MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered remarks on the House Floor in support of the FY 2026 appropriations package to end the partial government shutdown. Below are a video and transcript of his remarks:

                                                                                                                                  Click here to watch a video of his remarks.

“I thank the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee for yielding, and I thank the Speaker. There are five of these bills who are not controversial, or, I suppose, which are not controversial. I urge my colleagues to vote for them to keep the government operating, to make sure that our federal employees come to work and do their job for the American people and get paid for it. There is one bill in this package that is very controversial. There is one bill in this package that the overwhelming majority of our side thinks should not be in the bill. But I remind my colleagues, that bill is funded for the next ten days or six legislative days. And during that period of time, we intend to raise very substantial concerns about the operations that are being carried out not only in Minneapolis but in other parts of our country by the Immigration, Customs, and Border Patrol agents.

“The Constitution calls upon us to establish justice and ensure domestic tranquility. Many of my colleagues I know believe that voting against this bill will make a strong statement about the conduct that we see being carried out by the agencies I just mentioned. Let me suggest to them we need to have focus on that issue, because the other five issues that we face, the five appropriation bills [that] have yet to been signed by the President of the United States and will fund about 76% of the government are things that we have agreed upon. After they pass, after they’re signed by the President, there will be a lot of time to debate the operations of Homeland Security and, in my view, the laws that they are breaking, the Constitution that they are not respecting, and the human rights that they are undermining. There will be time for that debate. There will be time for that action. Today is a time to fund the majority of government for the American people.

“Minneapolis has shocked the conscience of America. We ought to be shocked, angry, and disgusted by the taking of [the] life of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. We the People want to end this violent occupation of our cities. We the People deserve answers. The Congress needs to rein in the Department of Homeland Security. That’s why I voted and so many of my colleagues voted against funding the Department of Homeland Security. Not because we don’t need homeland security, we do, but we need it done within the context of the Constitution and the laws of this country and of our states.

“This Congress needs to ensure the federal government can continue to provide vital services to the American people. Voting for this bill does that, and voting for this bill also gives us the opportunity to constrain six months, – six days, essentially, of funding [the] Department of Homeland Security. Unfortunately, out of the regular order, they’re funded for the balance of the year in many recessions. So, this compromise bill serves the interest of funding our government for the American people and giving us the opportunity to constrain and to ensure that there are meaningful, substantive, substantial reforms and restraints placed upon the operations of the Department of Homeland Security, as it must be. It is essential that we unmask Trump’s federal immigration agents, forcing them to abide by the local law enforcement standards for use of force and use [of] warrants.

“Throughout this year’s appropriations process, we have seen Donald Trump and Russell Vought trample on this Congress’s power of the purse. Some won’t admit that, some will say it soundly. If there were ever a time for this Congress to exercise that power, it is now. So, let us pass five bills on which we have [an] agreement, and substantially restrain and stop the funding of DHS a week from this Friday, and then come to an agreement on honoring the Constitution, the laws of this country and the conduct of law enforcement. Let’s pass this bill and then focus on that which the country wants us to focus on, like a laser for them, for the people. I yield back my time.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. Congresswoman McCollum voted no on the legislation. Following the vote, Congresswoman McCollum issued the following statement:

“Three thousand masked federal agents continue to bring fear and chaos to the Twin Cities and across Minnesota. Federal agents have killed two American citizens. People have been rounded up during roaming street raids. Because of this, many of my neighbors now live in fear. People are afraid to leave their homes. Children are not going to school. When legal immigrants and citizens go about their lives, they now bring their passport or legal documents with them to prove their legal status. This is the stark reality of what the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policy looks like in Minnesota.

“I cannot in good conscience support additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security at a time when ICE and Border Patrol agents are routinely violating Minnesotans’ constitutional rights. I will not vote for additional DHS funding until it includes transparent oversight, including joint investigations with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehensions, and puts constraints on the use of force by ICE and Border Patrol agents. 

“Last Thursday, White House border Czar Tom Homan announced that there would be a drawdown of federal immigration agents in Minnesota. When asked by a reporter that same day whether a drawdown would occur, President Trump stated: ‘No, no, not at all.’ Considering that President Trump has rejected his own Border Czar’s intentions to reduce the presence of federal agents in Minnesota, I have no reason to believe that the Trump Administration will implement the reforms necessary to protect the safety of the people of Minnesota.”

Click here to watch Rep. McCollum’s remarks on the legislation from the floor of the House of Representatives.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

---

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) voted in favor of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. This bill, which enacts five full-year Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills previously passed by the House, is now on its way to President Trump’s desk for a signature. Additionally, the package also includes a two-week continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security in order to give Congress and the White House more time to continue to negotiate on a final spending bill.

After voting in favor of this legislation and ensuring the government functions, Congressman Cole released the following statement: 

“Months of bipartisan, bicameral work produced a final funding agreement, and the House stood by it. When that deal was altered at the last minute in the Senate and the government was disrupted, we didn’t walk away. Instead, we stepped up again. That is what responsible governance looks like,” said Congressman Cole.

“Therefore, today, we have once again strengthened national defense, supported education and health systems, modernized our transportation and infrastructure, supported small businesses, and reasserted diplomacy on the world stage. These are real outcomes for the American people – progress that keeps the nation moving and the government working,” said Congressman Cole.

“We have also ensured continuity for critical Homeland Security services, including support for the Coast Guard, FEMA, TSA, cybersecurity, and more. This path forward will allow the White House to continue good faith negotiations with Democrats – without jeopardizing the continuity of government operations,” said Congressman Cole.

“With President Trump’s signature, more than 95 percent of the federal government will officially be funded through full-year appropriations. That is Article I responsibility put into action,” said Congressman Cole.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) voted NO today on both the Department of Homeland Security Continuing Resolution, which funds ICE and CBP, and the five-bill appropriations package.

The DHS Continuing Resolution keeps pouring money into ICE and CBP even as immigration enforcement grows more aggressive and dangerous. ICE operations have escalated into violent encounters, and people have been killed during federal enforcement actions, including Renée Good and Alex Pretti. This legislation does nothing to slow that trajectory or demand a change in conduct. Instead, it keeps the money flowing and sends a clear signal that ICE can continue operating exactly as it has been, no matter the human cost. 

“I voted against the DHS funding bill because it keeps feeding an out-of-control ICE and CBP,” said Rep. Gomez. “Trump already has a $175 billion anti-immigrant slush fund to terrorize families, and now Republicans want to keep giving checks to agencies that are operating with zero restraint. I will not be giving Donald Trump’s personal national police force one more cent.”

The larger five-bill appropriations package also increases military spending at a time when the Trump administration is openly threatening military action against the U.S.’s closest allies and has already conducted a major military operation in Venezuela without getting congressional authorization.

Rep. Gomez has introduced legislation to rein in Trump’s immigration enforcement funding and redirect those resources toward programs that would make housing affordable. Specifically, his bill would claw back Trump’s $175 billion enforcement slush fund and put that money toward lowering housing costs and helping working families afford a place to live. It reflects a simple choice between funding fear and funding solutions.

Rep. Gomez has also taken direct action to hold DHS leadership accountable. He is a co-sponsor of articles of impeachment against Kristi Noem for her role in overseeing immigration enforcement abuses and the systematic disregard for human life and the rule of law. Gomez has been clear that Congress cannot continue funding agencies that operate with impunity while refusing to hold their leaders responsible.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem requesting answers regarding the recently expanded pause on issuing immigrant visas for 75 countries, which has rolled back exceptions for international adoption visas.

“As you know, international adoption visas are only issued to a select group of children who have gone through multiyear processes with their prospective U.S. families before they can be adopted,” Dingell wrote. “In 2023, only 1,275 international adoption visas were issued by the Department of State.  Every international adoptee is subject to extensive vetting through both the foreign adoption process and U.S. immigration procedures. Pausing these visas prevents children who have already been legally adopted by U.S. families from coming home. These children are not national security threats.

“Constituents in my district are devastated,” Dingell continued. “They have invested years in the international adoption process to grow their families and are now at a loss for how to proceed. They deserve answers to how the adoption process has changed for them and what timelines to expect moving forward. This is more than a legal process – it’s a decision to show love, compassion, and care to a child and to embrace them as part of one’s own family.

“Every single day matters for a child living in an orphanage waiting to be united with their family,” Dingell concluded. “You have said that you will consider all adoption visa cases on a case by case basis for an exception under the National Interest Exception; this will create further delays in the adoption process. These unnecessary delays cause tangible harm, and this discriminatory policy will not protect children. It will keep them institutionalized and separated from families who are ready and legally approved to care for them.”

Read the full text of the letter here.

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

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:

The Trump administration has gone too far, ICE is completely out of control and the American people know it.

Taxpayer dollars should be spent making life more affordable for everyday Americans, not brutalizing and killing U.S. citizens and law-abiding immigrant families. Republicans enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history and ripped food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors and veterans in order to give DHS a $191 billion slush fund. That must change.

Democrats are united in our commitment to compel substantial reform at the Department of Homeland Security. Dramatic changes such as a mask ban, judicial warrant requirement, independent investigations when agents break the law, use of force protocols, mandatory body cameras and an end to the targeting of sensitive locations like houses of worship, schools and hospitals must be part of any full-year appropriations bill.

Americans from every corner of the country are demanding accountability and an end to the lawless, paramilitary tactics that ICE is using in our communities. Absent bold and meaningful change, there is no credible path forward with respect to the Department of Homeland Security funding bill on February 13.

###

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

WASHINGTON — After House Republicans overwhelmingly voted to end the partial government shutdown, Speaker Johnson delivered remarks to reporters off the House floor.

“For some reason, many of the House Democrats wanted to shut the government down again and inflict pain on the American people,” Speaker Johnson said. “But I’m glad to tell you and I’m happy to report, Republicans got the job done. Our majority worked together, and we got the bills over the line.”

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

Below are Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered:

We just had an important and historic vote on the House floor, a series of votes today, in fact, and we delivered for the American people. For some reason, many of the House Democrats wanted to shut the government down again and inflict pain on the American people. But I’m glad to tell you and I’m happy to report, Republicans got the job done. Our majority worked together, and we got the bills over the line.

So, we’ve now funded 11 of the 12 separate appropriations funding bills for the government for the year. And that’s a big achievement because it’s a big move towards regular order. This is something we promised and committed to. The biggest move towards that in many, many years.

Now, the President and the White House have engaged in good faith with Democrats in the Senate, and they’ve said they would negotiate on the final bill, the Homeland bill.

And you might say, well, now that 96% of the government is funded, it’s just 4% what’s out there. But it’s a very important 4% because remember what the Homeland Security bill covers.

It’s not just Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It’s not just Customs and Border Patrol. It is TSA, it’s the agents who keep us safe in the airports and keep air travel moving. It’s the Coast Guard. It’s Secret Service. It’s FEMA. We’re in the middle of winter storms that people are still digging out from. This is no time to jeopardize that funding.

We hope that they will operate in good faith over the next 10 days. As we negotiate this, the President, again, has reached out. We are restoring calm in Minnesota. But again, we make the plea and the demand that the governors and the mayors in these blue states and blue cities participate with federal law enforcement so that we have a safer environment in which to implement and to enforce federal immigration laws.

It’s very, very important. And it’s something the American people demand and deserve. So, we’ll go forward now. We hope that everyone is in good faith. We think the next two weeks will be critical, but I hope that they will not keep that funding in suspense because it’s too important to the American people.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) joined Rep. John Mannion (NY-22) and Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02) in introducing the Restarting Education After Disasters Act, legislation to strengthen federal support for communities whose schools have been forced to close due to a disaster.

The Restarting Education After Disasters Act would reauthorize and improve the U.S. Department of Education’s Immediate Aid to Restart School Operations (Restart) Program. Intended to help defray expenses related to restarting operations, re-enrolling students, and reopening K-12 schools impacted by a disaster, the Restart program historically receives one-time funding through disaster supplementals tied to specific federally declared emergencies. This legislation would newly authorize multi-year funding for the Restart Program, ensuring more predictable and timely assistance to affected schools.

Last year, the Eaton Fire forever changed the communities of Altadena and Pasadena, scorching 14,000 acres, destroying over 9,000 structures, and taking the lives of 19 of our loved ones. Multiple schools were burned to the ground, and many additional schools faced closures and relocations as well as severe impacts to teachers, staff, and students who lost their homes or were otherwise displaced by the fires. Despite these significant disruptions, Restart funding has been unavailable to schools impacted by the Eaton Fire because President Trump and congressional Republicans still refuse to take up Governor Newsom’s disaster supplemental funding request.

“I’m happy to join Reps. Mannion and Carter in introducing this legislation to provide an annual source of emergency relief funding for K-12 schools. The Department of Education’s Restart program is essential to helping schools reopen after disasters. But currently, Restart only receives one-time funding through specific disaster supplementals,” said Rep. Chu. “One year after the Eaton Fire devastated my district in Southern California, killing 19 people and destroying more than 9,000 structures including multiple schools, our community still hasn’t received a federal disaster supplemental. By providing annual funding for the Restart program, the Restarting Education After Disasters Act would ensure schools in my district and around the country don’t have to wait on a disaster supplemental to receive vital relief.”

Importantly, the bill would also expand eligibility for Restart to include schools impacted by state-declared disasters, not just federally declared emergencies—addressing a gap that leaves too many communities without access to critical federal support. The legislation would also ensure Restart funds can be used for facility and equipment repairs and minor renovations, helping schools pay for urgent infrastructure needs. In addition, it would prioritize assistance for schools closed for 30 days or more, directing resources to communities facing the most severe disruptions.

Extended school closures take an educational and emotional toll on students, families, teachers, and school staff, and it is important to get students back into classrooms as quickly and safely as possible. As schools across the country face increasing disruptions from floods, fires, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events, the Restarting Education After Disasters Act would ensure federal education recovery funding is reliable, equitable, and responsive. 

Representative Mannion said, “As an educator for almost thirty years, I know that kids learn best in person, with stability, structure, and as little disruption as possible. What students, teachers, and families in Oneida experienced made clear that when disasters shut down schools, the consequences are felt far beyond the building. This bill is about making sure schools have the resources they need to reopen and recover quickly.”

Representative Carter said, “After a disaster, it’s imperative that we prioritize getting our students back into classrooms. This bill ensures schools aren’t left behind simply because a disaster didn’t receive a federal declaration. By reauthorizing and strengthening the Restart program with reliable funding, expanded eligibility, and clear authority to address urgent facility repairs, this bill gives states and schools the tools they need to recover faster and smarter. When schools are forced to close for weeks or months, students pay the price—and this legislation ensures federal support is there when it’s needed most.” 

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

WASHINGTON – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement on government funding:

“Last month, I voted for five funding bills to ensure our government is working for our people and against giving DHS another penny. 

“Today, I again voted against giving another penny to DHS as it continues its reign of terror across our country. 

“Our nation is being tested. Two Americans were gunned down by federal officers in Minneapolis. ICE and CBP officers are terrorizing our communities, tearing five-year-olds from their homes and hardworking people from their families. This is not who we are. 

“We have to stay focused on the main thing — and the main thing is protecting our communities and ending the abuses of ICE, CBP, and DHS in general. We need to get ICE and CBP out of our communities. We need to install real measures that hold federal officers accountable for their behavior. 

“This Administration, and in particular DHS under Kristi Noem, is undermining our Constitution and tearing up the Bill of Rights, right in front of our eyes. 

“Instead of targeting hardened criminals, they are arresting hardworking neighbors, coworkers, and friends. They are arresting journalists—trashing the First Amendment while trying to hide their injustices and criminal actions from exposure. They have targeted, mobbed, and gunned down American citizens in the streets. 

“Congress cannot look away. Every single step we take must be focused solely on reforming a Department of Homeland Security that is absolutely out of control. 

“I remain laser-focused on legislation that reins in DHS. That gets ICE and CBP out of Minneapolis. That takes masks off these agents and puts body cameras on. That ends warrantless arrests and stops the targeting of courts, schools, and churches. That demands an independent investigation into every DHS shooting. And that stops the deportation of U.S. citizens.”

###