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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) formally introduced articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. So far, 70 Members of Congress have cosponsored Rep. Kelly’s impeachment resolution.

“Secretary Noem has brought her reign of terror to Chicago, LA, Minneapolis, and communities from north to south, east to west. She needs to be impeached for her actions,” said Rep. Kelly at a press conference introducing articles of impeachment. “Secretary Noem has called my impeachment effort ‘silly.’ I want to tell her right now: You have violated your oath of office and there will be consequences. I am watching you. The American people are watching you. And most of all, we are not liking what we are seeing. If you believe impeachment is ‘silly,’ then you are not taking your job or our Constitution seriously.”

This morning at the press conference, Rep. Kelly was joined by U.S. Reps. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), who is also the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), and cosponsors of the impeachment resolution.

The Constitution gives the U.S. House sole power of impeachment. Rep. Kelly introduced three articles of impeachment:

1. Obstruction of Congress

Secretary Noem violated her constitutional oath and refused to comply with the law that prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from preventing a Member of Congress from entering a DHS facility used to detain undocumented immigrants.

Rep. Kelly has tried to enter the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Illinois, but was denied, despite following Secretary Noem’s unlawful seven-day notice. There’s been documentation of six other instances in which Members of Congress have tried to enter an ICE facility and was denied in Texas, Colorado, California, New York, Virginia and Washington.

2. Violation of Public Trust

Secretary Noem has repeatedly violated the Immigration and Nationality Act, the First and Fourth Amendments of the United States Constitution. She’s also broken due process by directing ICE to conduct warrantless arrests and use violence against US citizens and lawful individuals.

During Secretary Noem’s “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago, federal agents used excessive force, in some cases injuring or killing, residents. Federal agents used military-style tactics to raid an apartment building in South Shore, detaining U.S. citizens for hours without warrants or reason for arrest. These dangerous actions have continued in cities across the country, including in Minneapolis, where Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed without justification.

3. Self-Dealing

Secretary Noem has misused her position for personal gain while inappropriately using $200 million taxpayer dollars to fund an ad campaign for ICE recruitment. She bypassed the normal competitive bidding process to award a contract to a firm called Strategy Group. Strategy Group was formed just days before the award and is run by the husband of senior DHS official Tricia McClaughlin, a close friend of Secretary Noem. 

Read the full text of articles of impeachment here.

There are 70 Members of Congress cosponsoring these articles of impeachment: Adriano Espaillat, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; Alma Adams; Angie Craig; April McClain Delaney; Becca Balint; Betty McCollum; Bonnie Watson Coleman; Brad Sherman; Brittany Pettersen; Chellie Pingree; Danny Davis; Dave Min; Diana DeGette; Doris Matsui; Emily Randall; Eric Sorensen; Eric Swalwell; Gabe Amo; Gabe Vasquez; Gwen Moore; Ilhan Omar; Jan Schakowsky; Jasmine Crockett; Jill Tokuda; Jimmy Gomez; John Larson; Jonathan Jackson; Juan Vargas; Julie Johnson; Kelly Morrison; Kevin Mullin; LaMonica McIver; Lateefah Simon; Laura Friedman; Linda T. Sanchez; Lloyd Doggett; Lori Trahan; Luz Rivas; Mark DeSaulnier; Mark Pocan; Maxine Dexter; Maxwell Frost; Melanie Stansbury; Mike Quigley; Mike Thompson; Nikki Budzinski; Nydia M. Velazquez; Paul Tonko; Pramila Jayapal; Raja Krishnamoorthi; Rashida Tlaib; Ritchie Torres; Rob Menendez; Sarah Elfreth; Sarah McBride; Sean Casten; Seth Moulton; Shontel M. Brown; Shri Thanedar; Steve Cohen; Summer Lee; Suzanne Bonamici; Teresa Leger Fernandez; Tim Kennedy; Val Hoyle; Valerie Foushee; Veronica Escobar; Wesley Bell; Yassamin Ansari; Yvette Clarke.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (NY-5) joined Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus in issuing the following statement on Uganda’s closing civic space in advance of the January 15th elections: 

“The Ugandan people deserve a free and fair electoral process that allows all voters to make their voices heard. Prior elections have been marred by arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and other coercive measures intended to stifle the will of the people. These actions betray Uganda’s constitutional principles, and in concert with the detention of opposition leaders such as Kizze Besigye and threats by Uganda’s military chief against presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, present clear risks for the 2026 elections.

“The Ugandan government must guarantee a transparent and accountable electoral process allowing all voters to cast their ballots without fear of retribution. Any efforts to limit the right to vote, manipulate results, or restrict freedom of speech, expression, and peaceful assembly must be investigated and the responsible parties held to account.

“Ensuring free and fair elections is in keeping with the principles of equality, democracy, freedom, and social justice guaranteed in the Ugandan constitution. It also provides the foundation for a peaceful, more prosperous future benefiting all of Uganda’s citizens.

“This promising future grows all the more elusive as those in power curtail and abuse basic human rights and erode Uganda’s civic space. The Ugandan government has repeatedly sought to try opposition politicians in military courts, despite the country’s supreme court ruling the practice unconstitutional, and in 2025 adopted a new law allowing military courts to try civilians. Other laws, such as the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which permits the death penalty for homosexual acts, pose a serious threat to the lives and freedoms of LGBTQ+ Ugandans and jeopardize the public health and economic prosperity of all Ugandans. Further restrictions on civil society organizations threaten to systematically compromise the freedom of association. 

“The Congressional Black Caucus cherishes the United States’ longstanding partnership with Uganda. We will continue to champion efforts to strengthen cooperation between our two countries that protect individual freedom and promote transparent and accountable governance.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, will lead Democrats on the committee in holding a special meeting on Venezuela.

Despite repeated requests from Ranking Member Meeks, Chairman Brian Mast has refused to hold public hearings on the administration’s actions in the Caribbean and Venezuela policy. Secretary of State Rubio and Deputy Secretary of State Landau have turned down an invitation to attend this special meeting and answer questions publicly about the administration’s objectives in Venezuela. The meeting will be an opportunity for HFAC Members to gather assessments from former diplomats to the region. 

Members of the press wishing to cover the event in person should RSVP with Andrei Vasilescu and Josh Schroeder.

The hearing will also be available to livestream here. 

WHO:  

• The Honorable Thomas Shannon, former Acting Secretary of State, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, and Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs
• The Honorable Frank Mora, former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs
• Mr. Brian Finucane, Senior Adviser, U.S. Program at the International Crisis Group and former attorney adviser in the Office of the State Department Legal Adviser 

WHEN: Wednesday, January 14th at 8:30 a.m. 

WHERE: Rayburn, 2168 “Gold Room” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representative and House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig and Representative Jim Baird (IN-04) introduced a bipartisan bill to delay changes to federal hemp law that would hurt Minnesota’s hemp producers and small business owners.

The Hemp Planting Predictability Act amends the restrictive hemp policies that outlaw any hemp product with greater than 0.4 milligrams of THC by delaying these recent changes from going into effect until 2028. Farm operations plan crop rotation and capital investments years in advance, making a one-year notice unreasonably burdensome for America’s hemp farmers. Similarly, small businesses, including brewers, have invested in building out nonalcoholic hemp-infused beverages. Prohibiting those products would be a financially fatal wound for many craft brewers in Minnesota.

This bill provides farmers, businesses, as well as state regulators the time to adjust to changing federal policies. It also provides Congress with the time to hold hearings, engage with experts and draft a comprehensive cross-agency cannabis strategy focused on naturally derived cannabinoids and addressing valid concerns with the current federal hemp laws. Congress must work to put a comprehensive framework in place that ensure there are durable and transparent guidelines on production and manufacturing for farmers and small businesses, clear and legal opportunities for hemp fiber and grains, and safe standards in place to ensure that hemp products are labeled appropriately and only for adults.

“Recent changes to hemp production and processing regulations pulled the rug out from under Minnesota’s hemp producers, craft brewers and retailers at a time when too many business owners are already dealing with high prices and uncertainty,” said Rep. Craig “I’m proud to be introducing this common sense legislation with my colleague Rep. Baird to fight these ill-thought out policies and support the farmers and small business owners who make up Minnesota’s $200 million hemp industry.”

“Planting and growing crops requires planning well in advance,” said Rep. Baird. “Congress created a regulatory environment in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed for certain investments, and farmers were operating within this environment. The hemp provision included in the Continuing Resolution and Appropriations bills passed in November 2025 disrupted planting decisions that had already been made. Congress should not have passed such a sweeping policy change that upends a growing industry. Instead, Congress should have given farmers more time, creating a more stable environment for farmers to modify their future planting decisions. I am proud to introduce this legislation to ensure farmers have predictability and sufficient time to adjust to new laws that affect their livelihood.”

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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 – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Congressman Lance Gooden (R-TX) re-introduced the Credit Card Competition Act. The Senate companion bill is being led by Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS).

“The average American household is paying over $1,000 each year on credit card swipe fees, the highest in the world. Right now, just two major credit card companies are setting swipe fees for the nation’s largest banks, crushing consumers and small businesses. Our bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act will provide needed relief by fostering competition, lowering prices for everyone. I’m proud to re-introduce this bill with my House and Senate colleagues,” said Rep. Lofgren.

“Credit Card companies have been raking in record profits at the expense of Main Street America. I thank President Trump for fighting for hardworking Americans,” said Rep. Gooden.

“Americans are struggling with everyday purchases like groceries and gas, and credit card swipe fees inflate those already exorbitant prices,” said Sen. Durbin. “By bringing real competition to credit card networks, which is currently dominated by the Visa-Mastercard duopoly, we can reduce swipe fees and hold down costs for Main Street merchants and their customers. Let’s pass the Credit Card Competition Act as soon as possible.”

“The average American family is being ripped off by Big Banks, who profit billions from swipe fees while hardworking Americans pay the price. It’s time to bring real competition to a credit card network market dominated by Visa and Mastercard — and drive down the cost of everyday goods,” said Sen. Marshall. “The American Dream doesn’t work when the system is rigged, and this bill helps level the playing field. I’m grateful to have President Trump’s support, and I look forward to working with Senator Durbin to get this across the finish line.”

Lofgren and Gooden previously introduced this legislation in June 2023. 

Support

It has been endorsed by a wide coalition of consumer protection groups, labor unions, small business associations, and President Trump, including: 

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Food Industry Association (FMI), National Grocers Association, National Association of Convenience Stores, National Restaurant Association, National Retail Federation, National Small Business Association, American Booksellers Association, Asian American Hotel Owners Association, Yemeni American Merchants Association, Airport Restaurant and Retail Association, Outdoor Hospitality Industry, National Association of Blind Merchants, American Economic Liberties Project, Americans for Financial Reform, Consumer Report, Fight Corporate Monopolies, Future of Music Coalition, Hispanic Leadership Fund, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Main Street Alliance, National Independent Venue Association, Small Business Majority, U.S. Public Interest Research Group (US PIRG), International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union, The Coalition of Large Tribes, Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, American Logistics Association, Armed Forces Marketing Council

Documents

Click here for the bill text, or read the one-page explainer here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) voted with a bipartisan majority (341 to 79) of the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 7006, the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act.

“As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I was proud to support another package of bills that fund important priorities for our region, state, and country,” said Rep. Calvert. “The bill passed today addresses longstanding frustrations of Eastvale residents and businesses, including not having a post office in the city, as well as their lack of a single, unique zip code. To combat fentanyl and other drugs in our communities, the bill provides critical resources for law enforcement agencies at all levels of government.”

Rep. Calvert’s priorities included in the bill:

• Eastvale Post Office: The bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to conduct a comprehensive analysis related to the construction or acquisition of a new post office in the city of Eastvale.
• Eastvale Zip Code: The bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to conduct a review of communities, including Eastvale, where assigned zip codes overlap municipal jurisdictions, resulting in multiple city listings or incorrect listings. The bill directs the Postal Service to include in its review a set of solutions that could be utilized to ensure proper designations in the future, as well as options to designate a single, unique zip code for jurisdictions, like Eastvale, that are affected by this issue.
• Riverside Courthouse: The bill includes language encouraging the General Services Agency to prioritize the completion of Courthouse Phase I feasibility studies and to consider reassigning internal staff or using consultant services.
• High Intensity Drug Trafficking Program: The bill provides $298.6 million to help Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in areas determined to be key drug-trafficking regions.
• Fentanyl: Maintains the current level of $1.4 billion for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, including increased funding to counter fentanyl.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (43rd District of California)

LOS ANGELES, CA – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services, was honored with the Watts Area Ministers Legacy Award during the Annual Watts Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, held Saturday in the Watts community of South Los Angeles.

The award was presented by the Watts Area Ministers, a longstanding coalition of faith leaders serving South Los Angeles, in recognition of Congresswoman Waters’ decades-long commitment to civil rights, economic justice, housing equity, and advocacy for historically underserved communities. The award was presented under the leadership of Pastor Robert Taylor, President of the Watts Area Ministers.

In accepting the honor, Congresswoman Waters reflected on Dr. King’s legacy and stressed that the fight for justice requires action, particularly in the areas of housing, economic opportunity, and voting rights.

“Dr. King didn’t march so we could celebrate once a year and go back to business as usual,” said Congresswoman Waters. “He marched so Black folks could live with dignity, afford a decent home, earn a fair wage, and vote without interference. In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, I am fully committed to the proposition that freedom is not voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. I will keep fighting for equal rights, no matter who tries to roll them back.”

During her remarks, Congresswoman Waters emphasized that Dr. King understood housing and economic security as civil rights issues, noting that stable and affordable housing is foundational to strong families and thriving communities. She tied that legacy to her work as the leading Democrat on the Financial Services Committee, where she has fought to expand affordable housing, strengthen fair lending protections, protect consumers, and hold financial institutions accountable.

She also warned that the right to vote, won through sacrifice and struggle, is once again under attack, and urged communities to remain vigilant and engaged in protecting democracy. 

“The right to vote was paid for with blood,” Congresswoman Waters said. “John Lewis proved that on the bridge in Selma. We cannot allow anyone, courts, politicians, or even the President of the United States, to take away what our ancestors fought and bled for.”

The Annual Watts Dr. King Day Celebration brought together clergy, community leaders, elders, families, and elected officials under the theme “Keeping the Dream Alive.” The program featured prayers, musical selections, civic presentations, and a moment of commemoration honoring Dr. King’s enduring impact.

Congresswoman Waters thanked the Watts Area Ministers for the recognition and reaffirmed her commitment to continuing Dr. King’s unfinished work through legislative leadership and deep partnership with the community. 

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