MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

For Immediate Release              Contact: Alayah Phipps  

October 21, 2025                        202-813-2793  

PRESS RELEASE   

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO EXPAND THE COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE PROGRAM TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO 

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett shared the following statement on the introduction of H.R. 5656, legislation which would grant the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico eligibility to issue commercial driver’s licenses:  

“I am proud to introduce bipartisan legislation to expand access to commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) for residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, which will strengthen highway safety and bolster our local economies. This measure rectifies an inequity that has denied U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico residents these nationally recognized licenses, which are available to all other Americans. I appreciate the partnership of my colleagues Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-NC) and Resident Commissioner Hernández (D-PR) on this critical legislation, and I commend organizations like the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance for championing CDL access for our communities,” stated Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett. 

“Americans in every part of the United States, including the territories, deserve access to the tools needed to strengthen their workforce and grow economically. The introduction of the OPEN CDL Act is a critical step toward meeting this goal by allowing Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to issue commercial driver’s licenses to those who are there legally,” said Congressman Chuck Edwards. “This legislation marks an important milestone in expanding the economic mobility of all Americans while enhancing the safety of our roads.” 

“This bill is about fairness and opportunity. By allowing Puerto Rico to issue commercial driver’s licenses and working with federal regulators to ensure compliance, we’re opening doors for our people to access good-paying jobs, strengthen our transportation workforce, and ensure safety standards are met. Puerto Ricans deserve the same opportunities as workers in every state, and this measure helps level the playing field,” noted Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández.  

“The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance supports H.R. 5656. As a transportation safety organization, the Alliance is committed to preventing commercial motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities on our roadways,” said Collin Mooney, Executive Director, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. “This inclusive bill will bolster that goal by enabling the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to enhance their existing commercial driver’s license programs, aligning them with U.S. federal regulations and allowing for the recognition of those licenses as equivalent to other U.S. licenses with a single and proper credential for all CDL holders from both territories.” 

“Expanding CDL access to the Virgin Islands is a strategic investment in our economy and public safety. It also ensures that our commercial drivers meet federal safety standards, which is essential for protecting passengers, freight, and everyone who shares our roads. I applaud Congresswoman Plaskett for her leadership in advancing this vital initiative,” stated Barbara Jackson-McIntosh, Director, U.S. Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles. “The Bureau of Motor Vehicles is prepared to implement this program, helping residents access new career opportunities while ensuring our commercial drivers meet federal safety standards.” 

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

Donald Trump and Republicans are making health care more expensive for people in the Inland Empire by gutting Medicaid by almost $1 trillion, cutting funding for Medicare by $500 billion, and failing to extend the Affordable Care Act Tax Credits

Rep. Pete Aguilar recently sat down with Dr. Jason Lohr, CEO of SAC Health, for a discussion on how Republican cuts to health care will drive up costs and make it harder for people in the Inland Empire to access quality, affordable health care. You can watch the full discussion between Rep. Aguilar and Dr. Jason Lohr here and read an excerpt from the interview below:
Rep. Pete Aguilar: You’re the CEO of the system, but you also are a doctor, and you still provide care… What is this going to mean to areas like the Inland Empire? You’ve seen this area grow. I remember giving speeches 20 years ago, saying, ‘the Inland Empire is two million people, and we’re growing.’ We’re 4.5 million people now in this region, and we continue to grow. What will these cuts mean to the Inland Empire? How will people feel it? How will everybody feel it?
Dr. Jason Lohr, CEO of SAC Health: When you’re talking about 300,000 people, that’s not a small amount, right? And those folks are losing their coverage. That’s going to happen here in the next 18 months… I know when we talk numbers, it’s easy to just get caught up in numbers and be like, well, what’s 300,000? But that’s like, each individual is a family. [It] represents a family, represents a person, represents, you know, they’re a member of the community. When one person in the community suffers, then others suffer, right? Their neighbors, their friends, their family, their extended family. There’s no way that there’s not going to be an impact…We’re talking about hundreds of thousands of people losing their coverage.
Donald Trump and Republicans’ ‘Big Ugly Law’ represents the largest rollback of federal support for health care in U.S. history, including gutting Medicaid by almost $1 trillion and Medicare by $500 billion. This will cause emergency rooms to fill up, hospitals to close and health care costs to skyrocket. On top of these health care cuts, Donald Trump and Republicans have shut down the government because they are refusing to protect Americans’ health care or extend Affordable Care Act tax credits that help families afford their health insurance premiums. In California’s 33rd Congressional District, families covered under the Affordable Care Act will see their premiums go up by an average of $2,160 every year. Democrats are doing everything possible to save Americans’ health care from these cruel Republican cuts.

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

WASHINGTON — Following the left-wing “Hate America” rallies over the weekend, the Democrat Shutdown has officially become the longest full government shutdown in United States history.

Now that the “Hate America” rallies have ended, Democrats find themselves presiding over a shutdown they have caused — with no plan articulated to end it, no path forward, and millions of Americans at risk of missing out on paychecks and basic government services that they pay for.

DEMOCRAT SHUTDOWN MONTHS IN THE MAKING

This crisis didn’t happen by accident. It’s been building since March — when Chuck Schumer voted for the same exact clean continuing resolution that is currently before the Senate.

In the months that followed, Far-Left activists — and even some Congressional Democrats — called on him to step aside. Under that political pressure, Schumer reversed course and now opposes the very same clean CR he once supported.

According to Axios, Schumer began coordinating his shutdown strategy two months before the October 1 deadline. In early September, the “No Kings” rally was scheduled and received funding from a network of dark-money donors like George Soros.

The result is clear: a Democrat-manufactured shutdown driven by political fear and outside pressure — and it’s the American people who are paying the price.

THE RALLY THEY WERE WAITING FOR

For weeks, Democrat leaders stalled congressional action while their activist allies prepared the “No Kings” and “Hate America” rallies — anti-American spectacles featuring Marxists who openly oppose what makes America great.

Democrat Senators and aides privately admitted they were paralyzed by political fear of their own base — acknowledging they were unwilling to break with party leadership while activists organized the rally.

THE SIGNS TELL THE STORY

The “Hate America” rally wasn’t about peace or policy — it was about hate, violence, and division.

 

Here are more signs from the rally stoking violence:

These were not peaceful slogans — they were violent threats and anti-American hate speech directed at the President, law enforcement, and millions of patriotic Americans.

THE RALLY IS OVER. THE EXCUSES ARE GONE.

House Republicans have already passed a clean, responsible bill to reopen the government through November 21 and finish appropriations through regular order.

Democrats had their rallies, their protests, and their political theater. The American people have had enough.

It’s time for Democrats to end the shutdown they created and get back to work for the country.

###

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 Ranking Member Jamie Raskin and Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, where he emphasized that while Republicans remain on their month-long vacation, Democrats are ready to work on behalf of the American people to end the Republican healthcare crisis.

LEADER JEFFRIES: This is day 21 of the Trump-Republican shutdown and House Republicans remain on vacation. Donald Trump is missing in action, continues to engage in unreasonable, un-American and un-presidential behavior. And Senate Republicans still don’t have a clue as it relates to what needs to be done to address the healthcare crisis that they’ve created. Tens of millions of Americans all across the country, as we speak, are beginning to receive notices that their premiums, copays and deductibles are about to skyrocket. They are about to experience thousands of dollars in additional expense per year and, in some cases, thousands of dollars in additional expense per month. It’s unsustainable. And Republicans have refused to address it. They’d rather keep the government shut down than provide affordable healthcare and extend the tax credits for everyday Americans, for working-class Americans and for middle-class Americans.

Democrats will continue to make clear that we will sit down anytime, anyplace, with anyone here at the Capitol or back at the White House in order to reopen the government, decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis and enact a spending agreement that actually makes life better for the American people as opposed to continuing these Republican policies that are raising the already-too-high cost of living and ripping healthcare away from the American people. Republicans are on vacation for four weeks, and one of the consequences of that is that Republicans have refused now for four consecutive weeks to swear in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva, depriving hundreds of thousands of people in the state of Arizona of the representation that they deserve, particularly during this challenging moment in the country. And once again on the House Floor during a pro forma session, Republicans refused to recognize the distinguished gentleman from the great state of Maryland on behalf of Representative-elect Grijalva, who should be sworn in today. It’s already four weeks too late.

[…]

It’s a disgrace that Mike Johnson and Republicans continue to refuse to swear in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva. It’s disrespectful of her. It’s disrespectful to the 812,000 people who elected her. It’s disrespectful to the great state of Arizona. And it’s disrespectful to the House of Representatives, which is supposed to be the People’s House, but under Republican leadership has turned into nothing but a rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s extreme agenda.

Full press availability can be watched here.

###

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

New Resource Follows Pressley’s Calls for National Grid and Eversource to Stop Utility Shutoffs for Fed Workers & Contractors During GOP Gov. Shutdown

Due to Republican Shutdown, Tens of Thousands of Workers and Contractors in Massachusetts are Missing Wages and May be Unable to Pay Utility Bills

BOSTON – Following a letter from Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), National Grid of Massachusetts has announced specific support and a payment plan opportunity for federal employees, contractors, and active military personnel in Massachusetts who are impacted by the government shutdown and concerned about paying their energy bill. The hotline, 1-800-322-3223, follows Congresswoman Pressley’s calls for National Grid and Eversource to issue an immediate moratorium on utility shutoffs for households impacted by the government shutdown, including federal workers, federal contractors, and the people who depend on them.

“Our dedicated federal workers, contractors, and their families are being harmed daily by Trump and Republicans’ government shutdown and cruel political games—and they need all the help they can get,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “While we work relentlessly to end this Republican-manufactured shutdown, this new payment plan option is an important resource for Massachusetts families and those in need of assistance should call the hotline without delay. I call on Eversource to follow suit and I continue to urge both utility companies to make sure the electricity and heat stay on for families across the Commonwealth.”

The Congresswoman’s letters come as the Republican-manufactured government shutdown has caused the more than 45,000 dedicated federal workers in the Commonwealth—most of whom reside in the Massachusetts 7^th Congressional District—to miss paychecks and be left without the ability to pay their utility bills. The Congresswoman’s letters also follow Governor Maura Healey’s first-of-its kind, comprehensive review of gas and electric rates and charges to identify ways to lower customer costs.

In her letters, Congresswoman Pressley called on Eversource and National Grid to continue all utility services and offer a payment deferral program to households impacted by the ongoing government shutdown. She emphasized that such a program should not require a down payment, nor should it carry interest or fees, to fully mitigate the financial burden.

A copy of the letter sent to National Grid is available here, and to Eversource is available here.

Amid the Republican-manufactured government shutdown, Rep. Pressley has continued to fight to defend healthcare, reopen the government, and protect federal workers and the essential services they provide.

• Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning Republicans after they chose to shut down the government rather than work with Democrats to protect families and save healthcare for millions.
• Just days into the government shutdown, Rep. Pressley held an emergency convening in Boston to highlight the harm of the shutdown to MA-07 constituents – federal workers, patients, advocates, and more.
• Amid government shutdown, Rep. Pressley and Senator Tina Smith reintroduced bill to provide back pay for federal contract workers, including low-wage food service and janitorial staff.
• Just hours before the Republicans shut down the government, Rep. Pressley rallied with advocates, colleagues, and impacted folks to demand Republicans protect healthcare and keep the government open
• Congresswoman Pressley stood in solidarity with workers and families who would be impacted by the government shutdown.
• Rep. Pressley also joined an all-day event with House Democrats to hold the line against Trump and Republicans’ efforts to rip away healthcare from millions of Americans.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced that the City of Gardner was awarded $365,000 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program to purchase new fire-rated radio systems for the Gardner Fire Department. The funding will replace aging portable radios that are beyond their service life and no longer meet modern safety standards.

Portable radios are among the most essential pieces of equipment firefighters carry. In dangerous, fast-moving situations, reliable communication can mean the difference between life and death. These radios allow firefighters to stay connected with one another and with command staff while responding to emergencies and protecting the communities they serve.

“Gardner’s firefighters represent the best of what it means to serve: courage, commitment, and an unwavering dedication to protecting others,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. “Securing this federal investment through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is exactly why I fight to strengthen and expand these initiatives in Congress, because they deliver real results for communities like Gardner. These new, state-of-the-art radios will enhance communication, improve safety, and ensure that our firefighters have the reliable tools they need to do their jobs effectively and return home safely after every call.”

“This grant is another great example of how federal, state, and local partnerships work together to strengthen our communities,” said Mayor Mike Nicholson. “By investing in the safety of our first responders, we’re also investing in the safety of our residents. These new radios will ensure that our firefighters can communicate clearly and effectively during emergencies, helping them protect the people of Gardner while also keeping each other safe.”

“This investment in the Gardner Fire Department is an investment in its firefighters and the whole community,” said Senator Ed Markey. “Communication is key when responding to emergencies, and I was proud to fight for this funding alongside Mayor Nicholson, Chief Lagoy, and our partners at the federal, state, and local level. I will continue to advocate with Senator Warren and Representative Trahan to expand funding for FEMA’s AFG program and other firefighting grant programs so that every department gets the federal support they need.”

“It’s about time we upgrade our firefighters’ 15-year-old communication systems,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “Modern equipment is an investment in Gardner families’ safety, so I’m going to keep fighting hard to protect the Assistance to Firefighters Grants and Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response programs.”

“The Gardner Fire Department currently uses portable radios that are over 15 years old –well beyond their estimated service life, and do not meet current standards,” said Chief Greg Lagoy. “This much-needed funding from the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant program will be used to purchase new P-25 compliant, fire service-rated portable radios.  These new radios are designed to perform under the harsh conditions in burning buildings, including extreme high temperatures and large volumes of water.  Firefighters regularly operate in hazardous atmospheres, and having reliable portable radios are a mission-critical lifeline to ensure their safety. The benefits of this grant funding align with FEMA’s goals of improving firefighter and public safety, enhancing the Gardner Fire Department’s daily operations, and addressing equipment failures and service issues. The project addresses a critical gap in communication equipment, replacing outdated and unreliable technology to meet current safety standards, such as those set by the National Fire Protection Association. Without this award, the GFD would face continued challenges, including potential safety risks from communication failures and escalating maintenance costs for obsolete equipment. This also meaningfully helps to alleviate a significant financial burden on the City.”

“The Assistance To Firefighters Grant will significantly enhance the safety and efficacy of the Gardner Fire Department,” said Councilor Craig Cormier. “The department has encountered challenges with its end-of-life model radios, resulting in a growing number of breakdowns. We are pleased to learn that the grant will enable the department to maintain uninterrupted communication, ensuring the safety of both the firefighters and the individuals they serve.”

“The Gardner Fire Department has consistently demonstrated its commitment to professionalism, preparedness, and public service,” said State Representative Jon Zlotnik. “This grant builds on the City’s ongoing efforts to ensure that our first responders have the modern tools and equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. I’m proud to see continued investment in the safety of both our firefighters and the residents they protect every day.”

Gardner has made substantial investments to strengthen its fire services over the past five years, from securing new self-contained breathing apparatus units and upgrading frontline engines, rescue vehicles, and ambulances, to outfitting firefighters with essential protective gear to ensure they’re ready for back-to-back emergencies. These investments reflect Gardner’s ongoing commitment to providing its firefighters with the tools they need to respond safely and effectively to protect the community.
 
“By replacing outdated technology with modern, fire-rated radios that meet today’s safety standards, Gardner is continuing its commitment to investing in the safety of both its residents and first responders,” added Mayor Nicholson. “Reliable communication is essential in every emergency, and this investment ensures that the City’s firefighters have the tools they need to serve the community safely and effectively.”

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

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

WASHINGTON — On Day 21 of the Democrat Shutdown, Speaker Johnson held a press conference alongside House GOP Leadership and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer to highlight the unnecessary pain Washington Democrats are causing the American people by continuing to vote to keep the government closed. Speaker Johnson and Chairman Comer also provided a detailed update on the latest developments in the bipartisan investigation into the heinous crimes of Jeffrey Epstein.

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

On the Democrat Shutdown causing pain around the country:

I want to put a finer point on some of the very real consequences we’re seeing and what they mean for Americans around the country. And I’ll zoom in on some of these key Democrat states where the Senators continue to dig their heels in and vote against opening the government. Yesterday from NBC News, here’s the headline: “Air traffic control staffing issues cause flight delays across the country.” The Secretary of Transportation said 53% of flight delays are now due to staffing issues, and usually that number is 5%.

From Colorado, “Food banks face growing crises as shut down impacts become a reality.” That’s the headline from Sky High News. What are Colorado’s two Democrat Senators doing? You’ve got Hickenlooper and Bennett. They have both now voted 11 times to keep the government closed.

Virginia, here’s the headline yesterday, KSL Virginia, “Employees fear shutdowns impact on veterans’ medical care.” Meanwhile, there are two Democrat Senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, who have voted repeatedly to put their thumb in the eye of those veterans, and they won’t end this pain.

From Hawaii, Hawaii News Now says, “Government shutdown impacts telehealth for seniors in Hawaii.” Seniors in Hawaii rely upon telehealth. Guess who’s shutting it down? There are two Democrat Senators, Brian Shatz and Mazie Hirono, who voted again and again to keep the government closed and disrupt the health services for seniors in their own state. They’ve got a lot to answer for.

From California, here’s a headline from ABC7 News, “Alameda Food Banks step in to help TSA workers families impacted by government shutdown.” That is disgusting. And both of California Senators, Padilla and Schiff have voted 11 times to block the pay of those TSA agents and their families — the paychecks they rely upon.

From Illinois, WIFR yesterday, “Federal courts in Northern Illinois reduce operations due to government shutdown.” The courts are reducing operations. And you’ve got Illinois Democrats, Senators Duckworth and Durbin, have voted to keep the government closed. We could do this all day long.

Democrats used to care about the harm that shutdowns caused hardworking Americans, but now we can all see very clearly that was always based on politics and not principle. because they have thrown the principle out the window. And yesterday there was an article from The Hill that laid bare that very fact, a Democrat Senator was speaking anonymously and admitted, “People are going to get hammered if they vote for the House-passed bill to reopen the government.” The clean non-partisan CR, they’re going to get hammered.

Another insider said in that same story, “We would have enough votes to reopen the government if people were not terrified of getting the guillotine.” Okay, they mean it metaphorically, but in a political sense, that’s exactly what they’re concerned about. And think about the fact that we’re just laying out here. These are simple facts. We come out here every morning and remind the American people of what’s going on. Do not let them distract you from the facts. The American people would have an open government if Democrats were not terrified of their radical base. That is the headline. Every single one of you should write that.

On Democrats politicizing the Epstein investigation after staying silent for four years:

Congressional Democrats are rudderless right now. I don’t know how else to describe it. They don’t have a message. They don’t have a leader. They don’t have any identifiable set of policy solutions for the problems facing the American people. Their party continues to hit all time historic lows and poll after poll after poll. And many of you have reported on that. These are objective facts. They’re utterly lost as a party and everybody can see it.

So, what are they doing? They see a shiny object, and they latch onto it. Democrats did not say one word about the Epstein files for the entire Biden presidency. They had all the files in the Biden DOJ. They didn’t say a word about it. Four years, not a word. And suddenly now they somehow convinced themselves that the Epstein files will be damaging to President Trump and Republicans in some way that they’ve imagined. And so, they feign outrage. Let me be very clear about this. I’ve met with some of the Epstein victims, some of these brave women who’ve come forward. They were here on Capitol Hill, as you all know. We heard their stories. It’s gut wrenching. It’s disgusting what they’ve been made to go through. And they bravely came forward. We’re working around the clock to ensure that justice is served. And also, part of the oversight is to figure out why justice has been delayed for so long.

On the bipartisan House Oversight Committee investigation yielding significant results:

If you’re not keeping track, they have now subpoenaed and released 43,000 pages of documents. They have subpoenaed and released DOJ and Epstein Estate documents with more to come. They’ve issued 11 deposition subpoenas, and they’ve released Bill Barr’s deposition transcript just a few days ago. They released the transcript from the interview with Alexander Acosta. They requested and begun to receive suspicious activity reports from the Treasury Department. And the Department is fully cooperating in that. And they published letters from Eric Holder, Merrick Garland, and James Comey stating they had no knowledge or information related to the committee’s investigation. Those documents include the ones that were released on Friday of last week. The Epstein estate documents include his personal phone logs, his travel logs, his financial records, the ledgers that many people have been wanting to see, and even his daily calendar. The investigation and continued document release is ongoing, even as we speak. And let me say this clearly as well.

The Bipartisan House Oversight Committee is already accomplishing what the discharge petition, that gambit, sought and much more. The Epstein Estate files that have been this new treasure trove, the third batch of information released right now, was not even included in the discharge petition. You can’t even think of it. And again, the investigation is bipartisan, it’s nonstop, and it’s far broader in scope than what is covered by the discharge petition and has already yielded significant results. Unfortunately, some Democrats, and sadly even a couple Republicans, have tried to make this a political issue. And they seem to be more interested in trying somehow to lay a glove on the President than in securing justice for these victims. And I think that is shameful. But as Chairman Comer will tell you, the work of the bipartisan investigation continues.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (MA-01), and Ways and Means Committee Democrats are demanding investigations into reporting from the Wall Street Journal that the Trump administration plans to use the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to illegally target taxpayers based on political beliefs. According to the reporting, the Trump administration is encouraging the IRS to begin criminal investigations into Democratic donors and “left leaning” groups, and a senior IRS official has already compiled a list of potential targets, including major Democratic donors.  

In a letter to Acting Inspector General for Tax Administration Heather M. Hill, Ways and Means Democrats demanded an investigation into the allegations.

“This report is reminiscent of President Nixon when he directed the IRS to audit and harass his ‘political enemies,’” the lawmakers wrote. “Section 7217 prohibits the President, the Vice President, any employee of the executive office of the President, and any employee of the executive office of the Vice President from requesting, directly or indirectly, any officer or employee of the IRS to conduct an audit or other investigation of any particular taxpayer.”

In a separate letter to Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08), Democrats requested the Committee meet with Acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent to discuss the increasingly alarming lawlessness and turmoil at the agency. 

“Americans all across this country are experiencing the hardship and growing chaos created by an out-of-control President with an out-of-touch agenda under one-party Republican rule in Washington.” Ways and Means Democrats closed, “Given these urgent matters, we request that you immediately call a special meeting of the Committee.”

Republican members of the Committee until recently also made strong statements about weaponization of the IRS: 

“Americans don’t want to live in a nation where big government has the power to silence free speech . . . they just want to live freely and without fear that an Internal Revenue Service . . . agent will show up at their doorstep,” Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08).

“Americans should be able to donate to causes they believe in without fear of retribution from Washington bureaucrats… because of their political beliefs. In our democracy, it is simply un-American to hamper any individual’s right to exercise their personally held religious and political views,” Tax Subcommittee Chairman Mike Kelly (PA-16).

It is well established that the IRS must do its work impartially. The Committee has investigated this issue in the past, with agreement that taxpayers should not be politically targeted. Taxpayers must be able to rely on the IRS to serve them efficiently and impartially, and the IRS must never be used for political retribution. 

Read the full letter to Acting Inspector General Hill here.

Read the full letter to Chairman Smith here.

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

WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson joined Cheryl Casone on Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria to discuss the harmful effects of the Democrat Shutdown as federal workers, TSA agents, and U.S. troops have to prepare for the possibility of missed paychecks due to the continued Democrat Shutdown.

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full interview here. 

On the Democrat Shutdown continuing to inflict pain on the American people:

Real Americans are hurting. And it is so frustrating to us, Cheryl, because the contrast here is so clear. Remember, it was over a month ago that the House did our job and we passed a clean continuing resolution, a totally nonpartisan 24 page, very simple piece of legislation to just keep the lights on so that Congress could continue to do the work of appropriating the funds for the annual budget, and also for navigating all the rest of the issues we have on the table throughout the end of the year. The Democrats voted it down. They’ve done it now almost a dozen times, as you said, because they’re playing partisan games. They filed a counterproposal. Let’s not let anybody forget what they filed as their counteroffer.

Their CR is not a clean one. It’s a dirty one, because they want to spend $1.5 trillion on all sorts of wasteful programs, including $200 billion to fund health care benefits on the backs of American taxpayers for illegal aliens. They want to give a half a billion dollars back to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to prop up leftist news organizations. And they want to spend billions of dollars overseas on all sorts of extraneous, crazy kinds of programs. They know we’re not going to do that. It’s not a serious proposal. This is the first time in history that any party has chosen to shut the government down over a clean CR. They’re playing a game. And it’s very simple, here’s the reason why Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, the two leaders in both chambers for the Democrat side, are afraid of their Far-Left flank. They’re afraid they’re going to get a challenge in New York because Marxism is all the rage and they’re going to lose their seats. They’re putting up a fight. It makes no sense, and real people are getting hurt.

On Republicans having nothing to remove from the clean, nonpartisan CR:                                                                           

Here’s the thing. The mainstream media has asked me in all these interviews, why aren’t you negotiating? Cheryl, I literally don’t have anything to negotiate. In the past, when there’s been a CR standoff like this, a continuing resolution to keep the government open, the majority party has loaded up the CR proposal with a lot of partisan priorities, you know, gimmicks and tricks. We haven’t done any of that. I mean, we’re operating in good faith. Republicans are trying to keep the government moving forward. So, we sent over a totally clean CR. In other words, there’s nothing I can pull off of that to make it more palatable for Democrats. It’s exactly what they already voted for.

In fact, Chuck Schumer voted for the identical measure in March of this year and gave an impassioned speech on the floor about how it had to be done, because it would be totally irresponsible to harm the American people by shutting the government down. The only thing that’s changed between March seven months ago and now, is that Chuck Schumer is now afraid of the rise of Marxism in New York. That’s his home state, and he’s afraid he’s going to lose the seat that he’s held for so many years. The man has been in Congress for 44 years, Cheryl, he doesn’t want to go home. He doesn’t know how to live a normal life. And that is 100% what is motivating all the chaos right now.

On Democrats like Senator Ruben Gallego pulling gimmicks instead of opening the government:

That’s Exhibit A of why the House Republicans are doing much more productive work in their districts right now than being here because Democrats are walking around the halls trying to create publicity stunts. I mean, you just saw that, that’s two Senators from the state of Arizona staging a publicity stunt outside of my office. They should be on the floor voting to reopen the government if they would do it. You just need three more. We could get the government open, and we could get Rep. Grijalva from their state administered the oath to. This is absurdity. They are engaging in political theater. That’s what all the marches were about on Saturday, funded by Soros and co-sponsored by the Communist Party of the USA. By the way, this is the problem that we have with the modern Democrat Party and with the people who are serving here, they are afraid of their Far-Left flank, and they are not doing their jobs, okay. And real Americans are being hurt because of it. 

###