Steil Introduces Resolution to Recognize Survivors of Scams and Prevent Future Scams 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Bryan Steil (WI-01), Josh Harder (CA-09), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Zach Nunn (IA-03), Jefferson Shreve (IN-06), and Gabe Amo (RI-01) this week introduced a resolution to designate May 14th as National Scam Survivor Day.

“Each year, scammers exploit millions of Americans and defraud them of their hard-earned savings,” said Steil. “I commend every American who speaks out to raise awareness after being victimized by scammers. By sharing their experiences, scam survivors help break the stigma scam victims can face while ensuring our communities have the tools to identify, disarm, and report emerging scams. I will continue working to prevent families and seniors from falling victim to scams.”

The National Scam Survivor Day resolution encourages scam survivors to tell their stories combat the stigma that may prevent individuals from seeking the guidance and assistance they deserve. Additionally, the legislation urges a collaborative approach to support scam survivors and prevent future scams among government, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations.

“Scams are more than just an annoying robocall – these organized attacks rob working families of their hard-earned savings and financial stability,” said Harder. “Cracking down on these criminals starts with raising awareness of the nationwide scam crisis, and I’m proud to support designating May 14 as National Scam Survivor Day. Bringing our community together around prevention will lead to more arrests, fewer robocalls, and less financial theft, and I look forward to working across the aisle to get this bill signed into law.”

“As Subcommittee Chairman on Oversight and Investigations, I am working with the Trump Administration, law enforcement, and the private sector to stop financial fraud and scams before they start,” said Meuser. “Scammers stole more than $21 billion from hardworking Americans in 2025, targeting seniors, veterans, small business owners, and young adults. National Scam Survivor Day is about supporting victims, raising awareness, and educating consumers as scammers and fraudsters become increasingly sophisticated. Thank you to Rep. Steil for once again leading this important resolution.”

“Millions of Americans have lost hundreds of billions of dollars at the hands of hucksters, fraudsters and rip-off artists,” said Raskin. “By designating May 14, 2026, as National Scam Survivor Day, we remind our neighbors that there’s no shame in reporting these terrible crimes, and we put scammers everywhere on notice that we’ll never stop pursuing justice and accountability. I want to thank my constituent—Judith Boivin of Rockville—for bravely sharing her story with me and for working to help others avoid what she has endured at the hands of criminal scammers.”

“A central Iowa man spent months building what he believed was a genuine online relationship, only to lose $164,000 to fraud. A woman from Des Moines fell victim to a romance scam and lost $15,000. These are just two of the stories behind the $96 million Iowans lost to financial fraud in 2025,” said Nunn. “Iowans shouldn’t have to worry about scammers robbing them of their life savings through fake investment schemes and online fraud. On National Scam Survivor’s Day, I’m proud my bipartisan GUARD Act is moving forward to give law enforcement stronger tools to track down criminals, crack down on fraud, and protect Iowans’ hard-earned money.”

This resolution is supported by the International Better Business Bureau.

Original cosponsors of this resolution include Representatives Josh Harder (CA-09), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Zach Nunn (IA-03), Jefferson Shreve (IN-06), and Gabe Amo (RI-01)

CLICK HERE to read the resolution.

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Pelosi Pays Tribute to Rita Semel on House Floor: “One of the Great Moral Forces of Our Community”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Today, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks on the House Floor honoring the life and legacy of San Francisco civic and interfaith leader Rita Semel, who passed away at the age of 104.

In her remarks, Pelosi praised Semel’s decades of leadership bringing together people of different faiths and backgrounds in pursuit of peace, dignity and mutual understanding, calling her “one of the great moral forces of our community.”

Watch Pelosi’s Floor remarks here.

Read Speaker Emerita Pelosi’s statement on the passing of Rita Semel below:

“The passing of Rita Semel is a profound loss for San Francisco and for all who believe in the power of dialogue, understanding and justice. For decades, Rita was one of the great moral voices of our community: bringing together people of different faiths, backgrounds and perspectives in pursuit of peace, dignity and respect for all God’s children.

“Through her extraordinary leadership with the San Francisco Interfaith Council and across countless civic and charitable causes, Rita helped make our city more compassionate, more united and more hopeful. She believed deeply that our diversity was a source of strength, and she dedicated her life to building bridges at moments when division would have been easier. I was privileged to know Rita and call her a dear friend for more than fifty years. Her wisdom, warmth and relentless commitment to justice touched generations of leaders and families throughout the Bay Area and beyond. She carried herself with grace and conviction, always guided by faith and by an unwavering belief in our shared humanity.

“Paul and I and our entire family, especially our daughter Christine, are grateful to Rita’s daughter Elizabeth for enabling her mother to be a force in our community for over 100 years. We join so many in mourning Rita’s passing and celebrating her remarkable life and legacy.

“May it be a comfort to Rita’s family, her loved ones and the communities she served so faithfully that so many are praying for them at this sad time. And may her memory continue to be a blessing and an inspiration to us all.”

Krishnamoorthi Named Ranking Member of House Intelligence Subcommittee on National Intelligence Enterprise

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, was announced today as Ranking Member of the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee, which oversees the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, FBI intelligence operations, the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), the Treasury Department’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, and intelligence offices across the federal government.

“As Ranking Member of the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee, I will work to ensure our intelligence agencies are prepared to confront the growing threats posed by foreign adversaries, cyberattacks, espionage, terrorism, and transnational criminal organizations,” said Krishnamoorthi. “Congress has a responsibility to conduct rigorous oversight of the Trump Administration, strengthen our national security capabilities, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent effectively and responsibly. At the same time, we must safeguard the constitutional rights and civil liberties that define our democracy.”

Subcommittee Ranking Member Jayapal’s Opening Statement at Hearing on Republicans’ Coercive Campaign to Force States, Localities to Enforce Trump’s Reckless Mass-Deportation Agenda

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Washington, D.C. (May 14, 2026) — Today, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, delivered opening remarks at a hearing on Republicans’ campaign to strong-arm states and localities into carrying out an impossible federal mass-deportation agenda, which undermines local law enforcement, diverts essential crime-fighting resources, and makes all of our communities less safe.   Below are Ranking Member Jayapal’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at today’s hearing.

WATCH Subcommittee Ranking Member Jayapal’s opening statement.

Let me start by offering my deepest condolences to you, Ms. Minter. As a mother myself, I cannot imagine what you are going through in losing a daughter far too soon. I am very sorry for your loss.   This hearing is, unfortunately, another in a series of hearings the Majority has held that consistently attack trust policies that have upheld the necessary and important division between the enforcement of federal civil immigration law and the enforcement of local criminal laws. This division has proven over and over again in documented research to be essential in keeping all communities safe and ensuring that people come forward to report crimes.  

Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. And last year, Republicans gave the Department of Homeland Security over $170 billion in their Big Bad Betrayal bill to meet the arbitrary immigrant arrest quotas of Stephen Miller and to carry out President Trump’s cruel mass deportation agenda.   Using this funding, ICE doubled in size. DHS officers killed two U.S. citizens in cold blood in Minnesota, beat and detained countless U.S. citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights, and broke down doors of U.S. citizens without a warrant in violation of the Fourth Amendment. We know of at least one U.S. citizen who has been arrested by ICE three times despite repeatedly informing agents he is a U.S. citizen. Another 18-year-old U.S. citizen with terminal cancer spent the last weeks of his life begging ICE to release his parents so he could see them before he died. They reunited one day before he died.  

And that is just what they have done to Americans. ICE is also subjecting hundreds of parents and children to months in immigration prisons, conducted senseless deportations of military veterans, separated families, massively increased immigration detention, resulting in a record 48 deaths in ICE detention since President Trump took office.  

A recent Politico analysis revealed that judges have ruled in at least 10,000 cases that the detention was illegal, with no due process, no opportunity for detainees to plead their case. 10,000 people, including a nursing mother who was separated from her one-year-old child, despite active legal refugee status and a 5-year-old boy detained by ICE on his way home from school. More than 425 judges have heard cases and reached the same conclusions about the illegality of Trump’s mass detention policies—including a majority of Trump-appointed judges. Three circuit courts have also now ruled the policy illegal.  

The impact of these illegal policies is not just being felt by immigrants, it is ripping apart entire communities across the country, creating fear and terror, and also negatively impacting opportunities for all Americans. A new study by the National Bureau of Economic Research just concluded that Trump’s immigration raids are now even weighing on the labor market, leading to fewer jobs for U.S. born men without a college degree.   Despite all of this, Republicans have refused to stop these illegal, unconstitutional and cruel policies. They have refused to address the fact that while their anti-immigrant strategies may have worked before, they don’t work anymore. Today, more than 60% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s immigration policies. Americans want Trump and Republicans to focus on lowering their gas prices and grocery prices. They want Republicans to stop giving tax breaks to billionaires while stripping healthcare from tens of millions of Americans.  

But Donald Trump said it himself just a few days ago. In his own words, Trump said, “I don’t think about the financial situation of Americans.” Really? That is exactly why Republicans are now planning to give ICE and Border Patrol an additional $70 billion with no oversight or accountability, yet having a hearing this morning to complain that Fairfax County will not do ICE’s job for them!  

Give me a break. DHS has plenty of money to hire all the new immigration enforcement agents they want. They don’t need to commandeer the local police officers who are hard at work maintaining Fairfax’s status as the safest county of its size in the United States. In one of the greatest ironies, here we are in the Immigration subcommittee having a hearing about the prosecutorial decisions of a County attorney and the jail policies of a County sheriff! Whatever happened to the Republican party that believed in local government?  

There are many reasons that states and localities choose not to or are unable to conduct immigration enforcement on behalf of the federal government. Numerous court orders have declared immigration detainers unlawful violations of the 4th amendment and state and local officials do not want to spend huge amounts of money on court cases. State constitutions often contain prohibitions. And local police departments want to prioritize their resources and encourage the trust of people to come forward and report crimes without worrying about their own immigration status.  

The Major Cities Chiefs Association has repeatedly reaffirmed that, cooperation with the immigrant community is essential to solve crime and prevent further criminal activity within the entire community, including ensuring protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.   In 2019, my home state of Washington passed the bipartisan Keep Washington Working Act for all these reasons as have many states across the country. Courts have ruled multiple times that states have the right to enact laws like the Keep Washington Working Act. These laws do allow information sharing with the federal government when necessary for an ongoing criminal investigation, or pursuant to a court order or judicial warrant.  

This committee should be holding hearings on the unconstitutionality of this Administration’s policies, on the killing of American citizens by ICE and CBP. But instead, we are doing yet another hearing designed to further this Administration’s anti-immigrant agenda and distract people from the real issues at hand. The American people deserve better.   I look forward to hearing from all our witnesses today and I yield back.

Crow Introduces Legislation to Crack Down on Presidential Corruption, Restore Checks and Balances

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO) has introduced the Protecting our Democracy Act, a slate of historic pro-democracy reforms aimed at preventing presidential abuses of power, rooting out corruption, strengthening checks and balances, and protecting American elections against foreign influence. Crow joined Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and 92 other Members of Congress in introducing the bill.

Upon returning to the White House, the President kickstarted a series of corruption schemes that have personally netted the Trump family billions. As gas, groceries, and healthcare have all gotten more expensive for working families, Donald Trump has increased his personal net worth by at least $3 billion—the most lucrative year of his life. And as Trump and congressional Republicans took away healthcare for millions, Trump funneled billions from anonymous donors and foreign governments through his personal cryptocurrency slush fund.

At the same time, this Administration is ignoring the Constitution to consolidate power. President Trump unilaterally launched a war with Iran, costing billions of taxpayer dollars and leading to the death of thirteen servicemembers. Trump officials at the DOJ and FBI are targeting political opponents. Federal agencies like FEMA are withholding funding to states that did not support Trump in recent elections. Trump-appointed Inspectors General are refusing to investigate wrongdoing. And the President has threatened to invade Democratic-run cities, send federal forces to polling places, and end an entire civilization.

“This is one of the most dangerous and corrupt Administrations in American history,” said Congressman Crow. “This President and his cronies are ripping away health care, ignoring rising costs, and spending billions on a reckless war—all while lining their pockets at taxpayers’ expense. Congress cannot stand by as they undermine our constitutional powers and use the presidency as a personal piggy bank. The American people deserve a government focused on making life more affordable for them, not one that makes this President and the elites around him richer. 

The legislative package includes provisions that:

  1. Codifies constitutional prohibitions on foreign and domestic emoluments and prevents Trump-style abuses of power.
  2. Increases transparency surrounding the Executive Branch’s implementation of spending laws, prevents the politicization of the civil service, and strengthens protections for whistleblowers who play a crucial role in Congressional oversight by exposing wrongdoing, often at great personal and professional risk.
  3. Protects elections from foreign interference, requires presidential candidates to submit their tax returns to the Federal Election Commission, and increases disclosure requirements for online political advertisements. 
  4. Requires the President to disclose to Congress any payments made to the President by an individual granted clemency or by an individual appointed to a position which requires the advice and consent of the Senate

Throughout his time in Congress, Congressman Crow has fought to protect democracy and end corruption. He has stood up to special interests and has not taken a dime of corporate PAC money. He is leading the fight to root out corruption in our elections, including through his End Dark Money Act to crack down on dark money’s influence on U.S. elections and his bipartisan Shell Company Abuse Act to limit foreign interference in U.S. elections. Crow is also calling on the U.S. House to ban its members from insider trading on prediction markets, and he’s an original cosponsor of the TRUST in Congress Act to ban members of Congress and their families from owning or trading stocks. 

Congressman Crow is looking to build a future that brings Americans together, protects our democracy, and ensures leaders are accountable to working class Americans—his vision for New American Patriotism. 

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Rep. Panetta Introduces Legislation to Designate the Lower Presidio as a National Historic Park

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

Washington, D.C. – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) authored and introduced the American Sovereignty and Monterey Historic Military Site Study Act. This legislation would direct the Department of the Interior to evaluate the Lower Presidio Historic Park in Monterey, California for potential designation as a National Historic Park under the National Park Service. The bill would direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study within three years of funding and to submit a report to Congress with findings and recommendations on how best to preserve, protect, and interpret the site for future generations.

While both national parks and national historic parks are part of the National Park System and managed by the National Park Service, national historic parks are specifically designated to preserve and interpret sites of significant historical and cultural importance to the United States. Traditional national parks, by contrast, are primarily designated to protect outstanding natural landscapes and ecosystems. The Lower Presidio’s designation as a potential national historic park reflects the depth and breadth of its significance in our cultural history.

“Lower Presidio Historic Park holds over 12,000 years of history, as a tribal village for indigenous peoples to the landings of Spanish explorers to the location where Commodore Sloat planted the flag of the United States to the training site for the Buffalo Soldiers and many others who served in the United States Military, yet it has never received the national recognition that it deserves,” said Rep. Panetta. “The American Sovereignty and Monterey Historic Military Site Study Act would take the first step towards designating the site as a national historic park to provide the proper federal support to ensure that the land is preserved for generations to appreciate its historic significance. Through this legislation, we can begin the process of securing national recognition for the extraordinary legacy not just of the Lower Presidio Historic Park, but also of our home.”

“On behalf of the City of Monterey, we express gratitude to Congressman Panetta for leading the effort to establish the Lower Presidio as a site of national significance,” said Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson. “This designation ensures public access and preservation of the diverse history of this land, from its Indigenous roots and Spanish and American military eras to its role as a sacred ancestral homeland.”

“The City wholeheartedly supports this study and partnership model where the National Park Service operates the historic park in coordination with the Army and City government,” said Monterey Assistant City Manager Nat Rojanasathira. “This collaborative approach ensures the Lower Presidio remains a premier landmark within Monterey’s diverse network of cultural resources, parks and public spaces.”

Located within the U.S. Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey and open to the public since 1996, Lower Presidio Historic Park holds one of the most storied histories of any site on the West Coast. Over 12,000 years ago, the land was stewarded by the Esselen and Rumsen peoples. The site later witnessed the arrival of European explorers, the founding of the Spanish Presidio of Monterey in 1770, California’s time as the capital of Alta California, the raising of the American flag in 1846 by Commodore John Drake Sloat, the construction of the first major U.S. Army fort on the West Coast, service by the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th Cavalry Regiment, and the establishment of what would become the Defense Language Institute, a cornerstone of American national security.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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Quigley, Durbin, Duckworth Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Map Urban Flooding & Help FEMA Better Assess Risks

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today reintroduced the bicameral Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act. The bill would establish a pilot grant program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to allow cities to develop better methods for mapping, understanding, and mitigating urban flooding while sharing findings with the federal government.

 “In communities across the country, including Chicagoland, urban flooding has a unique ability to wreak havoc in our communities, leaving Americans feeling helpless in the aftermath. Flooding can cause extensive property damage and impose a massive financial burden on homeowners. Even just a few inches of rain can be dangerous when combined with an out-of-date and inadequate understanding of the type and location of floods we face,” said Quigley. “I’m proud to reintroduce bipartisan legislation to give cities and towns the resources and tools they’ll need to proactively address flooding challenges. With the rise in extreme weather events and growing impacts of climate change, I’m hopeful my colleagues will be compelled to recognize the urgent need for this legislation.”

“It’s undeniable that the climate crisis is bringing more severe flooding to Illinois. Given this, we must ensure that Illinoisans have the resources to protect their lives and homes from flood damage,” said Durbin. “Our Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act is designed to support urban communities in preparing for flood risks while providing our government with the necessary data to develop better preventative solutions.”

 “Every year, communities in Illinois and across the country struggle to plan for and recover from urban flooding, which climate change is exacerbating,” said Duckworth. “It’s critical we ensure our cities and towns have the resources they need to prepare for flooding, and this legislation and the pilot program it establishes will do just that. I’m proud to reintroduce our bill to help better understand flood risks, protect home and small business owners and help prevent and mitigate damage caused by urban flooding.”

As states experience more frequent urbanization, many communities have seen a rise in flooding activity, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, melting snow, and aging infrastructure. Many of these urban areas are often outside of regulatory floodplains, leaving residents unprepared when a disaster hits. 

Under the Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act, 12 total cities, varying in size from 50,000 to 800,000 or more residents, would be able to apply for the pilot program, which would select three participant cities per year for four years. The bill would authorize $2 million for Fiscal Year 2027 and $5 million for Fiscal Year 2028 through Fiscal Year 2030 for grants to be made available to states and local government authorities in recognized urban areas. Grant recipients would have 18 months to conduct their projects upon receiving a grant. 

The program would also require lessons-learned reports from both the grant recipients and FEMA over the duration of the program. Project data and reports would be made publicly available to improve urban flood mitigation.

Illinois is home to one of the largest inland systems of rivers, lakes, and streams in the U.S., increasing the state’s flooding risk. Floods are the most common natural disaster in Illinois, accounting for more than 90 percent of the state’s declared disasters.

Bill text is available here.

Huizenga, Correa, Walberg Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Mental Health Outcomes, Prevent Veteran Suicide

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA) introduced the Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at improving mental health outcomes for veterans and helping reduce veteran suicide rates by expanding access to evidence-based suicide prevention care. The legislation seeks to increase the number of Community Care Network providers who complete evidence-based suicide prevention training administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs while also creating a publicly available preferred provider list to help veterans identify providers who best meet their needs.

Under current law, providers in local communities outside the VA healthcare system may participate in the Veterans Health Administration Community Care Network without completing VA-administered suicide prevention training. The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act encourages greater participation in that training and improves transparency for veterans seeking care options in their communities. Joining Representatives Huizenga and Correa as original cosponsors are Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI), Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ).

“When our servicemembers come home at the end of their service, our responsibility to them does not end,” said Congressman Huizenga. “Too many veterans continue to struggle with invisible wounds after returning home, and they deserve access to the highest quality mental health care available, wherever they receive it. This bipartisan legislation will help connect veterans with providers who have completed evidence-based suicide prevention training and improve transparency for veterans and families seeking care.”

“All gave some, and some made the ultimate sacrifice. Our veterans were willing to give their lives to defend American freedom and democracy. It is now our moral duty to provide them with the highest-quality mental health care,” said Congressman Correa. “I joined Representative Bill Huizenga in introducing the Veteran Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act because veterans face a high risk of suicide. Not all wounds are visible, and we need to make sure that medical care is available to meet their needs. It is the least we can do to thank veterans for their sacrifice.”

“Our nation’s veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, yet too many of these brave men and women struggle in silence,” said Congressman Walberg. “I am proud to join Representatives Huizenga and Correa on this bipartisan legislation, which will equip providers with the proper training to deliver high-quality mental health care to America’s veterans so that we can honor these heroes’ service with the care, dignity, and compassion they so rightfully deserve.”

“Expanding suicide prevention training for Community Care Network providers connects veterans with better-informed care, said Congressman Mike Lawler. “This also inspires greater confidence in our veterans that their providers are prepared to recognize warning signs and respond with the support they need. Our veterans are more than deserving of access to providers who understand the unique challenges they face after serving our country,”

According to the VA’s 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, 6,398 veterans died by suicide in 2023, an average of 17.5 veterans per day. The report also found that 61% of veterans who died by suicide in 2023 had not received VA healthcare services in the year prior to their death.

The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act is supported by organizations including the American Legion Department of Michigan and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“The Department of Michigan American Legion supports efforts to reduce veteran suicides. The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act is one step in the direction of lowering veteran suicides by providing the proper training to those that provide care for veterans in the community.” Tim Poxson, American Legion Department of Michigan   

Huizenga Votes to Lower Costs for Southwest Michigan Families and Farmers

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) released the following statement after voting in support of a five-year farm bill. Specifically, this legislation reduces input costs, strengthens risk management tools, and expands food processing capacity, all while investing in the rural infrastructure that supports Southwest Michigan’s economy and agricultural community.

Importantly, this legislation includes provisions from Huizenga’s bipartisan Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act, which will strengthen and expand the Tree Assistance Program to better protect growers when severe weather, disease, or other losses threaten long-term production.

“This farm bill will help lower costs for the farmers who grow our food and the American families they help feed,” said Congressman Huizenga. “For years, family farms and specialty crop growers across Michigan have faced challenges that threatened their livelihood. This legislation delivers relief by giving farmers the certainty they deserve as well as the tools to cut costs, expand local processing, and strengthen domestic supply chains from the ground up. At the end of the day, this legislation will lower prices at the grocery store, help farmers thrive, and make life more affordable and healthy for families across Southwest Michigan.”

Key provisions in the House-passed farm bill include:

  • Lowers grocery costs & improves health outcomes by focusing on nutrition science and access to healthier foods
  • Invests in rural America—broadband, water, and infrastructure to lower the costs of local farm, small business, and household utility bills
  • Modernizes risk management for specialty crop producers
  • Backs specialty crops with $1B+ for research, competitiveness, and pest/disease research
  • Cuts input costs by advancing precision agriculture
  • Expands food processing capacity to strengthen supply chains
  • Strengthens domestic sourcing to support American agriculture
  • Protects U.S. farmland with CFIUS review for buyers tied to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea

Huizenga Introduces Legislation to Stop China and Russia from Stealing American AI Models

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced the introduction of H.R. 8283, the Deterring American AI Model Theft Act. Companies such as OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic have all indicated publicly that they have faced “distillation” attacks from State-backed Chinese AI companies. These attacks systematically extract and steal critical data, such as model weights, architectures, and other technical characteristics, that foreign adversaries use to build their own AI models for cheap while bypassing compute restrictions. Distillation attacks are the latest avenue of Chinese economic coercion and theft of U.S. intellectual property and poses a direct threat to the national security of the United States and the economic competitiveness of U.S. companies.

The Deterring American AI Model Theft Act addresses this problem by authorizing discretionary sanctions, creating a name and shame list of AI thieves, and approving a pathway for the U.S. State Department to interphase with private industry to share best practices and study attacks to strengthen defense.

“Model extraction attacks are the latest frontier of Chinese economic coercion and theft of US intellectual property,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “American AI models are demonstrating transformative cyber capabilities, and it is critical we prevent China from stealing these technological advancements. I am proud to champion the Deterring American AI Model Theft Act to advance the third pillar of the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan. We must be more proactive in stopping the circumvention of US export controls by foreign adversaries.”

“American AI leadership rests on two pillars: the ingenuity of our innovators and the resolve, including of our government, to safeguard what our innovators build from those who seek to steal it. The Deterring American AI Model Theft Act of 2026 establishes a clear—and sorely needed—framework to identify foreign actors extracting American models, hold them accountable through existing authorities, and strengthen coordination between innovators and government. We commend Representative Huizenga for introducing it and urge the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) to advance it.” – Meredith Potter, Executive Director, American Security Fund

Distillation, when carried out with the approval of the AI model owner, is a legitimate and valuable tool for research and innovation. This bill protects such activity by disentangling it from illicit “model extraction attacks.”