MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to President Trump’s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy the military on U.S. soil against the will of Minnesota leaders, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens released the following statement:

“Donald Trump and I both took an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the fundamental right of all Americans to peacefully protest. Deploying the military to strike fear in our communities and intimidate Americans from speaking out is unconscionable and unacceptable. In these critical moments, state and local law enforcement are the ones best equipped to lower the temperature and keep Americans safe. 

“We cannot allow the President to continue turning American streets into war zones. The last time this happened, I wrote the Stop Trump’s Abuse of Power Act to make it illegal to deploy the military on American streets to carry out the President’s authoritarian agenda. Congress must pass my bill immediately and take a stand against Donald Trump’s rampant abuses of power.” 

 

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Smith released the following statement regarding the protests in Iran:
 
“The Iranian regime is violently cracking down on its own people. Security forces are killing protesters, carrying out mass arrests, and attempting to silence dissent through fear and brutality and a state-imposed communications blackout. This is not public order. It is repression.
 
“For decades, the Iranian regime has failed its people, denying them basic freedoms, economic opportunity, and a voice in their own future. Iranians have made clear that they want dignity, accountability, and the ability to live without fear. The regime’s response has been violence and bloodshed.
 
“The courage of those risking their safety to demand a better future deserves global attention. I stand with the Iranian people and condemn the regime’s response to protestors in the strongest terms. The Iranian peoples’ voices must not be silenced.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)

Washington, D.C. – Washington, D.C. — Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) introduced a joint resolution expressing support for the designation of the second Saturday of January as “National Desert Day,” recognizing the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of America’s desert landscapes and their deep connection to the communities that call them home. 

“Growing up in the desert, these landscapes were not just where we lived, they were part of who we are,” said Congressman Ruiz. “From the wide-open spaces to the unforgettable sunsets that define our communities, deserts shape our identity, our culture, and our way of life. National Desert Day is a chance to celebrate that beauty while recognizing our responsibility to protect these places for future generations.” 

“Deserts are among the most biologically diverse and culturally significant ecosystems in our country,” Ruiz continued. “They support unique wildlife, sustain Indigenous and local communities, and play a critical role in combating climate change. Desert soils and native vegetation act as important carbon sinks, helping capture and store carbon while building resilience against rising temperatures.”

As the representative of one of the most iconic desert regions in the nation, Congressman Ruiz sees firsthand how deeply desert landscapes are woven into the lives of his constituents, from families who have lived on the land for generations to workers, farmers, and small businesses that depend on healthy desert ecosystems.

The United States hosts four major deserts: the Mojave, Sonoran, Chihuahuan, and Great Basin. Each of these deserts sustains distinctive wildlife, provides vital habitats for migratory birds, and carries profound cultural significance for Indigenous peoples and local communities. Despite their ecological and cultural value, these desert ecosystems face growing threats from climate change, habitat destruction, invasive species, and unsustainable development.

The resolution encourages national recognition of deserts through educational programs, conservation activities, and community engagement. It also reaffirms congressional support for policies that protect desert biodiversity, reduce invasive plant species, and promote stewardship of native landscapes. 

“At The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, desert conservation is not just our mission — it is our identity. We are proud to have led the charge to create World Desert Day and are deeply grateful for Congressman Ruiz’s support in advancing this effort at the national level. Recognizing this day sends a powerful message that the rich and irreplaceable biodiversity of deserts matter, and protecting their future requires us all to work together.” – Allen Monroe, CEO/President of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.

“California’s desert landscapes comprise almost 40 percent of the State, and yet they are often underappreciated.  National Desert Day is a wonderful way to highlight the natural and cultural splendor of California’s Great Basin, Mojave, San Joaquin, and Colorado Deserts.” – Linda Castro, J.D., Assistant Policy Director, CALWILD. 

“For far too long desert ecosystems have been misunderstood, undervalued, and underappreciated, often seen as a wasteland that bears no life or benefits to society. The establishment of a National Desert Day represents a significant initial step toward correcting this erroneous misconception and acknowledging the array of benefits and rich biodiversity found within.” – Sendy Hernandez Orellana Barrows, CoFounder & Volunteer Board Presiden, CactusToCloud Institute.

“Designating a “National Desert Day” shines a light on the desert’s quiet resilience. What seems like an empty expanse is really a landscape rich with extraordinary biodiversity and vibrant communities; plants animals and people who embody strength, adaptability, and deep connection to place. The Mojave Desert Land Trust proudly supports this recognition of a landscape that reminds us of what is possible when life endures– and thrives–against the odds.” – Kelly Herbinson, Executive Director, Mojave Desert Land Trust’s 

“People are often surprised to learn that our country’s majestic deserts are rich ecosystems – full of diverse wildlife, crucial for migratory birds, and key to climate resilience,” said Andrea Jones, the National Audubon Society’s Vice President for California. “Deserts are widely beloved and sacred places, with clear benefits for local economies and critical to the survival of imperiled species. The designation of National Desert Day helps promote and ultimately protect these irreplaceable landscapes, conserving them not only for millions of birds, but for the people and communities that rely on them.” – Andrea Jones, the National Audubon Society’s Vice President for California.

America’s deserts are ecological treasures that deserve recognition and protection. We thank Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., for introducing the National Desert Day resolution, and we encourage everyone to continue to celebrate these special landscapes and stay vigilant to keep them protected and accessible.” –  Maricela Rosales, California Associate Program Director, Conservation Lands Foundation

“America’s Deserts are an amazing asset to the nation but are sometimes overlooked and underappreciated.  While being culturally important to many Native American Tribes, they are also a haven for all to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of nature.  Our deserts are critical to healthy wildlife populations and play an important role in the ever growing outdoor recreation economy that supports nearby communities.  We are thrilled to see this resolution move forward giving deserts much deserved recognition!” – Matt Keller, Resource Legacy Fund

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) to reintroduce the Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act. This bipartisan bill would create an “essential health system” designation in federal law to make it easier for hospitals in underserved communities to receive funding, grants, and support from the federal government. 

“Central Valley hospitals play a vital role in caring for our communities, but they can’t do that without the resources they need,” said Congressman Valadao. “The bipartisan Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act helps better identify rural and underserved hospitals that require critical investments, making it easier to direct federal resources where they’re needed most. Ensuring Central Valley families have access to affordable, quality healthcare is my top priority, and I’ll continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance commonsense solutions to meet that goal.”

“The hospitals that care for our most vulnerable neighbors are doing more with less every single day,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “By reintroducing the Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act, we’re reaffirming our commitment to ensuring these hospitals are better positioned to receive the resources they need to keep their doors open and their communities healthy. This bill gives Congress a smarter, fairer way to direct support to the health systems that serve as lifelines in cities and towns across the country.”

Background:

Essential community hospitals are critical components of a city, town, or region’s healthcare network, often serving higher numbers of Medicaid, low-income Medicare, and uninsured patients. To open additional pathways for funding, the Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act would carve out a new designation, “essential health systems,” in federal law and requires a report on each hospital’s percentile ranking on Disproportionate Patient Percentage (DPP) and Uncompensated Care Payment Factor (UCPF). This change could then be used by lawmakers to better target funding, health equity initiatives, and public health resources to support these nonprofit facilities that serve traditionally vulnerable populations.

A hospital qualifies as an essential health system if it meets the following standards:

• It’s a hospital that participates in Medicare’s primary hospital payment program. 
• It’s operated by a government entity or is a private, non-profit hospital.
• It meets at least one of the following criteria:
• Serves a high number of low-income patients: At least 35 percent of the hospital’s patients are low-income, based on Medicaid coverage and Medicare patients with limited incomes.
• Provides a significant amount of unpaid care: The hospital delivers at least 0.05 percent of all unpaid hospital care nationwide, placing it among the hospitals that shoulder the greatest burden of uncompensated care in the country.
• Ranks among the state’s leading safety-net hospitals: The hospital is in the top 16 percent in its state for serving vulnerable patients and providing unpaid care. This ensures hospitals in rural areas or states with smaller Medicaid populations are not excluded.
• Hospitals have maintained the above criteria in two out of the last three years.
• Hospitals retain eligibility for five years after designation.

Under this definition, five hospitals in CA-22 would qualify as essential health systems and become eligible for additional federal support, including Kern Medical Center, Adventist Health Hanford, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, Sierra View Medical Center, and Adventist Health Delano.

Read the full bill here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)

Refusing to provide this care shows they are choosing to operate as political organizations rather than healthcare institutions.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet Argues: Courts Are Place to Resolve Disputes Not Granting Blanket Immunity to Big-Money Donors of Donald Trump

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, 

Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet held a hearing entitled: “Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Protecting the U.S. Stone Slab Industry from Lawfare,” a Republican attempt to curry favor with big-money donors of Donald Trump who manufacture artificial stone counter tops, not to protect workers’ health, safety and ability to unionize.

The following are Congressman Johnson’s opening remarks:

Workers across the country are getting sick and dying of an entirely preventable disease. This disease is called silicosis. And it happens when silica dust and other toxic materials are inhaled into the lungs over and over again. Toxic particles are trapped deep inside workers’ lungs, leaving them struggling to breathe. Silicosis has no cure, and it is a death sentence.

Many of us from Georgia hear silicosis, and we think of the men and women who worked in the mines their whole lives. But this silicosis epidemic is caused by working with a material called artificial stone, and it makes workers sick faster and younger. Doctors are seeing patients in their 20s and 30s—men with families and young children—so sick that they require double lung transplants. So sick that they can no longer work and no longer provide for their families. So sick that they slowly suffocate to death.

Artificial stone produces dangerous toxins when cut, and there is no way to use an artificial stone slab without cutting it. Artificial stone has a higher concentration of silica and the particles it produces are smaller, which can evade safety standards on the books for handling products with silica. 

 So why are we having this hearing today? Surely, we must be here to talk about how Congress can protect workers from artificial stone silicosis? No. 

Maybe we’re here to talk about how the workplace safety standards currently in place aren’t doing enough to keep artificial stone workers healthy? Not that either. 

Perhaps we’re here to discuss how we can make it easier for stone fabrication workers to unionize so that they can negotiate better health and safety protections for themselves? Still no.

So, if not to address the problem of workers being poisoned on the job, why did my colleagues across the aisle call this hearing? Apparently, it’s to give a handout to a millionaire friend of Donald Trump.

The bill behind today’s hearing would give blanket immunity to artificial stone manufacturers and suppliers, preventing injured workers from seeking justice in court. It would dismiss the hundreds of cases pending against these manufacturers. And Congress would make a multi-millionaire CEO’s problems go away, while the workers who cut, grind, polish, and install his product struggle to make ends meet.

For those of you who are saying someone else is to blame — that employers are the real villains: Our courts determine liability all the time. People petition the court, have their grievances heard, a judge and jury consider the evidence, and a judgement is rendered. Manufacturers are asking for a different scenario. One where the deep pockets go to Congress, Congress makes a snap judgement, and the big businesses never have to go to court again. 

That’s not how our justice system is supposed to work, and I condemn the blatant misuse of this Committee to shield corporations at the expense of the American worker. 

I am not here to give artificial stone manufacturers a bailout today. I am here today for Mitchell Boulware [BOWL-ware], a Georgia resident who owned and worked at a stone fabrication shop for over two decades. Mitch and his son Jacob—who started working in the shop as a teenager—have both been diagnosed with silicosis. Because of shortness of breath and constant fatigue, Mitch is no longer able to work. Workers like Mitch and Jacob have every right to go to the courts and ask for justice from those who caused them harm. And it is unconscionable to propose that we take that right away from them. 

So, thank you, Mr. Chairman, for calling this hearing. Not because I support this bill. But because this hearing has provided the opportunity to tell the stories of workers like Mitch and Jacob. Workers who deserve our attention and our respect are dying. And they deserve the opportunity, like everyone else working in this country, to bring their case to court. 

To watch his opening remarks, click HERE. 

To watch the entire hearing, click HERE.

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

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

WASHINGTON DC – Today, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) announced that she has nominated 17 Michigan students for placement at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

“One of my most meaningful duties as a Member of Congress is nominating students from Michigan’s 11th District to our nation’s prestigious service academies,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11). “To serve in our military is the most honorable deed any American can perform, and I am so grateful to be able to assist these inspiring students in their pursuit of service. I am rooting for them throughout the rest of their application processes, and can’t wait to see what their futures hold.”

Students seeking an appointment to a service academy must first obtain a nomination from a nominating source – most commonly through their Members of Congress. Now that these students have been nominated, they must await acceptance of admission by the academy to which they have applied.

Students interested in learning about the service academy process, including how to earn a nomination from Congresswoman Stevens, may visit our website here.

The nominees, along with their hometowns and high school or university, are listed below:

United States Air Force Academy

• Colin Bibbs – Royal Oak High School, Royal Oak
• Gage Pouget – Hazel Park High School, Hazel Park
• Charles Shane – Home school, Waterford
• Jack Sobotka – Troy High School, Troy

United States Military Academy 

• Nash Albertie – Seaholm High School, Birmingham
• Eugene Kim – International Academy Okma, Troy
• Nika Ladosenszky – St. Mary’s Prep, West Bloomfield
• Tristan Oatman – St. Mary’s Prep, West Bloomfield
• Jeanne Park – Troy High School, Troy
• Rebecca Turner – Seaholm High School, Birmingham
• Jake Yono – St. Mary’s Prep, Bloomfield Hills

United States Naval Academy 

• Hugh Aaron – Detroit Country Day, Bloomfield Hills
• Morgan Black – Berkley High School, Berkley
• Levi Citron – International Academy Okma, Huntington Woods
• Colin Duffany – Lakeland High School, White Lake
• Conor Field – Roeper High School/Wayne State University, Bloomfield Hills
• Nika Ladosenszky – St. Mary’s Prep, West Bloomfield
• Tristan Oatman – St. Mary’s Prep, West Bloomfield
• Gage Pouget – Hazel Park High School, Hazel Park 
• Charles Shane – Home school, Waterford
• Giavanna Tanguay – St. Mary’s Prep, West Bloomfield
• Jake Yono – St. Mary’s Prep, Bloomfield Hills

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, DC -Yesterday, the Chairs of the House Monopoly Busters Caucus and Chairs of the Labor Caucus pressed the Surface Transportation Board (STB) about the proposed merger of Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific. The Monopoly Busters Caucus Chairs Reps. Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Pat Ryan (NY-18), and Angie Craig (MN-02) and Labor Caucus Chairs Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Donald Norcross (NJ-01) cited serious concerns over the deal’s potential to devastate rail workers and compromise public safety. 

In a letter to the rail regulator, the Chairs lay out a series of questions about the merger’s impact on rail workers, safety protocols, and market competition that must be addressed before the Board moves forward with any approval. 

“Rail workers have borne the brunt of decades of industry consolidation and cost-cutting priorities that put corporate profits above worker and public safety,” the Chairs wrote. “A merger of this magnitude would affect the livelihoods of tens of thousands of workers, and it is critical that the STB fully account for these impacts.”

The letter highlights the history of intense consolidation in the rail industry, noting that since the 1980s, the number of Class I freight railroads has plummeted from 33 to just six, while total rail employment has fallen from 500,000 to fewer than 200,000. The Chairs also pointed to the catastrophic February 2023 Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, as a stark reminder of the safety failures that can happen under existing operational practices and consolidated corporate power. 

The Chairs are demanding that the STB require the rail companies to provide verified responses to questions regarding: 

• Accountability for Past Deals: A full audit of whether Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific actually fulfilled the labor and safety commitments they made during previous acquisitions and mergers; 
• Workforce Impact: Provide current staffing levels and specific projections for job losses or changes to unionized craft positions over the next five years; 
• Safety Integration: Detailed plans on how the companies will merge two complex networks without compromising track maintenance, hazardous-materials training, or worker safety; and 
• Protection of Bargaining Power: Analysis of how reducing the number of major employers from six down to five will impact wage growth and collective-bargaining leverage for rail unions. 

The lawmakers have asked STB Chair Patrick Fuchs to make these responses available to the public and to Congress at least 60 days prior to any final decision on whether the merger is in the public interest. 

The full letter can be found here. 

Issues: Housing, Transportation, & Infrastructure, Science, Technology, & Antitrust

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

Griffith Statement on Governor Youngkin Tenure