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MENG SEEKS MORE DAYS OF MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE FOR REGO PARK LIBRARY WHILE FACILITY IS CLOSED AND REBUILT OVER NEXT SEVERAL YEARS

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

Congresswoman sends letter to head of Queens Public Library; current one day a week of mobile library service not enough

QUEENS, NY – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that she asked the Queens Public Library to provide more days of mobile library service for the Rego Park Library while the facility is closed and rebuilt over the next several years. 

The current 7,500-square-foot, one-story location at 91-41 63rd Drive is being demolished and will be replaced with a new 18,000-square-foot, three-story state-of-the-art building. But the library is not expected to reopen until the winter of 2029-2030, and during this time over the next several years, only one day a week of mobile library service is scheduled to be available at the site.

Many constituents in the area, as well as members of Queens Community Board 6 (which covers Rego Park), have said that this once-weekly service – which is on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – is not enough for the community.

So, the Congresswoman sent a letter to the head of the Queens Public Library respectfully requesting that additional days of mobile service be arranged for Rego Park. 

“This would help ensure that local library users have greater access to the resources they need over the next few years, while the new library is being built,” Meng wrote in her correspondence to Dennis Walcott, the President and CEO of the Queens Public Library. “Many residents who rely on the library, including seniors, students completing school assignments, and researchers, will be directly affected. While some disruption is inevitable as this state-of-the-art facility is built, Rego Park residents deserve consistent and meaningful access to library services throughout the process, and I respectfully ask that you consider this.”

Meng added that “while the Elmhurst, Forest Hills, and North Forest Park branches will remain open, traveling to these locations presents a significant challenge for many neighborhood residents.”

The Rego Park Library closed to the public in late November to prepare for construction and the one day a week of mobile service began in January. 

The branch has consistently been one of the Queens Public Library’s busiest locations, ranking among the top in checkouts, visits and computer use. 

In December, Meng took part in the groundbreaking for the new library where she expressed her excitement for the project, which has been decades in the making. The $39 million initiative is being managed by the New York City Department of Design and Construction. The current facility opened some 50 years ago. 

A copy of Meng’s letter can be viewed here, and the text of the correspondence is below.

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Mr. Dennis M. Walcott                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 President and CEO                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Queens Public Library                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           89-11 Merrick Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11432

Dear President and CEO Walcott:

Thank you for having me at the recent groundbreaking for the new Rego Park Library. This is an exciting and ambitious project for constituents of my Sixth Congressional District of New York, and I look forward to its completion.

I am writing to share concerns raised by several of my constituents in the surrounding area, as well as members of Queens Community Board 6, regarding the once-weekly mobile library service planned during the construction period.

Many residents who rely on the library, including seniors, students completing school assignments, and researchers, will be directly affected. While the Elmhurst, Forest Hills, and North Forest Park branches will remain open, traveling to these locations presents a significant challenge for many neighborhood residents.

Therefore, I respectfully request that additional days of mobile service be provided in Rego Park. This would help ensure that local library users have greater access to the resources they need over the next few years, while the new library is being built, including services provided by the Queens Public Library, supported in part by federal funding.

As the mom of two boys, I know firsthand the crucial role that libraries play in our communities. While some disruption is inevitable as this state-of-the-art facility is built, Rego Park residents deserve consistent and meaningful access to library services throughout the process, and I respectfully ask that you consider this.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Grace Meng                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Member of Congress 

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Release: Representative Ro Khanna Leads 21 California Members in Calling for No ICE at the Super Bowl

Source: United States House of Representatives – Rep Ro Khanna (CA-17)

Washington, DC – Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) led a letter signed by 21 California colleagues calling on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem not to deploy ICE or other immigration enforcement personnel at the upcoming Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California, in Representative Khanna’s district: 

“This should be a moment of celebration, unity, and economic opportunity, not a flashpoint for fear, polarization, and violence,” the lawmakers wrote. “Across the country, aggressive and often indiscriminate ICE operations have caused real harm. They have led to multiple deaths, sparked justified national outrage, and caused lasting damage to trust and well-being in communities.”

“Having ICE at the Super Bowl would undermine public safety, disrupt communities, and threaten the peaceful enjoyment this event should bring to the region and the nation,” the lawmakers continued. “Members of Congress from California are united in a simple principle: public safety is built through trust, not fear. We trust you will give this letter your full and fair consideration under all applicable laws and regulations. We demand DHS rely on standard large-scale event security and coordination with local partners, not immigration enforcement that jeopardizes safety, unity, and economic success.

To read the full letter, click here. 

Signers: Representatives Nanette Barragán, Salud Carbajal, Gil Cisneros, J.Correa, Mark DeSaulnier, Laura Friedman, John Garamendi, Jimmy Gomez, Jared Huffman, Sara Jacobs,  Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Ted Lieu, Zoe Lofgren, Dave Min, Kevin Mullin, Jimmy Panetta, Nancy Pelosi, Luz Rivas, Lateefah Simon, Eric Swalwell, Juan Vargas.  

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PRESS RELEASE: Norton Secures over $10 Million in Community Project Funding for D.C. in THUD Bill Signed Into Law and Nearly $15 Million Overall in FY 26

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

The president signed the fiscal year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill into law on Tuesday. Norton has secured nearly $15 million in Community Project Funding for D.C. in FY 26.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she secured over $10 million in Community Project Funding (CPF) for D.C. in the final fiscal year 2026 (FY 26) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill signed into law by the president on Tuesday. 

“I am pleased that the president has signed the fiscal year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill into law, delivering more than $10 million in Community Project Funding for D.C.,” Norton said. “These investments will strengthen our parks, improve public safety and transportation infrastructure, expand research and workforce capacity at the University of the District of Columbia, and support sustainable, community-driven projects across the city. This funding reflects the priorities of D.C. residents and will make a tangible difference in neighborhoods throughout the District.”

Norton secured:

  • $500,000 for Carver Langston Park Upgrades
  • $850,000 for Duke Ellington Park
  • $600,000 for Riggs and South Dakota Triangle Park Upgrades
  • $2,000,000 for Research Infrastructure Upgrades for UDC
  • $2,000,000 for Food Hub Infrastructure Upgrades for UDC
  • $1,200,000 for Firebird Farm Infrastructure Upgrades for UDC
  • $1,000,000 for Aviation Maintenance Infrastructure Upgrades for UDC
  • $850,000 for Lederer Gardens Facility Improvements
  • $250,000 for Solar Charging for Capital eBikes
  • $850,000 for Suitland Parkway Safety Enhancements

Norton previously secured the following funding for the District through other fully enacted FY 26 appropriations bills: 

  • $1,800,000 for Study of Secondary Drinking Water Source for D.C. in the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
  • $1,031,000 for Georgetown University Lab Equipment in the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
  • $1,000,000 for Kingman Lake Wetlands Restoration and Improvements in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
  • $1,000,000 for Rock Creek Park Restoration and Improvements in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

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Reps. Chu and Schrier Secure GAO Study on Hepatitis B Birth-Dose Vaccine Recommendation

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) welcomed the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) decision to conduct a comprehensive study on the impacts of eliminating the universal hepatitis B birth-dose recommendation. 

On December 16, 2025, Reps. Chu and Schrier led 108 of their Democratic colleagues in a letter to GAO requesting this study after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), appointed by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted 8-3 to eliminate the long-standing recommendation. 

The GAO study will examine the public health, economic, and equity implications of eliminating the universal hepatitis B birth-dose recommendation. As part of its review, GAO will assess projected public health outcomes, including increased infant infections and long-term conditions such as liver disease and cancer; equity impacts, particularly for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities; and economic effects, including costs to Medicaid and Medicare and any expected changes in cost-sharing for families who choose to continue vaccinating their newborns under the prior standard; and an evaluation of ACIP’s evidence and decision-making process.

“I am thrilled that the Government Accountability Office accepted my request to conduct this important study on the public health, equity, and economic impacts of eliminating the hepatitis B birth-dose recommendation,” said Rep. Chu. “For more than thirty years, doctors, public health officials, and the scientific community have agreed that hepatitis B vaccines are safe and essential to protecting infants from serious illness. These vaccines are especially crucial for our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community, who make up only 7% of the U.S. population, yet account for 60% of chronic hepatitis B cases. I look forward to reviewing the findings of this study, and I will continue working to ensure that decisions affecting the health and safety of infants and families are guided by science, evidence, and public health expertise.” 

“RFK Jr.’s handpicked Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) decision to roll back the recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth is rooted in reckless conspiracy theories, not science,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “I’m glad to see that the GAOhas accepted our request to study the widespread impacts of the decision, and I will continue to fight against these dangerous moves that erode the foundation of our nation’s public health and put the health of millions of Americans – particularly children – at risk.”

The December 2025 letter was signed by Representatives Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Troy Carter (LA-02), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Herbert Conaway (NJ-03), Angie Craig (MN-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny Davis (IL-07), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), John Larson (CT-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), John Mannion (NY-22), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Lucy McBath (GA-07), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Thomas Suozzi (NY-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).

Full text of the Members’ December 205 letter is available here and text of the GAO’s acceptance letter is available here.

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Carter statement on FTC settlement with Express Scripts to bring down prescription drug costs

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter statement on FTC settlement with Express Scripts to bring down prescription drug costs

Carter statement on FTC settlement with Express Scripts to bring down prescription drug costs

Washington, February 5, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today released the following statement after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) confirmed it has reached a historic settlement with Express Scripts, Inc. and its affiliated entities (collectively “ESI”) to bring down patients’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs – including insulin – by up to $7 billion over the next decade, strengthen community pharmacies, and secure the Trump Administration’s health care priorities:

“Hours after we secured the largest PBM reforms for patients and pharmacists in decades, Chairman Ferguson and the FTC announced yet another win that will make health care more affordable and accessible. PBMs such as Express Scripts have been robbing us blind for years and are finally, under President Trump’s leadership, facing the consequences of their abuses. This administration is laser-focused on bringing relief to patients at the pharmacy counter, and the results speak for themselves. With this settlement, we will bring portions of our pharmaceutical supply chain back to America, increase transparency and accountability, and work towards a system in which all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable health care.”

ESI, under the FTC’s proposed consent order, has agreed to:

  • Stop preferring on its standard formularies high wholesale acquisition cost versions of a drug over identical low wholesale acquisition cost versions;
  • Provide a standard offering to its plan sponsors that ensures that members’ out-of-pocket expenses will be based on the drug’s net cost, rather than its artificially inflated list price;
  • Provide covered access to TrumpRx as part of its standard offering upon relevant legal and regulatory changes;
  • Provide full access to its Patient Assurance Program’s insulin benefits to all members when a plan sponsor adopts a formulary that includes an insulin product covered by the Patient Assurance Program unless the plan sponsor opts out in writing;
  • Provide a standard offering to all plan sponsors that allows the plan sponsor to transition off rebate guarantees and spread pricing;
  • Delink drug manufacturers’ compensation to ESI from list prices as part of its standard offering;
  • Increase transparency for plan sponsors, including with mandatory, drug-level reporting, providing data to permit compliance with the Transparency in Coverage regulations, and disclosing payments to brokers representing plan sponsors;
  • Transition its standard offering to retail community pharmacies to a more transparent and fairer model based on the actual acquisition cost for a drug product plus a dispensing fee and additional compensation for non-dispensing services;
  • Promote the standard offerings to plan sponsors and retail community pharmacies; and
  • Reshore its group purchasing organization Ascent from Switzerland to the United States, which will bring back to the United States more than $750 billion in purchasing activity over the duration of the order.


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Congressman Vicente Gonzalez Urges VA to Reconsider Cuts to In-Home Veteran Health Care

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

Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) urged the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary, Douglas Collins, to reverse the recent decision to reduce reimbursement rates for caregivers who provide essential in-home health services to veterans.

In the letter, Congressman Gonzalez states, “I write to express serious concern regarding the 2026 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Fee Schedule, which significantly reduces reimbursement rates for Home Health Aides (G0156) and Homemakers (S5130) in rural parts of Texas. The VA should be removing barriers, not adding additional ones for veterans trying to access the care they need and have earned by bravely serving our country.”

As of January 1, 2026, the VA reduced reimbursement rates for certain in-home care services. The new fee schedule threatens to devastate home care access for veterans, especially those living in the rural communities of Texas and New Mexico, where care is already limited. Specifically, the VA replaced Texas’s tiered locality structure, which considered specific conditions in each town and region, with a single statewide rate for home health aide and homemaker codes. While this change slightly increases fees in five urban and suburban areas, it causes reimbursement rates in rural regions to be cut from $67 to $38 per hour. The VA’s failure to increase reimbursement rates in rural areas will make it much harder to recruit and retain the staff who are needed to operate these essential programs. 

The Congressman also notes, “…there are reports that indicate spending on this program decreased also in part due to a drastic reduction of approved hours for Home Health Aides. The reduction in approved hours along with recent changes to the VA Fee Schedule will further alter the lives of our veterans. Aides enable veterans to live with independence and dignity. 

“While I understand the desire to simplify the VA Fee Schedule and reduce costs, there are at least 15,000 veterans in Texas who rely on in-home care provided through the VA’s Home Health Aide program and will be negatively impacted by this change,” he continued.

In addition to today’s letter, Congressman Gonzalez also testified before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs in December to advocate for the construction of a VA Medical Center in South Texas and better serve the approximately 50,000 veterans, including 24,000 with service-connected disabilities, in the region.

To read the full letter, click here.

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Grothman, Norcross Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Simplify Retirement Plan Reporting and Cut Red Tape

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI), alongside Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ), introduced the Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act, bipartisan legislation to modernize and streamline outdated federal reporting requirements for employer-sponsored retirement plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. 

The Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act establishes a single, uniform filing deadline for retirement plans. Under current law, the statutory deadline for filing Form 5500 does not provide sufficient time for companies to complete all the necessary steps for filing with the Department of Labor. As a result, many plan sponsors are forced to submit an extension request with the IRS using Form 5558 simply to file their annual Form 5500 on time. By eliminating the need for a separate extension request, the bill reduces unnecessary administrative burdens on employers while maintaining strong oversight and transparency. 

The legislation is supported by the American Retirement Association, The ERISA Industry Committee, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the CHRO Association, and the American Benefits Council. Current cosponsors include Representatives Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Randy Fine (R-FL), James Moylan (R-GU), Mark Messmer (R-IN), Michael Rulli (R-OH), and Rick Allen (R-GA). 

“Employers who sponsor retirement plans are required to file Form 5500 each year, but under current rules many also have to submit a separate extension request, Form 5558,” said Congressman Grothman. “This redundant two-step process wastes time and money, creates unnecessary headaches for small and mid-sized businesses, and does nothing to help workers. Our bill fixes that by establishing a single, uniform filing deadline and allowing electronic submission, cutting paperwork while keeping the transparency and oversight needed to protect Americans’ retirement benefits.” 

“Workers need a clear window into what is happening behind the scenes with their retirement accounts and most employers want to act in good faith to provide that transparency. But right now, an overly complicated filing system makes it harder for employers to stay on track and easier for mistakes to slip through,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “This bill fixes that by setting one clear deadline and cutting out redundant steps, so plans are filed accurately and on time and workers’ retirement savings stay protected.” 

“The current two-step Form 5500 filing system creates needless complexity and exposes plan sponsors—especially small and mid-sized employers—to severe penalties for simple clerical errors. The Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act provides a practical, bipartisan solution that modernizes reporting, improves compliance, and strengthens the private retirement system.” – American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff. 

“The ERISA Industry Committee applauds the introduction of the Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act. The bill would eliminate unnecessary paperwork for retirement plans and reduce red tape. We support the bill because these improvements would help plan sponsors more efficiently provide benefits to workers and retirees.” – James Gelfand, President and CEO, The ERISA Industry Committee 

“The US Chamber has been working to ease the administrative burdens associated with sponsoring a retirement plan. We support Congressman Grothman’s efforts in this area through the Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act, which will make it more streamlined for sponsors to file the Form 5500.” – Chantel Sheaks, Vice President Retirement Policy, US Chamber of Commerce 

Background Information 

Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), employers sponsoring retirement plans must file Form 5500 annually with the Department of Labor to disclose basic information about plan finances and operations. 

Because the current statutory filing deadline often does not align with plan years, many otherwise compliant employers are forced to file a separate extension request using IRS Form 5558. This creates a redundant, two-step process that increases paperwork and compliance costs without improving oversight or participant protections—particularly for small and mid-sized employers. 

The Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act modernizes this process by establishing a single, uniform filing deadline, eliminating the need for Form 5558, and explicitly allowing electronic filing, while maintaining transparency and accountability for retirement plans. 

U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) proudly serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

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Griffith Announces $1,095,626 HHS Grant to Free Clinic of the New River Valley, Inc.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the Free Clinic of the New River Valley, based in Christiansburg, Virginia, a $1,095,626 grant. The funding supports local community health center efforts to deliver health care to New River Valley communities. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“The recent government funding package extends federal support of our community health centers. The Free Clinic of the New River Valley is one such group that helps promote critical health care services in our rural communities.

“This grant for nearly $1.1 million helps the Free Clinic of the New River Valley operate three community health centers.”

BACKGROUND

President Trump signed the recent government funding package on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

The Free Clinic of the New River Valley operates community health centers in Christiansburg, Pearisburg and Dublin.

The HHS office responsible for this grant is the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). 

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee. He was appointed to the role in the summer of 2025.

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Pallone Secures $1.25 Million in Funding for Alberta Lake Environmental Cleanup and Restoration

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) has secured $1.25 million in federal Community Project Funding in Fiscal Year 2026 to support the Alberta Lake Environmental Cleanup and Restoration Project in Neptune Township, a critical effort to address flooding, pollution, and long-term environmental degradation at the site.

 

“This funding allows Neptune Township to address serious flooding and water quality problems at Alberta Lake before they become even more damaging,” said Pallone. “Restoring the lake improves stormwater management, protects nearby homes and roads, and strengthens the resilience of the community as extreme weather events become more frequent.”

 

The project will include dredging, environmental cleanup, shoreline stabilization, and replanting of native vegetation to restore the health and functionality of Alberta Lake. The lake is a man-made reservoir that plays an essential role in managing stormwater runoff from surrounding neighborhoods and channeling outflow to the Shark River and Sylvan Lake.

 

“We appreciate Congressman Pallone supporting the residents of Neptune for this important project,” said Neptune Mayor Kevin McMillan. “These improvements are necessary for the sustainability and vitality of Lake Alberta which is a great natural treasure for us all. We commend Congressman for continuing to be a champion in Washington DC for our environment.”

 

The Alberta Lake Environmental Cleanup and Restoration Project was requested by Pallone through the Fiscal Year 2026 federal appropriations process, which allows members of the U.S. House to direct Community Project Funding toward locally identified infrastructure and environmental priorities.

 

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Davids, Cole Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Recognizing Importance of Tribal Colleges and Universities

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

This week, Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Tom Cole (R-OK-04), co-chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus, introduced bipartisan legislation designating this week as “National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week.” The resolution recognizes the importance of these institutions to the economic, educational, and social well-being of Indian Country.

“Tribal Colleges and Universities, including Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas, provide unique educational opportunities for Native and non-Native students, and support the communities they serve through entrepreneurial and equivalency programs,” said Representative ShariceDavids (D-KS-03). “These institutions are critical because they develop our workforce capacity with knowledge and skills grounded in cultural traditions and values. I am proud to join Representative Cole in leading this legislation.”

“The College of Muscogee Nation in Oklahoma, and all Tribal universities throughout our nation, offer a high-quality education, while also making it their mission to maintain, preserve, and restore Native languages and cultural traditions,” said Representative Tom Cole (R-OK-04). “With that being said, I am proud to join Representative Davids in leading this legislation to give Tribal Colleges and Universities the recognition they deserve.”

Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) are not only centers of learning, but powerful economic engines for Native communities and the nation. In fiscal years 2022 through 2023, TCU alumni contributed $3.8 billion to the national economy, supporting more than 40,700 jobs nationwide. For every dollar invested in TCUs during that period, students gained $7.50 in lifetime earnings, taxpayers saw $1.60 in added tax revenue and public-sector savings, and society gained $4.80 in added income and social savings.

This resolution recognizes the 34 accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities, which serve students from more than 230 federally recognized Indian Tribes, operating on 90 campuses across 16 states. Similar legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House in each of the previous seven years.