MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, DC – This month, U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI-11) led a letter with her colleagues in the Lowering Costs Caucus urging President Trump to immediately address the energy affordability crisis straining household budgets across the country. The members highlighted how the Trump administration’s policies, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) and chaotic tariffs, are driving these skyrocketing costs.

“More than 80 million Americans are struggling to pay their utility bills, resulting in a 30 percent rise in household utility debt in the U.S. The Administration’s policies have exacerbated these economic pressures, with electricity prices rising faster than inflation and ballooning as much as 13 percent nationwide. Looking ahead, your signature domestic policy legislation, H.R. 1, will increase electricity prices by 61 percent over the next decade,” the Representatives wrote in part.

“Families across our districts carefully plan their budgets between their mortgage or rent, grocery bills, retirement investments, and health care needs. When the energy market becomes unpredictable and costs increase, Americans are forced to make hard decisions to make ends meet,” the Representatives continued. “Our constituents deserve not only to get by, but to thrive–that starts with ensuring critical markets have the certainty necessary to provide stable, low gas prices.” 

Rep. Stevens was joined by Reps. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-03), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Derek Tran (D-CA-45), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), and Greg Landsman (D-OH-01). 

The full text of the letter can be found below:

Dear President Trump,

We write as members of the Lowering Cost Caucus to urge your Administration to take immediate action to provide American consumers with relief from skyrocketing energy prices. Families across our districts carefully plan their budgets between their mortgage or rent, grocery bills, retirement investments, and health care needs. When the energy market becomes unpredictable and costs increase, Americans are forced to make hard decisions to make ends meet.

American families have been saddled with an energy affordability crisis. More than 80 million Americans are struggling to pay their utility bills, resulting in a 30 percent rise in household utility debt in the U.S. The Administration’s policies have exacerbated these economic pressures, with electricity prices rising faster than inflation and ballooning as much as 13 percent nationwide. Looking ahead, your signature domestic policy legislation, H.R. 1, will increase electricity prices by 61 percent over the next decade.

In 2026, gas prices have soared more than 30 percent. The national average sits at $4 per gallon, up over a dollar since February. This is the most significant jump in gas prices in six decades. This reality–in conjunction with tariffs raising the cost of imported goods by nearly seven percent, and domestic goods by almost five percent–is untenable and places a significant strain on communities throughout the nation. In addition to rising prices at the pump, global market oil shortages have jacked up the price of jet fuel by over 14 percent compared to this time last year. Unsurprisingly, this has resulted in fewer flight options, increased fares, and other fees for Americans. This will inevitably limit our constituents from traveling for work or leisure, as well as being there for their loved ones during significant life events such as weddings or funerals. Our constituents deserve not only to get by, but to thrive–that starts with ensuring critical markets have the certainty necessary to provide stable, low gas prices.

We share the goal of lowering costs for all Americans, and that includes taking swift action to lower gas and energy prices. The Lowering Cost Caucus stands ready to work with our colleagues in Congress to bring immediate relief to families across the nation, and we encourage your Administration to support these efforts. Thank you for your time and attention to this pressing matter.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) introduced the Iran War Oil Crisis Windfall Profits Tax Act, which will impose a windfall profits tax on U.S. oil companies until (1) the President declares that all hostilities with Iran have ceased, (2) the Strait of Hormuz is fully re-opened, and (3) the price of oil per barrel drops below $75 per the West Texas Intermediate and will return revenues generated by this tax directly to American taxpayers to alleviate the burden of the Iran war on the American people.

“The President recently posted on social media that ‘when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money.’ The only ones profiting from higher oil prices are U.S. oil companies,” said Congressman Sherman. “For American families, rising oil prices mean higher costs and greater financial strain. My bill will ensure oil companies don’t profit from the hardship facing working families and will help offset the rising costs that Trump’s war has imposed on the American people.”

The war with Iran has driven global oil prices sharply higher, with U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude recently trading in the mid-$90s per barrel and, at times, even exceeding $100. These price increases are generating extraordinary profits for large oil producers and imposing significant strain on American families and businesses. There is no reason oil companies should benefit from the Iran War.

The Iran War Oil Crisis Windfall Profits Tax Actwould impose a 100 percent windfall profits tax on revenues derived from the sale of oil at prices above $75 per barrel (as measured by West Texas Intermediate) during the course of the Iran War. The $75 threshold reflects a reasonable baseline consistent with pre-crisis price expectations. This tax would remain in effect only until hostilities with Iran cease, the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, and the price drops below $75 per barrel.

To ensure that American families directly benefit from this policy, the legislation establishes a mechanism to return revenues generated by the windfall profits tax to American taxpayers. Funds collected will be rebated back to households to offset increased energy and transportation costs from Trump’s war. 

To view bill text, click here. 

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — This morning, at the House Republican Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson addressed Republicans’ reconciliation bill to fund border security and immigration enforcement and discussed Democrats’ failed scheme to gerrymander along racial lines. Speaker Johnson also highlighted House Republicans’ honoring fallen law enforcement officers during National Police Week.

“Look at the California Governor’s race. Nearly all those Democrats, including a former House Democrat and a Biden Cabinet Secretary, proudly said ‘yes’ when they were asked if they supported providing healthcare to illegal aliens. We’re supposed to believe this is a serious political party?” Speaker Johnson asked. “Democrats are chomping at the bit to regain power, reopen our borders, and allow violent, criminal illegal aliens to continue to roam our streets. And we’re not going to let them. So, we’re eager to quickly finish this reconciliation process and get this bill to President Trump’s desk.”

Watch Speaker Johnson’s remarks here.

On Republicans’ reconciliation bill to fund ICE/CBP:

Before Republicans returned to work in our districts last week, we ended the majority of the shameful record-long Democrat Department of Homeland Security shutdown. And I’m happy to report that we are right on schedule to finish the process and get our reconciliation bill to the President’s desk by the June 1 deadline. We will fully fund both border security and immigration enforcement for the balance of President Trump’s term, and we’re going to do this for two reasons. Number one, obviously maintaining border security and deporting dangerous criminal legal aliens is the baseline that the American people demand and deserve. They told us that in the last election cycle, and they say it all the time, every day since. We do not have a country, if we do not have borders, that’s just the bottom line. I’m grateful every day that America once again has a President who understands that.

The second reason is it’s very sad and shocking fact. And, it’s almost unbelievable to say this, but there’s not a single Democrat in Congress, House or Senate, who believes that border security and immigration enforcement should exist. They do not believe that we should fund those at the federal level. It’s a stunning statement, but it is true. And it’s proven time and time again by their word and by their votes, they prove to you what they’re about. I think everybody needs to keep that in mind.

Look at the California’s Governor’s race. I mean, what a spectacle. Nearly all the Democrats, including a former House Democrat and a Biden Cabinet Secretary proudly said ‘yes’ when they were asked the simple question if they support providing healthcare to illegal aliens. We’re supposed to believe this is a serious political party right now? I mean, Democrats are chomping at the bit to regain power and reopen our borders and allow violent, criminal illegal aliens to continue to roam our streets. These are facts. This is not political talking points. This is what they are and what they’re about. And we’re not going to let them do that. So we’re eager to quickly finish this reconciliation process and get this bill to the President’s desk.

On National Police Week:

Americans are honoring the courage and the dedication and the sacrifice of law enforcement officers, and they well deserve that sadly. We mourn the men and women who have lost their lives in a line of duty for the safety and protection of our neighbors. And we owe our law enforcement officers everything because they sacrifice everything to stand guard against evil and protect in all these communities around our great country. When law enforcement officers put on their uniform and they lace up their boots every morning, they just don’t have a guarantee that they’re going to return after that last shift.

As I mentioned, we had 111 [fallen officers] for this year alone, and it’s something that we have to keep in mind all the time. One law enforcement death is too many, but we’ve received welcome news this year. This is one bright spot: the amount of law enforcement deaths in the line of duty dropped 25% from 2024 to 2025. And that’s the lowest number of law enforcement line of duty deaths since 1943. So we’re very thankful for that. And it matters who’s in charge. Elections have consequences, and if you have elected officials, legislatures, and a Congress that supports those in law enforcement, then it assists with these statistics. That’s an objective fact and it’s a direct correlation to public policy. Republicans are going continue to pursue legislation that makes officers safer and will also continue to advance transformational policies like No Tax on Overtime, as you heard, which tens of thousands of law enforcement officers and their families have already benefited from and they’re telling us about it when we go home.

On the Democrats’ failed scheme to gerrymander along racial lines:

In the Callais case at the US Supreme Court, the court restored a simple but profound truth. Yes, the Constitution protects every American equally. And that’s a very important concept for us to maintain. This is another fact. Democrats spent decades trying to engineer electoral maps that divided Americans. And this decision from the Supreme Court hopefully ends that terrible practice once and for all. We find it amusing that Democrats are suddenly concerned about fair Congressional representation, they say. And I challenge those Democrats to raise those concerns with the Republican Congressmen from Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Rhode Island. They’ll have a hard time doing that, of course, because Democrats have gerrymandered Republicans completely out of those states.

And in Virginia last week, the Virginia Supreme Court, of course, affirmed what Republicans believed from the very beginning. We fought hard to win that ballot initiative and we invested there. But ultimately, we knew that was a hastily drawn gerrymandered that was unconstitutional. It’s a power grab. And thankfully the courts restoring and upholding the rule of law, did the right thing there. Democrats, by the way, put all their chips in the middle on that one. You saw it. And they burned through countless goodwill with the people of the state of Virginia and elsewhere. Democrats nationwide, they spent more than $65 million and they even had Barack Obama cutting ads and robocall, and it wasn’t enough because it was such a crazy overreach. And it was all in pursuit of an unconstitutional scheme to dilute the power of Republicans of Virginia. And fortunately, the plan failed spectacularly. They got a lot to answer for. Their press conference this week ought to be interesting. Look, this decision doesn’t change our posture for one minute. Republicans are laser focused. We don’t look to the right or the left, we charge straight forward.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Earlier this week, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) called on Congressman James Comer (KY-01), the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight, to formally open an investigation into corruption and insider trading occurring in online prediction markets by subpoenaing internal records from these markets. On Wednesday morning, during an appearance on Mornings with Maria, Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo pressed Comer on the issue and asked what Comer expects to do next.

Maria Bartiromo: “Seven House Democrats sent you a letter requesting subpoenas for an investigation into suspicious prediction market trades times tied to the Iran conflict. What can you tell us about this?”

Chairman Comer: “Well, this is a problem. We’ve all seen those big trades go through hours before something big happens in Iran. We saw the same thing happen in Venezuela. I think that someone’s been identified in the military as being part of the trade with respect to Venezuela. At the end of the day, it’s suspicious. So it’s something that we’re concerned about. I know there are other committees of the House and Senate that are looking into that as well, so it’s something that I would like to know the answer. And if someone’s using their knowledge and influence as a government employee or part of our military or part of the administration to profit from that in a prediction market, and then they should be held accountable. I don’t know what the law is, but if we need to make a law and change a law with respect to that, we will certainly do it. But at the end of the day, it’s very unethical, and it doesn’t need to happen.”

Maria Bartiromo: “Yeah. I mean, I don’t know how that’s possible, really. I mean, somebody in our military who may very well have access to sensitive information about whether or not we’re going to go into Venezuela, go into Iran, makes a bet on it, on prediction markets, and makes hundreds of 1000s of dollars on it. How is that? How does that happen? I mean, so I’d like you to get more information on it. Where are you in that investigation?”

Chairman Comer: “Well, we’re starting to request information. That’s the process. That’s how it begins. We’ll request information, and if we have trouble getting it, then a subpoena will follow. My subpoenas hold up in court, so if someone gets a letter from me requesting information or a document, they turn it over 99% of the time, because if they don’t, we’ll subpoena them and win in court and eventually get the document and make it even harder on them as we move forward with the investigation. These prediction markets are new, Maria, so we’re in uncharted territory. No one would have thought about this two years ago, someone having knowledge about an upcoming invasion of a country and making an enormous bet on a prediction market.”

Online prediction markets allow individuals to gamble on the outcomes of a wide variety of real-life events, including sports games, election outcomes, daily stock and commodity price changes, whether certain legislation being considered by Congress will be signed into law, and even geopolitical events such as the likelihood of the United States taking military action against another country or the outcome of diplomatic negotiations. 

In his letter, Pappas highlighted how recent wagers on political and international topics have raised suspicion of insider trading, writing: “As you know there have been a number of suspicious trades made in connection with U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran… a single trader made nearly $1 million with a 93 percent success rate on wagers predicting unannounced U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran, placing bets hours before strikes in October 2024, June 2025, and February 2026. A separate group of 38 accounts netted more than $2 million on the February 28 strikes alone, after being preloaded with funds the preceding week. At least 50 newly created accounts placed coordinated bets on a U.S.-Iran ceasefire on April 7, some opened minutes before the announcement.”

He went on to highlight the vested interest of the American people in knowing whether government officials are using these markets in violation of the law and their oaths of office: “The American public has a legitimate interest in knowing whether individuals entrusted with classified national security information have used that access for personal financial gain. A committee investigation, enforced with subpoenas, will include internal records, which are the only means by which the individuals who conducted these trades can be identified and the question of whether these platforms are upholding their responsibilities can be answered. Congress has both the authority and the responsibility to determine whether existing ethics, classification, and financial disclosure laws have been violated, and whether legislative action is necessary to prevent recurrence.”

Pappas concluded by re-emphasizing the importance of House Oversight’s subpoena power, noting: “We cannot fulfill that responsibility without knowing who placed these trades.”

Background:

Pappas supports the Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026, which bans members of Congress and government employees from trading on political prediction markets when they have or could easily get inside information through their jobs, and has led the fight to ban Members of Congress from trading stocks and to strengthen ethical standards across all branches of government since entering Congress.

Pappas leads legislation to codify the Office of Congressional Ethics, now called the Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC), the only independent internal watchdog that probes ethical breaches in Congress. 

Pappas has repeatedly broken with his own party in support of a stock trading ban. Following his advocacy in 2022, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi reversed course and announced legislation to ban stock trading by members of Congress would be considered by the House. Pappas has also fought to change House rules to include a ban on members of Congress trading stocks.

Over the course of the 119th Congress, Pappas has helped introduce the TRUST in Congress Act and the No Getting Rich in Congress Act and supports the bipartisan effort to force a vote on the Restore Trust in Congress Act. He is also a cosponsor of the Fighting Foreign Influence Act. 

Read Pappas’s letter from earlier this week here and below:

Dear Chairman Comer: 

We write to request that the Committee issue subpoenas and open an investigation into apparent corruption and insider trading occurring in online prediction markets. As you know there have been a number of suspicious trades made in connection with U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran.

We are deeply concerned that individuals with access to sensitive government information have used that access for personal financial gain. For example, a single trader made nearly $1 million with a 93 percent success rate on wagers predicting unannounced U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran, placing bets hours before strikes in October 2024, June 2025, and February 2026.¹ 

A separate group of 38 accounts netted more than $2 million on the February 28 strikes alone, after being preloaded with funds the preceding week.² At least 50 newly created accounts placed coordinated bets on a U.S.-Iran ceasefire on April 7, some opened minutes before the announcement.³ Israeli authorities have separately indicted two individuals, including a military reservist, for placing Iran-related bets on Polymarket using classified information.⁴

Some of the suspicious trades were reportedly placed on Polymarket Global, the platform’s offshore site, which U.S. persons are barred from accessing under the terms of Polymarket’s 2022 settlement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.⁵ The platform’s failure to implement meaningful identity verification or enforce restrictions on U.S. persons raises serious questions about its broader compliance with federal law. A recent case illustrates the seriousness of the issue. In that case a U.S. Army special forces soldier was charged with using classified information to bet on the raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to win $400,000 on the platform, Polymarket identified him and referred the matter to federal authorities, leading to his arrest and criminal charges. 

The American public has a legitimate interest in knowing whether individuals entrusted with classified national security information have used that access for personal financial gain. A committee investigation, enforced with subpoenas, will include internal records, which are the only means by which the individuals who conducted these trades can be identified and the question of whether these platforms are upholding their responsibilities can be answered. Congress has both the authority and the responsibility to determine whether existing ethics, classification, and financial disclosure laws have been violated, and whether legislative action is necessary to prevent recurrence. We cannot fulfill that responsibility without knowing who placed these trades.

Given the important national security implications and possible corruption occurring in these markets, we respectfully request a response to this letter outlining the Committee’s planned approach to this issue no later than May 22, 2026. 

Sincerely, 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

During National Police Week, Bacon and Gottheimer Introduce Bipartisan “Stop the Doxx Act” to Protect Law Enforcement Officers and their Families

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

CHICAGO – Today, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) announced that the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Illinois’ 4th Congressional District is Mariana Ramirez, a student at J.S. Morton West High School and resident of the Village of Lyons, Illinois. Mariana’s piece, titled “Just Following Orders,” depicts the cruelty of ICE enforcement in Chicago and the impact it has had on all community members. This art piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year alongside winning students’ artwork from across the country. The piece has already drawn widespread local praise for its powerful portrayal of identity, and the lived experiences of immigrant communities across the Chicago area.

“I wanted to bring awareness to this current issue and express the two sides using an anaglyph technique,” said Mariana. “I also used words and images to symbolize the hate and discrimination of working-class immigrants who make America what it is today. Additionally, I added a mural on the wall that represents immigrants in America with monarch butterflies, which are natural migrants and symbolize the process of migration that is ever-present in nature and necessary for their survival. The plants growing symbolize the economy and society, depicting the abundance and contribution immigrants make to our growing economy. The other side of the wall in my piece shows dying plants wilting away, expressing how, without immigrants, America would be nothing.”

“Art has always served as a reflection of the times we live in, and this is clear when we look at Mariana Ramirez’s piece. ‘Just Following Orders’ depicts some of the worst of the violent immigration operations that took place in Chicagoland last year,” said Congressman García. “Her artwork is an example of the emotional impact these attacks have had on all our residents. It’s a piece that everyone needs to see, and I’ll be very proud it will represent our district in the U.S. Capitol.” 

You can view a picture of Mariana Ramirez’s winning piece of art on this link. 

 

About the Competition

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in congressional districts nationwide. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Winners are honored locally and at a national awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Their artwork is displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

# # #

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) and Congressman Chuy Garcia (D-IL-04) led a coalition of 30+ Members of Congress in urging the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to make a strong federal investments in public transportation in the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization process.  

Current federal surface transportation law expires in September 2026, and Congress will soon consider new, multi-year legislation to plan and execute on surface transportation infrastructure projects. Strong public transportation infrastructure funding will ensure that millions of Americans can continue to rely on safe, reliable, and efficient transit systems.

“Public transportation is critical for our communities by helping Bay Area residents get to work, access health care, and visit family, all while reducing traffic congestion,” said Rep. Garamendi. “It is imperative that Congress protects and enhances core investment programs, such as the Section 5337 State of Good Repair program, which helps ensure our transit systems are safe, reliable, and efficient.”

In the letter, the members write:  

“Federal transit programs form the backbone of communities of all sizes, connecting people to jobs, education, and opportunity. By reducing the number of vehicles on the road, transit keeps highways clear for interstate commerce and freight movement. As Congress considers the next surface transportation reauthorization, we urge you to preserve and strengthen the dedicated resources that keep these systems in a state of good repair. A critical component of this investment is the Section 5337-State of Good Repair program, which enables safe, reliable transit travel by funding rehabilitation and replacement of aging rail and bus infrastructure.”

You can read the full letter HERE.  

This effort is also supported by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.  

“My Commission colleagues and I thank Representatives Simon, García and Garamendi for their leadership in preserving the cornerstone of the federal transportation program,” said Metropolitan Transportation Commission Chair and Pleasant Hill City Councilmember Sue Noack. “Federal transit formula dollars drive the engines of prosperity for metro areas all around the country. Here in the Bay Area, we use federal formula money to help keep our transit infrastructure in good condition, which is key to safety and reliability for the million riders our systems carry each day. Thanks to this support, millions more have a viable alternative to driving. Just 3% to 5% fewer vehicles on the road can cut traffic delays by up to 70%. Without our transit formula funding in place, congestion could overwhelm highways from the Bay Area to the Beltway.”

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO) is calling on Speaker Mike Johnson to immediately ban members of the U.S. House of Representatives, their families, and congressional staff from trading in individual stocks and participating in prediction markets. 

In a new bipartisan letter, Crow says that the U.S. House of Representatives should amend its rules, which currently do not address prediction markets or stock trading. 

Last month, the U.S. Senate approved a bipartisan resolution to prevent Senators, who often are privy to sensitive information, from making bets on prediction markets.

“Members of Congress should not be personally profiting off of stock trading or placing bets in prediction markets,” said Congressman Crow. “We have to restore the American people’s trust in their government. That starts by rooting out corruption. Elected officials must be held to a higher standard.”

Recent news reports have raised allegations of government officials, staff, and candidates for office abusing their positions to place bets on prediction markets using confidential information. Commonsense rules are necessary to prevent Members of Congress from using access to information as part of their official duties for their own financial gain.

Throughout his time in Congress, Crow has fought to end corruption. He has stood up to special interests and has not taken a dime of corporate PAC money. Additionally, his End Dark Money Act would crack down on dark money’s influence on U.S. elections and his bipartisan Shell Company Abuse Act would limit foreign interference in U.S. elections. Crow is also an original cosponsor of the TRUST in Congress Act to ban members of Congress and their families from owning or trading stocks. 

A PDF of the letter can be found here, with full text appearing below: 

Dear Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries:

We are writing to urge immediate changes to the rules package for the 119th Congress to include a clear, enforceable ban on Members, their families, and staff trading in individual stocks and in prediction markets. If such changes are not adopted in the current Congress, we urge that these provisions be included in the rules  package for the 120th Congress.

The provisions we support reflect bipartisan work to stop insider trading and restore trust in Congress. Regardless of the process for passing legislation to address these concerns, these components can and should be  adopted now through the House rules.

First, the rules should prohibit Members from trading stocks while in office. Members of Congress are privy to information the average hard-working American is not, so we should end both the appearance and reality of conflicts of interest and special privileges for elected officials.

The rules should also directly address prediction markets. The United States Senate recently acted on a bipartisan basis to change its standing rules to prohibit Senators and staff from using prediction markets. The House of Representatives should not lag behind the Senate in closing obvious avenues for conflicts of interest and the appearance of corruption. The House should also act to end abuse in the use of prediction markets in our chamber immediately.

These reforms are not partisan; they are about restoring trust in Congress as an institution. Members from across the political spectrum have heard the same message from our constituents: they want clear rules that prevent lawmakers from personally profiting from nonpublic information or from the outcomes of the very processes  we oversee. The House can  act now to address concerns about insider trading and special privileges by taking action against stock trading and prediction markets in the House Rules.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) issued a statement after the House passed H.R. 2071, the Save Our Shrimpers Act. Higgins introduced the bill in March 2025 alongside Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX). The legislation directs the United States to oppose taxpayer-funded projects that bankroll foreign shrimp farming and processing.  Read the bill text here. 

“Domestic shrimpers have been undercut by foreign competitors who often receive U.S. taxpayer dollars by way of international financial institutions. This legislation orders an end to American subsidization of foreign seafood production,” said Rep. Higgins. “I will not stop fighting for Louisiana agriculture. If I had full control, I’d stop all or most imported seafood and rice. One day at a time though, we’re winning because we’re in the fight.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08)

Washington, D.C— Today, U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) led a bipartisan group of 79 members of the U.S. House of Representatives in sending a letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer to emphasize the importance of fair-trade measures for the U.S. specialty crop industry.

“America’s growers and producers are the best in the world. Current Mexican trade practices have flooded our markets with products that are held to a lower production standard than those produced here by American farmers. The USMCA review process gives us an opportunity to reaffirm and recommit our support for domestic agriculture and the American farmer by forcing Mexico to play by the same rules if they want to import to the United States,” said Rep. Scott.

The letter urges the Administration to address the urgent crisis as unfairly traded imports from Mexico continue to undercut U.S. growers and creates a significant competitive disadvantage for American producers. The letter calls for improved trade measures, as part of the 2026 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) review process, that protect the long-term viability of America’s fruit, vegetable, and certain tree nut industries, and ensure continued access to domestically grown food.

In the letter, the Members write: “Without measures to restore competitive balance, specialty crop production will increasingly move to foreign countries. We urge you to evaluate trade actions that can safeguard U.S. growers from unfair pressures from Mexico. This work is essential to maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the specialty crop sector and to ensuring Americans continue to have access to high-quality, domestically grown food—an issue fundamental to our national security.”

Read the full letter here.

 

The following state, regional, and national organizations have endorsed the letter:

American Farm Bureau Federation

Alabama Farmers Federation

California Table Grape Commission

Florida Blueberry Growers Association

Florida Farm Bureau Federation

Florida Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association

Florida Tomato Exchange

Georgia Agribusiness Council

Georgia Berry Exchange

Georgia Blueberry Commission

Georgia Farm Bureau

Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association

Georgia Pecan Growers Association

Georgia Watermelon Association

Michigan Asparagus

Michigan Vegetable Council

Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation

National Onion Association

National Pecan Federation

North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association

South Carolina Small Fruit Association

Southeastern Pecan Growers Association

Texas Pecan Growers Association

Vidalia Onion Business Council

Washington Red Raspberry Commission

Western Pecan Growers Association