MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and Sam Liccardo (CA-16) announced that Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority received a $20,311,640 grant for its fleet and facility modernization project.

“Replacing outdated buses with low-emission hybrids isn’t optional—it’s essential,” said Carolyn Gonot, General Manager/CEO of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. “Government funding is critical to reducing harmful emissions, safeguarding public health, and ensuring our transit systems remain resilient for the future.”

“This is a major investment in Santa Clara County’s transportation system that will make our buses much cleaner and more reliable,” said Rep. Lofgren. “I’m proud to have voted for the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which significantly boosted funding for clean transportation projects just like this.”

“Silicon Valley should be on the forefront of tackling climate change — and that includes our local transit system. I applaud this investment in an updated bus fleet that will provide more sustainable and efficient service to our community in Santa Clara County,” said Rep. Khanna. 

“Santa Clara County continues to do its part to ensure that they’re on the right side of the effort to deal with climate change,” said Rep. Panetta. “This significant federal funding included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill will help the County update their transit bus fleet with greener, safer, and more reliable alternatives. With this investment, the federal government continues to play its part in helping Santa Clara County lower greenhouse gas emissions and ensure that our region is leading the way when it comes to reducing our carbon output.”

“Modernizing Santa Clara County’s bus fleet will make our transit system more reliable while cutting harmful emissions and operating costs. I’m thrilled to see this investment coming to our community, and I applaud the Valley Transportation Authority for its work to secure this grant,” said Rep. Sam Liccardo.

Of VTA’s active fleet of 440 diesel-powered buses, 112 (25% of the fleet) are over 12 years old, leading to breakdowns and increased maintenance costs. Without this grant, VTA would be required to perform frequent repairs, threatening their ability to meet daily service needs. The fleet and facility modernization project improves the reliability of the bus fleet by replacing these outdated buses. It will also help launch VTA’s hydrogen fuel cell bus program, which will deliver zero-emission rides.

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced that Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District received a $1,152,000 grant for its Paratransit Vehicle Replacement Project.

“This grant is going to make a big difference for Santa Cruz County residents,” said Reps. Lofgren and Panetta. “We both proudly voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, precisely because it boosted grant funding for programs like this. With this announcement, we’re going to get newer, cleaner buses that are going to save money for Santa Cruz Metro. In Congress, we’ll continue corresponding with the Department of Transportation and advocating for funds that improve transit for Californians.”

“This grant is a tremendous win for our community. With these funds, METRO will replace six aging paratransit vehicles and expand our fleet with two additional vehicles, ensuring that more residents who rely on paratransit have access to safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly transportation,” said METRO Board Chair, Rebecca Downing. “The new vehicles will reduce operating costs, improve service quality, and help us meet growing demand across Santa Cruz County. We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Lofgren and Congressman Panetta for their steadfast support and advocacy for public transit. Their commitment to investing in cleaner, more accessible transportation makes a real difference in the lives of the people we serve.”

New vehicles will operate throughout the Santa Cruz County public transit network, serving eligible customers who are unable to use fixed route buses for some or all of their mass transportation trips. The new buses will significantly reduce METRO’s operating costs due to lower maintenance costs and anticipated lower fuel costs compared to older buses.

The grant was made possible by the Federal Transit Administration’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Reps. Lofgren and Panetta both supported, provides nearly $2 billion over five years to help transit agencies replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and facilities.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Last week, Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (D-IL) led 12 House Members in urging the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to explain a Trump Administration budget proposal that could destabilize core housing assistance programs that veterans rely on nationwide.

In a letter dated Tuesday, November 25, the lawmakers write that they are “deeply concerned about the creation of a new program titled Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment (BRAVE) in the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) budget proposal.” They note that “according to President Trump’s FY 2026 Budget Request, BRAVE seemingly requires the reallocation of all resources from the Housing and Urban Development VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program – a total of $1.1 billion in discretionary resources.”

The Members warn that “the reallocation of federal funding from HUD-VASH to BRAVE threatens to destabilize a proven housing assistance program and puts more than 112,000 VASH vouchers dedicated to veterans at risk.” They emphasize that HUD-VASH is a long-established partnership between HUD and the VA that “combines rental assistance with case management and supportive services in order to help homeless veterans and their families obtain permanent housing and access the health care, mental health treatment, and other supports necessary to help them improve their quality of life and maintain housing over time,” and that “HUD-VASH has served more than 175,000 veterans since 2008.”

The lawmakers argue that dismantling HUD-VASH to create a new, undefined program is unjustifiable: “Reallocating resources from HUD-VASH in order to establish a vague and ill-defined program is reckless and irresponsible. HUD-VASH is a long-standing housing assistance program which has been vital to our nation’s most vulnerable veterans for decades.” They also warn that, despite its massive implications, “the VA FY 2026 budget request devotes only 10 lines to describing the new BRAVE initiative” and “provides no discernible administrative or organizational structure, distribution system, or performance guardrails.”

Their concerns deepen given that “the Trump Administration has proposed a 51 percent reduction in HUD’s budget.” The Members write that the FY 2026 proposal “does not address how the across-the-board cuts will impact veterans whose housing depends on HUD rental assistance, including the estimated hundreds of thousands of veterans who rely on HUD rental assistance programs other than HUD-VASH.” As a result, they conclude, “there is no clear plan to ensure veterans’ housing stability if HUD-VASH or other housing assistance programs are abruptly defunded. Absent answers to these questions, Congress cannot responsibly authorize such a significant reallocation of resources.”

The lawmakers underscore that destabilizing housing for veterans is unacceptable: “Veterans’ housing stability must never be subject to uncertainty due to reckless planning, indifference, or ill-advised experimentation. Our veterans have made extraordinary sacrifices in defense of our country. In return, we have a moral and civic obligation to provide them with consistent, reliable access to safe housing and essential support services.” They warn that “pursuing a programmatic transition that could put veteran housing at risk would be a profound failure of leadership and governance.”

To ensure transparency and protect veterans from losing housing support, the Members request direct answers from VA and HUD no later than December 12, 2025, asking:

1. What will be the organizational structure of the BRAVE program? What will its leadership and administrative structure be, and through what agency or interagency will it operate?
2. What will happen to the existing institutional structures operated by HUD-VASH? How will HUD-VASH staffing, service delivery, and housing agency partnerships be preserved?
3. What mechanisms will be in place to avoid gaps in housing assistance for veterans currently supported by HUD-VASH?
4. How many veterans are housed by or receive other forms of HUD assistance? Please provide a detailed breakdown of veterans served by each HUD program. Please also provide a detailed explanation of how these veterans will continue to access housing assistance if the BRAVE program and HUD budget cuts are implemented.
5. How will VA’s legislative proposal ensure all HUD-VASH beneficiaries are seamlessly transitioned into BRAVE, without housing loss or interruption in their care? What accountability measures will be put in place to ensure BRAVE funds are used effectively and transparently?
6. What mechanisms will be incorporated into VA’s legislative proposal for congressional oversight of BRAVE’s rollout and performance, if it proceeds? How will Congress be informed of and involved in the phase-out of HUD-VASH?

The lawmakers close by reiterating that “our budgets should reflect our commitments to veterans, while upholding accountability and service continuity. We urge you to treat this matter with the urgency and transparency our veterans deserve.”

This letter was led by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) and Delia Ramirez (IL-03), and also signed by:

• Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35)
• Rep. Herb Conaway Jr., M.D. (NJ-03)
• Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-03)
• Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10)
• Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04)
• Rep. Jonathan Jackson (IL-01)
• Rep. Stephen Lynch (MA-08)
• Rep. Sarah McBride (DE-AL)
• Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01)
• Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

The letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) announced the reintroduction of the High-Skilled Immigration Reform for Employment (HIRE) Act, legislation designed to strengthen America’s long-term economic and technological competitiveness. The bill takes a dual-track approach: expanding access to high-skilled talent from around the world while increasing federal investments in American STEM education to grow the domestic workforce.

The HIRE Act would double the number of H-1B visas available each year—from 65,000 to 130,000— to ensure U.S. employers, including those in critical and emerging technology sectors, can recruit the specialized talent needed to fill persistent workforce shortages. At the same time, the bill directs new funding to bolster elementary and secondary school science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs, helping close the skills gap that continues to limit U.S. economic growth.

“To build the jobs and industries of tomorrow, America must stay at the forefront of innovation by strengthening our own workforce while continuing to welcome top talent from around the globe,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “The HIRE Act advances both goals by boosting STEM education in our elementary and secondary schools and by expanding the annual supply of H-1B visas from 65,000 to 130,000. By growing our domestic talent pipeline and ensuring employers can recruit the skilled workers they need, we can create good-paying jobs and secure America’s leadership in the technologies of the future.”

The legislation is supported by ITServe Alliance, the nation’s largest association of IT services organizations.

“The HIRE Act is an important step toward modernizing our high-skilled immigration system and ensuring that talented professionals can continue to contribute to America’s innovation economy,” Raghu Chittimalla, Governing Board Chair of ITServe Alliance, said. “Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s leadership reflects a deep understanding of how small and mid-sized IT companies drive job creation and technological growth across the United States.” 

“ITServe Alliance fully supports the HIRE Act because it strengthens the pathway for U.S. employers to recruit and retain the best global talent while protecting American workers,” Anju Vallabhaneni, National President of ITServe Alliance, said. “This bill advances fairness, transparency, and workforce development—key priorities for both our members and the broader technology industry.” 

The full bill text is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (D-OR) in partnering with a group of 100 Members of Congress in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the United States to work with both Israeli authorities and international partners to push toward rebuilding accessible hospitals and medical infrastructure in Gaza. After two years of brutal conflict, Gaza’s medical infrastructure lies in ruins, leaving millions unable to seek even basic care and thousands suffering from life-threatening injuries. The United States has the ability to help rebuild this infrastructure and usher an end to this humanitarian crisis.

In the letter, the lawmakers write, “Gaza’s health system is in dire straits, leaving civilians without access to the most basic medical care. It is crucial that accessible hospitals and medical infrastructure be rebuilt, and that medical aid and healthcare professionals be allowed to enter Gaza without delay. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 94 percent of Gaza’s hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, and those that remain are overwhelmed. With more than half of all essential drugs and two-thirds of medical disposables completely depleted, Gaza’s few functioning hospitals are unable to perform basic surgeries, treat chronic diseases, or care for malnourished children. The WHO estimates that more than 15,600 patients, including 3,800 children, require urgent medical evacuation to receive life-saving care; and at least 700 people have already died while awaiting transfer.”

The lawmakers continue, “Ensuring that children and families devastated by this war have access to medical treatment is indispensable to rebuilding trust and hope. The next generation cannot build peace without healing from the physical and emotional scars of this conflict. By pressing for the release of Gaza’s detained medical workers, rebuilding accessible hospitals and medical infrastructure, and reopening pathways to the East Jerusalem Hospital Network, the United States can help alleviate immense suffering, advance regional stability, and reaffirm our nation’s role as a credible partner for peace.”

The lawmakers request the following information by December 1, 2025:

• What steps is the State Department taking to facilitate medical evacuations for critically ill and injured Palestinians?
• What actions has the State Department taken to secure unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza to deliver desperately needed medical supplies, food, and water?
• What actions will the State Department pursue to secure the release of detained health workers held without charge?
• How will the State Department facilitate the reopening of the medical corridor between Gaza and the East Jerusalem Hospital Network and other facilities with the assurance that patients be allowed to return to Gaza when able?
• How will the State Department assist in rebuilding accessible hospitals and medical infrastructure in Gaza?

The letter is cosigned by: Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

The letter is co-signed by Representatives: Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Robert Garcia (CA-49), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mark Takano (CA-41), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Andre Carson (IN-07), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Al Green (TX-09), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Danny Davis (IL-07), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Derek Tran (CA-45), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Emily Randall (WA-06), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Dave Min (CA-47), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Greg Casar (TX-35), Henry C. Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Gwen S. Moore (WI-04), Sean Casten (IL-06), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Adam Smith (WA-09), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Jesús G. Garcia (IL-04), Don Beyer, Jr. (VA-08), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Valerie P. Foushee (NC-04), Dwight Evans (PA-03), John Garamendi (CA-08), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Julie Johnson (TX-07), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Robert J. Menendez (NJ-08), and Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03).

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem raising “serious concerns regarding recent reporting about lapses in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) hiring and vetting processes,” concerns made “even more urgent by the arrest of an ICE agent in Bloomington, Minnesota, during a multi-agency sting targeting individuals attempting to solicit a minor at the Mall of America.” In the letter, Congressman Krishnamoorthi wrote that although “public information about the individual’s background remains incomplete,” the nature of the allegations “heightens longstanding questions about ICE’s capacity to ensure that its personnel meet the agency’s own requirements.”

Quoting ICE’s own standards, Congressman Krishnamoorthi noted that “personnel vetting involves assessing an individual’s background, character, and other pertinent factors to ascertain their suitability” and that “all positions require security vetting and drug test,” with law enforcement vetting taking an average of three months to complete. Yet, “multiple recent investigations have revealed that ICE has permitted recruits to appear for training… before all required vetting steps were finished.”

The congressman also cited reports that instructors have discovered “disqualifying information only after recruits had already begun training,” including issues that “should have prevented their entry into the academy.” Additional independent reporting suggests that ICE’s accelerated hiring strategy could lead to “catastrophic” outcomes if vetting lapses continue unaddressed. Congressman Krishnamoorthi noted the “findings raise fundamental questions about the consistency of ICE’s practices with its own publicly posted protocols, and whether systemic weaknesses, procedural shortcuts, or oversight gaps are undermining the integrity of the personnel-screening process.”

Congressman Krishnamoorthi requested a detailed response from Secretary Noem by December 10 to oversight concerns in five key areas:

1. The vetting steps completed for the Bloomington employee and whether required procedures were followed.
2. ICE’s criteria for allowing recruits to enter training when portions of vetting remain unfinished.
3. How often recruits have begun training prematurely in the past 11 months and what vetting gaps were involved.
4. ICE’s processes for verifying applicant information, identifying undisclosed allegations, or detecting falsified materials.
5. Systemic vulnerabilities, oversight mechanisms, and the role of contracted vetting firms in ensuring compliance with ICE’s own standards.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi underscored that the seriousness of the allegations requires a full accounting from DHS and immediate steps to restore confidence in ICE’s personnel-screening process.

The letter is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced the Brand USA Restoration Act, legislation to restore $80 million in federal funding for Brand USA, the nation’s public-private tourism partnership. The bill replenishes the Travel Promotion Fund to offset drastic cuts made in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which slashed Brand USA’s federal match by 80 percent. Brand USA plays a critical role in marketing the United States to international travelers, supporting millions of American jobs in the hospitality and tourism sectors. The organization is especially vital as the country prepares for global events like the America 250 celebrations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“Restoring Brand USA’s funding is about protecting American jobs and strengthening our economy,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “When we attract visitors from around the world, we support American workers, small businesses, and communities in every state. This bill ensures that the United States continues to compete globally and remains a top destination for international travel.”

The legislation has been strongly endorsed by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), which represents thousands of hotel owners across the United States.

“Restoring full funding to Brand USA was a top priority at our Fall National Advocacy Conference because this is about keeping international travelers coming to the United States and protecting our members’ businesses,” said Kamalesh (KP) Patel, AAHOA Chairman. “Brand USA has generated $140 billion in economic impact and supported over 300,000 American jobs, yet recent funding cuts threaten to slow this momentum. Ensuring full funding is critical to sustaining hotel occupancy, supporting communities, and keeping America competitive in the global travel market.”

Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA President and CEO, added: “Restoring Brand USA’s full funding is exactly what we were advocating for at our Fall National Advocacy Conference. Brand USA drives millions of international travelers to the U.S., generating tens of billions in visitor spending and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. For AAHOA Members, who own over 60 percent of U.S. hotels, this funding is a major step forward—every $1 dollar for Brand USA creates $20 in visitor spending. We thank Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi for championing this effort and helping America remain fiercely competitive in the global travel market.”

The text of the Brand USA Restoration Act is available here.

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 less than one month away from the expiration of the Affordable Care Act tax credits, Democrats remain committed to working to end the Republican healthcare crisis and lower the high cost of living. 

LEADER JEFFRIES: The clock is ticking on the expiration of the Affordable Care Act tax credits. In just 30 days, tens of millions of Americans are about to experience dramatically-increased healthcare costs because of the Republican refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.From the very beginning of this presidency, Republican control of the House and the Senate, as well as the administration, has been a disaster for the American people. These extremists promised all last year that costs were going to go down on day one. Cost haven’t gone down in America, costs have gone up. The Trump tariffs are increasing expenses on everyday Americans by thousands of dollars per year. Housing costs are out of control. Grocery costs are out of control. Child care costs are out of control. Electricity bills are through the roof. 

And now, Republicans refuse to do a thing to prevent healthcare costs from dramatically increasing in a way that will deprive tens of millions of Americans of the ability to go see a doctor when they need one. Republicans have done nothing over the last several months to address the healthcare crisis that they have created, and they continue to refuse to take yes for an answer. Democrats have an active discharge petition, and all we need are a handful of House Republicans to join us and we can trigger an up-or-down vote on a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits to save the healthcare of the American people in every single state in this country, and protect the healthcare of people who these so-called Republican Members allegedly represent, but who have failed to do a single thing to make their life better.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:

Seventy years ago today, Rosa Parks was arrested for courageously refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her act of protest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, 381 days of strategic nonviolent direct action against Jim Crow segregation. Taking a stand was nothing new for Mrs. Parks, who spent years investigating cases of racist and sexual violence against African-Americans.

Rosa Parks is an American hero. During her lifetime, she was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The United States Capitol is home to a statue in her honor with a permanent seat that no one can ever take away. Unfortunately, Donald Trump and unqualified sycophants like Pete Hegseth want to erase stories like that of Rosa Parks from the history books and wipe out the progress that we have made as a nation. Their small-minded vision of America will not prevail.

House Democrats will never stop fighting to tell the unvarnished truth of the American journey and protect freedoms that heroes like Rosa Parks put everything on the line to make possible. Our struggle continues until victory is won.