MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement after voting against the Senate-passed funding package that includes two-weeks of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
 
“Today, I voted against the Senate Amendments to H.R. 7148. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to fund the government that is both effective and accountable. I recognize that this legislation contains important investments and reflects bipartisan work to keep the government operating. I understand why some of my colleagues chose to support it and I share their goal of ensuring continuity of essential federal services. However, as this funding bill is written, it asks Congress to overlook serious concerns in how certain authorities are exercised, especially within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“I am gravely concerned by the DHS and ICE provisions included in this funding package. The two-week buffer to renegotiate DHS funding is insufficient and too long of a delay. We need immediate guardrails and stopgap measures to curtail ICE. The behavior from ICE in Minnesota, Los Angeles, Chicago and across the country does not represent responsible governance. It is lawless behavior that puts communities at risk and undermines trust in government itself.

“I am ready to support funding that upholds the rule of law, respects constitutional limits, treats individuals with dignity, and serves the public interest. Until this administration changes course and demonstrates a commitment to lawful, accountable governance, I will not support funding that enables continued abuse and overreach.”

###

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

Headline: Newhouse Votes to Advance Government Funding Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement upon House passage of the Senate amended H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, and the Continuing Resolution for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

“While I preferred the Senate send these final government funding bills to President Trump’s desk, the responsibility fell on the House to finish the job,” said Rep. Newhouse. “My colleagues and I on the Appropriations Committee, as well as House Leadership, worked hard to get us to this point, and passing all twelve funding bills remains the top priority. Shutting down the Department of Homeland Security makes us vulnerable to the threats in front of us and prevents FEMA from responding to natural disasters and severe weather events. I encourage swift and good faith negotiations on the path forward for on one of our most important national security agencies.” 

Background 

On January 14, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7006, the Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Acts, and sent it to the U.S. Senate. 

On January 22, the House passed H.R. 7148, which included the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations bill, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, and the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. 

The same day, the House separately passed H.R. 7147, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. 

The Senate planned to package all of these bills together, however, due to the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minnesota, the Senate and White House came to an agreement to pass all but the DHS bill and opted for a Continuing Resolution (CR) until February 13, 2026, for that agency’s funding. The House passed this package today. 

This package and CR will go to President Trump’s desk for approval. 

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

Rep. Kelly is impeaching Sec. Noem with 185 cosponsors

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement on the Fiscal Year 2026 funding package, which provides full-year funding for jobs, education, health care and national security priorities along with two weeks of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

“These funding bills are a rejection of Trump administration’s agenda.

“Eliminating the Department of Education? Rejected. Cutting life-saving medical research? Rejected. Gutting the Department of Labor, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Homeless Assistance Grants? Rejected, rejected, rejected.

“Additionally, Democrats have successfully held back full-year funding for DHS until oversight and accountability for ICE is in the law. Providing two weeks of funding for DHS ensures that FEMA, air traffic control and the Coast Guard remain funded and operational while we negotiate a full-year funding bill that ensures ICE follows the same rules as every other law enforcement agency.

“I supported this package of funding because it rejects the President’s agenda and isolates DHS funding, which will be negotiated separately in the coming weeks.”

Larsen Demands ICE Oversight and Accountability

Rep. Larsen supports impeaching DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and negotiating a full-year funding bill for DHS that creates accountability and oversight of ICE operations and DHS detention facilities, including provisions to:

• Ensure ICE and CBP immediately leave Minneapolis and stop terrorizing American cities and communities;
• End arrests without judicial warrants and, outside of exigent circumstances, arrests at sensitive locations such as churches, shelters, schools, and courthouses;
• Ensure full, independent, and transparent investigations into all DHS-related shootings, including federal cooperation with state and local investigations, and ensure that federal agents are properly trained, appropriately supervised, and held fully accountable for their actions;
• End the detention and deportation of U.S. citizens;
• End the anonymity of federal agents by requiring them to remove their masks and provide identification;
• Ensure robust minimum standards of care at detention facilities – including access to medical care, clean water, edible food, and protections against abuse – and ensure independent investigations of deaths. 

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP), delivered House floor remarks in support of Fiscal Year 2026 NSRP legislation, which passed as part of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, and will soon head to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature, avoiding another destructive government shutdown.

The NSRP legislation delivers a historic 16% spending reduction, the largest of any appropriations bill this fiscal year.

Watch Rep. Díaz-Balart’s House floor remarks here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) issued the following statement after the final passage of H.R. 7178, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. This bill included funding for the final two of 13 total community projects requested by Congressman Guthrie, totaling $76.65 million in funding for projects across the Second District. 

“One of my most important jobs in Congress is developing legislation that encourages economic development, fosters an environment to spur job creation, and improves the quality of life for all Kentuckians,” said Congressman Guthrie. “I’m proud that after months of work, I was able to secure $76.65 million for projects across our district. I am confident that these projects will make meaningful impacts for hardworking Kentucky families for years to come.” 

Community Project Funding Secured by Congressman Guthrie

– $14,000,000 – Edmonson County Water District Treatment Plant, Brownsville
This project will provide for the replacement and upgrade of intake structures and tower at the Edmonson County Water District’s Brownsville facility, ensuring more reliable access to the Green River, a primary source of potable water for residents in Edmonson, Hart, and Grayson Counties.

– $2,000,000 – Green River Valley Water District, Hart County
This project will upgrade existing water lines to increase water supply from Bonnieville to Priceville to meet the area’s rising demand.

– $2,000,000 – City of Lewisport Water Treatment Plant
This appropriation will help construct a new regional Water Treatment Plant to help ensure long term quality service for all Lewisport citizens as well as those households outside of the city limits that the plant services.

– $1,500,000 – City of Clarkson Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
The funding will help upgrade the current wastewater treatment system, as it is currently at capacity. It will also expand the system to allow for new users in the city of Clarkson.

– $2,130,750 – Meade County Water District System Upgrades
This project will install a new transmission main, along with a new interconnect, tank, and pump station, to help provide a more reliable and consistent supply of water to more than 5,000 rural customers in Meade County.

– $675,000 – New Haven Asbestos Water Line
This project will allow the LaRue County Water District to replace approximately 4,500 linear feet of existing asbestos cement water lines in the City of New Haven with a six-inch PVC pipe, to improve water quality throughout the city. 

– $50,000,000 – Fort Knox ARAC Aviation Support Facility 
This funding will support the Army Reserve rotary wing aviation maintenance mission at Fort Knox.

– $817,491 – Vine Grove Water Line Improvements
This funding will improve and replace undersized waterlines in Vine Grove, improving water pressure, reliability, and providing highly effective fire flow protection for the community.

– $854,400 – Greenville Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation
This funding will support infrastructure upgrades at the Greenville Wastewater Treatment Plant.

– $750,000 – Bullitt County Collection System Rehabilitation
This project will rehabilitate the wastewater collection system for Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District, previously the Bullitt County Sanitation District, that serves the cities of Hillview, Pioneer Village, Fox Chase, Hebron Estates, and Hunters Hollow.

– $656,000 – Auburn Cast Iron Water Line Replacement 
This funding will provide for the replacement of 3,000 linear feet of galvanized water lines that have been in service since 1938 in Logan County.  

– $470,617 – Barren County Sheriff’s Technology Improvements 
This funding will support the Barren County Sheriff’s Department to purchase critical technology improvements such as body and cruiser cameras, software for cell phone recovery and access technology to expedite criminal investigations, license plate identification management equipment, a firearm training simulator, thermal imaging equipment, and digital speed monitors.

– $796,528 – Daviess County Sheriff’s Office Community Response and Safeguard Initiative
These dollars will support the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office Community Response and Safeguard Initiative to purchase critical equipment and provide tactical services that are needed to safeguard the public.

Listed below are additional community projects in KY-02, funded through the FY2026 appropriations process, requested and secured by Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee:

– $250,000 – Elizabethtown Regional Airport (EKX)- Transportation Planning, Research, and Development 

– $9,000,000 – Elizabethtown Regional Airport (EKX)- Grants-in-Aid for Airports 

– $6,600,000 – Owensboro Family YMCA- Owensboro and Daviess County Community Childcare Center

– $20,000,000 – Barren County- Cave City Area Agriculture Exposition Center

– $352,000 – Warren County Fiscal Court- Law Enforcement Technology and Equipment

– $9,256,000 – Edmonson County Water District for Water Treatment Plant Modernization-  STAG – Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

– $1,350,000 – Rural Community Facilities Program- Ohio County Healthcare Hospital Infrastructure Improvement

– $8,000,000 – Fort Knox- Emergency Services Railroad Overpass: Minor Construction

– $4,500,000 – Fort Knox- Warrior Dining Facility: Design

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Randy Weber (14th District of Texas)

Rep. Weber Delivers Over $3 Million to Southeast Texas as President Moves to Reopen the Government

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sam Graves (6th District of Missouri)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) introduced the Protecting Small Businesses from Predatory Website Lawsuits Act, legislation that puts gives small businesses a chance to make websites accessible for Americans with disabilities, instead of being caught up in exploitive sue-and-settle schemes.

Small businesses in North Missouri and across the country are being hit with copy-and-paste demand letters, claiming their websites aren’t ADA-compliant. Instead of giving these small businesses a chance to make things right, these trial attorneys are demanding cash or threatening to drag these mom-and-pop shops into years of expensive litigation.

“Small businesses should not be targeted and exploited for a quick cash grab. They should not have to choose between paying a lawyer or paying their employees. These lawsuits are not about helping or ensuring access for customers, they are about making money off hardworking business owners. This bill gives small businesses much-needed protection,” said Graves.

The bill amends the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) so a civil lawsuit over website compliance cannot be filed until the owner/operator of the website is notified of their website’s noncompliance with ADA standards. The owner/operator would then have 180 days to bring it into compliance. By allowing small business owners a chance to make things right, this legislation protects Main Street America, while strengthening the ADA by ensuring more websites are accessible to Americans with disabilities.

You can read the bill here. 

###

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

WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District. Since 2013, the Congressional App Challenge has encouraged tens of thousands of young Americans to explore STEM, coding, and computer science and has connected Members of Congress with emerging technologies. 

First place winners, brothers Aiden Zhao & Kevin Zhao.

This year’s applicants, six students from Caddo Magnet High School and Benton Middle School, were selected by a panel of four judges comprised of professors from local universities. 

“OpenNeuroLens,” the first-place app designed by Caddo Magnet High School students Aiden Zhao and Kevin Zhao, automates EEG data analysis and visualization to make advanced brain research accessible and affordable to students and labs. Aiden and Kevin’s web-based app was originally developed as part of a research project at LSU Health Shreveport, studying firefighters’ cognitive performance after physical exertion.

Aiden and Kevin will be invited to the House of Code and will receive a copyright fee waiver through the ARTS Act, and their app will be on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year.

Speaker Johnson encourages all students across Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District to participate in the annual Congressional App Challenge. To learn more, visit www.congressionalappchallenge.us or our website for more information on the 2026 application and submission deadlines.

First Place

App: OpenNeuroLens*

Designers: Aiden Zhao and Kevin Zhao (Caddo Magnet High School)

Second Place

App: SafER Connection

Designers: Sara Kilpatrick, Nora Butler, & Hannah Schaefer (Benton Middle School)

Third Place

App: Tank Survival 

Designer: Steward Lokitz (Caddo Magnet High School) 

*Selected to represent the LA-04 Congressional District in the U.S. Capitol Building. 

###