MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon, Fitzpatrick, Meeks, & Bipartisan Colleagues Advance New ‘Peace Through Strength’ Sanctions on Russia Toward January Floor Action

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Gregory Meeks (NY-5) led a broad bipartisan coalition of House Members to introduce the Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025, comprehensive legislation that translates ongoing negotiations into decisive congressional action and advances the bill toward House Floor consideration in January.

Co-leads on the bill include Representatives Mike Turner (OH-10), Tom Suozzi (NY-3), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Steny Hoyer (MD-5), and Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), reflecting broad, bipartisan agreement that Congress must lead with resolve as diplomatic efforts continue.

“Putin’s regime only responds to resolve and takes advantage of weakness and vacillation. During these failed negotiations, Russia has continued bombing Ukrainian cities with increasing intensity. We must play hardball by sending Ukraine the weapons it needs and imposing tough sanctions on Russia that cripple his war economy, an approach Americans overwhelmingly agree with,” said Rep. Bacon. “I’m pleased to join Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in co-leading the bipartisan Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act to impose sanctions and other measures if Russia refuses to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine.”

“Negotiations do not relieve Congress of its responsibility to act,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “That responsibility has been clear for some time, and waiting is no longer an option. Peace through strength is the discipline of negotiating from strength—of standing with Ukraine, making unmistakably clear that Russia’s campaign of aggression will not be normalized or rewarded, and affirming that America still enforces the rules that keep peace possible. This is not just about ending one war. It is about setting the rules for a world that is watching whether America still enforces them. I am grateful to be working hand in hand with Ranking Member Meeks to push any and all solutions forward to the House Floor, including the Ukraine Support Act. We can end this war. We can end Putin’s tyranny. And we must lead the American way—through peace, through strength.”

“Russia won’t negotiate an end to its war unless real pressure is applied on the Kremlin to stop its brutality. I’m proud to have worked with Rep. Fitzpatrick on a compromise Russia sanctions bill that would impose real costs on Russia and those fueling its war effort, while avoiding further harmful global tariffs. I thank Rep. Fitzpatrick for also signing my discharge petition for the Ukraine Support Act, helping work towards both measures reaching the House floor for a vote. There is strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the House, and this agreement makes clear that Russia cannot wait it out or continue its war of aggression without facing significant consequences,” said Rep. Meeks.

“The only viable path to peace in Ukraine is putting pressure on the Kremlin. It is beyond important that both sides of the aisle have come together on compromise legislation to impose strong sanctions on Russia for its illegal war of aggression as well as to take additional steps to move the bipartisan discharge petition for the Ukraine Support Act forward in the House,” said HFAC Subcommittee on Europe Ranking Member Keating. “As Ukraine continues to defend itself from Russian aggression, the Ukrainian people must know that Ukraine has strong bipartisan support in the House of Representatives. The Kremlin must also know that we will not rest until a durable Ukraine-supported peace deal is achieved.”

“We must take firm action against the Russian Federation. This bill sends a clear message: any refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations for peace or any violation of agreements will not go unpunished. We stand with Ukraine and affirm our commitment to ensuring that they are protected from further aggression. It’s time for diplomacy,” said Rep. Turner.

“Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine is a direct assault on sovereignty, democracy, and the international rules-based order. The United States will not reward aggression or allow Vladimir Putin to stall, violate agreements, or prepare for another invasion without serious consequences. Peace will only come when Russia understands that continued violence carries real costs. I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation to strengthen sanctions, hold bad actors accountable, and stand firmly with the Ukrainian people,” said Rep. Lawler.

“Peace through strength means standing up to dictators through actions, not just words,” said Rep. Suozzi. “The Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act does exactly that by cracking down on those responsible for the kidnapping of Ukrainian children, increasing sanction pressure on Russia, and expanding sanctions to Russian partners in North Korea. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to say that the United States will not tolerate Putin’s murderous war in Ukraine, and will defend our democratic allies across the world.”

“Through force, Dictator Putin aspires to rewrite the structure of Europe and end democratic practice across the continent. America’s foreign policy must promote Liberty, not bow to Tyranny,” said Rep. Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “With this new bipartisan bill, we are putting forward the most significant legislation introduced this Congress to place economic sanctions on Russia for its war crimes against Ukraine.”

The Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025 builds on Fitzpatrick’s constant efforts since the beginning of the conflict in 2022 to advance designed to force meaningful negotiations, deter further aggression, and ensure any peace agreement is real, durable, and accepted by the free and independent Government of Ukraine.

Unlike piecemeal sanctions, the legislation establishes a comprehensive structure that directly links Russia’s economic isolation to its willingness to pursue—and honor—peace. It reflects overwhelming bipartisan support for empowering the United States to use strong economic pressure as a tool to help bring this war to an end.

Specifically, the bill would:

• Mandate sanctions on senior Russian officials, oligarchs, state-owned enterprises, and entities supporting Russia’s defense, energy, and transportation sectors
• Sever Russia’s access to the global financial system, including blocking transactions with Russian financial institutions, prohibiting U.S. investment in Russia, banning trading of Russian entities on U.S. securities exchanges, and targeting financial messaging systems used to evade sanctions
• Close loopholes fueling Russia’s war economy, including ending refined oil import workarounds and prohibiting U.S. purchases of Russian sovereign debt
• Target Russia’s energy leverage, prohibiting new U.S. investment and sanctioning foreign actors who enable Russian oil, gas, LNG, and uranium production
• Impose sanctions for war crimes, including the kidnapping and wrongful deportation of Ukrainian children and Russia-North Korea cooperation supporting Russia’s illegal war
• Increase duties up to 500 percent on goods imported from the Russian Federation to further isolate Russia economically

The legislation also establishes a clear and enforceable off-ramp: sanctions may only be terminated if Russia signs a peace agreement accepted by Ukraine and fully ceases hostilities—subject to congressional review to prevent premature or politically motivated rollbacks.

With negotiations ongoing, Fitzpatrick and his bipartisan colleagues will continue building support with the goal of bringing the Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025 to the House Floor in January—ensuring Congress does its part to match diplomacy with decisive action.

Read the full bill text here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)

Congressman Estes Releases Statement on House Passage of Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2025

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Rep. Barragán Reintroduces Bill to Address Transportation Barriers to Help Americans Access Vaccinations

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) reintroduced the Vaccine Transportation Access Act to support Americans getting vaccinated by creating a grant program for community organizations to address transportation barriers. 

Grants can be used to provide on-demand transportation for patients directly or pay for transportation services, such as ride-share companies to bring the patients to and from their vaccine appointments. This bill builds upon Rep. Barragán’s COVID Vaccine Transportation Access Act (H.R. 3013) in 2021, which focused on ensuring that people in communities facing transportation barriers could reach their COVID vaccine and booster shot appointments during the pandemic.

“Getting vaccinated can help protect against preventable illnesses, hospitalizations, and increased health care costs across communities,” said Rep. Barragán. “But in many communities like mine, patients may lack the financial resources or reliable transportation to get to their routine check-up – and the closest health center or hospital can be miles away. That is why I’m proud to reintroduce the Vaccine Transportation Access Act to help ensure that Americans can receive the critical preventive care they need, especially at a time when vaccine access and affordability are under attack.”

“Transportation should never stand between a patient and getting a lifesaving vaccine. The Vaccine Transportation Access Act is a smart, practical step that helps communities close that gap. The AAFP is proud to endorse this legislation because it strengthens access, supports evidence-based care and helps ensure every patient — regardless of where they live — can get the vaccinations they need to stay healthy,” said Sarah Nosal, MD, FAAFP, President of American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

“The American College of Physicians strongly believes that immunizations are one of our most important tools to protect public and personal health. However, in order to realize this protection, patients need to be able to access vaccines. Legislation like the Vaccine Transportation Access Act, which would provide resources to help patients get transportation to vaccine appointments, is key to improving access, getting patients vaccinated and protecting our communities,” said Jason M. Goldman, MD, MACP, President of American College of Physicians (ACP).

“Uber is a powerful platform for reducing transportation barriers to healthcare access. We are glad to support Congresswoman Nanette Barragán’s legislation, which would help ensure vulnerable populations can consistently reach the care they need,” said Javi Correoso, Head of Federal Affairs, Uber.

The Vaccine Transportation Act will ensure that the grant program applies to vaccines, as long as they are recommended by:

• The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) as of October 25, 2024; or
• Evidence-based clinical care guidelines from U.S. professional medical societies. 

Original cosponsors of the legislation include Reps. André Carson, Steve Cohen, Debbie Dingell, Jesús “Chuy” García, Dan Goldman, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Darren Soto, Paul Tonko, and Marc Veasey.

The Vaccine Transportation Access Act is endorsed by theAmerican Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), American College of Physicians (ACP), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), Lyft, Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease (PFID), Uber, and Vaccinate Your Family.

To view the full bill text, click HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

Rep. Jack Bergman applauded his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives for passing legislation he helped introduce, which removes the gray wolf from the federal Endangered Species Act and returns wildlife management authority to the states.

The legislation, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, directs the Department of the Interior to reissue a final rule delisting the gray wolf and limits the ability of activist groups to block science-based decisions through endless litigation. Management authority would return to the individual states, allowing wildlife professionals who understand local conditions to manage wolf populations responsibly.

“For folks in the Upper Peninsula, this issue is not theoretical – it is part of everyday life,” said Bergman. “Hunters, farmers, and families across the U.P. have watched deer numbers decline, livestock losses increase, and pets threatened, all while bureaucrats in Washington and activist judges across the country continued to ignore the science and the voices of local residents.”

“Decisions about wildlife in the U.P. should be made by those who know the land, not by bureaucrats hundreds of miles away.”

Gray wolf populations in Michigan and across the Great Lakes region have met and exceeded recovery goals for years, yet federal protections have remained in place, creating unnecessary conflict in rural communities.

Bergman noted, “This bill recognizes what the U.P. has known for a long time – conservation works, recovery has succeeded, and it is time to move forward. Returning management to the states is the right move for Michigan, for rural America, and for the future of responsible conservation.”

In November, Rep. Bergman led 24 of his colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Director Brian Nesvik, calling on him to immediately delist the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and return management authority to states and tribes.

You can read the full release here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today introduced a new bill to accelerate the implementation of drunk and impaired driving prevention technology in new vehicles. Building upon Dingell’s HALT Act, which was passed in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Deployment of Required Impairment Prevention Vehicle Equipment to Honor the Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate Drunk Driving Act, or DRIVE to HALT Drunk Driving Act, would establish new requirements for automakers to include passive drunk driving technology in new vehicles. 
 
“Drunk and impaired driving has brought so much pain to families and communities across the country, including the Abbas family of Northville, whose lives the HALT Act honors and remembers. We have the technology to prevent drunk driving and save lives, and it’s long past time we include this technology in all new vehicles,” Dingell said. “This legislation is another step toward making commonsense safety equipment standard in new vehicles, which would save thousands of lives every year. It’s been nearly 7 years since the Abbas family was tragically killed – we can’t delay any longer. Not one more family should have to suffer the loss of a loved one due to a drunk driver, and I will keep fighting until we get this done.”
 
“Congresswoman Dingell is a warrior for taking the lead to end the violent and deadly crime of drunk driving. She is once again paving the way to ensure that every car in America is equipped with lifesaving anti-drunk driving technology,” said Rana Abbas Taylor. “I’m beyond grateful for her tenacity and commitment to end this preventable crime in honor of my family.”
 
“The National Consumers League applauds the introduction of the DRIVE to HALT Drunk Driving Act, which is a critical step forward in protecting families on our roadways. The legislation will require major manufacturers to implement life-saving drunk and impaired driving prevention technology in tens of thousands of new vehicles annually,” said Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League. “Based on NHTSA data, more than 12,000 deaths and nearly 400,000 serious injuries occurred in 2023 due to impaired driving. This proactive measure will undoubtedly save many lives and begin to address the tragic and preventable crisis of drunk driving.”
 
Specifically, the bill requires automakers to produce vehicles equipped with Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) and Euro NCAP-compliant driver monitoring systems, with updated Euro NCAP standards automatically incorporated unless deemed unsafe by NHTSA. It also provides NHTSA with civil penalty and recall authority for violations and clarifies that these provisions sunset once the HALT Act rule takes effect.
 
Dingell initially introduced the Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate (HALT) Drunk Driving Act in remembrance of the Abbas family of Michigan, who were senselessly killed by a drunk driver in January 2019. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

In keeping with Dingell tradition, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today released the annual Dingell Jingle, to the tune of “The Christmas Song.”

Trade deals roasting on an open fire,

Tariffs biting as the cold wind blows

Watching all the chaos climbing higher

Where it’s heading, no one knows.

 

And we remember all the Elon sideshows,

No “art of the deal” tonight

“Affordability’s a hoax,” he touts, you know,

While Democrats dig in for the healthcare fight.

 

And you know who’s out there golfing all day,

Hoping news about those Epstein files might stay away

Court cases stacked and reaching to the sky

Someday we’ll wave a long goodbye.

 

And so I’m offering this simple phrase

Since we don’t know what 2026 will do

It should be said many times, many ways,

Take this holiday season to renew.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), co-chairs of the Get The Lead Out Caucus, today led 43 of their House colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins and Vice Chair Patty Murray requesting that the Senate oppose the repurposing of $250 million that was appropriated for FY2026 by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for lead service line replacement.

“To urgently achieve the decade-long task of removing lead service lines once and for all, it is crucial that this funding be protected. Too often, our local communities do not have the resources and capacity to address this health risk without a more aggressive funding approach to this growing crisis,” the lawmakers wrote. “EPA data show there are millions of lead pipes still supplying drinking water in districts throughout all 50 states and territories. The wide distribution of lead service lines threatens the health and safety of our constituents, and especially our children who are particularly vulnerable to lead.” 

“While it has been estimated that removing all the nation’s lead service lines will require at least $45 billion, the benefits of removing these lead pipes and reducing the health impacts of lead in tap water far outweigh these costs. EPA found that the benefits of removing lead pipes and reducing lead levels in tap water exceed the costs by more than tenfold,” the lawmakers continued. “These benefits include protecting about a million infants from low birthweight-related complications, preventing thousands of children from suffering from ADHD, and avoiding 1,500 fatal heart attacks. Reducing lead levels in tap water also will reduce the damage to Americans’ kidneys and immune, reproductive, and nervous systems. A more comprehensive assessment by academic experts found that the total benefits of reducing lead levels in tap water are at least 35 times higher than the costs. Other independent analyses have confirmed that simply removing lead service lines will yield benefits of at least 14 times the costs over coming decades.”

“Ensuring that the full existing IIJA funding for removing lead service lines is retained will help keep us on track with the decades-long objective of ensuring that tens of millions of Americans’ tap water in every state in the union is protected,” the lawmakers concluded. “We therefore urge you to ensure that the IIJA funding for lead service line replacement is retained in full. Too many communities still lack access to safe drinking water and this increase in funding is needed to help ensure everyone has clean water.”

View the full text of the letter here.

The letter is signed by Representatives Paul D. Tonko, Robin L. Kelly, Troy A. Carter, Sr., Robert J. Menendez, Darren Soto, Greg Landsman, Haley M. Stevens, Ted W. Lieu, Kristen McDonald Rivet, Cleo Fields, LaMonica McIver, Summer L. Lee, André Carson, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Gwen S. Moore, John W. Mannion, Shri Thanedar, Eric Sorensen, Steve Cohen, Delia C. Ramirez, Dan Goldman, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Sara Jacobs, Julia Brownley, Derek T. Tran, Pramila Jayapal, Frederica S. Wilson, Maggie Goodlander, Seth Moulton, Dwight Evans, Nikki Budzinski, Gabe Amo, Donald S. Beyer Jr., Bennie G. Thompson, Jerrold Nadler, Mark Pocan, Maxine Waters, Grace Meng, Sarah McBride, Angie Craig, James P. McGovern, Marcy Kaptur, and Jesús G. “Chuy” García. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) received a letter from the University of Michigan in response to the December 11th letter she sent demanding they hold an urgent community forum in Ypsilanti Township to address questions about the Ypsilanti Data Center.

As data centers continue to move into communities across Michigan, including the 6th congressional district, Dingell will continue to insist that communities have a say about what is being built in their backyards. She will fight to ensure promises made to communities are upheld, including strong guarantees in these projects that the cost of utilities and water are not passed onto residential ratepayers, local water sources are protected, the environment is not harmed, and that potential noise issues are dealt with. These processes must be entirely transparent, and the concerns of the communities must be addressed and included in decision-making.

In the letter University of Michigan President Domenico Grasso writes:

“Thank you for your December 11 letter. The University of Michigan appreciates your engagement on behalf of your constituents, and I value your partnership as we work to address concerns and communicate clearly about the status of our high-performance computing facility project in partnership with the Los Alamos National Laboratory.”

Excerpts from the letter:

“From the outset, the university has committed to being good neighbors and community citizens and following a careful, transparent, and data-driven process. As we have shared previously, the project remains in the due diligence stage, and no final site selection has been made. We recognize that the absence of definitive technical details has contributed to community uncertainty, and as our evaluations proceed, we are committed to sharing accurate information as soon as it becomes available.”

“More broadly, we share your view that communities deserve clear, timely and accessible information. The issues you outlined–environmental impacts, first responder capacity, ratepayer impacts and the distinction between commercial data centers and federally supported research facilities–are important and deserve detailed explanation.”

“You are correct that communities across Southeast Michigan are facing uncertainty as data center related projects accelerate across the state. This broader context underscores the need for deliberative, evidence-based decision-making. While this project differs significantly from commercial data centers, we recognize that this distinction has not always been clear in public dialogue. We are committed to improving public understanding of this effort and its purpose.”

View the full text of the letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio requesting that the State Department address significant delays to visa appointments arising from expanded vetting requirements for H-1B visa applicants and their dependents.

“On December 3, 2025, the State Department announced it would expand the requirement that an online presence review be conducted for all H-1B applicants and their dependents, in addition to the students and exchange visitors already subject to this review,” Dingell wrote. “This change in policy comes as many families are traveling abroad for the holidays and have had visa appointments booked months ahead of time to align with their travel.”

“There is a serious issue arising throughout the country, including many families in my District whose visa appointments have been delayed multiple months and who are now stuck in limbo, unable to return home. In one case, the visa appointment was rescheduled less than 48 hours before the appointment was supposed to take place,” Dingell continued. “Their new appointment was scheduled for three months after the original appointment, with no consultation with the family. They had already traveled to reach their appointment and without the new visas they cannot get back to their lives in the United States. One of their children, who is an American citizen, will miss months of school if the family cannot move up their visa appointment. They are trapped abroad with no recourse. It is unacceptable their lives and many others are being upended by this sudden new review requirement.”

“Our children should not be the ones paying for these policy changes with their education. These families deserve clear answers from the State Department regarding the delays the new policy has created and an understanding of how and when they can return to their lives. They have jobs, homes, and friends that are expecting their timely return,” Dingell concluded. “The lack of clarity regarding how families in these situations can proceed is concerning. In light of these facts, I respectfully ask the Department to provide a detailed explanation of how the Department plans to address circumstances like that of the family in my District, to ensure they can return home in a timely manner. I also ask to be informed of the timeline for the new visa review process, including how long it is expected to take with the new online presence review, and what safeguards are being considered to prevent families from being left in limbo as they try to get back home to the United States.”

View the full text of the letter here.

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

House Approves Critical Reforms for American Energy Production and Infrastructure Projects

These key reforms will expedite infrastructure projects, unleash American energy production, and boost economic growth