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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar, Goldman, Obernolte's LOCOMOTIVES Act Passed by Committee

Today, Congressmen John Moolenaar, Craig Goldman, (R-TX), and Jay Obernolte’s (R-CA) legislation, the LOCOMOTIVES Act was passed by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill prevents the State of California from placing unsustainable regulations on trains crossing into the state by revising Section 209 of the Clean Air Act. Current law allows states like California to request waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt policies stricter than federal emission standards. 

“California bureaucrats should not be able to supersede federal law and prevent vital parts of Michigan’s economy from accessing global markets. Our LOCOMOTIVES Act is a common sense proposal to allow industries that rely on railway transportation like Michigan agriculture and our auto industry to continue to operate under one national standard. I am grateful for Chairman Guthrie’s leadership and his committee’s support for my legislation, and I will continue my work to ensure our supply chains remain strong,” said Congressman Moolenaar.  

“A single state should not be allowed to impose unworkable mandates on our national rail system,” said Congressman Obernolte. “The LOCOMOTIVES Act protects jobs and investment in my district, including the Barstow International Gateway, while providing the consistent federal standards needed to keep goods moving across the country. I’m glad the Energy and Commerce Committee advanced this commonsense legislation.” 

“I’m proud to have joined Rep. Moolenaar and Rep. Obernolte in leading the LOCOMOTIVES ACT, preventing California’s extreme green energy regulations from dictating how states like Texas handle their freight rail industry. Only Texas should set the rules for Texas—and I’ll keep fighting to make sure it stays that way,” said Congressman Goldman. 

The legislation’s passage through committee was applauded by Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman, Brett Guthrie. 

“A strong freight rail system is the backbone of America’s supply chain and interstate commerce, and no individual state should be allowed to mandate rules for the entire country. California’s push to impose emissions mandates on locomotives would drive up costs on nearly everything that families buy from groceries to building materials. The LOCOMOTIVES Act ensures clear standards are in place to keep prices low for communities across the country. Thank you to Congressmen Moolenaar, Goldman, and Obernolte for their work on this important issue,” said Chairman Guthrie. 

In 2023 the California Air Resources Board requested a waiver from the EPA to prohibit trains older than 23 years old from operating in the state, unless they are zero-emission, which would prevent two-thirds of currently operating trains from entering the state. Although California’s waiver request was withdrawn, the state may resubmit a similar request at any time.  

The LOCOMOTIVES Act is endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Farm Bureau, the Association of American Railroads, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, the North American Millers Association, the Supply Chain Federation, and the National Grain and Feed Association. 

The legislation passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in a vote of 26 to 23. Legislative text may be found here. 

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

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

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) introduced H. Res. 1500, which congratulates the University of Oklahoma men’s baseball team on their College World Series National Championship. After introducing the resolution, Congressman Cole and Coach Skip Johnson released the following statements:

“As my fellow Oklahomans know, Coach Skip Johnson and the OU men’s baseball team pulled off one of the most historic triumphs in NCAA baseball history this past season when they beat the University of North Carolina in the College World Series. After making it through the Atlanta Regional, our unranked Sooners ended up outscoring their remaining opponents 90 to 28 – and as a diehard OU fan, I am so proud. This is why I introduced House Resolution 1500, congratulating the team and recognizing the hard work that led to the Sooners victory,” said Congressman Cole. “As always, Boomer!”

“We are appreciative of Chairman Cole and the House of Representatives, as well as the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, for their unwavering support of our program. We felt the whole state behind us on our run to Omaha and the national championship. Just like the state of Oklahoma, our program is built on the values of hard work and commitment to something bigger than yourself. Our players bought in on the greater goal and the passion of our fan base was on display for the entire nation,” said Coach Skip Johnson.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

WASHINGTON, DC [9/2/26] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced legislation to help student loan borrowers avoid default.

The Streamlining Income-driven, Manageable Payments on Loans for Education (SIMPLE) Act would help student loan borrowers avoid delinquency by automatically enrolling struggling borrowers in income-driven repayment (IDR) plans to make repayment more affordable. This process will remove unnecessary paperwork requirements and use existing taxpayer information  to automatically connect borrowers with protections.

“Bureaucratic hurdles should not keep student loan borrowers from more affordable repayment plans,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “The SIMPLE Act is commonsense legislation to use existing taxpayer information to automatically place people in plans that better meet their financial needs and provide protection from harmful default.”

Student loan default can lead to wage garnishment and the withholding of tax refunds and Social Security benefits. It also can harm credit ratings, making it difficult for borrowers to purchase a car or a home. These consequences disproportionately affect low-income borrowers and borrowers with up to $10,000 in debt and no degree, who are most vulnerable to default.

 

“Problems arise for many student loan borrowers not due to an inability or unwillingness to pay, but rather due to needless complexity within the system. Many are simply unaware of generous income-driven repayment plans that can lower their monthly payments. The SIMPLE Act would expand access to affordable income-driven repayment options by automatically enrolling struggling borrowers in those plans before they experience the punitive consequences of default. The financial aid community stands in support of this bill,” said Karen McCarthy, Vice President of Public Policy & Federal Relations, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

“We applaud Rep. Bonamici for leading the SIMPLE Act, which makes common-sense improvements to help student loan borrowers access more affordable repayment options and avoid the devastating consequences of loan default,” said Michele Zampini, Associate Vice President of Federal Policy & Advocacy, for The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS).

You can read the full text of the SIMPLE Act here. A summary of the legislation can be found here.

 

The legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Lucy McBath, Seth Moulton, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mark Takano, and Frederica Wilson.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Today, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks on the House Floor calling attention to the ongoing persecution of pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong, including Joshua Wong and Jimmy Lai, and urging Congress and the international community to demand their freedom.

In her remarks, Pelosi condemned Beijing’s repressive national security law, warned that Wong could face life in prison for peacefully advocating for democracy and reaffirmed Congress’ longstanding bipartisan commitment to defending human rights in China.

Watch Pelosi’s Floor remarks here.

Read Speaker Emerita Pelosi’s remarks below:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today to call attention to what is happening in Hong Kong, especially to Joshua Wong.

As a teenager, he led millions of people to the streets of Hong Kong to speak out for democracy and for freedom in Hong Kong—and for the Chinese government to honor its commitment to the Basic Law, which was the foundation of the 1997 transition from Great Britain to Chinese control over Hong Kong.

Speaking out for freedom should not be against the law.

Since the Basic Law, the Chinese government has passed a national security law that is anything but security. It is a repression law.

Under this law, Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to speaking out for freedom. He said: ‘Yes, I have done that.’

He can be sentenced to life—for speaking out for freedom.

This House and this Congress have always joined together in a bipartisan way for freedom—whether in Hong Kong, Tibet or elsewhere in China—for human rights in China.

Let us not forget Joshua Wong at this time, and let us not forget Jimmy Lai, who is at the other end of life.

[Joshua Wong] was a young teenager who was doing this, now in his early twenties. Jimmy Lai, meanwhile, could spend the rest of his life in prison.

We must speak out for freedom. We must not let this be ignored.

The most horrible form of torture that the Chinese government inflicts on these prisoners is to tell them: ‘Nobody remembers you or why you are here.’

We want to be sure that they know we remember them.

I yield back.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Ilhan Omar (MN-05) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Workforce Protections Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Less Red Tape, More Opportunity: Unleashing American Workers and Job Creators.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to our witnesses for joining us today. 

“My Republican colleagues love to talk about getting rid of red tape, but let’s look at what they actually want to get rid of:  it is the light at a construction site;  it is the respirator a worker wears to protect themselves from asbestos exposure;  it is an inspector looking at a mine and simply asking a coal operator whether the roof is going to hold.

“Every one of these commonsense rules is on the books because a worker was hurt or killed on the job.  And this country decided it would not let it happen again.

“But now the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are trying to repeal them. 

“They have also fired staff across the Department of Labor and weakened important safety agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 

“The attacks on workplace protections have made it harder to hold bad employ[ers] accountable, and harder for workers to trust that someone has their back.    

“Now, 2025 was a very good year for President Trump personally.  

“According to his own federal disclosure forms, Trump received 2.2 billion dollars in income after returning to the White House. 

“Let me put that in perspective: the median American worker would have to work over forty-three thousand years to earn what President Trump made in a single year in office.  Forty-three thousand years. 

“While working families were falling further behind on their bills, the man in the Oval Office is cashing in.  And Congressional Republicans are just looking the other way. 

“Worse, they actually added red tape of their own to the very programs all of these families need to survive.

“In the year since this Republican Congress passed the ‘Big Ugly Bill,’ more than eight million Americans have lost their health coverage and more than four million lost food assistance. 

“Republicans know they don’t have a good economic record to run on.  But let’s be clear about the plan they are offering to the American people: it is more red tape [and] hardship for you, and less of it for their corporate beneficiaries. 

“Instead of crafting an agenda that helps working people with the cost of living, Committee Republicans have consistently chosen to take the wrong priorities.  

“They have chosen to make labor cheap.

“That is what their bills would do: making it easier for an employer to treat a worker like an independent contractor instead of a full-time employee; letting employers off the hook for wage theft; and making overtime cheaper and worth less for the workers putting in the time. 

“And they have chosen to make jobs more dangerous.

“Just last month, Committee Republicans voted to block OSHA from ever issuing any standard [protecting] workers from extreme heat – in one of the hottest summers in our country’s history.  

“Just as troubling is what they have chosen not to do.  This Committee has held zero hearings on issues that working people in my district and across the country care about most:  not one hearing on raising the minimum wage;  not one hearing on addressing the violence in the workplace;  and not one hearing on our child labor laws, even as this Administration announced a plan to weaken them for 14-year-olds. 

“Mr. Chair, every worker in America deserves to come home safe at the end of the day.  That should be one of the most basic obligations we have to our constituents.  

“Working families are not asking for much.  They are asking for a fair shot, an honest wage, and a safe workplace. 

“But this Congress, and this Administration, are failing to meet the moment.

“Stripping away labor protections will not unleash anything good.

“It will just move the cost of doing business onto the bodies and livelihoods of working-class people who do the real work that powers this economy. 

“Working Americans deserve a government that works for them, not corporate interests.  

“Thank you, and I yield back.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, D.C. – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) authored and introduced the bipartisan Mali Security Partnership and Counterterrorism Act to address the growing threat posed by al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organizations in Mali and strengthen U.S. efforts to counter terrorism and instability across the Sahel. Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02) is co-leading the legislation.

The bill comes as security conditions continue to deteriorate across the region. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso face persistent attacks from al-Qaeda- and Islamic State-affiliated terrorist organizations, while military governments in all three countries have increasingly turned away from traditional Western security partnerships and toward Russia. The attempted coup in Niger in August 2026 further underscored the growing security risks posed by political instability, weak governance, and persistent terrorist violence across the interconnected Sahel.

The Mali Security Partnership and Counterterrorism Act would establish a clear U.S. strategy for supporting a more secure and stable Mali while examining how developments in Mali affect the broader Sahel and U.S. national security interests.

“Mali cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader security challenges facing the Sahel,” said Rep. Panetta. “The recent instability in Niger increases the risks of terrorism and political turmoil that can undermine security and destabilize this interconnected region. The United States must have a comprehensive diplomatic strategy based on a clear understanding of how al-Qaeda-affiliated organizations expand their influence, move resources across borders, and exploit instability so that we can effectively counter their growth and support greater security across the region.”

“This bill is a necessary step to address the growing threat posed by al-Qaeda-affiliated groups in Mali and the broader Sahel. Extremist organizations continue to expand their influence and destabilize this region, supported by war criminal Putin and the regime in Tehran. By requiring a comprehensive assessment of terrorist financing, regional security dynamics, and a coordinated U.S. diplomatic strategy, this legislation will strengthen America’s ability to support regional partners and protect U.S. national security interests to secure Peace Through Strength,” said Rep. Wilson.

The legislation would direct the Department of State to develop a comprehensive diplomatic strategy to counter the expansion of al-Qaeda and affiliated terrorist organizations in Mali. The strategy would provide Congress with a detailed assessment of the terrorist threat, terrorist financing networks, existing U.S. policy tools, and opportunities to strengthen regional security partnerships.

The Mali Security Partnership and Counterterrorism Act would:

• Assess the terrorist threat: Examine Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin’s (JNIM) territorial reach and operational capabilities, the expansion of extremist groups across Mali, and their connections to terrorist networks in Burkina Faso and Niger. The assessment would also examine how terrorist organizations exploit poverty, displacement, ethnic tensions, and governance failures to recruit and expand.
• Examine terrorist financing: Investigate how terrorist organizations exploit Mali’s gold sector and illicit trade networks to generate revenue, including through extortion, coercive taxation, protection payments, smuggling, and informal taxation. The legislation would also map key transit routes, facilitators, and financial intermediaries supporting extremist organizations.
• Review existing U.S. policy tools: Evaluate the effectiveness of current sanctions and other U.S. policy tools, identify gaps in U.S. diplomatic engagement and regional coordination, and assess opportunities to strengthen international efforts to disrupt terrorist financing.
• Develop a comprehensive U.S. diplomatic strategy: Direct the Department of State to identify opportunities to strengthen bilateral and multilateral efforts to counter al-Qaeda’s influence, improve cross-border cooperation among regional partners, address the governance, economic, and security conditions that fuel extremism, and establish measurable benchmarks for evaluating U.S. diplomatic engagement.

The legislation would also examine the broader regional security environment, including the expansion of Russian influence in Mali and its impact on Western engagement, governance, transparency, and regional stability.

Full text of the bill is available here.
 

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

Additionally, the Hands Off Our Boca Chica Act enjoys strong local support. During today’s hearing, the Congressman submitted written statements of support from Texas State Representative Erin Gamez, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, and SpaceX. All three letters can be viewed here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming Tuesday’s final passage by a bipartisan vote of 370-48 of the government funding extension, which was necessary to keep the federal government open after September 30. The House passed the bill that the Senate had passed in August, sending it to President Trump to be signed into law. Upon signing, the government will be funded through December 11. 

“This is good news because it prevents a shutdown at the end of September, and preserves our current funding,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “American Samoa relies on federal funding for essential services, and I’m very pleased we won’t have a shutdown at the end of the fiscal year. Instead, this provides more time to work on full year appropriations.”

Congresswoman Amata supports passage of the full appropriations bills for planning and stability, and especially because they include two of Amata’s requests for American Samoa: $1 million additional for American Samoa operations through OIA, and $1 million for port infrastructure requested cooperatively as a community project by Congresswoman Amata with Governor Pulaali’i and Director Barney Sene.

The House has completed committee work on all 12 appropriations bills, including Amata’s requested funding projects, but bicameral passage of all 12 is required to fully fund the government for 2027. Under the extension, American Samoa’s current 2026 funding levels continue an additional two and a half months. 

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Representative Sharice Davids voted for a bipartisan Senate-passed continuing resolution to keep the federal government open and funded through December 11. The measure prevents a costly government shutdown on September 30 while giving lawmakers additional time to negotiate a long-term, responsible budget.

 

“Kansans are sick and tired of last-minute Washington games and threats of a government shutdown that only create chaos for our families, federal workers, and local small businesses,” said Davids. “While no stopgap measure is perfect, this bipartisan agreement keeps the government open, provides much-needed stability through the end of the year, and protects critical community programs from reckless administrative overreach. Shutdowns are a self-inflicted wound that solve nothing. The only way forward is for both parties to sit down at the table, cut through the political noise, and deliver common-sense results for working families.”

 

Background:

 

Davids continues to push for a bipartisan agreement to keep the government open past the new deadlines set in today’s legislation. A shutdown would have serious impacts on Kansas families and the overall U.S. economy. Americans would face disruptions to important benefits, service members would not be compensated, many small businesses would have to alter their operations, and federal workers would be furloughed and go unpaid.

 

Specifically:

• It’s estimated the five-week partial government shutdown in 2018-2019 reduced economic output by $11 billion in the following two quarters, and the 2013 full government shutdown reduced GDP growth by $20 billion.
• Kansans receiving Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits would experience service delays, including disruptions to verifying benefits and the issuance of new cards.
• There are currently more than 15,000 federal workers in Kansas who may be furloughed. A bipartisan report found that the last three government shutdowns led to the equivalent of 56,940 years in lost productivity from federal workers.
• Small businesses may encounter delays in receiving loans from the federal government. Moody’s Analytics estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown delayed more than $2 billion in loans to small businesses.
• The distribution of important food assistance programs, including SNAP, could be disrupted, leaving some Kansans — including women, children, and the elderly — without nutritious food.
• Travelers could face longer lines at airport security checkpoints and flight delays during a shutdown, which would also delay passport processing times even further.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) delivered opening remarks at the full committee hearing on “Strategic Partnerships to Secure Critical Resources and Supply Chains.”

Video of her opening statement is available HERE and the text follows:

“Thank you, Chairman Smith. I’d like to begin this morning by congratulating Ranking Member Richie Neal on his primary victory last night.

We look forward to serving with him in his next term.

I also want to thank the witnesses for joining us today.

Critical minerals are a timely and important topic. But we really need to put this hearing into perspective.

Americans’ pocketbooks are feeling the squeeze, thanks to Trump’s nonsensical war with Iran and his disastrous economic policies.

Gas is up 38% in just six months. Beef prices are up nearly 10% just this year.

And meanwhile, Trump is doubling down on his illegal tariffs, even after his Supreme Court defeat and starting a self-defeating trade war with Canada.

Instead of stroking his own ego and renaming lakes, Trump should listen to what’s worrying American households.

Though despicable, the president’s actions are not surprising. What is disheartening, however, is the silence from congressional Republicans, which allows this circus to continue.

With Congress stepping back, shady backroom deals have become a defining feature of this administration. Just this week, we learned of a murky oil deal the president struck with Venezuela.

Meanwhile, the American people are kept in the dark because Republicans don’t want us asking “Who really profits from this chaos?”

To answer that, one needs to look no further than President Trump’s critical minerals agenda.

Let me be clear: Ways and Means Democrats have long supported strengthening U.S. critical minerals supply chains. We need to invest in clean energy and technology, create good-paying American jobs and reduce our reliance on China.

That is not where we disagree. The issue is how we get there and who gets rich along the way.

Democrats will not turn a blind eye to the Trump administration’s corrupt conduct.

For example:

The New York Times found that 14 companies tied to Trump cabinet officials’ families are seeking or receiving nearly $9 billion in federal support, including a lucrative critical minerals project in Kazakhstan.

Another example is Vulcan Elements.

Donald Trump Jr.’s investment firm took a stake in the company and, just months later, the Pentagon announced a $620 million loan to Vulcan, followed by another $50 million in federal support.

ProPublica reported that the loan process was accelerated after the White House intervened on the company’s behalf.

Then there is USA Rare Earth.

With Cantor Fitzgerald as its lead placement agent, the company raised $1.5 billion in private capital while seeking an equity stake and $1.6 billion gift from Commerce.

And who leads Cantor Fitzgerald? Secretary Lutnick’s sons.

These cases demand answers.

We are not talking about pocket change—we’re talking about hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars that are on the line.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is weakening oversight at institutions like EXIM and DFC, laying the groundwork for politically connected insiders to profit at the public’s expense.

Competition with China is no excuse for abandoning safeguards which prevent taxpayer funds from being misused for private enrichment.

We also cannot say that because China is a strategic competitor, every mining deal is automatically a good deal.

Securing our supply chains does not mean we have to sacrifice labor rights, human rights or environmental protections.

[America] can compete with China and uphold democratic values.

We can secure critical minerals and create jobs for American workers.

We can also build supply chains without recreating the exploitative systems that have historically defined global mining.

Congress has a duty to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are invested in projects that serve the national interests.

The resources of the United States government belong to the American people — not to the president’s family, not to cabinet officials’ families nor to their business associates.

So, I challenge my Republican colleagues: Do not waste this hearing by digging for fool’s gold while real conflicts of interest stare us in the face.

And with that I yield back.”

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