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Reps. Castro, Yakym Launch Bipartisan U.S.-Mexico Caucus

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

May 14, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro, (D-TX-20), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and Congressman Rudy Yakym (R-IN-02) launched the bipartisan U.S.-Mexico Caucus. They will lead as co-chairs of the Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, which will focus on strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico and facilitating a dialogue on trade, security and culture.

(Left to right: Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Castro (TX-20), Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Yakym (IN-02), and Members of Congress and leaders from the American Mexican Leadership Council.)

“I am thrilled to announce the official launch of the U.S.-Mexico Caucus to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Mexico. Our shared border, history and interests—particularly in trade, migration, and security—make the creation of this caucus relevant now more than ever. I am looking forward to working with Congressman Yakym and my colleagues to continue building a bipartisan and collaborative U.S.-Mexico relationship and strengthening our bilateral policy approach,” said Rep. Castro.

“I’m proud to co-chair the U.S.-Mexico Congressional Caucus and help foster strong relations between our two countries. The U.S.-Mexico relationship is important for our shared economic security and national security. Hoosier manufacturers and farmers rely on Mexico for inputs and exports, while our communities count on a strong security relationship to keep fentanyl and other deadly drugs off the streets. I look forward to this caucus serving as a forum to deepen that relationship.” Rep. Yakym said.

“America’s security and economic future are deeply connected to our relationship with Mexico,” said Rep. Salazar, Chairwoman, House Foreign Affairs Western Hemisphere Subcommittee. “From immigration to trade to energy security and the fight against the cartels, these challenges demand serious cooperation and strong leadership. I’m proud to join the bipartisan US-Mexico Caucus to deepen this alliance, strengthen America’s position in the region, and help build a safer, stronger, and more prosperous hemisphere.”

“This is a critical moment in U.S.-Mexico relations. Our two nations have so much to gain by drawing closer together — especially with the USMCA review on the horizon. I look forward to working with my colleagues in this caucus to strengthen our partnership with our Mexican counterparts on trade, security, and the deep people-to-people ties that bind our communities together,” said Rep. Stanton.

“Mexico and the United States are connected not only by our southern border, but also by mutual security challenges and shared economic interests. As the chair of the U.S.-Mexico Interparliamentary Group who recently led a delegation to Mexico, I’m very proud to join this caucus to ensure Congress continues to prioritize our bilateral relationship. Strengthening areas of collaboration — from agriculture to immigration to counter-narcotic efforts — will no doubt benefit both our nations and the broader region,” said Rep. McCaul.

“As Co-Chair of the U.S.-Mexico Interparliamentary Group, I know how important the U.S.-Mexico relationship remains for Laredo and communities across South Texas. Our economy, trade corridors, and daily way of life depend on strong coordination between both countries. Both nations need to continue working together to address security challenges, water issues, and strengthen military coordination along the border. This caucus will help bring leaders to the table, improve communication, and support the businesses, workers, and families who rely on a strong U.S.-Mexico partnership every day. I would like to thank Co-Chairs Congressman Castro and Congressman Yakym for leading this initiative,” said Rep. Cuellar.

“This is about creating opportunity, prosperity and economic security for communities across the United States. So many of the sectors that drive our economy, from agriculture to finance, innovation and trade depend on a successful relationship with Mexico. America’s strength and competitiveness in the world are deeply connected to the success of this partnership,” said Sergio Gonzales, Founding President & CEO of the AMLC.

“The launch of this bipartisan caucus sends a strong message: the U.S.-Mexico relationship transcends politics. It is about maintaining economic strength, striving towards shared security, and the millions of people whose lives are shaped by this partnership,” said Ambassador Nathalie Rayes, founder and co-chair of the American Mexican Leadership Council.

Inaugural members of the U.S.-Mexico Caucus include:

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20)

Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-IN-02)

Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA-33)

Rep. María Salazar (R-FL-27)

Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13)

Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06)

Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04)

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX-10)

Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16)

Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-02)

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28)

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Rep. Massie Introduces the “Americans Insist on Political Agent Clarity Act” to Require All Foreign Lobbyists to Register Under FARA

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Thomas Massie (4th District of Kentucky)

Rep. Massie Introduces the “Americans Insist on Political Agent Clarity Act” to Require All Foreign Lobbyists to Register Under FARA

Washington, D.C.-, May 14, 2026

For Immediate Release
Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov
Contact #: 202-225-3465

Washington, D.C.- Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) announces the introduction of the Americans Insist on Political Agent Clarity Act. Rep. Massie’s legislation closes a loophole in the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA) that has been exploited by certain organizations to avoid registering as foreign agents despite lobbying on behalf of foreign interests.

“Americans have a right to know when powerful lobbying organizations are advancing the interests of foreign governments in Congress,” said Rep. Massie. “The Americans Insist on Political Agent Clarity Act does not ban speech, restrict advocacy, or prohibit Americans from supporting foreign allies. It simply ensures transparency. If an organization is heavily engaged in influencing U.S. policy in ways that principally benefit a foreign country, it should be required to register under FARA.”

The bill:

  • Clarifies that U.S.-based organizations may qualify as foreign principals under FARA when their lobbying activities principally advance the interests of a foreign nation;
  • Establishes objective indicators for determining foreign political alignment, including coordination with foreign officials and repeated advocacy consistent with foreign diplomatic objectives;
  • Creates a private right of action for American citizens to file complaints with the Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting investigations into potential FARA violations.

The text of the Americans Insist on Political Agent Clarity Act is available here. 

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Amata Recognizes AAPI Heritage Month

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is recognizing May as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, honoring the history, cultures, and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders throughout the United States.

“For American Samoa and Pacific Islanders across the country, AAPI Heritage Month is a meaningful time to celebrate our people, our traditions, and the values that continue to shape our communities,” said Congresswoman Amata. “It’s also an opportunity to recognize the generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders whose hard work, service, and leadership have helped strengthen our Nation.”

AAPI Heritage Month began as a week-long observance established by Congress in 1978 and was expanded into a month-long celebration in 1992. May was selected to recognize the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, built in large part through the labor of Chinese immigrants.

Congresswoman Amata also recognized the ongoing contributions of AAPI communities in public service, education, healthcare, business, the military, and local communities across the country.

“Pacific Islanders have a long tradition of service, faith, and strong family values,” Amata said. “This month is a chance to reflect on that legacy and celebrate the many cultures and stories that continue to be part of the American story.”

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Reps. Chu, Sanchez, Smith and Congressional delegation demand answers on Taiwan’s exclusion from WTO conference

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Chair Emerita of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), Trade Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), and 23 colleagues called on World Trade Organization Director-General Okonjo-Iweala to ensure that Taiwan’s effective exclusion from the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon will not set a precedent for future Ministerial Conferences.

Taiwan was effectively forced to choose between participating under the designation “Taiwan, Province of China” on official visas or sitting out entirely. The issue wasn’t resolved even after WTO Members, including the United States, raised serious concerns about undue pressure from China. It marks the first time Taiwan has been excluded from a Ministerial Conference since joining the WTO in 2002.

“It is an improper infringement of Taiwan’s right as a full WTO Member to force its delegates to choose between entering Cameroon for the Ministerial Conference on visas using the nomenclature “Taiwan, Province of China”— which implies that Taiwan is not a WTO Member in its own right — or missing the Ministerial Conference altogether,” the members wrote.

In addition to Representatives Chu, Sánchez, and Smith, the letter was signed by Representatives Ami Bera (D-Calif.), Donald Beyer (D-Va.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Carol Miller (R-W.Va.), Dave Min (D-Calif.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Bradley Schneider (D-Ill.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Thomas Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) and Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.).

Full text of the bipartisan letter is available HERE and follows:

May 14, 2026

Director-General Okonjo-Iweala 
World Trade Organization
Centre William Rappard
Rue de Lausanne 154
1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland               

Dear Director-General Okonjo-Iweala:

We write to express our serious concern regarding Taiwan’s effective exclusion from the 14th Ministerial Conference in Cameroon.

Taiwan acceded to the WTO as its 144th Member in 2002 as “The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu” (or “Chinese Taipei”). Since that time, other WTO Members and the WTO Secretariat have respected Taiwan’s status as a “Separate Customs Territory” with the same status as all other economies that have joined the WTO. This includes full and equal participation of its delegation at Ministerial Conferences. It is an improper infringement of Taiwan’s right as a full WTO Member to force its delegates to choose between entering Cameroon for the Ministerial Conference on visas using the nomenclature “Taiwan, Province of China”— which implies that Taiwan is not a WTO Member in its own right — or missing the Ministerial Conference altogether.

In light of this, we urge you to answer the following questions:

  1. How will the WTO Secretariat ensure that this incident does not set a precedent for future Ministerial Conferences?
  2. Is the WTO Secretariat putting in place written guidelines to provide assurances that similar incidents undermining the rights of Members will not occur at future Ministerial Conferences?
     

We look forward to receiving your response by June 3, 2026, and welcome an opportunity to discuss this issue in more detail.  We thank you for your efforts to lead the WTO through these consequential times and for your willingness to engage directly with the U.S. Congress on a range of important issues.  

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Larsen Honors Law Enforcement During National Police Week, Fights to Expand Funding to Combat Opioid Epidemic

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

Larsen Honors Law Enforcement During National Police Week, Fights to Expand Funding to Combat Opioid Epidemic

Washington, D.C., May 14, 2026

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

“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to defend Northwest Washington communities every day. This week and every week, I honor their courage, sacrifice and dedication, and I remember those who have given their lives in the line of duty.

“Local police officers on the front lines of the opioid epidemic deserve dedicated federal funding to support their critical work. I introduced legislation today to give multi-jurisdictional law enforcement task forces the support they need to keep up the momentum in the fight against opioids. I will keep working to get our police officers the tools they need to stop trafficking and save lives.”

National Police Week 2026 is celebrated from May 11 through May 17 to honor the sacrifices law enforcement officers make to keep communities safe and to remember the officers who have died in the line of duty.

Today, Rep. Larsen introduced the End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act with Washington Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Dan Newhouse (WA-04). This bipartisan legislation would establish a dedicated federal funding stream to help multi-jurisdictional drug task forces combat opioid trafficking in Washington state and across the country.

Larsen Leads Fight against Opioid Crisis in Northwest Washington

Rep. Larsen is focused on supporting local law enforcement in their fight against the opioid epidemic. In 2024, he published a districtwide opioid report that outlines a four-pillar framework to combat the crisis. Since the publication of that report, Larsen has introduced four pieces of legislation to fight fentanyl in Northwest Washington: 

  • The PROTECT Act, which gives Tribal courts and law enforcement more tools and resources to combat the opioid epidemic. 

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After Trump Reinstates Fired FEMA Chief, Pallone Warns Agency Is ‘dangerously unprepared’ Weeks Before Hurricane Season

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

NJ Congressman Demands FEMA Briefing Within 14 Days as Agency Cycles Through Third Interim Leader Under Trump

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone Jr., Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today sent a letter to President Trump requesting a briefing from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  within 14 days and warning that the agency is entering hurricane season in a state of dangerous instability after months of leadership turmoil and staffing losses. Pallone’s letter comes days after President Trump nominated Cameron Hamilton to permanently lead FEMA, nearly a year after Hamilton was fired as the agency’s acting administrator.

“With hurricane season set to commence on June 1, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is dangerously unprepared to help Americans survive, recover, and rebuild. Your administration needs to undertake immediate and serious reforms before more communities facing disasters are left to pay the price,” Pallone wrote.

Hamilton’s nomination follows yet another leadership change at FEMA this week, after the Trump administration removed Acting Administrator Karen Evans and installed FEMA official Robert Fenton as temporary chief. FEMA has now cycled through three acting administrators since Trump returned to office, even as hurricane season begins June 1.

In his letter, Pallone detailed how the revolving door of leadership, combined with staffing cuts and proposals to weaken FEMA’s disaster response role, is leaving the agency dangerously unprepared ahead of what forecasters expect to be another active storm season.

“Since you took office, FEMA has been without a Senate-confirmed leader and cycled through three acting administrators while top leadership positions in the agency remain vacant. Thousands of FEMA employees have been eliminated during your term and planning documents indicate an additional 11,500 are proposed to be cut from a workforce of 23,000. Now, FEMA is losing additional senior leadership and decades of institutional knowledge and rehiring a previously fired agency administrator just weeks before hurricane season begins. Last year, the agency made the short-sighted decision to reassign more than 100 key FEMA employees to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during peak hurricane season,” Pallone wrote.

Pallone explicitly said those changes would leave his home state of New Jersey especially vulnerable as communities continue recovering from increasingly severe storms and flooding events more than a decade after Superstorm Sandy. 

Read Pallone’s full letter here and below.

President Trump: 

 

With hurricane season set to commence on June 1, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is dangerously unprepared to help Americans survive, recover, and rebuild. Your administration needs to undertake immediate and serious reforms before more communities facing disasters are left to pay the price.

 

FEMA has become a case study in bureaucratic dysfunction — slow to respond, unprepared for escalating disasters, and falling short of the responsibility Americans depend on in their darkest moments. Under your leadership, you have weakened FEMA’s staffing and capacity, delayed and politicized disaster preparedness and recovery funding, and created uncertainty about FEMA’s mission by floating proposals to shrink or eliminate the federal role in disaster response.  

 

Since you took office, FEMA has been without a Senate-confirmed leader, cycled through three acting administrators, and top leadership positions in the agency remain vacant. Thousands of FEMA employees have been eliminated during your term and planning documents indicate an additional 11,500 are proposed to be cut from a workforce of 23,000. Now, FEMA is losing additional senior leadership and decades of institutional knowledge and rehiring a previously fired agency administrator just weeks before hurricane season begins. Last year, the agency made the short-sighted decision to reassign more than 100 key FEMA employees to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during peak hurricane season. 

 

During FEMA’s failed response to last year’s Texas floods that resulted in the deaths of more than 100 children, your administration’s policies prevented search and rescue teams from being deployed for 72 hours and led to FEMA’s call centers failing to answer thousands of calls from desperate Americans in need. FEMA withheld a billion dollars in funding Congress designed to help communities protect themselves against disasters and continues to withhold hundreds of millions of funding from blue states. 

 

Suggestions to raise the threshold for states receiving federal aid and shrink the National Flood Insurance Program are incredibly alarming. States lack the capacity and financial resources to respond to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events alone. In New Jersey, communities are still rebuilding and preparing for the next major coastal storm more than a decade after Superstorm Sandy. In response to a major disaster, states depend on FEMA to surge assistance into impacted communities. Americans will pay the price for any decisions that undermine this agency’s critical work.

 

Effective disaster response is not a wasteful luxury. It is essential for the safety and stability of communities across our nation. Rather than proposing additional short-sighted and dangerous restructurings, I strongly urge your administration to immediately fill the remaining FEMA’s leadership vacancies, halt any further reassignment or reduction of critical emergency personnel, and reject proposals that would undermine FEMA’s disaster response mission or reduce access to federal assistance. 

 

In addition to a formal reply, I also request a briefing from FEMA within 14 days on the agency’s hurricane preparedness, staffing levels, and operational readiness. 

 

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

 

Sincerely, 

 

 

Frank Pallone, Jr

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Rep. Calvert Secures $3.8 Million for Riverside County Public Safety Projects

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) voted along with a majority of the House Appropriations Committee to advance the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill. At Rep. Calvert’s request, the bill included Community Project Funding for two projects in the 41st Congressional District:

  • $2,815,000 for the City of Corona Police Department’s Real Time Information Center Enhancement Project – The funding would upgrade the City of Corona’s real-time information center by acquiring and expanding security camera coverage throughout the city, software upgrades, and upgraded operator workstations.
  • $1,000,000 to establish the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Intelligence Center East Project in the City of Palm Desert – The funding would transition the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Intelligence Center from a part-time pilot to a fully operational 24/7 facility by acquiring high-performance workstations, upgraded software, and other technology equipment.

“Now, more than ever, it’s critical for our law enforcement personnel to have situational awareness and real time information to better serve and protect our communities,” said Rep. Calvert. “By working together with the Corona Police Department and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, I have been able to secure funding for projects that will improve public safety and keep the families I represent safe.”

“Congressman Calvert has always stepped up for Corona, and this is another example,” said Corona Vice Mayor Wes Speake. “The $2.8 million for our Real Time Information Center gives our officers the tools they need to stay safe and keep our community safe. We appreciate the Congressman’s continued commitment to bringing resources home and supporting the people who serve on the front line every day.” 

“The City of Corona thanks Congressman Calvert for his strong leadership and commitment to funding transformative technologies that enhance public safety and reflect the very best of public service,” said Corona Police Chief Robert Newman. “By championing innovations that protect our neighborhoods and strengthen our communities, Congressman Calvert is helping build a safer, more secure future for the citizens of Corona and its region. The City is grateful for your vision and dedication!” 

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement:

“The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is grateful to Congressman Ken Calvert for his continued support of public safety and his recognition of the importance of advancing technology-driven policing solutions for our communities. The proposed funding for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Intelligence Center East will help us continue building a modern public safety infrastructure focused on crime reduction, rapid response, and real-time information sharing.

Under the leadership of Sheriff Chad Bianco, our agency has remained committed to being both tough on crime and forward-thinking in how we protect our communities. The development of the RTIC represents a major step forward in leveraging technology, intelligence, and regional coordination to identify suspects faster, solve crimes more efficiently, and enhance officer and public safety.”

In addition to the 41st District Community Project Funding, the following Rep. Calvert priorities were included in the bill:

  • $108 million (+$3 million over FY26) for the Missing and Exploited Children Program
  • $13.5 million for the Anti-Methamphetamine Program
  • $44 million for the Regional Information Sharing Activities Program, to assist local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement in combating multijurisdictional crime

 

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Higgins Urges Nation to ‘Stand Back Up in the Glory of God’ in House Floor Speech

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) spoke on the House Floor Tuesday evening, celebrating this year’s National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving alongside Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Representative Josh Brecheen (R-OK), and other Christian Republicans. 

Below is a transcript of Rep. Higgins’ remarks. Watch the full video here. 

  Mr. Speaker, it’s a humbling moment for us to acknowledge that we are failed and fallen humans in the presence of God in service to our fellow man, standing in the chamber of the People’s House. We’ve been reminded that there are 23 marble busts in relief that surround the walls of this chamber above the gallery, one of which is facing you, Mr. Speaker, and that’s Moses, and many men up there, George Mason, William Blackstone, Thomas Jefferson, Solomon, but only Moses faces you. Only Moses faces the podium of the chamber of the People’s House in the land of the free. Our Founders were men anointed by God, and we’re called upon to acknowledge that spiritual foundation, once again in our country. 

    This is an acknowledgement that crosses the barriers of politics, Mr. Speaker, and joins us as one people, regardless of where we stand upon the economic strata, regardless of our color or creed or heritage, despite political affiliation or party, we’re bonded as one man unto God, in service to our fellow man. Yet we struggle. We struggle to know what is right. We seek that as children of God as men and women attempting to serve We the People. We struggle to know what is right. Do we not? Mr. Speaker, our Founders struggled as well. America was founded by imperfect men with a perfect vision. The preamble of our Constitution states: We the People, of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union–in order to form a more perfect union. There’s an old saying in the horse business: the way a horse leaves the gate is the way he’s going to run. 

    Our Founders, the Preamble, is the document that established our laws, stated that they were humble men, imperfect men, acknowledged the fact that we’re human, we’ve failed and fallen since Adam. We seek to understand what Paul meant when he told us in Corinthians to place not your faith in the wisdom of man, but in the spirit and power of God. This is the chamber where we carry the responsibility to merge the wisdom of man within and beneath the spirit and power of God.

     We all have a story, do we not, Mr. Speaker, of how our families came to be here. Many years ago, 200 years ago, a young Irishman born into indentured servitude, far away, heard whispers of a nation born where a man could own the land that he worked. This was unheard of for a common Irish lad, so he risked everything, all he had, left the land of his heritage and boarded a boat that was converted from carrying commercial goods to carrying human beings. According to a letter unearthed by my mother and my aunt many, many generations later, his sleeping berth measured 2 by 2 by 5. Literally, by the way, the winds blew, Mr. Speaker, that boat landed in the Port of New Orleans. And that young Irishman was the beginning of my family. He came here seeking freedom. He knew that he would deliver work, ethics, and principles and Christian faith, determination, and courage, but he knew he stood beneath God, and he landed in a nation that was going to give him the opportunity to build something for the next generation. And indeed, he did.

    I ask, Mr. Speaker, are we worthy of the things that we’ve described tonight, all of us on both sides of the aisle, the citizenry we serve that sit in the gallery? Are we worthy of what it is to be an American citizen and a child of God? We seek to prove that worth every day, and yet we fall short of the glory of God, and we arise again from bended knee and struggle to be worthy of this service to our fellow Man. Let me close by saying, Mr. Speaker, that we shan’t be judged by how we fall. A man’s character should not be measured by how he falls, but it should be measured by how he stands back up and as a nation, this is where we are. Our children’s children will not measure us by the fact that our nation has stumbled to the extent that it has, but this generation will be measured by how we stand back up. And let me humbly deliver this message to the American people: Stand back up in the glory of God! Remember the words of Paul. Place not your faith in the wisdom of man, but in the spirit and power of God. Let us stand as a nation, as brothers and sisters, as children of God, beneath the glory of the flag that waves above us.

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Pappas Leads NH Delegation in Urging Dept. of Education to Fund TRIO Upward Bound Programs

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Without the delivery of FY 2026 funding, its future for the upcoming cycle is uncertain.

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) led a letter along with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Senator Maggie Hassan (NH), and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) to Education Secretary Linda McMahon and OMB Director Russell Vought, expressing deep concerns about the Department of Education’s delay in issuing Grant Award Notifications (GANs) for fiscal year 2026 TRIO Upward Bound programs.

TRIO supports individuals from low-income backgrounds, students who would be the first person in their families to earn college degrees, students with disabilities, among others, in accessing and achieving postsecondary success. 

In their letter, the lawmakers said: “We write to express our deep concern regarding the Department of Education’s (Department) delay in issuing Grant Award Notifications (GANs) for fiscal year (FY) 2026 TRIO Upward Bound programs that begin on June 1. For the second year in a row, GANs have not been sent to grantee institutions in a timely manner, creating unnecessary disruption to essential programming and uncertainty for the students and educators who depend on the critical services that these federal funds help to provide.”

They continued: “We are particularly concerned about the damage being caused by the Department’s delayed notification to the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) Upward Bound program which faced similar delays in FY25. UNH’s program is slated to begin June 1. They only have enough carry over funding for roughly one month before they would need to lay off staff and shutter a program that has had such a significant positive impact on the lives of so many Granite Staters.”

They concluded:“We urge you to act without further delay to ensure that TRIO programs can operate on schedule and provide the services that New Hampshire’s students and those across the country are counting on. We look forward to your prompt response.”

The delegation also demanded answers to a number of questions regarding the nature of the funding delays and for an explanation as to when New Hampshire can expect to receive these funds. 

Background:

Pappas and the New Hampshire delegation called on the Trump administration to restore Congressionally-approved funding for New Hampshire programs, the Education Alliance for New Hampshire’s Statewide Family Engagement Center grant, and TRIO grants for the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) Talent Search and McNair programs. They also called on the administration to restore funding for New Hampshire’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). 

In October 2025, Pappas held a roundtable discussion with McNair Scholar students at the University of New Hampshire, staff, and alumni on the Trump administration’s cancellation of federal funding for the program and its impact on them. 

Following their advocacy, it was announced earlier this year that funding would be restored for the McNair and Educational Talent Search programs, and the delegation continues to advocate against efforts by the Trump administration to weaken and undermine other TRIO programs. 

Read the full text of the letter here and below:

Dear Secretary McMahon and Director Vought:

We write to express our deep concern regarding the Department of Education’s (Department) delay in issuing Grant Award Notifications (GANs) for fiscal year (FY) 2026 TRIO Upward Bound programs that begin on June 1. For the second year in a row, GANs have not been sent to grantee institutions in a timely manner, creating unnecessary disruption to essential programming and uncertainty for the students and educators who depend on the critical services that these federal funds help to provide.

The TRIO Programs are a cornerstone of our nation’s commitment to educational access and upward mobility. TRIO supports individuals from low-income backgrounds, students who would be the first person in their families to earn college degrees, students with disabilities, among others, in accessing and achieving postsecondary success. From personalized tutoring to personal mentoring and advising, to assistance applying for and identifying funding options, TRIO programs make a real difference in a student’s ability to attend and complete college. These programs are evidence-based and results-driven. TRIO graduates, according to the Department of Education’s own data, are more likely to enroll in higher education and earn their degrees than non-TRIO students with similar backgrounds. For these reasons, TRIO programs have long enjoyed strong bipartisan support in Congress. They reflect a shared national value—every American, regardless of their zip code, deserves the chance to pursue higher education and the American dream.

Sadly, this is not the first we have seen of ongoing delays in issuing GANs which are having real-world consequences in our home state of New Hampshire. We are particularly concerned about the damage being caused by the Department’s delayed notification to the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) Upward Bound program which faced similar delays in FY25. UNH’s program is slated to begin June 1. They only have enough carry over funding for roughly one month before they would need to lay off staff and shutter a program that has had such a significant positive impact on the lives of so many Granite Staters. Currently, the program serves 115 students across 11 schools, and 98% of them have persisted to the next grade level or on-time graduation, and 97% of graduates have enrolled in college in the fall too. 

A core component of UNH’s Upward Bound program is the operation of the Summer Academy which begins June 21, with staff training and move-in starting June 13. With summer programming rapidly approaching, these delays and uncertainty threaten to undermine planning, staffing, and student participation and long-term educational success. Accordingly, we respectfully request responses to the following questions no later than May 30, 2026.

  1. Will the Department of Education commit to issuing GANs for FY26 TRIO programs ahead of June 1?

  2. If not, when will you issue them?

  3. What specific factors have caused the Department to, once again, miss its usual timelines for delivering GANs to grantees?

We urge you to act without further delay to ensure that TRIO programs can operate on schedule and provide the services that New Hampshire’s students and those across the country are counting on. We look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

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Pappas Amendment Supporting Funding for Manchester VA Medical Center Upgrades Attached to Bipartisan Funding Package

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, successfully passed an amendment in support of robust funding for improvements to VA direct care for New Hampshire veterans, including funding for upgrades to the Manchester VA Medical Center, during House consideration of the Veterans Affairs appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2027. Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) is a cosponsor of the amendment and also supported attaching it to the funding package.

“Our veterans have each put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and they deserve the best possible care and benefits after their service. Recurrent issues at the Manchester VA Medical Center mean that too many of our veterans have had difficulty accessing the care they need close to home,” said Congressman Pappas. “I have always fought to deliver more resources to our veterans, and I will continue to fight for improvements at the Manchester VA Medical Center.”

Background: 

Last year Pappas led the New Hampshire delegation in introducing the Veterans Full-Service Care and Access Act, legislation that would require the VA to operate at least one full-service Veterans Health Administration hospital in each of the 48 contiguous states. He has consistently pressed the Department of Veterans Affairs to take every necessary step to improve care for veterans across New Hampshire. 

In 2022 Pappas fought back against and stopped a Biden administration plan to close Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Conway, Somersworth, and Portsmouth. Thanks to Pappas’s advocacy, no Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in New Hampshire closed, and veterans continue to receive care in their communities.