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Congressman Cohen Responds to Trump Speech Obsessing about the 2020 Election

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) watched President Trump’s prime time East Room speech to the nation tonight and made the following statement:

“Donald Trump is obsessed with the 2020 election that dozens and dozens of audits and court rulings established he lost. Sowing doubt about election results, I fear, is preparation for attempting to undo the loss Republicans will suffer in the midterms this November. We need to be vigilant in recognizing his lies and standing up for democracy.”

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Sánchez: Trump is focused on conspiracy theories, not solving Americans’ problems

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) released the following statement after President Trump addressed the nation regarding his disproven conspiracy theories about widespread election fraud:

“President Trump is reviving long-debunked conspiracy theories because he refuses to accept that he lost the 2020 election. Now he’s using those same lies as a pretext to interfere with the next election because he knows Republicans can’t defend their record.

“Americans don’t want more of Trump’s baseless conspiracy theories. They want to know how he will lower costs that are rising because of his illegal tariffs and the war in Iran. They want ICE to stop terrorizing our communities and killing people in the streets. And they want healthcare restored to the millions of Americans he took it away from to pay for tax breaks for himself and his billionaire friends.

“Trump has no answers because he and congressional Republicans created these problems. Instead, he’s falling back on his same tired, old playbook: lie about ‘stolen’ elections, undermine the next one and hope Americans stop focusing on the damage he’s doing.

“It won’t work because we won’t let him.”

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Congressman Johnson’s Statement on President Trump’s Unhinged Election Security Speech

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

DECATUR, GA — “Voters are not going to be distracted by Trump’s release of what are massively redacted declassified files that fail to prove that the 2020 election was stolen from him. Voters remain focused on the facts that he and his wealthy friends are getting richer and richer as gas, groceries and housing cost are driving everyone else towards the poorhouse, while his war of choice against Iran spirals out of control. Trump is desperate, and we must be on guard to defeat his devious scheme to interfere with the administration of the upcoming elections to avoid the butt-kicking he is about to get from the voters.”
 

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Krishnamoorthi Warns Trump's Devastating Research Cuts Threaten America's Scientific Leadership

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) warned today that the Trump Administration’s proposed cuts to American scientific research are undermining U.S. competitiveness with China, threatening America’s scientific leadership, and driving away top scientific talent during a House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party hearing on research security.

Questioning senior career officials from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Department of Energy (DOE), Krishnamoorthi highlighted the Administration’s proposed FY2026 budget cuts to each agency, including nearly a 60 percent reduction for NSF, a 40 percent reduction for NIH, and significant cuts to the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, including Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. Each official confirmed the proposed funding levels reflected in their agencies’ own budget documents. Krishnamoorthi contrasted those reductions with OECD data showing China has surpassed the United States in research and development spending.

The Congressman said:

“Research security is obviously a national priority, but unfortunately, research is insecure not just because of external threats, but because of internal ones due to unprecedented cuts, posing, I think, an existential threat to our research. While President Trump wants to cut funding, China is investing. This spring, OECD showed that China has topped the U.S. in R&D spending. We’re killing the very research that we’re attempting to protect. And that’s wrong.”

Krishnamoorthi then highlighted what he described as the real-world consequences of the Administration’s cuts, citing canceled vaccine research, rising measles cases, the spread of New World screwworm, and Ebola before warning that the reductions were endangering Americans’ health.

Finally, Krishnamoorthi highlighted the experience of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Ardem Patapoutian, whose NIH grant was frozen before China offered to relocate his laboratory with guaranteed long-term funding. Citing a Nature poll showing that 75 percent of U.S. scientists are considering leaving the country, Krishnamoorthi warned that America’s research enterprise is being weakened from within while China actively recruits top scientific talent.

The Congressman concluded:

“Trump’s cuts are driving away talent. Trump’s cuts are making us less healthy. Trump’s cuts are leaving us with nothing left to steal. Research needs to be secure. But if there’s no research left to steal, what’s the point?” 

 

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Sánchez: Brazil 301 investigation was always pretext for tariffs

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) released the following statement on President Trump imposing a 25 percent tariff on products imported from Brazil:

“President Trump’s Section 301 investigation into Brazil was never about addressing unfair trade practices. It was always a pretext for imposing new tariffs.

“When Trump first imposed sweeping tariffs on Brazil last year, he admitted they were political retaliation against Brazil for prosecuting former President Bolsonaro over his failed coup attempt— an effort that mirrored Trump’s own attack on our democracy. 

“After the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s illegal tariffs, including those on Brazil, he is now misusing Section 301 authority to reimpose the same tariffs on Brazil. Section 301 is meant to protect American workers and industries, not to be misused for political retaliation or to revive unconstitutional tariffs.

“These tariffs will not create jobs, lower prices or protect American interests. Instead, they are being used to advance Trump’s personal interests at the expense of American families and businesses. Congress must act to restore accountability and stop this reckless abuse of power.”

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Ahead of Trump's Address, Krishnamoorthi Warns Trump Is Politicizing Intelligence to Justify Federal Takeover of Elections

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

WASHINGTON — Ahead of President Trump’s address on election security tonight, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement:

“For nearly six years, President Trump has tried to rewrite the history of the 2020 election. Tonight, he appears prepared to use handpicked political loyalists and selective declassification to relitigate a settled election and create a pretext for an unprecedented federal takeover of this fall’s elections. Our Intelligence Community exists to protect our country, not the President’s ego. While Americans are worried about the rising cost of living, President Trump is once again trying to convince them he won an election he lost—and using that lie to legitimize an unprecedented federal takeover of the next.”

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Krishnamoorthi and Warren Press Goldman Sachs Over Kathy Ruemmler’s Continued Employment, Reported Reputation Management Campaign Following Epstein Revelations

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, sent a follow-up letter to Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and Goldman Sachs Senior Counselor Kathryn Ruemmler on Tuesday after Goldman Sachs failed to adequately answer the lawmakers’ previous inquiry regarding the terms of Ruemmler’s continued employment following revelations about her extensive ties to convicted sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein. The follow-up letter also seeks records concerning Goldman Sachs’ reported use of the reputation management firm Terakeet to bolster Ruemmler’s public image. The letter comes as Ruemmler appeared before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform this week regarding her ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

The lawmakers write:

“The bank’s June 26, 2026 response was insufficient—and in fact, it raised more questions than answers. Specifically, though the response stated that ‘Ms Ruemmler [would] retire from’ the roles of ‘chief legal officer and general counsel of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. . . . on June 30 as previously announced,’ the letter did not explicitly state when Ms. Ruemmler would depart the firm. The length of this ‘transition period,’ and Ms. Ruemmler’s plans, if any, to continue her work at the firm afterwards along with her compensation, remain unclear.”

The lawmakers continue:

“Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs appears to continue to expend resources to launder Ms. Ruemmler’s public reputation. According to reports from earlier this year, Goldman Sachs contracted a reputation management firm, Terakeet, in 2024. Terakeet reportedly ‘created and posted positive online content about Ms. Ruemmler that was aimed at appearing above the mostly negative content about her association with Mr. Epstein. The goal was that at least 80 percent of the first 30 Google search results would be favorable.'”

The letter also notes that Terakeet’s services reportedly cost between $5 million and $10 million annually and states that, as of May 2026, Ruemmler reportedly continued to be covered under Goldman Sachs’ account with the firm.

The lawmakers requested responses to the following questions by July 28, 2026:

  1. Goldman Sachs has stated that Ms. Ruemmler will stay on at the firm in a senior counselor role “during the transition period leading up to the appointment of a new chief legal officer.”
    1. What are the duties associated with this position? Provide copies of any job description or written communications describing the position.
    2. What is Ms. Ruemmler’s new compensation package? Provide documentation.
    3. How long is the “transition period” anticipated to last?
  2. On what date will Ms. Ruemmler depart the firm? If you cannot provide a specific date, please confirm in writing that Goldman Sachs will not offer Ms. Ruemmler a new position at the end of the “transition period leading up to the appointment of a new chief legal officer.”
  3. How did you both come to the agreement that you would no longer depart the firm on June 30 but would instead stay on in a high-level advisory role?
  4. Has Ms. Ruemmler recused herself from the selection process of her successor? If she has not yet, why not?
  5. Please provide a copy of Goldman Sachs’ contract with Terakeet and any other documents that describe the scope of services Terakeet provides for the firm, the total cost of services, and all communications between current and former Goldman Sachs employees with current and former Terakeet employees, including but not limited to its co-founder, Mac Cummings, since 2024.
    1. Who directed Terakeet to “[create] and [post] positive online content about Ms. Ruemmler that was aimed at appearing above the mostly negative content about her association with Mr. Epstein”?
    2. Please provide any memos, reports, and other deliverables Terakeet prepared for the firm.
  6. Provide copies of all communications between Ms. Ruemmler and any current and former Terakeet employees, including all communications conducted on phone, email, and other communication accounts not officially associated with Goldman Sachs. Include any communications between Ms. Ruemmler and Mac Cummings.
  7. With whom, if anyone, at Goldman Sachs or Terakeet did Ms. Ruemmler discuss her plans to reach out to Ankush Khardori to discuss “her side” of the Epstein story? If Ms. Ruemmler did not discuss these plans with any current or former employee of Goldman Sachs or Terakeet, please confirm that in writing.

In addition, the lawmakers reiterated their request for answers to the following questions from their June 9, 2026, letter, which were not sufficiently answered in Goldman Sachs’ response:

  1. Did Mr. Solomon “press” Ruemmler to stay at the firm? If so, why?
  2. A Goldman Sachs spokesperson stated that Ruemmler “disclosed her association with Epstein before joining the firm[.]”
    1. How did Ruemmler describe the nature of her relationship with Epstein?
    2. Did Ruemmler disclose that she advised Epstein on how to discredit one of his accusers?
    3. Did Ruemmler disclose that she accepted tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from Epstein?
    4. Did Goldman Sachs conduct any additional due diligence following Ruemmler’s disclosure?
  3. A Goldman Sachs spokesperson stated that Ruemmler “has answered every question the firm has ever asked.” Please provide the list of questions that Goldman Sachs asked Ruemmler about her relationship with Mr. Epstein and her responses.
  4. Did Goldman Sachs notify any of its regulators, including, but not limited to, the Federal Reserve Board, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and New York Department of Financial Services, of Ruemmler’s connections to Epstein prior to hiring her as its top legal officer?
  5. Ruemmler initially announced her resignation on February 13, 2026, but it was not going to be effective until June 30, 2026. Had Ruemmler resigned effective immediately in February, would it have limited her compensation package in any way? If so, please provide the quantitative impact.

The new letter is available here.

Their June 9, 2026 letter is available here.

A reply from Goldman Sachs to the previous letter is available here.

 

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Castro, Booker Reintroduce Bicameral Bill to Expand Advanced Coursework Opportunities for Underrepresented Students

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

July 16, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Advanced Coursework Equity Act, bicameral legislation that would create a federal grant program to help states and school districts increase the enrollment of underrepresented students in advanced coursework and academic programs. The Advanced Coursework Equity Act would allow eligible schools and school districts to receive up to $60 million to implement universal screening for advanced students, expand enrollment in advanced courses, cover course fees for low-income students, train or hire teachers for advanced courses, prepare students for postsecondary STEM pathways, and create or expand related efforts.

Black, Latino, and Native American students, students from low-income families, English learners, and students with disabilities are underrepresented in advanced programs and courses. While 1 in 10 students in American schools participate in the Advanced Placement (AP) program, just over 1 in 20 low-income, Black, and Native American students participate in these courses. A low-income student with reading and math achievement levels equal to those of a high-income student is half as likely to receive gifted services.

“Students at schools with fewer resources have immense talent, and should have the same opportunity to take advanced courses as their peers in wealthier school districts,” said Congressman Castro. “The Advanced Coursework Equity Act would support schools by covering exam fees and costs to hire and train teachers, helping students reach their full potential. Too often, students in low-income districts do not have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities to colleges and universities, and that needs to change.”

“In classrooms across this country, there are brilliant young people whose gifts go unseen—not because they lack promise, but because opportunity never found them. Every child deserves more than a chance to learn; they deserve a real pathway to reach their fullest potential, no matter their ZIP code,” said Senator Booker. “The Advanced Coursework Equity Act gives every student a fair shot by ensuring they are identified for their potential, removing the cost barriers that keep too many from advanced coursework and AP exams, and expanding access to rigorous classes in every school—not just those in wealthier communities.”

“Equal opportunity is about access, but right now, too many Black and Latino students are being denied access to rigorous coursework that is engaging and meets high standards. This means being denied a path to an enriching high school experience, success in higher education, and a rewarding career. The obstacles Black and Latino students face, including resource inequities and educator bias, can prevent their enrollment in advanced math and algebra in middle school and AP or IB courses in high schools. These structural barriers must be torn down and opportunity built up. That is why EdTrust is proud to endorse the Advanced Coursework Equity Act. Led by Senator Cory Booker and Congressman Joaquin Castro, this important legislation would eliminate barriers and increase the enrollment of traditionally underserved students in advanced courses. We urge Congress to advance this bill immediately and make real the promise of education equity for our nation’s underserved students,” said Denise Forte, president and CEO of EdTrust.

“To truly unlock the potential of every student, we must remove the barriers that keep talented, underrepresented youth out of advanced classrooms. The Advanced Coursework Equity Act is a vital step forward, providing states and districts with the targeted resources needed to expand access, foster student success, and ensure that a student’s background never dictates their academic trajectory. Teach Plus is proud to endorse this legislation, which builds a stronger runway for the next generation of leaders,” said Kira Orange Jones, CEO of Teach Plus.

The Advanced Coursework Equity Act is endorsed by The Education Trust, All4Ed, College Board, Advance CTE, National Association for Gifted Children, Latinos for Education, National Center for Learning Disabilities, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, TeachPlus, National Rural Education Association, UnidosUS, Intercultural Development Research Association, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, National Urban League, National Educators Association and E3 Alliance.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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Congressman Vicente Gonzalez & Moderate Republicans Prevent Washington Extremists from Taking Benefits Away from South Texas Veterans

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

The proposed largest cut to veterans’ benefits in a generation is a stark turn from when Congress delivered the largest expansion of veterans’ health care in a bipartisan manner through the Honoring Our PACT Act nearly 4 years ago.

Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) stood with South Texas veterans and rejected an extreme House Republican legislative package, H.R. 9237, the so-called “Take Care of America’s Veterans Act,” which would significantly reduce disability benefits for 1.5 million future veterans, raise health care and homeownership costs for veterans, create a slush fund to enrich the President’s allies, and more.

“When a veteran returns from service, our government has a responsibility to provide them with the resources and support they’ve rightfully earned,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Today, extreme Republicans in Washington tried advancing a radical bill that weaponized meaningful legislation, like the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act, to provide themselves political cover as they attempted to implement the largest cut to veterans benefits in a generation. I fought back, and the bill got pulled from the floor. South Texas is home to more than 50,000 veterans, and nearly half live with service-connected disabilities. We cannot turn our backs on those who proudly served.”

There is a false claim that the Major Richard Star Act—a bill to restore veterans’ military retirement and disability compensation to disabled veterans—can only be advanced through this larger package. By doing so, the VA benefits that are targeted for cuts in H.R. 9237 would be used to pay for costs that the Department of Defense (DOD) should be responsible for, not the VA. These expenses could easily be funded through the annual Defense spending bill. Notably, there is strong bipartisan support for a House discharge petition to force a standalone vote on the Major Richard Star Act, thereby avoiding the diversion of funds from other veteran benefits and services. Congressman Gonzalez and 214 Members have joined the discharge petition, and it only needs three more Members to reach the required 218 signatures. 

After being introduced on June 10, 2026, Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican leadership forced H.R. 9237 through the House of Representatives without any input from veteran service organizations (VSOs). Specifically, this legislation would:

  • Cut more than $57 billion in disability benefits for 1.5 million future veterans with tinnitus and sleep apnea, many of whom require treatments like hearing aids and CPAP devices to live a healthy life;
  • Increase VA home loan refinancing fees by $4 billion, nearly tripling fees from 0.5% to 1.42%. For a South Texas veteran refinancing a $250,000 mortgage, the fee would rise from about $1,250 to $3,550; 
  • Include a $500 million IT slush fund that the Administration will use to enrich contractors and reward the well-connected;
  • Establish a dangerous precedent by statutorily reducing VA disability ratings, undermining a thorough medical process that evaluates impairment of earning capacity, public comment, and clinical evidence;
  • Accelerate the privatization of veterans’ health care, creating new grant programs for private providers and diverting resources from VA mental health and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) programs. This could increase reliance on community-based by diverting resources from existing VA medical programs.
  • Direct GI bill funding toward low-quality, for-profit and unaccredited online programs. This would weaken educational benefits for veterans as they make the transition to civilian life. It also strips VA psychologists of collective bargaining rights, weakening mental health services at the VA at a time when these services are more important than ever.
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Larsen Releases Statement on Trump’s Election Speech

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

Today, Representative Rick Larsen released the following statement:

“The President’s speech tonight should be about lowering costs and creating jobs. Instead, he will continue spreading lies about American elections. The truth is simple: Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. America’s elections are secure, transparent and run by state and local officials from both parties.

“After the 2020 election, the CIA, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies investigated the vote and found no evidence of foreign interference. More than 60 courts rejected challenges to the outcome of the 2020 election. Republican and Democratic election officials alike confirmed the results. There was no evidence of widespread fraud that changed the outcome of the election.

“As Americans prepare to vote again this fall, I am focused on protecting the right of every eligible citizen to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted.

“Before Election Day, I am supporting all efforts to protect access to the ballot box, defend Washington state’s secure vote-by-mail system and ensure election officials have the resources they need to administer free and fair elections. On Election Day, I will work to stop voter intimidation and ensure polling places around the country remain open. After Election Day, I will work to ensure all ballots are counted.

“President Trump can lie all he wants, but the American people decide elections.”

Rep. Larsen is an advocate for free and fair elections, expanding access to the ballot and Washington state’s vote-by-mail system. For more than a decade, he has advocated for and reintroduced legislation to protect U.S. citizens who face disenfranchisement because of restrictive voter identification laws (America Votes Act). Rep. Larsen is a co-founder of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus.

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