MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Following advocacy from the New Hampshire Congressional delegation, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Maggie Hassan (NH), and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) in applauding the signing of a PACT Act lease by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that will make West Chesterfield, New Hampshire, the home of a new Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). This replaces the CBOCs in Keene and Brattleboro, Vermont. The announcement is a significant step toward expanding access to high-quality health care for veterans in the Granite State.

“I’m thrilled to welcome this new VA outpatient clinic to Cheshire County,” said Congressman Pappas, member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee. “Every veteran across New Hampshire should be able to access the care they need close to home, whether through a VA medical center, our community-based outpatient clinics, or community care. I’ll always fight for our veterans to receive the best possible care, and to cut the red tape between them and the treatment they deserve.”

“It’s imperative that the men and women who sacrificed everything to defend and serve our nation have access to first rate health care when they need it – no matter where they live in our state,” said Senator Shaheen. “For a long time, the Monadnock region was a health care desert for veterans until we worked with the VA to open its first and only health care facility more than a decade ago. This announcement is a continuation of that years-long effort and a crucial step toward bringing more health care services to veterans in Cheshire County and the entire Monadnock region.”

“America’s veterans risked their lives to keep our country safe, secure, and free. We will never fully repay the debt we owe them, but we have an obligation to try each and every day,” said Senator Hassan. “This new outpatient clinic will help veterans in the Monadnock region access the health services they need closer to home. I will continue to work to help get our veterans access to the health care that they have earned and deserve.”

“We have a sacred obligation to the women and men who have served our country in uniform. Our veterans put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and it’s my mission in Congress to ensure that they have access to the services, benefits, and healthcare they have earned,” said Congresswoman Goodlander, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “This clinic will deliver quality care to these brave American heroes across the Monadnock Region and beyond, and I am proud to stand with our partners across New Hampshire to get our veterans the care they need.”

According to the VA, the clinic will increase clinical capacity and provide Veterans with more convenient and timely access to VA care, with construction and facility preparation expected to be completed by fall 2028, and the first patient is planned to be seen by spring 2029. The new lease will expand and modernize Primary Care space while rightsizing a state of the art, energy efficient facility that delivers integrated Primary Care, Mental Health, Specialty Care, and Ancillary services, improving operational efficiency and the Veteran experience in the Keene, NH and Brattleboro, VT area. The project will lease 26,603 net usable square feet (NUSF) of replacement outpatient clinic space in the vicinity of West Chesterfield, NH, with 150 parking spaces, in support of the White River Junction VA Health Care System.

Last year Congressman Pappas led the New Hampshire delegation in introducing the Veterans Full-Service Care and Access Act, legislation that would require the VA to operate at least one full-service Veterans Health Administration hospital in each of the 48 contiguous states. In 2022 Pappas fought back against and stopped a Biden administration plan to close Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in Conway, Somersworth, and Portsmouth. Thanks to Pappas’s advocacy, these clinics remain open today. In the same year, Pappas fought to pass the PACT Act as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which expanded VA health care to millions of veterans exposed to toxic substances like burn pits and Agent Orange. Since the PACT Act became law, the Department of Veterans Affairs has received more than 12,000 claims from New Hampshire veterans.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Red Bay, AL — Today, Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) highlighted approval of an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to Red Bay Water & Gas for the Cooper Springs Well and Pump House Upgrade Project.

This project will rehabilitate an inactive well and nearby infrastructure to improve water capacity and support industrial and residential water needs throughout Red Bay. By upgrading existing infrastructure and addressing deficiencies in water flow, the water system in Red Bay will be able to reliably support schools, businesses, and economic development.

“This grant will create long-term prosperity and support economic development for the City of Red Bay by ensuring the Cooper Springs Well and Pump House infrastructure is updated and reliable,” said Congressman Aderholt. “As the existing water system prohibits proper water flow, this ARC grant is a step towards bringing new businesses and supporting existing industries in Red Bay.”

In addition to ARC funds, local sources are providing $1,800,000 bringing the project total to $2,300,000.

The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development partnership of the federal government and 13 state governments focused on strengthening economic growth and opportunity across the Appalachian region.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement Tuesday regarding the fatal ICE shooting that took place Monday in Biddeford, Maine. 

“This morning, I spoke with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. He confirmed that the independent DHS Office of the Inspector General and the FBI are investigating the fatal shooting in Biddeford yesterday. The Maine Attorney General’s Office is also investigating. That’s a good thing. As with any deadly use of force by law enforcement, what we need now is thorough, independent investigation that establishes the facts necessary for accountability. 

“Unfortunately, the ICE officers involved in this incident were not yet wearing body cameras, which could have helped to establish those necessary facts. I supported body camera adoption for ICE earlier this year and Congress approved funding for this technology in April to increase transparency and accountability, but deployment has been slow. DHS needs to make this a priority.

“Mainers are understandably scared and shocked by this painful loss of life. My heart goes out to all those who are hurting, and I urge Mainers to take care of one another and stay safe.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

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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), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered opening remarks during an FSGG budget hearing of the Supreme Court of the United States:

Click here to watch a video of his remarks.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Today, U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09) introduced a bill to expand workplace protections for employees experiencing menopause. As the workforce ages and more women remain employed longer, menopausal symptoms affect a significant portion of employees. A lack of a comprehensive menopause-specific set of workplace protections could cause U.S. companies to lose billions of dollars annually due to reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and premature loss of talent related to unmanaged menopausal symptoms. Beyond the direct financial impact, businesses will also contend with a loss of institutional knowledge, reduced innovation, decreased team cohesion, and a lack of women in senior leadership roles.

Passing legislation to help workplaces implement menopause-friendly policies is not only the right thing to do, but it is also a strategic business decision. That is why Congresswomen Dingell and Clarke introduced the Menopausal Workers’ Fairness Act, which would:

• Guarantee the right to request reasonable accommodations to known limitations related to menopause and prevent discrimination in employment opportunities based on these requested accommodations.
• Prohibit an employer from requiring an employee experiencing menopause to take leave or accept an accommodation.
• Require an employer to keep medical information related to menopause confidential.
• Direct the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to issue regulations that provide employers with examples of known limitations, reasonable accommodations, and when it may be reasonable for them to seek supporting documentation.

“Women should never have to choose between their health and their careers. Menopause is a natural part of life, but too many women face unnecessary barriers at work because employers are not equipped to support them,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “My legislation will help ensure women can continue contributing their skills and experience while giving employers the tools to retain valued workers. This is not only the right thing to do, but it is also a strategic business decision.”

“The support women deserve at every stage of their lives should not end with menopause, nor stop when they walk into work. Menopause is already a deeply vulnerable and challenging time for women, and that is before they are needlessly burdened by retribution and harassment in the workplace in response to a natural, normal experience. It’s time for their silent suffering to end. I am proud to stand alongside Congresswoman Dingell in introducing this necessary legislation that will protect and prioritize women, put an end to discriminatory practices, and continue our pivotal mission to destigmatize menopause,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.

Women face unique challenges throughout their reproductive lives, including menopause, which can impact their work experiences and career trajectories. They often navigate these challenges without formal support from their employer in the absence of existing labor and employment laws that specifically address their needs. By recognizing and accommodating these realities across a woman’s entire career span, workplaces can level the playing field for women employees, promote retention of experienced employees, support career advancement, and reduce the stigma around natural phases of life.

View the bill text HERE.

Endorsing organizations include the National Menopause Foundation, Menopause Mandate U.S., Women Work U.S., and Women’s Health Advocates.

“The Menopausal Workers’ Fairness Act represents a critical and long-overdue step toward recognizing menopause as a workplace health and equity issue. At Red Hot Mamas, we have spent decades educating women and healthcare professionals about the real and often misunderstood impact of menopause on daily functioning, including in the workplace. This legislation acknowledges what millions of women already experience: that unmanaged menopausal symptoms can affect productivity, well-being, and career longevity, yet too often remain unsupported and stigmatized. By ensuring the right to reasonable accommodations, protecting employee autonomy, and promoting confidentiality, this bill creates a framework that is both compassionate and practical. It empowers women to remain engaged and successful in the workforce while providing employers with clear guidance to retain experienced talent and foster inclusive environments. Supporting menopausal workers is not only the right thing to do—it is a smart investment in workforce stability, leadership diversity, and economic resilience. We strongly endorse the Menopausal Workers’ Fairness Act and applaud Representatives Dingell and Clarke for advancing this essential legislation,” said Red Hot Mamas North America Inc.

“Menopause has never been a protected category of its own, so for years women have had to force these claims through age, sex, and disability law, none of it built for that purpose. That’s why these cases have been few and far between, and why almost no one knows the protection is even there. The Menopausal Workers’ Fairness Act finally names menopause directly, in plain statutory language, and turns a right that was technically available but practically out of reach into one a woman can actually use, in the same way that the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act did for pregnancy,” said Jack Tuckner, Esq., Women’s Rights in the Workplace Attorney, Tuckner, Sipser, Weinstock & Sipser, LLP, New York.

“Too many women navigate menopause in silence at their workplaces — often without support, accommodations or basic understanding. And it’s time to break this silence. Supporting menopausal employees is not only the right thing to do, it is essential to building stronger, more equitable workplaces. The Menopausal Workers’ Fairness Act is an important step toward reducing stigma, protecting experienced employees and ensuring that women are empowered to  thrive, lead and advance throughout their careers,” said Beth Battaglino, RN-C President and CEO, HealthyWomen.

“Investing in women in the workforce as they navigate menopause isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s good workforce policy. SWHR research has found that far too often, women are in a position where they might consider reducing their hours, stepping back from leadership opportunities, or leaving the workforce entirely — often at the height of their careers — because they lack the workplace support they need and deserve during menopause. These realities are avoidable. The Menopausal Workers’ Fairness Act is a key step in making sure women don’t have to choose between their health and their careers. Thank you Congresswomen Dingell and Clarke for leading this charge,” said Kathryn Schubert, MPP, CAE, President and CEO of the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR). 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

WASHINGTON – Today Congressional Arts Caucus members Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) introduced their Protecting Resources and Ensuring Stewardship of Enduring Records of Visual Expression (PRESERVE) Act. This legislation would establish a procedure to ensure that publicly commissioned art is protected and preserved during the federal building disposal process.

“Publicly commissioned art should never become collateral damage when federal buildings are sold or otherwise disposed of,” said Rep. Titus. “It is critical that we establish a process to protect these national treasures and ensure the public has full access to the 26,000 works of art exhibited in museums and federal buildings around the country, no matter who sits in the Oval Office. Art commissioned by the federal government is a vital part of our national heritage and deserves to be preserved for future generations.”

“As we celebrate America’s 250^th birthday, preservation of our Nation’s rich history and culture is essential,” said Rep. Doggett. “Many federal buildings like the Wilbur J. Cohen Building contain precious artworks that provide a visual history of the struggle, opposition, and ultimately of progress across generations of Americans. The PRESERVE Act will protect these treasures, because art is aspiration, and protecting it is how we live up to our own.”

The PRESERVE Act would require the General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator to convene a committee of experts and implement a plan to preserve any publicly commissioned artwork, including art that was created under New Deal programs, early in the disposal process. GSA would also be required to ensure that the artwork is accessible to the public after the building is disposed of, whether through a term in an outlease agreement or by transferring the property to another public building. Artwork commissioned with taxpayer funding should be publicly accessible.

This legislation is endorsed by Social Security Works, Living New Deal, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Hands Off the Arts, Preservation Action, and Public Art Dialogue.

“The Living New Deal is encouraged that members of the U.S. Congress are seeking to protect the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building and its irreplaceable artworks, as well as the other artworks — more than 26,000 total — in the U.S. General Services Administration’s collection. The GSA is the primary steward of New Deal art, all of which belongs to the American people. The bill that Reps. Dina Titus and Lloyd Doggett are introducing is an honorable celebration of our nation’s art and 250th anniversary. As George Washington wrote in 1784, ‘To encourage Literature and the Arts is a duty which every good Citizen owes to his Country,’” said Mary Okin, Assistant Director of Living New Deal.

“Thank you to Reps. Titus and Doggett for fighting to protect the American artifacts that are the New Deal-era murals in the Wilbur Cohen Building. Besides being priceless irreplaceable masterpieces of American art, the murals are an invaluable part of Social Security’s history. Social Security Works enthusiastically endorses the PRESERVE Act, and urges Congress to protect public art by swiftly passing it into law,” said Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works.

“Hands Off the Arts applauds Congresswoman Titus’s leadership and stands in solidarity with Living New Deal, Social Security Works, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Action, Public Art Dialogue, and all artists, archivists, historians, and arts workers across the country working to preserve and protect priceless public artworks,” said Mallory Miller, Co-founder of Hands Off the Arts.

“Public Art Dialogue’s members include art historians, artists, curators, administrators, educators, architects, landscape architects, and others who understand the power of public art to foster community conversations about our national past, present, and future. PAD is pleased to support the PRESERVE Act, critical legislation which will ensure the survival and preservation of works specifically commissioned for ‘we the people.’ These historical riches serve not only as visible reminders of the aspirations of past Americans, but also as guideposts for the future enrichment of our national visual landscape,” said Dr. Amy Werbel and Dr. Karen Shelby, Co-Chairs of Public Art Dialogue.

Background

Through its Fine Arts Program, GSA maintains one of the oldest and largest public art collections in the United States. The collection includes art that was commissioned under New Deal programs. In 1934, the federal government began loaning or allocating artwork created under New Deal programs to public agencies and nonprofit institutions across the country. When the General Services Administration was established in 1949, it assumed stewardship responsibility for this artwork.

As the Trump Administration looks to reduce the federal real property footprint, these invaluable pieces of art are at risk. There currently are no guardrails in federal law to protect publicly commissioned artwork during the federal building disposal process. Congress must act to protect this important part of our history before it is too late.

Under immediate threat is the collection housed inside the Wilbur J. Cohen Building in Washington, DC which has been deemed the “Sistine Chapel of the New Deal.” The Cohen building houses frescoes and murals by Ben Shahn, Philip Guston, Seymour Fogel, and Jenne and Ethel Magafan. Because the frescoes are imbedded in the walls, they cannot simply be taken out of the building or transported to another location. Preserving this work would take careful input and planning from people who have the expertise and historical knowledge necessary to successfully protect it.

During the 119^th Congress, Rep. Titus has taken the following actions to protect public art:

• On April 14, 2025, Representative Titus led members of the Congressional Arts Caucus to the General Services Administration raising concern that over half of GSA’s Fine Arts Program staff had been put on leave.
• On August 19, 2025, Representative Titus introduced the Fine Arts Protection Act. This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to survey GSA’s Fine Arts collection and determine its economic value.
• On April 24, 2026, Representative Titus led a letter to President Donald Trump and Acting Chairman for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) William English raising concern that NEH funds were being unlawfully redirected toward the construction of a Triumphal Arch.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Representatives Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) and Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.) yesterday led 143 of their colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution designating July 10 as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day.

“When storms hit and the lights go out, lineworkers are the first to answer the call,” said Congresswoman Sánchez, the first woman member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) elected to Congress. “They work in dangerous conditions, at all hours, in all weather, to restore power and keep our communities running. Their services are essential to our communities, but too often go unseen.”

“Our journeyman lineworkers are the frontline defenders of our infrastructure. They respond without hesitation – often at great personal risk – to restore the power that sustains our homes, hospitals, and economy. In Pennsylvania’s First District and across the nation, I’ve met with these dedicated men and women, listened to their concerns, and worked to ensure they have the respect, protection, and resources they deserve. This resolution is not merely symbolic – it is a formal recognition of their service and a promise to have their backs, just as they always have ours,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick.

“Lineworkers’ jobs are difficult on a good day, and in times of crisis, their ability to keep our communities connected during dangerous conditions is heroic,” said Congressman Norcross. “These hardworking men and women are living proof that you don’t need a suit and tie to serve your community, and I’m proud to be part of the bipartisan group recognizing their essential duty.” 

“Journeyman lineworkers keep our country powered and our communities safe, but their work often goes unnoticed until the moment we need them most,” said Congressman Bresnahan. “These men and women work in some of the toughest conditions imaginable, often putting themselves in harm’s way to restore power and maintain the electric grids Americans depend on every day. As someone who has worked closely with the IBEW and understands the skill and training this profession requires, I’m proud to honor their service and thank them for everything they do for our communities.”

The resolution designates July 10 as National Journeyman Lineworkers Day in honor of Henry Miller, the founder and first president of the IBEW. Miller began his career at age 14 as a water boy on a government telegraph project in Texas.

Years later, while working as a lineman, Miller became acutely aware of the dangerous conditions and subpar wages his fellow workers faced. He traveled across the country to organize linemen and was elected as the first president of the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1891. 

Sadly, Miller suffered a fatal fall on July 10, 1896, while working to solve a power outage in Washington, D.C. Today, IBEW represents one of the largest and most diverse unions in the country.

The resolution is endorsed by IBEW, the National Electrical Contractors Association and Edison Electrical Institute. 

Congresswoman Sánchez, a former member of the IBEW Local 441 and labor lawyer, first introduced this resolution in 2014.

The full text of the resolution is available HERE.

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

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) and Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) wrote to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin requesting additional federal support in response to the ongoing Haverhill wastewater emergency.
“As communities across the Commonwealth continue recovering from the recent sewer main failure in Haverhill, it is increasingly clear that local governments, even those acting responsibly and proactively, cannot shoulder the costs of long-term infrastructure modernization without stronger, more reliable federal partnership,” the lawmakers wrote.
ollowing intense rainfall last month, a main sewer line in Haverhill broke, resulting in the significant discharge of untreated wastewater into the Merrimack River. Despite state and local efforts, harmful bacteria made its way down the river, impacting communities across the Merrimack Valley and even forcing the temporary closure of multiple North Shore beaches.
In their letter, the lawmakers cite the City of Haverhill’s aging combined sewer system, which collects both sewage and stormwater runoff into the same network of pipes. During significant precipitation, these systems can become overwhelmed and lead to combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into nearby bodies of water. Haverhill, like many communities along the Merrimack River, has been working for years to complete expensive sewer system upgrades with little to no federal investment.
“For nearly a decade, Haverhill has been working closely with the EPA under a 2016 consent decree that requires substantial upgrades to its sewer system and treatment plant. The City has acted in good faith, investing heavily in planning, engineering, and permitting to overhaul a decades-old system and reduce the risk of pollution and public health crises,” the lawmakers continued.“However, despite the city’s long-standing efforts to modernize its aging wastewater infrastructure, the lack of sustained federal investment has left the infrastructure still vulnerable to incidents like this.”
In their letter, the lawmakers requested that the EPA work with Congress to identify long-term federal funding streams for communities replacing aging water infrastructure, including the establishment of rapid-response dollars for emergencies like the one in Haverhill and the restoration of robust grant funding for combined sewer upgrades. They also warned that the administration’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request would cut federal water infrastructure funding by roughly 90 percent, slashing the Clean Water State Revolving Fund from approximately $2.5 billion to just $155 million.
“Underfunding these programs forces communities to defer essential repairs, leaving systems vulnerable to catastrophic public health failures like the one Haverhill just experienced,” the lawmakers concluded. “We urge you to work with our offices to identify long-term federal funding streams to ensure cities like Haverhill are not continually overburdened by the growing costs to replace aging water infrastructure.”
Trahan and Moulton have repeatedly advocated for increased federal funding for combined sewer upgrades. In addition to supporting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has delivered more than $600 million in federal investments for wastewater improvement projects across the Commonwealth, the lawmakers have also worked to increase funding for the EPA’s Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant (OSG) Program. When Trahan first took office in 2019, the grant program was entirely unfunded. Following the lawmakers’ efforts, the OSG program saw modest increases year over year, but that growth has stagnated in recent years. Trahan also introduced the bipartisan Stop Sewage Overflow Act to expand and improve the OSG program.
A copy of the letter sent today can be accessed HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:

Less than one week after ICE agents fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas, they brutally killed another unarmed person, a 26-year-old Colombian man, in Maine in cold blood. This pattern of violent immigration enforcement actions shocks the conscience and must immediately come to an end.

Donald Trump promised that ICE enforcement in this country would target the worst of the worst. Instead, more than $200 billion given by House Republicans to Donald Trump’s violent mass deportation machine is being used to brutalize and kill American citizens and violently target law-abiding immigrants. 

The American people deserve transparency, accountability and an independent investigation into both killings. The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement system is out of control. ICE agents must be compelled to behave like every other law enforcement officer in America and criminally prosecuted when they violate the law. Enough.

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