MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-01) introduced the Postal Contracting Financial Accountability Act, H.R.5530, which protects community-based Contracted Postal Units (CPUs) from being shut down under flawed criteria by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

“The U.S. Postal Service would be required to work with private businesses that are willing to provide postal services to their community at no cost to the Postal Service,” said Rep. Schweikert. “Local shops, like card stores or pharmacies, can already handle these services, and if they’re willing to do it,  USPS shouldn’t be shutting them down.”

Despite operating as an independent agency, the Postal Service accumulated $9.5 billion in debt in 2024, following $57 billion in federal debt forgiveness in the 2022Postal Service Reform Act. Meanwhile, the agency has steadily reduced access to local services, eliminating nearly 2,000 CPUs since 2010.

Schweikert’s bill reforms Title 39 of the U.S. Code to give contractors the right to dispute CPU contract terminations. If a CPU can operate under existing terms without federal subsidy it would be able to remain open. This ensures critical postal services continue without interruption at no cost to taxpayers.

CPUs are often located in small businesses, such as local retail stores or pharmacies. In addition to providing convenient access to postal services, CPUs drive increased foot traffic for the businesses that host them. This model helps local shops attract new customers and generate steady revenue, while giving residents more convenient service options.

By leveraging the private sector, CPUs offer USPS a fiscally solvent and scalable model that supports small business growth and strengthens community infrastructure.

You can read the full bill text here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last Night, two amendments offered by Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-01) were adopted into the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. Both provisions advance the integration and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) into key Department of Defense (DoD) systems to reduce waste, increase transparency, and strengthen national security.

“The Pentagon has failed every audit since 2018 and remains unauditable, despite operating with a nearly $900 billion discretionary budget,” said Rep. Schweikert. “Artificial intelligence can already track, list, and locate Department of Defense assets. It is time we put that technology to work.”

Amendment 620 directs the DoD to utilize AI during the auditing of its financial statements. The amendment builds on Rep. Schweikert’s earlier legislation, H.R. 7603, which seeks to ensure the Department achieves a clean audit for the first time in its history.

While Congress first mandated a comprehensive audit framework in 2010 with a statutory goal for audit readiness by 2017, DoD has yet to achieve a clean audit. In 2022, the DoD’s failed audit cost taxpayers $900 million, with half spent on the audit itself and the other half on fixing the issues it revealed. This amendment reinforces the DoD’s obligation to meet the clean audit deadline set in 2024 and gives the DoD the tools to get there.

Amendment 621 requires the DoD to leverage AI in managing its weapons inventory systems, which has historically been inefficient and inaccurate. A 1990 GAO report found the DoD returned 8.5 percent of materials it had over procured between 1981 and 1984. Recent investigations by the Pentagon Office of Inspector General found that 67 percent of weapons systems in storage had critical care deficiencies, and nearly $1.3 billion worth of inventory was improperly stored.

The problem has only grown. GAO now estimates 58 percent of the Pentagon’s material holdings are unnecessary. The Navy lost track of $3 billion in equipment over three years, and one facility had a 122,000-item backlog. The DoD’s $600 billion inventory also failed to account for billions in Army communications gear, Navy aircraft engines, and Air Force pods.

“Without accurate inventory data, the Pentagon cannot make responsible procurement decisions,” Rep. Schweikert added. “This amendment ensures that taxpayer dollars are being used to produce the tools we actually need to defend this country, not funding more waste and backlog.”

The amendments represent a continuation of Rep. Schweikert’s longstanding efforts to modernize federal operations through innovation, while safeguarding the fiscal future of the United States.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-01) recently introduced the RESTART SUNSET Act of 2025 (Regulatory Evidence-based Standards for Thorough Accountability and Reassuring Tests — Securing Updated and Necessary Statutory Evaluations Timely), H.R.4770, which will bring long-overdue accountability to the federal rulemaking process.

The bill strengthens the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) by requiring that federal agencies review regulations, not just provide a plan in the Federal Register to review regulations, that have a significant economic impact on small businesses. Under current law, agencies are expected to periodically assess these rules, but there is no enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance. The RESTART SUNSET Act of 2025 would change that by automatically sunsetting outdated regulations that have not been properly reviewed by the appropriate agency within 10 years of enactment of this Act or final publication of future regulations.

“We cannot keep asking Americans to follow rules that agencies themselves won’t bother to re-examine,” said Rep. David Schweikert. “The RESTART SUNSET Act of 2025 offers a clear path forward. Either agencies do their job and review the rules, or those rules come off the books.”

The bill would:

• Require mandatory retrospective economic reviews of regulations that significantly impact small entities.
• Sunset existing and future rules that have not undergone proper review within 10 years.
• Allow agencies to exempt rules that demonstrably do not affect a substantial number of small entities, but only if they publish and justify those exemptions in the Federal Register.
• Eliminate duplicative, outdated, or inefficient rules by requiring agencies to evaluate overlap with other federal policies.

Despite bipartisan legislative history dating back to 1980 and decades of Executive Orders from Administrations on both sides of the aisle encouraging periodic review, many agencies have failed to consistently comply with the RFA’s intent. Federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, have cited the need for enforcement mechanisms, like sunsetting, to drive compliance. 

You can read the full bill text here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference where he emphasized that while Democrats are fighting to save the healthcare of the American people, Donald Trump and House Republicans are recklessly marching our government to the brink of a shutdown.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Good afternoon, everyone. We’re just five days away from a government shutdown because Republicans have decided that they don’t want to fund the government in a bipartisan way and are determined to continue to gut the healthcare of the American people. The Republican healthcare crisis visited upon everyday Americans has been unrelenting this year. The facts speak for themselves. The largest cut to Medicaid in American history, impacting millions of Americans all across the country. Because of Republican actions, hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health clinics are closing across America, including in rural parts of the country that Republicans represent. Because Republicans have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, 90% of which go to people who make less than $63,000 a year—that’s working-class Americans. Because of the Republican refusal to address the Affordable Care Act tax credit issue, at least 20 million Americans are about to experience dramatic increases in their healthcare premiums, co-pays and deductibles. Medicare is facing a $536 billion cut at the end of the year if Congress doesn’t take action because of the Republican One Big Ugly Bill. And Republicans have effectively shut down medical research in the United States of America, including for children with cancer.

The Republican assault on healthcare in the United States of America has been unprecedented and unrelenting. It’s an assault on the healthcare of working-class America, an assault on the healthcare of rural America, an assault on the healthcare of urban America, an assault on the healthcare of small-town America, an assault on the healthcare of middle America and an assault on the healthcare of Black and brown communities throughout America. The Democratic position is clear: we will meet and sit down any time, any place, with anyone, including the President, who canceled the meeting because the Republicans have determined that they want to shut down the government and hurt the American people. That’s an unacceptable and irresponsible position.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced a resolution to recognize September 30, 2025 as Rare Cancer Day.

Rare Cancer Day is observed on September 30 to highlight the challenges patients face and to unify individuals living with rare cancers for awareness and early diagnosis. Approximately 1 in 5 Americans living with cancer are diagnosed with a rare cancer. Additionally, all pediatric cancers are considered rare, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), meaning 15 million children in the United States are living with rare cancers.

Examples of rare cancers include: Cholangiocarcinoma, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), Ocular Melanoma, Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC), Medulloblastoma, sarcomas and all pediatric cancers.

“Today, we recognize Rare Cancer Day to raise awareness and support research that will work toward a brighter tomorrow for all Americans who are battling cancer,” said Rep. Kelly. “I thank my House Cancer Caucus colleagues for joining me in this effort. It’s important to remember that cancer does not discriminate. It has impacted all of us in some way.”

“Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with rare cancers that remain amongst the hardest to detect, most difficult to treat, and most chronically underfunded. Together, with my colleagues in the bipartisan House Cancer Caucus, we are working to bring these diseases out of the shadows by advancing early detection, driving cutting-edge research, and ensuring every patient and family confronting a rare cancer has access to the care and support they need. This resolution underscores our commitment to ensure that no diagnosis is ever too rare for attention, resources, or hope,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.

As a cancer survivor, I know how vital it is to have the tools to detect cancer early and have access to lifesaving treatments. With the resources the United States offers, we must lead the way to advance research for rare cancers and offer hope to families everywhere,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “I’m proud to help lead this Resolution with my House Cancer Caucus colleagues to put a spotlight on the importance of new treatments and pathways to preventive care.” 

“Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and nearly every family has been touched by cancer in some way. Rare cancers pose an especially difficult challenge to patients, and their families and friends. I’m proud to join my colleagues in recognizing Rare Cancer Day, to stand united with all those dealing with a rare cancer diagnosis and those who have lost loved ones, and recommit to our efforts to fund research to prevent and treat these diseases,” said Rep. Dingell.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“We applaud the 3rd annual congressional recognition of Rare Cancer Day. This resolution is a beacon of hope for the rare cancer community and helps us raise awareness, educate, and activate all key constituencies in addressing the challenges that the rare cancer community faces. We appreciate the efforts of the House Cancer Caucus and join them as we work towards early diagnosis, treatment, and better outcomes for rare cancer patients,” said John Hopper, Founder Patient Activation Group, Co-Chair NORD Rare Cancer Coalition, Advisory Board Director- Fred Hutch Cancer Center, and Board Director of Rare Cancer Foundation-SARC (sarcoma).

“As a rare cancer patient, I’m deeply grateful for the 3rd annual congressional recognition of Rare Cancer Day. This resolution shines a light of hope, amplifying our voices and raising awareness about the unique challenges we face. I stand with the House Cancer Caucus in their efforts to promote early diagnosis, access to treatments, and improved outcomes for our community,” said Floyd Stewart, Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) Patient.

“A cancer diagnosis is deeply concerning, with rare cancers in particular deserving far greater resources and focus,” said Rosh Dias, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Coherus Oncology. “We are committed to collaborating with cancer patients, researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to advance novel cancer therapies through active clinical trials, to bring new hope to those patients affected by nasopharyngeal cancer, and other underserved cancers.”

“Rare Cancer Day is an excellent opportunity to unite the entire rare cancer community, and it has never been more critical to raise awareness of the importance of supporting innovative research that leads to treatments for patients. I am grateful for this resolution, and am hopeful that it will help to illuminate the urgent challenges and needs that are consistent across all rare cancers,” said Jim Palma, CEO, TargetCancer Foundation; Founding Co-Chair, NORD Rare Cancer Coalition.

Read the text of the full resolution here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

“Chairman Carr publicly threatened the licenses of several broadcasters and directly recommended both the curtailing of protected speech and punishment for protected speech. This is censorship.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) issued the following statement after House Republicans passed a continuing resolution that fails to address the looming health care crisis. 

“House Republicans just pushed through an empty continuing resolution that ignores the reality facing millions of Americans. Unless we extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, premiums will skyrocket and millions will lose coverage. American families cannot afford higher costs, and yet Republicans refuse to even come to the table.

“This is part of a broader Republican assault on health care. Their Big Ugly Bill cut more than a trillion dollars from the health care system—slashing Medicaid and leaving the most vulnerable without care. These are deliberate choices that put Americans at risk. If a shutdown happens, it will be because Republicans chose to serve themselves, not the people they were elected to represent. 

“My Democratic colleagues and I are standing up to stop these cuts, lower costs, and bring down premiums. We will not rubber-stamp another reckless Republican resolution that deepens this crisis. We are fighting for a responsible path forward that keeps health care within reach and puts everyday Americans first.”

 

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

New York City — Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, yesterday met Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly High Level Week.

Ranking Member Meeks discussed U.S.-Brazil relations in light of President Trump’s illegal imposition of 50% tariffs and sanctions on Federal Supreme Court Judge Alexandre De Moraes. Meeks underscored the fact that the United States ran a trade surplus with Brazil and emphasized that Brazil—being the largest democracy in Latin America—has been a key partner in the region. Meeks affirmed his desire that the United States strengthen, not rupture, the bilateral relationship with Brazil. 

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

New York City — Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, met with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, and Foreign Minister Yousef Rajji on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly High Level Week.
 
Ranking Member Meeks welcomed President Aoun’s efforts toward political and economic reform in Lebanon and expressed support for further strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to assert full control over Lebanon’s security. The Ranking Member underscored deep, historic ties between the United States and Lebanon and expressed his solidarity with the Lebanese people for a peaceful, prosperous and fully independent future. Meeks encouraged President Aoun to continue working closely with the U.S. Congress to address challenges both Lebanon and the broader region face.