Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) thanked Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) for her historic career in Congress following her announcement that she will not seek reelection.
“For nearly 40 years, Speaker Emerita Pelosi has remained committed to fighting for her constituents and hardworking Americans across the country. She made history as the first woman to be House Speaker, then wielded her immense power to pass the Affordable Care Act, the American Rescue Plan, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. She’s shown generations of women what it means to know and use their power to build a better America. Even beyond her service in Congress, I know she’ll continue to protect our democracy.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL
CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) condemned the Trump administration’s decision to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, despite being legally required to fund SNAP benefits through November.
“While President Trump is building a $300 million ballroom to host luxurious dinners with his billionaire buddies and bailing out Argentina to a tune of $40 billion, he’s letting Americans starve. Seniors, children, and veterans all rely on SNAP to put food on the table. In Illinois alone, nearly 2 million people won’t know where to get groceries this weekend due to President Trump’s cruel decision. Senate Republicans bowed to his decision by blocking a bill that would have funded SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans. President Trump and his Congressional Republicans are making this government shutdown hurt as much as possible for hardworking Americans, proving they cannot negotiate in good faith to put people over politics.”
Nearly 2 million people in Illinois rely on SNAP, including 187,000 people in the Second District.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)
Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Co-Chair of theCongressional Animal Protection Caucus, introduced a resolution honoring the life, leadership, and legacy of beloved conservationist, Dr. Jane Goodall. The resolution recognizes the importance of Dr. Goodall’s lifelong efforts to understand and protect chimpanzees, including her support of the Captive Primate Safety Act, which Quigley introduced earlier this Congress.
“We lost a tireless environmental advocate with the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall. From establishing the modern understanding of chimpanzees to empowering people worldwide to protect our planet, she devoted her entire life to nature. My time working to end the pet primate trade has given me a deep appreciation for the significance of Dr. Goodall’s chimpanzee research. Reflecting on her legacy has reinvigorated my work,” said Quigley. “Dr. Goodall once said that the greatest danger to our future is apathy, a sentiment I fully agree with. We should all strive to emulate her passion, leadership, and dedication. I am honored to introduce this resolution in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute to commend Dr. Goodall for all she has done, and all that we must continue to do.”
To read the full text of the Dr. Jane Goodall Resolution, clickHERE.
To learn more about the life and work of Dr. Jane Goodall, clickHERE.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)
Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement after voting no on the Republican Spending Bill, which leaves millions of Americans to fend for themselves as their health insurance premiums skyrocket:
“I am a proud no vote on any legislation that abandons Americans, forcing them to choose between health care and putting food on their tables. I’ve been clear about my demands to support a Republican government funding bill: Republicans must extend tax credits that make health care more affordable, restore Medicaid funding, and prevent Trump from making illegal funding cuts in the future. This bill fails on every one of those fronts.
“Republicans have proven time and again that they don’t care about Americans’ healthcare prices, and they can’t be trusted to keep their promises. I cannot support legislation that makes no progress on our goals and instead depends on the hope that Senate Republicans and Speaker Johnson will do the right thing.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
Washington, D.C.—As Americans struggle with an unstable economy due to President Trump’s chaotic policies and large corporations exploit lax rules in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to outsource good-paying jobs abroad, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) led more than 100 of his Democratic House colleagues in urging U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer to strengthen the agreement to support job creation and economic growth, clean manufacturing, and a livable climate. Specifically, the members call for the original USMCA to be renegotiated to achieve strengthened environmental enforcement standards to ensure clean air and water while creating a level playing field.
The members write, “As the U.S., Mexican, and Canadian governments undertake the mandatory six-year review of the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), we urge you to significantly strengthen Chapter 24, Environment. Without an enforceable, meaningful environmental chapter, clean air, water, and land and safe, good-paying jobs are all at risk in a race to the bottom. No Party should gain a comparative advantage over others by undermining, repealing, and sabotaging their environmental protections. Strong and enforceable environmental protections ensure that American workers and businesses can compete on a level playing field and are not unfairly penalized for following U.S. laws that guarantee safe workplaces free from environmental hazards and that support healthy, sustainable communities.”
“Trump has said he supported ‘full enforceable’ environmental provisions. To achieve that objective, reforms must be adopted. The USMCA made modest progress, but the lack of meaningful enforcement undermines existing protections,” the members continued.
Endorsing organizations are the Center for Biological Diversity, Endangered Species Coalition, League of Conservation Voters, Public Citizen, and Sierra Club.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration choosing not to fully fund SNAP benefits:
“Following public outcry and intervention from the courts, Trump is being forced to do a little to stop the hunger crisis he tried to create. He used his full authority to help farmers, but refuses to do the same for families. They only receive half a loaf of help. Meanwhile, Congressional GOP leaders refuse to permit a vote on a bill to fully fund SNAP through this Trump shutdown. Half-empty tables for working Americans while Trump & co. sip champagne at a Gatsby gala.”
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration falsely asserting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not have legal authority to utilize contingency funds for November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits:
“After cutting SNAP by $186 billion earlier this year in the Big Ugly Bill, Donald Trump and his accomplices are now refusing to extend SNAP food assistance that millions of families rely upon to put food on the table. Adding a hunger crisis to their self-made health care crisis, Republicans’ government shutdown is placing an enormous strain on the Central Texas Food Bank and other community service groups as families turn to them for help. For every meal a food bank provides, SNAP can provide nine—leaving many still struggling to keep their children fed. This Administration can, and must, immediately use the billions in reserve funding available for SNAP. As in September, USDA asserted it would on page 15 of its shutdownplan, which stated that such funds could be used during a shutdown.
“The President, who found $40 billion for Argentina, who is reopening USDA offices to get billions to farmers suffering from his tariff taxes, and who boasts that he can do almost anything, is refusing to tap a rainy-day fund to help seniors, veterans, and families with children. It’s not the well that’s run out, as Republicans claim; it’s their empathy for others that has run dry.
“While I strongly support the legalaction taken by 25 states to pressure the Administration to uphold their responsibility to Americans, we cannot ignore that Congressional Republicans have wasted weeks doing nothing to resolve this shutdown. It’s time they join Democrats in an honest negotiation to reach a reasonable solution that keeps health care costs low and families fed.”
Relevant excerpt from USDA’s Lapse of Funding Plan (September 30, 2025):
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): OMB’s General Counsel provided a letter to USDA on May 23, 2025 stating that there is a bona fide need to obligate benefits for October – the first month of the fiscal year – during or prior to the month of September, thereby guaranteeing that benefit funds are available for program operations even in the event of a government shutdown at the beginning of a fiscal year. In addition, Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds that can be used for State Administrative Expenses to ensure that the State can also continue operations during a Federal Government shutdown. These multi-year contingency funds are also available to fund participant benefits in the event that a lapse occurs in the middle of the fiscal year. To fulfill this Congressional intent, it is necessary that a limited number of FNS employees be excepted from furlough to support program operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, program policy and operations, financial management, and stakeholder communications.
Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) released the following statement after the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan (SNAP) food assistance will not be issued as the Republican government shutdown continues past Monday, October 27:
“With his complete federal control, Trump is now about to add a hunger crisis to the health care crisis he has created. Only he can stop these crises. Beginning on Monday and by the end of November, 3.7 million Texans, who rely on SNAP to put food on the table, will lose assistance. He could act immediately to prevent hunger by simply using his contingency funding and transfer authority—moving as quickly as he did to give Argentina a $40 billion bailout. To end this shutdown, he should immediately direct his Republican enablers to negotiate a bipartisan agreement with Democrats to stop enormous price spikes on health insurance premiums.
“The Central Texas Food Bank has been stepping up to serve thousands of federal workers, who have gone without a paycheck all month, because of the Trump shutdown. With broad community support and distribution through churches, food pantries, and other community service groups, the Food Bank does a great job of meeting the needs of our disadvantaged neighbors. Yet for every one meal that a food bank provides, SNAP provides nine. Without action by Trump now, these valued community efforts will quickly be overwhelmed, leaving too many Texans to go hungry.”
Earlier today, 214 House Democrats urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to use available contingency funds and transfer authority to keep SNAP funded through November. Their letter can be foundhere.
During the federal government shutdown, all state agencies, including the Texas HHSC, remain open and operational. Eligible consumers should continue to apply for SNAP benefits, complete renewal applications, maintain scheduled appointments, and respond to any other notices or inquiries they may receive. SNAP assistance will be retroactively provided to the date of application for all approved recipients when the program is funded again.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)
WASHINGTON – Last week, Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) nominated students from West Tennessee to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Military Academy. “Each year, it is an honor to nominate exceptional students from West Tennessee to attend our country’s military academies,” said Congressman Kustoff. “These young men and women have demonstrated character and leadership in their schools and communities. I applaud each of them for their willingness to serve.”
Congressman Kustoff personally called each nominee to offer his congratulations and tell them which academies they would be nominated to attend.
See the full list of nominations below.
U.S. Air Force Academy: Harold Anderson (Houston High School), Blake Bryson (Collierville High School), Dev Dalsania (St. George’s Independent School), Victoria Davidson (Tipton-Rosemark Academy), Chase Ellingsworth (Evangelical Christian School), Brodi Lichliter (Collierville High School), Gray Patterson (Briarcrest Christian Academy), Parker Pounds (Briarcrest Christian Academy), Tristan Strauss (Nile C. Kinnick High School), Russell Wilson (Lexington High School)
U.S. Coast Guard Academy: Tristan Strauss (Nile C. Kinnick High School)
U.S. Naval Academy: Harold Anderson (Houston High School), Blake Bryson (Collierville High School), Makayla Bullock (Houston High School), Chloe Bush (U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School), Dev Dalsania (St. George’s Independent School), Victoria Davidson (Tipton-Rosemark Academy), Chase Ellingsworth (Evangelical Christian School), Lyle Grant (Collierville High School), Brodi Lichliter (Collierville High School), Sam Miraglia (St. George’s Independent School), Andrew Painter (Briarcrest Christian Academy), Gray Patterson (Briarcrest Christian Academy), Jett Pickens (Lakeland Preparatory School), Tristan Strauss (Nile C. Kinnick High School), Russell Wilson (Lexington High School)
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: Harold Anderson (Houston High School), Blake Bryson (Collierville High School), Brodi Lichliter (Collierville High School), Gray Patterson (Briarcrest Christian Academy), Jett Pickens (Lakeland Preparatory School)
U.S. Military Academy: Addison Abney (Evangelical Christian School), Harold Anderson (Houston High School), Will Beasley (Houston/Germantown Online), Blake Bryson (Collierville High School), Eli Culbreth (U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School), Jonathan Kelly (Brighton High School), Corbin Kirkland (Christian Brothers High School), Lorelei Klobe (University of Mississippi), Wyatt Kratochvil (Collierville High School), Brodi Lichliter (Collierville High School), Andrew Painter (Briarcrest Christian Academy), Jett Pickens (Lakeland Preparatory School), Russell Wilson (Lexington High School)
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata (American Samoa) with Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (Northern Mariana Islands), Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (U.S. Virgin Islands), and Congressman James Moylan (Guam) worked together in introducing H.R. 5960, a bipartisan bill to restore duty-free treatment for low-value shipments from the U.S. territories following the recent suspension of de minimis privileges under Executive Order 14324.
Representatives Amata, Moylan, and King-Hinds – file photo
The legislation addresses concerns raised by territorial residents about being charged rates or classifications that treat their shipments as foreign. It restores the tariff treatment Congress specifically designed for Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and it makes clear that the territories should not be swept into trade restrictions aimed at foreign countries. The measure responds to mail delays, unexpected charges, and other disruptions created by recent federal tariff changes.
Congresswoman Aumua Amata of American Samoa said the bill reinforces fairness for island communities and businesses.
“Our people in the islands deserve the same federal services at the same rates as the rest of the United States,” said Congresswoman Amata. “That’s an important principle of fairness, and it’s also important for our local economies, so our hardworking small businesses have services and shipping at standard U.S. rates. Thank you to Reps. King-Hinds, Moylan, and Plaskett as we work together on our bipartisan legislation.”
Congresswoman King-Hinds, the bill’s sponsor, said the bill reaffirms federal recognition of the territories’ distinct relationship to the United States.
“The Northern Mariana Islands and our sister territories have a clearly defined status under U.S. law,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “We are not foreign countries, but neither are we part of the customs territory. Our relationship is unique, and that is reflected in the laws that govern how our goods move through the American market. This bill restores that balance and makes sure federal policy honors the intent of Congress.”
Congresswoman Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands said the measure is an important step in ensuring fairness and consistency in federal trade policy.
“For too long, U.S. territories have been treated as afterthoughts in trade policy—swept into restrictions meant for foreign countries despite being integral parts of the United States,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “This legislation permanently protects the de minimis exemption for our territories and requires federal agencies to consider territorial impacts before enacting trade restrictions. Our residents pay taxes, serve in uniform, and are American citizens in every sense—they deserve economic policies that recognize that reality. This legislation represents our united voice as territorial delegates: our constituents are Americans, and federal trade policy must reflect that reality.”
Congressman Moylan of Guam, who is also an original cosponsor of the measure, noted the importance of restoring the exemption for territorial residents.
“I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this essential legislation. The recent executive order suspending the de minimis exemption has a real impact on the lives of the people of Guam and is an unjust policy to levy on only those living in the US Territories. Through this legislation we’re making our voices clear: Americans in the Territories should be treated equally to those in the States.”
Under the bill, the U.S. Department of the Treasury would be required to admit goods originating in the covered territories duty-free, consistent with the treatment Congress intended prior to January 1, 2025. The bill also restores parity among the territories by adding the Northern Mariana Islands to the list of areas eligible for the “bona fide gifts” exemption under the Tariff Act of 1930.
The bill includes a new requirement that federal agencies consult on the territorial effects of any future trade or tariff changes. This provision reflects the concern shared by all four territorial delegates that federal policy decisions can unintentionally sweep the territories into rules designed for foreign countries. The consultation requirement ensures that federal agencies consider how proposed policy changes may affect territorial residents, local businesses, and the cost of essential goods and services.
“Territorial economies are deeply integrated with the broader U.S. market,” Congresswoman King-Hinds concluded. “When federal policy overlooks our legal status or disrupts the systems that connect our islands to the rest of the country, the impact is immediate. This legislation provides a clear, permanent fix.”