MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) issued the following statement after Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced that he will not run for re-election this year:

“Steve Cohen has been a colleague and a friend for nineteen years, and throughout his life of public service he has earned the respect and admiration of those with whom he has worked on both sides of the aisle.  A passionate fighter for justice, civil rights, and economic opportunity, Steve has drawn on his experience growing up in Memphis’s Jewish community and surviving polio as a child in approaching policy issues with a deep understanding of their personal impact on his constituents.  From health care to education, from voting rights to infrastructure development, on every vote he took Steve asks himself: how will this improve the lives of Tennesseans, particularly the most vulnerable. 

“I join in wishing Steve and his family well as he prepares to retire at the end of this year.  It has been a joy and privilege to serve alongside him, and I look forward to continuing to stand with him in the fight for progress, justice, and opportunity throughout the remainder of the 119th Congress.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott DesJarlais (4th District of Tennessee)

(WASHINGTON, DC)–Congressman Scott DesJarlais announced today that through coordinated efforts with VA Secretary Doug Collins that the McMinnville VA Clinic will remain open. 

In March it was announced that the McMinnville VA Clinic would be closing its doors on May 31^st. Through a formal letter and series of phone calls Congressman DesJarlais expressed his concern about the closure. Today, Tennessee’s Fourth Congressional District congressman announced the clinic will remain open. 

“After a multitude of meetings with Secretary Collins and the VA, I am excited to announce the McMinnville VA Clinic will be staying open.

I would like to thank my staff who worked tirelessly in coordination with the DC VA and local TVHS team, Warren County Executive Terry Bell for his aid in finding a solution, members of the Tennessee Delegation for joining me in this coordinated effort, and for the patience of the good people of Tennessee’s Fourth Congressional District. 

Under Secretary Collins’ leadership the VA has been focused on ensuring our Nation’s heroes get the best care possible that meet their needs and expectations. The McMinnville clinics issues have been a top concern, and we have been working nonstop to ensure the standard of care is raised and will continue to do so moving forward,” said Rep. DesJarlais. 

Patients who receive care at the clinic will be notified by the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) staff with new details about remaining open. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting a federal funding notification from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for American Samoa Medical Center Authority.

This discretionary grant of $306,604 for programs under the American Samoa Department of Health at LBJ Tropical Medical Center is for family planning services, covering one year of the five-year project. The funding is through the federal Office of Family Planning, within the HHS Office of Public Health and Science. HHS is led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

“Thank you especially to Bethel Mussau-Howard regarding this grant and effort, and all involved. We’re grateful always to the health professionals at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center and our Health Department for medical care for our people,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Thank you to HHS for supporting our hospital programs, and congratulations to ASG for their roles ensuring federal funds are obtained.”

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

U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA-08) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), co-chairs of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Caucus, along with Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16), introduced a resolution recognizing Friday, May 16 as Endangered Species Day. The resolution celebrates the strong role that the ESA has played in protecting America’s imperiled species and the need for greater conservation efforts to address the ongoing biodiversity crisis.

“For over 50 years, the Endangered Species Act has proven to be one of our most successful conservation laws, protecting the wide range of biodiversity that sustains our planet. Thanks to the ESA, iconic species once on the brink of extinction – including the bald eagle, our national symbol – have recovered and once again thrive in the wild. By designating Endangered Species Day, we celebrate these remarkable stories of renewal and resurgence and work to strengthen the ESA so future generations can continue to witness the richness and diversity of America’s wildlife,” said Congressman Beyer. 

“The Endangered Species Act is among the most effective conservation legislation ever passed, and its protections are crucial to conserving the species we know and love, like the American bald eagle. It has a 99 percent success rate and has brought back many of our beloved species from the brink of extinction, ” said Congresswoman Dingell. “Habitat destruction and climate change are accelerating species extinction to alarming rates, and we must continue working to uphold and strengthen the ESA.”

“Florida’s endangered species are critical to our cultural heritage, our local economy and our way of life. I’m proud to lead this resolution to designate today as ‘Endangered Species Day’ and to highlight the importance of proactive conservation measures,” said Congressman Buchanan. 

In the United States and around the world, more than 2,300 species are recognized as at risk of extinction now or in the foreseeable future, and many more are experiencing declines in populations and future viability. Many scientists categorize our planet’s current biodiversity crisis as the sixth mass extinction event, with plant and wildlife species across the globe facing heightened risk of extinction that is largely driven by human activity.

View the full text of the resolution here. Learn more about the ESA Caucus here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The United States of America observes National Police Week from May 10, 2026, through May 16, 2026. As part of the weeklong observance, officers killed in the line of duty continued to be honored. This includes Virginia Department of Corrections Officer Jeremy Hall, who was killed by an inmate attack in November 2025. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith spoke on the House floor to honor Officer Hall’s service. His remarks can be watched below.

Griffith Speaks on House Floor

“I would be remiss if I didn’t speak about the fact that this is police week. It’s one of the reasons why we have these bills and others in front of us. 

“And this year, and unfortunately, it has happened before since I’ve been in office, an officer was killed in the Ninth Congressional District. Officer Hall was killed in an inmate attack at the North River Correctional Center in Independence, Virginia, which is in Grayson County, in November of last year. 

“Two additional officers were attacked at that time. Both are physically doing okay. But, Mr. Speaker, I don’t know how you ever get over an act of violence where you witness a colleague, a friend, a brother in law enforcement being murdered. 

“That’s really what we’re about this week. And this rule promotes four bills that will help, doesn’t solve everything, doesn’t resolve everything. But Jeremy Hall will be remembered in another resolution coming up this week that we will be voting on to honor fallen law enforcement officers.”

In addition to his House floor remarks, Congressman Griffith is sponsor of H. Res. 1252, a resolution that memorializes law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The resolution recognizes Officer Hall among the other 2025 fallen law enforcement officers. The resolution passed the House.

Further, Congressman Griffith supported other measures this week for National Police Week. These measures include:

• H.R. 5625 – Cashless Bail Reporting Act
• H.R. 6260 – Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act of 2025
• H. Con. Res. 96 – Expressing support for law enforcement officers

BACKGROUND

Congressman Griffith’s Extension of Remarks in the Congressional Record that honors Officer Hall can be found here.

Congressman Griffith’s Statement on National Police Week can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

Gomez: Trump’s War With Iran Is Driving Inflation Higher and Making Life More Expensive for Families

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

Rep. Gomez Slams Republicans for Having No Real Plan to Lower Health Care Costs for American Families

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today released the following statement after voting for H.R. 8469, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027, which passed the House by a vote of 400-15. The bipartisan bill fully funds veterans’ health care and benefits while securing critical investments that can be used for the Arkansas National Guard. 

Rep. Hill said, “Our veterans and service members have earned every benefit they were promised, and it is Congress’s job to make sure they receive it. This bill fully funds veterans’ health care, protects veterans’ mental health programs, and keeps faith with those who have sacrificed so much for our country. I am also proud that this bill gives the Arkansas National Guard a path to compete for critical infrastructure funding, including a new hangar and medical building our Guard members need. Taking care of the men and women in uniform and the families who stand beside them will always be one of my top priorities.” 

Background 

H.R. 8469, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027, provides $469.49 billion in total funding, including $157 billion in discretionary spending and $329.9 billion in mandatory spending, approximately 3 percent above FY26 enacted levels. 

Several of Rep. Hill’s priorities were included in the bill: 

• A pathway for the Arkansas National Guard to compete for funding for a new hangar and medical building  
• Supporting efforts to address the unique challenges facing female veterans  
• Funding for the VA Office of Enterprise Integration  
• Support for the VA data governance and analytics efforts, which strengthen the VA’s delivery of services and benefits 
• Funding for VA medical services 

Other key wins in the bill include: 

• Fully funds veterans’ health care at $138.2 billion, equal to the FY27 Budget Request 
• Fully funds veterans’ benefits, including $54.6 billion for the Toxic Exposures Fund to address toxic exposure-related needs, building off of the PACT Act 
• Maintains mental health and suicide prevention programs relied upon by veterans 
• Protects Second Amendment rights for veterans by prohibiting the VA from sharing veterans’ information with the FBI without a judge’s consent 
• Prohibits the VA from purchasing resources directly or indirectly from China 
• Provides $19.2 billion for Department of Defense military construction and family housing 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen, who has represented Tennessee’s 9^th Congressional District for more than 19 years, held a press conference at his office in Washington this morning to announced that he will not be a candidate for any of the newly drawn Congressional seats carved out of the 9^th. His majority-Black district was gerrymandered into three Republican-leaning districts by the state General Assembly last week.

He made the following statement:

“This morning I made public my decision not to run in any of the three gerrymandered congressional districts carved out of the 9^th District I have represented for more than 19 years. The state General Assembly last week diluted the Black vote in thirds to make Republican victories likely. Cases are pending that could restore the 9^th District to its current contours until 2028 and, if we prevail, I will remain a candidate in the 9^th, but that appears unlikely. It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent the people of Memphis in my 47 years of public service, first at the state Constitutional Convention and on the Shelby County Commission, then 24 years in the state Senate and now more than 19 years in Congress. There’s no reason to be modest: No other politician has done more for the city and region – from my decisive vote to create the Regional Medical Center at Memphis (now Regional One), to the state lottery and Hope scholarships that have helped tens of thousands get a college education, to persuading the U.S. Department of Transportation to invest more than $393 million to replace the Interstate 55 bridge, the largest infrastructure investment in the state’s history. At the national level, I was Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties when we held hearings to strengthen the Voting Rights Act that the Supreme Court has now destroyed. I was the first to introduce complete Articles of Impeachment against Donald Trump. The Center for Effective Lawmaking, a project of the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, named me the fifth most effective legislator in the 118^th Congress in its assessment last year. If we prevail in the courts and the 9^th District remains intact for the 2026 mid-term election, I will remain a candidate and will be proud to represent its people for another two years. If not, it has been an honor serving you.”

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