MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Hosts Central Washington Energy Summit Featuring State Legislators, Industry Leaders

Press Release 
For Immediate Release: May 11, 2026
Contact: Juan Ayala, (202) 713-7750

Moses Lake, Washington – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) hosted dozens of energy leaders, state legislators, and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of energy in Washington State. With panels focusing on nuclear, hydropower, and the Lower Snake River Dams, participants and speakers talked about the importance of meeting rising energy demand and what it will take to get there responsibly.  

The Energy Summit was kicked off with Welcome Remarks & the Pledge of Allegiance from Dr. Sara Thompson Tweedy, President, Big Bend Community College. 

Following Dr. Tweedy’s remarks, the Summit had its first panel titled, “Impact of the Climate Commitment Act.”  

Todd Myers, vice president for research at the Washington Policy Center moderated and panelists included: 

• State Representative Alex Ybarra, Washington’s 13th Legislative District
• State Representative Tom Dent, Washington’s 13th Legislative District,
• State Representative Stephanie Barnard, Washington’s 8th Legislative District
• State Senator Matt Boehnke, Washington’s 8th Legislative District

The next panel was “The Future of Nuclear in Washington State.”  

State Representative Stephanie Barnard of Washington’s 8th Legislative District moderated and panelists included: 

• Tracy Yount, Strategy & Portfolio Development Manager, Energy Northwest
• Corey Hines, Director, Nuclear Science Center, Washington State University
• Sara Decker, Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, X-Energy

The next panel, “The Importance of the Columbia River System to Our Way of Life” was moderated by Kurt Miller, CEO and Executive Director, Northwest Public Power Association with panelists:   

• Molly Simpson, Commissioner and President of the Board, Douglas County PUD            
• Larry Schaapman Commissioner and President of the Board, Grant County PUD    
• Kelly Allen Commissioner and President of the Board, Chelan County PUD  
• Sheri Nelson Executive Director, Washington Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Congressman Newhouse presented keynote remarks focusing on the state of energy in Central Washington. Newhouse stressed the importance of the Fourth District’s energy potential and how the nation must meet this moment regarding artificial intelligence. 

Following Congressman Newhouse’s address, the next panel focused on Central Washington’s dams called: “Defending Our Lower Snake River Dams.” 

Katie Paxon, Legislative Assistant for Rep. Dan Newhouse moderated, and panelists included: 

• Michelle Hennings, Executive Director, Washington Association of Wheat Growers
• Clark Mather Executive Director, Northwest River Partners          
• Neil Maunu, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association
• Scott Simms, CEO and Executive Director, Public Power Council

The final panel of the Summit centered on Moses Lake called “Development and the Need for More Energy.” 

Katie Paxon again moderated and panelists included: 

• Rosendo Alvarado, Moses Lake Plant Manager, Sila Nanotechnologies
• Nicholas Flanders, CEO, twelve
• Andy Lapsa, CEO, Stoke Space
• Dustin Swartz, Mayor, City of Moses Lake

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

Rep. Kelly also renounces Rep. Kiggans as co-chair of Bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus

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

WEST PALM BEACH, FL — During a hearing with Epstein survivors and advocates today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi demanded the release of additional Treasury Department records tied to Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking network and reiterated his opposition to any potential clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell.

During the hearing, “Survivors Fight for Justice: Exposing Epstein’s Crimes in Palm Beach and Across the World,” Krishnamoorthi pressed witnesses on unreleased Suspicious Activity Reports tied to Epstein’s financial activity, additional DOJ evidence that has yet to be publicly disclosed, and accountability for individuals connected to Epstein’s abuse network who have not been charged.

“The Senate Finance Committee has found Epstein made wire transfers that are detailed in these Suspicious Activity Reports — SARs reports — to the tune of $1.5 billion, with a ‘B,’ and include the names of women and girls he may have trafficked, as well as the names of his potential clients,” Krishnamoorthi said.

“If we’re serious about following the money, I believe that these SARs reports must be disclosed by the U.S. Treasury Department now. Immediately. Today.”

Krishnamoorthi also forcefully rejected any potential clemency for Maxwell.

“Maxwell hasn’t shown any guilt, hasn’t shown any remorse, hasn’t shown any ounce of accountability for what she did,” Krishnamoorthi said. “I’ve introduced a House resolution condemning clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell. I hope everyone here will join me because we have to do everything in our power to block a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell.”

Addressing President Trump directly, Krishnamoorthi added: “Donald Trump, I’m calling on you to listen to survivors, release all of the documents, unredact all these people, prosecute the rest of these people, and investigate the remaining enablers.”

“In addition, Ghislaine Maxwell should never ever ever receive clemency,” Krishnamoorthi continued. “That monster should not be given pardon.”

The hearing featured testimony from Epstein survivors and advocates, including Danielle Bensky, Courtney Wild, Jean-Lisa Jones, Lauren Hersh, and Spencer Kuvin.

Footage of the Congressman’s question line is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a longtime advocate of reasonable federal law and policy about marijuana, will join representatives of the roughly 40 groups collectively known as the Cannabis Unity Coalition at a press conference on Wednesday, May 13.

The groups include the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), and the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), among others

What: The Cannabis Unity Coalition Day of Action Press Conference

Who: Congressman Cohen, representatives of the Cannabis Unity Coalition and others will speak

When: Wednesday, May 13, at 10 a.m.

Where: The House Press Triangle outside the U.S. Capitol

Please RSVP to Congressman Cohen’s communications director at Bartholomew.Sullivan@mail.house.gov

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the highest inflation numbers in nearly three years, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens issued the following statement:

“Donald Trump promised to lower costs on day one. Instead, Michigan families are still getting squeezed: from rising grocery bills to higher prices at the gas pump to the soaring cost of housing. At the same time, his administration is spending billions of taxpayer dollars on a reckless war with Iran that is driving prices even higher.

“Michiganders are tired of the chaos, the broken promises, and political stunts. While Trump jets off to China this week with his billionaire friends in tow, Michigan families are being left behind.

“I’ll keep fighting every single day to make sure Michigan has a seat at the table in Congress and that Michigan workers come first.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

May 12, 2026

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Ted Lieu (CA-36) led 54 House Democrats in an effort to urge the Department of Justice (DOJ) to pursue suspected insider trading on prediction market platforms more aggressively.

“Trading on confidential, non-public information is illegal in traditional financial markets when it involves fraud, deception, or breach of duty. Failure to enforce these laws in the context of prediction markets risks creating a regulatory gap that rewards bad actors, incentivizes misconduct, and undermines confidence in the integrity of U.S. markets,” the lawmakers wrote. “…We therefore urge the DOJ to continue to take decisive action against individuals who exploit prediction markets using nonpublic information for personal gain, and to rigorously enforce corporate compliance by ensuring that platforms implement effective safeguards to detect and prevent illegal activity.”

Prediction markets have grown rapidly in scope and visibility, allowing users to wager on outcomes ranging from elections and sporting events to military actions, geopolitical developments, and major cultural events. As these markets become more prevalent, so too does the risk that individuals with access to confidential government, corporate, or event-related information may use that information for personal profit.

Recent events have underscored the need for stronger enforcement. There have been several high-profile incidents of suspected insider trading on prediction market platforms, including on both Polymarket and Kalshi. These incidents include suspiciously timed trades predicting U.S. military actions against Iran, the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, performances at major cultural events, the outcomes of congressional elections, and the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

“The DOJ is poised to play an important role in addressing insider trading on prediction markets platforms, while U.S. financial regulators continue to divert their resources towards litigating against states and leave these abuses largely unaddressed,” the lawmakers continued.

On April 23, 2026, the DOJ charged a U.S. servicemember with wire fraud for allegedly using classified information to make $400,000 from bets on Polymarket related to the U.S. military operation to remove Venezuela’s leader. This case highlights the significant national security, market integrity, and public trust risks posed when individuals allegedly exploit nonpublic information to trade on real-world events.

In addition to Reps. Casten and Lieu, the letter was signed by Reps. Gabe Amo, Yassamin Ansari, Joyce Beatty, Janelle Bynum, Greg Casar, Ed Case, Maxine Dexter, Bill Foster, Valerie Foushee, Laura Friedman, Jesús García, Sylvia Garcia, Dan Goldman, Adelita Grijalva, Josh Harder, Jim Himes, Steven Horsford, Jared Huffman, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Hank Johnson, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Mike Levin, Zoe Lofgren, Stephen Lynch, Seth Magaziner, Sarah McBride, Betty McCollum, Kristen McDonald Rivet, Robert Menendez, Grace Meng, Seth Moulton, Kevin Mullin, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chris Pappas, Scott Peters, Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Ayanna Pressley, Mike Quigley, Deborah Ross, Raul Ruiz, Andrea Salinas, Hillary Scholten, Brad Sherman, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Ritchie Torres, Juan Vargas, Bonnie Watson Coleman, George Whitesides, and Nikema Williams.

Text of the letter can be found below. A copy of the letter can be found here.

Dear Acting Attorney General Blanche:

We write to express serious concerns about potential insider trading on prediction market platforms. Federal anti-fraud and market manipulation laws apply to these platforms, just as they do to traditional financial markets. We urge the Department of Justice (DOJ) to further prioritize criminal investigations and civil actions targeting abuses in prediction markets to protect U.S. financial markets, investors, and the public from fraudulent conduct.

Recent suspected violations implicate significant geopolitical, sporting, and cultural events and risk creating perverse incentives for persons with access to confidential or classified information. For example, one anonymous trader has made nearly $1 million from dozens of suspiciously timed and accurate bets on military actions the U.S. has taken against Iran. Another trader with the username “Magamyman” made more than $550,000 from placing bets that Iran’s Supreme Leader would be removed, just before his assassination. In addition, ahead of the Super Bowl LX halftime show, unusually large trades were placed on Polymarket and Kalshi predicting that Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin would perform before there was any public confirmation. One social media user estimated that these suspected insiders made up to $3 million across multiple platforms. Lastly, the Nobel Institute is investigating a bet placed by a newly-created account on Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado winning the Nobel Peace Prize hours before the announcement, resulting in a profit of more than $50,000.

Trading on confidential, non-public information is illegal in traditional financial markets when it involves fraud, deception, or breach of duty. Failure to enforce these laws in the context of prediction markets risks creating a regulatory gap that rewards bad actors, incentivizes misconduct, and undermines confidence in the integrity of U.S. markets.

The DOJ has pursued several insider trading cases, including in coordination with U.S. financial market regulators, and criminally prosecuted individuals under federal wire fraud statutes. These cases include charging a Coinbase employee for tipping off others with insider information in order to trade cryptocurrencies, prosecuting Biotech’s CEO for misleading investors and engaging in insider trading in connection with Covid-19 and HIV drugs, and bringing charges against individuals who participated in an alleged insider trading scheme involving cancer treatment companies. The DOJ is poised to play an important role in addressing insider trading on prediction markets platforms, while U.S. financial regulators continue to divert their resources towards litigating against states and leave these abuses largely unaddressed.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton has stated that just “because it’s a prediction market, [it] doesn’t insulate you from fraud.” We appreciate that the DOJ recently took action against a U.S. soldier for allegedly using classified information to make profitable prediction market bets related to the U.S. mission that captured Venezuela’s leader.

At the same time, reports that the DOJ dropped its criminal investigation into Polymarket in July 2025, regarding whether the platform had been illegally serving U.S. customers, raise concerns about consistency in enforcement. Polymarket had previously been banned from the U.S. for operating as an unregistered platform and paid a $1.4 million civil penalty under a 2022 settlement agreement. Taken together, these developments risk undermining confidence in the DOJ’s commitment to also holding companies accountable for breaking the law.

We understand that this Administration is increasingly focused on gains in the U.S. stock market. That performance depends on integrity and accountability. We therefore urge the DOJ to continue to take decisive action against individuals who exploit prediction markets using nonpublic information for personal gain, and to rigorously enforce corporate compliance by ensuring that platforms implement effective safeguards to detect and prevent illegal activity.

Sincerely,

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Inflation data released by the Trump Administration today via the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed prices surging, as inflation reached the highest levels in three years. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report found that prices rose at an annual rate of 3.8 percent in April. The increase was driven by skyrocketing fuel and gas prices amid President Trump’s unpopular war with Iran, but other items including groceries, electricity, and travel expenses also saw steep increases.

Rep. Don Beyer, Senior House Democrat on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, said:

“As the American people suffer the ill effects of higher prices inflicted on them through a foolish war they largely oppose, Republicans in Washington – who keep voting to continue that war – are preparing to spend a billion dollars in taxpayer money on a fancy golden ballroom for Donald Trump.

“This is not the leadership of American statesmen, it is the behavior of deliriously out-of-touch Ancien Régime aristocrats. And no one is more out of touch than Trump himself, who keeps insisting that the affordability crisis is a ‘hoax’ while he does all he can to make life less affordable for American families. Prices are rising at a catastrophic rate thanks to this disastrous war of choice, and Trump is alternating between bloviating to his lackeys about his ballroom and yelling at clouds in manic late night social media tantrums.

“The Constitution empowers Congress to make our country better and stronger, reflect the popular will, and rein in Executive Branch excesses. This Republican-led rubber stamp Congress is among the weakest in our history, and their surrender of power amid economic calamity and blatant presidential corruption is a national embarrassment that will be long remembered. The American people deserve better.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

The Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Lands, Waters, and Nature Task Force Reps. Doris Matsui (CA), Don Beyer (VA), and Maxine Dexter (OR) released a statement following the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) decision to formally strike down the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, or “Public Lands Rule”.

“The Department of the Interior struck down much-needed guidance for our nation’s largest land agency that laid out a balanced approach when it comes to managing 245 million acres of America’s public lands,” said the Task Force Co-Chairs. “This is a devastating attack on our public lands and the freedom for our children and future generations to explore the great outdoors. The Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule reiterated the simple and straightforward concept that conservation should be equally valued alongside energy extraction and mining uses of our public lands. Yet, the Trump Administration continues to go against the wishes of the American people and tilt the scales in favor of corrupt polluters. SEEC’s Lands, Waters, and Nature Task Force will continue to fight alongside the overwhelming American majority who support the responsible management and conservation of our nation’s special places.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and U.S. Representatives Mike Flood (NE-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Adrian Smith (NE-03) sent a letter to President Donald Trump supporting Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen’s request for a major disaster declaration following wildfires across the state.

Read the letter below:

Dear Mr. President:

We write in support of Governor Jim Pillen’s request for a major disaster declaration, which followed wildfires that have broken out and forced evacuations, for the Nebraska counties of Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morrill Counties over periods during March and April of 2026. 

The Morrill, Cottonwood, Ashby, and Minor Fires collectively burned over 800,000 acres across Nebraska, with the Morrill Fire alone burning over 640,000 acres, a Nebraska record. Extreme drought combined with high winds and low humidity led to unpredictable behavior and mass destruction. 

We know our Nebraskan communities will prove their resilience as they continue to recover from this hardship, as they have exhibited many times in previous years. We encourage the federal government to join with the state in their ongoing efforts to contain these wildfires and provide assistance where it is needed. 

We stand ready and willing to assist in any way possible to ensure prompt evaluation of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions.

Click here to view a copy of the transmitted letter. 

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

Dingell Reintroduces Arthritis Awareness Month Resolution