MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced the launch of her annual Valentines for Vets program, which collects and distributes Valentine’s Day cards to veterans and their caregivers across Kansas’ Third District. Residents are encouraged to drop off cards in person or mail them to Davids’ Overland Park office from now through Friday, February 13. Davids will personally deliver the cards to Kansas veterans and caregivers at a local Veterans Affairs (VA) facility.

“The Valentines for Vets program offers us a way to show our appreciation for those who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe,” said Davids. “I hope many of our neighbors here in Kansas will choose to participate in this heartwarming tradition, as I know our office looks forward to delivering these messages of gratitude to veterans and their families each year.”

Drop off or mail cards to:

Office of Representative Sharice Davids

9200 Indian Creek Parkway Suite 562

Overland Park, KS 66210

In previous years, Kansans have crafted hundreds of handwritten messages for local veterans as part of Davids’ “Valentines for Vets” program. For additional information, please call (913) 621-0832.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

SEATTLE, WA — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) are demanding that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi end Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations in Minnesota. Jayapal and Omar led a field hearing in Minnesota in the days between the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti to urge accountability and lift the stories of US citizens and immigrants being terrorized in the Twin Cities.

“At our hearing, we heard from incredibly powerful witnesses — members of the community who are standing up for their neighbors, and even those who have been detained and had their rights violated for no reason,” wrote the Members. “Throughout the hearing, it became clear to all of us that the increase in DHS personnel is making the Twin Cities less safe. Unfortunately, it appears the President and your Department are deliberately escalating tensions in Minnesota with a pattern of reckless, unlawful, and inhumane conduct against the people living in the Twin Cities.”

In the hearing, attended by more than two dozen Members from 18 states, participants heard from Mayors Jacob Frey and Kaohly Her, Attorney General Keith Ellison, as well as US citizens who ICE had detained. Outside the hearing, Members met with directly impacted people from across the Twin Cities to hear off-the-record testimony on the terror they had been experiencing.

“We demand you put an end to these lawless actions by your agencies and remove this surge of ICE and CBP from the Twin Cities. The people of Minnesota deserve better,” continued the Members.

In the letter, the Members outline the testimony that they all heard during the hearing, as well as horrific cases that have happened since. The full text of the letter can be read here. 

The letter was also signed by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Ted Lieu (CA-36), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Dave Min (CA-47), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Chellie Pingree (ME-01),  Emily Randall (WA-06), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and James Walkinshaw (VA-11).

Issues: Civil Rights, Immigration

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), is calling on Governor Wes Moore to stop deleting posts and public comments from official government social media accounts. In April 2018, a federal court ruling in the ACLU’s case against former Governor Larry Hogan established that official government social media accounts open to public comment are protected public forums under the First Amendment.

The 2018 settlement in the ACLU’s case against former Governor Larry Hogan required the Governor’s office to implement new social media guidelines that prohibit viewpoint discrimination, expand public access to official platforms, create an additional forum for constituent engagement, establish procedures to contest restrictions on access, and apply these standards across all official social media accounts.

Statement from Congressman Harris:

“Why is ‘the most transparent administration ever’ deleting Facebook posts on an official account? Could it be that presidential candidate Wes Moore didn’t like the comments? Deleting posts or blocking on official accounts is illegal. The ACLU sued Governor Hogan over this issue. Is the ACLU going to sue Wes Moore? I doubt it. But maybe we will. I’d love to see those comments on his partisan redistricting scheme.”

For more information, please click on the link here. 

For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland

January 29, 2026                                                    202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT’S STATEMENT ON ARRESTS OF INDIVIDUALS RELATED TO VI DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES MEDICAID AND SNAP PROGRAMS

ST. CROIX, USVI— Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-USVI) released the following statement regarding the recent arrests of multiple individuals connected to the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services Medicaid and SNAP programs:

“I have been informed of the recent arrests of eleven individuals connected to the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services Medicaid department.

“Medicaid and SNAP are critical programs that provide healthcare access and food security to our most vulnerable residents—seniors, children, people with disabilities, and low-income families. In communities like ours, where healthcare resources are already limited and food costs are high, these programs serve as essential lifelines for thousands of Virgin Islanders.  They should not be tampered with or put in jeopardy by illegal activity.

“I commend the law enforcement agencies involved in investigating the alleged fraud. My office will await additional information as the investigation proceeds and the legal process moves forward.

“This situation highlights our responsibility as leaders to strengthen and protect the social safety nets that serve those living in our community. We must ensure that programs designed to help our most needy residents function with integrity and remain accessible to those who depend on them.  Ensuring that all Virgin Islanders have access to livable wages, resources to meet basic needs, and affordable healthcare are some of my goals as a leader and I am certain we all wish the same.  I ask that our community allow the legal process to work.

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on Fox News’ The Story, where he made clear that House and Senate Democrats are aligned on the need to hold DHS and the Trump administration accountable for the extremism they are unleashing on the American people.

MARTHA MACCALLUM: Leader Jeffries, thank you very much for joining us today. How does that potential deal sound to you?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we want to avoid a government shutdown, but it’s necessary to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security dramatically changes the way in which it has been conducting itself. Taxpayer dollars should be used to address the affordability crisis here in the United States of America, which is very real. It’s not a hoax. It’s ongoing, by the way. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to brutalize or kill American citizens or to violently target law-abiding immigrant families. So there are a variety of reforms that need to be put into place that the American people are demanding. Your own poll has shown that everyday Americans have concluded that ICE has gone too far and that behavior needs to be reined in.

MARTHA MACCALLUM: So one of the issues here is that ICE’s funding is already on the books through the Big Beautiful Bill. I know you have another name for it, but that’s already on the books through 2029. So if a shutdown happens, which is sounding more and more likely because the House isn’t in session until Monday or Tuesday, I think at the earliest, so why would you risk potentially allowing FEMA and TSA and the Coast Guard to lose funding over this?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, thank you for bringing up the One Big Ugly Bill because this actually highlights the problems that my Republican colleagues have actually been focused on the wrong issues. In the One Big Ugly Bill, they enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, literally ripping healthcare away from about 14 million Americans. Hospitals, nursing homes, community-based health clinics are closing as a result of what they have done. In that same bill, they cut nutritional assistance to hungry children, families, veterans and seniors by $186 billion—the largest cut to food assistance in the history of the country. And in that very same bill, you’re right, they gave the Department of Homeland Security an additional $191 billion and gave ICE $75 billion. They’re using that money to unleash masked agents on American communities, on law-abiding immigrant families. And in some instances, killing American people—

MARTHA MACCALLUM: With respect, that bill passed. It passed—

LEADER JEFFRIES: That’s right—

MARTHA MACCALLUM: So now then the issue before you is are you going to encourage the House to sign on to this deal, which looks like it’s coming together, to keep the government open, to pass the five bills to allow a CR for Department of Homeland Security? Are you going to encourage your Members to be on board with that? Are you and Senator Schumer on the same page here today?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we have to evaluate what emerges from the Senate, and we’ll do that on the merits. We have said, and we’re in complete lockstep with Senator Schumer—Leader Schumer—and our colleagues in the Senate that we need to pass the five bipartisan bills that strongly emerged with support from Democrats and Republicans originally out of the House of Representatives. And we certainly will be supportive of getting those over the finish line—

MARTHA MACCALLUM: Yeah, but they were also okay with the sixth bill. This—we should remind people that these six bills were signed as part of the hangover from the last shutdown. And they were all agreed to before what happened in Minneapolis, which was very tragic, but Minneapolis is a unique situation. You’re not seeing what we’re seeing in Minneapolis in other places in the country. So why hold up potentially this funding on a bill that everyone agreed to, both sides agreed to, in the first round?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, let me address the statement that you just made because that’s inaccurate. The Homeland Security funding bill was before the House prior to the cold-blooded killing of Alex Pretti, and the overwhelming majority of House Democrats voted against it. And we were very clear why we were voting against it. Because we believe that there should be a prohibition on ICE deporting or detaining American citizens. We believe that ICE should conduct itself like every other law enforcement agency in the country. We believe that ICE shouldn’t run around with masks. We believe they should have body cameras. We believe that judicial warrants should be available before ICE is storming homes or ripping people out of their cars. These are pretty basic demands—

MARTHA MACCALLUM: Let me ask a question, if I may. They are, but these are policy issues. These are not funding appropriations issues. So, because of that, it feels a little bit like the last shutdown when it became about healthcare policy and kind of holding that hostage. Is that the way this is going again? Sort of treating this as if it’s policy, how the agency runs, which is really a different category than the appropriations bill. And I would mention again, this ICE funding, whether—I know you don’t like it—but it’s a done deal till 2029.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Donald Trump and Republicans shut the government down for 43 days in the fall. Democrats were very clear. We’ll find a bipartisan path forward. We just were not going to support continuing efforts to gut the healthcare of the American people. And right now our position is pretty clear—it’s shared by the American people—that ICE should conduct itself like every other law enforcement agency in the country and not brutalize everyday Americans abusing taxpayer dollars. We’ll consider any bill that comes out of the Senate on its merits, and we’ll see what happens when that—

MARTHA MACCALLUM: I mean, you said earlier that you and Schumer are on the same page, Senator Schumer, are on the same page. Here’s Tom Homan, who is now overseeing the operations in Minneapolis. Let’s watch—Minnesota.

RECORDING OF TOM HOMAN: I said in March, if the rhetoric didn’t stop, there’s going to be bloodshed, and there has been. But if people out there don’t like what ICE is doing, if you want certain laws reformed, then take it up with Congress. Again, ICE isn’t making this up. They’re enforcing laws enacted by Congress and signed by the President. The same laws have been on the books for the last six presidents I’ve worked for.

MARTHA MACCALLUM: Your response to that, Leader Jeffries?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, it appears that members of the Trump administration don’t think that the First Amendment applies, the freedom of assembly, the freedom to petition your government to change policies that you don’t believe are in the best interest of the American people. They apparently don’t believe that the Second Amendment applies, as has been demonstrated forcefully by the NRA. Clearly, they don’t believe that the Fourth Amendment applies, the prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Trump administration has said that the Fourth Amendment doesn’t apply to behavior that DHS conducts itself. All I’m saying is that the Department of Homeland Security should be reined in in a manner consistent with American values.

Full interview can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of Congressman Scott Peters’ (CA-50) Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act (H.R.3304), bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help local police departments establish child care options for their officers. Each session of Congress, only 2 to 3 percent of bills make it to the President’s desk, so securing the support of this caucus – composed of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats – makes the bill’s success more likely.

Across the country, law enforcement officers work long hours to keep communities safe. Many officers with children struggle to find affordable child care that meets their schedules or budgets, forcing some to leave the force or reduce their hours. These challenges have contributed to significant recruitment and retention shortages for police departments across the country. 

“Access to quality, reliable child care is essential to recruitment and retention of the best, most representative police force we can have, particularly as we seek to attract more women to the ranks,” said Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50). “I am thrilled that the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus has overwhelmingly endorsed our commonsense legislation to bolster child care availability for police officers who work non-standard hours. San Diego is leading the way to expand child care opportunities for police officers and I am proud to support those efforts at the federal level.”

The bipartisan, bicameral legislation was co-led by Reps. David Valadao (CA-22), Josh Harder (CA-09), and Darrell Issa (CA-48), and by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Thom Tillis (NC). The bill was brought forward for caucus endorsement by Representatives Peters and Valadao.

“Across the Central Valley, our law enforcement officers are working to keep our communities safe, but too many are forced to choose between their jobs and reliable childcare,” said Congressman David Valadao (CA-22). “This bipartisan bill helps departments provide affordable, accessible childcare options that enable our hardworking officers to do their jobs with the peace of mind knowing their children are taken care of. By removing a major barrier to recruitment and retention, the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act supports working families, strengthens our police departments, and improves public safety.”

“The number one issue I hear about from my constituents is affordability. For young families, the affordability of childcare plays a central role. By making childcare more affordable and accessible for our local law enforcement officers, we help working parents stay in the workforce, ease financial pressure on growing families, and make sure officers can focus on their training and responsibilities on the job instead of being worried about whether their kids are safe at home. It’s good for families, for public safety, and it just makes sense,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03). 

“Supporting the men and women who protect our communities means supporting their families as well,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “Reliable, affordable childcare is a practical and often overlooked barrier to recruiting and retaining experienced officers. This bill directly addresses that challenge through a targeted, commonsense, bipartisan approach—strengthening public safety by enabling departments to recruit, retain, and support experienced officers.”

The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act would establish a pilot grant program within the Administration for Children and Families to enable law enforcement agencies to expand access to child care for officers and their families. Specifically, the bill would:

• Establish a federal pilot grant program to expand child care benefits for law enforcement officers.
• Allow grant funds to be used to construct or operate child care centers for exclusive law enforcement use, provide scholarships to help offset the cost of care, and fund child care for children with disabilities.
• Reserve 20 percent of total grant funding for small police departments employing fewer than 200 officers.

The Problem Solvers Caucus is a group of Members of Congress — split between Republicans and Democrats — committed to advancing common-sense solutions to key issues facing our nation. The Caucus also endorsed Rep. Peters’ bill in 2023.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Legislation would connect Bay Area parks, expand access, and boost recreation economy

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) introduced the Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid Act, or SECURE Grid Act, to ensure states are fully prepared to prevent and respond to the risks posed to the electric grid by extreme weather, natural disasters, cyber-attacks, and other threats.

“Americans depend on reliable, affordable electricity for every aspect of our lives,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Californians know all too well the need to be prepared and respond rapidly to wildfire, atmospheric rivers, and other natural disasters. At the same time, the threat of cyber-attacks continues to grow as more and more of our infrastructure becomes digitally interconnected. That’s why I’m introducing the SECURE Grid Act to provide state officials with the support and funding they need to anticipate and respond to any and all threats to our electric grid. I’m proud to work with Congressman Latta to modernize our electric grid and keep Californians safe.”

“We must ensure America’s electric grid is secure and resilient for families and businesses across the country. From extreme weather to physical and cyberattacks by adversaries that could disrupt our power supply, protecting the grid is a national priority. That’s why I introduced the SECURE Grid Act, to make sure the right steps are taken to strengthen and safeguard our energy infrastructure. I thank Rep. Matsui for co-leading this bipartisan legislation so, together, we can ensure the American people can rely on a resilient grid and never have to worry about keeping the lights on,” said Congressman Latta.

“NASEO strongly endorses the bipartisan SECURE Grid Act and we applaud Chairman Latta and Representative Matsui for introducing this critical legislation. The bill will make our Nation safer by supporting cybersecurity, physical security, local electric distribution systems, and the enhancement and implementation of state energy security plans,” said David Terry, President of the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO).

“The power grid is the backbone of the U.S. economy, and electrical manufacturers are delivering essential technology solutions to modernize the grid, meet rising energy demand, and manage cyber risk. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is pleased to support the SECURE Grid Act because it requires states to adopt a holistic view of grid security and readiness, including throughout generation, transmission, and local distribution systems. A comprehensive understanding of supply chains for the critical grid components that feed these systems can enhance grid security and reduce risk while encouraging modernization and effectiveness,” said National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Senior Director for Government Relations, Peter Ferrell. 

Background on the SECURE Grid Act:

The SECURE Grid Act would extend and expand a section of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which requires states to develop and annually update State Energy Security Plans that identify, assess, and reduce risks to energy infrastructure and allows states to use federal funding from the State Energy Program to implement these plans.

While State Energy Security Plans are currently required to consider broad vulnerabilities, including physical and cyber-attacks, the SECURE Grid Act gives states like California more control over our emergency plans and adds additional requirements for states to consider, including weather-related threats, cyber-attacks on local distribution systems, and threats to the electric grid equipment supply chain.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

Congresswoman Matsui has long championed efforts in Congress to support grid resiliency and protect Sacramentans from blackouts and wildfires. The Congresswoman co-authored the POWER ON Act, which was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This created the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, which provided $10.5 billion in grant funding for states, local governments, tribes, and utilities to protect the grid against extreme weather and natural disasters. This program has provided $50 million for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), $67 million for the State of California, and $630 million for the California Energy Commission.

 

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

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today announced that Regional One Health will receive a grant of $499,996 from the U.S. Department of Justice for its Rx for Change comprehensive support services program for crime victims of gun violence and other violent behaviors. The program includes three integrated phases of care: 1) acute care in the hospital setting where program liaisons identify and engage victims and develop a safety plan; 2) hospital discharge when liaisons coordinate critically needed services through links to community resources; and 3) the recovery period during which liaisons provide intensive case management to help victims achieve stability and pursue personal goals. Rx for Change provides essential services that help victims recover physically and emotionally.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“I am pleased to see the Rx for Change Initiative at Regional One Health gets the investment from the Justice Department it needs to be a success in our community. Coordinated efforts to address all phases of crime will result in better outcomes.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

SEATTLE, WA — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), co-chair of the Monopoly Busters Caucus, hosted a field hearing with Representatives Kim Schrier (WA-08), Val Hoyle (OR-04), and Emily Randall (WA-06) titled From Farm to Kitchen Table: How Consolidation Spikes Food Prices. They were joined at this hearing by Governor Bob Ferguson and Seattle Deputy Mayor Brian Surratt.

“I was proud to be hosting this hearing to address consolidation in one of the most basic necessities of our lives: food,” said Jayapal. “We have all seen prices of groceries skyrocketing in recent years. For decades, corporations have swallowed up smaller competitors to the point that they can now raise prices and reduce choice without consequence – from the farms where the food is sourced, to the factory where the food is manufactured and distributed, and to the grocery store where the food is sold to American consumers. It is time that we address this consolidation head-on. This hearing is a first step towards understanding and addressing the root cause of why our economy has failed to deliver affordable food for Americans.”

“With 4 large corporations controlling nearly 70% of the grocery market, consumers are at the mercy of a system built to return shareholder profits and not one working in the best interest of consumers, suppliers, farmers, or local economies,” said Rep. Hoyle. “The facts are clear: mergers and lack of competition increase prices for us, lower quality and consumer choice, and reduce the prices that local farmers and manufacturers can charge to cover their costs.”

“When private equity firms control hospitals, nursing homes, emergency room staffing, like when they invest in grocery stores, they use that power to cut care, raise prices, and sacrifice the impact on individuals…to line their own pockets,” said Rep. Randall. “That’s why I fought hospital and health system consolidation here in Washington state. And that’s why I’m excited to be a part of the Monopoly Busters Caucus to work on grocery store consolidation and health care consolidation in the other Washington.”

This hearing was a deep dive into a major root cause of rising food prices for consumers: corporate consolidation. From farms and food production to grocery store shelves, consolidation exists at every level, allowing a handful of corporations immense control over costs to drive out small businesses, farmers, and independent grocers. Testimony was heard at this hearing from Former Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, Mike Callicrate, an Independent Cattle Producer, Cynthia Duran, Founder of Xinca Foods, Melissa Rose, an Employee at Fred Meyer Grocery and a UFCW 3000 Member, and Emily Chase, the Co-Owner of Chase’s Market. 

“Monopolies throughout our food supply chain have hollowed out rural communities, pushed family farms to the brink, and forced independent grocers out of business. Many of the tools we need have been on the books for more than a century. Now we just need the will to act,” said Jonathan Kanter. 

“Rural America is being crushed by farming and food monopolists. We either control their power and rebuild local/regional food infrastructure or we will be depending on the benevolence of foreign corporations to feed us,” said Mike Callicrate.

“If we care about entrepreneurship, local jobs, food affordability, and consumer choice, then we must care about who is actually able to participate in the market. I urge you to stand with small businesses like mine and help ensure that the American Dream is not something we talk about in the past tense, but something future founders can still realistically pursue,” said Cynthia Duran. 

“As a result of consolidation, corporate has been running skeleton crews at our store for years. Running that lean makes it harder to deliver the level of service our customers deserve, and it leads to exhaustion and burnout for workers,” said Melissa Rose.

“When independents lose access or pay more for the same goods, survival becomes harder. When independents are squeezed, food becomes more expensive, choices disappear, and access shrinks,” said Emily Chase. 

In conjunction with the hearing, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance released an interactive map showing food deserts, nationally and by congressional district, alongside the location of different types of grocery stores — independent, small chains, large chains, and megachains like Walmart and Kroger. The map was accompanied by a policy brief explaining how failure to enforce federal antitrust laws triggered widespread consolidation in the grocery industry, leading directly to the proliferation of food deserts and persistently high food prices across the United States.

Issues: Jobs, Labor, & the Economy, Science, Technology, & Antitrust