Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)
U.S. Department of Transportation funding for the MidSouth Development District
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the MidSouth Development District will receive a $19,662,581 Port Infrastructure Development grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to redevelop an existing but dormant grain facility at the International Port of Memphis into an active cementitious material terminal.
The project will include construction of a pneumatic barge unloading system, a storage facility, and a system for transferring material to trucks.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“This major investment in redeveloping part of our port facilities will result in both construction and permanent jobs and boost our local economy.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)
Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released the following statement:
“This funding is fantastic news for Northwest Washington ports,” said Rep. Larsen. “The Port of Everett and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community will put these dollars to good use constructing and modernizing piers for commercial fishing and cargo operations. These ports are cornerstones of the local economy and these funds will allow them to expand their regional and global reach. I am glad to have been able to play a role in advocating for these funds, and I will keep working to bring home federal dollars to upgrade port infrastructure and create jobs in Northwest Washington.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced today that two projects in the Second District will receive grants under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The Maritime Administration (MARAD) administers PIDP grants to projects that improve the safety, efficiency or reliability of moving goods in and out of ports.
The Port of Everett was awarded $11.25 million to support the modernization of Pier 3 to include selective demolition, pile installation, resurfacing, filling and paving surfaces and procurement and installation. Pier 3 was constructed in 1973 and is the Port of Everett’s largest pier. This project will repair damage from chemical deterioration and replace aging infrastructure. The upgrades will also diversify the cargo that can be handled at Pier 3 and improve the safety of this valuable part of supply chain infrastructure for maritime users and port operations.
“The Port Infrastructure Development Program is crucial to help public ports make critical investments in the region’s economy,” said Port of Everett CEO Lisa Lefeber. “This investment in our international terminal will strengthen infrastructure, creating and preserving jobs here and throughout Snohomish County. The Port of Everett is grateful for the investment by the U.S. Department of Transportation and for Congressman Larsen’s support of an infrastructure project that will help strengthen the economy of Washington state.”
The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community was awarded $10.8 million for the construction of a new commercial pier, covered storage, renovation of three moorage piers and the design of a new fish processing plant. Currently, the Port of Swinomish lacks a location to consolidate their fishing fleet and store fishing equipment. The project previously received an $11 million PIDP grant in Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) for the first phase of this project to design and develop port facilities. This new PIDP award will go towards the construction of the facilities in the second phase of the Port of Swinomish project.
“We are incredibly grateful to Congressman Larsen for supporting this grant,” said Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Chairman Steve Edwards. “The commercial dock funded by this award allows us to continue to exercise our treaty fishing rights and is an important next step in the development of the Port of Swinomish.”
Larsen Brings Home Millions for Northwest Washington Infrastructure Projects
Larsen has been a steadfast advocate for federal funding to support Northwest Washington’s port infrastructure. In 2024, he celebrated the release of $18.3 million in PIDP grants for projects in the Second District funded by the BIL. Those grants included awarding the Port of Anacortes a $7.4 million grant to help demolish and replace the 47-year-old commercial T-Dock, and awarding Lummi Nation more than $10.9 million to demolish and replace a pier at Fisherman’s Cove Marina Dock at Gooseberry Point Waterfront. Since 2021, the BIL has invested hundreds of millions into transportation projects located in the Second District.
Larsen has secured more than $75 million for 55 projects in Northwest Washington state through earmarks in annual spending bills. In spending bills for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), Rep. Larsen secured over $13.9 million for 15 projects, including $1.2 million to reconstruct the Port of Edmonds’ North Portwalk and seawall and $250,000 to replace the Port of Everett’s South Marina Terminal. Rep. Larsen requested $77 million for 20 local projects in Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) spending bills.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on Fox News Sunday, where he made clear that political violence is never acceptable, and that Democrats and Republicans must come together in a bipartisan way to lower the high cost of living and fix our broken immigration system.
SHANNON BREAM: Joining me now, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Good to have you back on Fox News Sunday this morning, sir.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Good morning.
SHANNON BREAM: Ok, so you said last night, in the wake of this, you said, ‘it’s time to end the political violence.’ How do we do that, sir?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, first of all, I’m thankful for the bravery and the heroism of the Secret Service and the men and women of law enforcement. I’m grateful that everyone, from the President and First Lady on down are safe, who attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and certainly thankful that this brave Secret Service agent, who was shot, has been released from the hospital and is on his way to a full and complete recovery. Listen, I think that here in America, we can have strong disagreements, but it’s important for us to agree to strongly disagree without being disagreeable with each other. And it is certainly the case that violence is never the answer, whether it’s targeted at the right, the left or the center. We have issues that we have to work out amongst each other, that’s embedded in the First Amendment that was being celebrated last night. But what is also embedded in the First Amendment is the right to peacefully protest and to petition the government peacefully.
SHANNON BREAM: Yeah, and we had protesters last night outside the dinners as we do every year. And you’re right, I mean, especially here in D.C., we see a regular protest. We celebrate the First Amendment, and that was what so much of last night was about. But there are those out there, and our polling continues to show, especially younger voters and younger people think that political violence is justified against your opponents. How do we speak into that? How do change those minds? That’s the next generation who increasingly says it’s fine to use that against your opponents.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I think it’s going to be important for all of us, whether that’s the President, the Cabinet, Members of Congress, people in the Senate, Governors, state and local elected officials all across the country, to do the best that we can to set the most appropriate example. Again, to disagree with each other strongly when necessary, to battle it out in the public sphere of ideas, but to make sure that we respect the opposition in terms of those disagreements that are anchored in principle and also to make clear that everybody, whatever your ideological perspective is, we all love America and we all want to make sure that this country is the best that it can possibly be, particularly as we approach the 250th birthday on July 4th and work hard together to make the next 250 years even better than the first.
SHANNON BREAM: Yeah, we do have some work to do. And you have work to do on the Hill as there’s still a continuing battle over a number of big issues. But continuing with DHS funding, we understand that, in a matter of days probably, the paychecks will run out for Secret Service agents like the one who was injured last night. Thankfully, that protective vest did its job. But you might have heard the Attorney General, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche earlier say, it’s time to stop using these kinds of employees, DHS employees, as pawns. So what do you make of his characterization of that issue as we still ask these people to show up for work, but they may soon be doing it, life or death situations, without a paycheck?
LEADER JEFFRIES:Well, we have to make sure that every single Secret Service agent continues to get paid, every single TSA agent, the Coast Guard and FEMA, as well as the hardworking men and women of the Department of Homeland Security. Actually, there’s been a bipartisan bill sent over by the Senate, not once, but twice, that has been pending before the House of Representatives now for weeks. Every single Senate Republican, every single Senate Democrat, the President himself as well as House Democrats have all expressed support for that bipartisan bill that will fund the Department of Homeland Security, including the Secret Service, with the exception of ICE and the mass deportation machine because that issue needs to be worked out separately. And for the life of me I’m not sure why that bill hasn’t been brought to the Floor of the House of Representatives. When we return tomorrow, it should be taken up immediately and it will pass on a strongly bipartisan basis, so we can make sure that the Secret Service gets paid.
SHANNON BREAM: Well, I’ve talked to some folks in GOP House leadership who think that there will be more motivation, they’re hoping at least on a bipartisan basis, to do full funding. It doesn’t sound like that’s an idea that you’re open to right now, but we’ll track that this week as you all get back here and get back to work. I want to talk about this. As that is playing out, your counterpart over on the Senate side, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate Floor this week, he said that nobody respects ICE or the Border Patrol. And the President actually asked for an apology to that. He says, ‘It’s one of the most egregious, incorrect, unpatriotic and dangerous statements I have ever heard from a professional politician. He must immediately apologize to these great patriots. And I mean now.’ Do you think there is an apology owed to Border Patrol and ICE?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I didn’t track that statement on the [Senate] Floor. I know Chuck Schumer is an incredibly patriotic individual. He cares about this country. All of us, with respect to whatever disagreements that we may be having relative to spending billions of dollars to fund ICE, which in some instances has been used to brutalize or kill American citizens like Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. Certainly, I have a problem with that aspect of what has happened. But taking a step back, we want strong border security, we want to make sure that immigration enforcement in this country is fair, just and humane and is actually targeting for deportation violent felons who are here illegally as opposed to law-abiding immigrant families or, God forbid, American citizens as we’ve seen in many different instances. But perhaps most importantly, we have a broken immigration system, and we actually should fix it, and fix it in a comprehensive and in a bipartisan way, while we also deal with some of the other challenges that the American people face, such as the high cost of living. Let’s come together as Democrats and Republicans to actually make life more affordable for the American people.
SHANNON BREAM: Well, one of the other priorities, too, and I wish we had more time, but given the breaking news, we’re kind of limited. I’d love to talk with you more about these redistricting fights, that Virginia referendum goes to its State Supreme Court tomorrow, and many others. But obviously, Democrats are feeling bullish on flipping the House. And this week, Axios reported that there’s a push for day one impeachment: ‘Democrats pushing their colleagues to begin building the case against President Trump now in anticipation of a day one impeachment vote if they retake the House.’ If you become Speaker, is that your top priority?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Of course not, and I’ve made clear from the very beginning that our top priority is going to be to drive down the high cost of living. We believe in this country, you work hard, you play by the rules, you should be able to live an affordable life, a comfortable life, in fact, to live the good life. And that means a good-paying job and good housing, good healthcare, good education for your children and when it’s all said and done, a good retirement. That’s been the American dream for decades, but for far too many people, that American dream has slipped out of reach.And we should be focused on actually doing the type of things necessary to ensure that people in this country cannot simply survive, but they can thrive.
SHANNON BREAM: And that, of course, will be the heart of all of these midterm campaigns. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, thank you for coming back. Good to see you.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee and co-author of the SHIPS for America Act, issued the following statement in response to the White House’s 90-day extension of the Jones Act waiver, allowing non-American-flagged ships to transport goods:
“President Trump’s Jones Act waiver is nothing more than a desperate attempt to clean up a crisis of his own making and is another example of him doing the exact opposite of ‘America first.’
“Let’s be clear: waiving the Jones Act will do absolutely nothing to lower gas prices. The sky-high cost of gas has almost nothing to do with domestic shipping and has everything to do with Trump’s reckless and stupid war of choice in Iran.
“An extension will only damage our maritime industrial base and weaken our national defense by creating an unequal playing field, putting international ships above American vessels. Where American ships must abide by international labor and safety standards, foreign vessels do not. This is not competition, it’s surrender.
“While I can understand why President Trump is trying to reverse his self-made economic and national security calamity after misleading the American public about the justification for, and progress of, the war in Iran, propping up foreign shipping at the expense of American industry is not the solution. Trump is now allowing China to undercut our domestic manufacturers, put Americans out of work, and make us reliant on foreign vessels.
“If we are serious about rebuilding America’s maritime strength, we shouldn’t retreat—we should rebuild, we should compete, and we should put American ships and American workers first.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced the approval of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for five additional projects in Louisiana’s 3rd District, totaling $27,421,264.33. The reimbursements to local government and non-profit entities add to the over $5 billion in previously announced recovery funds and cover damages incurred due to the impact of Hurricanes in the area.
Rep. Higgins said, “DHS Secretary Mullin is a friend, and he is working with President Trump to ensure that communities in South Louisiana are properly looked after. My office will continue to work side by side with our federal partners to ensure necessary resources are delivered.”
Much of our official Congressional work to advance recovery projects occurs behind the scenes. Funding finalization and the associated formal announcement are the result of sustained efforts over many months with FEMA and state and local stakeholders. All funding will be delivered to the State of Louisiana. The state is responsible for disbursing the funds to each sub-recipient.
Below is a list of projects in Louisiana’s Third Congressional District for which FEMA grants were recently approved.
$1,853,281.43 for The Society of the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Lake Charles for management costs related to Hurricane Laura.
$1,680,999.33 for Greater St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church for repairs to its south campus building due to damages inflicted by Hurricane Laura.
$8,739,019.93 for Lafourche Parish School Board for permanent repairs to South Lafourche High School due to damages inflicted by Hurricane Ida.
$10,139,852.34 for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for repairs to Vandebilt Catholic High School due to damages inflicted by Hurricane Ida.
$5,008,111.30 for Terrebonne Parish for repairs to public buildings and infrastructure due to damages inflicted by Hurricane Ida.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA), former heads of the Bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Task Force, introduced The American Leadership in AI Act, which brings together over 20 bipartisan legislative proposals that seek to act on many of the recommendations from the report issued last Congress by the Bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence.
This legislation will strengthen U.S. leadership in AI by improving AI standards and evaluation, expanding research infrastructure and R&D, modernizing federal AI adoption and risk management, supporting workers and small businesses, addressing AI-enabled crimes, and expanding AI education and workforce opportunities.
“Last Congress, the Bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence brought together 24 Members of Congress from across 20 House committees to examine a wide range of policy challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence,” Reps. Lieu and Obernolte said. “The Task Force conducted numerous stakeholder discussions and roundtables, engaging with more than 100 experts from industry, academia, government, and civil society to develop a broad set of recommendations. As the Task Force’s Republican and Democratic leaders, we are pleased to introduce a legislative package grounded in that work. The American Leadership in AI Act builds on the strong bipartisan foundation already laid by our colleagues, incorporating and advancing bipartisan legislation previously introduced by Members across the House. By unifying these efforts, this package reflects the thoughtful, consensus-driven work already underway and translates it into a cohesive strategy to strengthen U.S. leadership in AI. At a time of deep political division, this package demonstrates that serious, forward-looking policymaking is still possible. We look forward to continuing to work with our former Task Force colleagues and others to advance these bipartisan solutions.”
The American Leadership in AI Act brings together more than 20 bipartisan proposals to implement key recommendations from the Bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence report issued last Congress. The bill is designed to strengthen U.S. leadership in AI while promoting responsible innovation and safeguarding the public.
Key Objectives
Strengthen our capacity to measure and evaluate AI
Advances voluntary standards, testing frameworks, and evaluation tools
Increases U.S. leadership in international standards-setting to help shape global AI standards and specifications
Directs the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) to identify and promote best practices for transparency, safety, security, and performance
Build research infrastructure and drive innovation
Expands access to shared research resources
Supports collaboration across academia, industry, and government
Promotes ambitious, mission-driven research through competitive initiatives across critical sectors
Modernize federal AI governance, procurement, and security
Expand AI education and protect the workforce
Safeguard Americans and deter harmful deepfakes
Strengthens safeguards to deter AI-enabled crime
Enhances legal remedies to deepfake victims and increases penalties for AI-enabled fraud and impersonation
Supports whistleblowers who expose AI-related risks and misconduct
More on the 118th Congress’s AI Task Force
In February 2024, Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffriesestablisheda bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to explore how Congress can ensure America continues to lead the world in AI innovation while considering guardrails that may be appropriate to safeguard the nation against current and emerging threats.
Membership:
Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36),Co-Chair Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-16) Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-09) Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11) Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06) Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08) Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) Rep. Valerie Foushee (NC-04) Rep. Brittany Pettersen (CO-07)
Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23),Chair Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-48) Rep. French Hill (AR-02) Rep. Michael Cloud (TX-27) Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02) Rep. Ben Cline (VA-06) Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03) Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18) Rep. Michelle Steel (CA-45) Rep. Eric Burlison (MO-07) Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15) Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-06)
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)
April 27, 2026
Washington, D.C. — The Congressional Tri-Caucus, composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), condemned the Trump administration’s illegal push to gut housing assistance for thousands of families with mixed immigration statuses.
In a letter to Housing Secretary Scott Turner co-signed by more than 75 members of the House of Representatives, Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35) joined CAPAC Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), CHC Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and CBC Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-09) — in calling the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to withdraw its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking entitled “Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status (FR-6524).”
HUD’s proposed rule threatens housing for tens of thousands of Americans, is blatantly illegal, and strains the agency’s remaining resources.
“Like other immigration policies from this Administration, the proposed rule attempts to solve a problem that does not exist. It is based on the false premise that ineligible noncitizens are receiving housing assistance and diverting resources from citizens,” wrote the lawmakers. “In reality, current HUD rules limit rental assistance to household members with eligible immigration status, and ineligible individuals are prohibited from receiving such aid.”
The proposal flies against the intent of Congress, which in 1988 amended the Housing and Community Development Act to prioritize family unity while making sure non-eligible residents do not receive federal assistance.
If implemented, the rule will kick 80,000 people out of housing, including nearly 37,000 children, most of whom are U.S. citizens.
HUD’s own analysis shows that the proposed rule will reduce, not increase, the number of HUD-assisted units, effectively worsening the affordable housing crisis for everyone.
“HUD’s proposed rule is directly in conflict with the agency’s mandate to provide fair housing opportunities. Immigrant populations already face discrimination in housing, and the enactment of this proposed rule would exacerbate this issue. It blatantly disregards the congressional intent of the law and would disrupt the lives of thousands of families – citizen and noncitizen alike,” wrote the lawmakers.
“At a time when over 21 million renter households are cost-burdened and there is a shortage of 7.2 million affordable rental homes, HUD should not attempt to restrict safety net housing programs,” the lawmakers concluded.
Washington, D.C. – El Tri-Caucus encabeza a más de 75 demócratas en su exigencia de preservar la asistencia de vivienda para familias de estatus migratorio mixto.
Washington, D.C. – El Tri-Caucus del Congreso, compuesto por el Caucus Hispano del Congreso (CHC), el Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) y el Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), condenó el intento ilegal de la administración Trump de eliminar la asistencia de vivienda para miles de familias con estatus migratorio mixto.
En una carta al secretario de Vivienda Scott Turner, cofirmada por más de 60 miembros de la Cámara de Representantes, la representante Norma Torres (CA-35) se unió a con el presidente del CHC, representante Adriano Espaillat (NY-13); la presidenta del CAPAC, representante Grace Meng (NY-06); y la presidenta del CBC, representante Yvette Clarke (NY-09) — instaron al Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a retirar su Notificación de Reglamentación Propuesta titulada “Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status (FR-6524).”
La norma propuesta por HUD amenaza la vivienda de decenas de miles de estadounidenses, es manifiestamente ilegal y agota los escasos recursos que le quedan a la agencia.
“Al igual que otras políticas migratorias de esta administración, la norma propuesta intenta resolver un problema que no existe. Se basa en la premisa falsa de que personas no elegibles están recibiendo asistencia de vivienda y desviando recursos que corresponden a ciudadanos”, escribieron los legisladores. “En realidad, las normas vigentes de HUD limitan la asistencia de alquiler a los miembros del hogar con estatus migratorio elegible, y las personas no elegibles tienen prohibido recibir dicha ayuda.”
La propuesta va en contra de la voluntad del Congreso, que en 1988 enmendó la Housing and Community Development Act para priorizar la unidad familiar, al tiempo que garantiza que los residentes no elegibles no reciban asistencia federal.
De implementarse, la norma desalojaría a 80,000 personas de sus viviendas, incluyendo a casi 37,000 niños, la mayoría de los cuales son ciudadanos estadounidenses.
El propio análisis de HUD muestra que la norma propuesta reduciría, en lugar de aumentar, el número de unidades asistidas por HUD, lo que agravaría efectivamente la crisis de vivienda asequible para todos.
“La norma propuesta por HUD está en directa contradicción con el mandato de la agencia de brindar oportunidades de vivienda justa. Las poblaciones inmigrantes ya enfrentan discriminación en materia de vivienda, y la promulgación de esta norma propuesta agravaría aún más este problema. Desacata abiertamente la voluntad legislativa del Congreso y trastornaría la vida de miles de familias, tanto ciudadanas como inmigrantes”, escribieron los legisladores.
“En un momento en que más de 21 millones de hogares inquilinos destinan una parte excesiva de sus ingresos al pago de la vivienda y existe un déficit de 7.2 millones de viviendas de alquiler asequibles, HUD no debería intentar restringir los programas de vivienda de la red de seguridad social”, concluyeron los legisladores.
In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “In a briefing on April 15, 2026, VA confirmed that both the study and the action plan are complete and have been submitted to the White House. VA also confirmed that the study presented multiple options, and that the White House and VA jointly selected the option reflected in the FY2027 Presidential Budget Request for the construction of a “new VA-owned medical center providing comprehensive outpatient services in Manchester, New Hampshire.””
However, VA has repeatedly refused to share those documents with Congress, “despite the fact that a subsequent briefing from VA officials indicated that a decision has been made and an interagency agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is set to begin implementation this month.”
The delegation closed by highlighting the importance of ensuring New Hampshire veterans have input and oversight into this decision, writing, “Transparency about what options were considered, what data was relied upon, and whether New Hampshire stakeholder input was incorporated is essential to Granite State veterans’ ability to evaluate your Administration’s actions and whether they support their needs.”
The delegation has requested that the Administration make both plans available no later than April 28, 2026.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)
Washington, D.C.– Congressman Riley M. Moore presented a $900,000 check to support the expansion of Marshall University Aviation’s in-person training program, strengthening workforce development in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle and addressing critical shortages in the aviation industry.
The funding, secured through Congressman Moore’s work on the House Appropriations Committee, will support the construction of a new training facility dedicated to aviation education and industry training. The expanded facility will provide hands-on instruction for aspiring pilots, dispatchers, and unmanned aerial system operators, while also offering stand-alone courses and customized training opportunities for local businesses.
The Marshall University Aviation expansion will serve both students and working professionals, helping to build a pipeline of talent equipped to meet industry needs. The facility will also play a key role in supporting regional employers by offering specialized training programs tailored to workforce demands.
The project is expected to enhance aviation training capacity in the region and position West Virginia as a leader in workforce development within the rapidly growing aviation sector.
Congressman Riley M. Moore released the following statement:
“The investment in Marshall University’s aviation program is a commitment to West Virginia’s future workforce and economy. This new facility will expand opportunities for training in pilot certification, dispatch operations, and unmanned aerial systems, while also supporting the needs of local businesses. I’m proud to have secured $900,000 in funding through my work on the House Appropriations Committee.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)
New York Elected Officials Demand Full Transparency on Costs, Developer Selection, and MTA Rights as Trump Administration Cuts Backroom Deals on Nation’s Busiest Train Station
NEW YORK, N.Y. –Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Assemblymembers Micah Lasher (District 69) and Tony Simone (District 75), State Senators Erik Bottcher and Liz Kruger, and Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal released the following statement on the Trump administration’s mishandling of the Penn Station renovation project in New York City:
We stand here today in front of Penn Station — united as elected officials of the State and City of New York — to send a clear message to Donald Trump and his administration: We will not stand for secret deals. Not on our watch. Not with our money. Not with our infrastructure. And not with our rights.
Let us be clear — we agree that Penn Station must be rebuilt. With the Gateway Tunnel project moving forward and new tunnels that will transform rail capacity across the Northeast corridor, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We want to see it done. But we will not allow it to be done in the dark, behind closed doors, in private meetings between a president and his billionaire friends — while the State of New York, the City of New York, the MTA, and the communities we represent are left holding the financial bag.
President Trump held secret meetings to privately negotiate the future of this station. His own White House wouldn’t even confirm the meeting took place. This same president tried to leverage billions of dollars in withheld infrastructure funds to pressure Senator Schumer into a backroom renaming deal. This is a pattern — deals made in private, costs dumped on the public, and assets handed to the wealthy and well-connected.
A Word About Andy Byford
Andy Byford is a respected transit professional and we are not here to question his integrity. But Byford himself has confirmed that the White House will have final say over the winning design and developer. This is not a process insulated from politics. Donald Trump — not transit experts, not New Yorkers — makes the final call.
Three Failures. No Answers. No Accountability.
First, there is no transparency. Three developer teams have been shortlisted behind closed doors — all three with strong connections to the Trump administration and its donors, and all three actively lobbying the White House. No RFP has been released. No public hearings. No community input. When all three finalists have ties to Trump’s political world and the White House picks the winner, that is not a competitive process. That is a political favor waiting to be handed out.
Second, there is no honest accounting of the cost. Estimates run as high as $7 billion with a potential public shortfall of nearly $6 billion. The full price tag has not been disclosed. Will commuters face surcharges on their MTA and NJ Transit tickets? Will the State and City be forced to absorb billions they never agreed to fund? New York State has already pulled back its $1.3 billion commitment expecting the federal government to step up — and Washington has put forward just $43 million so far. That gap has to be filled by someone. New Yorkers deserve to know who — before a single contract is signed.
Third, the MTA has been shut out. The agency that serves millions of New York commuters every single day has no meaningful seat at this table. There are serious questions about whether the MTA’s existing rights at Penn Station — rights that protect LIRR riders and the investments New York has already made — will be respected as this process moves forward. We are putting the Trump administration on notice: those rights will be honored and New York’s investment will be respected.
No transparency. No cost accountability. The MTA frozen out. These are not oversights. These are deliberate choices — and they all point in the same direction. Public assets in. Private profits out. New York left holding the bag.
Not On Our Watch
We will not be presented with a done deal cooked up in secret between the President and politically connected billionaires. We will not allow public assets to be handed to private developers under terms the public never saw, never debated, and never approved. And we will not allow the MTA to be frozen out of decisions that directly affect its riders and operations.
We are calling today for a fully open and transparent process. Release the RFP. Disclose the full costs. Restore the MTA to its rightful place at the table. Hold public hearings. Give New York a real voice in the future of its own station.
And let us be clear about one more thing. The people who live and work around Penn Station must have a real voice in its future. This is their neighborhood. Any redevelopment of Penn Station is an opportunity to do something truly transformative — not just for commuters, but for this community and this city. We should be building a true 24/7 neighborhood around Penn Station. Housing — and especially affordable housing. Retail. Public spaces. A living, breathing community that takes full advantage of the finest transportation hub in the entire region. That is what New York needs. That is what our city and region deserve. And that vision cannot be decided in a backroom deal between a president and his billionaire developer friends. It must be decided with the community, for the community.
Amtrak owns Penn Station — but make no mistake, it belongs to the people. It will be rebuilt with public money. And it will be rebuilt on public terms.
We are not going anywhere. We are united. And we are just getting started.