Díaz-Balart Hosts Virtual National Security Briefing Exposing Presence of Cuban Regime Troops Fighting for Russia in Ukraine

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP), hosted a virtual national security briefing featuring members of the Ukrainian intelligence and Ukrainian Parliament to expose the alarming presence of thousands of Cuban regime troops fighting alongside Russia in the ongoing war against Ukraine.

This underscores the malign alliance between Russia and Cuba and highlights Russia’s dangerous reach in the Western Hemisphere, which has serious implications for U.S. and regional security.

Panelists:

  1. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Chair of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee, House Appropriations Committee
  2. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Chair of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, House Foreign Affairs Committee
  3. Rep. Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), Chair of the Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee, Homeland Security Committee
  4. Dr. Orlando Gutiérrez-Boronat, Executive Director, Directorio Democratico Cubano
  5. Rosa Maria Payá, U.S. Commissioner, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)
  6. Michael Sawkiw, President, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America
  7. Vladyslav Vlasyuk, Advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyi on international sanctions
  8. Dmytro Usov, Ukrainian Military Intelligence
  9. Andriy Yusov, Spokesperson, Ukrainian Military Intelligence
  10. Oleksandr Merezhko, Ukrainian Parliament, Free Cuba Caucus, Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee
  11. Maryan Zablotskyy, Ukrainian Parliament, Free Cuba Caucus

The recorded briefing is available by clicking here or below

Díaz-Balart to Host Virtual National Security Briefing Exposing Presence of Cuban Regime Troops Fighting for Russia in Ukraine

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) will host a virtual national security briefing featuring members of the Ukrainian intelligence and Ukrainian Parliament to expose the alarming presence of thousands of Cuban regime troops fighting alongside Russia in the war against Ukraine.

This underscores the malign alliance between Russia and Cuba and highlights Russia’s dangerous reach in the Western Hemisphere, which has serious implications for U.S. and regional security.

When: 09/18/25

Moderator: Dr. Orlando Gutiérrez-Boronat

Time: 2:00 p.m. ET – 3:00 p.m. ET

**Please plan to join the webinar by 1:45 PM ET to ensure your connection is working before we begin promptly at 2:00 PM ET.

Zoom Registration Link for Attendees (Listen-Only Mode):

https://ushr.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_bNBiliqpTpm1cvdqkObvVA

For any press-related matters following this discussion, please reach out directly to Dr. Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat at orlando4952@hotmail.com

Panelists:

  1. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Chair of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee, House Appropriations Committee
  2. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Chair of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, House Foreign Affairs Committee
  3. Rep. Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), Chair of the Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee, Homeland Security Committee
  4. Dr. Orlando Gutiérrez-Boronat, Directorio Democratico Cubano (Moderator)
  5. Rosa Maria Payá, U.S. Commissioner, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)
  6. Michael Sawkiw, President, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America
  7. Vladyslav Vlasyuk, Advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyi on international sanctions
  8. Dmytro Usov, Ukrainian Military Intelligence
  9. Andriy Yusov, Spokesperson, Ukrainian Military Intelligence
  10. Oleksandr Merezhko, Ukrainian Parliament, Free Cuba Caucus, Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee
  11. Maryan Zablotskyy, Ukrainian Parliament, Free Cuba Caucus

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Díaz-Balart Applauds Chairman Cole, Republican Appropriators for Advancing All Twelve FY26 Bills

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 Appropriations Committee, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP), and member of the Defense Subcommittee, released the following statement after all 12 FY2026 appropriations bills were advanced out of the full Appropriations Committee:

“I am proud that under Chairman Tom Cole’s leadership, the House Appropriations Committee has passed all 12 appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2026.

This accomplishment honors our duty under Article I of the Constitution, aligns with President Trump’s America First agenda, and advances the shared conservative values and priorities of the American people.

These bills eliminate wasteful spending while strengthening our national defense, advancing U.S. security interests, unleashing American energy independence, and securing our southern border. Altogether, they reduce overall federal spending by $45 billion compared to Fiscal Year 2025.

I could not be more proud to serve under Chairman Cole and alongside my dedicated colleagues.”

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Casten Statement on Government Funding

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

September 19, 2025

Washington, D.C. (September 19th, 2025) – U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding government funding for FY2026:

“I’m eager to support a government funding bill that improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of the American people. First and foremost, that means we must extend benefits available under the Affordable Care Act that are set to expire soon. This is what House Democrats proposed, but House Republicans refused. Thanks to Speaker Johnson, Americans could lose their health insurance or see their premiums skyrocket at the end of the year.

“If and when the House considers government funding legislation that helps the American people, I will vote yes. The legislation considered by the House today did not meet that bar, and so I voted No.”

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Griffith Announces $1.2 Million EPA Brownfields Grant to LENOWISCO Planning District Commission

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

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a Brownfields grant to LENOWISCO Planning District Commission for a total of $1.2 million. This funding supports environmental site assessment activities in Dickenson, Lee, Scott and Wise Counties and the City of Norton.

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“LENOWISCO Planning District Commission believes that the Brownfields Program creates great potential for Southwest Virginia communities. 

“This EPA Brownfield Assessment Coalition grant for $1.2 million helps LENOWISCO Planning District Commission continue its goals to redevelop hazardous or polluted sites in deep Southwest Virginia.”

BACKGROUND

In May, Congressman Griffith announced that LENOWISCO Planning District Commission received a different $1.2 million Brownfield Assessment grant from the EPA. That funding supported a community-wide assessment of local brownfields.

According to the EPA, Assessment Coalition grants are designed for one “lead” eligible entity to partner with two to four eligible entities that do not have the capacity to apply for and manage their own EPA cooperative agreement and otherwise would not have access to Brownfields grant resources.

Before his July appointment as Health Subcommittee Chairman, Congressman Griffith chaired the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment.

In March of 2025, Congressman Griffith chaired a hearing on the EPA’s Brownfields Program. Scott County Native and LENOWISCO Planning District Commission Executive Director Duane Miller testified to the panel and discussed the Program’s importance to Southwest Virginia communities.

LENOWISCO Planning District Commission serves the Counties of Lee, Wise and Scott and the City of Norton.

The Brownfields Program empowers states, communities and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse brownfields.

A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant.

Brownfield Assessment grants provide funding for brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments and community outreach.

Congressman Griffith’s e-newsletter on the Program can be found here.

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Trahan, Fitzpatrick Introduce HEADACHE Act to Launch First-Ever Federal Initiative on Headache Disorders

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) introduced the Headache Education, Access, Diagnosis, and Care Health Equity (HEADACHE) Act, bipartisan legislation that will establish for the first time a coordinated federal initiative to address headache disorders.
 
“Headache disorders are among the most common and debilitating health conditions people face, yet they’ve been overlooked for far too long in our nation’s public health priorities,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “The HEADACHE Act will finally change that by launching a coordinated federal initiative to improve research, expand access to care, and tackle the inequities that prevent millions of Americans from getting the treatment they need.”
 
“Headache and migraine disorders affect tens of millions of Americans but are still treated as invisible illnesses in our public health system,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve worked to give a voice to communities whose conditions are overlooked or misunderstood. The HEADACHE Act creates the first federal initiative for headache disorders—driving research, expanding access, and dismantling inequities so patients finally receive the priority and care they deserve.”
 
More than 40 million Americans are living with migraine and headache disorders, which are the leading cause of disability in the world and for women under 50 years old in the United States. Cluster headache, new daily persistent headache, post-traumatic headache, and other migraine disorders are disabling, stigmatized, and routinely overlooked in public health priorities and research funding.
 
The HEADACHE Act is the first standalone federal legislation seeking to address the epidemic of migraine and headache disorders. The bipartisan effort will expand research, improve access to care, and address systemic inequities affecting people living with headache disorders.
 
The legislation is supported by the Alliance of for Headache Disorders Advocacy, American Academy of Neurology, Alliance for Patient Access, American Migraine Foundation, American Headache Society, Coalition of Headache and Migraine Patients, Clusterbusters, Facial Pain Association, National Headache Foundation, Headache Cooperative of the Pacific, Headache Cooperative of the Northeast, Miles for Migraine, Southern Headache Society, Chronic Migraine Awareness, Spinal CSF Leak Foundation, and US Pain Foundation.
 
“Thank you to Congresswoman Lori Trahan and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick for leading this important bipartisan effort. Migraine and headache disorders are nonpartisan chronic health conditions that cost the U.S. economy 78 billion dollars each year and are among the most disabling conditions families face. By coordinating federal efforts and aligning resources with the true disease burden, this legislation will improve efficiency and expand access in healthcare deserts. It prioritizes research to speed accurate, lower cost diagnosis and advance new treatment options, helping to reduce disability so Americans living with these conditions can live their lives to their maximum potential,” said Julienne Verdi, Executive Director of the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy.
 
A copy of the legislation introduced today can be accessed HERE.
 
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Rep. Sherrill Statement on House Passage of Charlie Kirk Resolution

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement after voting “yes” on the resolution condemning the assassination of Charlie Kirk:

“I have taken countless oaths to the Constitution throughout my life, starting when I entered the Naval Academy at 18. I have volunteered to give everything, up to and including my life, for our freedoms and will always protect them. 

“I take my oath to the Constitution seriously. I believe in free speech. And that the First Amendment wouldn’t be necessary if it were only meant to cover language we agreed with. It is meant to protect people like Charlie Kirk who present vile dissenting views. But it is also meant to protect teachers, doctors, and TV comedians who may express views the president doesn’t like.

“Charlie Kirk was advocating for a Christian nationalist government and to roll back the rights of women and Black people — this flies in the face of every value I hold dear and that I fight for. But the Constitution protects free speech, even for those I vehemently oppose. 

“Meanwhile, President Trump has and continues to define hypocrisy at every turn. On one hand, he denounced Kirk’s politically motivated killing, while on the other hand, is instigating a witch hunt worthy of Joseph McCarthy to shut down the free speech rights of anyone who disagrees with Kirk’s racist, anti-American views. 

“Charlie Kirk’s murder was horrific, and it’s up to all of us to stand against political violence. In these times, I will continue to condemn political violence, racism, attacks on women, and the hypocrisy coming from Trump and his acolytes. I will never give up on protecting the rights and freedoms that we hold sacred.” 

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Newhouse Votes for Bipartisan House Resolution Honoring Charlie Kirk

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

Headline: Newhouse Votes for Bipartisan House Resolution Honoring Charlie Kirk

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement upon passage of H. Res. 719 honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk by the House of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of 310-58-38.

“Peaceful debate drives our political system, and Charlie Kirk embodied that sentiment, encouraging young people to become involved in our political process. This bipartisan resolution sends a clear message that politically motivated violence has no place in our society. The Kirk family remains in our thoughts and prayers as they continue to mourn the loss of Charlie,” said Rep. Newhouse.  

See full resolution text here. 

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Rep. Huffman Statement on Resolution 719

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

September 19, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) issued the following statement regarding his yes vote on House Resolution 719:

“Today, at a critical moment when Americans should stand united against political violence, and when every member of Congress was prepared to put our differences aside and condemn the heinous murder of Charlie Kirk and express our heartfelt condolences for his family, House Republicans unfortunately chose to play political games with H. Res. 719, a measure deliberately drafted as a partisan trap. The resolution includes important statements condemning political violence and the tragedy of Mr. Kirk’s murder, but it also includes highly objectionable characterizations and outright misrepresentations about Mr. Kirk that no Democrat agrees with. This is the only vote that will be allowed because Republicans control the House agenda – so they cynically presented Democrats a Hobson’s choice, knowing many would vote “no” because of the objectionable partisan provisions, and Republicans will then flood rightwing media with accusations that Democrats refuse to condemn political violence and somehow condone Mr. Kirk’s murder – a gross misrepresentation, but unfortunately the kind of willful falsehood that drives so much of their politics these days.

“For my colleagues who chose to vote “no,” I know that each of them deplores political violence and condemns the murder of Mr. Kirk, and I regret that rightwing media and our GOP colleagues are about to misrepresent the meaning of those votes in a way that further divides and inflames our polarized country.

“For myself, I chose to vote “yes,” but I don’t want that to be misunderstood, so I will tell you exactly what my vote means, and what it doesn’t mean. It means I understand that this is probably the only vote I will have on the matter, and denouncing political violence is my paramount concern in this moment. I also don’t want to play into the GOP’s partisan trap. But if anyone is foolish enough to think I agree with the parts of this resolution that sanctify and sacralize Mr. Kirk’s opinions and world view, let me be clear: I profoundly disagree with Mr. Kirk’s opinions and actions, but I still deplore his murder, I feel terrible for his family, and I categorically condemn all acts of political violence. That is what my vote means.

“My Democratic colleagues and I are leading a more responsible and comprehensive resolution that recognizes this moment as something bigger than one person or one act. Our resolution references the many other recent acts of political violence that span the political spectrum, and we condemn all of it without trying to turn the scourge of political violence into a partisan wedge. I urge House Republicans to stop politicizing and mischaracterizing this problem and join us in showing real leadership by bringing the Democratic resolution to the Floor where I know it would receive resounding bipartisan support – something everyone in America, regardless of political party, would welcome.”

The resolution led by Democratic Representatives Marc Veasey (TX-33) and Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) makes clear that:

  • Violence and threats have no place in American politics.
  • Disputes must be resolved through lawful, peaceful, democratic means.
  • All officials—regardless of party or ideology—deserve safety, dignity, and respect.
  • Law enforcement must thoroughly investigate and hold accountable those who commit or incite political violence.
  • Leaders and media alike must reject rhetoric that dehumanizes opponents and instead foster civil discourse.

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DeGette Statement on Charlie Kirk Resolution

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement after voting present on H.Res. 719, a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. 

“I fully denounce political violence. It is never acceptable to murder someone for their personal beliefs, and I am heartbroken for Charlie Kirk’s young family. 

“However, I cannot vote yes on this resolution because it grossly misrepresents Charlie Kirk’s methods, views, and beliefs while citing Christian nationalist language. I will always condemn heinous acts of violence, but this resolution ignores the false and hateful rhetoric that was too often present in his debates. 

“Furthermore, Congress cannot condemn political violence only when it happens to one party. That’s why I am cosponsoring Rep. Veasey’s resolution that denounces all forms of political violence, regardless of the victim’s political affiliation including Charlie Kirk, the Minnesota legislators, and others.” 

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