MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA) introduced the Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at improving mental health outcomes for veterans and helping reduce veteran suicide rates by expanding access to evidence-based suicide prevention care. The legislation seeks to increase the number of Community Care Network providers who complete evidence-based suicide prevention training administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs while also creating a publicly available preferred provider list to help veterans identify providers who best meet their needs.

Under current law, providers in local communities outside the VA healthcare system may participate in the Veterans Health Administration Community Care Network without completing VA-administered suicide prevention training. The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act encourages greater participation in that training and improves transparency for veterans seeking care options in their communities. Joining Representatives Huizenga and Correa as original cosponsors are Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI), Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ).

“When our servicemembers come home at the end of their service, our responsibility to them does not end,” said Congressman Huizenga. “Too many veterans continue to struggle with invisible wounds after returning home, and they deserve access to the highest quality mental health care available, wherever they receive it. This bipartisan legislation will help connect veterans with providers who have completed evidence-based suicide prevention training and improve transparency for veterans and families seeking care.”

“All gave some, and some made the ultimate sacrifice. Our veterans were willing to give their lives to defend American freedom and democracy. It is now our moral duty to provide them with the highest-quality mental health care,” said Congressman Correa. “I joined Representative Bill Huizenga in introducing the Veteran Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act because veterans face a high risk of suicide. Not all wounds are visible, and we need to make sure that medical care is available to meet their needs. It is the least we can do to thank veterans for their sacrifice.”

“Our nation’s veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, yet too many of these brave men and women struggle in silence,” said Congressman Walberg. “I am proud to join Representatives Huizenga and Correa on this bipartisan legislation, which will equip providers with the proper training to deliver high-quality mental health care to America’s veterans so that we can honor these heroes’ service with the care, dignity, and compassion they so rightfully deserve.”

“Expanding suicide prevention training for Community Care Network providers connects veterans with better-informed care, said Congressman Mike Lawler. “This also inspires greater confidence in our veterans that their providers are prepared to recognize warning signs and respond with the support they need. Our veterans are more than deserving of access to providers who understand the unique challenges they face after serving our country,”

According to the VA’s 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, 6,398 veterans died by suicide in 2023, an average of 17.5 veterans per day. The report also found that 61% of veterans who died by suicide in 2023 had not received VA healthcare services in the year prior to their death.

The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act is supported by organizations including the American Legion Department of Michigan and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“The Department of Michigan American Legion supports efforts to reduce veteran suicides. The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act is one step in the direction of lowering veteran suicides by providing the proper training to those that provide care for veterans in the community.” Tim Poxson, American Legion Department of Michigan   

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) released the following statement after voting in support of a five-year farm bill. Specifically, this legislation reduces input costs, strengthens risk management tools, and expands food processing capacity, all while investing in the rural infrastructure that supports Southwest Michigan’s economy and agricultural community.

Importantly, this legislation includes provisions from Huizenga’s bipartisan Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act, which will strengthen and expand the Tree Assistance Program to better protect growers when severe weather, disease, or other losses threaten long-term production.

“This farm bill will help lower costs for the farmers who grow our food and the American families they help feed,” said Congressman Huizenga. “For years, family farms and specialty crop growers across Michigan have faced challenges that threatened their livelihood. This legislation delivers relief by giving farmers the certainty they deserve as well as the tools to cut costs, expand local processing, and strengthen domestic supply chains from the ground up. At the end of the day, this legislation will lower prices at the grocery store, help farmers thrive, and make life more affordable and healthy for families across Southwest Michigan.”

Key provisions in the House-passed farm bill include:

• Lowers grocery costs & improves health outcomes by focusing on nutrition science and access to healthier foods
• Invests in rural America—broadband, water, and infrastructure to lower the costs of local farm, small business, and household utility bills
• Modernizes risk management for specialty crop producers
• Backs specialty crops with $1B+ for research, competitiveness, and pest/disease research
• Cuts input costs by advancing precision agriculture
• Expands food processing capacity to strengthen supply chains
• Strengthens domestic sourcing to support American agriculture
• Protects U.S. farmland with CFIUS review for buyers tied to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced the introduction of H.R. 8283, the Deterring American AI Model Theft Act. Companies such as OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic have all indicated publicly that they have faced “distillation” attacks from State-backed Chinese AI companies. These attacks systematically extract and steal critical data, such as model weights, architectures, and other technical characteristics, that foreign adversaries use to build their own AI models for cheap while bypassing compute restrictions. Distillation attacks are the latest avenue of Chinese economic coercion and theft of U.S. intellectual property and poses a direct threat to the national security of the United States and the economic competitiveness of U.S. companies.

The Deterring American AI Model Theft Act addresses this problem by authorizing discretionary sanctions, creating a name and shame list of AI thieves, and approving a pathway for the U.S. State Department to interphase with private industry to share best practices and study attacks to strengthen defense.

“Model extraction attacks are the latest frontier of Chinese economic coercion and theft of US intellectual property,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “American AI models are demonstrating transformative cyber capabilities, and it is critical we prevent China from stealing these technological advancements. I am proud to champion the Deterring American AI Model Theft Act to advance the third pillar of the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan. We must be more proactive in stopping the circumvention of US export controls by foreign adversaries.”

“American AI leadership rests on two pillars: the ingenuity of our innovators and the resolve, including of our government, to safeguard what our innovators build from those who seek to steal it. The Deterring American AI Model Theft Act of 2026 establishes a clear—and sorely needed—framework to identify foreign actors extracting American models, hold them accountable through existing authorities, and strengthen coordination between innovators and government. We commend Representative Huizenga for introducing it and urge the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) to advance it.” – Meredith Potter, Executive Director, American Security Fund

Distillation, when carried out with the approval of the AI model owner, is a legitimate and valuable tool for research and innovation. This bill protects such activity by disentangling it from illicit “model extraction attacks.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced that communities across Southwest Michigan will receive federal funding from the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations legislation. Specifically, the communities of Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Holland, Jenison, Kalamazoo, and Portage will receive federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).  CDBG provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable urban communities by improving housing and providing a better living environment. Additionally, CDBG expands economic opportunity, principally for low- and moderate-income residents.

“These investments will help improve housing affordability and housing availability for lower- and middle-income families across Southwest Michigan,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “I am glad to see the Department of Housing and Urban Development, under the leadership of Secretary Turner, continue to prioritize both quality of life as well as improved housing options for Michiganders.”

The communities of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo will also receive federal funding through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The HOME Investment Partnerships Program provides formula grants to states and localities – often in partnership with local nonprofit groups – to fund a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people. HOME is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households.

CDBG Funding Recipients

Battle Creek – $1,172,453

Benton Harbor – $388,678

Georgetown Charter Township – $245,163

Holland – $347,365

Kalamazoo – $1,611,363

Portage – $208,331

HOME Funding Recipients

Battle Creek – $238,167.87

Kalamazoo – $491,270.56

The State of Michigan also received a direct allocation totaling $33,947,877 for CBDG and $15,561,558.40 for HOME. This funding is on top of the funding distributed to municipalities across Michigan. Municipalities and counties that received direct federal funding include:

Battle Creek, Bay City, Benton Harbor, Canton Township, Clinton Township, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, East Lansing, Farmington Hills, Flint, Genesee County, Georgetown Charter Township, Grand Rapids, Holland, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent County, Lansing, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Macomb County, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, Niles, Norton Shores, Oakland County, Pontiac, Portage, Port Huron, Redford, Roseville, Royal Oak, Saginaw, St Clair Shores, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Taylor, Traverse City, Warren, Washtenaw County, Waterford Township, Wayne County, Westland, and Wyoming.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

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

As President Trump arrives in China for a two-day summit with Xi Jinping, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) is calling on the president to keep his word to the American people and not allow China to manufacture in the U.S. or let Chinese car companies disrupt the American auto industry. 

 “The president must keep his word to the American people and not allow China to manufacture in the U.S. This is not about hostility toward the Chinese people or opposition to trade. It is about protecting American workers, safeguarding supply chains, defending privacy, and preserving America’s long-term economic independence,” Congresswoman Dingell wrote in a new op-ed for Fox News. “Sometimes the strongest dealmaking strategy is knowing when to walk away — because a bad deal with China that undercuts American workers, manufacturers, farmers, and communities would cost the United States far more than it would gain.”

The new op-ed from Congresswoman Dingell follows her bipartisan legislative efforts alongside Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI-04), Chairman of the Select Committee on China, on the Connected Vehicle Security Act. The legislation would prohibit the importation, manufacture, and sale of connected vehicles, software, and hardware linked to China.

Congresswoman Dingell’s op-ed can be found HERE and below:

Americans should be worried about President Trump’s upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Recent musings out of the White House sound like President Trump may be willing to allow Chinese manufacturers to produce in the U.S. This is a serious threat to both our economic and national security, and something many of us in the Congress – in a rare bipartisan effort – will fight with all our might. These days, when you can get both sides of the aisle to agree on anything, it’s usually a sign that something should be done.

That is true for the new bipartisan legislation I am leading alongside Congressman John Moolenaar to ban Chinese car companies from doing business here to disrupt our manufacturing economy, put American auto workers out of a job, and put our national security at risk.

For decades, the United States embraced globalization under the assumption that deeper economic integration would be mutually beneficial and create American jobs. Free trade was the cry of billionaires, economists, and corporate leaders. The reality is far from what was predicted. America has witnessed entire industries be destroyed and hollowed out. Steel mills closed, semiconductor production moved overseas, suppliers built in Asia, Mexico and around the world and manufacturing communities from Michigan to Pennsylvania lost jobs that once supported middle-class families.

China does not play under the same free-market rules that America does. Their global dominance rose because no one competing with them is playing on a level playing field and the global marketplace is at a significant disadvantage. Chinese companies receive massive subsidies from their government (the Chinese Communist Party), preferential financing, intellectual property advantages, manipulated currency, and strategic direction from Beijing. Allowing those same firms to produce inside the United States will give a geopolitical adversary leverage over America’s economy from within.

Nowhere is this concern more urgent than in the auto industry. Modern vehicles are no longer simply cars and trucks — they are rolling computers. Autonomous and connected vehicles continuously collect enormous amounts of information, including location data, driving patterns, camera footage, mapping information, and personal information tied to drivers and passengers. Vehicles are equipped with advanced sensors and software that track where Americans live, work, worship, seek medical care, and send their children to school. While these metrics are essential for improving safety and innovation, we must also protect this information from our adversaries.

I led more than 70 Democrats in the House in warning the administration that Chinese-connected vehicles engage in extensive data collection and transmission, including GPS locations, driving behaviors, and in-car conversations. I warned that this data, if routed to servers controlled by Chinese entities, will ultimately be accessed by the Chinese government under its national security laws.

That possibility alarmed not only my Democratic colleagues who signed my letter to the president, but the over 50 Republican colleagues in the House who signed a similar letter. We are all warning that any effort to lower barriers for Chinese automobiles or otherwise facilitate their entry into the U.S. market would pose a direct threat to American manufacturing, workers, and national security. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are also urging President Trump to maintain existing bans and close loopholes that could allow Chinese vehicles assembled in Mexico or Canada to enter the United States through USMCA trade provisions.

Industry leaders themselves are sounding the alarm. Ford CEO Jim Farley recently warned that allowing Chinese automakers into the U.S. market would be “devastating” for domestic manufacturing and raised concerns about the enormous amount of data collected through cameras and connected vehicle technologies.

This is ultimately about resilience and sovereignty. A nation that cannot produce its own critical goods — or protect the data generated by its citizens — cannot fully control its own future. The United States should welcome fair competition and international investment from partners who share democratic values and market principles. But when it comes to strategic industries central to national security, economic stability, and personal privacy, America must ensure the next generation of manufacturing and mobility is built by companies committed to America’s interests — not controlled by an authoritarian rival.

The president must keep his word to the American people and not allow China to manufacture in the U.S. This is not about hostility toward the Chinese people or opposition to trade. It is about protecting American workers, safeguarding supply chains, defending privacy, and preserving America’s long-term economic independence. Sometimes the strongest dealmaking strategy is knowing when to walk away — because a bad deal with China that undercuts American workers, manufacturers, farmers, and communities would cost the United States far more than it would gain.

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

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) joined colleagues on both sides of the aisle to introduce a bipartisan tax credit to offset early expenses for new families. The Supporting Newborn Parents Act would create a newborn tax credit, in addition to the existing Child Tax Credit (CTC), to help new families cover the significant costs associated with welcoming a child. In the United States, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care alone can cost families thousands of dollars, and expenses during a child’s first year of life can exceed $17,000. This legislation would provide targeted relief to help ease the financial burden on parents during one of the most important and expensive times in their lives. In addition to Congresswoman Dingell, the legislation is led by U.S. Representatives Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03), Blake Moore (R-UT-01), and David Valadao (R-CA-22).

The Supporting Newborn Parents Act would:

• Create a standalone tax credit of up to $2,000 for families welcoming a newborn child, separate from the existing Child Tax Credit (CTC).
• Ensure low- and middle-income working parents can qualify for the credit, with benefits increasing alongside earned income.
• Allow families to receive the credit either as part of their annual tax refund or as an advance payment shortly after a child is born.
• Give parents flexibility to calculate eligibility using either their current-year or prior-year income.
• Align eligibility rules and income thresholds with the Child Tax Credit to simplify administration and avoid sudden benefit cutoffs.
• Adjust the credit amount over time to account for inflation.

“Bringing home a newborn should be a moment of pure love and wonder, not financial stress,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “This legislation puts tax dollars back into the wallets of working families when they need it most, helping to cover everything from diapers to doctor’s visits. I am proud to support this effort, because every family deserves peace of mind in those first precious moments.”

“One of the most exciting moments for any expecting family is preparing to welcome a new child, but unexpected expenses can quickly add up and leave new parents facing costs far beyond what they planned,” said Congressman Valadao. “As a father of three, I know how quickly costs can pile up—from diapers and clothing to strollers, childcare, and other essentials during a baby’s first year. While the existing Child Tax Credit has provided important relief for many working families, parents often need support long before tax season arrives. That’s why I’m proud to lead the bipartisan Supporting Newborn Parents Act of 2026, which would provide up to $2,000 per newborn as an advance payment to help families cover the immediate costs that come with welcoming a child into the world. This commonsense bill gives working parents greater financial flexibility and peace of mind so they can focus on growing their family instead of worrying about how to make ends meet.”

“Welcoming a new baby into the world should be one of the happiest moments in a family’s life, not one filled with fear about how to pay the bills,” said Congressman Suozzi. “At a time when so many Americans are struggling with the rising cost of living, this bipartisan bill will support young families and provide immediate, practical relief to working parents as they handle those critical first expenses.”

“As a father of four, I know how quickly expenses add up when a new child arrives: diapers, car seats, strollers, clothing, formula, and the unexpected costs that come during the first year,” said Congressman Moore. “I’m excited to introduce the Supporting Newborn Parents Act to build on policies in the Working Families Tax Cuts, like the increased Child Tax Credit, by creating an additional tax credit for working parents of up to $2,000 per newborn child. This credit will help new and growing families by creating a financial cushion to meet their baby’s needs when they need it most.”

Supporting organizations include the Niskanen Center, Save the Children, Third Way, American Principles Project, Bread for the World, Searchlight Institute, Bakersfield Pregnancy Center, Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK), First 5 Kern, and Adventist Health.

Working families across the United States rely on a range of family benefit programs, including the Child Tax Credit (CTC), Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC), and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Yet despite this support, a critical gap remains in the months immediately following a child’s birth—a period when families face significant new expenses while household income declines by an average of 10 percent. The Supporting Newborn Parents Act would address this gap by establishing a newborn tax credit to complement existing family benefits. This credit would provide timely financial support to help parents cover hospital bills, purchase essential supplies, and manage the financial strain that often accompanies the arrival of a new child.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and Don Bacon (NE-2) announced the introduction of a bipartisan resolution recognizing the significant and often overlooked behavioral health needs experienced by individuals and their families affected by rare diseases.

“Patients, caregivers, and families have often spoken to me about the huge mental toll of living with a rare disease, from delayed diagnoses, to limited treatment options, to the emotional and financial strain of navigating fragmented healthcare systems,” Congressman Tonko said. “For these millions fighting for hope, behavioral health support is not ancillary, but a requirement that cannot be ignored. I’m proud to join Representative Bacon to bring attention to this issue and will push for Congress to address the too often unmet behavioral health needs of our rare disease community.”

“The mental health crisis affecting our communities is one of the most serious challenges of our time, and we cannot overlook the rare disease community,” said Rep. Bacon. “Patients, caregivers, and families often face delayed diagnoses, limited treatment options, and years of uncertainty. I’m pleased to join Rep. Tonko in introducing this bipartisan resolution to recognize these challenges and support better access to mental health care.”

The bill is endorsed by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the Caregiver Action Network, and the American Psychological Association.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Rep. Veasey Introduces Resolution Recognizing May 2026 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Representative Marc Veasey (TX-33), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Youth Sports Caucus reintroduced a resolution recognizing May 2026 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, highlighting the importance of active lifestyles and encouraging people of all ages to prioritize physical activity and overall wellness.

“As Co-Chair of the Congressional Youth Sports Caucus, I am so proud of the work we’ve done in the past year and so excited for the work ahead. The Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports is a bicameral, bipartisan caucus dedicated to expanding access to facilities, increasing funding for community programs, and advocating for policies that support the holistic development of young athletes.” 

The bipartisan resolution is co-sponsored by Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Don Bacon (NE-02), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. Terri Sewell (AL-07), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL)—reflecting a strong, cross-party commitment to the health and development of communities nationwide. 

“Youth development is about more than just academics. It’s about access to safe spaces where children can participate in sports where they are given the chance to grow, compete, and thrive. Together, we can make youth sports more accessible to establish healthy practices in our children early, and give them a strong foundation of health, wellness, teamwork, and problem solving that will last a lifetime.”

The current membership of the Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports can be found here: https://fundplay.org/story/congressional-caucus-on-youth-sports/