MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the Monitor Accountability Act set to come to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this week, Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) shared several letters of support for his legislation from law enforcement organizations:

“Court-appointed monitors play an important role in ensuring compliance with federal court orders, and we support efforts to ensure that these monitorships are structured, transparent, and focused on measurable progress. We are encouraged by provisions that increase public accountability, including transparency in monitor activities and costs, public input, and clearer expectations around structure and duration.”– Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse, President of the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association

“Recent data, including PORAC’s March 2026 research brief, Evaluating Police Consent Decrees: From Compliance to Results, which examined decades of federal monitorships, shows that federal monitorships divert resources from communities, cost over $10 million per year on average, and often last more than a decade. While imposing these steep burdens on communities, the process operates behind closed doors, obstructs departments’ good-faith efforts to achieve compliance, and threatens public safety. In fact, monitors have a financial disincentive to find agencies in compliance and have repeatedly moved the goal posts in some cases. This legislation advances the targeted, transparent, and outcome-driven reforms we have long advocated.”– Brian R. Marvel, President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California

“This legislation introduces necessary accountability by establishing clear standards, enhanced oversight, and greater public visibility into a process that has too often lacked meaningful checks and balances. Notably, the language in this bill reflects principles outlined in a 2021 memorandum issued by then–Attorney General Merrick Garland under the administration of former President Joe Biden, underscoring a bipartisan foundation for these reforms.”– Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, President of the Major County Sheriffs of America

“The current court monitor system exercises substantial authority over local law enforcement agencies while operating with limited oversight and transparency. Given the significant financial and operational impact monitors can have on departments and the communities they serve, greater accountability within this process is both appropriate and necessary. H.R. 8365 provides important reforms by creating clearer standards for monitor appointments, compensation, reporting requirements, and overall oversight.”– Darrell Kriplean, President of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association

“By placing reasonable limits on fees, terms, and appointments, while requiring public reporting and opportunities for input, this bill helps ensure that monitorships remain focused, efficient, and results-driven. These reforms will help prevent unnecessarily prolonged and costly consent decrees and court orders that place a heavy burden on local agencies and the taxpayers who fund them. At the same time, the legislation preserves the core purpose of monitoring—achieving constitutional and sustainable compliance.” – Joe Clure, Executive Director of the Arizona Police Association

If enacted into law, the Monitor Accountability Act would require federal district courts to follow common-sense rules when appointing monitors to oversee state or local government agencies. This legislation includes the following terms:

• Term limits: Monitors may serve no more than five years and cannot be reappointed under the same court order, preventing long‑term control by any single individual.
   
• No revolving door: Successive monitors cannot come from the same law firm or employer, ensuring independence.
   
• Fee caps & transparency: Monitor compensation is capped and courts encouraged to require pro bono or reduced-cost work to control costs and ensure transparency.
   
• Public input: Courts must announce the proposed monitor and allow public comment before appointment.
   
• Off-ramp for states / localities: A monitorship may only be extended if the state or locality has not achieved substantial and sustained compliance, preventing open‑ended oversight.
   
• Judicial transfer: After six years, the case must be reassigned to a different judge to avoid prolonged control by a single court.
   
• Retroactive fix: Immediately covers monitorships older than six years, including Maricopa County, triggering required replacement of both monitor and judge.

Read the letter from the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association here.

Read the letter from the Peace Officers Research Association of California here.

Read the letter from the Major County Sheriffs of America here.

Read the letter from the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association here.

Read the letter from the Arizona Police Association here.

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

WASHINGTON, DC — Representative John Garamendi (CA-08) joined Rep. Sam Liccardo’s (CA-16) effort in leading a coalition of Bay Area Members of Congress, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Reps. Jared Huffman (CA-02), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Mike Thompson (CA-04), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) in urging the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to prioritize and strengthen federal funding for active transportation infrastructure for walking and cycling.

“The Bay Area’s transportation network increasingly relies on non-motorized options like the San Francisco Bay Trail, which connects communities, parks, schools, and transit across more than 350 miles in nine counties and is planned to expand to 500 miles,” the Members wrote.

The delegation called for robust support for the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside, and the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program, which help communities build safer pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, trails, and connections to transit.

Currently, insufficient funding threatens access to green and active modes of transportation. The Members urged Committee leaders to increase dedicated funding to make active transportation infrastructure a priority in this year’s surface transportation reauthorization bill.

“Programs and funding dedicated to active transportation routes will help expand safe, reliable access to jobs, schools, and essential services,” the Members wrote.

“These federal funding programs are critical to complete the Bay Trail and other trail networks around the region,” said Save The Bay Executive Director David Lewis. “We need to invest in healthy transportation options that connect more communities with nature, jobs, and critical services.”  

Full text of the letter is available HERE.

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered remarks on the House Floor after the bipartisan discharge petition for H.R. 2913 – the Ukraine Support Act – received the final signature needed to compel a vote on the House Floor. Below are a video and transcript of his remarks:
 

Click here to watch a video of his remarks.
 

“Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the gentleman from California, Mr. Kiley, added the 218th signature to the discharge petition for the Ukraine Support Act. Soon, the House will have a long overdue vote on expressing its support for Ukraine and our opposition to the Russian invasion. The people of Ukraine have shown their mettle, their courage, even while a fifth of their country has been overrun and occupied while Russia’s drones targeted civilian neighborhoods. Amid outages of power and heat through bitter winters, the people of Ukraine have endured. Their spirit is undiminished. Their valor is unmatched.

“But Mr. Speaker, Vladimir Putin continues to believe that he can break their will to fight. He believes he can outlast the Ukrainians and [that] he can outlast us. He is wrong. This House has now voted on bipartisan bills to assist Ukraine 12 times since the full invasion in 2022. On average, [those] bills have passed 80% of the votes on this House Floor. We’ll have the opportunity to do it again, to stand for freedom, democracy, and our Ukrainian allies. I yield back the balance of my time.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Bryan Steil (WI-01), Josh Harder (CA-09), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Zach Nunn (IA-03), Jefferson Shreve (IN-06), and Gabe Amo (RI-01) this week introduced a resolution to designate May 14th as National Scam Survivor Day.

“Each year, scammers exploit millions of Americans and defraud them of their hard-earned savings,” said Steil. “I commend every American who speaks out to raise awareness after being victimized by scammers. By sharing their experiences, scam survivors help break the stigma scam victims can face while ensuring our communities have the tools to identify, disarm, and report emerging scams. I will continue working to prevent families and seniors from falling victim to scams.”

The National Scam Survivor Day resolution encourages scam survivors to tell their stories combat the stigma that may prevent individuals from seeking the guidance and assistance they deserve. Additionally, the legislation urges a collaborative approach to support scam survivors and prevent future scams among government, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations.

“Scams are more than just an annoying robocall – these organized attacks rob working families of their hard-earned savings and financial stability,” said Harder. “Cracking down on these criminals starts with raising awareness of the nationwide scam crisis, and I’m proud to support designating May 14 as National Scam Survivor Day. Bringing our community together around prevention will lead to more arrests, fewer robocalls, and less financial theft, and I look forward to working across the aisle to get this bill signed into law.”

“As Subcommittee Chairman on Oversight and Investigations, I am working with the Trump Administration, law enforcement, and the private sector to stop financial fraud and scams before they start,” said Meuser. “Scammers stole more than $21 billion from hardworking Americans in 2025, targeting seniors, veterans, small business owners, and young adults. National Scam Survivor Day is about supporting victims, raising awareness, and educating consumers as scammers and fraudsters become increasingly sophisticated. Thank you to Rep. Steil for once again leading this important resolution.”

“Millions of Americans have lost hundreds of billions of dollars at the hands of hucksters, fraudsters and rip-off artists,” said Raskin. “By designating May 14, 2026, as National Scam Survivor Day, we remind our neighbors that there’s no shame in reporting these terrible crimes, and we put scammers everywhere on notice that we’ll never stop pursuing justice and accountability. I want to thank my constituent—Judith Boivin of Rockville—for bravely sharing her story with me and for working to help others avoid what she has endured at the hands of criminal scammers.”

“A central Iowa man spent months building what he believed was a genuine online relationship, only to lose $164,000 to fraud. A woman from Des Moines fell victim to a romance scam and lost $15,000. These are just two of the stories behind the $96 million Iowans lost to financial fraud in 2025,” said Nunn. “Iowans shouldn’t have to worry about scammers robbing them of their life savings through fake investment schemes and online fraud. On National Scam Survivor’s Day, I’m proud my bipartisan GUARD Act is moving forward to give law enforcement stronger tools to track down criminals, crack down on fraud, and protect Iowans’ hard-earned money.”

This resolution is supported by the International Better Business Bureau.

Original cosponsors of this resolution include Representatives Josh Harder (CA-09), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Zach Nunn (IA-03), Jefferson Shreve (IN-06), and Gabe Amo (RI-01)

CLICK HERE to read the resolution.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Today, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks on the House Floor honoring the life and legacy of San Francisco civic and interfaith leader Rita Semel, who passed away at the age of 104.

In her remarks, Pelosi praised Semel’s decades of leadership bringing together people of different faiths and backgrounds in pursuit of peace, dignity and mutual understanding, calling her “one of the great moral forces of our community.”

Watch Pelosi’s Floor remarks here.

Read Speaker Emerita Pelosi’s statement on the passing of Rita Semel below:

“The passing of Rita Semel is a profound loss for San Francisco and for all who believe in the power of dialogue, understanding and justice. For decades, Rita was one of the great moral voices of our community: bringing together people of different faiths, backgrounds and perspectives in pursuit of peace, dignity and respect for all God’s children.

“Through her extraordinary leadership with the San Francisco Interfaith Council and across countless civic and charitable causes, Rita helped make our city more compassionate, more united and more hopeful. She believed deeply that our diversity was a source of strength, and she dedicated her life to building bridges at moments when division would have been easier. I was privileged to know Rita and call her a dear friend for more than fifty years. Her wisdom, warmth and relentless commitment to justice touched generations of leaders and families throughout the Bay Area and beyond. She carried herself with grace and conviction, always guided by faith and by an unwavering belief in our shared humanity.

“Paul and I and our entire family, especially our daughter Christine, are grateful to Rita’s daughter Elizabeth for enabling her mother to be a force in our community for over 100 years. We join so many in mourning Rita’s passing and celebrating her remarkable life and legacy.

“May it be a comfort to Rita’s family, her loved ones and the communities she served so faithfully that so many are praying for them at this sad time. And may her memory continue to be a blessing and an inspiration to us all.”

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, was announced today as Ranking Member of the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee, which oversees the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, FBI intelligence operations, the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), the Treasury Department’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, and intelligence offices across the federal government.

“As Ranking Member of the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee, I will work to ensure our intelligence agencies are prepared to confront the growing threats posed by foreign adversaries, cyberattacks, espionage, terrorism, and transnational criminal organizations,” said Krishnamoorthi. “Congress has a responsibility to conduct rigorous oversight of the Trump Administration, strengthen our national security capabilities, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent effectively and responsibly. At the same time, we must safeguard the constitutional rights and civil liberties that define our democracy.”

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

Washington, D.C. (May 14, 2026) — Today, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, delivered opening remarks at a hearing on Republicans’ campaign to strong-arm states and localities into carrying out an impossible federal mass-deportation agenda, which undermines local law enforcement, diverts essential crime-fighting resources, and makes all of our communities less safe.   Below are Ranking Member Jayapal’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at today’s hearing.

WATCH Subcommittee Ranking Member Jayapal’s opening statement.

Let me start by offering my deepest condolences to you, Ms. Minter. As a mother myself, I cannot imagine what you are going through in losing a daughter far too soon. I am very sorry for your loss.   This hearing is, unfortunately, another in a series of hearings the Majority has held that consistently attack trust policies that have upheld the necessary and important division between the enforcement of federal civil immigration law and the enforcement of local criminal laws. This division has proven over and over again in documented research to be essential in keeping all communities safe and ensuring that people come forward to report crimes.  

Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. And last year, Republicans gave the Department of Homeland Security over $170 billion in their Big Bad Betrayal bill to meet the arbitrary immigrant arrest quotas of Stephen Miller and to carry out President Trump’s cruel mass deportation agenda.   Using this funding, ICE doubled in size. DHS officers killed two U.S. citizens in cold blood in Minnesota, beat and detained countless U.S. citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights, and broke down doors of U.S. citizens without a warrant in violation of the Fourth Amendment. We know of at least one U.S. citizen who has been arrested by ICE three times despite repeatedly informing agents he is a U.S. citizen. Another 18-year-old U.S. citizen with terminal cancer spent the last weeks of his life begging ICE to release his parents so he could see them before he died. They reunited one day before he died.  

And that is just what they have done to Americans. ICE is also subjecting hundreds of parents and children to months in immigration prisons, conducted senseless deportations of military veterans, separated families, massively increased immigration detention, resulting in a record 48 deaths in ICE detention since President Trump took office.  

A recent Politico analysis revealed that judges have ruled in at least 10,000 cases that the detention was illegal, with no due process, no opportunity for detainees to plead their case. 10,000 people, including a nursing mother who was separated from her one-year-old child, despite active legal refugee status and a 5-year-old boy detained by ICE on his way home from school. More than 425 judges have heard cases and reached the same conclusions about the illegality of Trump’s mass detention policies—including a majority of Trump-appointed judges. Three circuit courts have also now ruled the policy illegal.  

The impact of these illegal policies is not just being felt by immigrants, it is ripping apart entire communities across the country, creating fear and terror, and also negatively impacting opportunities for all Americans. A new study by the National Bureau of Economic Research just concluded that Trump’s immigration raids are now even weighing on the labor market, leading to fewer jobs for U.S. born men without a college degree.   Despite all of this, Republicans have refused to stop these illegal, unconstitutional and cruel policies. They have refused to address the fact that while their anti-immigrant strategies may have worked before, they don’t work anymore. Today, more than 60% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s immigration policies. Americans want Trump and Republicans to focus on lowering their gas prices and grocery prices. They want Republicans to stop giving tax breaks to billionaires while stripping healthcare from tens of millions of Americans.  

But Donald Trump said it himself just a few days ago. In his own words, Trump said, “I don’t think about the financial situation of Americans.” Really? That is exactly why Republicans are now planning to give ICE and Border Patrol an additional $70 billion with no oversight or accountability, yet having a hearing this morning to complain that Fairfax County will not do ICE’s job for them!  

Give me a break. DHS has plenty of money to hire all the new immigration enforcement agents they want. They don’t need to commandeer the local police officers who are hard at work maintaining Fairfax’s status as the safest county of its size in the United States. In one of the greatest ironies, here we are in the Immigration subcommittee having a hearing about the prosecutorial decisions of a County attorney and the jail policies of a County sheriff! Whatever happened to the Republican party that believed in local government?  

There are many reasons that states and localities choose not to or are unable to conduct immigration enforcement on behalf of the federal government. Numerous court orders have declared immigration detainers unlawful violations of the 4th amendment and state and local officials do not want to spend huge amounts of money on court cases. State constitutions often contain prohibitions. And local police departments want to prioritize their resources and encourage the trust of people to come forward and report crimes without worrying about their own immigration status.  

The Major Cities Chiefs Association has repeatedly reaffirmed that, cooperation with the immigrant community is essential to solve crime and prevent further criminal activity within the entire community, including ensuring protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.   In 2019, my home state of Washington passed the bipartisan Keep Washington Working Act for all these reasons as have many states across the country. Courts have ruled multiple times that states have the right to enact laws like the Keep Washington Working Act. These laws do allow information sharing with the federal government when necessary for an ongoing criminal investigation, or pursuant to a court order or judicial warrant.  

This committee should be holding hearings on the unconstitutionality of this Administration’s policies, on the killing of American citizens by ICE and CBP. But instead, we are doing yet another hearing designed to further this Administration’s anti-immigrant agenda and distract people from the real issues at hand. The American people deserve better.   I look forward to hearing from all our witnesses today and I yield back.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO) has introduced the Protecting our Democracy Act, a slate of historic pro-democracy reforms aimed at preventing presidential abuses of power, rooting out corruption, strengthening checks and balances, and protecting American elections against foreign influence. Crow joined Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and 92 other Members of Congress in introducing the bill.

Upon returning to the White House, the President kickstarted a series of corruption schemes that have personally netted the Trump family billions. As gas, groceries, and healthcare have all gotten more expensive for working families, Donald Trump has increased his personal net worth by at least $3 billion—the most lucrative year of his life. And as Trump and congressional Republicans took away healthcare for millions, Trump funneled billions from anonymous donors and foreign governments through his personal cryptocurrency slush fund.

At the same time, this Administration is ignoring the Constitution to consolidate power. President Trump unilaterally launched a war with Iran, costing billions of taxpayer dollars and leading to the death of thirteen servicemembers. Trump officials at the DOJ and FBI are targeting political opponents. Federal agencies like FEMA are withholding funding to states that did not support Trump in recent elections. Trump-appointed Inspectors General are refusing to investigate wrongdoing. And the President has threatened to invade Democratic-run cities, send federal forces to polling places, and end an entire civilization.

“This is one of the most dangerous and corrupt Administrations in American history,” said Congressman Crow. “This President and his cronies are ripping away health care, ignoring rising costs, and spending billions on a reckless war—all while lining their pockets at taxpayers’ expense. Congress cannot stand by as they undermine our constitutional powers and use the presidency as a personal piggy bank. The American people deserve a government focused on making life more affordable for them, not one that makes this President and the elites around him richer. 

The legislative package includes provisions that:

1. Codifies constitutional prohibitions on foreign and domestic emoluments and prevents Trump-style abuses of power.
2. Increases transparency surrounding the Executive Branch’s implementation of spending laws, prevents the politicization of the civil service, and strengthens protections for whistleblowers who play a crucial role in Congressional oversight by exposing wrongdoing, often at great personal and professional risk.
3. Protects elections from foreign interference, requires presidential candidates to submit their tax returns to the Federal Election Commission, and increases disclosure requirements for online political advertisements. 
4. Requires the President to disclose to Congress any payments made to the President by an individual granted clemency or by an individual appointed to a position which requires the advice and consent of the Senate

Throughout his time in Congress, Congressman Crow has fought to protect democracy and end corruption. He has stood up to special interests and has not taken a dime of corporate PAC money. He is leading the fight to root out corruption in our elections, including through his End Dark Money Act to crack down on dark money’s influence on U.S. elections and his bipartisan Shell Company Abuse Act to limit foreign interference in U.S. elections. Crow is also calling on the U.S. House to ban its members from insider trading on prediction markets, and he’s an original cosponsor of the TRUST in Congress Act to ban members of Congress and their families from owning or trading stocks. 

Congressman Crow is looking to build a future that brings Americans together, protects our democracy, and ensures leaders are accountable to working class Americans—his vision for New American Patriotism. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, D.C. – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) authored and introduced the American Sovereignty and Monterey Historic Military Site Study Act. This legislation would direct the Department of the Interior to evaluate the Lower Presidio Historic Park in Monterey, California for potential designation as a National Historic Park under the National Park Service. The bill would direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study within three years of funding and to submit a report to Congress with findings and recommendations on how best to preserve, protect, and interpret the site for future generations.

While both national parks and national historic parks are part of the National Park System and managed by the National Park Service, national historic parks are specifically designated to preserve and interpret sites of significant historical and cultural importance to the United States. Traditional national parks, by contrast, are primarily designated to protect outstanding natural landscapes and ecosystems. The Lower Presidio’s designation as a potential national historic park reflects the depth and breadth of its significance in our cultural history.

“Lower Presidio Historic Park holds over 12,000 years of history, as a tribal village for indigenous peoples to the landings of Spanish explorers to the location where Commodore Sloat planted the flag of the United States to the training site for the Buffalo Soldiers and many others who served in the United States Military, yet it has never received the national recognition that it deserves,” said Rep. Panetta. “The American Sovereignty and Monterey Historic Military Site Study Act would take the first step towards designating the site as a national historic park to provide the proper federal support to ensure that the land is preserved for generations to appreciate its historic significance. Through this legislation, we can begin the process of securing national recognition for the extraordinary legacy not just of the Lower Presidio Historic Park, but also of our home.”

“On behalf of the City of Monterey, we express gratitude to Congressman Panetta for leading the effort to establish the Lower Presidio as a site of national significance,” said Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson. “This designation ensures public access and preservation of the diverse history of this land, from its Indigenous roots and Spanish and American military eras to its role as a sacred ancestral homeland.”

“The City wholeheartedly supports this study and partnership model where the National Park Service operates the historic park in coordination with the Army and City government,” said Monterey Assistant City Manager Nat Rojanasathira. “This collaborative approach ensures the Lower Presidio remains a premier landmark within Monterey’s diverse network of cultural resources, parks and public spaces.”

Located within the U.S. Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey and open to the public since 1996, Lower Presidio Historic Park holds one of the most storied histories of any site on the West Coast. Over 12,000 years ago, the land was stewarded by the Esselen and Rumsen peoples. The site later witnessed the arrival of European explorers, the founding of the Spanish Presidio of Monterey in 1770, California’s time as the capital of Alta California, the raising of the American flag in 1846 by Commodore John Drake Sloat, the construction of the first major U.S. Army fort on the West Coast, service by the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th Cavalry Regiment, and the establishment of what would become the Defense Language Institute, a cornerstone of American national security.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today reintroduced the bicameral Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act. The bill would establish a pilot grant program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to allow cities to develop better methods for mapping, understanding, and mitigating urban flooding while sharing findings with the federal government.

 “In communities across the country, including Chicagoland, urban flooding has a unique ability to wreak havoc in our communities, leaving Americans feeling helpless in the aftermath. Flooding can cause extensive property damage and impose a massive financial burden on homeowners. Even just a few inches of rain can be dangerous when combined with an out-of-date and inadequate understanding of the type and location of floods we face,” said Quigley. “I’m proud to reintroduce bipartisan legislation to give cities and towns the resources and tools they’ll need to proactively address flooding challenges. With the rise in extreme weather events and growing impacts of climate change, I’m hopeful my colleagues will be compelled to recognize the urgent need for this legislation.”

“It’s undeniable that the climate crisis is bringing more severe flooding to Illinois. Given this, we must ensure that Illinoisans have the resources to protect their lives and homes from flood damage,” said Durbin. “Our Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act is designed to support urban communities in preparing for flood risks while providing our government with the necessary data to develop better preventative solutions.”

 “Every year, communities in Illinois and across the country struggle to plan for and recover from urban flooding, which climate change is exacerbating,” said Duckworth. “It’s critical we ensure our cities and towns have the resources they need to prepare for flooding, and this legislation and the pilot program it establishes will do just that. I’m proud to reintroduce our bill to help better understand flood risks, protect home and small business owners and help prevent and mitigate damage caused by urban flooding.”

As states experience more frequent urbanization, many communities have seen a rise in flooding activity, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, melting snow, and aging infrastructure. Many of these urban areas are often outside of regulatory floodplains, leaving residents unprepared when a disaster hits. 

Under the Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act, 12 total cities, varying in size from 50,000 to 800,000 or more residents, would be able to apply for the pilot program, which would select three participant cities per year for four years. The bill would authorize $2 million for Fiscal Year 2027 and $5 million for Fiscal Year 2028 through Fiscal Year 2030 for grants to be made available to states and local government authorities in recognized urban areas. Grant recipients would have 18 months to conduct their projects upon receiving a grant. 

The program would also require lessons-learned reports from both the grant recipients and FEMA over the duration of the program. Project data and reports would be made publicly available to improve urban flood mitigation.

Illinois is home to one of the largest inland systems of rivers, lakes, and streams in the U.S., increasing the state’s flooding risk. Floods are the most common natural disaster in Illinois, accounting for more than 90 percent of the state’s declared disasters.

Bill text is available here.