MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

Conditions Come as U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Struggles with Insufficient Staffing and Budget Cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswomen Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), and Andrea Salinas (OR-06) led 21 of their colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump Administration on deteriorating Forest Service trail conditions due to insufficient maintenance by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), which has threatened visitor safety and outdoor recreation access for millions of Americans. 

“We write with serious concern that, despite your stated intent to prioritize outdoor access and improve visitor experiences, the USFS trail maintenance operations have been hamstrung by layoffs, hiring restrictions, budget cuts and other policies that make it harder for staff to do their jobs and meet agency objectives,” the letter states.

The letter continues, “The USFS manages over 164,000 miles of trails, more than any other land management agency. Americans cherish the USFS trail network, which serves 84 million visitors annually. Public lands recreation contributes $128 billion to our national economy. Despite the clear value of trails and the agency’s stated focus on outdoor access, conditions on the ground are deteriorating.”

“A December 2025 Trail Program Status Report details that trail maintenance suffered dramatically in 2025. Total miles of USFS trails maintained in 2025 fell by 22%. Neglecting our recreational assets increases the long-term costs of maintaining these facilities,” the letter continues.

In response to this drop, the letter calls on USFS leadership to answer specific questions on their plan to address the deterioration in outdoor access and better maintain trails this year. To read the full letter, click here. 

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

Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens introduced the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act, legislation to help communities upgrade wastewater systems, address emerging contaminants like PFAS, and keep water bills affordable.

Here’s what Michiganders are seeing and reading about Rep. Haley Stevens’ work to strengthen wastewater infrastructure and support clean and affordable water access:

Michigan Advance: Stevens and bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force chair aim to help upgrade wastewater treatment

By: Kyle Davidson

• Stevens’ and Fitzpatrick’s Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act would create a five-year federal grant program to help water utilities install the advanced water treatment technologies needed to remove difficult pollutants, while also protecting against harmful algal blooms.
• “Clean water is essential for our health, our economy, and the future of the Great Lakes,” Stevens said in a statement. “Michigan knows all too well the impact of contaminants like PFAS on our communities. This legislation will help utilities deploy next-generation wastewater treatment technologies, modernize infrastructure, and keep water safe and affordable.
• If passed, the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act would authorize $1 billion in funds over five years for advanced wastewater treatment projects, covering up to 50% of the cost for projects across the nation. It would also direct at least 49% of that funding to communities without the resources to replace the infrastructure on their own and waive their cost-share requirements. Administrative costs would be capped at 1% for the EPA and states who participate in the grant program.

FOX17: Lawmakers propose $1B water infrastructure bill, could it help with PFAS in Cascade Township?

By: Cassandra Alonso

• The bill called the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act, was introduced March 19 by Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens and Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, who co-chair the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force.
• Stevens said Michigan cannot address the crisis without federal support.”We know in Michigan our pride is our water and our stewardship of the freshwater assets in the Great Lakes,” Stevens said. “We also need to do cleanup.”
• “We can’t go it alone, and we need federal partnerships,” she added.
• Stevens said the bill is designed with equity in mind.”We want to make sure that disadvantaged places can get a leg up, that they don’t just have to pay for the mistakes of others,” she said.
• For neighbors concerned about rising water bills, Stevens said covering a significant share of project costs could provide relief.
• “If it’s to tackle the grocery bill and lower the cost of food, if it’s efforts that I’ve just introduced to lower energy bills, and in this instance, freeing up some of those fixed costs could absolutely lead to something along those lines,” Stevens said. “I want to save Michigan taxpayers money, and I want to utilize the federal government to meet a need right here in our state.”
• Stevens said she hopes Cascade Township takes advantage of the funding if the bill passes.”We’d love to see Cascade Township apply for these dollars, and this is a bill that saves the taxpayers,” she said.

MLive: $1B in wastewater grants to treat PFAS proposed in Congress

By: Garret Ellison

• Stevens, a Michigan Democrat, rolled out the proposal last week with U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa. The Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act of 2026 would direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to create a grant program for states to support eligible wastewater treatment upgrades.
• According to the bill, eligible projects would generally have to cover at least half of their costs with non-federal money. That requirement would not apply to projects serving disadvantaged communities.
• The legislation also would require about half the funding go to disadvantaged communities or certain rural, small, tribal or regional public systems that benefit them.

Smart Water Magazine: Advanced wastewater treatment technologies at heart of proposed U.S. water funding bill

By: Cristina Novo

• A new bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to modernise wastewater treatment systems nationwide by establishing a five-year federal grant programme worth $1 billion. The Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act of 2026, sponsored by Representatives Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), would cover up to 50% of project costs for eligible water utilities deploying technologies such as granular activated carbon and reverse osmosis — methods proven to eliminate persistent pollutants including PFAS compounds.
• A notable equity provision directs at least 49% of funding toward financially disadvantaged communities, waiving cost-share requirements for those recipients. Administrative costs would be capped at 1% for both the EPA and participating states.
• The bill also mandates a comprehensive independent study on the effectiveness of advanced treatment technologies in removing emerging contaminants. Notably, the legislation directs the EPA to engage the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine — in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology — to carry out the research, lending it significant scientific authority. The scope extends beyond PFAS to include nanomaterials, reflecting growing concern about a broader class of poorly understood pollutants.

Innovation News Network: Bipartisan bill targets PFAS and infrastructure gaps in US wastewater treatment

By: Jack Thomas

• The growing need to address PFAS contamination has placed a significant financial strain on utilities. Advanced treatment methods capable of removing these compounds, such as granular activated carbon and reverse osmosis, require substantial capital investment and operational costs. In states like Michigan, the financial burden is already evident. Federal estimates indicate that required wastewater infrastructure improvements reached approximately $181m in 2022, underscoring the scale of the challenge.
• The proposal reflects increasing federal attention to water quality and infrastructure resilience. PFAS contamination, in particular, has emerged as a priority issue for regulators and policymakers due to its widespread presence and resistance to conventional treatment processes.

Wastewater Digest: Bipartisan bill targets funding for advanced wastewater treatment and PFAS removal

• U.S. Reps. Haley Stevens and Brian Fitzpatrick have introduced the bipartisan Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act, aimed at helping utilities upgrade infrastructure, address emerging contaminants such as PFAS and maintain affordability for ratepayers.
• “Clean water is essential for our health, our economy, and the future of the Great Lakes,”
• “Michigan knows all too well the impact of contaminants like PFAS on our communities. This legislation will help utilities deploy next-generation wastewater treatment technologies, modernize infrastructure, and keep water safe and affordable.”

WOOD: Stevens introduces bipartisan bill to fund wastewater projects, address PFAS contamination

By: Matt Jaworowski

• U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Michigan, has introduced a new bill aimed at upgrading wastewater systems and addressing PFAS contamination.
• The bill, known as the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act, was introduced Monday with bipartisan support. U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania, was the other lead legislator.
• Stevens called clean water “essential” for the health of all Americans and the American economy.
• “Michigan knows all too well the impact of contaminants like PFAS on our communities. This legislation will help utilities deploy next-generation wastewater treatment technologies, modernize infrastructure, and keep water safe and affordable,” Stevens said in a statement.
• The Environmental Working Group says there are now more than 9,500 confirmed PFAS-contaminated sites across the United States, including at least one in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and two American territories. MPART is tracking 379 confirmed contamination sites or areas of interest in Michigan.

WDET

• Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania have introduced the Bipartisan Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act in Congress.
• It helps communities upgrade wastewater systems to address PFAS and other contaminants. Stevens says clean water is essential for our health and for the future of the Great Lakes. An EPA study says as of 2022, Michigan needed an estimated $181 million for improvements.
• If passed, the legislation creates a $1 billion budget for a five-year federal grant program to help water utilities treat water for contaminants. That would cover 50% of the project costs. It would also allocate 49% of funding to communities without financial assistance, with 1% of EPA and admin costs.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

Today, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) applauds the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision not to escalate Maricopa County’s ozone designation from “moderate” to “serious,” sparing Arizona families and businesses from a new wave of costly and ineffective federal regulations.

In February 2025, Congressman Biggs led a letter to President Donald Trump urging his Administration to halt the redesignation of Maricopa County’s ozone nonattainment status. The letter highlighted that more than 80 percent of emissions affecting Arizona originate outside the state’s control and warned that additional regulations would “only serve to halt economic and industrial development” without improving air quality.

“The decision by the EPA is a win for common sense, sound science, and the people of Arizona,” said Congressman Biggs. “For years, bureaucrats in Washington ignored the reality that the overwhelming majority of Maricopa County’s air pollution comes from natural sources or international transport. Imposing stricter local regulations would have done nothing to meaningfully improve air quality while crushing economic growth in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.

“Arizona is home to critical industries—from semiconductor manufacturing to national defense—that are essential to our national security and future growth. We cannot afford to strangle that progress with ineffective mandates. I’m grateful the EPA recognized the facts and followed the law. I will continue working with President Trump’s Administration to ensure Arizona’s economy remains strong while pursuing practical, results-driven environmental policies.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

Today, the House of Representatives failed to adopt H.J.Res. 139, Congressman Andy Biggs’s (R-AZ) Balanced Budget Amendment. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement:

“Today, Washington had a choice: restore fiscal sanity or continue down the reckless path of endless spending and generational theft. Unfortunately, too many chose the latter.

For decades, both parties have talked about fiscal responsibility while racking up trillions in debt and passing the bill to our children and grandchildren. My Balanced Budget Amendment is a straightforward, common-sense solution to force Congress to do what every American family must do: live within its means.

The failure of this amendment is a stark reminder that there is no political will to rein in spending in Washington. Instead of making the tough decisions today, Congress continues to kick the can down the road, fueling inflation, weakening our economy, and threatening America’s long-term stability.

Despite today’s setback, I will never stop fighting to restore fiscal discipline, rein in out-of-control spending, and put our nation back on a sustainable path. The American people demand a government that is accountable, responsible, and committed to protecting their future—not bankrupting it.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) introduced the Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act of 2026, legislation to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and restore strong constitutional protections for Americans’ privacy.

Congressman Biggs has been a leading voice on FISA reform throughout his time in Congress. His new legislation:

• Requires warrants before querying Americans’ communications collected under FISA Section 702.
• Prohibits federal agencies from purchasing Americans’ personal data—including location information and online activity—from commercial data brokers without legal authorization.
• Strengthens transparency and oversight in the FISA Court, including expanded use of amici curiae to represent civil liberties concerns.
• Clarifies that FISA must be the exclusive legal process for obtaining Americans’ communications records for foreign intelligence purposes.

“For too long, the federal government has used loopholes in surveillance law to sidestep the Constitution and spy on Americans without a warrant,” said Congressman Biggs. “The Fourth Amendment is clear: the government must obtain a warrant before searching Americans’ communications or personal data. My legislation restores that fundamental protection and ensures that federal agencies cannot evade constitutional limits by buying Americans’ private information from data brokers.

“National security and civil liberties are not mutually exclusive. We can give our intelligence professionals the tools they need to target foreign threats while ensuring that Americans are not subjected to unconstitutional surveillance. This bill restores that balance.”

“The Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act reins in the surveillance state by implementing fair warrant requirements, reversing provisions which allow government agencies unfettered access to spy on houses of worship, and providing overdue reforms to FISA Court proceedings long weaponized against the American people. We believe it is possible to safeguard our national security while protecting Americans’ civil liberties against the dragnet of mass domestic surveillance. We are thankful for the introduction of this bill and look forward to its enactment,” said Brent Gardner, Chief Government Affairs Officer at Americans for Prosperity.

“Section 702 has been allowed to operate without the critical safeguards Americans deserve, and the result has been rampant and repeated instances of warrantless searches that violate the Fourth Amendment. Protecting the country does not require sacrificing our fundamental rights. We can do both, and The Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act proves it. PLEWSA contains the tough, necessary reforms to rein in government overreach. I thank Representative Biggs for his leadership and look forward to working with him, the Judiciary Committee, and Congress to secure the meaningful Section 702 reforms this moment demands,” said James Czerniawski, head of Emerging Technology Policy at the Consumer Choice Center.

“The Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act represents critical step towards finally reining in mass warrantless surveillance of Americans. By finally requiring a warrant for US person searches under Section 702 and putting an end to the government’s attempts to buy its way around the Fourth Amendment, this legislation would bring surveillance law back within constitutional bounds. Congress should not reauthorize Section 702 without these fundamental reforms,”said Kia Hamadanchy, Senior Policy Counsel at Americans for Civil Liberties Union.

“Any lawmaker that genuinely cares about surveillance abuse, weaponization, and ‘lawfare’ will support reforms to rein in this warrantless surveillance power. The Protect Liberty Act Act includes the bold FISA reforms we need. It builds strong guardrails against surveillance misconduct, and has been meticulously crafted to protect national security. With just 6 weeks until FISA 702 expires, Congress should take up reform legislation quickly. Trying to shrink away from this issue with a ‘clean’ FISA reauthorization would be a dereliction of duty,”said Jake Laperruque, Deputy Director of CDT’s Security and Surveillance Project.

Cosponsors of the bill include: Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), and Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA).

Breitbart covered the bill here.

The Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act of 2026 may be read here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after fellow Oklahoman and Native American, Markwayne Mullin, was confirmed to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security last night:

“Congratulations to my friend, Markwayne Mullin, on his confirmation to lead DHS. During this time when our nation faces so many threats both at home and abroad, there is no one I trust more to keep our country safe. I truly have no doubt he is the right man for the job,” said Congressman Cole.

“I also would like to thank Markwayne for his service to both Oklahoma and America over the past ten years. I will truly miss having him here in Congress. However, although he has big shoes to fill, I look forward to working with Alan Armstrong in the future to support our great state and the people who call it home,” said Congressman Cole.

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

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) convened regional leaders, policy advocates, and community partners on Monday, March 23, 2026, for a discussion on hunger, federal nutrition programs, and the policy decisions shaping access to food across North Carolina and the nation.

Hosted by Congresswoman Alma Adams, founder of the Adams Hunger Initiative, the forum brought together experts working on the front lines of food access to examine the growing demand for assistance, the role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the high-stakes policy debates surrounding the 2026 Farm Bill.

Opening the event, Congresswoman Adams framed hunger as both a local and national challenge—one that requires coordinated action across communities and policymakers.

“Hunger is not an abstract issue—it is showing up every day in our communities,” Adams said. “Families are making impossible choices between food, housing, and healthcare. And the decisions made in Washington will determine how effectively we can respond.”

The discussion featured a panel of leaders intimately engaged in addressing food insecurity:

• Yulonda Griffin, Director, Mecklenburg County Department of Community Resources
• Tina Postel, CEO, NourishUp
• Jason Blanton, State Organizer for North Carolina, Bread for the World

Together, panelists offered a grounded view of how rising food costs and economic pressures are increasing demand for food assistance across the region. Food banks and community organizations, they noted, are working at or beyond capacity, while SNAP continues to serve as a critical foundation in the nation’s response to hunger.

Panelists emphasized that SNAP not only helps families access food, but also supports local economies and provides stability during periods of economic uncertainty. At the same time, they warned that recent federal actions and proposed policy changes could significantly affect eligibility, benefits, and program administration.

Adams pointed to the recent House Agriculture Committee markup of the Farm Bill—an extended session that included efforts to reverse changes to SNAP enacted through H.R. 1.

“We introduced amendments to protect SNAP and prevent additional burdens from shifting to states,” Adams said. “Those amendments were rejected, but this conversation is not over. The Senate will now take up its process, and the stakes remain high.”

Throughout the discussion, panelists detailed how federal policy decisions translate directly into real-world consequences. From increased strain on local agencies administering SNAP to greater pressure on food banks, the ripple effects are already being felt in communities across North Carolina.

“When federal programs are weakened, communities are left to fill the gap,” Adams noted during the conversation.

Looking ahead, the panel underscored that the 2026 Farm Bill will be pivotal in determining the strength and reach of the nation’s nutrition safety net. Participants called for policies that reflect current economic realities, support local implementation, and ensure that families can reliably access the food they need.

The event concluded with a shared recognition that while the challenges are significant, there is also a clear opportunity to align policy with lived experience.

“The perspectives shared today make clear that we have both the insight and the responsibility to act,” Adams said. “If we listen to what communities are telling us and respond with intention, we can build a stronger, more effective system to address hunger.”

The Adams Hunger Initiative continues to serve as a platform for collaboration, bringing together policymakers, advocates, and community leaders to advance solutions that expand access to food and strengthen economic stability for families.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Virginia Tech, based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $132,885 grant. The funding supports research into obesity and insulin sensitivity. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“The scientific community relies on dedicated research efforts to study obesity.

“This HHS grant for more than $132,000 helps Virginia Tech develop clinical research on obesity for the scientific community.”

BACKGROUND

This funding is supported by a Research Scientist Development Award. According to the National Institutes of Health, Research Scientist Development Awards support intensive, supervised career development experiences.

The HHS office responsible for this grant is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement regarding the passing of Robert S. Mueller III, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI):

“I join the nation in mourning the loss of Robert Mueller. He devoted his life to upholding the rule of law. He did so despite facing immense political pressure and numerous personal attacks on his character, which sadly have continued since his passing.
 

“Nearly two decades ago, as FBI Director, he asked for my help in finding a suburban site for a new consolidated headquarters for the FBI so that it could move out of the dilapidated J. Edgar Hoover Building. My commitment to that cause continues, and I hope we can realize his vision for a facility that meets the security and operational needs of  the Bureau.

“I am grateful for his service and for the service of all the brave men and women at the FBI.”

 

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced a bill today that would prohibit questions on the decennial census related to citizenship, nationality, and immigration status.

“The decennial census determines issues such as congressional apportionment and distribution of federal funding to over 350 programs, and questions about one’s status can lead to less accurate data,” Norton said. “We owe it to all our constituents that these unnecessary and harmful questions never be allowed.”

The American Community Survey, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, already includes a question on citizenship.

Norton’ introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Ensuring Full Participation in the Census Act of 2026

March 24, 2026

Today, I introduce the Ensuring Full Participation in the Census Act of 2026, which would prohibit the U.S. Census Bureau (Bureau) from including questions on the decennial census about citizenship, nationality or immigration status.

Prior to the 2020 census, the Department of Justice wrote to the Bureau requesting that it “reinstate on the 2020 census questionnaire a question regarding citizenship.”  From 1970 to 2000, this question was sent to approximately 16 percent of the population in the decennial census through the so-called “longform.”  However, the longform was dropped from the census and replaced with the current American Community Survey (ACS).  The ACS is sent to approximately three million people annually, which allows the Bureau to get the necessary information on citizenship.  Asking questions about citizenship status to every person in the decennial census has not been done in almost 70 years because it would discourage people, largely minorities, who are already undercounted in the census, from participating in the census.  The ACS was created to make the decennial census simpler for people to complete, which facilitates higher participation rates and preserves privacy.

Fortunately, after a protracted legal and political process, the citizenship question was not included on the 2020 census. However, this bill is necessary to ensure it cannot be asked on a future decennial census.  The representative sample provided by the ACS is more than sufficient to determine citizenship statistics in the U.S.  All individuals must be counted in the decennial census to ensure an accurate allocation of federal funds and representation in Congress.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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