Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA
Sonoma, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced that he has helped secure $2,496,686.63 in federal grant funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the Sonoma Ecology Center to advance their floodplain restoration project in Sonoma Creek. This investment will support work at three high-priority restoration sites in Glen Ellen to help reduce flood risk for local communities while restoring critical habitat for steelhead and other threatened species.
“Sonoma Creek is one of the Bay Area’s most important waterways,” said Thompson. “This project will help protect the steelhead and other wildlife that depend on the creek, and it will also better protect nearby homes and key infrastructure from worsening floods. Thank you to the Sonoma Ecology Center for the incredible work they’re doing to protect our community and environment. I’ve long worked to restore our natural landscapes and safeguard our communities from flood risk. This project does both, and I’m proud to have helped secure this important funding for Sonoma Valley.”
“We are so grateful to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for funding our restoration planning at three priority sites on Sonoma Creek,” said Richard Dale, Executive Director of the Sonoma Ecology Center. “This funding will help us advance projects to protect habitat for threatened and endangered species like steelhead, while also helping to address erosion and flooding. This project is one of only four projects in California funded through this competitive nation-wide grant program, and we appreciate Congressman Thompson’s support helping us bring these resources to Sonoma Valley.”
Intensifying winter rainstorms have accelerated erosion and flooding along Sonoma Creek, threatening nearby homes, infrastructure, and ecosystem health. This funding will allow the Sonoma Ecology Center to move forward on restoration activities, improving overall habitat and waterway resilience.
The nearly $2.5 million in funding will support efforts to:
Advance detailed designs for floodplain restoration at three priority locations along Sonoma Creek
Reduce community flood and erosion risks heightened by severe winter storms
Restore and enhance habitat for steelhead trout and other sensitive species
Improve long-term watershed resilience in Sonoma Valley
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) announced his support of Amtrak’s announcement of a revised long-distance fleet replacement strategy that prioritizes fleet standardization, broadens competition among potential carbuilders, reduces program risk, and accelerates the replacement of its aging passenger cars. Under this plan, all long-distance routes will transition to a universal single-level fleet, replacing today’s mix of bi-level and single-level equipment.
This proposal would support Amtrak’s station in Erie, Pennsylvania along the Lake Shore Limited line connecting New York City and Boston to Chicago. Last month, Rep. Kelly wrote a letter of support for Amtrak’s project.
“The Erie Amtrak station serves as a great halfway point on the Lake Shore Limited line, connecting New York City and Chicago, along with other major cities along the way. This new fleet will serve passengers not only from Northwest Pennsylvania, but across the Great Lakes and Northeast corridors. It’s a valuable addition to Amtrak’s service into and out of Erie,” said Rep. Kelly.
Amtrak’s announcement, which came Thursday, reflects extensive analysis of the challenges associated with operating a hybrid fleet. It also incorporates industry feedback received during the previous request for proposals on new bi-level trains, along with findings from a joint Amtrak-Federal Railroad Administration review that identified the most effective path forward.
“This new approach will deliver a more consistent and accessible customer experience across the Amtrak network while maintaining our commitment to introduce the first new long-distance cars in the early 2030s,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “Thanks to support from FRA Administrator David Fink and the entire Federal Railroad Administration team, Amtrak’s long-distance fleet replacement is moving forward more effectively and efficiently than originally planned.”
“With these new cars, Amtrak will finally replace its aging fleet and provide American travelers with the world class rail service they deserve, helping usher in Secretary Duffy’s vision for a new Golden Age of travel,” said U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Steve Bradbury. “These new cars won’t just benefit American train passengers, but workers too by supporting good paying domestic manufacturing jobs.”
“The FRA stands ready to work with Amtrak on behalf of President Trump and Transportation Secretary Duffy to update Amtrak’s aging passenger rail fleet with modern American made cars,” said FRA Administrator David Fink.
“These cars have carried the country for more than 40 years. It’s long-past time to replace them. Issuing this new Request for Proposals is about not only reliability for passengers but about continuing the steady rebuilding of America’s passenger-rail manufacturing base that we’ve seen with the Airo fleet and the NextGen Acela. When we maintain that momentum, we don’t just buy trains: we rebuild capability and set the stage for creating the world-class service all of us want and that American passengers deserve,” said Rail Passengers Association President & CEO Jim Mathews.
BACKGROUND
Amtrak will soon issue a formal request for suppliers to bid on the new long-distance fleet replacement contract and cancel the bi-level procurement. Once a selection is made, Amtrak will work closely with the selected car builder to finalize the delivery schedule to replace our long-distance aging fleet.
Many of Amtrak’s current long-distance railcars were delivered more than 40 years ago. Amtrak will continue to evaluate the condition of the existing fleet, assess remaining service life, and determine any life extension measures necessary to ensure safe and reliable operations until the new long-distance fleet enters service.
Procurement of new long-distance passenger cars represents one piece of Amtrak’s broader systemwide fleet modernization program. Amtrak continues to receive new high-powered ALC-42 locomotives for long-distance service, with 79 of 125 units delivered to date. New NextGen Acela trains launched last fall on America’s only high-speed rail corridor, and the new Airo fleet will begin service on Amtrak Cascades in 2026, followed by the Northeast Regional and other short- and mid-distance routes in the coming years.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) announced he will hold a telephone town hall regarding the new tax filing season on Thursday, March 5. Rep. Kelly will be joined by officials from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, also known as the Taxpayer Advocate Service, who will help to answer constituents’ questions.
“As Pennsylvanians file their taxes this year, they are learning more about all the benefits included in the new Working Families Tax Cuts law, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. Our upcoming town hall will help everyone across Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District file their taxes effectively and efficiently,” said Rep. Kelly.
DETAILS
Who: U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, officials from the IRS and Office of the Taxpayer Advocate What: Live, toll-free telephone town hall When: Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 6:00p.m. ET Pinless Participant Dial-In: 855-531-1063 Livestream:Facebook.com/MikeKellyPA
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Last night, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MS NOW’s The 11th Hour, where he highlighted the failure of Donald Trump and Republicans to lower costs and keep their promises and reiterated Democrats’ commitments to protecting the American people.
CATHERINE RAMPELL: Leader Jeffries, thank you so much for joining me this evening.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Great to be with you.
CATHERINE RAMPELL: So, Leader Jeffries, this was a record-breaking speech—nearly two hours as you know—and Trump dedicated less than three minutes in all of that to affordability. So many people out there said that they voted for him because of the economy, yet they are unhappy. At the same time, they aren’t exactly optimistic that Democrats can solve their issues. So how is the party going to show voters that they are able to do that?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, first of all, the best thing that I can say about the speech is that it’s over. And you’re absolutely correct. In addition to him lying throughout the entire duration of his remarks, he dedicated less than three minutes to dealing with the affordability crisis now. Donald Trump promised to lower costs on day one, and of course he’s failed. Costs haven’t gone down in the United States of America. Costs have gone up across the board on housing, on healthcare, on child care, groceries and electricity bills—all skyrocketing. Our effort will be to make clear to the American people that our top focus as Democrats is going to be to drive down the high cost of living. And we’ve seen Democrats successfully be able to make that case in places like New Jersey and New York and Virginia, as a matter of fact up and down the ballot across the country, which is the reason why Democrats have been winning elections for 14 consecutive months. And we’re going to continue to keep our foot on the gas pedal.
CATHERINE RAMPELL: So I want to ask you about at least one new proposal that seems to have come out of the State of the Union address on affordability. The President mentioned a ratepayer protection pledge, which, for those watching, basically means that tech companies will build or buy their own electricity supplies for data centers. Do you support this particular idea, and if not what are Democrats’ specific plans for dealing with voters’ concerns about data centers and rising electricity costs?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, those concerns are very real, very important. What we’ve seen is that electricity bills have increased, I think, north of 13% under Donald Trump’s presidency when this guy promised to cut them in half. Of course, that’s another broken promise that he’s made to the American people. Now, part of the problem that we confront is that in the Republican One Big Ugly Bill—where they, of course, cut Medicaid by the largest amount in American history, cut SNAP by the large amount in American history—they also detonated the progress that we’ve made on the clean energy economy by eliminating tax credits for renewable energy like wind and solar. That’s had the impact of lessening the electricity supply at a time when the demand, as you’ve indicated, has gone up in part, of course, because of what’s happening with these data centers. And so we have to increase the supply to make sure that we don’t see an environment where the demand is so greatly exceeding what’s available that bills are going to increase significantly. By the same period of time, I think it is important to make sure that companies are actually paying for the increased electricity that they are utilizing, as opposed to having communities all across the country bear that burden. And it’s something that we need to look into in terms of the best way to accomplish it. The President suggests that there’s been an agreement but, of course, we’ve seen documentation of that. We’ve seen no proof. We’ve seen no evidence that actually it’s enforceable, and I think that will be one of the most appropriate next steps.
CATHERINE RAMPELL: Leader Jeffries, as you mentioned, some Democrats across the country have won elections by focusing on affordability, including by promising to cap electricity price increases, including in, I believe, Virginia and New Jersey. Do you support that idea? Do you think more Democrats should adopt that proposal?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, well, I think, you know, one of the things that’s interesting, and we have had that conversation as recently as yesterday in terms of the different ways in which we can cap electricity prices for the American people. Of course it’s a concept that we support. The question is, from the federal level, what is the best way to get that accomplished when we know utilities are regulated at the state level? It’s one of the reasons why, of course, now Governor Mikie Sherrill was able to both make that pledge and then on her first day in office keep that promise. So there are a variety of different things that we’re going to contemplate in terms of how we can incentivize states to partner with us in the federal government to get these electricity bills under control, we know that have gotten worse under the presidency of Donald Trump and failed Republican policies, particularly as it relates to their unprecedented attack on renewable energy.
CATHERINE RAMPELL: I want to turn now to elections. The Washington Post reports that pro-Trump activists who say that they are coordinating with the White House are circulating a draft executive order claiming that China interfered in the 2020 election as a basis to now declare a national emergency. This could grant extraordinary power to the current President over elections. How can Democrats challenge this?
LEADER JEFFRIES: It’s a great question. First of all, there’s zero evidence that the Chinese Communist Party interfered in the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump needs to get over the fact that he lost, and he lost decisively to former Vice President Joe Biden, who of course, as a result of the 2020 election, became the President of this country. Now, Donald Trump, all of the overreach that we’ve seen from this guy always comes down to the same approach in emergency authority. But we’ve repeatedly defeated him when he’s claimed this emergency authority, most recently, of course, at the Supreme Court as it relates to his alleged emergency authority to impose tariffs that have raised costs on the American people by thousands of dollars per year. That’s been struck down. He does not have the emergency authority to do that and to get around Congress. We also won a victory before the Supreme Court in December where Donald Trump was claiming the emergency authority to federalize the National Guard as part of his effort to try to intimidate voters. That ability and that power was struck down. And if he tries to go this route with an unlawful or unconstitutional executive order, we’re gonna get it struck down as well. And at the same period of time, make sure that the so-called Save America Act, which is basically voter suppression legislation, does not see the light of day and never emerges from Congress to get to his desk for a presidential signature.
CATHERINE RAMPELL: Finally, I want to, of course, talk to you about Iran. You released a statement today saying that it would be unconstitutional without consultation with and authorization from Congress for the President to use military force against Iran. So what happens then if he does strike without getting authorization? I mean, after all, he already bombed nuclear sites last summer without approval, and there were no consequences then. So how would this be any different?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, unfortunately, the absence of consequences, at least in terms of Congress, is due to the fact that Republicans in the House and the Senate, who are temporarily in the majority, continue to behave like reckless rubber stamps for Donald Trump’s extreme agenda. And they’ve become subservient to the President as opposed to functioning like a separate and co-equal branch of government. Here, we’re going to try to move this authorization for the use of military force legislation in advance of him trying to do anything and just find a handful of Republicans to join us so we can actually get this resolution over the finish line. The American people are with us. We know that the American people don’t want another failed forever foreign war, particularly in the Middle East, when we know the outcome is likely to be disastrous, as certainly was the case in terms of what happened in Iraq and Afghanistan. And so we’re going to press this next week. And we’ll have a handful of Republicans I believe—of course like Thomas Massie, who’s a cosponsor of the resolution—to join us. We’ll just need a few, and Congress can act to reclaim our authority with respect to the power to declare war.
CATHERINE RAMPELL: So to clarify, if the President goes ahead and strikes Iran without congressional authorization, would that be an impeachable offense? You said it’s unconstitutional.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, but I think what we’ve got to do right now, of course, is to do everything we can to prevent that from happening. It would be reckless. It would be dangerous. It would be harmful to America’s national security interests, which is why we’re committed, led by Ro Khanna and Greg Meeks and Jim Himes and Adam Smith and other Members of Congress in the House Democratic Caucus to do what’s necessary to get this resolution over the finish line next week.
CATHERINE RAMPELL: Leader Jeffries, thanks so much for your time tonight.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Representatives Brad Sherman (CA-32), Don Beyer (VA-08), Judy Chu (CA-28), and Mark Pocan (WI-02) led over 150 lawmakers in introducing the Direct File Act, new legislation that would reverse the Trump administration’s decision to end the highly successful Direct File program — which allowed taxpayers to file their taxes online, for free, and directly with the government — and make the program permanent.
“The federal government requires Americans to pay their taxes, thus it ought to provide them a free and easy way to do so. That’s why I helped lead Democrats’ efforts to establish Direct File through the Inflation Reduction Act: to save Americans time and money. That logic is lost on the Trump Administration. Trump may not care about lowering Americans’ costs, but Democrats still do,” said Congressman Hoyer. “We will keep fighting to bring back Direct File and to expand it nationwide.”
“It’s a no-brainer: Americans should be able to file their taxes easily and for free. Donald Trump canceled Direct File after giant tax prep companies spent millions lobbying to protect their profits,” said Senator Warren. “We’re fighting to lower costs for families by bringing Direct File back and making it the law of the land.”
“Americans shouldn’t have to waste valuable time or hard-earned money just to file their taxes,” said Representative Sherman. “The Direct File Act expands on the successful 2024 pilot and offers a straightforward, no-cost filing option that will make the process simpler and more affordable for working families.”
As House Majority Leader in the 117th Congress, Congressman Hoyer helped secure funding for Direct File in the Inflation Reduction Act. More than 140,000 Americans across twelve states participated in the Direct File pilot in 2024. 94% of users described their experience as “excellent” or “above average,” and more than 70% of taxpayers said they would use Direct File if they were eligible. If fully implemented, Direct File was projected to save families up to$23 billion annually in fees, time, and tax credits. Additionally, the program was projected to allow an estimated 700,000 Marylanders file their federal and state taxes for free.
Despite Direct File’s success, the Trump Administration ended the program. This decision contradicts recommendations from the independentGovernment Accountability Office andTreasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, ultimately raising costs for Americans and making the tax filing experience even more burdensome. In 2025, Congressman Hoyer joined 175 Members of Congress to condemn the Trump Administration’s decision to eradicate the program and demand that this decision be reversed.
In addition to directing the IRS to establish and operate a free online tax preparation and filing program, the Direct File Act would:
Prohibit the IRS from entering into agreements that restrict its ability to provide free online tax preparation or filing services.
Direct the IRS to publish an annual report on use levels, patterns of usage, and ways to improve access to Direct File.
Direct the IRS to enable seamless integration between state tax filing systems and Direct File, including through information sharing and a new grant program for states.
Reduce tax fraud by getting third-party income information to the IRS earlier in the tax season, allowing the agency to verify this information before issuing refunds.
“A free, direct e-filing tax return system is a fundamental taxpayer right,” said Nina Olson, Executive Director of the Center for Taxpayer Rights and former National Taxpayer Advocate. “Just as the government designs and printed paper tax forms for years, so should it design and maintain a user-friendly electronic filing option for individual taxpayers.”
“Americans across the country are struggling with high costs and having trouble making ends meet, so it’s especially frustrating that we no longer have the option to use the free Direct File online filing software developed by the IRS,” said Susan Harley, managing director of Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division. “The Direct File Act would put back in place this commonsense cost saving option for filers and once and for all ensure that corporations aren’t allowed to keep their stranglehold on tax filing. Public Citizen and our partners applaud Senator Warren, Representative Sherman, and their colleagues for their leadership on this critical issue.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) released the following statement encouraging Kentucky farmers to apply to receive one-time payments through the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the opening of the enrollment period for the program, which will close on April 17, 2026.
“It is essential that qualifying Kentucky farmers take action to receive their Farmer Bridge Assistance program payments during the ongoing enrollment window,” said Congressman Guthrie. “After an extremely difficult year in agriculture, this incredible program will help producers get financial relief ahead of the spring planting season. I am grateful for the diligent efforts of the Trump Administration to support those who work around the clock to keep our nation fed and clothed.”
Important Information to Apply for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Payments: On December 8, 2025, President Trump and the USDA announced the creation of the FBA program, dedicating $11 billion in tariff revenue to provide one-time payments to support agricultural producers impacted by recent trade market disruptions and continued increased production costs from the Biden Administration. The USDA also announced the launch of a payment calculator so that farmers can estimate the total payment they can expect to receive as a part of the FBA program. This will allow them to better plan their 2026 spring planting budget more accurately.
Pre-filled applications are currently available online to producers with a Login.govaccount who accurately filed their 2025 acreage reports. Producers with a Login.govaccount can access and submit their pre-filled application from fsa.usda.gov/fba. Additionally, producers can also request their pre-filled FBA application from their FSA county office.
The deadline for producers to submit a completed FBA program application is April 17, 2026. Producers can complete their pre-filled applications online or submit them to their FSA county office.
Eligible commodities covered under the FBA program include: Barley, Chickpeas, Corn, Cotton, Lentils, Oats, Peanuts, Peas, Rice, Sorghum, Soybeans, Wheat, Canola, Crambe, Flax, Mustard, Rapeseed, Safflower, Sesame, and Sunflower.
Important Eligibility Information for Specialty Crop Farmers Program: On February 13, 2026, the USDA announced the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program, which will provide $1 billion in assistance for specialty crops and sugar commodities not covered under the Farmers Bridge Assistance Program.
Qualifying producers of specialty crops are encouraged to ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5 pm ET on March 13, 2026.Payment rates set by the USDA will be released by March 31, 2026.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)
Griffith Statement on State of the Union Address, Governor Spanberger Rebuttal
U.S. President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address in the U.S. Capitol. Following the President’s remarks, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democratic Party’s rebuttal.
In response to the night’s remarks, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:
“Trump policies helped cool Biden-Harris inflation, lower energy costs and grow the U.S. economy! I support Republicans’ progress to clean up the mess made by the Biden-Harris economy which Governor Spanberger supported.”
“Further, the direction of state policy remains a concern for many in Virginia’s Ninth District. I will continue working my absolute hardest to ensure federal policy helps deliver relief for working families, rural communities and patients.”
BACKGROUND
Earlier this week, Congressman Griffith announced Connect Health + Wellness CEO Marcus Stone as his guest for the State of the Union address.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)
WASHINGTON — Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Don Bacon (NE-02) have introduced theImproving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act, which would launch a formal review into the effectiveness of the federal government’s mental health programs for veterans and transitioning servicemembers in an effort to address longstanding accessibility issues.
“When I came home from the Marines, I saw how important it is to have a strong support system in your corner. The VA is full of skilled public servants who do that work, but there’s only so much an individual employee can do about the fundamental gaps in service created by an imperfect system,”Golden said.“I’m grateful for the partnership of Congressmen Bergman, Bacon and Suozzi in the effort to show VA leaders just how lacking the agency’s outreach, rural logistics, and staffing efforts have been.”
“I’ve seen firsthand how the transition from active duty to civilian life can be one of the most vulnerable periods in a servicemember’s career. We owe our men and women in uniform more than gratitude – we owe them accountability and results,”Bergman said.“TheImproving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Actensures the Department of War and VA are working together effectively, eliminating gaps and duplication, and delivering real access to mental health care when it matters most. By requiring measurable standards, regular review, and transparency to Congress, this bill strengthens the transition process and helps ensure no Veteran falls through the cracks.”
“Too many veterans and service members fall through the cracks when transitioning from active duty to civilian life. We have to do better,”Suozzi said.“It’s our responsibility as lawmakers and Americans to make sure that everyone who serves our country receives the healthcare, including mental healthcare, they deserve,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi. “It’s common sense to assess and improve veterans’ health services of all kinds as time goes on. This bipartisan bill does just that, and I’m glad to join my colleagues, Congressmen Golden, Bergman, and Bacon, who I also thank for their service. Never forget the vet!”
“The transition to civilian life is one of the most vulnerable periods in a servicemember’s career. We must ensure our mental health screening tools are validated, effective, and connecting people to care,”Bacon said.“TheImproving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act strengthens oversight, improves coordination between the Department of Defense and the VA, and helps ensure no servicemember falls through the cracks. I’m pleased to co-lead this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Golden on this important effort to better support our servicemembers and veterans.”
TheImproving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Actwould require the Department of Defense-Veterans Affairs Joint Executive Committee (JEC) to assess the effectiveness of their programs and processes in facilitating access to mental health services for veterans returning to civilian life.
Included in JEC’s review would be a complete inventory of the government’s mental health programs, along with metrics, milestones and plans of actions to identify inefficiencies and gaps in programming. There would be a 180-day deadline to present the report to the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees.
The legislation would also require the JEC to update its existing Joint Separation Health Assessment (SHA) every two years. The SHA currently uses an outdated process to infrequently catalog veterans’ generalized health needs — an issue that forces policymakers to contend with data that isn’t specific nor timely enough.
“The American Legion is proud to support theImproving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act,”Matthew Jabaut, chairman of the American Legion’s National Legislative Commission said.“On behalf of our nearly 1.5 million members, we commend Representative Golden for advancing oversight-driven reforms that reinforce mental health support and help ensure no servicemember or veteran falls through the cracks.”
“We are happy that Congressman Jared Golden continues to focus on mental health for our Service Members and Veterans,”saidSteve SanPedro, national legislative committee member and chief of staff for the Department of Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars. “These invisible injuries need to be addressed so these men and women can live a healthy life after service to their country.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)
Legislation builds on Michigan’s unanimously passed state law, closing interstate enforcement gaps for online crimes targeting adults with disabilities
Washington, D.C. –Today, Representatives Haley Stevens (MI-11) and Debbie Dingell (MI-06) introduced theJustice for Allie Act, legislation to make it a federal crime to knowingly coerce, manipulate, or entice a vulnerable adult into sending intimate images with the intent to cause harm. The bill closes a major gap in federal law by addressing online sexual exploitation that crosses state lines.
The legislation is named for Allie Hayes, a Michigan woman with Down syndrome who was targeted by an online predator in 2017. Because Allie was over 18, her family discovered there was no clear legal pathway to hold the perpetrator accountable. Her parents, Dawn and Mark Hayes, have spent nearly a decade advocating to close that loophole at the state and federal levels. Their efforts led to Michigan’s unanimously passed Justice for Allie state law, written by State Representative Sharon MacDonell and signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2023.
“Michigan led the way by passing Justice for Allie unanimously; now it’s time to extend those protections nationwide. The internet is everywhere—we cannot let online predators evade prosecution simply because their crimes cross state lines,” said Rep. Haley Stevens. “The Justice for Allie Act establishes a clear federal standard to give families real protections and hold predators accountable.”
“Allie, a young woman in Michigan with Down syndrome, was targeted and manipulated by a predator into sending intimate images. She was exploited and victimized, yet because she was 18 there was no legal path to hold that predator accountable,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell. “As lawmakers, and as human beings, it is our responsibility to stand up for those who cannot protect themselves. This bill ensures that what happened to Allie will not happen again to someone else’s child.”
“I won’t stop until I know EVERYONE with a disability is protected so they won’t experience what I did,” said Allie Hayes, who enthusiastically supports this legislation.
Stevens and Dingell’sJustice for Allie Actbuilds on the Michigan model, ensuring predators can no longer evade accountability simply by exploiting victims across state lines. The bill protects adults 18 and older with developmental, intellectual, neurological, or serious mental health conditions and defines harm to include physical, psychological, financial, or reputational damage.
“Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities are constantly in danger on the internet. This legislation protects the people we love from online predators who knowingly take advantage of people with disabilities. These crimes often go unrecognized, unprosecuted, and unpunished. Worst of all, the abuser is often free to abuse again…and they do,” said the Hayes Family. “Our family saw firsthand the challenges of trying to convince law enforcement to take up these cases that are often difficult to win in court. This new legislation gives law enforcement a desperately needed tool to put these criminals behind bars and protect our loved ones online.”
“As the legislator behind Michigan’s ‘Justice for Allie’ law, I enthusiastically endorse Reps. Stevens’ and Dingell’s efforts,” said State Rep. Sharon MacDonnell, Michigan’s 56th District. “I also want to recognize Allie Hayes and her amazing family for their years of advocacy, first in Michigan and later at the federal level. Thanks to them, the internet will be a safer place for America’s vulnerable adults.”
“Allie is a deeply respected member of our community, and while her story hits close to home for us, it’s a reminder that this kind of exploitation can happen in any neighborhood. The Justice for Allie Act helps ensure that no one, here or anywhere in the country, can be exploited without consequences,” said Dawn Calnen, Executive Director of The Arc of Oakland County. “The Arc of Oakland County supports this legislation because every person deserves to be safe from online predators no matter their disability or where they live.”
“The Arc Michigan supports the Justice for Allie Act that closes a gap in federal law by making it a crime to exploit and coerce vulnerable adults into sending intimate images, ensuring predators can no longer evade accountability across state lines. Thank you for introducing this important bill,” said Sherri Boyd, Executive Director of The Arc Michigan.
“We fully support The Justice for Allie Act, which will be critical to ensuring the safety and protection of our community. Safety and wellbeing are foundational to living the most supported and/or independent life,” said Dr. Colleen Allen, President and CEO of the Autism Alliance of Michigan. “This legislation goes a long way to extending the protections set forth in our state law here in Michigan. We applaud Representative Stevens for her leadership in advancing this bill and her commitment to individuals living with autism and their families.”
“The Justice for Allie Act advances safety, self-determination, and community inclusion — which are core independent living values — by strengthening deterrence and accountability for online coercion and exploitation of individuals with disabilities, especially when the abuse crosses state lines,” said Kelly Winn, CEO of the Disability Network of Eastern Michigan.
“The Michigan legislature acted when vulnerable citizens needed protection. The Justice for Allie Act works, and Disability Rights Michigan supports passing this legislation at the federal level,” said Michelle Lindsay, Executive Director of Disability Rights Michigan. “We encourage Congress to send a message that exploitation of individuals with disabilities, across all state lines, is not tolerated.”
“People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) experience the highest rate of victimization among disability groups. The internet and social media have expanded the opportunities for perpetrators to victimize people with I/DD. The Justice for Allie Act addresses a specific gap in the federal law by criminalizing the coercion of vulnerable adults to send intimate imagery,” said Sharon Milberger, ScD, Director of the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute at Wayne State University. “Michigan passed the Justice for Allie Act after the steadfast advocacy of Allie Hayes, a woman with Down syndrome who fell victim to this crime. The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute, Michigan’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, applauds Ms. Hayes for bravely sharing her personal story, leading to the Justice for Allie Act.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)
Washington, D.C. –This week, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) passed yet another piece of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives—her bipartisanSmall Business AI Advancement Act. Thelegislation, which was co-led by Congressman Mike Collins (R-GA), passed the full House on Monday after advancing unanimously out of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee last summer. The bill now heads to the Senate for approval.
Small businesses are increasingly finding new ways to use AI to facilitate their operations, ranging from logistics to design to customer service to cybersecurity. TheSmall Business AI Advancement Actensures small businesses have access to clear guidance so they can compete and grow without unnecessary risk. It directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop and distribute guidance to help small businesses understand, evaluate, and adopt AI technologies, including technical standards, best practices, and case studies.
“As someone who works closely with Michigan manufacturers and small businesses, I know innovation works best when businesses have the information they need to succeed,” said Rep. Stevens. “This legislation helps ensure Michigan’s small businesses aren’t left behind in our 21st-century economy.”
The bill also requires NIST to update these resources every two years and report back to Congress after four years with feedback from small businesses and recommendations for improvement. The approach builds on NIST’s successful Small Business Cybersecurity Corner, a widely used resource that has helped strengthen cybersecurity practices across small businesses nationwide.
Passing bills like theSmall Business AI Advancement Actis what makes Stevens themost effective Democratic lawmakerfrom Michigan and the most effective Democrat in Congress on science and technology issues.