MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

CHICAGO — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement on the raids conducted today in Little Village and Cicero, in his district:

“What happened in our community today was state-sponsored terrorism. Masked Gestapo, led by Gregory Bovino, conducted their campaign just a block from my home, and at other locations in Little Village and Cicero. They abducted community members, U.S. Citizens, one of whom is a local elected official, and government staff. Their reckless operatives once again endangered innocent lives with chemical agents, violent aggressions, and high-speed chases through our neighborhoods that ended in yet another car wreck in our streets.

“The Federal Government is assaulting our city and our neighborhoods. For 6 weeks, my community has been the epicenter of this administration’s brutal attacks. Our community is organized, and dozens of courageous civilian members of Rapid Response teams gathered quickly, blowing whistles to alert others to the presence of masked agents. My office is in contact with other local leaders and resistance networks, and we will provide support to identify and assist the people who have been taken. In Chicago, we take care of our own. ¡Chicago se defiende!”

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

LAFAYETTE, LA – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) re-introduced H.R. 5484, the National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (NFIP-RE), a bipartisan bill to reform and extend NFIP.

This legislation would reauthorize the program for five years, providing stability and peace of mind for homeowners and small businesses affected by flooding, as well as implementing sweeping reforms to reduce costs and invest in flood mitigation. 

Since being elected, Congressman Higgins has supported reauthorization of the NFIP and called for significant reforms to the program. In addition to his advocacy for a long-term reauthorization and reform bill, Congressman Higgins has also sponsored standalone legislation to extend NFIP during a government shutdown.

Congressman Higgins said, “Hardworking Americans find it increasingly difficult to afford homeowners and flood insurance, especially in South Louisiana. For millions, the NFIP is the only option. However, Risk Rating 2.0 is a flawed methodology and has made flood insurance far too expensive for many Americans. Congress must act to ensure that flood insurance is transparent, attainable, and fair for Americans. My office will continue to fight for a long-term authorization that protects affordability and improves the NFIP for Louisiana residents.”

Groups supporting this legislation include the National League of Cities, the US Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties, the American Policyholders Association, Greater New Orleans, Inc., and the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance. Read the full bill text here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

LAFAYETTE, LA – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) issued a statement in support of the new Louisiana National Guard (LANG) readiness center in Lafayette, LA. 

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Higgins has advocated for and worked to secure Louisiana priorities in the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Congressman Higgins helped secure the authorization of $33 million for the LANG’s readiness center in last year’s NDAA, with construction on the facility beginning earlier this month.

Congressman Higgins said, “The Louisiana National Guard is a crucial component of America’s national security. I’ve been honored to advocate for them on the House Armed Services Committee. Last week’s groundbreaking of the new readiness center in Lafayette marks a proud moment for our community and the state of Louisiana. I’m excited to see the Lafayette readiness center come to fruition, and I will continue to work closely with the Louisiana National Guard to deliver on priorities for our state.”

Congressman Higgins has consistently worked to serve America’s military men and women. Earlier this fall, Congressman Higgins joined a contingent of LANG soldiers on foot patrol in Washington D.C. The deployment was part of President Trump’s effort to restore law and order in the nation’s capital. 

For more information on the Louisiana priorities Congressman Higgins helped secure in last year’s NDAA, visit this page.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

LAFAYETTE, LA – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) worked with the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to expedite the transfer of a federal inmate out of the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office’s custody. 

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office had been providing exceptional care and security for the federal inmate who was hospitalized in Baton Rouge. The circumstances created a significant difficulty for Iberia Parish, who had been facing bureaucratic complications from BOP in transferring the prisoner. 

In partnership with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Congressman Higgins made contact with the BOP and USMS to facilitate the inmate’s transfer. On October 9, 2025, Congressman Higgins sent BOP Director William Marshall III a letter detailing the situation and requesting the transfer. Read the full letter here.

Congressman Higgins said, “When it comes to keeping the American People safe, Louisiana’s law enforcement consistently performs beyond the highest expectations. For more than a month, the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office used their resources to hold this inmate while the federal government attempted to work through complications related to his transfer. Sheriff Romero and his team operated well beyond their obligations, and I’m glad we’ve corrected the issue. My office works very hard to serve Louisiana constituents and this case required my personal involvement, including meeting with the inmate in the hospital in Baton Rouge.”

Iberia Parish Sheriff Thomas Romero said, “This situation highlights what can be accomplished when local and federal partners work together. I appreciate Congressman Higgins and his team for stepping up to help resolve this issue for our agency and our community.”

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

Bacon, Khanna Call on President Trump to Remove the Tariffs on Coffee

Washington, DC — Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02) and Ro Khanna (CA-17), sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging his administration to exempt coffee from reciprocal tariff measures that are driving up costs for American consumers. Reps. Khanna and Bacon also recently introduced the bipartisan “No Coffee Tax Act” to repeal the tariffs on coffee. 

“Families across America are feeling the cost of higher coffee prices, which are already up 21 percent, and tariffing a product we can’t grow at a large, commercial scale, only makes it worse. Tariffs are a tax on American consumers, raising the price of everyday goods without creating jobs or bringing production on-shore. Article One of the Constitution makes clear that Congress has the authority to set tariffs, and Congress needs to reclaim its authorities,” said Rep. Bacon.

“The tariffs are hurting coffee drinkers and small business owners across the country. We only produce 1% of the coffee that Americans consume. Tariffs on coffee make no economic sense. I hope the administration will do the right thing and provide relief to the millions who consume coffee every day and the businesses that serve our communities,” said Rep. Khanna. 

Full text of the letter below: 

Dear President Trump: 

Two out of three Americans enjoy a cup of coffee every day. But recent tariff measures have forced them to pay 26 percent more for their morning cup of coffee. We respectfully request you exempt coffee from reciprocal tariff measures that are drastically increasing its price. 

Coffee does not have a viable large-scale domestic alternative. Though Hawai‘i and Puerto Rico grow small quantities of specialty coffee, domestic production accounts for less than 1 percent of all the coffee consumed by Americans. Tariffs on coffee do not protect domestic businesses and interests—they only raise costs and amount to an additional tax on American consumers. It is not practical to tariff a product that our nation does not meaningfully produce. 

In light of these facts, we respectfully request your administration exempt coffee from reciprocal tariff measures that are drastically increasing its price. The administration can do this by adding coffee (both green beans, as well as roasted and ground products) to Annex II of Executive Order 14257. Given that our nation consumes around 400 million cups per day, this action is one modest but meaningful way to help the American people.

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference with Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, where he emphasized that while Republicans remain on vacation, Democrats will continue fighting to end the healthcare crisis and the reckless shutdown that Republicans have created.

LEADER JEFFRIES: This is day 22 of the Trump-Republican shutdown of the federal government, and Republicans have shown zero interest or capacity to reopen the government, enact a spending agreement that meets the needs of the American people or address the healthcare crisis that Republicans have created. And the healthcare crisis is growing in intensity and urgency all across the country. We now have visibility into 13 different states, including most recently Florida, Virginia, Maryland and Georgia. And all across those states, millions of Americans are going to experience dramatic increases in their healthcare premiums, copays and deductibles, as is the case with everyday Americans all across the country.

In Florida, by way of example, a 58-year-old in Panama City, Florida, single on the silver plan, currently receives ACA tax credits, pays for health insurance $140.80 a month. Because Republicans have decided to allow the Affordable Care Act tax credits to expire, that same individual who’s currently paying $140.80 per month, their cost will go up to $1,526 per month. Republicans did that because of their refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. In Florida, a 46-year-old with three children in Santa Rosa we now know this family currently on the bronze plan—actually as a result of the tax credits that they receive—does not have to pay any additional amount to receive their health insurance. But if the Affordable Care Act tax credits are allowed to expire, that same family, 46-year-old with three children in Santa Rosa, Florida, will have to pay $2,360 per month. That is north of $25,000 per year. Unaffordable, impossible, unsustainable. And it will result in that family having to go without the ability to see a doctor when their children get sick.

The Republican healthcare crisis grows worse by the day. And yet, Republicans remain on vacation for the fourth consecutive week. Donald Trump is once again preparing to fly out of the country. The East Wing of the White House is being demolished so that Donald Trump can construct a ballroom where he will be celebrated like a king. And, at the same time, Trump is trying to rob taxpayers of $230 million to continue to line his pockets. And yet, Republicans have zero interest, none, in addressing the healthcare crisis that they’ve created, just devastating people all across the country.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

Sherman Oaks, CA – Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) issued the following statement to mark ten years since the Southern California Gas Company’s SS-25 well ruptured at the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility on October 23rd, 2015, triggering the largest release of methane and toxic compounds in U.S. history:

“A full decade has passed since the Aliso Canyon gas blowout — yet families in our community continue to bear the consequences of this preventable disaster. The ongoing health and environmental impacts underscore why this dangerous facility must be permanently closed once and for all.

For years, residents of Porter Ranch and surrounding neighborhoods have lived with uncertainty about their health, their air, and their safety. I have worked tirelessly with local leaders and federal agencies to hold SoCalGas accountable, to secure environmental testing, and to ensure that the community’s voice is heard at every step.

We owe it to the families who were displaced, the children whose schools were closed, and everyone who suffered from this avoidable catastrophe to finally shut down Aliso Canyon and move toward a cleaner, safer energy future for Los Angeles and the nation.”

Background: Congressman Sherman’s home was as close as any residence to the Aliso Canyon blowout. For nearly four months, the northern Los Angeles community of Porter Ranch suffered from the largest methane leak ever recorded in the United States.

More than 7,000 families were forced to evacuate, two local schools were shut down for the remainder of the academic year, and countless residents reported persistent health issues.

Sherman has consistently called for the permanent closure of the Aliso Canyon facility, specifically urging the California Public Utilities Commission to close the Aliso Canyon facility and to reject any plan that would allow for increased storage at the site.

In 2016, Sherman met personally with then-President Barack Obama regarding the Aliso Canyon blowout and received a commitment that the federal government would improve safety regulations for natural gas storage facilities.

Just days after the leak was finally sealed, Congressman Sherman testified before the Congressional committee charged with oversight of natural gas storage facilities, and he urged the passage of legislation that would mandate stronger safety standards for these facilities.

Four months later, Congress unanimously passed the Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act, which required the government to establish new federal safety standards for underground natural gas storage facilities.

Congressman Sherman is calling on federal regulators to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection of the Aliso Canyon facility to review its compliance with the enhanced safety standards mandated by Congress.

Congressman Sherman repeatedly called for a comprehensive health study on the effects of the Aliso Canyon Gas Leak. UCLA is currently continuing the Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study with funding through the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. This study aims to assess both the short- and long-term health impacts of the disaster. 

Congressman Sherman continues to call for the permanent closure of the Aliso Canyon storage facility while supporting stronger federal oversight to prevent similar disasters from ever happening again.

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

WASHINGTON — Now the second longest shutdown in U.S. history, Democrats are responsible for the consequences they once warned about. Many small businesses are struggling, veterans’ services are disrupted, service members risk missing paychecks, and low-income families are left scrambling for childcare and food.

For years, top Democrat leaders have publicly acknowledged the devastating impacts of government shutdowns for working families and small businesses. Yet now, with the power to end the crisis, they’re doing exactly what they have always condemned — keeping the government closed to make a political point.

While House Republicans passed a clean, responsible continuing resolution to keep the government open, Democrats have voted repeatedly to prolong the pain — prioritizing the demands of their radical base over the needs of everyday Americans.

PREDICTION:
Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries in 2024: “Small businesses will be hurt in every single community in this country.”

REALITY:

 

Business leaders are sounding the alarm as the Democrat Shutdown begins to weigh on the broader economy. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned that the lapse in funding is now hurting businesses, workers, and growth across every sector. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the shutdown is “starting to cut into muscle,” estimating a $15 billion weekly hit to the economy and urging Senate Democrats to stop blocking a short-term continuing resolution to reopen the government and protect American jobs.

PREDICTION:

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark in 2023: “So let’s take a moment to talk about the people who are truly at the center of this story… It’s the service members who will work without a paycheck. It’s the firefighters that will be furloughed. It’s the early educators who will have to leave their classroom. It’s the moms and parents who will be left scrambling for childcare.”

REALITY:

The National Head Start Association is warning that the shutdown is putting early childhood education for tens of thousands of low-income families at risk. Six programs serving 6,500 children are already operating without federal funding, and by November 1, another 134 programs across 41 states and Puerto Rico — serving nearly 59,000 children — will face the same crisis if the government remains closed. 

PREDICTION:

Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Pete Aguilar in 2023: “House Republicans are leading the country towards a reckless government shutdown that will take food off the table for mothers and children and force our servicemembers to work without pay.” 

REALITY:

Across the country, military families are turning to food pantries in record numbers as the Democrat Shutdown drags on and paychecks remain uncertain. Even with temporary funding to cover troop pay, many military households are losing income because spouses who work in federal jobs are also going unpaid. At Stronghold Food Pantry in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, demand has surged by 300%, with a ninefold increase in new applications for assistance nationwide. Founder Monica Bassett called the spike “humbling and heartbreaking,” saying it shows how deeply the shutdown is straining those who already sacrifice the most for the country.

PREDICTION:

Rep. Eric Swalwell in 2024: “We are headed toward a government shutdown, and Republicans know it will hurt people: small business loans delayed, VA offices closed, and federal workers forced to work without pay during the holidays.”

REALITY:

 

The impact on America’s veterans is growing by the day. While the Department of Veterans Affairs has kept most of its workforce on duty to protect critical care, the Democrat Shutdown has already forced veteran career counseling, transition assistance, and the GI Bill Hotline to close. Regional benefits offices are dark, and essential services like headstone placements and public outreach are on hold — even as VA staff continue serving without pay.

PREDICTION:

Rep. Ayanna Pressley in 2024: “This [government] shutdown, do you know who is going to feel the pain? You know who it hurts? You. everyday people and the most vulnerable — seniors, veterans, working families, hungry kids y’all.” 

REALITY:

As the Democrat Shutdown drags on, tens of millions of America’s poorest families are at risk of losing access to food assistance. State agencies warn that if Democrats continue refusing to reopen the government, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits — used by 42 million low-income Americans — will be suspended as soon as November 1, leaving vulnerable parents, children, and seniors without the ability to buy groceries.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Democrats once recognized the harm a shutdown would cause — now they’re causing the harm themselves. As their own warnings become reality, families are paying the price.

Republicans are ready to end the shutdown today. Democrats just have to say yes.

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Maxwell Frost (FL-10) and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (MD) and Jeff Merkley (OR) are leading 10 members of the House and 13 Senators in pressing the Trump Administration on the detention of Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim, a 16-year-old American citizen who has been held in Israel’s custody since February 16, 2025.

The lawmakers begin, “We write with grave concern regarding the detention without trial of Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim. Mohammed is a U.S. citizen from Florida who was reportedly blindfolded, handcuffed, and arrested on February 16th, 2025 when Israeli forces reportedly entered his family home in al-Mazra’a ash-Sharqiya at 3 a.m. He was detained when he was 15 years old and turned 16 in prison. He has been accused of throwing rocks at Israeli settlers, but no evidence has been publicly provided to support this allegation.”

They continue, “While U.S. embassy officials have been able to conduct visits, Mohammed has been denied all other contact with the outside world and his family has not been able to contact him since his detention. Senators Van Hollen and Merkley met with Mohammed’s family in the West Bank, and Rep. Castor, Rep. Frost, and other members also met with his family separately. His family has received updates from U.S. embassy staff and former detainees who described his alarming weight loss, deteriorating health, and signs of torture as his court hearings continue to be routinely postponed. His family reports that Mohammed has lost nearly a quarter of his body weight and contracted scabies after being detained in Megiddo Prison and now in Ofer Prison.”

“We are concerned about reports of the mistreatment of Palestinians in Israeli detention facilities and prisons, including both of the prisons that have held Mohammed. The mistreatment of Palestinians in Israeli prisons was recently corroborated in Israel’s September 7th Supreme Court ruling, which stated the Israeli government has deprived Palestinian detainees of even a minimum subsistence diet and ordered authorities to increase the amount and quality of food served to inmates,” they go on to note.

“As we have been told repeatedly, ‘the Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad.’ We share that view and urge you to fulfill this responsibility by engaging the Israeli government directly to secure the swift release of this American boy. We request a response to this letter by November 3^rd, including what efforts you have made on Mohammed’s case,” the lawmakers conclude.

Representatives Castor and Frost and Senators Van Hollen and Merkley were joined in sending the letter by Senators Schatz, Warnock, Sanders, Welch, Schiff, Wyden, Murray, Kaine, Warren, Markey, Luján, Heinrich, and Duckworth and Representatives Dexter, Casar, McGovern, Moore, Tlaib, García, Jayapal, Nadler, Smith, and Ramirez.

The text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Rubio and Ambassador Huckabee,

We write with grave concern regarding the detention without trial of Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim. Mohammed is a U.S. citizen from Florida who was reportedly blindfolded, handcuffed, and arrested on February 16th, 2025 when Israeli forces reportedly entered his family home in al-Mazra’a ash-Sharqiya at 3 a.m. He was detained when he was 15 years old and turned 16 in prison. He has been accused of throwing rocks at Israeli settlers, but no evidence has been publicly provided to support this allegation. As you know, Palestinians are subject to military law in the West Bank and are tried in military courts where there have been well-documented concerns about Palestinians not receiving fair due process. Mohammed is also the first cousin of Saifullah Kamel Musallet, the 20-year-old U.S. citizen who was reportedly beaten to death by Israeli settlers in July 2025. To date, no one has been arrested concerning his killing. 

While U.S. embassy officials have been able to conduct visits, Mohammed has been denied all other contact with the outside world and his family has not been able to contact him since his detention. Senators Van Hollen and Merkley met with Mohammed’s family in the West Bank, and Rep. Castor, Rep. Frost, and other members also met with his family separately. His family has received updates from U.S. embassy staff and former detainees who described his alarming weight loss, deteriorating health, and signs of torture as his court hearings continue to be routinely postponed. His family reports that Mohammed has lost nearly a quarter of his body weight and contracted scabies after being detained in Megiddo Prison and now in Ofer Prison. 

We are concerned about reports of the mistreatment of Palestinians in Israeli detention facilities and prisons, including both of the prisons that have held Mohammed. The mistreatment of Palestinians in Israeli prisons was recently corroborated in Israel’s September 7th Supreme Court ruling, which stated the Israeli government has deprived Palestinian detainees of even a minimum subsistence diet and ordered authorities to increase the amount and quality of food served to inmates. 

In a disturbingly similar case, and underscoring our urgency concerning Mohammed’s continued pre-trial detention, 17-year-old Palestinian Walid Ahmad collapsed and died in Megiddo Prison on March 22nd, 2025 after also being detained for six months without charges or trial for allegedly throwing rocks. Walid’s post-mortem examination indicates that he died from a combination of abuse and mistreatment that led to him collapsing and hitting his head, including extreme malnutrition, torture, scabies, and the denial of medical intervention. It is the responsibility of the U.S. government to ensure that this recent tragedy does not repeat itself with Mohammed.

As we have been told repeatedly, “the Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad.” We share that view and urge you to fulfill this responsibility by engaging the Israeli government directly to secure the swift release of this American boy.

We request a response to this letter by November 3^rd, including what efforts you have made on Mohammed’s case.