MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Temporarily Closing Downtown LA Detention Facility, Transferring 22 People to Santa Ana

ICE officials disclosed the temporary closure and transfers only after Congressman Gomez arrived for a surprise inspection of B-18

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) voted for H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027, which passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 217-209. The bill strengthens American diplomacy and national security abroad, cuts foreign aid and counters our adversaries while supporting key allies, and supports education programs abroad like the Fulbright Exchange Program.

Rep. Hill said, “House Republicans are bringing sanity back to foreign spending and making sure every dollar we send abroad serves America’s national security. Arkansans never asked for their hard-earned tax dollars to be spent pushing ‘woke’ fads like DEI programs and gender ideology experiments on our strategic partners and allies. I voted for this bill to fund the things that actually advance our best interests, our diplomatic and intelligence operations, security assistance for real allies, and programs that reflect American values like religious freedom, the fight against human trafficking, and the Fulbright Exchange program. We’re also cutting off the regimes that work against America and demanding more accountability from those receiving our money. This bill respects taxpayers, advances our actual interests, and delivers the foreign policy Americans have been asking for.”

Background:

H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027, provides a total discretionary allocation of $47.32 billion, which is $2.69 billion, or 6 percent, below the FY26 enacted level. The bill champions a foreign policy agenda that supports our allies, counters our adversaries, and eliminates contributions to organizations that are wasteful and contradictory to American values. It codifies President Trump’s executive orders to completely defund DEI programs, climate change mandates, and radical gender ideology programs, and maintains all long-standing pro-life provisions. It also counters the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party by fully funding the Countering PRC Influence Fund at $400 million, denying the CCP access to U.S.-backed resources, and prohibiting countries from using U.S. aid to repay debts owed to Communist China.

Rep. Hill’s Priorities

• Support an interagency strategy to disrupt and dismantle narcotics production and trafficking and affiliated networks in the Middle East.
• Hold the Egyptian Government accountable for its poor treatment of Christian communities in Egypt.
• Funding for the Fulbright Exchange Program and other international exchange programs.
• Ensuring continued delivery of humanitarian aid into and within Syria.
• Require the Secretary of State to examine the severe restrictions on religious freedom in countries the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended for the Special Watch List.
• Funding for programs to combat trafficking in persons (TIP), including for the Child Protection Compacts and the Program to End Modern Slavery.
• Funding for the National Security Investment Programs to help support conflict observatory documentation from entities with experience, especially for documentation of war crimes that occurred under the Assad Regime in Syria and those that are suspected to be occurring in Ukraine under the invasion by Russia.
• Funding for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Division.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

We all have a story to tell regarding our time in the classroom. Whether it was staying up late to finish a homework assignment, gathering with classmates to prepare for an upcoming exam, or even participating in extracurricular activities, our time from elementary to high school was deeply rooted in our homes and our communities.

For many of us – especially those who grew up in more rural areas like much of the Fourth District – school didn’t just stay on the campus; it extended into our everyday lives. Teachers led Sunday school and attended the same churches, coaches wandered through the produce section at our local grocery stores, and school administrators frequented the same restaurants, enjoying a meal with their own families. 

Our education system is woven into the fabric of our personal lives and our community. And as such, the decisions made to best serve our schools, teachers, and students must be made at the state and local levels.

My time serving on a local school board and in the state legislature made that very apparent. A bureaucrat in Washington has no idea what is going on in the small town of Magnolia. They have no idea what funding priorities could have the greatest impact on students’ learning in Booneville or on supplying teachers with better resources in Hope. 

Education works best when decisions are made as close to our students and their families as possible. That’s why I was pleased to see the U.S. Department of Education’s approval for Arkansas’ Returning Education to the States Waiver this week. 

This waiver provides the Natural State with the flexibility needed to empower our local school districts while reducing overarching, out-of-touch federal bureaucracy. Education funding will become more streamlined, allowing local leaders to decide how federal funds are best spent. We’ll see greater accountability for alternative learning environments. At the heart of this waiver, our schools will be able to receive the resources they need to meet the unique needs of the students in their classrooms.

We’ve seen the latest testing results from this past school year, and we’ve been encouraged by the number of success stories, the students who are learning more effectively, and our teachers who feel more supported. Through the excellent work at the state level, we are preparing our students well for success through learning.

This waiver is another excellent step in the right direction for placing our local and state leaders back in the driver’s seat when it comes to Arkansas’ education system. In Washington, I remain committed to working on the federal level to champion legislation like my bill, the Focus on Learning Act, that empowers our states, uplifts our teachers, and supports our students. 

Arkansas has the opportunity to lead the nation and set the standard for public education. By shifting the focus away from bureaucratic standards, we can begin to prioritize what is most important: teacher and student success. I look forward to continuing my work in Congress to achieve that goal not just for Arkansas, but for the United States as a whole.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

Partisan disagreements are not new to our country. From the very beginning, our nation has wrestled with compromising ideas or priorities, differing regional interests, and deeply held beliefs. Even in 1787, when our Constitution was drafted and signed, representatives from every colony were present, advocating for what they believed best served their states.

During the tense debating at this historic gathering, Benjamin Franklin reflected on the uncertainty of the moment. Would they be successful in drafting a Constitution?

As he let his eyes wander the room, they landed on the ornate chair President George Washington had settled into. A beautiful, stately chair with carved details drawing the eye upward to its crowning feature: a half sun with its beams stretching outward with strength and confidence. With the tension in the room, one thought came to his mind: was this a rising or setting sun? Was this a beginning or an end?

At the end of the convention, Franklin acknowledged the imperfections of the proposed Constitution but urged his fellow delegates to move forward with humility, compromise, and ultimately unity. He appealed to his fellow delegates, “I cannot help expressing a wish that every member of the Convention, who may still have objections to it, would with me, on this occasion, doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument.”

He reminded them that when a number of men come together to govern, they also bring with them their own biases, opinions, passions, and interests. But progress always heavily depends on the willingness to rise above them.

The next 250 years would be marked by legislators continuing that work of creating a more perfect Union, passing laws and advocating for priorities that best benefited their states – all with ultimately the same goal in mind.

As the final delegates’ names were being signed to our nation’s founding document, Franklin determined that this was not a setting sun that was depicted in Washington’s ornate chair; it was rising. It was a symbol of hope for the future of our nation, our democracy, and our self-governing system.

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

Carbajal Statement on Massie Amendment to GOP Foreign Aid Budget Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, July 17, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), issued the following statement to mark the 6th anniversary of the death of Congressman John Lewis.

“Today, on the John Lewis ‘Good Trouble’ Day of Action, we honor the life, legacy, and enduring courage of Congressman John Lewis—a man who devoted his life to protecting one of the most fundamental rights in our democracy: the right to vote.

“John Lewis understood that the promise of America is only as strong as the ability of its people to participate in it. He marched, organized, and endured brutal violence so that future generations would have the opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box.   

“The progress we have made did not come easily. Countless Americans sacrificed, struggled, and, in some cases, gave their lives to expand access to the ballot and make our democracy more inclusive. We honor their sacrifices by remaining vigilant in protecting the freedoms they fought so hard to secure.

“As we reflect on Congressman Lewis’ legacy, we must also recognize that the work of upholding our democracy continues.

“Every eligible voter deserves an equal opportunity to participate in our elections, free from discrimination, intimidation, or unnecessary barriers. Every community deserves confidence that its voice will be heard and that every legally cast ballot will be counted.

“That is why I continue to support efforts to strengthen voting rights protections, including the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore and strengthen protections that recent Supreme Court rulings have weakened.

“The best way to honor John Lewis is through action. I encourage every eligible voter to verify their registration, ensure their information is up to date, learn about voting requirements in our state, and make a plan to participate in upcoming elections.

“North Carolina voters can check their registration information at https://www.ncsbe.gov/registering/checking-your-registration

“On this Day of Action, let us recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of building a democracy where every person has the opportunity to participate in free, fair, open, and safe elections. John Lewis called voting ‘the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society,’ and we must use it.”

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

This week Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) introduced the Turn the Tide Act in the House of Representatives. This legislation would deliver more than $65 billion in federal funding over the next ten years for substance use treatment and prevention. This legislation would expand critical treatment programs, prioritize prevention and increase access to care by addressing workforce shortages. U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan introduced this legislation in the Senate.

“It’s clear that investing in substance use treatment and prevention works,” said Congressman Pappas. “This administration has repeatedly tried to devastate our efforts to combat and prevent addiction, but what we actually need is continued investment to ensure treatment and prevention programs can reach everyone across our communities. This crisis is deeply personal for Granite Staters, and I will always fight to deliver New Hampshire the resources we need to save lives and help our communities stop this crisis.”

Specifically, the Turn the Tide Act:

• Increases State Opioid Response (SOR) treatment grant funding to $5.5 billion per year over the next five years and provides needed flexibility so that providers can treat patients who have non-opioid related substance use disorders, such as methamphetamine or other substances.
• Expands the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Recovery Housing Program and ensures states receive more consistent funding to support patients in recovery.
• Establishes a new grant program modeled off of the successful Manchester Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team program to assist children who have been exposed to trauma, often as a result of substance use disorders among family members or friends.
• Requires that private insurers and Medicare Part D plans cover Naloxone without any co-pay or deductible requirements and prohibits insurers from setting up administrative barriers, like prior authorization, that delay start of medication-assisted treatment.

Last year Pappas led 50 of his House colleagues in urging Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy to reverse the cancellation of almost $12 billion in federal grants for state health services from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which included $80 million in public health funding for New Hampshire. He also led a call for the Administration to immediately reinstate illegally fired SAMHSA workers alongside leading members of the Addiction, Treatment, Recovery Caucus, Mental Health Caucus, and Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. A court ultimately ordered that the workers be reinstated in December 2025.

In January 2026 the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation successfully pushed the Trump Administration to reverse its massive, sudden, and unexplained cuts to critical mental health and addiction prevention grant programs. After organizations across New Hampshire began to receive grant cancellation notices from the Department of Health and Human Services, they quickly pressed Secretary Kennedy to reverse the cancellations, and within days the Administration began reinstating this critical funding for New Hampshire organizations.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

---

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

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined Reps. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), and nearly 200 Members in calling for independent investigations into Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero’s deaths and called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to halt removal proceedings against the witnesses.

“Both of these incidents have created enormous fear and outrage in the community, and raise serious questions about the safety of community members, regardless of immigration status,” wrote the lawmakers. “… Far too many people, Americans and noncitizens alike, are dead as a result of DHS’s reckless actions. There must be accountability and independent investigations.”

“These fatal shootings by your agents demand real accountability and immediate action to ensure this violence does not continue,” continued the lawmakers. “Failure to impose meaningful consequences sends a message to your Department that agents can act with impunity, risking public safety and people’s lives. We call on you to take immediate corrective action.”

On July 7, ICE agents shot and killed Mr. Salgado Araujo, a father of three U.S. citizens, who had resided in the country for 35 years. He was reportedly not ICE’s target in their operation, and despite ICE’s claims that Mr. Salgado Araujo “weaponized his vehicle,” no evidence to substantiate that claim has been presented, and it is disputed by witnesses in the vehicle. 

On July 13, ICE agents shot and killed Mr. Guerrero, a father who also was reportedly not the target of enforcement actions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims to have shot him in concern for “public safety” after he “attempted to flee.” The agency does not allege that at any point officers feared for their safety. Video of the killing shows ICE officers handcuffing Mr. Guerrero even after he had been shot in the head. 

DHS agents, including ICE agents, have shot at least 21 people just since the start of this Administration. Six of these shootings have been fatal, resulting in the death of U.S. citizens and individuals who posed no public safety threat. In previous shootings, ICE has also claimed that victims were “weaponizing” their vehicles, claims that have not been substantiated as evidence has emerged.

In addition to the demands for an independent investigation and the commitment that witnesses to the killing of Mr. Salgado Araujo not be deported, the lawmakers are asking for a detailed breakdown of all training materials and guidelines around vehicle stops. 

The letter was also signed by Alma S. Adams (NC-12), Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Ami Bera (CA-06), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), James E. Clyburn (SC-06), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Herbert Conaway (NJ-03), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jason Crow (CO-06), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Shomari Figures (AL-02), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Bill Foster (IL-11), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Al Green (TX-09), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Pablo José Hernández (PR-AL), Jim Himes (CT-04), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), William R. Keating (MA-09), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Timothy M. Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), John Larson (CT-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Susie Lee (NV-03), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), John Mannion (NY-22), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Christian Menefee (TX-18), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Dave Min (CA-47), Gwen S. Moore (WI-04), Joseph D. Morelle (NY-25), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Richard Neal (MA-01), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Josh Riley (NY-19), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Thomas R. Suozzi (NY-03), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

Rep. Panetta’s Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act would strengthen protections for undocumented immigrant victims and witnesses of crimes who cooperate with law enforcement. His legislation aims to reduce barriers that prevent survivors from seeking justice and ensure they are not penalized for coming forward. The three men traveling with Mr. Salgado Araujo when he was shot, all now detained by ICE, have each filed for U-Visa protection. The program currently faces wait times of more than seven years, which Rep. Panetta’s bill would address.

The full text of the letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and ICE Acting Director David Venturella is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Mullin and Acting Director Venturella:

We write to ensure accountability in the aftermath of two horrible deaths over the past week in Texas and Maine. On Tuesday, July 7, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, the father of three U.S. citizens, and a 35-year resident of the United States, was driving to work when officers in an unmarked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle attempted to stop his van. Reports indicate that Mr. Salgado Araujo was not even the actual target of ICE at the time; the ICE operation was targeting two Guatemalans, who were not among the men in the van. ICE claims that Mr. Salgado Araujo “weaponized his vehicle” and an ICE agent shot him in response. Neither ICE nor the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have provided any evidence to substantiate this claim. On July 13, just 6 days later, ICE fatally shot a 25-year-old Colombian national, Johan Sebastian Guerrero, in the head multiple times, even though he was not part of a targeted enforcement action. DHS claims that Mr. Guerrero merely attempted to flee in a vehicle, and that an ICE officer shot him out of concern for “public safety.” DHS does not allege the officer feared for his safety. Video footage shows officers handcuffing Mr. Guerrero and throwing him on the street, even after shooting him in the head.

Both of these incidents have created enormous fear and outrage in the community, and raise serious questions about the safety of community members, regardless of immigration status. DHS agents have shot at least 22 people just since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term. Six of these shootings have been fatal, resulting in the death of U.S. citizens and individuals with no criminal records.

In several of these cases, DHS and its component agencies made unsubstantiated allegations about individuals its agents have shot and even killed, including Renée Good, Alex Pretti, Ruben Ray Martinez, Marimar Martinez, and Julio Sosa-Celis. DHS claimed that the shooting victims were attacking law enforcement officers, attempting to “weaponize” their vehicles, and even called them domestic terrorists. In each case, evidence later emerged that contradicted these claims, showing that DHS representatives made false statements and DHS agents acted inappropriately, resulting in several cases against DHS’s victims to be dismissed with prejudice. As such, Trump’s DHS has lost the trust of the American people and can no longer be considered a reliable source of facts.

After shooting and killing Mr. Salgado Araujo, ICE agents took into custody the three other men who were in the van with him: his brother, Victor Hugo Salgado Araujo, and two employees, Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego and Daniel Tirado Pantoja. All three of these men have independently disputed ICE’s account and stated that Mr. Salgado Araujo did not try to ram any agents with the van. Now, reports are emerging that these men—eyewitnesses to the shooting who can provide essential evidence to investigators—have been placed in removal proceedings. This is completely unacceptable.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time ICE has attempted to deport homicide witnesses in its custody. After a coroner ruled Geraldo Lunas Campos’ death at the ICE detention facility Camp East Montana a homicide, his family had to get a court order to ensure ICE did not deport the detained witnesses to the crime. One witness was moved and deported before the court got a chance to rule. It is essential that the same miscarriage of justice does not occur here.

We are calling for immediate independent investigations into both of these deaths, without interference. We are also calling on ICE to stop any removal proceedings against the witnesses to Mr. Salgado Araujo’s killing for the duration of the investigation. Investigators must be given access to the testimony of Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, Daniel Tirado Pantoja, and Victor Hugo Salgado Araujo, and the witnesses should have no threat of retaliation or deportation to provide their testimony.

Similarly, DHS must not interfere with any investigations into the death of Mr. Guerrero. Far too many people, Americans and noncitizens alike, are dead as a result of DHS’s reckless actions. There must be accountability and independent investigations.

In order to ensure justice occurs in these cases, as well as ensuring that such incidents do not continue to happen, please provide answers to the following questions as soon as possible, but no later than July 30, 2026:

1. Will you commit to allowing all noncitizen witnesses to remain in the United States for the duration of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), DHS Office of Inspecter General (OIG) and any state or local investigations into both of these deaths, so they may provide eyewitness testimony to investigators?

2. Will you commit to not interfering with any ongoing investigations, and to ensuring truly independent investigations into both of these cases, as well as completing investigations into the other ICE-related shootings that have occurred?

3. Will you commit to ensuring that all investigators, including those from the FBI, OIG, and any state and local offices have access to all witnesses and evidence related to both of these deaths?

4. Given the enormous amount of funding provided to ICE and CBP both last year and this year, will you commit to immediately providing body cameras to all ICE and CBP agents and ensuring that footage is made available in any ongoing investigations, including any footage of all victims of DHS-related fatal shootings?

5. Please provide a detailed breakdown, including providing copies of all training materials, on how much and what kind of training your officers undergo, as it relates to vehicle stops including when or how discharging weapons into vehicles is or is not permissible.

These fatal shootings by your agents demand real accountability and immediate action to ensure this violence does not continue. Failure to impose meaningful consequences sends a message to your Department that agents can act with impunity, risking public safety and people’s lives. We call on you to take immediate corrective action.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

July 16, 2026 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON–U.S. Representative Greg Steube today introduced the Craft Distilled Spirits Direct-to-Consumer Shipping Act of 2026, legislation that gives small, independently owned craft distilleries a pathway to ship their products directly to consumers across state lines. The bill is co-led by Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) and is endorsed by the American Craft Spirits Association. “The federal government should not stand between a small distillery and an adult customer in a state that allows direct shipment,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “The Craft Distilled Spirits Direct-to-Consumer Shipping Act of 2026 cuts the red tape and lets craft distillers ship directly to their consumers, while keeping states in the driver’s seat and keeping real safeguards in place. It’s a win for small businesses and for consumers who deserve more choices.” “It’s time to get rid of outdated regulations and establish a safe, legal way for small businesses to ship spirits to consumers,” said Rep. Subramanyam. “This commonsense bipartisan bill will create new markets for craft distillers, provide more certainty for our local businesses, and give consumers more choice.” “ACSA thanks Congressman Steube for introducing this legislation and helping elevate the conversation around market access and shipping for American craft distillers,” said Emily Pennington, CEO, American Craft Spirits Association. “We appreciate his leadership in bringing attention to the challenges small, independent craft distilleries face in reaching adult consumers. ACSA looks forward to working with the Congressman and policymakers at both the federal and state levels to develop practical solutions that expand consumer access, shipping and help American craft distilleries grow.” The Craft Distilled Spirits Direct-to-Consumer Shipping Act of 2026 allows independently owned craft distilleries producing no more than 250,000 gallons of distilled spirits annually to ship their products directly to consumers in another state, as long as both the shipping and receiving states permit direct shipment. The bill requires purchasers to verify they are of legal age, requires shipping containers to be marked as containing alcohol and to require an adult signature upon delivery, and limits shipments to personal use only, not resale. State attorneys general retain the authority to bring civil enforcement actions against violations under the Webb-Kenyon Act, a 1913 federal law that preserves state enforcement authority over alcohol shipments. The legislation preserves state authority over direct shipment laws while cutting red tape for small distillers seeking to reach customers beyond their home state. The full text of the Craft Distilled Spirits Direct-to-Consumer Shipping Act of 2026 is available here. 
###