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Larsen Releases Statement on Attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Larsen Releases Statement on Attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Washington, D.C., April 26, 2026

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:

“I condemn the attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and all politically motivated violence. I am grateful to the first responders and law enforcement who acted quickly to prevent any deaths, and I hope the Secret Service agent who was injured makes a full recovery.”

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Congressman Adam Smith Statement on the Shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), released the following statement on the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. 

“This evening, law enforcement acted swiftly to protect the President, Vice President, First Lady, Cabinet members, and attendees at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after a gunman opened fire.  

“I am deeply grateful for their dedication and service, and I am keeping those who were placed in harm’s way in my thoughts and prayers.”

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Pelosi Statement on Shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

San Francisco – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on the Shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

“It is a great relief that the President, First Lady and everyone in attendance at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is safe following a terrifying act of violence inside the venue.

“The brave men and women of the United States Secret Service and local law enforcement are to be commended for their swift action to secure the scene and protect those present.

“As someone whose family has suffered political violence, my prayers are with the injured officer and all those affected by the trauma of these horrible incidents.”

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Hoyer Discusses the War with Iran, Ongoing Department of Homeland Security Shutdown, Affordability Crisis Facing Americans on C-SPAN's Ceasefire

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

 WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) joined Dasha Burns and Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02) on C-SPAN’s Ceasefire for a bipartisan conversation to discuss the war with Iran, the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, and the affordability crisis facing Americans. Below are excerpts of his remarks during the episode:

Click here to watch the full episode.
ON THE WAR WITH IRAN

“The Constitution says it is the Congress who declares war, that has us go to war, and legislation we have passed to make sure that occurs has been ignored. In fact, the President thinks it’s unconstitutional itself. As Mark said, he didn’t come to any of us. He didn’t come to anybody, apparently. He didn’t come to any of our allies. He didn’t come to any of the countries in the Middle East, other than perhaps Israel. He decided that this was a go.”

“…and now we are in a war, the war that’s costing the American people a lot of money, not only on gasoline, but every other price, and the tariffs he imposed did the same.  …I think, had he talked to our allies, talked to Congress, had we reflected on it, we wouldn’t be in this position.”

ON THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) SHUTDOWN

“There’s been a shutdown for way too long…it’s not about appropriations. It’s about how ICE and CBP conduct themselves and particularly how they conducted themselves in Minnesota and some of the other areas in which they have ‘surged,’ as they call it, and in our opinion, undermine the constitutional rights of many people and killed some people in the process, tragically, and need to be held accountable.”

“We are prepared and, in fact, voted for a bill that funded everything else, including the Coast Guard and FEMA and other agencies which are critical to our homeland security and critical to America. But because we would not vote to fund those two agencies until we have some agreement on how they are going to correctly and constitutionally perform their duties, the Republican party would not take the bill up that the Senate sent us, which was exactly that…all the rest of DHS should be open as of today and should have been opened months ago.”

ON AFFORDABILITY AND TRUMP’S ECONOMIC POLICIES

“The President made a lot of claims of what he was going to do on the first day, or at least the first weeks. He said he was going to bring prices down – gasoline prices are up over a dollar everywhere. Utility costs are up almost everywhere. The tariffs have increased the prices on almost every good you buy that has been imported, maybe every one… people were upset about inflation and prices, and inflation went up, as I said, a point from February to March of this year. People are thinking, ‘What you told us you were going to do hasn’t been done.’”

“ …We got to stop focusing on war, stop focusing on tearing down the White House, or building super monuments, and focus on what people thought they were voting for that is reducing the costs of their everyday life.”

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Rep. Aguilar Delivers $3 Million for San Bernardino County to Build More Affordable Housing

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

In addition to expanding affordable housing, the funding will help stimulate the local economy by creating new jobs

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced that he secured $3,000,000 in community project funding for the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino’s (HACSB) Arrowhead Grove Affordable Housing Phase V project. This grant funding will expand affordable housing in the Inland Empire by supporting the completion of 132 new low-cost, energy-efficient housing units for low-income residents. 
Once complete, the Arrowhead Grove Affordable Housing Redevelopment project will convert the aging Waterman Gardens public housing development into a modern, sustainable community with a total of 534 new units of affordable housing, a community resource center, after-school programs, and other services that will benefit the neighborhood. You can watch the full video of the press conference here and find photos from the event above and here.
“In Congress, one of my top priorities is to lower the cost of housing so that people who want to live, work and raise a family here in the Inland Empire can do so,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “That is why I am proud to deliver $3 million in funding for the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino to expand affordable housing in our region. Arrowhead Grove will give hundreds of San Bernardino residents an affordable place to call home and improve the quality of life for the broader community. Projects like this offer more than just a roof over people’s heads—they give Inland Empire residents hope, opportunity and a chance for a brighter future. I’ll keep working to deliver investments in our community that help reduce housing costs so that families can thrive.”
“Arrowhead Grove is a great example of how new housing developments can be affordable, attractive, energy efficient, and successful,” said Mayor Helen Tran, City of San Bernardino. “We are grateful to Congressman Aguilar for securing $3 million for phase five of this development, which will bring 132 additional affordable housing units to San Bernardino.”
“On behalf of the County of San Bernardino, I want to thank Congressman Aguilar for his continued investment in our communities and his leadership in expanding access to affordable housing,” said Joe Baca, Jr., San Bernardino County Supervisor, Fifth District. “Projects like Arrowhead Grove are about more than building homes—they’re about creating stable, supportive environments where families can thrive, children can succeed, and neighborhoods can grow stronger. This $3 million investment moves us closer to that vision and reflects what’s possible when we work together to deliver real results for our residents.”
“We are deeply grateful to Congressman Aguilar for his continued leadership and commitment to expanding affordable housing in our region,” said Maria Razo, Executive Director, Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino. “This $3 million investment brings us one step closer to delivering the next phase of high-quality, energy-efficient homes that will serve families in San Bernardino for generations to come. This milestone also reflects the power of strong partnerships between local and federal leaders, and Congressman Aguilar’s advocacy has been instrumental in moving this project forward and ensuring that more families have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.”
“We’re grateful to Congressman Aguilar for his steadfast support of Arrowhead Grove,” said Michael Ruane, President, National CORE. “This community reflects a vision more than a decade in the making, transforming a 1940s public housing site into a modern, thriving neighborhood rooted in opportunity and services. This new funding allows us to build on that momentum and continue delivering for San Bernardino residents through strong, sustained partnership.”
Since 2022, Rep. Aguilar has secured a total of $8.6 million in funding for the Arrowhead Grove project in Fiscal Years (FY) 2023, 2024 and 2026 under the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
As a Member of the House Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), Rep. Aguilar secured $10.2 million for six projects in California’s 33rd Congressional District in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

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Congresswoman McCollum Announces Winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, hosted a recognition evening and exhibit on Thursday night to announce the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition in Minnesota’s Fourth Congressional District.

The first-place winner for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition is Alyssa Wang of Woodbury, for her graphite piece entitled “Color Me Happy.” Saint Paul’s Rebecca Maas placed second for her oil painting entitled “While I Sleep In.” Lily Kroeger of North St. Paul took third place for her colored pencil piece entitled “Puppeteer My Own Limits.”

“Over the weekend, more than 6,400 people took the opportunity to view the amazing talent and creativity of the more than sixty young artists from across the Fourth District who competed in the 2026 Congressional Art Competition,” said Congresswoman Betty McCollum. “I’m grateful to all the students who applied their time, effort, and creativity to submit a piece of artwork, and I commend them for showing the courage to showcase their talents to our community. Congratulations to Alyssa, Rebecca, and Lily! 

Wang’s first place work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol alongside winners from across the United States. Maas’ work will be displayed in Congresswoman McCollum’s Washington, D.C. office, and Kroeger’s piece will hang in the Congresswoman’s Saint Paul office. The competition was open to all Fourth District high school students and attracted dozens of entries which were displayed at the Atrium Gallery of the Schmidt Artist Lofts as part of the 2026 Spring Saint Paul Art Crawl. 

A panel of Fourth Congressional District Resident Artists generously volunteered their time to judge the students’ art. The winners were announced during a recognition evening on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, at the Schmidt Artist Lofts. 

All 2026 entries can be viewed online here.

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VIDEO/PHOTO: In Roxbury, Pressley, Ocasio-Cortez, Wu Visit Early Education Center, Speak to the Importance of Investing in Our Children

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Congresswomen and Mayor Hold Classroom Visit and Roundtable Discussion at Horizons for Homeless Children

Photos | Story Hour Video | Media Availability

ROXBURY – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) visited Horizons for Homeless Children in Roxbury for a classroom visit and roundtable conversation with early childhood educators. The Congresswomen were joined by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Horizons leadership and staff, and families for a tour of the facility and a story hour with children.

“Providing high-quality, accessible early childhood education is essential to the success of our babies, families, and communities writ-large,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “I am always grateful to spend time with our educators and families and today we were reminded how powerful our community is. We will continue to show up for each other and carry the stories of families here in Roxbury and across the Massachusetts 7th with us to Congress. I’m grateful to my sisters in service, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and Mayor Wu, for their partnership and leadership in this work.”

“When we invest in our children, we invest in our country’s collective future,” said Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “I was honored to spend the morning in Roxbury with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Mayor Michelle Wu talking to educators about the need for robust federal investments in early childhood education facilities.”

“Part of making Boston the best city to raise a family is making sure every child gets a strong start in life,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Horizons for Homeless Children is a shining example of what’s possible when we invest in families, and in the educators and organizations who show up for them every day. I’m grateful to have strong partners in Congresswoman Pressley and Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez as we work together to ensure universal access to high-quality early education is part of the foundation for making Boston the best city for families.”

“We were so pleased to welcome Congresswomen Pressley and Ocasio-Cortez and Mayor Wu to Horizons today,” said Kate Barrand, Chief Executive Officer, Horizons for Homeless Children. “Spending time in the classroom together is a powerful reminder of what’s at stake, these are young children who need stability, care, and access to specialized early learning experiences, including STEM, that help put them on a path to succeed in school and beyond. Every day, we see how much that matters for families experiencing homelessness. We’re grateful to have leaders who understand how critical it is to invest in early education and advance policies like higher pay and stronger support for early educators — priorities Horizons has long championed.”

Photos from the event are available here and footage of the Congresswomen’s media availability at the event is available here. Footage of the Congresswomen and Mayor reading to children is available here.

Congresswoman Pressley has been a longtime proponent for robust federal investments in childcare, living wages for early educators, and support for the Head Start program, and has successfully delivered federal community project funding for childcare programs across the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District.

In May 2024, Congresswoman Pressley and Mayor Wu visited Roxbury to celebrate the $1,000,000 in federal funding she secured for Horizons to provide emergency childcare support for families experiencing homelessness.

In September 2025, Congresswoman Pressley visited Chinatown to celebrate the $425,000 in community project funding she secured for the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center’s childcare and early education programming.

In February 2023, Congresswoman Pressley welcomed Jaqueline Sanches, a Mattapan resident, early educator, and mother of two, as her guest to President Biden’s State of the Union Address.

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WATCH: On House Floor, Pressley Delivers Speech Honoring Outgoing District Director and Longtime Dedicated Aide Eric White

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

White Departs After Serving Pressley, Boston, and Massachusetts 7th for Over 13 Years

WASHINGTON – On the House floor, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) delivered a speech in honor of her outgoing District Director and longtime aide Eric White for an incredible 13 years serving Bostonians and the people of the Massachusetts 7th. Congresswoman Pressley commended Eric, a lifelong Boston resident, for his impactful tenure as her aide while she was on the Boston City Council and his innumerable contributions as District Director in her congressional office.

A transcript of the Congresswoman’s speech is available below, and the video is available here.

Transcript: On House Floor, Pressley Delivers Speech Honoring Outgoing District Director and Longtime Dedicated Aide Eric White

U.S. House of Representatives

April 21, 2026 

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I rise today to celebrate my District Director, Eric White. A scrappy kid from Rozzie, 23 years old when he first came to work for my City Council office. A history buff, a voracious reader, decent hockey player, a proud graduate of our Boston Public Schools, and a dedicated advocate.

There can be no doubt that Eric’s worldview and values were formidably shaped by his upbringing—two loving parents in John and Nina, who modeled strong work ethics and even stronger bonds of love for one’s family, neighbor, and community. 

The stories that Eric’s father, John, a union laborer, one of seven children raised by a single mom, I know impacted Eric. That clearly informed the fights that he took on for working families, for workers’ rights, for fairness and justice. 

And between his two parents—given his proud Irish and Italian heritage—I know it informed the fights that he took on for immigrants and anyone else in pursuit of the American dream. 

Throughout the years, Eric has been at my side—crafting strategies for transformative legislation, like our liquor license reform efforts to support neighborhood restaurants, transformative investments, stewarding our community project funding, and crafting speeches that spoke to the heart, to the heart of the matter, and to the heart of man. 

Eric has been by my side for long car rides, for late night community meetings, marching in parades or shoulder-to-shoulder at a union strike.

During my Boston City Council tenure, Eric worked his way up from Neighborhood Liaison to Policy Director to Chief of Staff.

As he closes out this chapter as my District Director in my congressional office and looks to new horizons for change and impact, it isn’t lost on me that the student of history is today a maker and shaper of history. 

Eric’s impact on Boston politics, municipal and federal policy will endure, but I know his greatest legacy is still being written—in the family he has grown and the beautiful life that he is building with his wife, Kelsey, whose nuptials I had the honor of officiating, their son Cam, daughter Maisie, and one day soon a dog named Teddy, for President Roosevelt, of course.

Eric, I am so proud of you. I’m proud of your contributions. I’m proud of your legacy of kindness, compassion, your composure. 

I’m so proud of the man you have become.

John and Nina, you have raised an exceptional human being. Jared, I’ve not forgotten about you. You played a role as a brother as well.

And I know that incredible chapters lie ahead for you, personally and professionally, Eric.

Your mark on the Massachusetts Seventh is undeniable, and your impact in my life indelible. 

You have always been there. You have been there as an anchor. You were there when I said goodbye to my mother. You were there when I met my husband.

The young man that started as an aide in my office is now a permanent member of my family. Lucky me. Lucky me. 

I love you, Eric “E-roc” White. And I thank you for 13 years of dedicated service and innumerable personal sacrifices. 

Thank you for everything.

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Larsen Statement on Trump Administration Denying Flood Mitigation Funds Following December Floods

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Larsen Statement on Trump Administration Denying Flood Mitigation Funds Following December Floods

Washington, D.C., April 24, 2026

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: 

“This is an unacceptable decision for the families and businesses that I represent,” said Rep. Larsen. “The disaster declaration helps people recover from the last flood, but hazard mitigation helps people survive the next flood. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should be helping Northwest Washington prepare for the inevitable next major flood, not just doing damage control. I just visited a hazard mitigation project in Ferndale and saw firsthand how elevating homes is going to save lives and prevent damage during the next flood. I will keep working to secure federal dollars that protect homes and businesses from future flood damage.” 

Today, FEMA announced that it has denied Washington Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) assistance for the December floods.  

Larsen Fights for Flood Recovery and Mitigation Resources 

Rep. Larsen is the top Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, which has oversight over FEMA. After disastrous flooding in Northwest Washington in November 2021 damaged critical infrastructure and over 2,000 homes, Rep. Larsen joined Washington’s congressional delegation in a letter to then-President Joe Biden to support Governor Jay Inslee’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for federal Individual Assistance. Last month, Larsen applauded the release of almost $4 million in HMGP funds to elevate 16 homes in Whatcom County. Rep. Larsen visited a Ferndale home that is being elevated thanks to HMGP funds on April 10.  

Rep. Larsen is leading bipartisan legislation to reform FEMA, which would streamline the federal government’s disaster response and recovery programs while also making FEMA a cabinet-level agency once again. The bill rewards effective state and local preparedness, cuts red tape and ensures that relief efforts are fast, fair and free from political bias. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved Rep. Larsen’s Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act of 2025 in September 2025. 

Rep. Larsen has been fighting for federal funds to support Washingtonians whose homes and businesses were damaged in the December 2025 floods. Last month, Rep. Larsen applauded the news that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has made available low interest federal disaster loans to Washington businesses impacted by December’s floods. In February, Rep. Larsen also joined Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation last month in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Ferguson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance to help repair state infrastructure damaged in December’s historic flooding. In January, Rep. Larsen joined the Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in supporting Governor Ferguson’s application for federal Individual Assistance to aid survivors. The Major Disaster Declarations for both Public Assistance and Individual Assistance were approved earlier this month. 

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ICYMI: Frankel Speaks Against Devastating Cuts to National Security and Humanitarian Programs in Appropriations Debate

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

During yesterday’s National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Subcommittee markup, Ranking Member Lois Frankel (FL-22) spoke against House Republicans’ proposed Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) NSRP bill, which would cut critical funding that strengthens America’s soft power, prevents the spread of conflict and disease, and protects our national security.

“This is a bill that is supposed to project American leadership—through diplomacy, development, and humanitarian aid—but instead, it’s pulling back at exactly the wrong time,” said Ranking Member Frankel.

“After four years of cuts totaling $14.4 billion—a staggering 23 percent—this bill cuts another $2.7 billion. At the same time, President Trump is requesting hundreds of billions of dollars more for war. My son served in the Marines and was deployed to two wars. I know it’s important for the military to remain strong. But bombs and drones respond to threats—they do not prevent them. Soft power does.”

Frankel stressed that cuts to programs such as family planning, humanitarian assistance, global health initiatives, the United Nations, and peacebuilding efforts would make America and the world less safe, while increasing the likelihood of costly military intervention.

“Diplomacy prevents costly, deadly war. Global health programs stop outbreaks before they reach our shores. Food aid and development programs reduce desperation that fuels extremism and migration. Alliances ensure we do not face threats alone,” Frankel continued. “This bill walks away from that strategy.”

“Security at home is only possible with effective, robust engagement abroad,” she said. “If we want a safer America and a more stable world, we need both: We need the strength of our military—and the power of our leadership. This bill fails that test.”

For Ranking Member Frankel’s full remarks, click here.