MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference, where he emphasized that while House Republicans are ignoring the needs of everyday Americans, House Democrats remain committed to driving down the high cost of living and making life better for the American people.

LEADER JEFFRIES: A few moments ago, yet again, another reckless Republican bill went down to defeat on the Floor of the House of Representatives. House Democrats are in the minority but continue to control the Floor as if we were in the majority, making progress on behalf of the American people, including by extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits earlier this year to protect the healthcare of more than 20 million Americans, by passing successfully a War Powers Resolution as part of our continuing effort to stop Donald Trump’s reckless and costly war of choice in the Middle East. No more stupid wars that make life more expensive for the American people. And then, of course, this week, perhaps for the first time in the history of the United States of America, the majority party was forced to pull a bill relating to veterans because House Democrats, led by Mark Takano, have made clear all week that this bill doesn’t benefit hard-working veterans in the United States of America. It would actually hurt them.

In advance of Donald Trump’s speech, let me also be clear about one thing: Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election. Something’s really wrong with this guy. I think he actually needs to be checked out. Why does he continue to focus on a conspiracy theory related to a 2020 presidential election that every rational person in the United States of America knows he lost? And yet, instead of focusing on actually driving down the high cost of living in an economy where hardworking American taxpayers are suffocating from the affordability crisis, Donald Trump continues to peddle election conspiracy theories. 

House Democrats are committed to making sure that we have a free and fair election in November. And when that occurs, we’re confident that we’re going to take back control of the United States House of Representatives. What Republicans are doing, since they were once again neutered on the Floor of the House of Representatives, is to advance an America Last budget resolution that will actually provide $60 billion in additional taxpayer money for Donald Trump’s reckless and costly war of choice in the Middle East that has left Iran in a stronger position than they were in before this reckless war started and the American people in a weaker position economically as a result of high gas prices. And yet, Republicans continue to double and triple down on Operation Epic Failure. The war in Iran has been a disaster for the American people, and House Democrats will strongly oppose their America Last budget resolution and fight to actually restore the devastating cuts to Medicaid and to nutritional assistance that Republicans jammed down the throats of the American people with their One Big Ugly Bill last year.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to Michigan experiencing the worst air quality in the world today, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens issued the following statement: 

“Today, families across Michigan woke up to some of the worst air quality in the world as wildfire smoke from Canada and northern Minnesota settled over southeast Michigan. To all Michiganders, we will get through this. I encourage everyone to follow public health guidance: stay indoors when possible, keep windows closed, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity.

“This is a reminder that climate change is real, and its impacts are being felt here in Michigan. We must continue investing in clean energy, climate resilience, and the resources our communities need to protect public health and prepare for more frequent extreme weather events.

“Please stay informed by checking local air quality updates and following guidance from public health authorities. Stay safe, Michigan.”

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) announced the Tariff Refund Act, new legislation to return up to $1,700 to American households to offset higher prices over the past year from Trump’s erratic tariffs.

Throughout the first year of the second Trump Administration, Donald Trump used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad and unpredictable tariffs on our allies, raising costs for American families here at home. In February of 2026, the Supreme Court blocked Trump from abusing IEEPA in the service of his political whims. Under court orders, the Trump Administration must now start refunding tariff revenues to businesses that apply for relief; however, no mechanisms exist to pay back the hardworking families who lost out on an estimated $231.35 billion as a result of Trump’s illegal tariffs.

Stevens’ Tariff Refund Act would return that money to Michigan families who paid the price for Trump’s reckless and unlawful trade agenda all last year.

“Donald Trump’s tariffs have cost Michiganders in every aspect of their lives, from groceries to school supplies to home appliances,” said Rep. Stevens. “We must lower costs for hardworking families and give them relief from Trump’s out-of-control economy.”

The bill creates a formula for refunding the roughly $231 billion in tariff revenue to American families through direct checks valuing:

• $1,700 for married couples making less than $400,000 annually

• $1,275 for heads of households making less than $300,000 annually

• $850 for individuals making less than $200,000 annually 

 

Rep. Stevens has been leading the fight in Congress to push back against Trump’s reckless tariffs and lower costs. Stevens introduced the No Tariffs on Groceries Act to stop Trump’s ability to raise grocery costs for Michigan families. She has repeatedly voted against his illegal war in Iran and slammed its impacts on skyrocketing gas prices. She also introduced the Stop Unfair Electricity Prices Act to lower electricity bills and hold utility companies accountable to Michigan consumers.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

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

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01), joined by Delegate James Moylan (Guam), has co-introduced his bipartisan Transit Oriented Development Act to drive greater development of affordable housing in areas designated for transit oriented development such as along the Honolulu Skyline.

“The affordable housing shortage remains one of the most significant drivers of the unacceptably high cost of living facing most Americans”, said Case. “In my home state of Hawaiʻi, this crisis is particularly acute. Housing costs consume an outsized share of household income, forcing working families to make impossible choices between rent, groceries and health care.

“Far too many of our keiki and kamaʻāina find themselves priced out of the communities they call home. To truly address affordability, we must not only increase the supply of housing but do so in ways that reflect the unique economic realities of our communities and lower overall living costs for families. That means building housing that is attainable, affordable, well-located and connected to jobs and services.”

Case added: “One of the most important federal tools we have to do that is the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which has long been one of our nation’s most successful programs for financing affordable rental housing. Yet the current allocation structure does not always reflect the significant differences in housing costs and development challenges that exist across the country. Because allocations are based principally on population, communities facing exceptionally high housing costs—including Hawaiʻi and other non-contiguous jurisdictions—often face greater difficulty producing affordable housing despite having substantial need.”

“For families on Guam, the challenge isn’t just finding affordable housing—it’s finding housing that keeps them connected to jobs, schools, healthcare, and essential services,” said Delegate Moylan. “As America’s westernmost territory, we face unique development constraints and higher construction costs. This bipartisan legislation recognizes those realities by strengthening incentives to build affordable housing in communities where transportation and opportunity come together. I’m proud to co-lead this effort because it helps ensure federal housing policy works not only for the mainland, but for Guam and all of our island communities as well.”

“Increasing the TOD basis boost would significantly improve project feasibility around our lands in East Kapolei, including next to the Ka Makana Aliʻi Shopping Center, as well as in Moanalua Kai,” said Kali Watson, director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. “The additional 25% basis boost would generate approximately $38,000 to $58,000 in additional equity per housing unit, or roughly $3.8 to $5.8 million for a 100-unit project. This would substantially reduce the financing gap and allow more housing for beneficiaries and further revenue-generating opportunities to advance the mission of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920.”

“I am pleased to support the reintroduction of the TOD legislation that I originally introduced in the 117th Congress in collaboration with Congressman Case,” said Kaialiʻi Kahele, Chairman of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and former U.S. Congressman for the Second District of Hawaiʻi.

“The enhanced basis adjustment aligns with OHA’s strategic presence within the Iwilei–Kapālama Transit-Oriented Development area, including the proposed Kūwili Skyline Station, and provides an incentive for OHA’s future mixed-use development plans that integrate cultural revitalization, community services, and sustainable revenue generation.”

“The City is laying the foundation for one of Hawaiʻi’s largest transit-oriented redevelopment efforts through the master planning of the Iwilei-Kūwili district, where our long-term vision includes more than 2,500 affordable homes surrounding the future Kūwili Skyline Station,” said Kevin D. Auger, Director, City and County of Honolulu Department of Housing and Land Management.

“Delivering projects of this scale requires strategic land assembly, strong public-private partnerships, and financing tools that reflect the realities of building affordable housing in high-cost communities like Honolulu. Legislation that strengthens the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit for transit-oriented development would provide another important tool to help communities advance these critical housing initiatives and create more affordable homes near transit.”

“Congressman Case’s Transit-Oriented Development Act recognizes that affordable housing and high-quality public transportation go hand in hand,” said Roger Morton, Director, City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services. “For Honolulu, this legislation complements our investment in Skyline by encouraging more affordable housing near transit, reducing transportation costs for working families, and creating more connected, sustainable communities. We appreciate Congressman Case’s leadership in advancing this practical approach for Hawaiʻi.”

“The Transit Oriented Development Act will help create a safer, more resilient, equitable, reliable, and efficient transportation system, said Mark Garrity, Executive Director of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (Oahu MPO).  “OahuMPO strongly supports this critical legislation.”

“This is simple and smart legislation that will stimulate affordable housing development along side of the transportation infrastructure that the government has invested in,” said Craig Watase, Chief Executive Officer of Mark Development, a developer of affordable housing in Hawaiʻi. “This will be a major factor in project feasibility of many affordable housing projects.”

Case continued: “Our Transit Oriented Development Act takes a targeted approach to addressing that challenge. The bill provides an enhanced Low-Income Housing Tax Credit incentive for affordable housing developments located within designated transit oriented development areas. This includes places that are already served by rail, bus, harbor or waterway transportation and are zoned for higher-density development.

“By encouraging affordable housing near existing transportation infrastructure, we can help reduce transportation costs for residents, improve access to jobs and essential services and support more efficient and sustainable community growth.”

Text of the Transit Oriented Development Act of 2026 is here

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) are demanding answers from the United States Postal Service (USPS) over reports of concerning working conditions at the Allen Park distribution center in metro Detroit. The reports follow the death of a postal service worker at the same distribution center in late 2025. 

“Staff, supervisors, and union representatives have raised concerns to our offices surrounding the labor conditions at the NDC. These reports include the improper rescission of positions, failure to provide fair and equitable treatment, denial of contractually guaranteed bathroom and meal breaks, inadequate training, intimidation through disciplinary write-ups and threats of termination, and management performing bargaining-unit work, including the elimination of overtime opportunities. Employees have also expressed concerns about safety hazards, citing an expedited mail process from management pressure, reductions in staffing, and minimal specialized training,”Congresswomen Dingell and Tlaib wrote. 

The congresswomen reiterated the importance of safety for USPS workers and requested answers to a series of questions regarding the steps the facility is taking to ensure safety and more. This effort follows a November 2025 letter from the congresswomen seeking answers from USPS about the tragic death that occurred at the facility. 

A PDF copy of the letter is available HERE and text is below:

Dear Postmaster General Steiner:

This letter is regarding the labor and workplace safety concerns of workers at the USPS Detroit Network Distribution Center (NDC) in Allen Park, Michigan. We are concerned by the reports of unsafe and unfair practices at the facility.

Staff, supervisors, and union representatives have raised concerns to our offices surrounding the labor conditions at the NDC. These reports include the improper rescission of positions, failure to provide fair and equitable treatment, denial of contractually guaranteed bathroom and meal breaks, inadequate training, intimidation through disciplinary write-ups and threats of termination, and management performing bargaining-unit work, including the elimination of overtime opportunities. Employees have also expressed concerns about safety hazards, citing an expedited mail process from management pressure, reductions in staffing, and minimal specialized training. 

These reports are especially alarming after the death of Mr. Nicholas Acker at the facility in November of last year. In May, USPS received five serious citations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) investigation at the NDC, three of which resulted in fines totaling over $26,000. Within these citations, OSHA determined that employees were exposed to caught-in hazards via the mail conveyors, employees did not have adequate training to perform equipment repairs, and facility procedures were not followed amid shift changes and maintenance work. While these citations were separate from Mr. Acker’s death, they are still troubling. The safety of USPS workers is of the utmost importance, and USPS must ensure that protocols and standards are properly enforced. 

Given the federal government’s responsibility to ensure worker safety and just treatment in its facilities, we request answers to the following questions:

1. What kind of specialized training do employees receive in their roles?

2. What measures does the facility take to ensure that staff are receiving necessary training for their roles?

3. What measures does the facility take to ensure labor standards are responsibly met, including fair and equitable treatment of employees?

4. What contractually obligated paid and unpaid breaks do employees receive?

5. What are the expected procedures when an employee is unable to take a contractually obligated break due to workload, staffing shortages, operational demands, or management direction?

6. What contractually obligated overtime compensation do employees receive?

7. What are the expected procedures when an employee does not receive their contractually obligated overtime compensation?

8. What impact has voluntary early retirement had on operational strain, including transitional staffing issues, localized shortages, position availability, and mail delivery? 

9. How does the facility address the aforementioned impacts of voluntary early retirements?

10. How does the facility adhere to uniform and standardized safety protocols?

11. What steps is the facility taking to ensure safety protocols are administered?

12. Please describe the safety protocol training employees receive.

13. What measures does the facility take to ensure that employees understand and follow the safety protocols?

14. Please describe the accessibility of safety and grievance procedures for employees.

15. What effect do staffing shortages and pressure for on-time mail delivery have on safety practices? 

Thank you and ensuring worker safety and proper labor standards remain my top priority. We look forward to your full and prompt response, and we appreciate your attention to this important matter.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV), and Congressman James Walkinshaw (D-VA) today introduced the Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act to help rebuild America’s diplomatic corps by eliminating unnecessary and unprecedented barriers for experienced Foreign Service Officers who were involuntarily separated during the Trump Administration’s mass reductions in force (RIF) beginning in January 2025. The legislation would allow eligible officers to return to service without having to retake the same written and oral entry exams they already passed before their service.

Normally, Foreign Service Officers reappointed within five years of leaving the Service are not required to retake the Foreign Service Officer Test or its written and oral examination components to rejoin the Service after separation. The Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act would authorize the Secretary of State to waive those entry examinations when reappointing eligible career Foreign Service Officers who were involuntarily separated through RIFs between January 20, 2025, and January 31, 2030. The legislation applies only to career Foreign Service Officers who were serving in good standing at the time of their dismissal.

“President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s reckless purge of the State Department inflicted lasting damage on America’s diplomatic capacity by driving out some of our nation’s most experienced public servants,” said Rep. Beyer. “Our Foreign Service Officers have dedicated their lives to advancing America’s interests, protecting our national security, supporting American citizens overseas, and strengthening our alliances abroad. After years of distinguished service, they shouldn’t have to jump through unnecessary bureaucratic hoops to return to jobs they never should have lost in the first place.”

“The Trump purge of seasoned experts from the State Department have jeopardized the State Department, U.S. National Security and led to the greatest brain drain from our diplomatic corps in modern history,” said Ranking Member Meeks. “This legislation takes a positive step towards making it easier to reemploy those who were baselessly fired from their posts, and re-infuse our diplomatic corps with the expertise needed to address today’s many modern challenges.”

“Those who dutifully served as Foreign Service officers before the Trump Administration wrongfully terminated their service included some of our most talented and skilled international affairs experts in the United States government,” said Rep. Titus. “Our national security cannot afford to lose this institutional knowledge. The Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act would remove a barrier of reentry for these officers and ensure that they can continue to serve their country and foster a critical aspect of the nation’s soft power.” 

“The Trump Administration’s cuts to the State Department have cost our country experienced diplomatic talent critical to protecting our national security and advancing America’s interests abroad,” said Rep. Walkinshaw. “I’m proud to support Congressman Don Beyer’s Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act, which ensures career Foreign Service Officers forced out through no fault of their own do not have to retake a test for jobs they are already qualified to hold. This commonsense legislation will help strengthen America’s diplomatic corps and make our nation safer.”

Congressman Johnny Olszewski (D-MD) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) are original co-sponsors of the Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act.

This legislation is also supported by the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

“The Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act would quickly bring back experienced professionals who were involuntarily separated through no fault of their own, while protecting them from future policies requiring them to retake any part of the entrance exam,” said AFSA President John Dinkelman. “With critical staffing gaps, we cannot afford to sideline proven talent and years of institutional knowledge when they are ready to return and fill essential roles for our country.”

Full text of the Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act is available here.

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

NJ 6th District Congressman, lawmakers cited higher melanoma rates among troops, reports some servicemembers cannot access sunscreen while deployed

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the Critical Materials Processing Technology Testbed Act of 2026 to help the Department of Energy develop new, safer materials processing technologies needed to bolster our battery supply chain. This testbed would aim to kickstart a domestic materials processing industry in the United States with a focus on environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and minimizing resource intensiveness.

“As our nation’s clean energy demands continue to grow, there’s more need than ever to safely process the critical materials that are used in electric car batteries, solar panels, and other electronics,” said Foster. “Currently, these materials are typically processed in countries with minimal safety regulations, causing damage to our environment and human health. A testbed managed by the Department of Energy would allow us to not only create a safer and more environmentally friendly battery supply chain, but also bring good manufacturing jobs to the U.S.” 

This legislation was prompted by a hearing Foster chaired in the House Science Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, which found that materials processing constitutes a major impediment to strengthening the domestic battery supply chain.

A copy of the bill can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO), Jason Crow (D-CO), Joe Neguse (D-CO), and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) released the following statement after voting in favor of Congressman Massie’s amendment to the Republican budget:
 
“Today we voted against additional taxpayer-funded military aid being given to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government.
 
“We support Israel’s right to exist and defend itself. We believe that both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to safety, security, and self-determination.
 
“We should not be giving military aid to any country that does not comply with our own laws and values. The Netanyahu government has failed to meet these standards.
 
“The status quo is not tenable. We need a different path forward for America’s foreign policy rooted in values and consistent application of the law.”

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