MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

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

Last week, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a comprehensive reauthorization of the State Department. This is the first time programs at the State Department have been thoroughly reviewed and reauthorized in over 20 years. The reauthorization was comprised of eight bills including H.R. 5251, introduced by Congressman Huizenga, to modernize and reauthorize the public diplomacy arm of the State Department. H.R. 5251 passed 48-0 and was the only structural reform legislation to pass with unanimous bipartisan support. Overall, this package of bills restores both accountability and structure to the State Department while ensuring every taxpayer dollar and every diplomat puts American interests first. The reauthorization package now advances for a vote before the entire U.S. House of Representatives.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, Congressman Huizenga has jurisdiction over the public diplomacy bureau of the State Department. H.R. 5251 streamlines all public diplomacy functions and aligns personnel, budgets, and regional teams worldwide under a single chain of command. This will help ensure all U.S. messages are unified, integrated, disciplined, and strategically directed.  Additionally, H.R. 5251 requires annual reports to Congress that include clear metrics, benchmarks, and adversary-response assessments. Importantly, it also enforces results-based management across educational and cultural exchanges, aligning them with strategic priorities and foreign policy outcomes.

Huizenga remarks on H.R. 5251

• First, it empowers the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy with a clear mission: deliver facts, expose adversaries, and expand access to free information. The Under Secretary will align public diplomacy officers worldwide, chair interagency coordination, and produce a global strategy with measurable results. We are all on the same page as we are telling America’s story.

• Second, it transforms our information posture. The Bureau of Global Public Affairs, currently headed up by Assistant Secretary Michele Exner, becomes the Bureau of Strategic Communications—with a proactive mandate to counter propaganda, dismantle censorship, expand access to the truth, and oversee U.S.-funded international media.

• Third, it modernizes educational and cultural exchanges. E.C.A. becomes a more strategic platform for soft power, not controversial stuff, but about freedom, liberty, opportunity, and what our Constitution stands for—tied to regional priorities, streamlined in administration, and focused on advancing U.S. foreign policy goals.

• The bottom line is simple: this bill, H.R. 5251, makes America stronger. It ensures that in the global fight for truth and freedom, the United States is not reacting—we are leading.

The Reauthorization Markup included over 26 hours of continuous debate and more than three hours of voting on over 100 provisions. Overall, the reauthorization contained a multitude of Huizenga’s policy priorities including:

• Establishing a Special Envoy for Burma
• Ensuring the Protection of Free Speech and Preventing Censorship Blacklists
• Requiring a study on geopolitical strategies and verification frameworks for advanced AI
• Authorizing the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) to uphold commitment to Afghan Allies
• Reforming the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)
• Reforming Semiconductor Supply Chain Security Coordination with allies and partners
• Authorizing an Arctic Watchers Program in US Embassies
• Establishing a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Food Security
• Modernizing the Au Pair Regulatory framework
• Implementing an Indian Ocean Region Strategic Review
• Authorizing the Multilateral Action on Sensitive Technologies Initiative

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

U.S. Representatives Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Kim Schrier (D-WA) and Marc Veasey (D-TX), members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, introduced H.R. 5549, the Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act. This measure seeks to reform federal nuclear licensing processes and improve the overall effectiveness of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 

“Nuclear energy is a reliable and stable energy solution for American communities,” said Congressman Griffith. “The NRC is an essential body with the power to license nuclear power plants and examine the safety of reactor designs. The Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act will cut red tape, empower innovative industries and facilitate more efficient reviews of nuclear licensing applications. As electricity demand projections rise in the United States, this bipartisan, commonsense, pro-U.S. energy bill will repeal an obsolete provision of law that only serves to increase nuclear power plant costs.” 

“Non greenhouse gas emitting nuclear power is an essential part of the energy mix to lower energy costs and meet skyrocketing energy demand,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “I’m happy to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to cut unnecessary red tape and bring nuclear power to the grid more quickly and affordably, without undermining necessary public engagement.”

BACKGROUND

In the 118^th Congress, Congressman Griffith introduced H.R. 6464, the Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act

The bill amends the Atomic Energy Act by dropping the requirement for the NRC to hold a public hearing at the end of the licensing process if the license is not contested by an affected party.

Uncontested licensing hearings result in hours of preparation for the NRC staff, greatly inflate application fees and unnecessarily delay the approval of applications.

Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Chris Coons (D-DE) carry the Senate companion, S. 1757.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, and Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS-01) reintroduced the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act, a bipartisan bill which would fund community college workforce training, education, and research programs in agriculture.

Many community colleges, which often serve first-generation and students of color, already offer training for future farm workers. But community college agricultural programs have been excluded from federal funding opportunities. The Community College Agriculture Advancement Act would correct this, ensuring that community colleges can access federal grants to bolster agricultural programs.

“Agriculture is the leading industry on the Central Coast, yet the funding meant to sustain the next generation of farmers isn’t reaching our community colleges,” said Rep. Carbajal. “This bipartisan bill strengthens the resources available to the community and technical colleges that educate and train our country’s agricultural workforce.”

The bill would amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to allow community colleges to access grant money for agriculture programs. The bill would establish a competitive U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant program wherein the nation’s nearly 1,100 community colleges could apply for money to fund workforce training, education, research, and outreach programs in agriculture.

Specifically, a community college that receives a program grant could use the funding to:

• Successfully compete for funds from federal grants and other sources to carry out educational, research, and outreach activities.
• Disseminate information relating to agriculture, renewable resources, and other relevant communities.
• Encourage collaboration involving community colleges, land grant universities, and other higher education institutions.
• Purchase equipment and other infrastructure.
• Advance the professional growth and development of faculty.
• Develop apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

“For the average ACA customer in my district, costs will skyrocket and blow an average annual hole of $490 in their personal budgets – a 72% increase in premiums,” said Wasserman Schultz. “Almost no family has that kind of extra money lying around. The cost of living is already too high. Families need relief.”

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

Huizenga Applauds USDA Block Grants to Boost Michigan Agriculture & Specialty Crop Growers

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) and Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02) introduced a bipartisan resolution reaffirming the United States’ commitment to advancing religious freedom abroad and calling attention to countries recommended by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for placement on the State Department’s Special Watch List (SWL) due to severe violations of religious freedom.

Congressman Hill said, “Religious freedom is a foundational American value and a basic human right, and we cannot turn a blind eye when people around the world are persecuted simply for exercising their faith. This resolution puts countries on notice that the United States will continue to call out religious oppression wherever it exists. We have a responsibility to use our voice and our influence to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves, and I am proud to take the lead on this issue alongside my colleague, Representative McGovern.”

Congressman Jim McGovern said, “International law guarantees all people the right to freedom of religion or belief. This year, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended the placement of twelve countries on the State Department’s Special Watch List due to their governments’ failure to guarantee that right. I am proud to join Representative Hill in introducing this resolution to affirm that the U.S. must lead when it comes to religious freedom.”

Background
The United States codified its commitment to promoting religious liberty abroad through the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, which made religious freedom a priority of U.S. foreign policy.

This resolution draws attention to countries designated by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) as recommended for placement on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List (SWL). The SWL identifies foreign countries with “severe violations of religious freedom” that do not meet the stricter criteria for Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) but still require close monitoring.

The resolution focuses on the following foreign countries that USCIRF has recommended for the SWL: Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.

The resolution calls on the House of Representatives to:

• Affirm the United States’ leadership in promoting religious freedom around the world.
• Urge the Department of State to engage robustly with allies and international partners on issues related to religious liberty.
• Affirm the importance of the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism

This resolution strengthens U.S. efforts to defend religious freedom globally and hold foreign countries accountable that violate religious freedom.

Click HERE for a downloadable one-pager.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Hill (AR-02) and his co-leads — Rep. Gottheimer (NJ-05), Rep. Kean Jr. (NJ-07), Rep. Lawler (NY-17), and Rep. Moskowitz (FL-23) — released the following statements after the House Committee on Foreign Affairs advanced legislation that included language from their bill, H.R. 4179, the Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025. This language was incorporated into a broader package, the Department of State Policy Provisions Act.

Congressman Hill said, “At a time when foreign adversaries are increasingly targeting Americans, it’s vital for the U.S. government to have the ability to deter and punish those who would use our citizens as pawns. Including language from the Countering Wrongful Detention Act in the State Authorization bill makes clear that those who wrongfully detain Americans will face real consequences and gives the State Department stronger tools to hold bad actors accountable. Our bipartisan measure is a strong step toward protecting our citizens and keeping Congress fully engaged in the process, and I’m grateful to Chairman Mast and Ranking Member Meeks for their leadership.”

Congressman Kean Jr. said, “Far too many American families have endured the fear and heartbreak of having a loved one taken hostage overseas and used as a political pawn. Hostile regimes like Iran continue to exploit innocent Americans as bargaining chips, subjecting them to mistreatment, dehumanization, and even death. The Countering Wrongful Detention Act, which I co-led, was included in the Department of State Policy Provisions Act that passed out of the Foreign Affairs Committee today. This measure sends a clear message that such actions will carry consequences, and the United States will go to great lengths to protect its citizens. I look forward to advancing this legislation through the House and ultimately seeing it signed into law.”

Congressman Josh Gottheimer said, “As the United States faces increasing threats from foreign adversaries, protecting Americans abroad must remain a top priority. I’m proud that the bipartisan Countering Wrongful Detention Act, which I helped introduce with Congressman Hill, has passed out of committee as part of the State Department Policy Provisions Act. This bipartisan bill will help bring home Americans wrongfully detained around the world and strengthen efforts to prevent future hostage-taking. To those being held, and their families, our message is clear: we stand with you and we are fighting every day to bring you home.”

Congressman Mike Lawler, Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, said, “As a co-lead on the Countering Wrongful Detention Act, I’m proud to see this bipartisan legislation advance through the Foreign Affairs Committee as part of H.R. 5300. Hostile regimes like China, Russia, and Iran have used American citizens as bargaining chips for too long. The United States will not stand by when our citizens are unlawfully detained abroad.”

Background:
The language from the Countering Wrongful Detention Act included in the Department of State Policy Provisions Act creates a new authority for the Secretary of State to formally designate countries or nonstate actors as state sponsors of unlawful or wrongful detention, creating a deterrent framework similar to the existing state sponsors of terrorism designation.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

RELEASE: REP. HILL’S STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF CONTINUING RESOLUTION