MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

The package includes Chairman Calvert’s FY26 Defense Appropriations bill and more than $67 million for Riverside County projects

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

WASHINGTON – The spending bills President Trump signed into law today contain major community projects for Tennessee’s 9^th Congressional District worth more than $14.7 million for which Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) sought funding through the annual appropriations process.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“This Fiscal Year 2026 federal funding bill will deliver important physical improvements to institutions in Tennessee’s 9^th Congressional District, including major renovations of iconic structures like Clayborn Temple, the gathering place for striking sanitation workers in 1968 which burned last April, and Mason Temple, where Dr. King delivered his last ‘Mountaintop’ speech. These are investments in our history, culture and quality of life, and I’m pleased to see them signed into law.”

Specifically in Tennessee’s 9^th Congressional District, the Transportation and Housing spending bill contains the following community projects:

1. Historic Mason Temple Restoration Project — $1,200,000. The funding will be used for the restoration, rehabilitation, and technology system upgrade to the historic site.
2. Historic Sterick Renovation and Restoration Project — $1,200,000. The funding will be used to restore the historic Sterick building, which was one the tallest buildings in the South before being abandoned and becoming one of Memphis’ largest blighted structure.
3. Covenant Gardens Senior Apartments — $1,000,000. The funding will be used to build 103 units of affordable housing for lower-income seniors.
4. Monroe Plaza and extended pedestrian infrastructure improvements — $850,000. The funding will be used to convert an underutilized street into a new downtown plaza.
5. Electrical Infrastructure Upgrades at Montgomery Plaza — $850,000. The funding for the Memphis Housing Authority will be used to upgrade the existing electrical infrastructure.
6. University of Memphis Park Avenue Campus Upgrades – $850,000. Funds will be used to replace the water and sewer lines, repave and restripe for long term use and pedestrian and vehicle safety on the Park Avenue Campus.
7. Memphis Community Engagement Youth Facility Renovation and Vulnerable Family Housing Project – $850,000. Funds will be used to renovate community facilities serving at-risk youth and provide additional housing for vulnerable families experiencing homelessness.  The city will work in collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis and Hospitality Hub.
8. Memphis Homeless Veterans Homes Renovation Project — $250,000. The funding will be used for renovations to support homeless veterans’ housing. The city will work in collaboration with Alpha Omega Veterans.
9. Reimagining Southwest Tennessee Community College Renovations Project – $250,000. The funding will be used to renovate and modernize key facilities on the campus.
10. Memphis Airport Terminal Modernization and Seismic Project – $4,250,000. The funding, jointly requested with Congressman David Kustoff (TN-8), will be used to seismically protect the airport departure roadway, enhance ADA access, and provide shelter for passengers from inclement weather.

The bills include funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), biomedical and cancer research, including $90 million for research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, the U.S. Agency for International Development polio program, community health centers, low-income energy assistance (LIEAP), Head Start programs, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Section 8 housing voucher program, public housing, housing for the disabled and elderly, and homeless assistance.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Schrier (WA-08) voted to pass a funding package that will keep the government operating and fund vital programs and projects for Washington’s Eighth District. 

The package rejects the Trump Administration’s proposed $163 billion in cuts to public services, ensures programs such as Head Start, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and mental health services can continue operating, and includes over $4 million in Community Project Funding (CPF) requests that Schrier secured. The package also sets a ten-day deadline for Congress to negotiate a bill that puts strong guardrails on the way that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operates as a condition of any future funding. 

“The passage of this package keeps our government operating, helps keep our schools funded, and keeps other vital services that so many depend on up and running. This package also secures millions in funding for projects that will improve local infrastructure in the Eighth District, said Congresswoman Schrier. “This bill imposes a deadline to create rules that will rein in ICE and the chaos they are causing. I have called for DHS Secretary Noem’s removal, and will not vote for any long-term funding for DHS until serious reforms are put in place to rein in ICE’s outrageous abuse of power.” 

Last month, Congresswoman Schrier voted against the DHS appropriations package, noting that “ICE is out of control and needs to be reined in through substantial measures that build accountability, transparency, and restore trust–especially in the wake of the horrific killing of a U.S. citizen that we saw in Minnesota.”

More information about the community funding projects can be found here: 

• Chelan County Chelan River Heights Housing: The Chelan County Chelan River Heights Housing Project would support building a mixed-income housing development at Chelan River Heights to increase the supply of affordable homes. 
• City of Cle Elum Second Street Pathway: The City of Cle Elum Second Street Pathway Project would support construction of a “shovel-ready” project for multi-modal, active transportation improvements along Second Street from Stafford Avenue to Short Avenue. 
• Darrington Drinking Water Infrastructure Expansion: The Darrington Drinking Water Infrastructure Expansion Project would bring a new well online and provide reliable and clean water to the community. 
• Kittitas County I-90 Widening: The Kittitas County I-90 Widening Project would begin the process of widening this critical east-west corridor, alleviate congestion, and make I-90 safer.                                                          

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, Representative Judy Chu (CA-28) and Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) led 14 members of the California congressional delegation in demanding answers from nine of the state’s largest insurance companies about the barriers delaying Los Angeles fire survivors from receiving fair compensation and benefits. 

This letter follows multiple concerning reports from Eaton and Palisades fire survivors describing ongoing challenges with their insurance claims, including arduous itemization requirements, repeated reassignment of claims adjusters, and delayed claims processing and payouts that fall far below home values. These reports raise serious concerns about potential violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law. 

“In addition to the financial and emotional trauma of losing their homes, survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires are facing mountains of paperwork and unanswered calls to their insurers. We have received outreach from constituents who shared that they have been required to itemize their material losses and provide receipts corresponding to every item, which can also include requirements of photographic evidence of prior ownership— an impossible task even for those who have not lost everything,” wrote the lawmakers. 

“Rather than creating more hoops to jump through, insurers must practice transparency and work quickly to ensure wildfire victims are paid what they are owed. On behalf of California policyholders, we are writing to request information on how insurers will reform their practices and expedite their processes in light of the fact that many policyholders are still awaiting payouts and facing enormous administrative burdens even a year after the fires began,” continued the lawmakers. 

The lawmakers are seeking additional information on how insurers are determining itemization requirements, the number of adjusters assigned to claims, how overall payouts are determined, and what steps they’re taking to ensure adherence to California’s Unfair Competition Act. 

As recovery from the Eaton Fire continues, Rep. Chu continues to push for proper insurance coverage and compensation for survivors. In December 2025, she sent a letter to Governor Newsom and Insurance Commissioner Lara highlighting findings from Eaton Fire Residents United showing elevated levels of lead and asbestos in still-standing homes. The letter urged state leaders to require insurance companies to cover soil testing, conduct repeated remediation until homes are cleared, and extend Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage for affected residents. 

This letter is also signed by Representative Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.-11), and Representatives Luz Rivas (D-Calif.-29), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.-12), George Whitesides (D-Calif.-27), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-8), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18) and Josh Harder (D-Calif.-9).

Full text of the letter is available here and below:  

Dear Mr. Farney, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Eastwood, Mr. Schnitzer, Mr. Tirador, Ms. Roach, Mr. Sweeney, and Mr. Backley,  

One year ago, the Eaton and Palisades fires resulted in a terrible loss of life, destroyed thousands of structures and displaced more than 100,000 residents in one of the most devastating natural disasters in California history. Now, a year later, survivors are facing significant challenges navigating insurance claims and receiving the payments their policies entitle them to in the wake of a disaster. Our offices have received multiple concerning reports of survivors being subjected to arduous itemization and receipt requirements, delayed claim processing, multiple adjusters, denials, and estimates that fall far below home values, raising concerns about potential violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law. On behalf of our constituents, we are urgently requesting your companies provide information on your claims adjustment process, how you are adhering to California state consumer protection laws, and your efforts to ensure that survivors are treated fairly and receive the payments to which they are entitled.  

One year after the fires, 70 percent of survivors remain displaced and Angelenos are still facing significant roadblocks that are preventing them from rebuilding their lives. In addition to the financial and emotional trauma of losing their homes, survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires are facing mountains of paperwork and unanswered calls to their insurers. We have received outreach from constituents who shared that they have been required to itemize their material losses and provide receipts corresponding to every item, which can also include requirements of photographic evidence of prior ownership— an impossible task even for those who have not lost everything. These arduous requirements raise concerns about possible violations of the California state Insurance Code, which prohibits insurers from seeking information not reasonably required for or material to the resolution of a claim dispute, and requires that investigations be fair and objective. 

Survivors have also reported being assigned multiple adjusters, which has caused administrative delays, breakdowns in communication, and downward adjustments of their insurance payouts. These additional hurdles complicate and slow down an already frustrating process for survivors who paid premiums for years with the reasonable expectation that if disaster struck, they could count on their insurer to pay their claims. California courts have found that unreasonable insurance payout delays can violate the implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing, and failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation and processing of claims arising under insurance policies violates the California Insurance Code.  

In addition to being in violation of state law, insurance claim delays and payment denials have forced a majority of the Los Angeles wildfire survivors to take on debt and empty their savings. Over half of survivors’ net losses exceed their annual income. Moreover, survivors whose claims have not been settled cannot access emergency aid provided by FEMA and the Small Business Administration, as those federal assistance programs are contingent on the outcomes of adjudication of insurance claims, creating additional financial uncertainty.  

Rather than creating more hoops to jump through, insurers must practice transparency and work quickly to ensure wildfire victims are paid what they are owed. On behalf of California policyholders, we are writing to request information on how insurers will reform their practices and expedite their processes in light of the fact that many policyholders are still awaiting payouts and facing enormous administrative burdens even a year after the fires began. 

Accordingly, we ask that you provide written answers to the following questions no later than February 6, 2026:  

1. How does your company determine whether a policyholder will need to provide a full itemized receipt of their losses?
2. What level of detail is expected for such itemizations?
3. What is the rationale for this level of detail?
4. Is there an appeal or otherwise relevant process they can pursue if they do not have access to a receipt?
5. Have itemization requirements increased since the outbreak of the Los Angeles wildfires?
6. How does your company determine how many adjusters are assigned to a claim?
7. What is the rationale for assigning multiple adjusters to a singular claim?
8. What type of information tracking and sharing occurs between adjusters when they are brought onto a claim and for the duration?
9. How do you determine the overall payout amount for a property that has not experienced a total loss?
10. What recourse do policyholders have when they are presented with estimates far below their home value?
11. Do you use artificial intelligence in the claims review and settlement process? If so, how? Is there a crosscheck conducted by a claims adjuster?
12. What steps are you taking to ensure adherence to California’s Unfair Competition Law? How do you address accusations of possible violations of this law? 

Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. We look forward to reviewing your responses.   

cc:          Commissioner Ricardo Lara, California Department of Insurance 

David A. Sampson, President and CEO, American Property Casualty Insurance Association 

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Joins Virginia House Democrats to Oppose Proposed ICE Facilities in Hanover and Stafford Counties

WASHINGTON – On Friday, January 30, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) joined Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Representatives Don Beyer (VA-08), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and James Walkinshaw (VA-11), in sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons. The letter expressed fierce opposition to the proposed purchase of a 550,000 square-foot warehouse in Hanover County to serve as an ICE processing and intake facility, as well as the potential construction of a 10,000-bed warehouse detention center in Stafford County, Virginia.

 

“Since early last year, we have witnessed an increasingly aggressive and militant ICE under your leadership,” wrote the Members. “Most recently in Minneapolis, we have seen federal immigration agents kill two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and injure dozens more. These reckless raids on our communities have resulted in the wrongful detention of hundreds of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents… This disproportionate use of force is utterly unacceptable.”

 

ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have escalated their tactics in the last year, ranging from demands that individuals randomly show their IDs and verify their legal status when they are not suspected of any crime, to instigations of violence, to warrantless searches and entries into homes, businesses and schools. Combined with a refusal to cooperate with federal partners and allow for meaningful Congressional oversight, the activities of DHS have raised serious concerns for the safety of detainees and Virginians. Hanover County’s Board of Supervisors has asked DHS to reconsider its proposed facility. The Canadian-based company that owns the Hanover County warehouse has since backed out of the proposed sale.  

 

“Across the nation, there have been reports of overcrowded detention facilities with poor ventilation, inadequate climate control, limited access to shower facilities and basic hygiene, and insufficient food and access to meals,” the Members continued. “We have seen this sort of gross negligence play out firsthand in the Commonwealth. In the summer of 2025, reports emerged of severe overcrowding, a lack of food and access to basic hygiene, and limited water supplies at ICE’s Washington Field Office in Chantilly, VA. ICE stonewalled attempts by our offices to gain access to the facility and conduct proper oversight, and it continues to prevent our offices from fully understanding what conditions were like during that period.”

 

Even after increased scrutiny into the presence of ICE agents in Virginia and beyond, culminating in articles of impeachment introduced against DHS Secretary Noem, questions remain as to the conditions of current ICE facilities and measures being taken to ensure the basic needs of detainees are being met. There is no guarantee that the proposed ICE facilities in Virginia would permit Members of Congress to hold DHS accountable for any lapses in quality of care and detention.

 

“Given this history of behavior, it is no surprise that we are alarmed by the prospect of siting two enormous ICE facilities in Virginia,” the Members concluded. “We do not want the Commonwealth to be home to large detention facilities rejected by our local communities, which make no one safer. Rather, these facilities undermine public safety, erode trust between local law enforcement and the public, and place a federal agency indifferent to constitutional liberties near our schools, hospitals, and residential areas. We refuse to allow the Commonwealth to be beholden to an agency that has repeatedly failed to demonstrate the transparency, restraint, and constitutional compliance the public and Congress are entitled to expect from law enforcement.”

 

Read the full letter here. 

 

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Votes Against Funding Bill to Give DHS and ICE Unchecked Power

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on his opposition to the Senate amendments to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which funds the Department of Homeland Security until February 13, 2026.   

 

“Americans are seeing cities taken over by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who are arresting and detaining citizens and legal permanent residents at their churches, homes, and workplaces without valid warrants and assaulting and killing citizens in situations that should require murder investigations, and yet the Administration is fabricating stories easily contradicted by video evidence. Unfortunately, this bill does nothing to curb the abuses of authority by ICE. We should not fund the government as if nothing is happening; therefore, I cannot vote for any additional funding to the Department of Homeland Security until at least some credible progress is made to rein in the out-of-control military occupation of our cities.”

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) applauded the passage of his legislation, the Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act, to allow the President of the United States to award Major Nicholas Dockery with the Medal of Honor for his heroism in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Dockery is an Indianapolis, IN native and is the sole Army officer and one of only two U.S. officers to receive two Silver Stars for gallantry in the post-9/11 era. This legislation passed the U.S. House unanimously.

“I am pleased to see that my legislation to award Major Dockery with the Medal of Honor has passed the U.S. House,” said Congressman Baird. “Major Dockery demonstrated extraordinary heroism, going above and beyond the call of duty, while serving in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, and selflessly risked his own life many times to save his soldiers. I hope the Senate passes this bill quickly so it can get signed into law by President Trump and award this American hero with the recognition he deserves.”

Additional Background on Major Nicholas Dockery:

Lieutenant Dockery received a Silver Star for his acts of valor on October 2, 2012. Then-Second Lieutenant Nicholas Dockery was serving as a Rifle Platoon Leader with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While providing security for a meeting between U.S. and Afghan leaders in Kapisa Province, Lieutenant Dockery’s platoon was ambushed by Taliban fighters utilizing a mosque for cover. Under heavy fire, Lieutenant Dockery dismounted his vehicle and moved through the engagement area to support and re-establish communications with Afghan National Army (ANA) and Police (ANP) units that were pinned in place by enemy fire. Due to the dense maze of structures, Lieutenant Dockery formulated a plan to enter the village on foot to secure the village’s outer cordon. While securing the village, one U.S. team was forced into a compound and surrounded by Taliban fighters. Upon hearing that one of his soldiers was critically wounded by gunfire, Lieutenant Dockery ran through enemy fire to lead reinforcements to the compound.

During the fight, Lieutenant Dockery led his team in breaching six rooms, killing one enemy fighter, uncovering IED-making materials, and detaining two others. As the fighting continued, when enemy fighters threw hand fragmentation grenades over the compound walls, one landed in front of a fellow soldier. Seeing the grenade, Lieutenant Dockery shoved the soldier behind cover and shielded him from the blast with his own body.

Lieutenant Dockery then led the team into an adjacent alleyway to secure the compound.  Facing a barrage of machine gun fire from 40 feet away, an RPG blast destroyed his team’s cover, wounding Lieutenant Dockery. Despite being wounded, he realized two soldiers were missing. Lieutenant Dockery located the first soldier; he carried him to safety and immediately returned to find two enemy fighters who were approaching the second unconscious soldier. Killing the two enemy fighters, he recovered the soldier, carried him to safety, performed CPR, and saved the soldier’s life. Lieutenant Dockery was simultaneously directing “danger close” 81mm mortar fire to suppress the enemy. When the rounds began hitting close to his position, Lieutenant Dockery used his own body to shield the wounded soldier as the rounds impacted nearby.

Air assets were unable to distinguish friendly forces from enemy, so Lieutenant Dockery left his position of safety and utilized an M320 grenade launcher to mark the enemy location for aerial assets to engage with 2.75mm rockets. In doing so, he saw two enemy fighters attempting to re-enter the building, which he killed with the grenade launcher. Despite Lieutenant Dockery’s efforts, aerial assets still could not distinguish between enemies and allies, so Lieutenant Dockery climbed on the roof to mark their location with colored smoke, running past a yet-unexploded enemy grenade to do so. The colored smoke attracted heavy rifle and machine gun fire from the enemy. With only a two-foot wall on the roof for cover, Lieutenant Dockery held the rooftop for over 30 minutes and held the enemy in place.

Later, during the exfiltration of his team and the wounded, his element again came under heavy fire. As the enemy closed in on their location, Lieutenant Dockery stayed behind to ensure the wounded made it safely back to the casualty evacuation point. Moving about the battlefield, he directed the Afghan Army Soldiers to fire RPGs on the enemy, effectively halting their final attack.

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

Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement after voting no on a measure that would extend funding for the Department of Homeland Security without significant reform to rein in Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE).

“President Trump’s immigration enforcement has become a campaign of cruelty–tearing families apart, hollowing out businesses, and paralyzing neighborhoods with fear,” said Rep. Frankel. “While I support the bipartisan agreements we reached in the House to fund most of the government, I could not vote for a package that funds the Department of Homeland Security without immediate reforms to stop ICE from its violations of the law and human rights. Security does not require brutality. Enforcement does not require lawlessness. And our immigration policy should reflect our values—not force us to abandon them.”

To view Rep. Frankel’s full remarks on the House Floor, click here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, bipartisan legislation to increase the number of living organ donors eligible for federal assistance was signed into law. The Honor Our Living Donors (HOLD) Act, introduced by Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Jay Obernolte (CA-23), will allow more donors to qualify for wage, travel, and caregiver reimbursement when donating organs. 

“No one should be prevented from saving a life because of the bills they incur during the process. This law will help ensure that living donors have the support they need during the donation process and that patients waiting for transplants have a greater chance at receiving one,” said DelBene.

“The HOLD Act removes unnecessary financial barriers that can prevent Americans from becoming living organ donors. No one should be forced to choose between saving a life and absorbing thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. By ensuring federal support is based on the donor’s circumstances rather than the recipient’s, this law expands access to transplantation, supports donors, and helps more families get the second chance they are desperately need,” said Obernolte.

Income restrictions currently limit who can be reimbursed for becoming a living organ donor. 91% of living donors are forced to shoulder the financial burden of their donation because of the income of the organ recipient. The HOLD Act eliminates these income-based eligibility restrictions, helping ensure that all living donors, regardless of the recipient’s financial status, will be able to access the federal organ donation reimbursement program. This law will support the more than 37 million Americans living with chronic kidney diseases, including the more than 800,000 patients with kidney failure.

The HOLD Act was introduced in the House of Representatives in January 2025. It passed the House in the government funding package on January 22. The Senate changed the larger funding package on January 30 and sent it back to the House. The House approved the amended funding deal on February 3, and the president signed it later that day.   

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) voted against H.R. 7148, a bill that would direct funding to the Department of Homeland Security.

“In July, Republicans handed ICE a blank check to brutalize our communities—$75 billion with no strings attached as part of their One Big Ugly Bill—while slashing healthcare and making the largest cut to food assistance in our nation’s history” said Congresswoman Adams. “The bill gave the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) $191 billion overall, increasing ICE’s budget to seven times its annual funding, while also allowing it to continue operating even during a shutdown. That reckless decision has put communities, including Charlotte, in harms way.

Even though the bill passed by a three vote margin, I stand united with Democrats in opposing this cruelty and demanding real change at DHS, including holding ICE agents to the same commonsense standards required of law enforcement nationwide and the impeachment of Secretary Kristi Noem.

My constituents have made their voices heard, loud and clear: there should be no additional funding for ICE without meaningful reform. 

Until a deal is secured, I cannot support any continued funds for ICE. I made a promise to the people I represent, and I intend to keep it.

I support funding the other agencies, which is why I voted to pass their funding in the House last week. Because the Senate returned the bill as a single package including DHS, I cannot support it. That is why I voted no on the funding bill.”