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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Honolulu, HI) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Homeland Security with funding and oversight jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is opposing a proposed DHS rule which would impose onerous additional data collection requirements on residents of various countries including our allies and partners applying for visas to travel to the United States.

“These additional requirements represent a fundamental shift in the entry process for lawful travelers to our country,” said Case.

“They would have the effect of chilling a broad range of travel to our country with indiscriminate blanket requirements that would unnecessarily harm key international-travel-related industries such as travel and tourism, education, and trade, especially with our closest allies and partners.”

In his letter to soon-exiting Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney S. Scott (see attached), Case explained that “while security enhancements are important, the breadth of these requirements risks creating a perception of complexity, intrusiveness and unpredictability,” and “risks imposing unnecessary burdens on lawful international travelers [which] could have disproportionate economic consequences for the State of Hawai‘i.”

Currently, travelers applying for visas from countries designated for participation in the Visa Waiver Program (Program), which eases travel requirements from allies and partners with no significant security or overstay risks, use the Arrival and Departure Record (Form I-94) and the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to enter the United States. Under the proposed rule, these applicants would also have to disclose five years of social media data, extensive historical contact information, detailed biographical information about family members and expanded biometric identifiers.

If adopted, the proposed rule would affect travelers from 42 countries listed in the Program, including Japan and the Republic of Korea (full list here).

“Travel and tourism is and will remain Hawaii’s primary economic driver,” said Case. “Because of our geographic isolation and limited economic diversification, lawful domestic and international travel is foundational to our fiscal stability, workforce participation and small business ecosystem. In 2025, Hawai‘i welcomed approximately 9.6 million visitors and Honolulu’s industry and visitor spending generated $12 billion in economic activity, supported 64,000 jobs and contributed $1.9 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue.

“International travel remains an important component of Hawaii’s visitor industry. While overall visitor spending has increased, key international markets remain significantly below pre-pandemic levels. As Hawai‘i continues its recovery and works to rebuild these relationships, maintaining a predictable and efficient entry process for lawful travelers is critical to supporting jobs, small businesses and public revenues across our islands. The last thing we need now is unnecessarily restrictive travel requirements that send international travelers elsewhere with no return on our national security.”

Case urged DHS to “reconsider and revise this proposal to ensure that enhanced security measures are narrowly tailored and do not unintentionally deter lawful travel. I further request meaningful consultation with Hawaii’s state and local leaders, hospitality industry representatives and economic stakeholders before finalizing any changes to ESTA or I-94 requirements.”

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) introduced the Mail Ballot Integrity Act, which would safeguard elections by prohibiting states from sending unsolicited mail-in ballots to voters. 

This legislation allows voters to request mail-in ballots for reasons such as illness, disability, military service, or travel, and establishes a uniform national standard for federal elections. Read the text here. 

“Trustworthy elections are a cornerstone of our Republic. Our bill would end mass delivery of unsolicited mail-in ballots for federal elections,” said Rep. Higgins. “President Trump has made it clear that trust in our electoral system must be restored, which includes reforming mail ballot processes and passing the SAVE America Act.”

Alongside the introduction of the Mail Ballot Integrity Act, Congressman Higgins sent a letter to President Trump highlighting the legislation and calling for the White House’s support.

“In your powerful State of the Union address on February 24, 2026, you articulated the urgent need to eliminate ‘crooked mail-in ballots’ except in legitimate, limited cases such as illness, disability, military service, or travel…I respectfully ask that you give the Mail Ballot Integrity Act your full and fair consideration,” wrote Rep. Higgins.

Read the full letter here. 

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

Bacon, Larson Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Provide Tax Relief and Lower College Costs for AmeriCorps Volunteers

Washington – Kicking off AmeriCorps Week, Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02) and John B. Larson (CT-01) introduced the bipartisan Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act. Their legislation would provide tax relief for AmeriCorps members who earn Segal Education Awards through their service to help pay for higher education costs and reduce barriers for young people to access the financial assistance they’ve earned.

“I’m pleased to join Rep. Larson in reintroducing the bipartisan Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act to ensure AmeriCorps volunteers receive the full value of the education benefit they earn through service,” said Rep. Bacon. “These dedicated Americans shouldn’t have to pay taxes on a benefit they receive while in turn providing valuable services for our country. We don’t make Pell Grant recipients pay taxes on their grants, and neither should these individuals.” 

“AmeriCorps members serve our country on behalf of communities in need, and our nation has a responsibility to reward them with an education benefit that both shows our appreciation for their work and significantly reduces college costs,” said Rep. Larson. “Unfortunately, the current federal tax on the Segal award diminishes its value and undermines the original intent of the program to help AmeriCorps alumni overcome financial barriers and afford a college education. I am proud to introduce this legislation, originally championed by my late friend and colleague, Rep. John Lewis, and work with my Republican colleague Rep. Don Bacon to correct this injustice, encourage more young people to pursue national service, and advance real solutions to lower higher education costs.”

AmeriCorps members who complete a full term of national service can earn a Segal Education Award to help pay for current education expenses or repay student loans. The award is generally valued at the maximum Pell Grant amount ($7,395 for 2026–27) for that year and expires seven years after the AmeriCorps service term ends. However, unlike Pell Grants, Segal Education Awards are currently considered taxable income, creating a barrier that may discourage young people from taking advantage of the financial assistance they’ve earned. 

This legislation would exclude Segal Education Awards from federal taxable income, honoring the intent of federal education awards, helping recipients pay for higher education, and removing this financial barrier.

The bipartisan Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act is endorsed by 64 organizations, including Voices for National Service, Habitat for Humanity International, the National Youth Leadership Council, Serve Connecticut, and Teach for America.

“The tax on the AmeriCorps education award creates an unexpected and unfair tax burden on the dedicated Americans who commit to serving their country through AmeriCorps. It’s essentially a tax on service. We don’t tax Pell Grants or GI Bill Benefits, and we shouldn’t tax the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. We’re grateful to Representatives Don Bacon and John Larson for leading the effort to make the award tax free so AmeriCorps members can receive the full value of the benefit they’ve earned, and we urge their colleagues to support the bill,” said AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

A full list of endorsing organizations is available HERE. 

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

Reps. Jack Bergman (MI-01), Jared Golden (ME-02), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Don Bacon (NE-02) have introduced the bipartisan Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act, which would launch a formal review into the effectiveness of the federal government’s mental health programs for Veterans and transitioning servicemembers in an effort to address longstanding accessibility issues.

“I’ve seen firsthand how the transition from active duty to civilian life can be one of the most vulnerable periods in a servicemember’s career. We owe our men and women in uniform more than gratitude – we owe them accountability and results,” Bergman said. “The Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act ensures the Department of War and VA are working together effectively, eliminating gaps and duplication, and delivering real access to mental health care when it matters most. By requiring measurable standards, regular review, and transparency to Congress, this bill strengthens the transition process and helps ensure no Veteran falls through the cracks.”

“When I came home from the Marines, I saw how important it is to have a strong support system in your corner. The VA is full of skilled public servants who do that work, but there’s only so much an individual employee can do about the fundamental gaps in service created by an imperfect system,” Golden said. “I’m grateful for the partnership of Congressmen Bergman, Bacon and Suozzi in the effort to show VA leaders just how lacking the agency’s outreach, rural logistics, and staffing efforts have been.”

“Too many veterans and service members fall through the cracks when transitioning from active duty to civilian life. We have to do better,” Suozzi said. “It’s our responsibility as lawmakers and Americans to make sure that everyone who serves our country receives the healthcare, including mental healthcare, they deserve,” said Suozzi. “It’s common sense to assess and improve veterans’ health services of all kinds as time goes on. This bipartisan bill does just that, and I’m glad to join my colleagues, Congressmen Golden, Bergman, and Bacon, who I also thank for their service. Never forget the vet!”

“The transition to civilian life is one of the most vulnerable periods in a servicemember’s career. We must ensure our mental health screening tools are validated, effective, and connecting people to care,” Bacon said. “The Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act strengthens oversight, improves coordination between the Department of Defense and the VA, and helps ensure no servicemember falls through the cracks. I’m pleased to co-lead this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Golden on this important effort to better support our servicemembers and veterans.”

The Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act would require the Department of Defense-Veterans Affairs Joint Executive Committee (JEC) to assess the effectiveness of their programs and processes in facilitating access to mental health services for veterans returning to civilian life.

Included in JEC’s review would be a complete inventory of the government’s mental health programs, along with metrics, milestones and plans of actions to identify inefficiencies and gaps in programming. There would be a 180-day deadline to present the report to the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees.

The legislation would also require the JEC to update its existing Joint Separation Health Assessment (SHA) every two years. The SHA currently uses an outdated process to infrequently catalog veterans’ generalized health needs — an issue that forces policymakers to contend with data that isn’t specific nor timely enough.

“The American Legion is proud to support the Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act,” Matthew Jabaut, chairman of the American Legion’s National Legislative Commission said. “On behalf of our nearly 1.5 million members, we commend Representative Golden for advancing oversight-driven reforms that reinforce mental health support and help ensure no servicemember or veteran falls through the cracks.”

“We are happy that Congressman Jared Golden continues to focus on mental health for our Service Members and Veterans,” said Steve SanPedro, national legislative committee member and chief of staff for the Department of Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars. “These invisible injuries need to be addressed so these men and women can live a healthy life after service to their country.” 

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

Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) released the following statement in reaction to skyrocketing oil prices as a result of Trump’s reckless war with Iran. Overnight, oil prices surged to nearly $120 a barrel because of disruption to oil production in the Middle East and Michigan families are paying for it.

“From the start, the Trump Administration has been a disaster for American families. From his erratic tariffs to his reckless war, it’s clear that Trump’s agenda only causes chaos throughout the world while making life more unaffordable for Americans here at home. America cannot afford the $1 billion a day we’re paying for this war, and American families cannot afford the price hikes for oil and gas we’re seeing because the Trump Administration didn’t anticipate Iran’s response. President Trump rushed into war without a plan, without a justification, and without an exit strategy, and the world is now in more chaos than it was a week ago. It is unacceptable that American servicemembers and innocent civilians are dying while American families pay the price.”

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced her District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act, which would raise the pay of D.C. Superior Court jurors to match that of federal jurors.

“The District of Columbia’s local courts oversee crucial matters that impact our residents and the city,” Norton said. “Our jurors deserve equal compensation for this important civic duty that our federal counterparts receive.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows:

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act

March 9, 2026

 

Today, I introduce the District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act, which would require D.C.’s local trial court, the Superior Court, to pay jurors the same amount federal courts pay jurors.  Currently, the Superior Court pays jurors the same amount federal courts pay jurors, but the Superior Court has sometimes paid less.

  Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, Congress assumed responsibility for funding the local D.C. courts.  The local D.C. courts, however, have always been under the direct control of Congress, even when they were funded by D.C.  The D.C. Home Rule Act prohibits the D.C. Council from enacting any law with respect to any provision of Title 11 of the D.C. Code (relating to the organization and jurisdiction of the local D.C. courts).  Under Title 11, the Board of Judges of the Superior Court sets juror pay.

  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala – “Congressman Robert Aderholt announced today that the U.S. Navy will hold a landmark ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new defense industrial facility in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, currently scheduled for March 20.”

“This 2.2 million square foot facility will now be a symbol of U.S. defense, anchoring shipbuilding and maritime production in Northwest Alabama. This major investment will be truly transformative for the Shoals area,” said Congressman Aderholt. 

“I worked for nearly six years to bring industry to an unused facility in the Shoals, and that effort came to fruition through the One Big Beautiful Bill. I’m proud to have secured funding to bring shipbuilding capacity to Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District, proving that maritime dominance is not just a coastal priority.”

“This is just the beginning. As current events show, America needs sea power more than ever – Alabama is up to the challenge and we will build a 21st century collaborative campus here that no conventional shipyard or industrial park can rival.”

This facility will bring in thousands of manufacturing jobs and opportunities to Northwest Alabama. More details on the event and the production that will take place here will be released soon.

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

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) announced he secured significant federal funding for two infrastructure projects in San Luis Obispo County. Projects include improvements to the Shell Beach Road shared use path and City of Morro Bay’s stormwater system. 

“Securing these federal investments is about strengthening the everyday safety and quality of life for residents across San Luis Obispo County,” said Rep. Carbajal. “Extending the Shell Beach shared use path will give residents and visitors a safer, more accessible way to move along our coastline, while Morro Bay’s storm‑drain upgrades will help protect homes and businesses from the kind of devastating flooding we’ve seen in recent years. These projects represent a step forward in ensuring San Luis Obispo County’s infrastructure is upgraded to meet the needs of the community.”

The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) has been awarded $2,000,000 to extend the shared use path 2-miles north to the intersection of Shell Beach Road and Avila Beach Drive. The Shell Beach Road shared use path extension will improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, enhance local and regional mobility, and increase access to retail and commercial services, coastal access points, and trailheads along the corridor.

“We’re thrilled this multimodal pathway will provide a key regional connection through one of the most congested areas in SLO county.  It will link the new roundabout on the Avila Beach Drive & Hwy 101 intersection near the Bob Jones pathway to points south in Pismo Beach and beyond in South County,” said Pete Rodgers, Executive Director at SLOCOG.

The City of Morro Bay has been awarded $250,000 to repair and upsize storm drains, enhance resilience against floods by rerouting lines and constructing new drains. The City of Morro Bay experienced heavy flooding along its Main Street business and residential corridor on January 9, 2023, and March 10, 2023. During these storms, the City’s storm drain system failed to convey water out of the flood zone and other areas.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Congressman Salud Carbajal for his unwavering support and dedication to the city of Morro Bay. We are proud to announce that our city will receive $250,000 in funding aimed at crucial storm drain repairs and strengthening our resilience against future storms. This funding is vital for maintaining and improving our storm drainage system, which is essential to protecting our community from flooding and ensuring the safety of our residence. We are incredibly thankful for Congressman Carbajal‘s continued advocacy for Morro Bay. The funding underscores our commitment to building a safer and more resilient community. Thanks to his support, we can take significant steps towards safeguarding our city and improving the quality of life for all residents,” said Carla Wixom, Mayor of Morro Bay.

The funding, which Carbajal championed over the course of the past year’s federal budget negotiations, was signed into law as part of the annual government appropriations process. 

In the spring of 2025, Rep. Carbajal began to push for funding for these projects through formal requests to the House Appropriations Committee for Fiscal Year 2026.

The funding was secured through the Community Project Funding (CPF) initiative first launched in 2022. Projects must be in the public interest, be good uses of taxpayer dollars, and be certified to not conflict with the representative’s personal financial interests.