MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Congressman Allen Visits Golden Harvest Food Bank in Augusta

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) has been working hard to support federal workers, contractors, and constituents affected by the ongoing government shutdown. These headlines tell the story:

ALXnow: Beyer Shares Resources For Federal Workers Affected By Government Shutdown

WUSA9: Virginia Congressman Proposes Bill To Help Furloughed Employees

Government Executive: House Dems Urge Utilities To Keep Lights On For Feds Amid Shutdown

“The lawmakers, led by Reps. Don Beyer, D-Va., and Sarah Elfreth, D-Md., encouraged power, water and internet service providers in a letter to hold federal employees and contractors harmless for the duration of the appropriations lapse.”

ALXnow: Rep. Beyer Says Federal Workers Guaranteed Back Pay Despite Trump Administration Memo

[PICTURED RIGHT] New York Times: ‘No Idea How Long People Can Hold Out’: Federal Workers Feel Brunt of Shutdown

“Representative Don Beyer, a Northern Virginia Democrat, was among the two dozen volunteers loading boxes of produce and dried goods into cars.

Mr. Beyer had time to help, he said, because the House had not been in session for more than a month.

“It’s incredibly frustrating,” added Mr. Beyer, who said he was not taking a paycheck while the government was shut down, in solidarity with staff members and constituents who were not getting paid. “There are so many really important things we should be doing.” [Photo credit: Alyssa Schukar for the New York Times]

Government Executive: As White House Promises More Federal Layoffs, Democrats Say ‘We’ll See Them In Court’

Virginia Mercury: Virginia Delegation Condemns Federal Worker Firings                    

Blue Virginia: Virginia Delegation Democrats Slam White House Threat to Furloughed Workers’ Back Pay

[VIDEO] Forbes: ‘I’m Angry And I’m Heartbroken’: Don Beyer Slams ‘Sheer Meanness’ Of Trump Admin. During Shutdown

Falls Church News Press: Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, Beyer, Walkinshaw, Over 60 Lawmakers Press Administration to Reinstate Furloughed Federal Workers at Agencies Unaffected by Republican Shutdown, Resume Their Pay

Richmond Times Dispatch: Va. Democrats Urge Miyares To Join Suit Over SNAP Benefits

Virginia Dogwood: Virginians Will See Health Insurance Premiums Surge If ACA Subsidies Expire

“Virginia Democrats have made preventing these premium increases a priority, while Republicans have come under attack for their unwillingness to protect Americans’ healthcare.”

ALXnow: Beyer Bill Would Let Federal Workers Tap Retirement Funds Without Penalty During Shutdown

Virginia Independent: Virginia Democratic Lawmakers Demand Trump Keep Promise To Pay Furloughed Workers

Federal News Network: ‘What Happened To All Of Our Funds?’ Passport Services Staff, Exempt From Shutdowns, Working Without Pay

“Last week, Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), along with Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.) and James Walkinshaw (D-Va.), joined more than 60 of their colleagues in calling on OMB to immediately reinstate any furloughed employees at agencies fully funded through user fees, and to resume paychecks for employees who are working without pay.”

Falls Church News Press: 53 U.S. Representatives Urge Utility Companies To Suspend Penalties And Shutoffs For Federal Workers And Contractors During Government Shutdown

ALXnow: Beyer, Warner, And Kaine Decline Pay During Shutdown

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference, where he emphasized that Democrats remain ready, willing and able to negotiate a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and lower costs as Republicans continue pushing forward their unprecedented cuts to healthcare and nutritional assistance.

LEADER JEFFRIES: This is day 30 of the Trump-Republican shutdown and House Republicans remain on vacation. They’ve canceled votes for five consecutive weeks. House Republicans are missing in action, yet Speaker Mike Johnson is saying the quiet part out loud. It’s extraordinary that earlier today, Mike Johnson admitted that Republicans are willing to starve hungry children in this country and take away SNAP benefits starting on November 1st so they can pressure Democrats into gutting the healthcare of the American people. That’s what Mike Johnson admitted to just a little while ago. That’s extraordinary. But it’s what we know to be the case for Republicans. From the very beginning of this presidency, cruelty has been the point, and what has been driving their policy agenda is to make life better for the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected. That’s what the One Big Ugly Bill was all about. Largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Ripping food away from the mouths of children, seniors, veterans and families. And all of this was done to provide massive tax breaks to their billionaire donors.

And now, as we approach November 1st just two days from now the beginning of open enrollment, tens of millions of Americans, including many in the state of Louisiana, are about to experience dramatically-increased premiums, co-pays and deductibles that will bankrupt them because of Republican refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. Democrats will continue to stand up for everyday Americans, for working-class Americans and for middle-class Americans, for the poor, the sick and the afflicted, for the least, the lost and the left-behind throughout this country. We’re in this fight until we win this fight because we know we’re on the right side of this fight for the American people to protect their healthcare and to stop these cruel Republicans from ripping SNAP benefits away from the American people.

Full press availability can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two of Congressman French Hill’s (AR-02) Arkansas-focused bills — the Flatside Wilderness Expansion Act and legislation directing the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a building in Perry County — have advanced in the Senate Agriculture Committee as part of a 13-bill lands package that passed with unanimous consent.

Rep. Hill said, “I’m proud to lead on legislation that strengthens Arkansas communities and protects the natural beauty that defines our state. The Flatside Wilderness Expansion Act fulfills a promise made more than forty years ago to protect one of our state’s most beautiful and culturally significant landscapes for future generations. Preserving Arkansas’s natural beauty has been one of my top priorities in Congress, and this bill ensures that legacy continues.

“I’m also pleased that my Perry County conveyance bill is moving forward, which will finally allow the community to put a long-vacant federal building to good use for youth, agriculture, and conservation programs. These two bills reflect Arkansas’s values of community, common sense, and preserving our state’s natural beauty for the next generation.

“I want to thank Chairman Westerman for his partnership in advancing these bills through his committee in the House, and Senator John Boozman, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, for his leadership in helping advance both of these Arkansas priorities.”

Key Provisions

Flatside Wilderness Expansion Act (H.R. 1612)

• Expands the Flatside Wilderness Area in the Ouachita National Forest by approximately 2,200 acres of existing U.S. National Forest, fulfilling the vision first set forth by Arkansas leaders in the 1984 Arkansas Wilderness Act.
• Builds on Rep. Hill’s successful 2019 effort to add 640 acres to the Flatside Wilderness, signed into law by President Trump.
• Ensures conservation of one of Arkansas’s most treasured landscapes while maintaining public access for outdoor recreation, hunting, and hiking.

Perry County U.S. Forest Service Building Conveyance

• Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer ownership of a vacant 0.81-acre U.S. Forest Service property at 1069 Fourche Avenue in Perryville, Arkansas, to Perry County.
• Allows the county to use the building for community programs, including the University of Arkansas Extension Program, the Perry County Conservation District, and 4-H Youth Development.
• Supports local economic and educational opportunities while reducing federal maintenance costs for unused property.

Local Support

Both bills have received broad support from Arkansas leaders, conservation advocates, and local officials who have long worked toward these outcomes. Quotes from state and local partners follow below.

“I am grateful to Rep. French Hill, Senator John Boozman, and all of the federal partners who played a part in advancing these critical pieces of legislation. Here in the Natural State, we are home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, and thanks to this legislation, we will be able to preserve what makes us special, educate the next generation on the importance of conservation, and continue our efforts to establish Arkansas as a leading destination for year-round outdoor adventure.”

— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

“By preserving these 2,200 acres within the Ouachita National Forest, the Flatside Wilderness Additions Act will protect an incredible landscape of untouched wilderness. We thank Congressman Hill for his leadership and commitment to preserving The Natural State.”

— Shea Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism and Director of State Parks

“The expansion of the Flatside Wilderness Area is a direct investment in the future of The Natural State. The AGFC’s mission is centered on conservation and stewardship, and protecting this rugged, unspoiled landscape ensures that Arkansans and visitors alike will have access to true wilderness experiences for years to come. This move is critical for biodiversity and guaranteeing the limitless opportunities for outdoor education and recreation that define our state.”

— Doug Schoenrock, Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

“I want to thank Congressman Hill for his leadership on these two bills that will greatly benefit our constituents in Perry County and all of central Arkansas. Perry County is blessed with some of the prettiest scenery in all of Arkansas, and thanks to Congressman Hill, future generations will get to enjoy the beauty around Flatside Pinnacle.

“I also want to thank Congressman Hill for making good use of an abandoned forestry building in Perryville that was paid for by the taxpayers in our district. It is great to see that our Congressman has not forgotten what common sense looks like.” 

— Arkansas State Representative Mary Bentley 

“On behalf of the citizens of Perry County, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Congressman French Hill for his continuous support to preserve the natural beauty of Perry County and his support of numerous county-based organizations that serve the citizens of Perry County.”  

— Perry County Judge Larry Blackmon

“As everyone who has hiked the Ouachita Trail knows, the Flatside Wilderness ranks among the most majestic landscapes in America. Today’s action moves us one step closer to ensuring future generations can enjoy its world-class hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. Congressman Hill’s tireless efforts to complete the Flatside Wilderness builds upon more than a century of work – from President Theodore Roosevelt’s establishing the Arkansas National Forest in 1907 to Senator Bumpers and Congressman Bethune creating the Flatside Wilderness forty years ago.

“By safeguarding an additional 2,215 acres of the Ouachita Mountains’ unique, east-to-west trending ridges, Congressman Hill is continuing to do his part to advance Arkansas’ remarkable conservation legacy, ensuring the long-term survival of 380 vulnerable species and the wild spaces that make the Natural State one of the premier outdoor recreation destinations in the nation.”

— Collin O’Mara, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation

“The members of Friends of the Ouachita Trail (FoOT) maintain 294 miles of hiking and biking trails in the Ouachita National Forest and Central Arkansas Water lands through volunteer adoptions. FoOT members understand the importance of protecting special places within the broader working forest landscape and celebrate this progress towards expanding the Flatside Wilderness Area for the benefit of all Arkansans. We thank Congressman Hill, Congressman Westerman, and Senator Boozman for their leadership and support of this legislation.”   

— Matt Edwards, President, Friends of the Ouachita Trail

“The Flatside Wilderness is such an important part of Arkansas’s shared outdoor heritage. Hikers, hunters, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts have known for years about outstanding opportunities for solitude that can be found on the Ouachita Trail, and anyone who’s made the 90-minute drive from Little Rock to Flatside Pinnacle can testify to how spectacular this corner of the Ouachita National Forest really is. Rep. French Hill’s effort to better preserve this landscape is popular with Arkansans for a reason, and that’s because it keeps the Natural State exactly that: natural.

“SELC applauds the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Nutrition for favorably reporting this bill today, and we look forward to working with Sen. John Boozman on its final passage.”

— Anders Reynolds, Federal Legislative Director, Southern Environmental Law Center

“The eleven hundred members of the Ozark Society enthusiastically support Congressman Hill’s hard work to expand the centrally located Flatside Wilderness by 2,200 acres. The preservation of our state’s wild places will only further enhance Arkansas’ reputation as a destination for visitors and continue to make it increasingly attractive to young professionals and industries who are only just beginning to recognize our state for the outstanding quality of life we enjoy.”  

— Brian Thompson, President, and David Peterson, Past President, Ozark Society

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)

U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released a statement on the arrest announcement of a third suspect tied to the murder of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, an intern in Rep. Estes’ Washington, D.C., office. Tarpinian-Jachym interned during the Summer 2025 term and was murdered in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2025.

“The announcement of a third arrest tied to the murder of my intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym is another step closer to bringing closure to this tragedy,” said Rep. Estes. “Thanks to the work of U.S. Attorney Pirro, the detectives at Metropolitan Police Department, and others who have worked diligently to bring these suspects in, this case is closer to being solved. Eric’s life was cut short far too quickly. He will never be forgotten by those who loved and knew him. My prayers are with his family as they process this new development.”

Background: 

September 2025 – Estes Releases Statement on Arrests for the Murder of Intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym

September 2025 – Estes and Colleagues Host Press Conference on the D.C. Crime Crackdown

July 2025 – ICYMI: Estes Joins Fox & Friends

July 2025 – Rep. Estes Expresses Condolences To Family Of Intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym

July 2025 – Estes Honors the Life of Intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym on House Floor

Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) announced the introduction of a resolution recognizing October 2025 as National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month. Observed annually in October, National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month was established to raise public awareness of learning disabilities, promote early and accurate diagnoses, and encourage the provision of appropriate interventions and support to help individuals with learning disabilities achieve success in education and in life.

“I began my career in public service to ensure that individuals with learning disabilities, like my daughter who has dyslexia, have the resources and positive learning environments they need to live up to their fullest potential,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “In recognizing October as National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, we are bringing much-needed awareness to the challenges people with learning disabilities face and, more importantly, reaffirming our commitment to providing them with the support they need to succeed.”

This resolution brings awareness to the learning disabilities that impact millions of children and adults and reaffirms support through advocacy and education for all individuals affected by learning disabilities across the United States.

The resolution is endorsed by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, The Reading League, Council for Learning Disabilities, Association of Educational Therapists, Learning Disabilities Association of America, and Division for Learning Disabilities of the Council for Exceptional Children.

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

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Issues: 119th Congress, Education

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

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

WASHINGTON — On Day 30 of the Democrat Shutdown, Speaker Johnson held a press conference alongside the House Republican delegation from New York and House GOP Leadership to discuss America’s largest city preparing to hand the reins of power to a Marxist mayor. Speaker Johnson also addressed how Democrats have wholly capitulated to the Far-Left base of their party.

“Chuck Schumer is desperately trying to cling to power. Unfortunately, when you make decisions out of fear and political desperation, you have already lost control,” Speaker Johnson said. “And the new power center in the Democrat Party is one that should frighten every commonsense American. The radical socialist wing is rising, and it is led by people like AOC and Bernie Sanders.”

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

On Democrats embracing their radical, Far-Left base:

Right now, they’ve got a 34-year-old unproven, untested socialist who looks to be the next mayor. He may well be elected. Mamdani winning New York City would be the biggest win for the Marxists and the socialists in the history of this country. We have, to this point in nearly 250 years, been able to hold off those kinds of ideas. We’ve been clinging to the foundational principles of America, the ideas of individual freedom and limited government, and the rule of law and peace through strength and fiscal responsibility and free markets and human dignity. All those things are in jeopardy when the Marxists take over. And it’s the clearest sign yet that the Democrats’ radical Marxist wing is winning the battle for control of their party.

Look at where the energy is. This should be alarming to everyone around the country. Mamdani has of course called to defund the police, to abolish all prisons, to legalize prostitution. He lambasted the New York Police Department as a racist system. And you might have seen if you in the media are covering this, but there was a new video uncovered from 2023, just two years ago, and he said, quote, “We have to be clear, when the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it’s been laced by the IDF.” Look, it’s a unique talent to merge one’s loathing for American law enforcement with their loathing for the Jewish people. But he’s managed to do it. New York is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s not isolated to America’s largest city. It’s other cities as well. Look at Seattle, where the leading candidate for mayor is an open socialist. Look at Minneapolis, where the sitting socialist mayor is facing a challenge from his Left flank. And look here in Congress where we have our own wing of Marxist acolytes serving here.

On the harmful consequences of the shutdown crossing into November:

Let me give you a list of things that this means for the American people. It means that tens of millions of American families will struggle to keep food on the table because the SNAP program benefits will run dry. It means that WIC assistance, that’s women, infants, and children nutrition programs, will be at risk of running dry. It means that Head Start centers, which serve 60,000 children nationwide, will be at risk of closure. Millions of federal workers, and we’ve listed them here every day, you’re talking about air traffic controllers and TSA agents and park rangers and Border Patrol agents, law enforcement around the country, the stewards of our nuclear arsenal will miss their paychecks. Thousands of flights by result will be canceled or delayed while our borders and national security will be directly jeopardized at a very dangerous moment in world history. And our country will lose tens of billions in gross domestic product. With each passing day, the pain gets more real.

On Democrats owning the consequences of the Marxist Mamdani agenda:

Obviously, Mamdani is a big issue here in the halls of Congress. Why? Because the second highest ranked Democrat in the country, Leader Jeffries, endorsed him. They’re making Mamdani a mainstream Democrat now. And this party has left the people. Of course, the press wants us to ignore Mamdani here. It’s an embarrassment because most of the press is on the side of the Democrats. They don’t want us to talk about that, but we have to because by endorsing Mamdani, Hakeem Jeffries has endorsed and co-owned his positions, his past statements, his Marxist playbook and everything else that that guy espouses. And so too does every single House Democrat who will be inviting their leader, Jeffries, to their campaigns and to their districts.

Next year, every single one of them at every campaign stop should be asked, what do you think about Mamdani? What do you think about his positions? While House Democrats court Marxists in New York, Senate Democrats have chosen to shut down the government over a totally clean, nonpartisan CR, it’s the first time in history, in the history of this country, that any party has done that: has had the audacity to shut the government down over a totally clean, nonpartisan funding measure bowing to the demands of their Far-Left base.

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

WASHINGTON — Today’s editorial from the Washington Post Editorial Board echoes what House and Senate Republicans have been saying for weeks: Democrats in Congress are holding the government hostage, and it must end immediately.

“The right answer is to reopen the government with a clean funding bill, ideally for a full year, to get food stamps flowing and federal workers back in the office, and then have a debate about ACA subsidies,” the Editorial Board wrote. “Democrats openly acknowledge that they refuse to do this because it would mean giving up their leverage. If they persist, it could mean families start to go hungry.”

Read the full editorial here or below:

One reason the partial government shutdown has dragged on for nearly a month is because most Americans have felt no discernable impact on their daily life. That’s starting to change. This weekend, federal food stamps are scheduled to stop going out. Around 42 million people, or 1 in 8 Americans, receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

This pain point, combined with three other dynamics, should help hasten an end to the shutdown as early as next week by making Democrats blink.

First, the open enrollment period for purchasing health insurance starts on Saturday. Many people will experience sticker shock when they see how much their premiums are about to go up. Democrats will be able to claim they got their point across about the need to rescue Obamacare by extending subsidies that are set to expire.

Second, Democrats are favored to win most of next Tuesday’s off-year elections. If they prevail in the New Jersey and Virginia governor’s races, as well as the New York mayor’s race, Democratic leaders could save face by claiming that the people sent a loud message to President Donald Trump. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are both New Yorkers who fear the Mamdani wing of the party.

Schumer has allowed the shutdown to drag on because he’s worried about fending off a primary challenger in 2028, and he’s still smarting from blowback he got from angry liberals after he agreed to fund the government this spring. Electoral wins can offer a pretext to claim vindication, or at least quietly give permission for a few of his members to break ranks.

Third, federal public employee unions, a core Democratic constituency, are losing patience. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents more than 800,000 federal and D.C. government workers, said in a statement Monday that the shutdown is unacceptably hurting its members: “It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley. “No half measures, and no gamesmanship.”

Kelley’s message shows why it’s untenable for Democrats to insist on a piecemeal approach to fund certain programs, such as food stamps, while keeping federal workers furloughed. Air traffic controllers, for instance, just missed their first full paycheck of the shutdown, even though they’re required to keep working.

Senate Democrats mostly stuck together last Thursday to block a bill that would have ensured the troops and other categories of essential employees keep getting paid, but now they’re insisting on a standalone bill to keep SNAP funded. They’re also accusing Trump of not tapping into emergency funds to keep the payments going, even as they’ve criticized him for diverting funds toward programs they care less about.

A variety of mitigating factors could prevent SNAP cuts from ratcheting up the pressure to reach a deal. More than two dozen blue states and D.C. sued on Tuesday in a bid to force the Trump administration to keep sending payments. They drew a sympathetic liberal judge in Boston, who has scheduled a hearing for Thursday. Other states are moving to limit the fallout: Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) declared a state of emergency and said he’ll use surplus funds to cover food stamps through November.

Save the debate for another day about whether too many people qualify for food stamps, which have become significantly more generous over the years. Keeping the government open should be separated from policy disputes about how to spend taxpayer money. It is wrong that Democrats have held the government hostage for a month in hopes of extending costly Obamacare subsidies, just as it was for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to shut down the government in 2013 for 16 days in a bid to defund the Affordable Care Act altogether.

Negotiations can always fall apart, but the calendar could help: Both chambers are supposed to be out on recess the week after next for Veterans Day, which might help induce a deal by next Friday.

The right answer is to reopen the government with a clean funding bill, ideally for a full year, to get food stamps flowing and federal workers back in the office, and then have a debate about ACA subsidies. Democrats openly acknowledge that they refuse to do this because it would mean giving up their leverage. If they persist, it could mean families start to go hungry.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Statement on Firing of Jon Wyss from FSA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement on the firing of Jon Wyss, State Executive Director, Washington State Farm Service Agency (FSA).

“Jon Wyss has dedicated his career to helping farmers in Washington state, and he has been an asset in making sure we are a leader in the U.S. agriculture industry,” said Rep. Newhouse. “His experience, relationships with producers, and firsthand understanding of the challenges in farm country give producers an ally in the federal government. Jon’s firing is a mistake and a disservice to farmers who need a strong leader at the Farm Service Agency, especially now, when times are tough. I have expressed my concerns with this decision to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the White House, because Jon was a true advocate for farmers in Washington state.” 

Wyss was reappointed to serve as the State Executive Director of the FSA in May of 2025. He was first appointed in 2019 during the first Trump Administration and was re-appointed in 2022 during the Biden Administration.  

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