MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03), and Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05) led House Resolution 1252 to honor and memorialize fallen law enforcement officers. The resolution was introduced ahead of National Police Week and recognizes the 363 officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2025, as well as those whose stories were previously lost. H. Res. 1252 passed the United States House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support.

“Our dedicated law enforcement officers who put on the uniform to protect and serve our communities deserve our utmost gratitude and respect. Police Week is one important way we thank our officers for always answering the call and honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” said Congressman Pappas. “I’m honored to once again help lead this resolution to pay tribute to fallen law enforcement officers. I will always work to ensure our police departments have the resources and support they need to do their jobs and protect our communities.”

“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, uphold the rule of law, and keep American families safe,” said Congressman Michael Guest. “I am proud to see this resolution pass the House as we honor the valor and sacrifice of the brave men and women who serve in uniform and remember those who gave their lives in the line of duty. During National Police Week, Congress stands firmly with the officers, families, and communities who carry on their memory.” 

“Our police officers regularly put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities. This week, a grateful nation pauses and pays tribute to those who make tremendous sacrifices every day. I encourage everyone to take the time this week to reflect on the tremendous difference our law enforcement community makes every day,” said Congresswoman Letlow.

Public Law 87-725, signed by President Kennedy in 1962, established Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15 and National Police Week to honor law enforcement officers killed or injured in the line of duty. The 2026 observance honors the 363 law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2025 and those whose stories were recovered in the past year, including Augustus Farmer from Bow, New Hampshire. This resolution affirms support for law enforcement and acknowledges the sacrifices made by affected families.

This measure is supported by the National Association of Police Organizations and the National Fraternal Order of Police.

More than 120 bipartisan Members of the House of Representatives joined Congressman Pappas, Congressman Guest, and Congresswoman Letlow as cosponsors of the legislation. Pappas helped introduce a resolution to recognize National Police Week in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

WASHINGTON – This week, Rep. Lauren Underwood’s bipartisan legislation that would require new Amtrak trains to be equipped with baby changing stations in restrooms, the Baby Changing On Board Act, passed the Senate with unanimous support. The legislation passed the House unanimously in May, 2025, and is co-led by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Senators Peter Welch (D-VT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). Minor technical adjustments were made to the legislation in the Senate, so it must return to the House for a vote before it can be sent to the President’s desk and be signed into law.

Amtrak serves millions of families as a reliable and affordable transportation option, but many trains still lack basic facilities such as baby changing stations, creating unnecessary challenges for parents and caregivers. Under the Baby Changing on Board Act, Amtrak would utilize existing funds to install baby changing stations in new train cars, making sure all trains meet a minimum service standard for family amenities.

“Parents and caregivers shouldn’t have to worry about whether there’s a safe, clean place to care for their kidswhile traveling,” said Rep. Underwood. “I am so pleased that this legislation has now passed the Senate and is one step closer to becoming to law. This common-sense, bipartisan legislation is a practical and necessary step to make sure families have access to the amenities they need on Amtrak.”

The Baby Changing on Board Act represents a significant step forward for families, especially those undertaking long journeys on Amtrak routes. By ensuring new trains are equipped with basic, family-friendly facilities, this legislation promotes a more inclusive and accessible travel experience for parents and caregivers nationwide.

The Baby Changing on Board Act is supported by leading organizations, including A Better Balance, MomsRising, and the National Women’s Law Center.

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

“The gun lobby is controlling the regulators while our communities are paying the price, burying loved ones and raising children in fear… The shame and sham of it all.”

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – Today, during a House Oversight subcommittee hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) discussed the public health crisis of gun violence and criticized the Trump Administration for weakening accountability for gun dealers who violate federal law, fueling illegal gun trafficking into states like Massachusetts, and defending policies that limit access to data that communities need to combat gun violence. The Congresswoman’s question line follows the shooting this week in which a gunman armed with an assault-style weapon opened fire on random drivers and pedestrians traveling along Memorial Drive in Cambridge.

In her questioning of Robert Cekada, the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Congresswoman Pressley highlighted the communities bearing the lifelong trauma of gun violence, including children, young people, and families, and contrasted them with those the Administration has instead been catering to, the gun lobby.

A transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks during debate on the legislation is available below, and the video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Slams Trump Admin for Fueling Gun Violence, Weakening Accountability for Gun Dealers
House Oversight Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement
May 14, 2026 

REP. PRESSLEY: Director Cekada, gun violence is a public health crisis, and this administration is failing to meet it with the urgency that it demands.

Across our country, including in my district, the Massachusetts 7th, families are bearing the devastating consequences of shootings, trafficking, domestic violence, femicide, suicide and community trauma. 

Just this past Monday, a gunman armed with an assault rifle opened fire on random drivers and pedestrians traveling along Memorial Drive in Cambridge, terrorizing people in broad daylight. Constituents in my district and communities across this country should not have to live with the constant fear that their daily commute could become a mass casualty event. 

Now, while Massachusetts has some of the strongest gun safety laws in the nation, more than two-thirds of guns recovered from crimes in our Commonwealth originate from out of state. At the same time, communities are demanding accountability. 

Director Cekada, your agency has weakened oversight of gun dealers by ending the zero tolerance policy for firearm dealers who violate the law. Mr. Director, yes or no, should gun dealers who willfully sell firearms to prohibited individuals be allowed to continue operating? Yes or No.

DIRECTOR CEKADA: Your statement is a violation of the law, and they should be put out of business if they willfully violate the Gun Control Act.

REP. PRESSLEY: Alright, that’s right. These dealers are breaking the law, and previously would have had their licenses to sell revoked, but your agency repealed that policy. 

Accountability should not be a radical concept here. Instead, your agency has chosen to weaken enforcement while simultaneously defending policies that limit access to data that communities need to combat gun violence. 

This is bad public policy. This is bad for public safety. This is bad for public health. 

Survivors of gun violence carry lifelong trauma, especially our children, increasingly so, a childhood is a privilege instead of a right. Young people are growing up internalizing trauma as a normal part of daily life. Active shooter drills, memorials outside of school, parents afraid to allow their children to walk home alone. 

Now, all the data supports that exposure to gun violence has profound and lasting impacts on childhood development, mental and physical health and educational attainment. In the full oversight committee, I convened the first ever Congressional hearing on childhood trauma. It was illuminating and devastating. 

Children who witnessed gun violence are more likely to experience anxiety, depression and PTSD well into adulthood. These children and their families are the people you should be centering in your work, Director Sakata.

I believe the people closest to the pain should be the closest to the power. But let’s look at who you are instead holding close to the power. Not the traumatized children, not the grieving mothers, not the classroom educators who everyday wonder, “Is today the day that I will have to shield my student from a shooter.”

Instead, this is a picture from your signing ceremony announcing over 30 changes to end gun safety protections, and standing directly behind you are the leaders of the gun lobby, the NRA, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the National Association for Gun Rights, and others who have spent decades obstructing commonsense gun safety measures. 

The gun lobby is controlling the regulators while our communities are paying the price, burying loved ones and raising children in fear.

The shame and the sham of it all.

I yield back.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

Walnut Creek, CA – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that he will host a town hall in San Ramon on Thursday, May 28^th from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. PT to provide updates on his work to improve regional transportation, including investments in the I-680 corridor, to bolster education and ensure students with disabilities are protected, and to hold the Trump Administration accountable. The Congressman will also address the ongoing war in Iran and other pertinent issues, and take questions from constituents. 

Town Hall in San Ramon
Thursday, May 28^th
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. PT
San Ramon, CA
RSVP for exact location

 

The event is RSVP only. To reserve your spot and receive the address of the event, or to request special accommodations, visit https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660. 

This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 266^th town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress in January 2015.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), Trade Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-Calif.), chair emerita of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and 23 colleagues today 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 Sánchez, Smith and Chu, 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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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. The annual competition was held to recognize the artistic talent of high school students across California’s 38th congressional district. This year’s event was on May 5 at Liberty Community Plaza in Whittier.

“Every year, this competition reminds me of the incredible talent we have right here in our community,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “These young artists pour their hearts into their work and it shows. I’m proud to recognize their talent and thrilled that our winner’s artwork will be on display in the United States Capitol for all of America to see.”

2026 Winners

Click the image for high-resolution photos of the winner and her artwork

First Place – Maria Varquez, La Mirada High School – Merkado (painting)
$1,000 scholarship; artwork to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year

Second Place – Samantha Lin, Glen A. Wilson High School – Venomous Wealth (drawing) 
$400 scholarship

Third Place – Santiago Meza, Glen A. Wilson High School – Hunger (painting) 
$300 scholarship

Fan Favorite – Elijah Vilchis, Glen A. Wilson High School – Insecurity (drawing)
$200 scholarship

Honorable Mention – Juan Garcia, El Rancho High School – Emerald at the Edge (photography)
$100 scholarship

The Congressional Art Competition is held each spring by the House of Representatives to encourage and recognize artistic achievement among young people across the country.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after she called for an FBI investigation into allegations from the Madison County, IL Sheriff’s Office of criminal mail theft and check washing connected to USPS processing facilities in the St. Louis region. 

“These are serious allegations that demand swift action from federal officials.  I am horrified, but sadly not surprised to hear reports that the United States Postal Service (USPS) in St. Louis has been unwilling to fully cooperate with local law enforcement investigating crimes of mail fraud, check washing, and other criminal activity.  The Postal Service serves the people, not themselves, and under no circumstances should they be hindering efforts to solve these crimes.  It’s time for the FBI to step in immediately and get to the bottom of this.”

Congresswoman Wagner said in her letter to FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey:

“The Sheriff’s Office also raises serious concerns about the ability of local law enforcement to investigate these crimes. Specifically, the Sheriff’s Office states that its efforts have been ‘significantly hindered’ by a lack of cooperation from USPS personnel and management, including unresponsiveness or refusal to provide meaningful assistance despite formal requests for surveillance access, operational information, and coordination with investigators.

“These allegations are deeply concerning on their own. They also come against the backdrop of persistent mail service and mail security concerns across the St. Louis region. My office has repeatedly raised concerns with USPS regarding delayed mail, operational failures, and the erosion of public confidence in postal service reliability in the region. Separately, recent local reporting described a large pile of undelivered mail found dumped in north St. Louis, including letters, bills, and tax documents.  While it is unclear whether this reported incident is directly connected to the Madison County Sheriff’s investigation, it underscores the severe lack of confidence in USPS management in our community.”

Read the full letter here.

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

May 14, 2026

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Gregory Meeks (NY-05) demanded information from the Trump Administration on how it is enforcing the 2023 plea agreement with Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. This follows recent public reporting indicating that Binance facilitated $1.7 billion worth of cryptocurrency transactions to flow from Chinese-owned accounts to digital wallets linked to Iran-backed terrorist groups, including the Houthi militants in Yemen.

“We are alarmed by public reporting that Binance permitted more than $1 billion in cryptocurrency transactions to flow to Iran-backed and U.S.-designated terrorist groups through its platform,” the lawmakers wrote. “…These apparent failures to enforce the terms of the 2023 agreement are par for the course, given Binance’s extensive financial ties to a cryptocurrency company backed by President Trump and his family.”

Binance and its former CEO pled guilty to violating U.S. anti-money laundering (AML) laws in 2023 after enabling transactions involving terrorist groups, child sexual abusers, fraudsters, scammers, and sanctioned persons in Iran. As part of a $4 billion settlement agreement, the Treasury Department and DOJ imposed separate compliance monitorships, led by a top law firm and a global consulting firm, to improve Binance’s controls to prevent future money laundering on its platform—including the financial crimes alleged in the Wall Street Journal reports.

The Trump Administration’s alleged failure to enforce the terms of the 2023 agreement is predictable, given that Binance and its former CEO have deep financial ties to World Liberty Financial (WLF), a cryptocurrency company that has earned the Trump family an estimated $1.2 billion. For example, Binance helped WLF launch its USD1 stablecoin and negotiated a $2 billion business deal that used USD1 coins, which is projected to generate millions in annual revenue for the Trump family. Last year, in an apparent quid pro quo move, President Trump pardoned Binance’s former CEO.

“From a national security standpoint, the DOJ and Treasury have an obligation to cut through these obvious conflicts of interest, enforce compliance with U.S. AML and sanctions laws, and disrupt proven terrorist financing networks,” the lawmakers continued. “It is also important that both FRA and Sullivan & Cromwell fulfill their commitments to independently assess Binance’s systems and ensure that adequate controls will prevent any future financial crimes.”

In addition to Reps. Casten and Meeks, the letter was signed by Reps. Jared Huffman, Bill Foster, Dan Goldman, Brittany Pettersen, Sylvia Garcia, Joyce Beatty, Lloyd Doggett, and Gabe Amo.

Text of the letter can be found below. A copy of the letter can be found here.

Dear Acting Attorney General Blanche, Secretary Bessent, Ms. McLeod, and Ms. Levin:

We are alarmed by public reporting that Binance permitted more than $1 billion in cryptocurrency transactions to flow to Iran-backed and U.S.-designated terrorist groups through its platform. We write to request updates on the two compliance monitorships imposed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Treasury Department (Treasury), which are overseen by consulting firm Forensic Risk Alliance (FRA) and law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, respectively. These monitorships are intended to prevent these crimes after Binance admitted to providing financing for terrorists, money launderers, and sanctions evaders in Iran.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the DOJ is investigating Iran’s use of Binance’s platform to evade U.S. sanctions. However, it remains unclear whether the DOJ is appropriately focused on Binance’s alleged failures or solely on the activity that capitalized on Binance’s weak controls to funnel money to Iran-backed terrorist groups.

In 2023, Binance, as a corporation, and its founder, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), admitted to willful violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and criminal anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions laws, and agreed to a $4.3 billion settlement, including commitments to overhaul the company’s AML and sanctions compliance program and to restrict access to U.S. customers. For years, Binance had knowingly served U.S. customers on its foreign, unlicensed platform and facilitated transactions on its platform with designated terrorist organizations, such as Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Al Qaeda, and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), as well as persons in sanctioned jurisdictions such as Iran, North Korea, and Syria.

As a part of a 2023 settlement agreement, Treasury selected Sullivan & Cromwell to manage a five-year monitorship that would oversee remedial undertakings necessary to address the clear violations of AML and sanctions laws, enable access to Binance’s books and records, and provide periodic reports to U.S. regulators. Treasury stated that Binance could face an additional $150 million suspended fine if the company fails to comply with the terms of the monitorship. Separately, the DOJ selected FRA to handle a three-year monitorship to remediate and enhance Binance’s AML and sanctions compliance programs.

However, while still under these monitorships, Binance reportedly processed $1.7 billion in cryptocurrency transactions from accounts tied to Chinese clients to wallets linked to Iran-backed terrorist groups, such as the Houthis. The investigators who flagged these illicit flows for Binance’s leadership were later suspended or fired, according to the reports. In addition, investigators identified 2,000 Binance accounts based in Iran, even though Iran is under heavy U.S. sanctions and severely restricted from accessing the global financial system. Binance’s CEO reportedly declined to take any action on these accounts.

These apparent failures to enforce the terms of the 2023 agreement are par for the course, given Binance’s extensive financial ties to a cryptocurrency company backed by President Trump and his family. A Bloomberg investigation found that Binance wrote the code for, helped create, and promoted World Liberty Financial’s (WLF) USD1 stablecoin, a financial product that has reportedly helped the Trump family earn more than $800 million from the sale of cryptocurrency assets, including WLF, in the first half of 2025. According to more recent estimates, Binance holds $4.7 billion in the USD1 stablecoin or 87% of all coins in circulation. Furthermore, in May 2025, Binance negotiated a $2 billion investment deal with a state-backed Abu Dhabi investment fund, which was settled via the USD1 stablecoin. This effectively gave WLF $2 billion in deposits to invest, which will likely generate millions in annual revenue for the Trump family. In October 2025, President Trump pardoned Binance’s founder, CZ. And in February 2026, CZ attended a WLF conference at Mar-a-Lago alongside President Trump’s sons and senior Administration officials.

From a national security standpoint, the DOJ and Treasury have an obligation to cut through these obvious conflicts of interest, enforce compliance with U.S. AML and sanctions laws, and disrupt proven terrorist financing networks. It is also important that both FRA and Sullivan & Cromwell fulfill their commitments to independently assess Binance’s systems and ensure that adequate controls will prevent any future financial crimes.

We request answers to the following questions, where applicable, by no later than May 29, 2026:

1. Has the DOJ opened a formal investigation into Iran’s use of Binance’s platform to evade U.S. sanctions as described in recent public reports? Please confirm if Binance’s alleged misconduct is the target or focus of such investigation.

2. Have Treasury, FinCEN, OFAC, or the CFTC initiated any review or investigation into the Iran-linked activity described in recent public reports?

3. Under the terms of the monitorship, Sullivan & Cromwell has reportedly requested that Binance provide information about the Iran-linked transactions. This reportedly includes information about the account owned by Hong Kong-based payments company Blessed Trust, which allegedly moved $1.7 billion to Iran-linked terrorist groups via Binance’s platform.

   1. When did Sullivan & Cromwell first become aware of the Iran-linked transaction flows?

   2. Please detail the specific information Sullivan & Cromwell has requested related to Blessed Trust’s Binance account.

   3. Reports indicate that Binance blocked many of Sullivan & Cromwell’s earlier requests. Has Binance complied with the request and provided the necessary information? Has Sullivan & Cromwell experienced any challenges in accessing this information?

4. If violations of the 2023 settlement agreements are substantiated, what enforcement mechanisms are available, including the potential imposition of any suspended penalties?

5. What is the current status of Binance’s exit from the United States? Have all U.S. users of Binance.com been confirmed as offboarded?

6. Binance has reportedly urged the Administration to remove the monitorships or reduce their duration and scope.

   1. Please describe the current status of the monitorships, the level of access that you have to Binance’s systems, books, and records, and your ability to interview its employees.

7. Regarding the monitors, a spokesperson told reporters that Binance is “in the process of fine-tuning the rules, but there is no loosening of controls.”

   1. Can you commit to ensuring the monitorships continue to require Binance to implement and maintain strong AML and sanctions compliance controls?

8. Binance has reportedly “staffed a dedicated monitor liaison office to ensure seamless and efficient operations.”

   1. Please list the dates of any communications with this office, identify the individuals involved, and summarize the content of such communications.

9. What reporting obligations does Binance currently have to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) under the monitorships?

10. Please provide us with a copy of the latest report provided to FinCEN, OFAC, DOJ, and the CFTC as required by the Treasury-imposed monitorship.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today that he will introduce an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prohibit any funds from being used to produce American warships, or parts of warships, overseas.

During a hearing today in the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), Golden questioned top officials from the U.S. Navy about the Navy Shipbuilding Plan. The plan includes a request for Congressional authority to move a portion of American shipbuilding overseas. 

“This administration has said over and over that it will prioritize American manufacturing. How could those goals possibly square with a request to offshore American fleet production?” Golden said. “Every ship or hull built overseas would weaken America’s shipbuilders, making it harder for them to maintain the capacity, knowledge and technical skill necessary to build and maintain our fleet.” 

In its latest budget request, the Pentagon has asked Congress to fund procurement for just one DDG-51 destroyer, the style of warships built at Bath Iron Works (BIW), down from the usual order of two or three destroyers. In response to questions from Golden, General Dynamics — BIW’s parent company — told HASC members yesterday that the reduced demand signal could trigger layoffs in Bath as soon as next year. 

Golden discussed the threat of layoffs Thursday while questioning Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao. 

“Stop and think about that: In the same year that American shipbuilders might get laid off, the U.S. Navy wants to employ foreign workers. Good luck selling that as anything but a one for one trade off. I can’t believe the Navy would even consider it and it would be an absolute shame if the Congress approved it.”

Golden will draft the amendment to prohibit the offshoring of American shipbuilding in the coming days and will introduce it later this month when the NDAA is opened to amendment. 

Click here for video of Golden’s remarks during today’s HASC hearing. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jared Golden announced today he will begin accepting nomination applications from Maine high school students for appointments to the United States service academies operated by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Marines. No nomination is required to apply to the United States Coast Guard Academy. 

Students should apply for a nomination in the spring and summer of their junior year. Golden will begin accepting nomination applications on May 15, 2026, from students for admission to the academies in the summer of 2027. 

For more information please contact: Casework Manager Kim Rohn at (207) 249-7400.

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