MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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 he will host a Veterans Town Hall and Resource Fair on Friday, February 20^th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Dougherty Station Community Arts Center in San Ramon. The event will include an update from Congressman DeSaulnier on his work in Congress to support the veteran community as well as a resource fair with representatives from federal agencies and Veteran Service Organizations to share information on resources and benefits available to veterans.

Veterans Town Hall and Resource Fair
Friday, February 20^th
Town Hall: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. PT
Resource Fair: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. PT
Dougherty Station Community Arts Center, Ridge View Room
17011 Bollinger Canyon Rd., San Ramon, CA 94582

This event is open to veterans and press. To reserve your spot or request special accommodations, email CA10.RSVP@mail.house.gov or call (925) 933-2660. 

This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 259^th town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress in January 2015.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Today, Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, released the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order permitting increased imports of Argentine beef amid historically low U.S. cattle inventories:

“No matter the conditions, ranchers in Nebraska’s Third District lead the nation in producing high-quality, affordable beef. Now more than ever, we must deliver policies which drive confidence in the market, eliminate burdensome regulations, and lower production costs. While the United States holds historic low-inventory in cattle herds, we must focus on policies that strengthen the market and create long-term certainty for the entire supply chain.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (43rd District of California)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee and a congressional leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, introduced H.Res.1039 in honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which is observed every year on February 7. Her resolution is cosponsored by 29 of her congressional colleagues and endorsed by several HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations. 

Congresswoman Waters has been spearheading initiatives to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, screening, and treatment since the 1980s. In 1998, she worked with the Clinton administration to establish the Minority AIDS Initiative, which significantly expanded HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment efforts for minority communities that are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Because of her advocacy, the funding for this initiative has increased from the initial appropriation of $156 million in Fiscal Year 1999 to more than $400 million per year today. Last year, she introduced the HIV Prevention Now Act (H.R. 5126), to provide robust appropriations for prevention efforts, and the PrEP and PEP are Prevention Act (H.R. 5127), to require health insurance plans to cover Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) as preventive services. 

“National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a day set aside to increase HIV awareness and enhance prevention, testing and treatment among African Americans,” said Congresswoman Waters. “It is a day to commemorate the impact of HIV/AIDS on Black Americans and encourage continued efforts to reduce the incidence of HIV, eliminate health disparities, improve access to care and treatment, and show support for all those who are living with HIV/AIDS.”

Black Americans continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. While Black Americans represent only 12 percent of America’s population, they account for 39 percent of new HIV diagnoses, 40 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS, and 43 percent of deaths among people with HIV/AIDS.[1] Furthermore, Black women account for about half of new HIV diagnoses among women, and Black young people account for about half of new HIV diagnoses among young people ages 13 to 24. [2] The rate of new HIV diagnoses among Black Americans is about 8 times that of whites.[3]

“On National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we must recommit our nation to eliminate health disparities, promote HIV prevention, testing and treatment throughout the United States, and end the HIV/AIDS epidemic once and for all,” said Congresswoman Waters. 

Congresswoman Waters’ resolution in honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is endorsed by AIDS Foundation Chicago, AIDS United, AMAAD Institute (Arming Minorities Against Addiction and Disease), LA Pride, NAESM Inc., NMAC (formerly the National Minority AIDS Council), and PFLAG National.

Her resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Nanette Barrag?n (CA-44), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Andr? Carson (IN-07), Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-9), Danny K. Davis (IL07), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-7), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02),  Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12),  Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today unveiled new legislation to combat the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) aggressive and invasive surveillance and intimidation of peaceful observers. The Stop ICE Intimidation Act blocks funding for expanded U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) surveillance tools and staffing until the agency fully discloses how it uses databases and facial recognition, who it targets, how long it keeps data, and whether it complies with constitutional protections and local laws. It also freezes ICE’s Clearview AI contract until Congress receives clear assurances that bystanders, observers, and protestors are not swept into the enforcement dragnet.

“Donald Trump and Kristi Noem’s dangerous Department of Homeland Security has quietly built a vast surveillance apparatus that threatens the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens everywhere. From iris-scanning technology that can identify people in seconds to facial recognition databases with millions of records, these tools are being deployed not to enhance public safety, but to intimidate and silence lawful dissent. When a federal agent can photograph someone’s license plate, add them to a database, and label them a ‘domestic terrorist’ simply for filming ICE officers, we’ve crossed a dangerous line,” Pingree said. “Mainers have seen firsthand how these surveillance tools are weaponized—people followed home, called on their personal phones, threatened for simply documenting what’s happening in their own communities. In a truly free society, citizens don’t live in fear of their government. My bill demands transparency and accountability and ensures that not one more taxpayer dollar is spent on this surveillance state.” 

The Stop ICE Intimidation Act:

• Establishes that ICE surveillance and intimidation of observers—including the use of databases and facial recognition—raises serious constitutional concerns under the First and Fourth Amendments.

• Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds for certain surveillance purposes and hiring additional ICE officers until the required congressional reports are submitted.

• Prohibits funding for the continuation of ICE’s contract with Clearview AI until ICE submits the required reports.

• Requires ICE to report to Congress within 30 days about exactly how it conducts surveillance; confirm it does not target bystanders or observers; explain how it uses, stores, shares, and deletes personal data from tools like Clearview AI; and demonstrate that its practices comply with constitutional protections and state and local laws governing facial recognition and surveillance.

Pingree’s effort comes amid disturbing reports of ICE rapidly expanding its surveillance arsenal—including new contracts for iris-scanning technology that allow agents to identify people in seconds during field operations, facial-recognition software from Clearview AI, and massive data-sharing arrangements that pull in IRS, Medicaid, and other personal records. Recent reporting has revealed that ICE can now access databases containing millions of biometric records, use mapping tools to locate individuals on digital maps, and tap into systems like SAVE that may sweep in information about U.S. citizens who have never consented to being part of an immigration database.

These tools are increasingly being used in the field, including against people who are simply documenting ICE activity. In one widely circulated incident in South Portland, a federal agent photographed a woman’s license plate after she filmed officers and told her, “We have a nice little database, and now you’re considered a domestic terrorist.” During ICE’s expanded enforcement operation “Catch of the Day”, Mainers reported being followed home, called on their personal cell phones, and threatened by agents. Civil liberties experts warn this kind of surveillance expansion, paired with aggressive enforcement tactics, raises profound constitutional and privacy concerns.

Pingree also supports sweeping and urgently-needed reforms to rein in ICE, including requiring body cameras, requiring judicial warrants for enforcement operations, prohibiting agents from hiding behind masks, allowing independent investigations into extrajudicial killings, preventing the detention and deportation of U.S. citizens, prohibiting racial profiling, and legally binding use of force policies are how we keep our communities safe. Pingree is among more than 160 members of Congress who have signed onto articles of impeachment for DHS Secretary Noem.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Yesterday, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) introduced the Safely Ensuring Lives Future Deployment and Research in Vehicle Evolution Act of 2026 (SELF DRIVE Act). As first reported in Punchbowl News, this bill strengthens safety requirements, clarifies NHTSA’s authority, improves crash data transparency, and promotes U.S. leadership in autonomous vehicles innovation.  

Roadway safety remains a critical issue nationwide. Human error remains the leading cause of car accidents nationwide. Each year, nearly 40,000 Americans lose their lives in traffic-related crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated six million accidents occur annually, with 94 percent attributed to human error.  

Additionally, it is crucial that the United States maintain its leadership in the technology competition with China, particularly as China seeks to dominate the global autonomous vehicle market.  

“Autonomous vehicle technology has the potential to protect millions of Americans from traffic accidents and fatalities, while making our communities safer and more accessible. With the right framework in place, we can prioritize safety, transparency, and innovation while keeping pace with advancements in AV technology. The SELF DRIVE Act updates federal motor vehicle safety laws to establish a clear, national framework for the resting, deployment, and oversight of autonomous vehicles, ensuring consistent standards across states and promoting trust in this emerging technology. By strengthening America’s role in developing and regulating the autonomous vehicle framework, we can ensure innovation thrives here at home. Standing up to China means keeping these jobs in America and securing our position as a global leader in autonomous vehicle development and manufacturing,” Latta said.  

“The U.S. has both an opportunity and responsibility to lead the world in the development and deployment of next-generation technologies. The SELF DRIVE Act can create the necessary framework to facilitate autonomous vehicle innovation and ensure Americans can safely enjoy the benefits of these advancements,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie.

“The Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association commends Representative Latta on introduction of the SELF DRIVE Act, which will help establish a federal policy framework for autonomous vehicles. Representative Latta’s legislation prioritizes safety through rigorous oversight while clearing the path for American companies to lead globally. This bill creates what autonomous vehicle leaders need: clear rules, strong safety standards, and the regulatory certainty needed to scale deployment nationwide,” said Jeff Farrah, CEO of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association. 

 “Honda commends Congressman Latta’s efforts to advance the SELF DRIVE Act of 2026 to establish a single national standard for automated vehicle technology. Honda supports a clear regulatory framework for the safe and responsible deployment of AV technology in America that will promote long-term U.S. leadership in the global auto market,” said Jennifer Thomas, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, American Honda Motor Company.  

“It’s tempting to think of the SELF DRIVE Act as a technology bill. It’s more than that. This is really a plan to advance American competitiveness and national security. Rep. Latta gets this, and it’s why he has never given up on a national autonomous vehicle framework. Countries around the world are racing to shape the AV future. It’s time for Congress to get a bill across the finish line and clear the way for more AV testing and safe deployment here at home,” said John Bozzella, president and CEO, Alliance for Automotive Innovation.

“AVs represent a generational opportunity to save lives, strengthen supply chains, and expand access to transportation for millions of Americans. The technology is ready – what we need now is clear, consistent national policy. Congress must ensure America remains the global leader in mobility by advancing a regulatory framework that prioritizes certainty, safety and American competitiveness,” said Gary Shapiro, Executive Chair and CEO, Consumer Technology Association.

“The SELF DRIVE Act would establish a clear national framework for the deployment of autonomous vehicles that will save American lives and unlock significant growth in US manufacturing. Thank you, Congressman Latta, for your continued leadership. Tesla remains a committed partner in advancing policies that prioritize safety, accessibility, and American competitiveness,” said Tesla, Inc.

Background: 

Congressman Latta has been working on autonomous vehicle legislation since 2017. During the 115th Congress, his SELF DRIVE Act passed the House, making it the first Congressional proposal to address autonomous vehicle technology.   

Last month, Congressman Latta participated in a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing to discuss the draft of his bill, to watch the discussion, click here.

Congressman Latta is the co-chair of the Congressional Autonomous Vehicle Caucus; a bipartisan caucus aimed at educating Congress on how autonomous vehicle technology can improve the safety and accessibility of the nation’s roads. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) joined Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), and nine members of Congress to introduce the Freeze ICE Act to stop the rapid recruitment of unvetted individuals at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Since the start of the Trump administration, ICE has hired more than 12,000 new personnel and slashed agent training from 22 weeks to just 47 days putting untrained federal agents on the streets. The effort comes as masked ICE agents continue to make grave errors, including arresting U.S. citizens, entering homes without judicial warrants, and using excessive force against people across the country.  

“Over the past year, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has hired more than 12,000 agents with insufficient training and little accountability, leading them to terrorize American streets and tear apart communities. Congress needs to pass the Freeze ICE Act to impose a hiring freeze at ICE and put proper accountability measures and procedural reforms in place to ensure the safety of Americans,” said Congressman Garamendi. “I am gravely concerned about the steps Trump has taken to try and turn ICE into a secret police force, something that should never happen here in America. I thank Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher for her leadership in reining in ICE before even more grave mistakes are made.”

In addition, to Representatives Garamendi and Fletcher the bill was sponsored by Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Congressman Danny Davis (IL-07), Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) joined Congresswoman Fletcher as original co-sponsors of this legislation.

Congressman John Garamendi recently voted no on the DHS funding bill that would have given ICE even more money for their slush fund. Last year, Congressional Republicans directed an additional $75 billion in funding to ICE in the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which enabled ICE to ramp up its mass deportation campaign.  ICE is now the highest-funded federal law enforcement agency.

To read the full text of the bill, click here.

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

Headline: Rep. Scott Secures $13.67 Million in Funding for Hampton Roads Community Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) secured $13.67 million in new federal funding for community projects throughout Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District.  The funds were allocated as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) government funding package.  These projects will support investments to improve the lives of workers, students, and families. 

“I am proud to champion these investments which will deliver the resources our communities need to thrive,” said Congressman Scott. “These projects will lead to increased support for young people, improved neighborhoods and better services. I look forward to the positive impacts that these projects will bring throughout the district.” 

Rep. Scott secured a total of $13.67 million in federal funds. The projects that will receive funding in Virginia’s 3^rdDistrict include: 

• An Achievable Dream Inc., Social and Emotional Support and Crisis Prevention Initiative, $790,000;
• City of Chesapeake, Myer’s Road Sidewalk Expansion, $1,150,000.
• City of Chesapeake, Schooner Trail Park, $500,000;
• City of Hampton, Hampton Therapeutic Recreation Center Accessibility and Expansion Project, $850,000;
• City of Newport News, Peninsula Digital Infrastructure Expansion Initiative, $2,000,000;
• City of Newport News, Safe Haven Empowerment Center Facility Improvements, $2,000,000;
• City of Newport News, Youth Diversion Program: Friday Night Nets, $750,000;
• City of Norfolk, Homeless Housing Center Improvements, $850,000;
• Hampton Roads Police Athletic League, Hampton Roads Youth Crime Prevention and Community Engagement Program, $860,000;
• Hampton Roads Transit, Paratransit Fleet Expansion, $850,000;
• Old Dominion University, Improving Success in Siting Natural and Nature-Based Features for Flood Risk Reduction using Digital Twins as Decision Support Initiative, $1,031,000;
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Norfolk District, General Reevaluation Report – Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management, $500,000;
• Urban League of Hampton Roads, Incarcerated Persons Reentry Initiative, $1,039,000;
• Virginia Peninsula Community College, Wellness & Workforce Center, $500,000.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, joined Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) and 21 California colleagues demanding Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem not to deploy ICE or other immigration enforcement personnel at the upcoming Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California:  

“This should be a moment of celebration, unity, and economic opportunity, not a flashpoint for fear, polarization, and violence,” the lawmakers wrote. “Across the country, aggressive and often indiscriminate ICE operations have caused real harm. They have led to multiple deaths, sparked justified national outrage, and caused lasting damage to trust and well-being in communities.”

“Having ICE at the Super Bowl would undermine public safety, disrupt communities, and threaten the peaceful enjoyment this event should bring to the region and the nation,” the lawmakers continued. “Members of Congress from California are united in a simple principle: public safety is built through trust, not fear. We trust you will give this letter your full and fair consideration under all applicable laws and regulations. We demand DHS rely on standard large-scale event security and coordination with local partners, not immigration enforcement that jeopardizes safety, unity, and economic success.

To read the full letter, click here.  

Congressman Garamendi and Khanna are joined by Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), J. Correa (CA-46), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), and Juan Vargas (CA-52).  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Darren Soto (D-FL)

Last month, ICE agents toured an industrial warehouse in Orlando to potentially convert into a detention facility

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

• Before 2016, CMS generally prevented urban hospitals that reclassified as “rural” from simultaneously receiving both urban and rural benefits. However, in 2016, two federal court ruled that urban hospitals could classify themselves as both urban and rural.
• This opened the door for urban hospitals to double-dip on benefits and essentially choose the best of options offered to both urban and rural hospitals
• Through dual classification, these hospitals can access higher urban Medicare wage indexes while also qualifying for rural-only benefits, such as a lower eligibility threshold for the 340B Drug Pricing Program, increased graduate medical education funding, and potential designation as sole community hospitals, rural referral centers, or Medicare-dependent small rural hospitals.
• These advantages divert limited federal resources away from truly rural hospitals that rely on them to keep their doors open and maintain access to care.
• This loophole has led to a dramatic increase in dual classifications, rising from just three hospitals in 2017 to more than 425 by 2023.
• The Defend Rural Health Act restores the integrity of federal rural health programs by eliminating the “dually classified” loophole and establishing stricter eligibility standards.

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