS

CBP officers patrol and secure America’s 6,000 miles of land borders, 2,000 miles of coastline, and all ports of entry. CBP officers prevent drug smugglers, human and child sex traffickers, weapons traffickers, and other bad actors from entering our homeland.  

• In FY2025, border apprehensions hit their lowest mark in over 50 years.
• In December 2025, there were just 30,698 nationwide border encounters – 92% below the peak during the Biden Administration.
• In December 2025, there were zero parole releases into the homeland – following 7 consecutive months of zero releases – compared to the 7,041 parolees released by the Biden Administration in December 2024.

PREVENTING THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

CBP is the primary federal agency tasked with seizing illegal drugs before they invade American communities. CBP officers monitor ports of entry, cargo containers, vehicles, and along border checkpoints for drug smugglers seeking to poison our neighborhoods.

• In FY2025, CBP officers seized 170,000 lbs. of meth, 70,000 lbs. of cocaine, and 12,000 lbs. of fentanyl.
• Fentanyl seizures at the US-Mexico border in 2025 dropped 46% from 2024 and 57% from 2023, signaling that strong border enforcement is successfully deterring transnational criminal organizations from attempting to smuggle more drugs. Fentanyl is still the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 48.
• The scale of the challenge is vast; in any given month, CBP will inspect millions of cars, trains, and ships, process tens of millions of travelers, and clear hundreds of billions of goods entering our shores.

DEFENDING AMERICAN AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

CBP agriculture specialists are America’s frontline defense against biological threats, invasive species, and foreign animal diseases that threaten farms, forests, and food supplies. Agriculture remains one of America’s largest industries and employers, and protecting our natural resources and food supply is essential to maintaining national security.

• The USDA estimates that invasive species have cost over $26 billion per year in lost economic activity.
• CBP coordinates closely with the CDC, USDA, and other federal agencies to screen travelers for infectious diseases and potential bioweapons. During a shutdown, interagency communication is weakened.

ADDITIONAL CBP NATIONAL SECURITY FUNCTIONS LEFT UNFUNDED BY DEMOCRATS

• Counterterrorism and weapons of mass destruction prevention
• Intelligence, targeting, and pre-arrival screening of suspicious persons
• Combating transnational organized crime
• Aerial surveillance support for natural disasters
• Tactical threat response
• Supply chain and cargo security

REMEMBER, DEMOCRATS OPENED AMERICAN BORDERS & LET IN MILLIONS

During the Biden presidency, Democrats willfully refused to follow federal immigration law and opened American borders to millions – including murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers – from nearly every country on earth.

• From FY21 through FY24, CBP reported 10.8 million border encounters – a more than 3.5x increase from 2017-2020.
• During that same period, CBP reported approximately 2 million known “gotaways,” or individuals who crossed through American borders and weren’t detained.
• In 2023 alone, 169 individuals on the terrorist watchlist were apprehended attempting to enter the country, and more than 390 were apprehended during Biden’s term.

BOTTOM LINE

The Democrat DHS shutdown is as foolish as it is dangerous. Democrats continue to prove – as they did at the State of the Union address – that their first duty is to criminal illegal aliens, not American citizens. And the consequences of this prolonged obstruction could be both costly and deadly.  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

Today’s markup is the third this Congress to repeal D.C.’s use of automated traffic enforcement measures and its law limiting right turn on red.