MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE-03), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, led a bicameral group of his colleagues in introducing the Educational Opportunities Expansion Package, two bills to strengthen his Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, a key provision of the Working Families Tax Cuts. The package aims to expand educational opportunities for students nationwide by removing the current state opt-in requirement and ensuring that scholarship donors are not restricted in their giving based on their marital status. 

“My Federal Scholarship Tax Credit marked a critical victory for educational freedom nationwide. However, I know our work is not done. This is why I introduced my Educational Opportunities Expansion Package to ensure students nationwide can reap the full benefits of these scholarships, while also protecting benefactors from penalties based on their marital status. I am grateful for the strong bicameral support of my colleagues, and I look forward to working together to build on our success,” said Smith.

In addition to Smith, the legislation is co-led by U.S. Representatives Tim Walberg (R-MI-05) and Burgess Owens (R-UT-04). U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“Last year, Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts became law, delivering the largest expansion of school choice in history. I support giving every family the opportunity to benefit, providing parents with greater flexibility to choose the educational environment that best supports their child’s needs. All children deserve access to an education that helps them achieve the American Dream, no matter their background or address,”said Chairman Walberg.

“Parents know what is right for their kids much better than any bureaucrat. I’m grateful for this legislation that strengthens school choice policies which puts parents in the driver’s seat of their child’s education and ensures the student can receive the education they deserve,”said Owens. 

“As parents, we know our children better than anyone. When we put parents in charge of their child’s education, we give children the best opportunity to thrive,”said Dr. Cassidy. “Another win for School Choice!”

The Educational Opportunities Expansion Package is supported by the American Federation for Children, Invest in Education Coalition, Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Coalition Steering Committee, Ed Choice, and Agudath Israel of America.

“The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit has created an unprecedented opportunity to open the doors of education to nearly 52 million children nationwide. We are grateful to Rep. Adrian Smith for his tireless work in passing the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit last year and are pleased to support the Educational Opportunities Expansion Package which makes targeted, common-sense improvements that will allow more children and families to be served in all 50 states. We look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Smith on ways to bring resources to families through this historic new opportunity,” said American Federation for Children Director of Federal Affairs Ashling Preston.  

“Thank you, Congressman Adrian Smith, for your leadership in introducing the Educational Opportunities Expansion Package to expand access to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program. These two bills will help make this program accessible to all students in public and non-public schools across the country while opening the door for more private dollars to be invested in the program. This historic program has the potential to provide life-changing scholarships to families who need them most, helping ensure more children have access to the educational opportunities and resources they need to succeed. We are grateful for Congressman Smith’s leadership in working to expand the reach and impact of this important program,”said Invest in Education Coalition Chairman Tony de Nicola. 
 
“The 50 State Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Coalition is grateful to Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) for his leadership on the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. As the House sponsor of this legislation, Congressman Smith helped shepherd this policy into the Working Families Tax Cut Act. Today, we support Congressman Smith’s Educational Opportunities Expansion Package to ensure married couples filing jointly can both give to scholarship granting organizations and to remove the onerous ‘opt-in’ provision. These changes will greatly improve the tax credit, allowing significantly more K-12 students to benefit,”said Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Coalition Steering Committee Members Jim Blew and John Schilling. 

“Ed Choice, the legacy foundation of Milton and Rose Friedman, is thrilled that Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) has put forward a proposal to greatly improve the federal scholarship tax credit program. By proposing to remove the burdensome ‘opt-in’ provision and allow couples filing jointly to both support scholarship granting organizations, more kids will be served, and the program will become stronger than ever. As one of the nation’s most respected voices for universal choice, we believe that all children should be free to use all educational options with all the resources available to them. This bill gets us closer to that goal,”said Ed Choice President & CEO Robert Enlow.

“Agudath Israel of America thanks Rep. Adrian Smith (R – NE) for sponsoring a pair of bills that make the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit included in the One Big Beautiful Bill even better. Requiring states to opt in to the federal scholarship credit was added at the last minute and never envisioned by Congress. While we are hopeful that every state will ultimately opt in so that their students can benefit from the billions of dollars in new scholarship opportunities, Rep. Smith’s proposal removes unnecessary state entanglement in a federal benefit. The second bill clarifies that married couples who share a passion for helping students and each donate $1700 to a scholarship organization will not be penalized simply because they file a shared tax return. Agudath Israel of America urges Congress to advance both important pieces of legislation,”said Agudath Israel of America National Director of Government Affairs Rabbi A.D. Motzen.

BACKGROUND:

The Educational Opportunities Expansion Package includes two bills aimed at expanding access to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit and restoring Congressional intent following changes made during the Senate parliamentarian’s review of the 2025 reconciliation. 
 

• H.R. 10412: Would repeal the state opt-in requirement for the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, ensuring that every student has access to its scholarship opportunities regardless of their zip code. Click here to read the full text of H.R. 10412.
   
• HR 10413: Would ensure that married taxpayers are not at a disadvantage by allowing them to claim the tax credit up to an amount that is double the cap for individual filers. Click here to read the full text of H.R. 10413.  

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) co-sponsored a resolution to recognize Thursday, September 17, 2026 as “National Teach Ag Day.” The resolution supports teaching agriculture programs in schools to train and educate young Americans about the importance of agriculture and to jumpstart education for students who are interested in pursuing a career in agriculture.

“Farmers and farm families are the backbone of the United States. Here in Pennsylvania, it remains one of the top industries and supports nearly 50,000 jobs. This resolution recognizes the importance of agriculture in our community, and it encourage local students to learn more about these jobs,” said Rep. Kelly.

Pennsylvania’s 49,053 farm families operate 7.3 million acres of farmland across the Commonwealth. They produce $7.8 billion in cash receipts annually, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

In March, Kelly toured Moniteau High School’s Vo-Ag program where he met with students and educators and learn more about the school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter. There are 

You can read the resolution text here.

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

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press availability with Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, where he emphasized that ahead of the midterm elections, House Democrats are committed to lowering the high cost of living, making healthcare affordable and holding the crooks accountable who have been ripping off the American people.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Donald Trump and Republicans promised a Golden Age in America. They’ve failed. They’ve delivered a Rotten Age. The economy is not going in the right direction. It is failing everyday Americans. Gas prices are up, grocery prices are up, interest rates are up, housing costs are up and health insurance premiums are up. The cost of living is out of control. America is way too expensive. Far too many people—millions of everyday Americans—they’re working hard, they’re playing by the rules, but they can’t thrive and they can barely survive.

The American people have had enough of Donald Trump and the failed Republican economy. And as House Democrats, we’ll continue to make clear that we’re fighting for an affordable America and we’re committed to bringing down the high price of groceries, bringing down the high price of gas, bringing down the high price of housing, making healthcare affordable for every single American and at the same time, making it clear that there’s a cost to the American people of the out-of-control corruption that has been visited upon them by Donald Trump and MAGA extremists. Which is why our commitment to the American people, when it comes to corruption, is that if folks have been stealing from the American people, shortchanging the American people or screwing over the American people, we’re going to hold the crooks accountable beginning on day one.

What are Republicans doing in the face of the failed economy and the cost-of-living crisis and the fact that we have an existential situation that has to be dealt with with respect to AI safety? What are Republicans doing? They’re running away from their responsibilities here on Capitol Hill, and they’re running away from their constituents at home because they’ve been ordered by Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise not to hold any town hall meetings, not to engage with their constituents. They continue to, at best, bury their heads in the sand while Rome is burning. That’s a disgrace. And that’s why I believe the American people are going to fire them in November.

Full press availability can be watched here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON – Following the conclusion of “Operation Metro Surge” in Minnesota, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced the Make ICE Pay Act to redirect the $140 billion allocated to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) through the “One, Big Beautiful Bill” Act (HR-1) and invest it into communities across the country that have been impacted by the Department of Homeland Security’s heinous operations.

“For over a year, ICE has been tearing through our nation, leading racist terror campaigns that have caused devastating damage to our cities, to our businesses, and to the lives of our constituents,” said Rep. Omar. “In Minneapolis, Operation Metro Surge cost our community nearly $700 million. We have a moral responsibility to end this abuse of power. Our bill will force ICE to pay the price for the damage they’ve left in their wake and ensure that these devastating operations can never be repeated.”

“The psychological and financial impacts of Operation Metro Surge will be generational,” said Rep. Craig. “As Minnesotans begin the long process of healing from the wounds that President Trump’s ICE inflicted, it’s important that we commit to holding this lawless and misguided administration accountable. There is much more work to be done, but this bill is a critical step toward making our communities whole.” 

The Make ICE Pay Act would redirect nearly $140 billion towards local recovery efforts in states affected by ICE and CBP surges and named operations; including California, Minnesota (Operation Metro Surge), Illinois (Operation Midway Blitz), Louisiana (Operations Swamp Sweet and Catahoula Crunch), Maine (Operation Catch of the Day), North Carolina (Operation Charlotte’s Web), and Oregon (Operation Black Rose). 

The funding can be used by states, localities, non-profits and small businesses to provide economic relief, reimburse operational costs, support educational institutions, or deliver psychosocial support to the impacted. It may also be used for investigations, commissions of inquiry, truth telling, record-keeping, and memorialization to make sure that this devastation is accurately recorded, remembered, and can never be repeated. 

The legislation is cosponsored by Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN).

The full text of the bill is available here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, D.C. – United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), and Jim McGovern (MA-02) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed key provisions of a bill they led to provide tax relief to Americans who fall victim to financial scams or natural disasters. The provisions were passed as part of the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act.

The proposal eliminates the “scam tax” which taxes Americans on income or assets stolen from them, even if they no longer possess those funds, by reinstating the Nonbusiness Casualty and Theft Loss Deduction. Crucially, the lawmakers also secured retroactive relief for victims scammed between 2021 and 2025.

“Victims of scams and fraud should not be forced to pay federal taxes on money that was stolen from them,” said Rep. Panetta. “By passing this bipartisan legislation, the House took an important step toward correcting that injustice and restoring a key tax deduction so victims aren’t punished twice and can focus on rebuilding their lives. I’m proud to have helped secure the inclusion of provisions from our Tax Relief for Victims of Crimes, Scams, and Disasters Act that would extend this relief retroactively to Americans who have already suffered financial losses.”

“I first introduced this bill when my constituent was scammed out of her retirement savings, only to be hit with a massive federal tax penalty on that stolen money. When scammers, hucksters and fraudsters cheat our people out of their hard-earned savings, the federal government shouldn’t re-victimize survivors with taxes that only add to the financial and psychological burdens they carry,” said Rep. Raskin. “Our proposal reinstates critical financial relief to Americans like my constituent, and there are huge numbers of people in her situation.”

“It’s outrageous that victims of scams, fraud, or disaster are being punished by the IRS for something that wasn’t their fault,” said Rep. McGovern. “Whether it’s a family in Massachusetts whose home is falling apart due to a defective, crumbling foundation, or a senior who lost their hard-earned savings to a scammer, they’ve suffered enough. They deserve relief—not a tax bill. Housing and affordability are a major focus for my district. That’s why this bill is about fairness as it restores a commonsense tax deduction that will provide my constituents the relief they not only need but deserve, and help so many recover, rebuild, and move forward.”

“Many victims of fraud are shocked to learn they owe the IRS on the money they lost,” said Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at AARP. “Your legislation will do so much to help prevent victims of fraud from feeling re-victimized again by the IRS on the losses they experienced.”

The lawmakers’ proposal reinstates the Nonbusiness Casualty and Theft Loss Deduction, which was eliminated in 2018, allowing survivors of scams and natural disasters to deduct financial losses from their taxes.

Since the inception of formal federal income tax in 1913, the federal government has abided by the principle that victims of crimes or disasters should not be revictimized by the tax code on income they no longer possess.

The lawmakers initiated this proposal as part of legislation they introduced in the 118th and 119th Congresses, after hearing from constituents who were forced to pay thousands of dollars in taxes after falling victim to a financial scam or natural disaster. The proposal would also provide relief to survivors of non-federally declared disasters.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, released the following statement after the passage of H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026:

“My record is clear. I consistently deliver for South Florida, and WRDA 26 builds on it. I am grateful to Chairman Sam Graves, for working with me to secure a critical provision that makes PortMiami eligible to compete for federal reimbursement of approximately $90.5 million for the Miami Harbor Deep Dredge project. 

Since my time in the Florida Legislature, and now as a member of Congress, I have long fought for our state’s seaports. As the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee on Appropriations in 2019, I created the first-ever dedicated pot of money specifically for seaport infrastructure development. Despite Miami-Dade County’s many challenges at the Port, I have always understood the need to provide our ports with adequate resources to fit the needs of our growing economy, and the Miami Harbor Deep Dredge project did just that. This project created and continues to support thousands of jobs, has furthered the Port’s cargo growth, surpassed one million TEUs for 11 consecutive years, and made its mark as the 11th largest container port in the United States of America.

Chairman Graves understands the vital importance of strengthening our nation’s water infrastructure, supporting our ports and waterways, and advancing projects that benefit both our economy and our environment. Working alongside my Florida colleagues, Rep. Daniel Webster and Rep. Brian Mast, Chairman Graves leadership in navigating Florida’s waters and delivering restoration for America’s Everglades does not go unnoticed. 

WRDA 26 directs the U.S. Army Corps to expedite completion of various studies and projects for Everglades restoration efforts in South Florida, as well as new authorization for feasibility studies in the region:

• Central & South Florida Project 
• Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program
• Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration 
• Central & South Florida Resiliency Study – Broward Basins for the project for flood risk management
• Flood Risk Management, Coastal Storm Risk Management, and Ecosystem Restoration in the back bay system of Broward County, Florida 

These efforts are vital to restoring the Everglades and protecting South Florida’s water supply, communities, and economy.

A summary of the bill is available here.

Bill Text is available here.

Background:

• Diaz-Balart secures Miami Harbor Deep Dredge project authorization in WRDA 2007. 
• Diaz-Balart applauds then-Governor Rick Scott for commitment to job creation and economic growth for the region. (March 2011)
• Diaz-Balart champions modification authorization for the Deep Dredge Project at PortMiami in WRDA 13 (July 2013;  / October 2013)
• Diaz-Balart, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, secures amendments to the authorized limit for the PortMiami Deep Dredge Project in the final FY2014 E&W Appropriations Bill. (January 2014) 
• PortMiami Deep Dredge Project was completed in 2015 – ahead of schedule, and positioned PortMiami as the first U.S. port in the Southeast with a -50/52 foot controlling draft. 
• Since completion, cargo activity has risen by 25.3% overall, and by as much as 43% in FY2011, the busiest year in the Port’s history. PortMiami has surpassed one million TEUs for eleven consecutive years and welcomed more than 2,120 Neo-Panamax vessels. These vessels previously could not dock at the Port because of draft limitations. 
• Today, PortMiami is the nation’s 11^th largest container port and a major economic driver for South Florida, supporting 340,000 jobs and contributing $61 billion annually to the regional economy. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, delivers opening remarks at Subcommittee hearing with U.S. Trade and Investment Agencies to Empower Economic Growth and Strategic Partnerships:

Chairman Díaz-Balart’s opening remarks as prepared here

“Acting Director Hardy, Acting Chief of Staff Petrie, and Head of Investments, Mr. Coleman, thank you for appearing today to testify on the President’s 2027 budget request.  

Your agencies are important instruments of American economic statecraft and commercial diplomacy that advance our national security.

I would note that this is also an important year for the Export-Import Bank of the United States. While we invited the agency to testify today, they unfortunately could not accommodate our schedule.

With a $30 trillion economy accounting for 26% of global GDP — up from 24% in 2021 — the United States remains the largest, most innovative, and resilient country in the world.

Advancing the security and prosperity of Americans is fundamental to United States foreign policy and drives the funding priorities of this Subcommittee.

President Trump and Secretary Rubio have made strengthening the economic security of Americans and advancing U.S. commercial interests overseas a top foreign policy priority.

In that regard, this Subcommittee strongly supports the important efforts by your agencies to further strengthen the economic and strategic position of the United States around the world, such as in the Western Hemisphere and the Indo-Pacific.

This includes financing and technical assistance to—

• combat the influence of the PRC and Chinese Communist Party;
• secure access to critical minerals;
• nearshore strategically important manufacturing supply chains; and
• identify commercial opportunities for our vibrant private sector;
• all while supporting partners that champion freedom.

This was showcased with great success last week in the Philippines at the Luzon Economic Corridor Investment Forum.  

Each of your agencies, along with the Department of State and in partnership with the Philippines, demonstrated what a well-coordinated, focused foreign policy initiative in support of U.S. national security looks like. I look forward to discussing this initiative more when we get to questions.

Congress supported the creation and recent reauthorization of the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in part to help counter the PRC’s aggressive use of infrastructure finance to advance Beijing’s strategic goals and to partner with the private sector to expand U.S. economic opportunities abroad.

Mr. Coleman, I hope you can address the DFC’s budget request in the context of available program balances, as well as prioritization of critical minerals, nuclear energy technology and artificial intelligence, and the recent legislative requests for the FY27 appropriations process.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) plays a unique role among U.S. trade and investment agencies by providing competitive, eligibility-based funding to accelerate economic growth, including through infrastructure and other high-priority investments in countries that take demonstrable steps to support personal and economic freedom.

Mr. Petrie, I hope you can address how the FY27 request will enable MCC to work effectively with partner countries to achieve strong economic growth in ways that align with the America First strategy, as well as help create new opportunities for the United States economy.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has the mission of helping U.S. companies create American jobs by connecting the private sector with infrastructure and development projects in emerging economies.  

This includes the use of feasibility studies, technical assistance, and pilot projects in significant sectors and countries of strategic importance to the United States.

Director Hardy, I trust you will inform the Subcommittee on how the FY27 budget request supports the mission of USTDA, including by helping to strengthen the foundation of American economic power and leadership abroad.

Before I conclude, let me thank you for your service to our country, and note how much we appreciate the dedication of the men and women in your agencies.

I’ll turn now to the ranking Member for her opening remarks.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

MIAMI, FL – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, will host his annual Service Academy Day on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at U.S. Southern Command:

On this day, representatives from the U.S. Naval, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Military, U.S. Merchant Marine, and U.S. Coast Guard Academies will meet with and inform prospective students about educational and career opportunities at the service academies.

Event Details:

RSVP is required due to security restrictions. A valid government ID and media credentials must be presented at the checkpoint for admittance. Please RSVP to Dietwin Smoli.

WHAT:

Service Academy Day

WHO:

Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26)

Representatives from the United States Service Academies

WHEN:

Saturday, September 19, 2026

8:30 a.m. ET

WHERE:

U.S. Southern Command

9301 NW 33rd Street

Doral, FL 33172

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Guthrie-Cosponsored Bill to Protect American Seniors from Fraud Passes House