MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA), Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), and Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-KS) led 78 total lawmakers in calling on the Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to withdraw the proposed rollback of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards, as this attack on the standards would increase costs for hardworking Americans, reduce vehicle efficiency, and increase our reliance on foreign oil imports.

 

“Historically, strong CAFE standards have driven American innovation, from hybridization and advanced powertrains to aerodynamic breakthroughs,” wrote the lawmakers. “We currently have widely available and well-proven tools to keep improving fuel economy, which save Americans money at the pump and deliver more affordable, efficient, cleaner vehicles.”

 

Since 1975, fuel efficiency standards have saved American drivers thousands of dollars in fuel costs. The existing CAFE standards, finalized under the Biden Administration, were expected to save Americans more than $84 billion in fuel costs and other health benefits.

 

The Trump Administration’s proposed rollback of the CAFE standards would reduce the required fleetwide average fuel economy from 50.4 miles per gallon for Model Year (MY) 2031 vehicles to just 34.5 miles per gallon. This would effectively eliminate any requirement for automakers to improve fuel economy and is a clear violation of the requirement in law to set the maximum feasible standards, as automakers are already exceeding the proposed MY 2031 standards with a fleetwide average of 35.4 miles per gallon in MY 2024.

 

“We strongly urge the Department of Transportation to withdraw this misguided CAFE proposal and maintain the existing fuel economy standards,” the lawmakers concluded. “Weakening the fuel economy standards and forcing Americans to purchase more expensive, gas-guzzling vehicles would exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis and serve as yet another betrayal of President Trump’s promise to lower energy costs for the American people.”

  

In addition to the rollback of fuel economy requirements, the Trump Administration is also proposing to eliminate fuel-efficiency credits that help lower the cost of manufacturing electric vehicles—yet another thinly veiled attack on EVs.

 

This follows Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, which eliminated penalties for automakers that fail to comply with fuel economy standards and instead sell vehicles that will cost drivers more at the pump. This means there’s effectively no requirement to follow the standards at all—leaving drivers with bigger bills and the United States more reliant on oil imports.

 

Full text of the letter is available HERE.

 

Congresswoman Matsui has long advocated for cleaner, more efficient, and more affordable vehicles. In September 2025, she led over 100 lawmakers in opposing the rollback of EPA vehicle pollution standards. She leads bipartisan efforts to strengthen the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program, which provides states, local governments, and schools with funding to replace old diesel vehicles and school buses with cleaner alternatives. She has also repeatedly led efforts to preserve California’s authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate in-state vehicle pollution.

# # #

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Washington, DC) — On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, shared remarks in a Financial Services Hearing entitled, “The Annual Report of the Financial Stability Oversight Council.”

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s remarks by clicking here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) introduced H.R. 5428, the Medical Student Education Authorization Act, along with Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV). This legislation would authorize the Medical Student Education (MSE) Program, which provides grants to public institutions of higher education to expand or support graduate education for physicians in states with the most severe primary care provider shortages, through the Fiscal Year 2028.

After introducing the legislation, the members of Congress released the following statements:

“Data shows that medical students and residents often decide to practice in the same community where they completed their training. Therefore, by providing medical education in rural, tribal, or underserved areas – and increasing recruitment in these places – we can make a difference by increasing the likelihood of access to quality care in these communities in the long term. The Medical Student Education Authorization Act will help to do just that,” said Congressman Cole. “I am grateful for Congresswoman Titus for her collaboration on this vital legislation, and I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure relief for communities struggling with shortages of healthcare providers.”

“We need a whole-of-government approach to address the physician shortages plaguing communities here in Nevada and across the country. By supporting medical student training in underserved areas, we can invest in the next generation of providers while improving care access to patient outcomes,” said Congresswoman Titus.

This legislation is also endorsed by several stakeholders, who offered praise for the bill:

“The American Associations of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) applauds Representatives Cole and Titus for reintroducing the Medical Student Education Authorization Act,” said Robert A. Cain, President and CEO of AACOM. “Osteopathic medical schools lead the nation in graduating physicians who practice primary care in rural and medically underserved areas. The MSE Program expands opportunities for osteopathic graduates to train in the communities that need them most. AACOM is proud to support this bipartisan bill, which will strengthen the physician workforce and increase access to care in tribal, rural, and underserve communities.”

“Health care professionals continue to provide dedicated, high-quality care to our patients and communities. However, ongoing staffing shortages have contributed to increased stress and burnout of care teams. The Medical Student Education Authorization Act would help remedy this by providing grants to public institutions on behalf of higher education to support areas with severe primary care provider shortages. We thank Representatives Cole and Titus for their leadership on behalf of the nation’s health workforce,” said Lisa Kidder Hrobsky, Senior Vice President of Federal Relations, Advocacy, and Political Affairs of the American Hospital Association.

“There is a critical shortage of physicians in rural America, where limited access to care continues to drive poorer health outcomes. The Medical Student Education Authorization Act is a smart, bipartisan investment in the future of our nation’s critical health care workforce – one that would expand the pipeline of primary care providers serving tribal, rural, and medically underserved communities,” said American Medical Association President, Bobby Mukkamala, M.D. “We commend Chairman Cole and Rep. Titus for sponsoring this bipartisan bill and look forward to supporting it as it moves through the legislative process.”

“The Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA) strongly supports the Medical Student Education Authorization Act, which will help address Oklahoma’s physician shortages by expanding training opportunities in rural, Tribal, and underserved communities. We commend Representative Cole for his leadership in securing the future of Oklahoma’s healthcare workforce,” said OSMA President Dr. Sumit Nanda.

Background:

The Medical Student Education (MSE) Program, which is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and was first authorized in an Appropriations bill in 2019, provides grants to public institutions of higher education to expand or support graduate education for physicians. This program specifically focuses these grants on institutions in states with the most severe primary care provider shortages, as it is widely recognized that the training experience in medically underserved communities increases the likelihood that a physician will practice there.

Since the program’s inception, MSE has been a success. In fact, through the program, nearly $337,000,000 in grants has been provided to train the next generation of providers and mitigate these shortages.

However, unfortunately, the MSE Program, because it was first authorized through the appropriations process, has no long-term authorization. As such, the program must be reauthorized annually through the appropriations process. If it is not reauthorized, funded institutions will be subject to financial uncertainty and the risk of sudden funding cutoffs. 

The MSE Authorization Act, introduced in the House by Representatives Cole and Titus, would ensure the program remains funded through the Fiscal Year 2028. This legislation is endorsed by the American Associations of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), the American Hospital Association (AHA), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA).

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

WASHINGTON– Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced that she successfully secured $15,560,000 in Community Project Funding for New York’s 7th District in the 2026 federal spending bills. This funding addresses urgent infrastructure needs, public safety, and social services across Brooklyn and Queens.

“I am incredibly proud to have fought for and secured more than $15 million to address the pressing needs of our community,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “From investing in lighting at Ravenswood Houses to supporting mental health services for our youth and modernizing our local transit corridors, these projects are about investing in the safety and dignity of the people of Brooklyn and Queens.”

Rep. Velázquez secured funding for 13 projects:

• $3,150,000 for NYCHA Ravenswood Houses: Installation of comprehensive exterior security lighting for the entire development.

 

•  $2,850,000 for NYCHA Whitman Houses: Critical façade repairs for Buildings 14 and 15 to ensure safety and remove sidewalk sheds.

 

•  $1,000,000 for NYCHA Cooper Park Houses: Security lighting upgrades to benefit residents and the surrounding community.

 

• $850,000 for NYC DOT Liberty Plaza: Permanent construction of the Drew Street plaza and traffic safety reconfigurations.

 

• $850,000 for NYC DOT Woodhaven Boulevard: Safety improvements including median widening to support Select Bus Service.

 

• $1,850,000 for NYC DOT Broadway Repaving: Full reconstruction of the roadway from concrete to modern blacktop.

 

• $1,200,000 for NYCHA Bushwick Houses: Replacement of deteriorating wood roof tanks to protect water quality.

 

• $2,000,000 for NYCHA Borinquen Plaza II: Critical security lighting upgrades.

 

• $850,000 for GMDC Bulkhead at 1155 Manhattan Avenue: Urgent bulkhead replacement at nonprofit Greenpoint Manufacturing & Design Center’s (GMDC’s) Newtown Creek shoreline to protect 70 industrial and artisan businesses and the 365 local jobs they provide.

 

• $345,000 for Ozone Park Residents Block Association: Expansion of the Block Watchers safety program.

 

• $250,000 for Bangladeshi American Community Development and Youth Services: Workforce development and intervention for justice-involved residents.

 

• $200,000 for Comunilife, Inc.: Suicide prevention and mental health services for at-risk teens (Life is Precious™).

 

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) announced his office is now accepting submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition.

The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students, grades 9-12, who live or attend school in Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District. The Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

The deadline for submission is Monday, April 13, 2026, at 5pm.

Once received, all artwork will be displayed in the district until honorees are recognized at a reception. The winning piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building Complex in Washington, D.C. for one year, and three honorable mention pieces will be displayed in Latta’s district offices.

“Ohio’s Fifth District is filled with incredibly gifted young artists, and the Congressional Art Competition provides a great opportunity to celebrate their talent. Every year, I am impressed by the originality and skill displayed in each submission, and I’m excited to see the creative artwork students will share this year,” Latta said.  

For information on submitting artwork for the competition, or to help answer any questions, please click here or contact Barbara Orange in the Bowling Green office at 419-354-8700 or by emailing barbara.orange@mail.house.gov. 

Each student is allowed one entry. Eligible artwork includes the following:

• Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc. 
• Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers 
• Collages: must be two-dimensional 
• Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints 
• Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, etc. 
• Computer-Generated Art 
• Photography 

All entries must meet the following criteria:

• The submission must be two-dimensional
• The submission must be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep, including the frame
• It also must have a wire attached to the back suitable for hanging on a wall. 
• The submission must not weigh more than 15 pounds
• The submission must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws

It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed. Work entered must be in the original medium; that is, not scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing. Framing rules apply only to the winning artwork.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, convenes a legislative hearing to review FirstNet and consider legislation to reauthorize the program.

“FirstNet is a critical public safety resource, and Congress has a duty to ensure it remains reliable, accountable, and focused on the needs of first responders,” Hudson said.

WHAT: Subcommittee on Communications and Technology legislative hearing on FirstNet reauthorization

DATE: Wednesday, February 4, 2026

TIME: 10:15 AM ET

LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building

This hearing will focus on: H.R. ____, The First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act (Reps. Dunn and McClellan)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) joined Reps. Wesley Bell (MO), Deborah Ross (NC), and Mark Messmer (IN) to introduce the bipartisan Defense Technology Hubs Act of 2026, legislation directing the Department of Defense to establish a nationwide network of regional hubs focused on accelerating emerging defense technologies.

The bill would accelerate the transition of critical technologies from the lab to the field by strengthening workforce pipelines and expanding collaboration among universities, defense partners, nonprofits, and local and state leaders. For North Carolina, that means supporting readiness and innovation that directly benefits communities connected to Fort Bragg and across the state.

“To keep our military ahead of new threats, we need to move technology from the lab to the field faster. The Defense Technology Hubs Act speeds up innovation, strengthens our defense industrial base, and better facilitates the development of critical technologies here in the United States,” said Rep. Hudson.

“At a time when our global adversaries are investing heavily in next-generation technologies, America must not just compete, but lead, in research, development, and innovation. That means building innovation capacity in regions across the country,” said Rep. Bell. “St. Louis has already solidified its vital role in U.S. national security, and this bill ensures our region continues to drive that mission—not get left behind—as the race for technological dominance accelerates. We can strengthen our national defense while creating good-paying jobs, attracting new industry, and developing the strong, expansive workforce needed to keep America at the forefront of technological leadership.”

“As someone who represents one of the nation’s most critical defense innovation regions, I know firsthand how important it is to move new technology from concept to capability as quickly as possible,” said Rep. Messmer. “The Defense Technology Hubs Act creates a clear pathway for the Department of Defense, industry, and research institutions to work together to accelerate emerging technologies that keep our warfighters ahead of threats to our national security. This legislation strengthens our defense industrial base, protects American innovation, and ensures the future of military technology is built right here in the United States.”

“The Research Triangle is a world-renowned hub of research and innovation, and our workforce and institutions stand ready to lead the country’s development of emerging defense technologies,” said Rep. Ross. “This bill will not only strengthen our national security, but it will also reward American ingenuity and boost North Carolina’s local economy. I’m honored to join my colleagues in introducing legislation that will ensure the United States remains a global leader in technological innovation.”

Read the full bill text HERE.

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

SOUTH AMBOY, N.J. — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) secured $250,000 in federal Community Project Funding in Fiscal Year 2026 to support the creation of a new park and playground near South Amboy Middle High School, converting a vacant lot into a safe outdoor play space designed for young children.

 

“This funding gives South Amboy the ability to turn an underused space into something families can rely on,” said Pallone. “A safe, well-designed playground near the school creates opportunities for kids to be active and for families to spend time together, while strengthening the surrounding community.”

 

The funding will allow the city to construct a dedicated preschool play area featuring age-appropriate playground equipment, including low swings, slides, a sandbox, and play structures. The project is intended to provide a safe, accessible outdoor environment that encourages physical activity and healthy recreation for South Amboy’s youngest residents.

 

“On behalf of the City of South Amboy and especially our young citizens, I would like to thank Congressman Frank Pallone for the $250,000 appropriation,” said South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry. “This generous funding will go a long way in helping to relocate our David Street park to the Allie Clark Sports Complex. With the expansion of the park more opportunities will be provided for our city’s children to recreate in a healthy and safe environment. Congressman Pallone continues to be a great friend and representative to the City of South Amboy.”

 

According to city plans, the new play area will span approximately 2,500 square feet and will be designed to meet national childcare standards for outdoor play spaces, accommodating up to 33 children at a time. The project also includes landscaping with shade-providing trees and native plants, as well as improvements to a nearby parking area to enhance safety and accessibility for families.

 

The South Amboy park and playground 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 local priorities that improve public spaces and quality of life.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP), celebrated the final passage of his Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Act, which was passed as part of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 and signed into law by President Donald Trump.

The NSRP legislation delivers a historic16% spending reduction.

Watch Rep. Díaz-Balart’s House Floor remarks here.

“Once again, President Trump and Republicans deliver for the American people by avoiding another destructive shutdown and governing responsibly. The passage of these five funding bills fulfills our commitment to cut waste, fraud, and abuse, strengthen accountability, and advance an America First agenda.

As Chairman of the subcommittee responsible for funding America’s foreign policy and national security priorities, I am proud that my NSRP full-year funding legislation refocuses our nation’s foreign policy in historic ways while also restoring fiscal sanity, delivering a historic spending reduction.

With these bills, we are doing more for our country and the American people while spending less. This is possible thanks to the brilliant and persistent leadership of Chairman Tom Cole and our House Appropriations colleagues who worked day and night to get these bills across the finish line and to the President’s desk.”

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

 

FISCAL YEAR 2026 NATIONAL SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

The National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $50.014 billion, a nearly $9.3 billion cut (16%) below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level. The unprecedented reduction of spending in this measure codifies the FY25 rescissions and cuts even more, while reflecting the priorities of the America First agenda.

Even with the cuts, the NSRP bill maintains robust funding for our allies like Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Taiwan, and counters adversaries like the Communist People’s Republic of China (PRC), Iran, Cuba, and drug cartels – including those designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The bill removes woke Biden-era poison pills and supports President Trump’s vision to refocus and realign foreign policy to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

Champions America First Foreign Policy by:

• Reprioritizing funding in support of United States national security.
• Creating the America First Opportunity Fund to ensure the Secretary of State has the flexibility to quickly respond to unforeseen opportunities in an effort to advance the America First foreign policy agenda.
• Supporting President Trump’s America First foreign policy by eliminating wasteful spending on DEI or woke programming, climate change mandates, and divisive gender ideologies.
• Prioritizing funding and policies to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States to help save American lives.
• Putting American businesses first by prioritizing diplomatic engagement to favorably resolve commercial disputes abroad and to promote American business interests overseas.
• Refocusing attention on critical diplomatic functions, such as addressing passport applications and ensuring the safety and security of our embassies.

Protects life, supports American values, and enhances our standing in the world by:

• Protecting long-standing pro-life provisions as well as enhancing oversight and transparency over program implementation to ensure American taxpayer dollars will not fund abortions.
• Increasing support for religious freedom programs and demanding religious freedom protections for faith-based organizations.
• Holding foreign governments and bad actors accountable for their persecution of people of faith, including restricting assistance to Nigeria until measurable actions are taken to protect Christian communities suffering from violence due to their beliefs.
• Confronting human trafficking by prohibiting funding for countries and organizations that continue benefiting from the human trafficking of Cuban medical doctors, while directing the Secretary of State to pull visas for officials involved in Cuban doctors’ trafficking.
• Advancing free speech and prohibiting censorship by banning programs that violate the free speech rights of American citizens.

 Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:

• Providing unwavering support for Israel by including no less than $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing Program funds.
• Upholding longstanding partnerships with our key security allies in the Middle East, Israel, Egypt, and Jordan.
• Including $300 million for the Foreign Military Financing Program for Taiwan to strengthen deterrence across the Taiwan Strait, and up to $2 billion in loans and loan guarantees for such purpose.
• Fully funding the Countering PRC Influence Fund at $400 million.
• Providing $1.8 billion for United States national security interests in the Indo-Pacific and to counter the PRC’s malign influence.
• Denying the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) access to U.S.-backed resources:
• Requires opposition to multilateral development bank lending for China.
• Requires opposition to increased shareholding for China within the multilateral development banks.
• Prohibits funds from being used to repay loans to China.
• Furthers cooperation between the Department of State and War in countering foreign talent programs posing a threat to national security.
• Prohibiting funding for programs that facilitate and encourage migration toward the United States border.

Safeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by:

• Prioritizing fiscal sanity with over $9 billion in cuts.
• Enhancing oversight and transparency requirements to ensure American taxpayer funds are not used by ineffective or fraudulent organizations.
• Supporting efforts to reduce duplication, eliminate bureaucracy and silos, and streamline foreign policy under the direction of the Secretary of State to support a nimble and effective Department.
• Eliminating funding for Biden-era executive orders on climate, gender, DEI, and extraneous or irrelevant programs that run contrary to an America First foreign policy agenda.
• Including a new directive to the Secretary of State to establish a responsible strategy for transitioning PEPFAR programs off United States assistance.
• Consolidating and reducing the number of accounts to facilitate efficient, strategic allocation of funds for programs that support United States national security interests. 

Standing with our friend and ally, Israel by:

• Providing unwavering support for Israel by fully funding security assistance for Israel at $3.3 billion, consistent with the United States-Israel Memorandum of Understanding.
• Prohibiting U.S. funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
• Prohibiting funding for the United Nations International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel.
• Prohibiting any funding from being used to move the U.S. Embassy to the State of Israel to a location other than Jerusalem.
• Continuing conditions and restrictions to ensure taxpayer funds are not getting into the hands of terrorists or paying prisoners for acts of terrorism (pay-to-slay).
• Including language to ensure full compliance with the Taylor Force Act.
• Prohibiting funding from being used to revoke the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
• Extending Israel’s access to defense articles in the War Reserves Stockpile and loan guarantees for Israel. 

Promotes freedom and democracy while safeguarding U.S. taxpayer dollars by:

• Requiring that foreign assistance be directed to countries in the Western Hemisphere that act as allies and execute foreign and domestic policies which are consistent with United States values and security interests, including Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic.
• Promoting freedom in the Western Hemisphere:
• $25 million for democracy programs for Cuba;
• $50 million for democracy programs for Venezuela;
• $15 million for democracy and religious freedom programs for Nicaragua.
• $30 million for the operations of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti).
• Prohibiting funds to prevent the removal of entities from the Cuba Restricted List.
• Including limitations on funding for countries and organizations that benefit from the continued trafficking of Cuban medical doctors, and directing the Secretary of State to revoke visas for officials involved in the human trafficking of Cuban doctors.
• Prohibiting assistance to individuals or entities that support, finance, or facilitate the operations or commercial activities of the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces or Ministry of the Interior, or their affiliates.
• Placing strict conditions on funding and requiring a pre-obligation report for Colombia, due to the Petro Administration’s failure to align with United States interests and worsening security conditions, including the assassination of a political opposition leader.
• Requiring a report from the Administration about efforts in Haiti and encouraging the incorporation of locally led organizations in their approach to the multi-layered crisis.

A summary of the bill is available here.

Bill text is available here.

Rep. Díaz-Balart’s House floor remarks can be watched here.

###

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

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens introduced the Make Congress Drive Union-Made Act to ensure that taxpayer dollars used by Congress support Michigan auto workers and union jobs. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin.

Members of Congress receive an annual budget to carry out official duties, which can be used to lease or acquire vehicles for official use. Currently, there is no requirement for those vehicles to be American-made or assembled by union labor, allowing taxpayer funds to be recklessly spent on foreign-made vehicles or those produced with non-union labor.

“Michigan auto workers put the world on wheels, and they deserve to know their elected leaders have their backs,” said Rep. Haley Stevens. “This bill makes sure we invest in our American auto industry and the union workers that power it.”

“Michigan union autoworkers fuel our economy and are the backbone of this country. I believe as elected officials, we have an obligation to support them any way we can — and that means not using taxpayer dollars to purchase non-American-made, union-made vehicles,” said Senator Slotkin.

The Make Congress Drive Union Made Act is endorsed by the United Auto Workers (UAW).

“In the labor movement we ask one question of our elected officials: which side are you on?” said UAW Legislative Director Rajiv Sicora. “The Make Congress Drive Union-Made Act would ensure that Members of Congress stand up for the union way of life in their choice of vehicle—supporting the generations of autoworkers who build not only cars, but a better economic future based on solidarity.”

Stevens and Slotkin’s bill reflects their shared Michigan values – strong manufacturing, good-paying jobs, and respect for the workers that power Michigan.
 

The full text of the bill can be found here.
 

###