MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference, where he emphasized that as Congress ends the legislative year, President Trump and House Republicans have failed to deliver on their promises to lower costs for everyday Americans, while House Democrats remain committed to driving down the high cost of living. 

LEADER JEFFRIES: We started the year, and Donald Trump promised that this would be the golden age in America. We’re ending the year, and the overwhelming majority of the American people, including many so-called Trump supporters, know that this year has been a disaster for the American people. Last night, Donald Trump once again made it clear to the American people that he apparently still believes that the affordability crisis in this country is a hoax. It is not a hoax. The affordability crisis is very real. And one of the reasons why this year has been such a disaster for everyday Americans under complete Republican control of government—they have the House, the Senate, and the presidency. They’ve had all year, they’ve had complete control of government and they’ve done nothing to lower the high cost of living in this country.

Now, Donald Trump and Mike Johnson and John Thune and House Republicans and Senate Republicans repeatedly promised to the American people last year that they were going to lower the high cost of living. In fact, they said that costs would go down on day one. They lied to the American people.Costs haven’t gone down in the United States of America, and everybody knows it.Costs have gone up. Housing costs are out of control. Grocery costs are outta control. Electricity bills are outta control. Child care costs are outta control and healthcare costs are out of control and about to get worse because of the Republican healthcare crisis that has been devastating everyday Americans throughout this year.

Why is Mike Johnson and House Republicans leaving town when there is legislation supported by a bipartisan majority of the House that would extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years? We should pass that bill and then send it over to the Senate before the end of the year, before the Affordable Care Act tax credits expire, so that tens of millions of Americans during the holiday season are threatened with their health insurance premiums, copays and deductibles dramatically increasing, including the reality that many of these working class Americans will experience premium increases of $1,000 or $2,000 per month. That is unacceptable. That’s why House Democrats successfully launched a discharge petition that secured 218 bipartisan signatures. And there’s no reason why Mike Johnson can’t bring that bill to the Floor immediately.

House Republicans have chosen to get out of town before sundown, and that’s a shame. All they’ve done is reinforce the fact that their sole objective in this Congress, the sole objective of Donald Trump, the sole objective of the House Republican majority is to enact massive tax breaks for their billionaire donors while jamming their extreme right-wing ideology down the throats of the American people and doing nothing, nothing at all, zip-zero, nothing at all to make life better for the American people. It’s extraordinary to us. I don’t think these people want to win any more elections because they’ve literally done nothing to make life better for the American people. House Democrats, as we’ve repeatedly made clear, are in this fight until we win this fight. We’re going to continue to work hard to drive down the high cost of living in this country. We’re going to continue to work hard to fix our broken healthcare system. And we’re going to continue to work hard to clean up corruption and deliver a country of the people, by the people and for the people.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Specialty Crop Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Jim Costa (CA-21), Rep. David Rouzer (NC-07), Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02), and Rep. David Valadao (CA-22), joined by 103 Members of Congress, sent a bipartisan letter to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees urging immediate and equitable relief for specialty crop producers. The letter comes in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which allocates $11 billion to row crop producers, and $1 billion is reserved for specialty crops and other commodities, with little clarity on payment structure or timing. Specialty crops—including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture products—represent one of the most economically significant, incredibly nutritious, and labor-intensive sectors of U.S. agriculture, generating more than $75 billion annually in cash receipts. Yet specialty crop producers continue to face rising costs and market disruptions without receiving proportional relief. 
Between 2020 and 2025, specialty crop growers paid: 

25% more for pesticides
31% more for fuel
37% more for fertilizer
Nearly 50% more for labor 

These cost increases were not matched by comparable increases in crop prices, placing significant strain on growers across the country. 
In their letter, the Members stress that while USDA has stated that $1 billion will be reserved for specialty crops, details regarding eligibility, payment formulas, and timelines remain unclear. The co-chairs urge the Agriculture Committees to press USDA to ensure these funds are distributed quickly, fairly, and in a manner that reflects the unique structure of specialty crop operations. “Specialty crop growers contribute over $75 billion annually to the U.S. economy, yet they continue to face rising input costs, limited access to labor, trade disruptions, and other unprecedented challenges. As USDA rolls out the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, we urge the Agriculture Committees to ensure that the $1 billion set aside for specialty crops is distributed quickly, fairly, and equitably, so growers can continue producing for our nation and remain globally competitive,” said the bipartisan Specialty Crop Caucus Co-Chairs. 
“After months of uncertainty, specialty crop growers urgently need clarity and meaningful relief, and we appreciate the Specialty Crop Caucus for elevating this issue and making clear that specialty crops must be included in any relief package for American agriculture,” the co-chairs of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance said. “Specialty crops are both an economic engine and the source of the most nutritious foods in the American diet, but current policies fail to reflect their importance to public health and food security. We strongly support the Caucus’s call for USDA to act swiftly, provide transparency, and build on proven relief models such as the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (MASC) and CFAP-2 to ensure assistance reaches growers quickly and fairly. Specialty crop growers cannot afford further delay, and we urge congressional leadership and the Administration to move immediately to deliver proportional, transparent, and timely relief that reflects the economic significance and unique cost structures of specialty crop agriculture.” Previous programs, including the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP-2) and the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program, demonstrated tailored formulas and streamlined delivery systems ensure relief reaches producers efficiently.  The Members emphasize USDA should build on these proven models as they proceed with implementation of the FBA Program. The Specialty Crop Caucus is calling on congressional leadership and the Administration to prioritize parity, transparency, and urgency, ensuring specialty crop producers receive the support necessary to remain competitive, sustain rural economies, and continue supplying safe, affordable food to consumers nationwide. Background: USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Announced December 8, 2025: 

$12 billion total in assistance

$11 billion designated for row crops 
$1 billion reserved for commodities not covered by the FBA Program; payment timelines and details are still being finalized based on market impacts and economic needs.

Payments for row crops are expected as early as February 28, 2026.  

Find the full letter here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Eviction Helpline Act Would Establish National Hotline for Eviction-Related Counsel; Helping More Families Save Act Would Modernize HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – The House Financial Services Committee passed two bills championed by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) that would strengthen eviction protections and help families receiving federal housing assistance achieve financial independence. The Eviction Helpline Act and Helping More Families Save Act passed out of committee as part of the bipartisan Housing for the 21^st Century Act and now head to the House floor.

“Housing is a human right. It is health, dignity, stability, and community—which is why we’ve been fighting hard to advance these bills to help keep families safely housed and support them as they achieve financial stability,” said Congresswoman Pressley in a statement. “As the daughter of a tenants’ rights organizer, I’m proud to see this impactful legislation move forward as we continue doing the work of housing justice. Congress must pass them without delay.”

The Eviction Helpline Act would require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish and promote a national hotline so that households can receive access to the eviction-related counsel they need and get help even before an eviction is filed.

The Helping More Families Save Act would modernize and expand HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program for low-income families and empower them to achieve financial stability through financial literacy, job training, and childcare.

Congresswoman Pressley discussed these two bills during the Committee’s markup of the 21^st Century Housing Act, citing the eviction crisis in towns like Randolph in the Massachusetts 7^th Congressional District and the success of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program in Massachusetts.

A transcript of her remarks is available below and the video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Champions Bills to Strengthen Eviction Protections, Help Families Achieve Financial Independence
House Financial Services Committee
December 17, 2025

I support this housing package crafted by Chair Hill, Ranking Member Waters, and the committee staff. 

Thank you for including these two bills, which are a priority of mine, the Eviction Helpline Act and the Helping More Families Save Act in this package.

I serve as Vice Chair of the Renters Caucus, which I like to think of as the “Pathway to Home Ownership Caucus.” Renting is an essential part of the housing journey for millions of adults throughout the country, and the inclusion of these bills demonstrates how Congress can both help renters – tenants – to remain safely housed, while also help tenants achieve the dream of home ownership. 

Housing is a human right. It is health, it is dignity, it is stability, and community. 

Every single person deserves access, deserves access to a quality home that they can actually afford. That’s why my bills are so necessary. 

The Eviction Helpline Act requires HUD to establish and promote a national hotline so that households can receive access to the eviction-related counsel they need. 

As the daughter of a tenants’ rights organizer, this bill is near and dear to my heart, and I’ve been fighting for this type of eviction-related support since I was first elected to Congress and introduced the HELP Act to support renters.

In my district, the Massachusetts 7th and throughout our nation, evictions are destabilizing, devastating life events for your physical health, mental well-being, financial outlook and more. Children, women of color and now the elderly are among those who are most impacted. 

Randolph, a town in my district, has a disproportionately high number of renters who are, on average, paying $2,600 a month in rent. Randolph also has one of the highest eviction rates in Massachusetts, more than double the statewide average. 

For many, homelessness is an abstract concept. They see the unhoused on television or pass by them in their car and would rather ignore it. But we in Congress have a responsibility and obligation to not look away and to do something about [increasing] homelessness and its impact on our families and communities. 

Pregnant women facing low birth weights due to housing instability, children in school at increased risk of illness due to unhealthy living conditions, parents missing work to negotiate with their landlord in the court hallways, and even our elders, who are part of the growing gray wave simply because they cannot find an affordable place to live. 

So that’s why this eviction hotline is so important, so that these families are not fighting alone and can know their rights as tenants and get the help they need before an eviction is even filed. 

Additionally, the inclusion of the Helping More Families Save Act is an important step to supporting our lowest income families achieve stability. HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency program has been a game changer by creating a pathway for households that receive public assistance to gain financial stability through programming and financial literacy, job training, and child care. 

I’m always excited to champion this life altering program as a priority for urban and rural communities alike. Further in my district, Compass Working Capital has truly innovated the Family Self-Sufficiency Program in Massachusetts to help families build wealth and move into their own homes. 

These bills are the type of impactful and transformative legislation that our constituents deserve, and their inclusion in this housing package is a great movement forward. 

But I believe we still need to do more. 

We still need to make sure we have funding for housing vouchers and legal aid attorneys. We need staff at HUD to run these programs and enforce the laws to fight discrimination. But this package is a momentous step in the right direction, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate on how we can better support the people who sent us here. 

They deserve it. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) wrote to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of Inspector General (OIG) urging him to conduct an investigation into whether Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s conflicts of interest contributed to his department ending passenger protection rules, and whether he has favored the airline industry that he previously lobbied for.

Instead of working to make air travel more affordable this holiday season, Secretary Duffy has: ended protections that would’ve required airlines to automatically send passengers cash refunds for certain expenses resulting from flight cancellations or delays of more than 3 hours caused by the airline; halted a rule that required airlines to refund travelers when they canceled flights and rebooked passengers with a different flight number; released new guidance informing airlines that they no longer have to compensate passengers for expenses incurred as a result of delays and cancellations caused by aircraft recalls; and more.

“The impact of these changes will hit travelers right in the wallet: airlines will keep billions of extra dollars that otherwise would have gone toward reimbursing Americans who the industry has left stranded in airports across the country,” wrote the lawmakers. “These wins for airlines were delivered by a former industry lobbyist who now leads DOT, Secretary Duffy.”

Before becoming Secretary of Transportation, Secretary Duffy worked at the lobbying firm BGR Government Affairs, working as an airline industry lobbyist in 2020, and consultant as recently as 2024. He formerly worked for the airline industry coalition Partnership for Open Skies, representing major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. He also has maintained a relationship with his former firm, previously serving as a member of BGR’s advisory board and a consultant for BGR clients, and even last week attending a sporting event in the suite of BGR’s managing director. The lawmakers laid out their concerns that Secretary Duffy may have ended protections for travelers not based on the good of flying Americans but, at least in part, as a result of conflicts of interest and potential bias related to his former client’s airline members.

Given the lawmakers’ concerns about bias and conflicts of interest and whether they may have affected the DOT rulemaking process, lawmakers are asking the DOT’s OIG to evaluate the Secretary’s compliance with federal ethics laws and his involvement in regulatory matters that may affect his former clients.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Democratic members of Washington state’s congressional delegation sent a letter to Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons expressing grave concerns with conditions at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) in Tacoma, Washington and demanding answers to a long list of questions regarding overcrowding and lack of access to medical services, food, and legal counsel for individuals detained at the facility. The population at NWIPC has ballooned over the past year under the Trump administration’s indiscriminate and cruel mass deportation campaign, nearing—and at times exceeding—the facility’s maximum capacity of 1,575.

In addition to Rep. Larsen, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), as well as U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), Kim Schrier (D, WA-08), Adam Smith (D, WA-09) and Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10), also signed the letter.

“Our offices have received reports from local service providers and advocates that conditions and access to services at NWIPC have deteriorated in the last year as ICE has chosen to detain more individuals at the facility,” the Members wrote in their letter. “In June, detained individuals were reportedly transferred to Alaska—far away from their families and legal representatives—because NWIPC reached capacity. None of this is remotely acceptable—you and the entire Trump administration have a basic moral and legal obligation to the people who have been detained and are under your care.”

“It is well established at this point that this Administration is not prioritizing detaining violent criminals, but instead is detaining mostly peaceful, law-abiding immigrants with no criminal record who work hard and contribute to our communities,” the lawmakers continued. “With this in mind, we urge ICE to release noncitizens who do not pose a threat to public safety and to ensure necessary staff levels at NWIPC to protect the safety and basic dignity of the people in its custody.”

In the letter, the Members raise concern over the lack of medical care for individuals detained at NWIPC and other ICE facilities, writing: “We are deeply concerned that the facility does not have sufficient medical staff and dedicated space to adequately provide medical care to the increased number of detained noncitizens. Additionally, we are incredibly concerned about challenges detainees face in accessing behavioral health care and other specialty care.”

The lawmakers’ letter also draws attention to reports from advocates that at least three pregnant women detained at NWIPC over the past year have been unable to receive appropriate medical care. Advocates also shared that at least one pregnant woman was shackled during transportation, which violates agency policy and raises concerns that medical information, such as whether a woman is pregnant, is not being properly documented by the facility.

The Members continued by raising concerns over the inadequate provision of meals at NWIPC and difficulty that detained individuals have in accessing legal counsel, writing: “Attorneys have faced significant delays to meet with their clients, making adequate legal counsel more difficult. This has become especially challenging when immigration courts advance noncitizens’ hearings by months without sufficient warning. At times, attorneys have had to wait at the facility for up to 6 hours to see their clients.”

The letter concludes by requesting answers to a list of questions by January 16th regarding capacity and staffing levels at NWIPC, the provision of food and medical care, access to legal counsel, treatment of pregnant women, and recent facility visits. “Please understand that we are paying close attention to the conditions at NWIPC—and your management of this facility,” the Members wrote. “We urge you to promptly review these concerns and take immediate steps to improve conditions and practices at NWIPC to comply with existing standards and laws and ensure that people in immigration detention are being treated with basic dignity and respect. Violations of the law or any abuse of human rights will not go unnoticed or unchallenged.”

The lawmakers’ full letter to ICE is available HERE and below:

Dear Acting Director Lyons:

We are writing to share our grave concerns with conditions at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) in Tacoma, Washington and to request information about access to medical services, food, and legal counsel for detained noncitizens at the facility. Our offices have received reports from local service providers and advocates that conditions and access to services at NWIPC have deteriorated in the last year as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has chosen to detain more individuals at the facility. In June, detained individuals were reportedly transferred to Alaska—far away from their families and legal representatives—because NWIPC reached capacity.

None of this is remotely acceptable—you and the entire Trump administration have a basic moral and legal obligation to the people who have been detained and are under your care.

You must ensure the facility complies with the 2011 Performance-Based National Detention Standards as revised in 2016 (PBNDS 2011) to keep detained noncitizens safe and healthy while protecting the rights they are entitled to under law.

It is well established at this point that this administration is not prioritizing detaining violent criminals, but instead is detaining mostly peaceful, law-abiding immigrants with no criminal record who work hard and contribute to our communities. With this in mind, we urge ICE to release noncitizens who do not pose a threat to public safety and to ensure necessary staff levels at NWIPC to protect the safety and basic dignity of the people in its custody.

Medical Care

The federal government has a moral and legal obligation to protect the health of individuals in its custody. We have had long-standing concerns about access to medical services in ICE detention facilities. In recent years, several members of the Washington Congressional delegation requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a comprehensive review of the quality and accessibility of medical services for individuals in ICE custody. At times this year, NWIPC has exceeded 1,500 individuals in custody, nearing the facility’s maximum capacity of 1,575 individuals. We are deeply concerned that the facility does not have sufficient medical staff and dedicated space to adequately provide medical care to the increased number of detained noncitizens.

Additionally, we are incredibly concerned about challenges detainees face in accessing behavioral health care and other specialty care. During an August 2025 site visit, facility staff indicated the facility employed only four behavioral health staffers. There were reports of at least two suicide attempts at NWIPC in April. It is plainly inadequate to have four behavioral health staff serving the 1,500 detainees under the facility’s care, especially given the fact that serious behavioral health issues frequently emerge under the severe stress of detention. We are also alarmed by reports from advocates with access to the facility that at least three detained pregnant women at NWIPC have been unable to receive appropriate medical care, even after they request specialty prenatal care appointments. Regular exams such as ultrasounds are necessary to monitor development and ensure a healthy pregnancy. Advocates also shared that at least one pregnant woman was shackled during transportation, which violates agency policy and raises concerns that medical information, such as whether a woman is pregnant, is not being properly documented by the facility.

Food 

The Seattle Times recently reported on the inadequate provision of meals at NWIPC as the detained population has increased. Advocates who speak with detainees have shared that meals are provided late and, in some cases, detainees did not receive three meals per day. Detainees have made complaints about food and sanitation for many years, and we urge the facility to be responsive to the nutritional needs of individuals in its custody. Legal service providers with access to the facility have also shared that detainees waiting for video teleconferencing (VTC) hearings may miss meals. We urge the facility to ensure that all detained noncitizens, including those awaiting hearings or visits, are provided a minimum of three meals per day, as required by national detention standards (PBNDS 2011).

Access to Legal Counsel

Access to legal resources for noncitizens in immigration detention supports their ability to understand their rights and navigate immigration court, preventing backlogs in the immigration court system. Detained noncitizens at NWIPC face several concerning barriers to accessing legal counsel. Attorneys have faced significant delays to meet with their clients, making adequate legal counsel more difficult. This has become especially challenging when immigration courts advance noncitizens’ hearings by months without sufficient warning. At times, attorneys have had to wait at the facility for up to 6 hours to see their clients. This August, two of the seven attorney visitation rooms were being used as Virtual Attorney Visitation rooms (VAVs) and two were being used for video teleconferencing (VTC) hearings, leaving only three rooms available for attorneys to meet with their clients in person. We have also heard from advocates with access to the facility that, at times, only one visitation room was available and interviews for facility staff were being conducted in these attorney visitation rooms.

In the Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congress provided $10,000,000 for ICE to improve legal resources for noncitizen detainees, including to expand video attorney visitation. During an August 2025 site visit, NWIPC staff indicated that the facility recently implemented a new scheduling system to reserve attorney visitation rooms. We ask that the facility work with attorneys to resolve any issues that arise with the new system expeditiously so as not to delay access to legal counsel. We urge you to improve access to legal counsel by ensuring attorney visitation rooms remain available for attorneys to meet with their clients.

Given these concerns, we request answers to the following questions by January 16, 2026:

1. What is the maximum capacity of NWIPC, as determined by the fire marshal? As of November 1, 2025, how many individuals were detained at the facility? 

2. How many staff were employed by NWIPC on January 20, 2025? Of this cohort, how many were trained and certified medical services providers who routinely provided direct medical services?

3. As of November 1, 2025, how many staff were employed by NWIPC? Of this cohort, how many were trained and certified medical services providers who routinely provide direct medical services?

4. As of November 1, 2025, how many pregnant women were detained at NWIPC? How often have these women requested, and how often have they received, prenatal care appointments with a specialist?

5. How many days in the last six months has the facility not provided three meals each day to every noncitizen in its custody?
– Why did the facility not provide three meals each day to every noncitizen?
– For each day, for how many noncitizens were three meals not provided?

6. What is the current status of the Legal Orientation Program (LOP) at NWIPC? Are noncitizens able to access LOP daily? What are the hours of availability each day? Outside of hours, are there any other restrictions on daily LOP access, and if so, what are they and why are they in place?

7. How many attorney visitation rooms are currently available for in-person attorney meetings? How many attorney visitation rooms are currently available for virtual attorney meetings?
– In the last six months, have the attorney visitation rooms been used for a purpose other than attorney-client meetings (in-person or virtual) or video teleconferencing (VTC) hearings?

8. When were the most recent facility visits by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Inspector General, DHS Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO), the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and ICE oversight personnel (whether the Office of Professional Responsibility or otherwise)? What, if any, recommendations were made after each visit? What progress has been made to implement such recommendations?

9. OIDO issued a report in November 2024 following an inspection of NWIPC. While 11 of the recommendations have been addressed, one remains outstanding. What progress has been made on implementing the remaining recommendation?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Please understand that we are paying close attention to the conditions at NWIPC—and your management of this facility.

We urge you to promptly review these concerns and take immediate steps to improve conditions and practices at NWIPC to comply with existing standards and laws and ensure that people in immigration detention are being treated with basic dignity and respect.

Violations of the law or any abuse of human rights will not go unnoticed or unchallenged.

Sincerely,

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

Congresswoman Titus (D-NV1) today introduced the Protect Our Students Act, new legislation to protect students in Southern Nevada from traffic incidents by unlocking federal funding to make school zones safer.

Each year, approximately 100 students in the United States lose their lives due to car crashes while walking to or from school, and another 25,000 are injured. In Clark County, 206 children and young adults have been the victims of traffic collisions this school year alone. Addressing this public safety threat is one of Congresswoman Titus’s priorities as a Senior Member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.

“No student should fear for their life or safety on their way to school,” said Congresswoman Titus. “That is why I am introducing legislation to make federal funding available for safety improvements in school zones, whether through hiring crossing guards or other proven methods that reduce traffic accidents on our roads. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee to make our roads safer for everyone, including our students, as we craft the surface transportation reauthorization bill.” 

The Protect Our Students Act would allow states and localities to use Section 402 Highway Safety Program grants to make safety improvements in school zones. Eligible improvements include hiring crossing guards, flashing lights and beacons, visible signage and markings, crosswalks, traffic calming measures; and Safe Routes to School non-infrastructure such as student pedestrian safety education.

“As a community, we have a shared responsibility to ensure that every child gets to and from school safely,” said Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft. “I applaud Congresswoman Titus on the Protect Our Students Act, which will give states and local governments more tools to improve safety in school zones. By expanding eligible programs under federal highway safety funding, this legislation will help us invest in infrastructure, education, and enforcement strategies that save lives and protect our most vulnerable road users.” 

“The most sacred travel is children traveling to and from school,” said Erin Breen, Director of PedSafe Vegas. “Every child deserves safe travel in their neighborhoods, their quality of life is dependent on safe travel, especially outside of a vehicle. Every action that helps children walk, or roll to school adds to their childhood experience, we want those memories to be positive, and we thank Congresswoman Titus for leading this effort!”

“Children should always be able to safely walk or bike to school. The Protect Our Students Act allows federal highway safety funds to be used to improve school zone safety including to improve visibility, curb speeding and better separate road users. Ensuring states have the resources to make safety improvements is a critical step toward protecting children and the caregivers who travel with them every day. We thank Rep. Titus for her safety leadership and urge Congress to advance this legislation,” said Cathy Chase, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

“Safe Kids Worldwide applauds Representative Titus for her leadership in protecting our children as they travel to and from school,” said Safe Kids Worldwide President Torine Creppy. “Every child deserves a safe environment, whether they walk, ride the bus, or bike to school. The School Zone Safety Act ensures states can fund critical infrastructure projects that improve safety around school zones. We look forward to working with Representative Titus to advance this important legislation.”

 “Safe Routes Partnership strongly supports the Protect Our Students Act and applauds Representative Titus for prioritizing student transportation safety,” said Marisa Jones, Managing Director of Safe Routes Partnership. “Safe Routes to School non-infrastructure is an evidence-based approach shown to reduce traffic injuries, and this bill gives states the flexibility to use proven strategies to protect children in school zones so every child can walk, bike, or roll to school safely.”  

This legislation has been endorsed by Safe Kids Worldwide; Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety; PedSafe Vegas; and the Safe Routes Partnership.

Background:

Under current law, Section 402 Highway Safety Program grants can be used to “reduce injuries and deaths resulting from crashes involving school buses.” The Protect Our Students Act would expand the program’s eligibility to include projects that help prevent injuries and deaths in school zones, instead of just prevent crashes “involving buses.”

The bill would also clarify that state highway officials can use the grants for the following: school crossing guards; flashing lights and beacons; visible signage and markings; crossings; traffic calming measures such as pedestrian islands; traffic lights; school zone audits and assessments; automatic traffic enforcement; and Safe Routes to School non-infrastructure such as pedestrian safety education.

Finally, Congresswoman Titus’s legislation would increase the percentage of Section 402 funds required to be expended by political subdivisions from 40 percent to 50 percent.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act with Congressman David Valadao’s (CA-22) support. This bipartisan bill streamlines the approval process to advance essential water, transportation, energy, infrastructure, forest management, and flood-control projects by allowing federal agencies to use previously conducted Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the approval of projects with similar impacts.

A portion of Congressman Valadao’s Determination of NEPA Adequacy Streamlining Act (H.R. 6163) was included in the SPEED Act.

“The Central Valley has no shortage of essential projects ready to move forward, but unfortunately, it’s near impossible to put shovels in the ground due to our outdated, burdensome permitting process,” said Congressman Valadao. “By allowing federal agencies to rely on previously conducted, scientifically sound environmental reviews, we can cut down on excessive paperwork, reduce delays, and get projects moving sooner. The bipartisan SPEED Act brings much-needed certainty to our permitting process and jumpstarts domestic investment, and I’m proud to have portions of my bill, H.R. 6163, included.”

Background:

NEPA is a procedural statute that establishes parameters for assessing and disclosing the environmental impact of all major federal actions. Originally intended to ensure an appropriate balance between protecting the environment and economic development, the NEPA process has become increasingly complex, resulting in massive NEPA documents approaching thousands of pages, drawn-out project timelines, and excessive litigation.

The SPEED Act simplifies the analysis required in NEPA documents so that agencies aren’t stuck studying never-ending topics without ever reaching a conclusion. The bill clarifies when NEPA is triggered by focusing the definition of “Major Federal Action” and allows agencies to rely on previously completed NEPA documents for projects. Lastly, the bill establishes judicial review limitations for NEPA claims, including a 150-day deadline for filing claims, and eliminates vacatur and injunction as remedies available to courts. 

Read the full bill here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) issued the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 4776, the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act. 

The SPEED Act amends the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic delays from the federal permitting process for important energy, transportation, and water infrastructure projects. The bill sets clear deadlines, allows agencies to use existing environmental assessments, and establishes limitations on judicial review. Read the full text here.   

“FedGov is far too big, expensive, intrusive and oppressive. This bill is a minor correction in an ongoing effort to reduce the size and scope of the Federal Government’s interactions with American businesses. The current NEPA process is a major barrier to oil and gas development and the construction of infrastructure projects,” said Congressman Higgins. “The SPEED Act cuts red tape, streamlines permitting, and provides certainty for new projects. We’re getting the federal government out of the way and allowing American workers to move forward on projects that grow the economy.”

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

Legislation authored by U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, was included in U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s (D-CA) Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act. The PUBLIC Lands Act would support the conservation of over 1.7 million acres of California’s public lands throughout northwest California, the Central Coast, and Los Angeles County.

The introduction of this legislation comes as public lands across California are increasingly threatened by the Trump Administration’s efforts to roll back environmental protections and privatize public lands.

“From the rugged trails of the Los Padres National Forest to the sweeping Carrizo Plain, the Central Coast is home to some of the most pristine public lands in the country. We must act now to permanently protect these landscapes, which sustain local watersheds, provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, and strengthen both our public health and economy,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I am grateful to Senator Padilla for including my Central Coast Heritage Protection Act in his bill, ensuring these treasures are safeguarded so future generations can continue to experience the natural beauty that defines our region.”

The Central Coast Heritage Protection Act would designate approximately 250,000 acres of public land in the Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument as wilderness, the highest form of federal protection available. A wilderness designation would protect the land from future oil or gas drilling.

Carbajal’s bill is supported by nearly 500 Central Coast landowners, businesses, elected officials, farmers, ranchers, civic leaders, wineries, recreationalists, and outfitters. The public lands the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act would protect are home to a wide array of plant and animal life, and the bill will help sustain the ecological future of 468 species of wildlife and more than 1,200 plant species.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Michigan’s top doctor advised health care providers to move away from vaccine guidance of RFK Jr.’s federal panel and instead follow vaccine schedules from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

In response to Michigan standing up to RFK Jr.’s chaos, MI Congresswoman Haley Stevens issued the following statement:

“RFK Jr. is dangerous—full stop. He spreads lies and conspiracy theories that put children at risk. He’s left Michigan no choice. I’m glad our state is standing with science, doctors, parents, and kids.”
 

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