Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)
Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the most senior Jewish Member of the House of Representatives, issued the following statement on the two-year anniversary of the horrific October 7th attacks in Israel:
“Two years ago today, the Jewish people experienced the deadliest day in our history since the Holocaust. Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists invaded Israeli soil to kill over 1200 innocents and take an additional 251 hostage. Today, we remember all those who were ruthlessly murdered, recommit ourselves to the fight to bring the remaining hostages home, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder in solidarity with all those impacted by the events of that devastating day.
“The events of October 7th and the ensuing war are never far from my mind. There are still 48 hostages who excruciatingly remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza. We have heard testimony of the atrocious conditions under which they are being held and the unfathomable levels of brutality to which they have been subjected. I continue to call on Hamas to unconditionally release them immediately and continue to do everything in my power to help bring them home, now.
“It is also clear to me, as I have said many times, that the war in Gaza must end immediately. It was as long as eighteen months ago that top Israeli generals told Prime Minister Netanyahu that there was no further military advantage to continuing the war. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s failure to defend his own citizens on October 7, 2023 is exacerbated by his needless continuation of the war, and compounded by him continuing to play politics with the lives of innocent Israelis and Palestinians. Indeed, it is shameful how Netanyahu has consistently placed his own political future above the wellbeing of the hostages and innocent civilians.
“Today I also recognize October 7th as the beginning of a now two-year long war that has brought devastation, displacement, and unimaginable suffering to innocent civilians in Gaza. Israel, the United States, and the international community must do all that is possible—and far more than the unacceptable status quo—to surge massive amounts of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. While the death and damage can never be undone, steps can be taken to alleviate suffering and build a better future. While these are critical steps, I also recognize that ultimately, there will never be true peace and stability in the region without a negotiated final status agreement between Israelis and Palestinians resulting in a viable two-state solution.
“October 7th will always be a day of mourning and sadness. Next week Jews around the world will observe Shmini Atzeret. Known as the end of the high holiday period and the last lingering opportunity for spiritual repentance after Yom Kippur, Jews who have lost a family member traditionally pray a special set of Yizkor (remembrance) prayers. This Shmini Atzeret, I will also be remembering the many members of our larger Jewish family who were ruthlessly murdered by terrorists two years ago today and the too many innocent Gazan civilians who have lost their lives in ensuing war. We will remember them, and I pray that we may all heed the lesson Psalm 34 teaches us, to “seek peace and pursue it.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)
Headline: Carter joins Georgia GOP in urging Senators Warnock and Ossoff to reopen the government
Carter joins Georgia GOP in urging Senators Warnock and Ossoff to reopen the government
Washington, October 6, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today released the following statement after joining every Republican member of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation in signing a letter urging Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) to put Georgians ahead of partisan politics and work to reopen the federal government:
“Georgians deserve a government that is open and working to advance President Trump’s agenda, which they overwhelmingly voted for back in November. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are standing in the way of troops getting paid, food assistance going to women, children, and infants, and telehealth services being accessible for seniors. It’s time to end the partisan games and put hardworking Georgians first by reopening the government.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MSNBC’s The Weeknight, where he highlighted that Republicans remain on vacation, unwilling to reopen the government, while Democrats remain on duty, ready to end the Republican healthcare crisis and the reckless Republican-caused government shutdown.
MICHAEL STEELE: Okay, well let’s find out because joining us now, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
SYMONE SANDERS-TOWNSEND: Leader Jeffries, thank you for being with us tonight. That sound was a little earlier. Most recently, within the last hour, the President posted on his social media site saying, I’m happy to work with the Democrats on their failed healthcare policies or anything else, but first they must allow our government to reopen. In fact, they should open our government tonight. I guess very plainly sir, do you have the President’s number? Are you going to call him? How does this get resolved? And if not, then can the President—can the government reopen without the President negotiating with and speaking to Democrats?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, good evening. Great to be with you all. We’ve made clear that we will sit down with anyone, any time, any place either here at the Capitol or back in the Oval Office, to reopen the government, to enact a spending bill that actually makes life better for the American people as opposed to hurting them and that addresses the Republican healthcare crisis. At the same time, we’ve also made clear that we will not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of everyday Americans. And Senate Democrats, once again for the fifth time, demonstrated that today we’re in lockstep in defense of protecting the healthcare of the American people and actually trying to reach an agreement that is designed to lift people up, to address the cost of living crisis that exists in the United States of America, as opposed to continuing these failed Republican policies that are jamming up working-class Americans all across the country.
ALICIA MENENDEZ: So when the President says he’s talking to Democrats, who’s he talking to?
LEADER JEFFRIES: That’s a really good question. I asked that question myself when I heard the comments because he certainly is not talking to members of House Democratic leadership. I spoke to Leader Schumer earlier today. There’s no communication between the White House and Senate leadership either. In fact, what we’ve seen is that Republicans have basically gone radio silent since the Oval Office meeting last Monday. And here in the House, where I’m present, Democrats are on duty, Republicans remain on vacation. It’s extraordinary that for the second consecutive week, they’ve canceled votes because they’d rather shut down the government than actually provide healthcare to the American people. MICHAEL STEELE: Mr. Leader, you know, I’ll just say the quiet part out loud. He’s not talking to anybody. Those are just words, because Republicans aren’t going to move unless he says so on these issues. That’s why the Capitol is locked. It was locked last week. It is locked tonight. And the reality is, you’ve offered an opportunity to have a conversation. You say, hey, okay, let’s debate what this is. Let’s debate the healthcare challenges that we have. I want you to listen, if you could, to Mr. Johnson’s response to your challenge to a House Floor debate.
VIDEO OF SPEAKER JOHNSON: When the poll says that that about 13 percent of the people approve of your messaging, then you make desperate pleas for attention and that’s what Hakeem Jeffries has done. We passed the bill in bipartisan fashion and sent it over to the Senate. The House has done its job. I’m not going to let Hakeem try to pretend for these theatrics. I mean, this is a Chuck Schumer decision. The ball is in the Senate’s court now. The House has done this. We don’t need to waste time on that nonsense. Those debates have been had. A colleague’s a friend—I mean, Hakeem is a friend and a colleague. I respect him, but we all know what he’s trying to do there.
MICHAEL STEELE: So, sir, friendship and all that aside, the reality of it is the polls say 43 percent of the American people blame Mr. Speaker Johnson and the Republican Party. So you may say 13 percent don’t like what you said, all right, or whatever. The reality of it is, he locked the door for a reason, and he’s kept the doors locked for a reason. So with that as the backdrop to all of this, what’s your message to the American people tonight as you’re standing locked out of the Congress, unable to do the people’s business for over a week now. And you have this sort of, you know, diatribe of noise from Republicans about how the Democrats, you know, want to give free healthcare to illegal immigrants when we know that’s not true because that’s not what the law will allow. And people are trying to figure out what they’re going to do because, hey, next week is payday.
LEADER JEFFRIES: That’s right.
MICHAEL STEELE: And there’s no check coming.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, fighting to lower the high cost of living and trying to protect the healthcare of the American people, that’s not theatrics. That’s actually what we should be doing as Members of Congress to make life better for everyday Americans, as opposed to continuing these failed Republican policies and trying to gut the healthcare of the American people. I’m not sure what Mike Johnson was talking about, and it’s not clear that he knew what he was talking about in terms of what he was saying at that particular point in time. The Republicans have enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Hospitals, nursing homes, and community-based health clinics all across the country, including in Louisiana and in rural parts of the country, are shutting down because of what Republicans have done in their One Big Ugly Bill. We know that as a result of their refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, we’ve got tens of millions of Americans who are facing dramatically increased premiums, co-pays and deductibles, including, in some places, a married couple that makes about $88,000 a year, currently pays about $8,000 per year in health insurance. By the way, that’s already too high. But as a result of Republican refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, their health insurance could triple to $24,000 a year. That’s unconscionable here in the wealthiest country in the history of the world. Those aren’t theatrics. Those are real issues. And Democrats in the House and Democrats in the Senate are continuing to hold the line.
SYMONE SANDERS-TOWNSEND: So, Leader Jeffries, just to be clear, you have not spoken to Speaker Johnson about trying to negotiate about ending the shutdown. He has not come to you and has not answered any of your outreach?
LEADER JEFFRIES: No. I mean, what we’re experiencing, absolutely, we have not heard from Mike Johnson. I don’t think Leader Schumer has heard from Mike Johnson or from John Thune. I certainly haven’t heard from John Thune. And we’ve heard nothing from the White House over the last week. Instead, what’s we’ve seen is the classic definition of legislative insanity, doing the same thing over and over and over again by continuing to re-up their partisan Republican spending bill that continues to be defeated and expecting that there are going to be different results. This has now gone on, actually, for 18 days, making clear to us as Democrats that Republicans actually want to shut the government down. And this is their shutdown. They control the House, the Senate and the presidency.
SYMONE SANDERS-TOWNSEND: So then, Leader Jeffries, I have to ask them, what is the next move, then, for Democrats? If Republicans continue to not want to negotiate with you, if they are not answering the outreach, if you will, not taking you up on the debate, what then any leverage do Democrats have? Can you all try to force procedural votes on the Floor if they ever open—if they ever, you know, gavel back in? What’s the next move?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, public sentiment is everything, and the voices of the American people. We continue to hold events here in Washington. We’ll be holding events all across the country. And we know that millions of people over the next few days and next few weeks are going to receive notices from their insurance companies indicating that because of Republican inaction, their premiums, co-pays and deductibles are about to skyrocket. This is not a manufactured issue. It’s a Republican healthcare crisis that is unfolding in real time and I don’t believe the American people are going to stand for it and they know that Democrats are standing on their side.
ALICIA MENENDEZ: Just to ask this question a slightly different way, you’ve got Johnson and Thune and Trump effectively saying to you, listen, pass it clean and we can negotiate all this out before the end of the year. Is there anything they could do, any guarantee they could give you that would make you comfortable with that negotiation?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Here’s the thing, they continue to claim that there’s no urgency to dealing with this Affordable Care Act tax credit issue. But the reality is open enrollment starts on November 1, notices are going out right now. And by the way, this is the same group of people who enacted massive tax breaks for their billionaire donors related to tax legislation that was going to expire at the end of this year. And somehow they spent six months getting this done with urgency because they wanted to stand up for the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected, and they made those tax breaks for their billionaire donors permanent. And now they want to lecture America and say there’s still time to be able to deal with an issue related to the Affordable Care Act tax credits that actually relates to working-class Americans, middle-class Americans and everyday Americans. It’s crazy to me that they think they can get away with making that argument. The time is now to do what is right for the American people. And I guess the question is, is Donald Trump serious when he suggests that if the vote went down today, as it did, it failed again, fifth time, Senate Democrats continuing to hold the line, that he’s going to extend a line of communication to Democrats on Capitol Hill to try to get some resolution. And we’re willing to do that in good faith. We just need partners on the other side of the aisle. They need to get serious.
MICHAEL STEELE: Leader, before we let you go, just real quick, have you heard any word about federal employees being discharged, either being furloughed or, you know, fired directly at this point? What’s the status there for those federal employees who still have jobs?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we remain in close communication with federal employees all across the country. We support them. We’re appreciative of them and their resolve. They’ve had to endure, you know, unspeakable extremism since January 20. Mass firings have been taking place since January 20. The administration has had it out for federal civil servants since January 20 and we’re going to continue to stand by them, lift them up, support them and together we’ll get through this Trump-Republican government shutdown.
SYMONE SANDERS-TOWNSEND: Leader Jeffries, last question for you. I know you were asked in your presser you did earlier today about endorsing Zohran Mamdani, who is the Democratic nominee. The election is on the first Tuesday in November. Are you gonna vote for him, at least?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I think what I’ve said when Eric Adams dropped out of the race and made very clear that I’m going to address the mayor’s race well in advance of early voting, which takes place at the end of this month. I’ll certainly have more to say on this issue, understand that it’s important. I am working through this government shutdown situation and the need to stand up for the healthcare of the American people. But New York City is my home. I love the City of New York. The mayor’s race is important and I look forward to speaking to it decisively.
ALICIA MENENDEZ: Alright, multiple countdowns for the Leader. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, thank you so much, sir.
BOSTON – Following the federal government shutdown, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), along with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), introduced legislation to secure back pay for the thousands of federal contract workers who face furloughs and missed paychecks when the federal government is shutdown. Unlike federal employees, the thousands of federal contract workers—including janitorial, food, and security services workers—have no assurances that they will receive back pay to make up for their loss of hours and pay during a shutdown.
Rep. Pressley discussed the legislation at an emergency meeting last week about the government shutdown with workers, patients, labor leaders, and advocates to highlight the harm of the government shutdown.
The Fair Pay forFederal Contractors Act would ensure federal contract workers, including low-wage service workers providing security, food and janitorial services, are fairly compensated for the wages and benefits lost due to a lapse in appropriations, also known as a government shutdown. It is estimated that more than 327,000 federal contractors make under $15/per hour.
“Government shutdowns are destabilizing events with devastating consequences for everyone—especially for the thousands of low-wage service workers and their families. With Republicans choosing to shut down the government rather than work with Democrats to protect the lives and livelihoods of workers they represent, our bill would help ensure that federal contractors harmed by Republicans’ cruel games are made whole,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “As a former hospitality worker who knows what it is to live paycheck-to-paycheck, I’m proud to join my colleagues in pushing this bill forward.”
“This is about fairness—contract workers and their families should not miss a paycheck because of a government shutdown they did nothing to cause,” said Sen. Smith. “Many federal contractors work in jobs that are important for government operations, providing security, food service and janitorial work. These are often lower-wage jobs, with many workers living paycheck to paycheck. These workers can’t afford to go without, and they shouldn’t have to. In past shutdowns, contract workers haven’t received back pay at the end of a government shutdown like regular government employees. And it’s time we right that wrong.”
“Federal contractors and their families bear no responsibility for government shutdowns, but ultimately they pay for it,” Norton said. “Contractors work alongside government employees performing critical jobs that include food service, engineering, security, maintenance, electrical work, and much more. Their work enables essential parts of the federal government, including Congress, to function, yet they aren’t guaranteed backpay for their work during government shutdowns. This injustice must be rectified.”
“When the government shuts down, working people pay the price. Federal contract workers do essential jobs that keep our government running and our communities safe, and they shouldn’t lose a paycheck because of partisan gridlock,” said Congressman Norcross. “I’ll always fight to make sure every worker earns a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work. This legislation ensures that the backbone of our government won’t be punished for the chaos they didn’t cause.”
“Hardworking men and women should never have to pay the price for Washington gridlock,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Federal contractors are not faceless numbers on a spreadsheet, they are the cleaners, cafeteria workers, and tradesmen who keep our country running. When shutdowns force them off the job, they lose more than a paycheck—they lose security, stability, and peace of mind. The Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act is about restoring their wages, honoring their work, and standing with the working families who deserve to be respected, protected, and paid fairly for the jobs they do.”
The Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act would:
Provide contract workers, including low-wage service workers, with back pay (and restored paid leave benefits, if used), after a government shutdown,
Cover costs associated with back pay for workers in an amount equal to their weekly compensation up to $1,442, (250% of the federal poverty level for a family of four), and
Require the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to submit a report on federal contractors accessing back pay.
The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Alma Adams, Gabe Amo, Yassamin Ansari, Jake Auchincloss, Becca Balint, Nanette Barragan, Joyce Beatty, Wesley Bell, Don Beyer, Brendan F. Boyle, Suzanne Bonamici, Julia Brownley, Shontel Brown, Nikki Budzinski, Janelle Bynum, Joaquin Castro, Greg Casar, Sean Casten, Kathy Castor, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Yvette Clarke, Emanuel Cleaver, Steve Cohen, Gerald E. Connolly, Danny Davis, Diana DeGette, Suzan DelBene, Sarah Elfreth, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, Dwight Evans, Cleo Fields, Lizzie Fletcher, Bill Foster, Maxwell Frost, Chuy García, Sylvia Garcia, Dan Goldman, Al Green, Val Hoyle, Glenn Ivey, Jonathan Jackson, Pramila Jayapal, Timothy M. Kennedy, William R. Keating, Greg Landsman, John B. Larson, Summer L. Lee, Stephen Lynch, Doris Matsui, Lucy McBath, Sarah McBride, Jennifer L. McClellan, Betty McCollum, James P. McGovern, Gwen Moore, Seth Moulton, Kevin Mullin, Jerrold Nadler, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Scott Peters, Brittany Pettersen, Chellie Pingree, Stacey Plaskett, Delia C. Ramirez, Emily Randall, Jamie Raskin, Luz Rivas, Raul Ruiz, Andrea Salinas, Jan Schakowsky, Brad Sherman, Lateefah Simon, Bobby Scott, Melanie Stansbury, Suhas Subramanyam, Eric Swalwell, Mark Takano, Shri Thanedar, Bennie G. Thompson, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Paul Tonko, Lori Trahan, Derek Tran, Lauren Underwood, Juan Vargas, Marc Veasey, Nydia M. Velazquez, Maxine Waters, James R. Walkinshaw, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Nikema Williams, along with Senators Kaine, Warner, Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, Padilla, Duckworth, Durbin, Baldwin, Warren, Heinrich, Blumenthal, Markey, Sanders, Rosen, Hirono, Klobuchar, Shaheen, Whitehouse, Wyden, Schatz, Gillibrand, Fetterman, Cortez Masto, Gallego, Booker, Schiff, Blunt Rochester, Lujan, King, Kim and Merkley.
The legislation is endorsed by the following organizations: Service Employees International Union (SEIU), AFL-CIO, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), Communication Workers of America (CWA), Iron Workers International, National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA), International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Transportation Trades Department (AFL-CIO), UNITE HERE, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and SEIU 32BJ.
Rep. Pressley initially introduced the legislation—her first piece of legislation as a Congresswoman—during the 2018-2019 government shutdown. Rep. Pressley had previously joined her Progressive Caucus colleagues in urging bicameral leadership that federal contract service workers – including food service, custodial, and security professionals – receive back pay for wages lost during the 2018-2019 government shutdown. The legislation was re-introduced in September 2023.
In the Senate, Sen. Smith led the effort to secure back pay for the thousands of federal contract workers who went many weeks without a paycheck during the 35-day government shutdown in 2019.
This week, Rep. Pressley rallied with advocates, colleagues, and impacted folks to demand Republicans protect healthcare and keep the government open.
Congresswoman Pressley stood in solidarity with workers and families who would be impacted by the government shutdown.
Rep. Pressley also joined an all-day event with House Democrats to hold the line against Trump and Republicans’ efforts to rip away healthcare from millions of Americans.
Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning Republicans after they chose to shut down the government rather than work with Democrats to protect families and save healthcare for millions.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)
WASHINGTON — On Day Six of the Democrat government shutdown, Speaker Johnson joined the Clay and Buck Show, the Vince Show, and the Hugh Hewitt Show to discuss the consequences of the shutdown on everyday Americans.
Chuck Schumer’s a Far-Left progressive politician. Everybody knows that he’s been in Congress for 44 years, about most of our lives, right? He’s been serving here, but […] look, all of your life he’s been here, okay? But he is yesterday’s news. He is the last generation of leadership. He’s 74 years old now, and he is no longer the cool kid. Here’s the problem Chuck Schumer has, plain and simple. The Marxists are now running New York. That’s his state, right? They’re about to elect Mamdani, an open Marxist to be the mayor of America’s largest city. Chuck Schumer is terrified by that because he knows that he’s going to get a challenge from his left and his next Senate reelection bid. And that’s a problem, could be AOC or somebody else, but it’s almost a guarantee at this point. And he’s almost guaranteed to lose.
So, he’s got to show a fight against Trump. They didn’t have any fight to show, because again, we have a clean CR to keep the government open. So, they concocted this faux issue. They’re trying to argue that this is suddenly a debate about healthcare; never was. This is about simple funding, a simple funding measure. The healthcare debate is for the three months ahead of us going into the end of the year. That’s the calculation. All this, all the pain inflicted upon the American people is to cover one guy’s political future. And his name is Chuck Schumer. And he happens to lead the Democrats in the Senate.
On Democrats playing politics with servicemember paychecks:
I’m afraid they’re not going to get that paycheck. This is about to get very real. And it’s not just troops, of course. It’s TSA agents at the airports. It’s border patrol, you know, at the southern and northern borders. It’s the people that put on the uniforms to protect all of us. They’re being asked to serve without pay. And as has been pointed out today, if you’re in the military, you can’t quit your job. You know, if you’re a civilian employee of the federal government and you don’t like all this drama, you can just quit, but troops continue to serve without pay.
And its real hardship for real people because, you know a lot of these people – I think of the young airmen for example, in my district, in the northern corner of Louisiana at Barksdale Air Force Base. The headquarters of the Global Strike Command. We got young airmen who are deployed overseas. They left their young wives at home with two or three children, some of them. And they are relying upon that next paycheck. I mean, this is real pain for real people. Veterans are not getting health services; women, infants, and children that rely upon the nutrition supplemental programs the federal government provides — all these things are halted right now because the Democrats and the Senate are playing politics.
On the path to reopening the government:
[Democrats] seem not to care. They put their own self-interest above those people that you’re referring to. And I thought your point was made so well, and I saw you say that on Fox News and point out, if you’re a civilian employee of the federal government, by the way, about half of them are furloughed right now, and you’re sick of these Democrat shenanigans, you could just quit your job and go do something else. But to your point, yes, the military, they’ve made a commitment. They can’t leave. They’ve got to endure this. And we’re trying to appeal to the consciousness of these Democrat Senators and say, please, for the love of all that is good and holy, do the right thing. Do the right thing. We have plenty of time to debate our policy differences. Don’t hold these young families as hostages for this nonsense. And that’s exactly what’s happening right now.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)
Washington, D.C.– Congressman Riley Moore today sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling on the U.S. Department of State to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to the alarming and ongoing persecution of Christians across the country.
In his letter, Congressman Moore urged President Trump’s administration to take “immediate action to address the systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians in Nigeria,” highlighting the nation’s growing reputation as “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.”
Congressman Moore’s letter detailed that over 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria in 2025 alone—an average of 35 per day—with hundreds more kidnapped, tortured, or displaced by extremist groups such as Boko Haram. The Congressman also pointed to reports indicating that 19,100 Christian churches have been attacked or destroyed since 2009 and that elements of the Nigerian government may be complicit in the violence. Reports from Open Doors indicate that more Christians are killed every year in Nigeria than the rest of the world combined.
The Congressman noted that President Trump previously designated Nigeria as a CPC, a designation reversed under President Biden, and called on Secretary Rubio to restore the designation and suspend all U.S. arms sales and technical support to Nigeria until the government takes swift action to protect the persecuted.
Congressman Moore issued the following statement:
“Nigeria has become the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian. Just this year, a priest was kidnapped and murdered on Ash Wednesday and 54 Christians were martyred on Palm Sunday. 7,000 Christians have been martyred this year alone. More than 50,000 Christians have been murdered since 2009.
The United States cannot stand idly by while believers are slaughtered. We must acknowledge the religious nature of this scourge of anti-Christian violence from radical Islamic terrorists. It’s time for the United States to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ, and designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern will provide the diplomatic levers to do just that. I urge Secretary Rubio to designate Nigeria as a CPC without delay.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)
October 06, 2025
Downers Grove, Illinois (October 6th, 2025) – U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and all Democratic members of the Illinois delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump demanding that he immediately reverse his decision to federalize and deploy 300 Illinois National Guard troops and up to 400 Texas National Guard troops and to the Chicago region.
“We write to urge you to reverse your reckless decision to federalize and deploy Texas and Illinois National Guard troops to Illinois. Your use of the military to sow fear and chaos in American cities, including over the objections of several Governors, is unconstitutional and un-American, infringes on individual and states’ rights, and threatens to undermine military readiness and morale,” wrote the lawmakers.
The lawmakers emphasized that deploying the National Guard in these circumstances is a blatant politicization of the military and reminded the President that he does not have the authority to use the National Guard as his own personal police force in violation of federal law and the Constitution.
“The men and women who serve in the National Guard signed up to defend the nation in times of war and to aid their communities during disasters. They did not sign up to be used as political props, to threaten the civil liberties they swore to protect, or to take over civilian law enforcement. Policing Americans is not the role of the military. That is the role of civilian law enforcement. The founders of this great nation understood that democracy, liberty, and the rule of law were dependent upon preventing the military from being turned upon its own people,” the lawmakers wrote.
They continued their letter: “Sending troops into American cities without proper justification and legal authority undermines democracy and the rule of law and puts both civil liberties and lives at risk. Federalizing and deploying National Guard troops to Illinois under the present circumstances, including over the objection of the Governor and the people of Illinois, violates federal law and the Constitution.”
President Trump’s decision to federalize troops comes as federal agents have escalated tensions in Chicago by conducting ruthless immigration raids in which children are ripped from their beds during the night and people are aggressively arrested without regard for their immigration status or due process. Further, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have responded to protests at Broadview ICE Facility by spraying tear gas and using excessive force against peaceful protestors. In contrast, state and local officials have come together to coordinate crowd control and allow protestors to safely exercise their First Amendment rights.
“These dangerous and unlawful actions are completely unnecessary. State, county, and local law enforcement remain appropriately and responsibly able to respond to crime, civil unrest, and other critical needs. For example, the Broadview Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois State Police, Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, and Illinois Emergency Management Agency have been coordinating on crowd control and public safety with a Unified Command outside of the Broadview U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE) facility,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Instead of working with and empowering local law enforcement, ICE and other U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) officials are escalating tensions in Broadview and across Chicago, using excessive force against individuals peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights and blocking emergency access. Meanwhile, even as you surge federal law enforcement and deploy military personnel against Illinoisans, you have slashed hundreds of millions of dollars from the public safety programs and law enforcement agencies that keep Americans safe,” the lawmakers continued their letter.
The lawmakers then chastised the President for eroding the public’s trust in the military, diverting critical resources from the military, and disrupting National Guard members’ daily lives.
“In addition, the deployment of troops for politicized law enforcement actions damages operational readiness, erodes trust in the military as an institution, and disrupts the civilian lives of military personnel and their families. Guard units are being pulled away from their day jobs, scheduled training, and mission preparation to do a job that they are fundamentally not trained to do to address a crisis manufactured by your Administration. This unnecessary and dangerous diversion of military personnel and resources for a non-military job leaves our National Guard less prepared to respond to their primary missions, ranging from natural disasters to national security threats, that could actually threaten Americans,” the lawmakers wrote.
The lawmakers concluded their letter by making it clear that President Trump’s decision to federalize the Illinois National Guard is unacceptable.
“We urge you to respect your oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and immediately terminate the federalization and planned deployment of National Guard troops to Illinois,” the lawmakers concluded their letter.
In addition to Casten, Durbin, and Duckworth, the letter was signed by all Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation, including U.S. Representatives Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), and Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17).
Full text of the letter is availablehereand below:
October 6, 2025
Dear President Trump:
We write to urge you to reverse your reckless decision to federalize and deploy Texas and Illinois National Guard troops to Illinois. Your use of the military to sow fear and chaos in American cities, including over the objections of several Governors, is unconstitutional and un-American, infringes on individual and states’ rights, and threatens to undermine military readiness and morale.
The men and women who serve in the National Guard signed up to defend the nation in times of war and to aid their communities during disasters. They did not sign up to be used as political props, to threaten the civil liberties they swore to protect, or to take over civilian law enforcement. Policing Americans is not the role of the military. That is the role of civilian law enforcement. The founders of this great nation understood that democracy, liberty, and the rule of law were dependent upon preventing the military from being turned upon its own people. Sending troops into American cities without proper justification and legal authority undermines democracy and the rule of law and puts both civil liberties and lives at risk. Federalizing and deploying National Guard troops to Illinois under the present circumstances, including over the objection of the Governor and the people of Illinois, violates federal law and the Constitution.
These dangerous and unlawful actions are completely unnecessary. State, county, and local law enforcement remain appropriately and responsibly able to respond to crime, civil unrest, and other critical needs. For example, the Broadview Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, and Illinois Emergency Management Agency have been coordinating on crowd control and public safety with a Unified Command outside of the Broadview U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE) facility.
Instead of working with and empowering local law enforcement, ICE and other U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) officials are escalating tensions in Broadview and across Chicago, using excessive force against individuals peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights and blocking emergency access. Meanwhile, even as you surge federal law enforcement and deploy military personnel against Illinoisans, you have slashed hundreds of millions of dollars from the public safety programs and law enforcement agencies that keep Americans safe.
In addition, the deployment of troops for politicized law enforcement actions damages military operational readiness, erodes trust in the military as an institution, and disrupts the civilian lives of military personnel and their families. Guard units are being pulled away from their day jobs, scheduled training, and mission preparation to do a job that they are fundamentally not trained to do to address a crisis manufactured by your Administration. This unnecessary and dangerous diversion of military personnel and resources for a non-military job leaves our National Guard less prepared to respond to their primary missions, ranging from natural disasters to national security threats, that could actually threaten Americans.
We urge you to respect your oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and immediately terminate the federalization and planned deployment of National Guard troops to Illinois.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)
WASHINGTON D.C.– A government shutdown might sound like abstract words in Washington—but across America, the impact is painfully real and will continue to get worse. The Democrat-led shutdown is halting paychecks for our troops and federal law enforcement, furloughing and risking the jobs of federal employees, jeopardizing flood insurance and healthcare services, and cutting off nutrition support for low-income mothers and children in need. Today, House Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), and Subcommittee Cardinals, warned these are not hypothetical consequences—everyday families are paying the price because Democrats are refusing to reopen the government with a clean, nonpartisan funding extension.
House Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman and Subcommittee Chairman National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)said, “This shutdown isn’t just a lapse in funding—it’s a lapse in our ability to effectively counter the deadly flow of illicit drugs into our country. The Schumer-led shutdown halts essential support for counternarcotics operations, including efforts to stop the scourge of fentanyl before it reaches American communities. Under Chairman Tom Cole’s leadership, House Republicans did our job—we passed all 12 appropriations bills out of committee, including strong national security provisions in my subcommittee’s bill. This is just one of the many devastating consequences of Senate Democrats’ failure to act.”
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, “What are Democrats achieving by instigating a shutdown and keeping the federal government closed? Nothing but pain, risked livelihoods, and throwing the entire nation into chaos and uncertainty. It’s absolutely reckless to do what Democrats are doing. I authored the clean legislation they rejected to keep the government open and working, and I know exactly what’s in it: no partisan provisions, no poison pills, no political gimmicks—just a short-term, responsible extension. If they can’t be for that, then they’ve abandoned the most basic duty of public service: keeping the government working for the people.”
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) said, “The cost of the government being shutdown is adding up to big losses, including potentially missed paychecks for FBI agents who combat violent crime, weakening national security and law enforcement operations that keep Americans safe. Meanwhile, we are setting back efforts to revive domestic manufacturing with unnecessary delays in licensing and critical economic data. Also, after a devastating year of deadly natural disasters, our National Weather Service employees who provide 24/7 lifesaving severe weather alerts will not be paid until the shutdown ends. House Republicans voted to keep the government open to avoid these setbacks, and it’s time for Washington Democrats to put the American people first.”
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) said, “Without the funding needed to process grants that support rural hospitals, we risk even more closures—and with them, the loss of essential care for millions of Americans in rural communities.”
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID)said, “Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats have shut down the government due to their far-left, unreasonable policy demands. These political games have very real consequences for Americans, especially throughout the West. Whether it’s jeopardizing wildfire preparedness, the partial or total closure of our public lands and national parks, or preventing the issuance of permits for continued economic growth and development, the American people should never pay the price for government dysfunction. As Chairman of the House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, I wholeheartedly disagree with the Democrats’ reckless decision. I am closely monitoring the impacts this shutdown will have on these agencies, and I urge my colleagues across the aisle to consider how their actions harm Americans.”
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX)said, “The Democratic party has chosen to play politics with the American people and our heroes, and it’s unacceptable. This Schumer shutdown is delaying vital services for veterans, including transition program assistance and career counseling. It’s time for Senate Democrats to stop the political performance, vote for the clean CR, and get back to work.”
Defense Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA)said, “American service members stationed here at home and deployed around the globe are already asked to make extraordinary sacrifices. The last thing we should ever do is play political games with the pay that they and their families depend on. As Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I’m committed to keeping our government open and standing up for those who bravely keep us safe every day.”
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (R-AR) said, “When Democrats blocked a straightforward funding extension to keep the government open, they voted to force air traffic controllers and FAA employees to work without pay, jeopardizing the safety of our national airspace. These critical workers deserve better as they ensure safer skies for our nation, and Americans deserve better than petty politics that puts air travel and public safety at risk.”
Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) said, “Democrats’ stupid, unnecessary, and harmful shutdown needlessly jeopardizes our national security, energy dominance, and important work to modernize our nuclear deterrent. The childish political games that Democrats are playing put every American at risk and allow our adversaries to have strategic leverage over the United States while our government is shut down. It’s far past time for Democrats to end their tantrum and pass our clean, non-partisan CR to allow the government to reopen and get back to work.”
Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce (R-OH) said, “The Democrat imposed shutdown is having drastic effects on all the federal agencies throughout the government, impacting services critical for millions of Americans. The Small Business Administration isn’t issuing new loans, the Federal Communications Commission cannot address consumer complaints, and federal employees aren’t able to access human resources services.”
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD)said, “The clean, House-passed CR fully funds WIC—a program Democrats themselves have demanded be protected at every turn. It is shocking the Democrats would now vote to shut down the government, threatening the very WIC funding they claim to champion.”
Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman Mark Amodei (R-NV)said,”The men and women of the Department of Homeland Security serve and protect our communities every day, knowing their families worry each time they leave home. It’s a job they chose, and one they carry out with honor. When the government shuts down, their mission doesn’t stop, but their paychecks do. Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other law enforcement personnel will continue risking their lives for our safety, yet return home without pay for that service. These shutdowns don’t just disrupt government, they disrupt lives, leaving real people and real families to face greater uncertainty. It’s those who serve our nation who ultimately bear the cost.”
Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao (R-CA) said, “As Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, I’m proud of the work my colleagues on the committee and I accomplished to keep the Capitol, Library of Congress, and other historic institutions open and accessible to students, families, and visitors from across the country and around the world. Unfortunately, because Congressional Democrats chose to force an unnecessary government shutdown, these doors are now closed. It’s time for Democrats to stop playing politics and join us in passing a clean, non-partisan extension of funding so we can reopen our nation’s capital to the people.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)
IMMOKALEE, FL –Today, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, joined the Collier County Commissioners and other local leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking of major street and infrastructure improvements in Immokalee.
The upgrades were made possible by a $13 million federal TIGER grant, secured through Congressman Díaz-Balart’s leadership as then-chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee on House Appropriations, and through his continued work, now as Vice Chairman, in delivering federal funds for key priorities in southern Florida.
“This groundbreaking marks an important milestone for Immokalee. The $13 million in critical federal funding I secured will help revitalize Immokalee’s infrastructure and improve the daily lives of residents. I want to thank Commissioner Bill McDaniel for his leadership and steadfast commitment to the community, which has been instrumental in bringing this project to life.
From the installation of streetlights to the construction of bus shelters and sidewalks, the investments will increase safety, accessibility, and quality of life for all in Immokalee. I look forward to continuing to work alongside local leaders to see this project through to completion,”said Díaz-Balart.
Project Details
The projects include safer roadways, expanded stormwater systems––critical investments that will strengthen public safety, support economic growth, and enhance quality of life in Immokalee.
Pedestrian and Transit Upgrades: 22 miles of five-foot-wide sidewalks, 1,500 feet of 10-foot-wide shared-use pathway along School Drive, 32 intersection upgrades, 22 bus shelters, 35 benches, and 25 bike racks.
Bicycle Access: Five miles of neighborhood and bicycle boulevards with traffic-calming features and wayfinding signage.
Lighting: Five miles of new streetlights and 106 illuminated intersections.
StormwaterSystems: 20 miles of upgraded draining swales, seven miles of draining pipe, and 605 draining structures.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)
WASHINGTON D.C.– Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP), and member of the Defense Subcommittee, issued the following statement regarding the government shutdown:
“Make no mistake: this is a Schumer-led shutdown.
The Democrats are in total disarray, obsessed with President Trump instead of governing. Shutdowns are devastating for our troops, veterans, and national security.
Appropriations bills require a bipartisan 60-vote process in the Senate. This Continuing Resolution, already passed by the House, is the same clean bill Senate Democrats—including Schumer—voted for in March. It keeps the government funded, protects our military and defense needs, supports our veterans, and sustains essential services for the American people—from roads and water projects to research, job training, and infrastructure.
Chairman Tom Cole has done an outstanding job: all 12 Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills were completed on time. Now the onus is on Schumer and Senate Democrats to pass this Clean CR, which is free of poison pills, free of partisan riders, and identical to the bill they already supported just six months ago.”