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

Rep. Bacon Announces Chamber Support for Legislation to Restore Congress’ Constitutional Role in Trade

Omaha, Neb. – Today, Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) announced he has received support from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Omaha Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for his bipartisan legislation to return Congress’ constitutionally authorized role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy. H.R. 2665 The Trade Review Act of 2025 requires that unilateral tariffs proposed by the executive branch receive congressional authority.

“By requiring clear justification and timely review of new tariffs, the Trade Review Act of 2025 helps prevent disruptive cost swings and strengthens Nebraska companies’ ability to keep Nebraska’s economy competitive and growing,” said Todd Bingham, President and CEO of the NE Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “This legislation delivers real benefits for Nebraska businesses by bringing greater stability and predictability to U.S. trade policy. Nebraska Chamber members across industries – from agriculture to manufacturing – depend on consistent markets and manageable input costs. We thank Rep. Bacon for being a strong advocate for Nebraska and its world-class businesses.”

“We hear from businesses every day that unexpected tariff actions are driving up costs, delaying investments, and threatening the long-term competitiveness of Nebraska. H.R. 2665 introduces the level of transparency, accountability, and congressional oversight that our employers urgently need,” said Heath Mello, President & CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber. “By requiring timely economic impact assessments and ensuring Congress has a meaningful role, this legislation provides a more predictable environment for companies planning major capital investments. The Greater Omaha Chamber strongly supports this effort that gives employers the stability they need to grow and we thank Rep. Bacon for his leadership on this critical issue.”

“The Lincoln Chamber appreciates Congressman Don Bacon’s leadership on trade and his assertion of congressional authority. Congressman Bacon’s Trade Review Act of 2025 gets it right. Congressional authority and pro-active engagement is vitally important in developing trade policies, which are so important to Nebraska’s economy.” – Jason Ball, President & CEO of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.

“This administration has overstepped by imposing tariffs that are bad for American consumers and businesses alike. It’s time to return tariff authority back to Congress and the people by passing this legislation,” said Rep. Bacon. “I’m thankful for the support of Nebraska’s businesses as we work to return the power of imposing tariffs to the legislative branch, where it belongs.” 

Rep. Bacon has publicly stated his support for some tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration while also maintaining that the Constitution gives Congress the task of imposing tariffs under Article I Section 8. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

Read Letter PDF

ATLANTA, GA – Yesterday, Congressman David Scott (GA-13) and Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-4), sent a letter to Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Director, Jeff Cowan, callingon him to hold chronic environmental polluters accountable and take decisive action to revoke the permits of repeat offenders. The letter highlights EPD’s inability to conduct meaningful oversight of companies who routinely fail to comply with state and federal environmental laws as they continue to jeopardize the health and safety of our metro-Atlanta communities.

The lawmakers pointed to multiple incidents across Georgia where industrial facilities, including those operated by Dérivés Résiniques et Terpéniques (DRT) and BioLabs, have repeatedly violated state and federal clean air and water laws—as evidence of a systemic breakdown in enforcement within EPD. They emphasize that Georgia’s environmental enforcement lag continues to expose neighborhoods—particularly vulnerable and low-income communities—to dangerous levels of air pollution and contaminated waterways.

“Georgians deserve clean air, safe water, and an environmental regulator that puts their health and safety first,” said Congressman David Scott. “For too long, chronic polluters have operated with minimal accountability, and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s inaction has allowed dangerous practices to continue unchecked. These failures don’t fall evenly. Black and brown communities are too often the ones forced to bear the brunt of toxic air, contaminated water, and the constant fear of industrial accidents. No community should live with these preventable threats because oversight fell short.”

“For years, corporate polluters have endangered Georgia communities with fires, toxic releases, and repeated violations,” said Congressman Johnson. “This pattern of disregard for public health and safety is unacceptable. No company is entitled to operate in our state if it cannot follow the law. EPD must act decisively and revoke these permits until these facilities can demonstrate they are no longer a threat to the health and safety of our residents.”

Both DRT and BioLabs have amassed years of serious violations, including dangerous chemical leaks in Effingham County and multiple fires and toxic releases at the BioLabs facility in Rockdale County. Additionally, a disastrous 2024 explosion forced 17,000 evacuations and sent over 1,000 Georgians to emergency rooms with serious injuries. However, the EPD has repeatedly failed to issue timely penalties, conduct rigorous inspections, enforce consent decrees, or provide the public with transparent and accessible information. In addition to calling for the revocation of all active permits held by DRT and BioLabs until they can demonstrate full, sustained compliance, the letter requests Director Cowan provide detailed responses regarding:

• Criteria the EPD uses to determine when a “pattern of violations” warrants stronger enforcement, and why that threshold is rarely met.
• Concrete changes EPD is making to ensure companies with a long record of repeated violations are not allowed to expand or continue operations without proving long-term compliance.
• Support for the creation of a publicly available “repeat violators list” for Georgia industries, including a comprehensive review of historical company violations, corrective actions, and risk management practices, similar to other states.
• Steps EPD has taken to establish a clear enforcement timeline and improve communication with impacted communities; ensuring Georgians have a voice when the Division reviews environmental permits for repeat offender.
• Efforts to strengthen internal EPD transparency around investigations, penalties, and interagency coordination with federal partners.

The letter was endorsed by: Georgia WAND, Science for Georgia.

Full letter can be accessed HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Congressman Baird Applauds USDA for Opening Applications for America First Trade Promotion Program

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Pressley Has Sounded the Alarm on Pushout of Black Women from Workforce Under Trump, Demanded Action from Federal Reserve

Unemployment for Black Women is Now at 7.5%, Alarming Spike from 6.7% Reported Month Prior

Roundtable | Press Conference | Photos

BOSTON – As the unemployment rate for Black women continues to rise, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, and YW Boston convened Black women, economists, civil rights leaders, and community members for an urgent discussion about the unemployment crisis facing Black women and its impact in Massachusetts and beyond. The roundtable and press conference followed the Trump Administration’s release of the September jobs report, which revealed a 7.5% unemployment rate for Black women—an alarming spike from the 6.7% unemployment rate following the August jobs report and well above the 4.4% national rate.

In Congress, Rep. Pressley has repeatedly sounded the alarm on the rising number of Black women forced out of the workforce in the United States and called on the Federal Reserve to take action. This week, Rep. Pressley issued a statement after the Trump Administration finally released the September jobs report.

“Black women in Massachusetts and across the country are facing a shameful crisis of high unemployment that has everything to do with the racist and fiscally irresponsible economic policies of the Trump White House,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “This is not just a crisis for Black women—it’s an alarming indicator of the state of our economy that has dangerous consequences for Black women, Black families, and Black futures. Our policy response must always be informed by those directly impacted, which is why I was proud to convene this timely discussion. I am grateful to the women and leaders who joined us.”

Among those joining Congresswoman Pressley at the convening were Secretary Lauren Jones, Massachusetts Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development; Lori Nelson, Chief Resilience Officer, City of Boston; Aba Taylor, President & CEO, YW Boston; Alyssa Benalfew-Ramos, Chief of Policy, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts; economist and award-winning author Anna Gifty; Theresa Alphonse; Sonya Dhanpat; Helen Joseph, LMHC; and others.

We the canaries ask you to look at who is struggling and who is thriving right now? Who are getting bigger paychecks and who are living check to check? Who are remodeling their big houses and who are trying to figure out how to get food on the table? In all these instances, women and people of color, and Black women in particular (as the canaries in the coal mine), are pawns in these destructive ideologies and systems that are specifically designed to keep most of us down, fighting against each other and turning away from each other. How easy is it to dismiss this unemployment crisis and turn our backs on women of color and especially Black women, because we have always been the punching bag for this country’s sins. What those in power are counting on is that society will ignore and dismiss the injustices of Black women, because we are Black women, not realizing that those same injustices are at everybody’s doorstep and already at the table for some.  If we want real progress, then we the canaries must sing and be heard. We help build this economy and we belong in this economy just like everyone else.  Until Black women and all women, people of color, immigrants, trans and gender expansive folks, those with different abilities, and all those who are pushed to margins can enjoy the birthrights of safety, security and mobility like everyone else, we are all at risk—because none of us are free until we are all free,” said Aba Taylor, President & CEO, YW Boston

“This is a fraught moment, and the rising unemployment rates among Black women are another important issue that demands our time, attention, and expertise,” said Nicole Obi, President and CEO of BECMA. “At BECMA, we understand that policy at the state and federal level can directly affect economic equity – and in our ten years – we’ve also come to know that discussion among community is a key driver in addressing these systemic barriers and identifying solutions. Thank you to Representative Pressley for your quick work convening women directly experiencing the economic and personal impact of these policies, as well as leaders at the forefront of initiatives alleviating that burden.” 

“What the current crisis demonstrates is that when the double tax-the compounded cost of racism and sexism- is left unaddressed, everyone suffers. There is no world where Black women lose and everyone else wins. Either we all win or we all lose. The decision is ours,” said Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, Award-Winning Economist and Author of The Double Tax

“Today’s roundtable made clear what many of us already know: when Black women are pushed out of the workforce, the impact on our mental health and the damage to the well-being of our families and communities is profound. Speaking today reminded me that the well-being of Black women must be at the center of both economic policy and organizational change. Protecting Black women at work and in business is essential to safeguarding our mental health and stability, and it is also critical to securing the future and strength of this nation,” said Helen Joseph, LMHC

“Today was stupendous. Any space where we gather is bound to connect us on an ancestral level. Today we questioned why so many Black women have such similar stories. As we dug deep, we concluded that we are not a monolith but ecosystems, holding our loved ones and communities down even when there is no solid ground. Black women deserve to be seen and soft,” said Sonya Dhanpat

“Today was a day of community and story telling. We want our stories to reach beyond this room and into the structures and systems that are being upheld to keep us out. We will keep speaking, sharing the data and talking about the effects that this attack on Black women is having on everyone in our ecosystem,” said Theresa Alphonse

Footage of the roundtable discussion is available here and footage of the press conference is available here. For photos from the event, click here.

In September, Congresswoman Pressley wrote to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell sounding the alarm on the rising unemployment rate for Black women in the United States and demanding the Fed take immediate action to uphold its mandate of maximum employment for all. The Congresswoman’s letter comes as the Trump Administration’s mass federal workforce layoffs and anti-DEI policies disproportionately impact Black women and as Donald Trump attempts to seize control of the Fed by illegally firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.

A copy of the Congresswoman’s letter is available here.

Later in September, Congresswoman Pressley convened a press conference with a coalition of Black women activists and civil rights leaders to continue sounding the alarm on the rising number of Black women forced out of the workforce in the United States.

Rep. Pressley has consistently advocated for race-conscious policies to help close the racial wealth gap in America, uplift Black, brown, and other marginalized communities.

• Building on the legacy of Black women in the civil rights movement, Rep. Pressley led a historic resolution calling for a federal job guarantee.  
• In a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Congresswoman Pressley questioned Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on the issue of full employment and the Civil Rights history of the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate. Powell conceded, for the first time in Federal Reserve history and on the Congressional record, that the Fed alone cannot get the United States to full employment.
• Congresswoman Pressley, along with Senator Cory Booker, is the lead co-sponsor of the American Opportunity Accounts Act—also known as Baby Bonds—legislation that would create a federally-funded savings account for every American child in order to make economic opportunity a birthright for every child and help close the racial wealth gap.
• Rep. Pressley introduced the Equity in Government Act to codify racial equity across federal agencies and improve government services for underserved communities.
• Rep. Pressley has also called on the five largest banks in America to provide a detailed update on the racial equity commitments the institutions made following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
• Rep. Pressley was also a leading voice in Congress urging President Biden to cancel student debt. Following years of advocacy by Rep. Pressley—in partnership with colleagues, borrowers, and advocates like the NAACP—the Biden-Harris Administration announced a historic plan to cancel student debt that stands to benefit over 40 million people.

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL) introduced the AI Fraud Deterrence Act, which would enhance penalties for those who use artificial intelligence to commit fraud. The AI Fraud Deterrence Act would increase the maximum penalties for various kinds of fraud that could be committed with the assistance of AI, including for the impersonation of a federal official. Recently, bad actors have reportedly used artificial intelligence to impersonate federal officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the President’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles.

“AI technology has exploded in recent years and we’ve seen incredible opportunities to make life better, but we’ve also seen new and dangerous ways AI can be used for harm,” Rep. Lieu said. “AI has lowered the barrier of entry for scammers, which can have devastating effects. Both everyday Americans and government officials have been victims of fraud and scams using AI, and that can be ruinous for people who fall prey to financial scams, and can be disastrous for our national security if government officials are impersonated by bad actors. I am pleased to work with Congressman Dunn on increasing penalties for those who use AI to commit fraud.”

“As AI technology advances at a rapid pace, our laws must keep up,” Rep. Dunn said.“When criminals use AI to steal identities or defraud Americans, the consequences should be severe to match the crime. The AI Fraud Deterrence Act strengthens penalties for crimes related to fraud committed with the help of AI. I am proud to co-lead this legislation to protect the identities of the public and prevent misuse of this innovative technology.”

READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE BILL

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

November 25, 2025 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) sent a letter to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works last week, requesting the Army Corps of Engineers provide both support and funding for repairs to the Venice, Florida, South Jetty. 
“As any resident of Southwest Florida knows, the Venice South Jetty is a critical component of our state’s economy and infrastructure. Repairing one of the few accessways to the Gulf of America for boaters, recreators, and coastal industries must be a top priority both in Florida and Washington, D.C.,” said Rep. Steube. “With my letter to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, I am calling on the Army Corps to step up and deliver the vital resources and attention needed to restore the Venice Jetty to its pre-storm condition.”
Background: Representative Steube’s letter formally requests the Army Corps of Engineers allocate $100,000,000 in federal funding in its Fiscal Year 2026 Work Plan for the Venice, Florida, South Jetty repairs. These funds would be used to repair the catastrophic damage inflicted on the South Jetty during Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Read the letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

Stevens warns Big 10 deal risks putting corporate greed ahead of Michigan students and tradition

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens sent a letter to Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti warning that the conference’s reported plan to sell a 10% stake in its media rights to UC Investments for $2.4 billion risks putting corporate profits ahead of student-athletes, college sports, and university integrity.

Stevens blasted the proposal as the latest step in a troubling pattern of corporate influence overwhelming college sports and leading to nonsensical conference realignment.

“College sports are a uniquely American tradition that have provided valuable experience for generations of college athletes, students, and fans. Nowhere is that more true than in the Big Ten,” said Congresswoman Stevens. “As policymakers, we have a responsibility to ensure that the integrity of college sports, the Big Ten, and its member universities is preserved for future generations, not sacrificed for short-term financial gain.”

Stevens warned that giving private investors control over a major university revenue source could threaten university independence, non-revenue-driven sports, and Title IX athletic programs. She warned that private equity gaining a bigger stake in the Big 10 could lead to further conference realignment and create a race-to-the-bottom that only hurts fans and athletes.

Stevens’ letter demands answers from the Big 10 commissioner by December 12, to three key questions:

1. How the Big Ten would protect the independence and internal governance of its member universities from private equity influence;
2. How the conference would safeguard non-revenue and Title IX athletics programs in a media-revenue-driven environment;
3. How leadership would ensure that the financial interests of UC Investments or other potential private investors do not supersede the public-serving mission of Big Ten institutions.

A full copy of the letter is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 31st, 2025

Contact: James Laverty

PRESS RELEASE:

Congressman Richard Hudson: It’s Time For Democrats to End Their Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Day 31 of the Democrat Shutdown, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) is calling on Senate Democrats to stop using Americans’ pain as political “leverage” and vote for the clean Continuing Resolution (CR) the House passed over a month ago. 

“House Republicans passed a clean bill to keep the government open, pay our troops, and protect families,” said Hudson. “Democrats are using families’ pain as leverage for $1.5 trillion in new spending and handouts for illegal immigrants. Enough is enough.”

These are the facts of the Democrat Shutdown:

• House Republicans voted to fund the government on September 19.
• All North Carolina Democrats voted to shut down the government on September 19. 
• Senate Democrats voted to keep the government closed for the thirteenth time this week.
• President Trump paid the troops with existing funds, but those funds will run out imminently – leaving military families without paychecks.
• 79,000 federal workers in NC, including at Fort Bragg, Camp Lejeune, Veterans offices, Air Traffic Control, Transportation Security Administration officials, Farm Service Offices and more will miss paychecks.
• More than 1.3 million North Carolinians and 42 million Americans could lose SNAP benefits in November.
• 238,000 Women, Infants and Children (WIC) beneficiaries who will miss their funding.
• Flight delays, food aid disruptions, and higher costs are hitting families and small businesses across North Carolina.

“The House has done its job, and it’s time for Senate Democrats to do theirs. Vote to fund the government, pay our troops, give veterans and seniors their hard-earned benefits and let’s get America back to work so we can focus on what matters: growing the economy and getting the cost of living down, cutting red tape, unleashing American energy, and delivering commonsense solutions for families, farmers and small businesses.”