MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

“I know what it’s like to hear the dreaded words: ‘you have breast cancer.’ As a survivor, this fight is personal,” said Wasserman Schultz. “That’s why I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to reauthorize the Breast Cancer Research stamp program, which raised nearly $100 million for lifesaving studies at the Defense Department and NIH. Every stamp purchase is a commitment to beat this deadly disease.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — This morning, at the weekly House GOP Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson highlighted House Republicans’ legislation this week to continue cutting red tape and dismantling burdensome energy regulations. Speaker Johnson also discussed the path forward to bring an end the Democrat DHS Shutdown and to reauthorize FISA Sec. 702.

“The production of American energy is now directly related to national security. The need and the demand for energy is rising dramatically because of AI and all of these other necessities that we have in the economy. And we’ve got to provide for it,” Speaker Johnson said.

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

On House Republicans’ efforts to cut regulations and reestablish American energy dominance:

We’re going to pass two pieces of legislation that are going to build specifically on President Trump’s work to restore America’s energy dominance. The Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act rolls back an outdated and inefficient green energy mandate on federal buildings and military installations, which will allow agencies to pursue efficient, cost-effective energy solutions that meet their needs. What a concept. The second one, the HEATS Act, is going to help unlock American geothermal production. This is reliable renewable energy that has huge potential for diversifying America’s energy supply. This legislation will remove unnecessary permitting hurdles and help deliver on Republicans’ commitment to an all-the-above approach to affordable American energy. And we’ve got to provide for it. So, it’s an all-the-above and that’s what this legislation reflects. Finally, as Leader Scalise was noting the FIRE Act and the ESA Amendments Act will streamline and clarify environmental regulations, encouraging responsible fire management and the protection of America’s diverse wildlife, while removing costly and unclear mandates that unfairly penalize good faith actors. It’s common sense. That is the theme here. We’re going to cut red tape and do the right thing, and the Congress is leading on this.

On ending the Democrat DHS Shutdown:

And that’s why through a targeted and narrow reconciliation process, we will fully fund the agency, including ICE and CBP, for three years into the future. This is great news for every American who supports secure borders and safe communities and chaos free airports. In the coming days, the House will be working closely with the Senate as they commence on that reconciliation process. And it should not be forgotten that Democrats have shut down this, the third largest department of the federal government with all of its 10 agencies charged with keeping everybody safe. And they did that for political purposes.

They’ve kept it shut down for over two months. Now we’re on day 65. It’s the longest in history because they’d rather reopen the border than pay our hardworking men and women of our law enforcement. They would rather defund the police than pay our TSA workers at the airport. They would rather endanger the American homeland than fund basic immigration enforcement. I’ve said it before; I’ll say it again. You heard the theme here this morning. You’ll hear it all the way through the election cycle. Our politics have now entered a new era. It’s called common sense versus crazy. Republicans return to common sense versus Democrats just madness. This shutdown is a shameful episode in the history of the Democrat Party. This is not our father’s Democrat Party. Watch what happens. We administered the oath to a Member last night who has some, some pretty Far-Left positions. We expect more of that to come from that party, and it’s not where the American people are. And it’s yet another example of their preference for open borders and dangerous communities over the safety and security of American citizens.

On reauthorizing FISA Sec. 702:

The House will pick up where we left off on reauthorizing FISA, Section 702. It’s must-pass legislation. We’ve talked about it here before. It preserves the Trump Administration’s ability to kill terrorists and to prevent attacks on our homeland. This provision of law was created after 9/11. And frankly, one of the reasons we’ve not had another 9/11 on our shores is because we have this important tool. Congress was able to pass a short-term extension of Section 702 last week, and we’re going to continue to work out a longer-term extension. We’re confident that we’ll be able to find strong, bipartisan consensus that builds off of the really meaningful reforms that we included in the legislation the last time we authorized it. We did that in 2024. 56 reforms, and they’re working just as we planned.

Those were successful because that was a sensible set of changes. Countries like Russia and China are waging new forms of cyber and intelligence warfare. And of course, as Iran and its proxies threaten the US and our allies, it just bears repeating that this is no time to degrade in any way our ability to protect the homeland and our people. And this is an essential piece of that, an essential component, and failure on it is just simply not an option.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, will chair a hearing today on the SAT Streamlining Act, which aims to modernize and expedite the processing of satellite and space licenses.

“American innovators are at the leading edge of technological advancements that will serve our families and businesses for years to come. However, our laws governing satellite technologies often do not reflect our ability and shared goal to continue that progress,” said Chairman Hudson.

“I look forward to a conversation about modernizing our regulations so bureaucracy and red tape do not prevent another great American century.”

The hearing will discuss the impact of the following legislation:

• H.R. 8255, the SAT Streamlining Act (Rep. Brett Guthrie/Pallone)

WHAT: Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on updating satellite regulations

DATE: Tuesday, April 21, 2026

TIME: 2:00 PM ET

LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building

The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed at energycommerce.house.gov.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, applauded the bipartisan, unanimous House passage of H.R. 7386, the First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act of 2026.

This legislation will improve crisis communications with a stronger First Responder Network Authority, while prioritizing the needs of our First Responders to meet all Americans. It will strengthen oversight, improve reliability, and ensure first responders have the communications tools they need in emergencies.

“Reliable communications are essential for our first responders,” said Rep. Hudson. “In drafting this bipartisan bill, we brought everyone to the table to get it right. It builds on what works, fixes what doesn’t, and ensures FirstNet delivers a reliable, interoperable network that will keep our communities safer.”

Recent oversight has underscored the urgency of these reforms. Since 2014, the Commerce Department’s Inspector General has issued more than 20 reports raising concerns about oversight and network performance. Real-world failures have also shown the network has not always performed when it mattered most, including during major disasters like Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, where first responders faced outages and communication breakdowns.

The FirstNet Reauthorization Act addresses these challenges by:

Strengthening oversight and accountability of the network
Improving governance and public safety representation on the FirstNet Authority Board
Ensuring responsible reinvestment of funds into network improvements
Supporting more reliable and resilient communications during emergencies

In North Carolina, Hurricane Helene and other emergencies exposed gaps in network reliability, reinforcing the need for reforms to ensure seamless communication during hurricanes and other disasters.

Hudson worked in good faith with bipartisan colleagues, stakeholders, and public safety organizations throughout the process. The legislation is supported by more than fifteen public safety organizations.

The House also advanced complementary legislation to modernize emergency alerts and strengthen the nation’s public safety communications infrastructure.

Supporters of the FirstNet Reauthorization Act include:

• AT&T

• International Association of Fire Chiefs

• Congressional Fire Services Institute

• International Association of Emergency Managers, U.S. Council

• International Association of Fire Fighters

• International City/County Management Association

• Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association

• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives

• National Association of Counties

• National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians

• National Association of State Chief Information Officers

• National Conference of State Legislatures

• National Emergency Management Association

• National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

• National Fire Protection Association

• National League of Cities

• National Volunteer Fire Council

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

Rep. Kelly slammed his response as absurd.

“The American people are not falling for what you’re saying,” Rep. Kelly lectured Secretary Kennedy. “Your attacks on minority health, women’s health, LGBTQ+ health, and basic preventative medicine through illegal funding freezes and mass firing will lead to decades of consequences for all Americans. You have failed at your job and failed the American people.”

Secretary Kennedy claimed the country’s maternal mortality rate was improving.

Rep. Kelly quickly corrected him and stated Black women are still three times more likely to die due to pregnancy-related causes than white women. Secretary Kenned eliminated critical maternal health programs, like the Centers of Disease Control’s Safe Motherhood Initiative.

“You don’t have to show me the data,” said Rep. Kelly. “I’m the one who brought the issue [of maternal mortality] to Congress.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Contact: Alexis Torres

Brownsville, Texas – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced Itzel Martinez, a senior from Rivera Early College High School, as the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Texas’s 34^th Congressional District. Her artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

The 2026 competition garnered 89 entries from 19 high schools throughout the 34^th Congressional District.

On Saturday, Congressman Gonzalez’s office held an art show at Harlingen City Hall, with Mayor Norma Sepulveda joining as a guest speaker, to showcase all 89 entries and recognize the winning piece. Although the Congressman was in Washington fighting for public schools, working to lower costs, and advocating for South Texas values, he shared a message with the students and their families, which can be viewed here. 

“Every spring, I have the honor of hosting the Congressional Art Competition to encourage artistic creativity amongst our high school students and giving them the chance to have their work admired by visitors from around the world in our nation’s Capitol,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Congratulations to Itzel on her first-place finish, and thank you to every student across our district who made this year’s competition a success. Initiatives like the art competition are prime examples of why a strong public education system is important for providing young South Texans with opportunities to achieve their full potential.”

The winning entry, “We Are the Unity” by Itzel Martinez (12^th grade) depicts an angel with open arms draped in an American flag, symbolizing that all are welcome.

“We are the Unity.” Charcoal and prisma color pencil.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) reintroduced the bipartisan 21st Century Entrepreneurship Act to increase workforce and entrepreneurship opportunities, especially for students from underserved communities.

“Whether it’s opening a shop on Main Street or starting something new from the ground up, entrepreneurship creates jobs and keeps our communities strong,” said Davids. “But too many young people — especially in underserved areas — don’t have a clear path to get started. This bill helps bridge that gap by giving students the tools, mentorship, and real-world experience they need to launch businesses and support their local economies.”

“Across Bucks and Montgomery counties, some of the strongest pillars of our community are the entrepreneurs and small business owners who saw an opportunity, took a risk, and built something that now creates jobs and serves others,” said Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01). “I have seen how that kind of initiative can change the trajectory of a Main Street, a neighborhood, or a young person’s future. The 21st Century Entrepreneurship Act is about helping more students — especially those too often left outside these opportunities — gain the mentorship, skills, and real-world experience to turn ambition into enterprise and promise into progress. That is how we widen the pathway to entrepreneurship and expand economic opportunity for the long term,”

Entrepreneurship is an engine of economic growth, job creation, and innovation, but American entrepreneurship has steadily declined over the past several decades. New businesses accounted for 38 percent of all businesses in the U.S. in 1982, compared to just 29 percent in 2018.

The bipartisan bill aims to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs by requiring the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop an entrepreneurship curriculum for students in the 21^st century and encouraging mentorship from proven business leaders across the country.

While most existing federal entrepreneurial development and mentorship programs focus on those with already established careers, this bill would help create a pipeline to entrepreneurship by targeting entrepreneurial education toward students from underprivileged and underrepresented backgrounds.

“The Center for American Entrepreneurship proudly endorses the bipartisan 21st Century Entrepreneurship Act from Representatives Sharice Davids and Brian Fitzpatrick,” said John Dearie, President, Center for American Entrepreneurship. “Startups drive innovation, economic growth, and most of the new job creation in America. Strengthening entrepreneurship is essential to our economic future. By connecting students in underserved communities with SCORE mentors through Community Learning Centers, this bill will help equip the next generation of great American entrepreneurs with the skills to succeed. We thank Reps. Davids and Fitzpatrick for their leadership and look forward to swift passage.”

During her time in Congress, Davids has worked across the aisle to support small businesses. As a former member of the House Small Business Committee, she called for strong oversight of pandemic relief programs to prevent fraud and focused on strengthening domestic supply chains to support small- and medium-sized manufacturers. She has also prioritized efforts to reduce excessive paperwork for small businesses and support individual workers, including veterans, women, and people in recovery.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11) introduced the bipartisan Accountable Produce is Medicine Act, legislation aimed at modernizing the U.S. health care system by incorporating proven nutrition-based interventions to prevent and manage chronic disease. 

“Kansas families know that good health doesn’t start in a doctor’s office — it starts at home, with what’s on the table,” said Davids.“In too many rural and underserved communities, people are managing serious conditions like diabetes and heart disease without reliable access to healthy food. This bipartisan bill I’m leading with Representative Lloyd Smucker helps change that by bringing together doctors, care teams, and local food systems so patients can get the nutrition they need to stay healthier and out of the hospital.”

This legislation would direct the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to test a new bundled payment model that integrates “produce prescriptions” interventions into care for patients with chronic diseases. Through this “food is medicine” approach, eligible individuals would gain access to nutrition-focused support, including healthy foods, care coordination, and monitoring services, with the goal of improving health outcomes and reducing overall health care costs.

More than 75 percent of adults in the United States live with at least one chronic disease, many of which are diet-related. Research shows that preventive, nutrition-based interventions can play a critical role in addressing this growing epidemic. 

“Diet-related chronic disease is one of our nation’s most pressing health challenges and a main driver of rising health care costs,” said Representative Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11). “Our system can and must do more to prevent disease—not just treat it. I’m grateful for Rep. Davids’ partnership to advance preventive health measures that will improve the lives of Americans, including proven food is medicine interventions, and I look forward to working closely with Secretary Kennedy to make it possible.”

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Organizations supporting the measure include FreshRx Oklahoma, National Produce Prescription Collaborative, Kellyn Foundation, School of Global Health, Hunger Free Kansas, Texas Health Resources, Coalition for Metabolic Health, National Alliance to Impact Social Determinants of Health, Healthcare Partnerships, Mosaic Life Care, the Sunflower Foundation, and the International Fresh Produce Association. 

Here is what they are saying:

“Hunger Free Kansas commends Representative Davids and her colleagues for this bipartisan effort to scale proven solutions that improve health outcomes while reducing costs. Through the Blueprint for a Hunger-Free Kansas, we are advancing Food is Medicine as a strategy at the intersection of health, agriculture, and community. Kansas is positioned to be a nationwide leader in Food is Medicine, and we are proud to support the Accountable Produce is Medicine Act of 2026.” — Erika Debrick Kelly, Executive Director of Hunger Free Kansas

“The National Produce Prescription Collaborative (NPPC) commends Reps. Smucker and Davids for their introduction of the Accountable Produce is Medicine Act which builds on what we already know: prescribing fruits and vegetables at the point of care improves health outcomes and leads to lower healthcare costs. With its focus on regenerative agriculture, this important legislation addresses rising chronic illness in the United States while also strengthening connections to local farms. Rep. Smucker has been a champion for this work for some time, pushing to modernize Medicare Advantage guidance so that food-based interventions are recognized as “primarily health related” supplemental benefits. We are deeply grateful for his longstanding commitment to integrating healthy food into healthcare for Americans.” — NPPC Coalition Director Sam Hoeffler 

“Too often, we treat the consequences of chronic disease while overlooking the root causes. One of the most powerful foundations of good health is optimal nutrition. Empowering the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to test bundled ‘food is medicine’ models can improve outcomes, enhance quality of life, and reduce costs. This is a practical, evidence-based step toward a more effective healthcare system that prioritizes whole-person health.”  — Meagan L. Grega, MD, FACLM,  Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer, Kellyn Foundation

“Representatives Lloyd Smucker and Sharice Davids are trailblazing a new path for health care by introducing an accountable bundled payment model for food is medicine. This historic first for Medicare would align incentives and payments while empowering patients with the tools to advance wellbeing and tackle preventable chronic diseases through nutritious food that is locally grown. Healthcare is truly local, and it starts with the healthy food our local farmers and ranchers provide for communities across the country.” — Winjie Miao, President, Texas Health Resources

“The Coalition for Metabolic Health strongly supports the bipartisan Accountable Produce is Medicine Act of 2026 and its focus on integrating nutrition into care for chronic disease, and encourages its implementation to reflect the full range of nutrient-dense foods and evidence-based dietary approaches. As food is medicine models are implemented, it is essential they reflect current nutrition science and allow for individualized, clinically appropriate approaches. Nutrition interventions should include a broad range of whole, minimally processed, nutrient-dense foods, including fruits and vegetables; dairy; and animal and plant protein sources (including eggs, poultry, seafood, meat, beans, peas, lentils, legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy), to support diverse patient needs and cultural preferences. A growing body of evidence—including recommendations reflected in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030—supports therapeutic carbohydrate reduction, including low-carbohydrate and ketogenic interventions, as effective tools for improving ‘metabolic health and reducing health care costs, particularly for conditions like diabetes, obesity, and related comorbidities.’ We encourage the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to ensure flexibility for clinicians and to evaluate outcomes across different dietary approaches. This will help maximize the model’s impact on improving health outcomes and reducing costs. We applaud Representatives Smucker and Davids for their leadership.” — Coalition for Metabolic Health 

“NASDOH applauds the introduction of the Accountable Produce is Medicine Act, which would require the CMS Innovation Center to test a bundled payment model that includes nutrition-focused interventions—such as produce prescriptions and nutrition counseling—in Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP programs. The CMS Innovation Center has an important role in testing and implementing innovative payment and service delivery models to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. For this reason, it is critical that these value-based care efforts incorporate efforts to address the root causes of health, including nutrition.” — National Alliance to Impact Social Determinants of Health

“We’re grateful to Representatives Smucker and Davids for their continued leadership on commonsense solutions that better align our health care system with real outcomes. This legislation reinforces a simple truth: what people eat directly shapes their health, and fruits and vegetables must be central to the solution. Produce prescriptions are a proven, effective way to help prevent and manage chronic disease, and scaling these approaches is critical to improving the health of more Americans.” — Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association

“At Morrissey Market, we’ve built a national network of regional suppliers to deliver medically tailored groceries to patients managing chronic disease — because we believe locally grown food and clinical nutrition intervention go hand in hand. The Accountable Produce is Medicine Act gets this right, prioritizing local and regional producers while creating the federal infrastructure to scale food is medicine programs through Medicare and Medicaid. We applaud Rep. Smucker’s leadership and are proud to support this legislation.” — Emily Roach, VP Healthcare Partnerships, Morrissey Market

“Our mission at Mosaic Life Care is to put the needs of the patient first by empowering a culture where caregivers bring their best, ensuring a healthier future for generations to come. The Food Is Medicine program reflects that commitment in a real way. We know that access to healthy food can be a barrier to better health. When patients are struggling to manage chronic conditions or recover from illness without reliable nutrition, clinical care alone isn’t enough. By addressing food insecurity as part of care, we are meeting patients where they are while investing in the long‑term health of our region.” — CEO Mike Poore, Mosaic Life Care, St. Joseph, Missouri 

“As a statewide health foundation in Kansas with an interest in whole person care and systems change, the Sunflower Foundation has been investing in Food is Medicine implementation and evaluation for nearly five years. To take Food is Medicine from the “innovation” state to widespread best practice, the health care system needs multiple payment pathways that reflect the varied ways in which people seek, receive, and pay for care. Taking FIM to scale should also consider the existing assets and future potential of local farmers, growers, grocers, and other food businesses that require new markets and avenues for growth and are passionate about improving the health of their communities. This legislation marks a solid start to this important work by addressing two critical elements: payment pathways and local food sourcing.” — Brandon Skidmore, CEO & President, Sunflower Foundation 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren’s (D-CA) opening statement as prepared for the record is below: