MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

 Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01), and Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Postal Service Caucus, convened a roundtable with leaders from postal unions to discuss how the caucus can support them in protecting postal workers and improving mail delivery for constituents.

“Prompt and reliable mail and package deliveries are essential for our families’ well-being, small businesses’ financial stability, and communities’ economic growth. That service would not be possible without the thousands of dedicated professionals who deliver mail,” said Congressman Pappas. “It was great to join postal union leaders and Postal Service Caucus members for a roundtable discussion to talk about how we can continue to strengthen mail service and support these dedicated workers.”

“I was thrilled to bring together leaders from America’s postal unions for the first roundtable of the Congressional Postal Service Caucus today,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “As we face distinct challenges like lagging delivery rates and rural post office closures, I will continue to work with my fellow co-chairs to fight back against the misguided Regional Transportation Optimization plan and deliver the reform necessary to ensure USPS meets the needs of our communities.” 

“Delivering mail in rural America comes with challenges that are often overlooked,” said Congressman Bergman. “In Northern Michigan and the UP, postal workers travel long distances across small towns and rural roads to serve their communities. They’re not just delivering mail – they’re delivering medications, checks, and a lifeline for seniors, veterans, and families in remote areas. As the Congressional Postal Service Caucus looks at the future of the Postal Service, we must keep the people who serve these communities front and center.” 

Labor unions are on the forefront of postal service operations. Organizations represented at the meeting included the National Association of Letter Carriers, the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, the National Association of Postal Supervisors, the American Postal Workers Union, the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, and United Postmasters and Managers of America.

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement of support for U.S. Service Members: 

“Many of our nation’s dedicated Service Members have been called upon in the Middle East region over the past week. In the past, I’ve visited our troops at some of those bases in the region, met up with our Toa o Samoa who were there, as well as other Pacific Islander American Service Members. While I do not know how many are involved in current operations, I am certain we have some of our own deployed in U.S. Central Command. 

Congresswoman Aumua Amata recording remarks on the first floor of the US Capitol recently

“Every American can unite in holding our Service Members and their families in our hearts, and praying for their safe return.

“Readiness is a constant imperative, and I always support the best possible equipping and training of our military to enable them to succeed and return home whenever they are ordered into combat by the Commander-in-Chief.

“By statute, the role of Congress will increase 60 days from the start of this action. As we focus on Central Command, it also remains strategically important to maintain the U.S. commitment to the Pacific region and preserve long term investment in Indo-Pacific security and objectives. God bless our troops.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC — Yesterday, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) a senior member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50), Rep. Jim Costa (CA-21), Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49)  introduce the Drought Relief Obtained Using Government Help Today (DROUGHT) Act, to help address the Western water crisis caused by severe and ongoing drought conditions affecting the Colorado River and its reservoirs.

The DROUGHT Act would allow drought-impacted and underserved communities to both bring in additional federal funds and remain eligible for long-term, low-interest Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans. It does not affect the obligation of borrowers to repay their loans, the timeline for repayment, or interest rates of applicable loans.

“Every Californian deserves access to safe, clean, reliable drinking water. I’m proud to join Congressman Peters in introducing the DROUGHT Act to ensure communities have the resources and federal support they need to advance equitable, sustainable water infrastructure projects,” said Rep. Garamendi.

“San Diegans know we cannot take our water for granted — that’s why the city and county are investing in long-term solutions like Pure Water,” said Rep. Peters. “The federal government must help communities across America invest in much-needed drought relief and prevention projects as we continue to face the worsening effects of climate change. Clean water is one of our most basic needs, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and our local partners to ensure every American has access to safe, reliable water.”

“Access to reliable water is essential for every community. Large-scale water projects have long supported our local communities, and increasing federal assistance for drought-prone, low-income areas where access to safe drinking water is often limited will help meet the growing demands on our water infrastructure. As our climate changes and aging infrastructure requires updates, we must continue expanding support for new water projects to ensure every community has the water it needs,” said Rep. Costa.

“The DROUGHT Act is a commonsense step to help drought-prone communities access the federal support they need to build resilient water infrastructure. By increasing WIFIA funding for projects in low-income and high-need regions, this bill ensures cost isn’t the barrier between families and reliable water supplies,” said Rep. Ruiz.

“Drought is a serious issue for our region, especially as the impacts of climate change intensify,” said Rep. Vargas. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation alongside my colleague, Congressman Scott Peters, to help make federal support for drought mitigation efforts and water projects more accessible for our communities.”

“Water is a basic human need. But many of our communities, especially in underserved areas, do not have reliable and affordable water supplies,” said Rep. Barragán. “The DROUGHT Act addresses this issue by increasing federal funds for infrastructure projects that provide Americans greater access to the water they need.”

“We must take every opportunity to invest in Southern California’s water infrastructure so that we are prepared for the next drought. Water supports our local economies, powers tourism, and allows our San Diego County farmers to grow avocados, tomatoes, flowers, and other crops,” said Rep. Levin. “The DROUGHT ACT will guarantee that federal loans are sufficient and accessible to support water infrastructure projects for the people of Southern California — both those living here today and the generations to come. I’m proud to join Rep. Peters in pushing this important legislation forward.”
 

Background
Currently, projects that receive loans under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) cannot accept assistance from the federal government for more than 80 percent of project costs. This federal share cap restricts financing options and leads to delays for state and local governments building much-needed water infrastructure projects. The DROUGHT Act would raise the limit from 80 percent to 90 percent for projects in areas experiencing extreme drought, projects of regional and national significance, or projects serving historically disadvantaged communities.
The DROUGHT Act has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the American Public Works Association, the California Association of Sanitation Agencies, and the San Diego County Water Authority, and the City of San Diego.

Full text of the bill is available here and a bill one-pager is available here.
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after voting YES on the Iran War Powers Resolution:  

“Today, I’m proud to announce that I voted YES in favor of the bipartisan Iran War Powers Resolution, which reasserts Congress’s sole constitutional power to declare war and directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in Iran. It is shameful that Republicans in Congress have once again deferred and weakened this power by continuing to allow President Trump to engage in an illegal war with Iran. Last week, Trump, in direct violation of the United States Constitution, attacked Iran and has since continued to engage in a military conflict that has already taken the lives of six servicemembers.

“I am glad that the current Ayatollah has been eliminated because his decades-long regime has violated human rights, created chaos in the Middle East, and enabled terrorism worldwide.  

“However, Trump’s decision to launch yet another attack without clearly articulating the legal justification, strategic objectives, and anticipated consequences to Congress and the American people runs counter to the constitutional framework established by our Founders. Congress, as representatives of the American people, should be responsible for deciding when we go to war, not a rogue President.    

“It is clear that the Trump Administration has no plan to sustain the current conflict, no plan to transition the current Iranian government toward democracy, and no plan to de-escalate or contain the conflict from spreading throughout the region. Trump has pulled the United States into a Middle East war and put thousands of servicemembers at risk.  

“This is a dangerous moment, and it is time for Congress to act. I applaud Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rand Paul (R-KY) for their leadership in bringing forth this resolution. I wish more of my Republican colleagues felt the obligation to reassert Congress’s constitutional role. It’s a shame that too many feel comfortable letting Trump violate the Constitution.

“Despite my disagreements with this war, my thoughts remain with the six brave servicemembers who lost their lives and for all of the servicemembers currently serving our country and their families. Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten, and I remain fully committed to ensuring that those in harm’s way receive our unwavering support.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement regarding her vote on the War Powers Resolution that would restrain Trump’s power in the Middle East and Iran:

“Yesterday, I voted YES to the War Powers Resolution, to reign in Trump’s unfettered action in Iran. While the resolution did not pass the House, I am committed to reigning in President Trump’s foreign policy overreach. Our Constitution is clear: only Congress has the power to declare war.”

“Iran has employed authoritarian, anti-democratic practices that have severely oppressed the Iranian people. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led a regime that consistently oppressed the Iranian people, wrongfully targeted voices of dissent within their population, and violently restricted the rights of women and girls, leading to an overall degradation of human rights. In January, alone, there was abundant reporting of the Iranian state, under Khamenei’s leadership, murdering as many as 36,000 protesters. His human rights violations and abuses are undeniable and required action.”

“Khamenei’s death is a victory to countless Iranians that have been fighting for the freedom, justice and democracy we all deserve.”

“However, President Trump’s rash actions in the region bypassed proper Congressional approval, launching us into a war with one of the most powerful and dangerous forces in the Middle East, without a clear cause or a specific goal.”

“War has a cost. Going to war with Iran will not make Americans safer – in fact, it has put more of our loved ones at risk. Trump’s actions have already severely endangered the lives of our brave American service members, now leading to a death toll of six, with the number of injuries still rising. These are daughters, sons, dear friends, neighbors, and more – all of whom deserved proper protection from Iranian retaliation.”

“Yet, the Trump administration has blatantly disregarded this reality, and has provided little reasoning and strategy regarding the intended outcomes of the war or their plan to minimize casualties in their military operations. Despite repeated questions from Members of Congress, the Trump administration has continuously shifted their rationale for the Iranian strikes, exposing their complete lack of planning and preparation for a conflict of this magnitude.”

“Yet, many Republicans have decided to blindly endorse Trump’s war. This reckless foreign policy puts innocent Americans and Iranians in grave danger. Americans deserve more, especially as they scramble to make ends meet.”

“As families across the country struggle to put food on the table and navigate a rising cost of living, Trump is hurling us into an outrageously expensive war that could cost hardworking Americans billions. It’s unforgivable. Last year, the Trump administration claimed that extending ACA tax credits was too expensive, yet a war with Iran could cost the United States $1 billion a day.”

“How is there money available for a war, but none for hardworking families struggling to get by? When questioned about how a war with Iran could worsen gas prices, he dismissed the concern, saying, ‘If they rise, they rise,’ claiming that war was “more important.” When will Republicans finally put the American people first?”

“Americans deserve transparency. The Iranian people deserve leadership that upholds the tenets of a proper democracy. For this to be done effectively, President Trump must abide by proper Congressional channels to ensure American troops are kept out of harm’s way and to facilitate the transition of democratic Iranian leadership.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s vote to advance funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

“I emphatically voted NO to funding for the Department of Homeland Security.”

“My stance and the position of House Democrats has been clear: we will not vote to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement as it continues to terrorize our communities. Any funding should come with substantial reforms. I am disappointed that my Republican colleagues have chosen to support this legislation, without committing to these changes.”

“While the bill did pass the House, the fight is not over. The events over the past couple of months have made it abundantly clear: there are critical, comprehensive reforms that must take place in the agency. The devastating deaths of two Minnesotans earlier this year, Alex Pretti and Renée Good, shocked our nation; revealing the brokenness of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as an entity that claims to keep our communities safe.”

“In my home district of Columbus, ‘Operation Buckeye’ racially targeted innocent individuals – many of whom had never been arrested or charged with a crime. One report even found that on December 17, 2025, ICE agents allegedly detained two U.S. citizens and a Mexican immigrant with a valid work permit, including a woman with an 8-month old child, and all three of these individuals did not have a criminal record.”

“Across the nation, DHS has detained children, the disabled, the elderly, and countless innocent people. These racially motivated attacks don’t make our communities safer – they create fear and hostility.”

“I remain committed to our immigrant communities in Columbus, and I will continue to push for much-needed reform within ICE, to protect our communities and keep hardworking Americans safe.” 

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today on the February jobs report: 

“In his State of the Union last week, Trump said our ‘roaring economy is roaring like never before.’ The February jobs report released this morning, however, was a whimper. The American economy lost 92,000 jobs last month, and unemployment rose to 4.4%. Additionally, the report revealed that 69,000 fewer jobs were added in December and January than previously reported. Since Trump took office in January 2025, we’ve seen the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) increase by more than 400,000. From January 2021 to December 2024, the US economy did not see a single month of job losses. In Trump’s second term, we have already seen four months of losses.

“The blame belongs to Donald Trump. His tariffs have crushed American manufacturers, farmers, and small businesses and increased costs for consumers. He added trillions to the debt and cut access to food assistance and affordable health care for working families all to provide massive tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires. Instead of focusing on helping Americans at home, Trump now turns his eyes abroad.

“Trump said America is in a ‘golden age.’ If he leaves the gilded halls of Mar-a-Lago and his gaudy new ballroom, perhaps he would see just how hard Americans are struggling to stay afloat in this perilous moment.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Duffy expressing strong opposition to the Department’s decision to rescind more than $100 million in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) federal grants previously awarded to Illinois for electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects across the state and requesting immediate answers from the Department.

“I write to express my strong opposition to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) recent decision to rescind over $100 million in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) federal grants previously awarded to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the development of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in our state,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. “The arbitrary clawback of these funds creates uncertainty and chaos for public-private partnerships that are already in motion.”

In the letter, Krishnamoorthi warned that abruptly rescinding funding could disrupt projects already underway, weaken federal-state partnerships, and leave rural and underserved communities without the infrastructure needed to support economic growth and expand clean transportation access.

“States depend on consistent application of federal law to effectively implement congressionally authorized projects,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. “Abruptly rescinding these funds unnecessarily disrupts project timelines, jeopardizes existing investments, and weakens federal–state partnerships.”

Krishnamoorthi also raised concerns that withholding congressionally authorized funding could undermine confidence in federal programs and politicize infrastructure investments.

“The ongoing pattern of rescinding or withholding congressionally authorized funding from Democratic-led states raises serious concerns that the administration is politicizing federal appropriations for partisan purposes rather than objective programmatic criteria,” Krishnamoorthi continued.

In the letter, Krishnamoorthi requested a response from the Department of Transportation by March 20, 2026, and posed the following requests:

1. Recommit to distributing funds appropriated by Congress for EV charging infrastructure in Illinois and other states without further delay or rescission;

2. Provide clear guidance to states on how planning and grant implementation should proceed under current federal policy;

3. Ensure that states are not penalized for actions taken in good faith based on previously approved plans and appropriations; and

4. Work with Congress to align federal policy with bipartisan infrastructure goals, including supporting domestic manufacturing of EV charging equipment and workforce development.

The full letter is available here.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) joined his Energy & Commerce colleagues in a full committee markup of several bipartisan bills, including legislation focused on strengthening the security and resilience of America’s energy infrastructure.

Protecting our critical infrastructure is not a partisan issue; it’s a national security imperative,” said Rep. Hudson. “I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure our communities, like Moore County and Fort Bragg, are protected, and our power grid remains reliable for the American people.”

Hudson has been a leading voice in Congress on protecting America’s electric grid following the 2022 Moore County substation attack, which left more than 45,000 residents without power for several days during a winter cold spell. The markup included legislation aimed at strengthening cybersecurity defenses for utilities, improving coordination between government and private-sector energy providers, and enhancing analysis of emerging threats to the grid.

Items considered included:

• H.R. 7757, Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act (Rep. Guthrie)  
• H.R. 2657, Sammy’s Law (Reps. Wasserman Schultz and Carter-GA)
• H.R. 6291, Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (Reps. Walberg and Lee-FL)
• H.R. 3149, App Store Accountability Act (Rep. James)
• H.R. 7258, Energy Emergency Leadership Act (Reps. Lee-FL and Landsman)
• H.R. 7266, Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act (Reps. Miller-Meeks and McClellan)
• H.R. 7257, Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid (SECURE Grid) Act (Reps. Latta and Matsui)
• H.R. 7272, Pipeline Cybersecurity Preparedness Act (Reps. Weber and Dingell)
• H.R. 7305, Energy Threat Analysis Center Act of 2026 (Reps. Castor and Evans)

The markup was open to the public and press and livestreamed at energycommerce.house.gov.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, President Donald Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over reported “frustrations” with her involvement in a $220 million, taxpayer-funded ad campaign featuring Noem on horseback in front of Mount Rushmore. 

Congressman Neguse was part of the tipping point that led to Noem’s ousting, raising questions during Wednesday’s Judiciary Committee hearing that were similar to those posed by Republican Senator John Kennedy about allegations of fraud, corruption, and conflicts of interest surrounding the ad campaign.

“It is fraud, and ultimately, I think there’s going to be ​accountability,” Neguse said on Wednesday.

View Rep. Neguse’s questioning of Secretary Noem HERE.

The Colorado congressman also joined Morning Joe on MS NOW on Thursday to call for Secretary Noem’s termination and to further discuss his line of questioning.

View Rep. Neguse’s interview on Morning Joe HERE.