MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin raising serious concerns about the agency’s proposal to weaken or repeal key “Accidental Release Prevention” safeguards under the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program (RMP). In the letter, Congressman Krishnamoorthi warned that the proposed changes could increase the risk of catastrophic chemical accidents and undermine protections for workers, first responders, and communities living near hazardous facilities.

In the letter, Congressman Krishnamoorthi wrote, “I write to express my deep concern regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal to significantly weaken or even repeal key portions of‘Accidental Release Prevention’ regulations for facilities subject to the Risk Management Program.” He emphasized that Congress created the program “with a clear directive: prevent catastrophic chemical accidents and protect workers, first responders, and surrounding communities,” and warned that the proposal would “roll back progress and reverse common-sense protections.”

Citing federal data showing nearly 100 reportable chemical accidents annually at covered facilities between 2016 and 2020, Congressman Krishnamoorthi highlighted the stakes of weakening safety requirements, noting that these incidents resulted in worker fatalities, thousands of injuries, and billions of dollars in property damage. He underscored that the 2024 rule strengthened emergency coordination, safer technology assessments, and public access to hazard information, and warned that eliminating these safeguards would expose communities to heightened risks.

Highlighting the local impact, Congressman Krishnamoorthi pointed to more than 6,000 hazardous material incidents reported in Illinois between 2020 and 2025 and noted that hundreds of thousands of residents live in chemical vulnerability zones near highly toxic substances such as hydrofluoric acid, benzene, and chlorine. He wrote that “the patients, children, and seniors living in these impacted areas rely on the EPA to prevent these incidents from happening in the first place,” stressing that the agency’s proposal could disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi also raised concerns that the proposed rollback follows other recent EPA actions that may weaken environmental and public health protections, writing that “these actions raise serious concerns that the agency is retreating from its core mission to protect human health and the environment.”

Congressman Krishnamoorthi requested that the EPA provide responses by March 13, 2026, to the following questions:

1. How does the proposed rollback align with Congress’s directive in the Clean Air Act to prevent accidental releases of hazardous substances?
2. How many RMP facilities has the EPA identified in Illinois that would be affected by the EPA’s change in regulation?
3. What evidence demonstrates that eliminating safer technology assessments will not increase the likelihood or severity of catastrophic chemical incidents?
4. How will nearby residents and first responders obtain timely and actionable hazard information if facilities are no longer required to provide it online or readily?
5. What analysis has EPA conducted regarding the impact of these rollbacks on underserved and rural communities?
6. How does EPA reconcile its current proposal with its statutory obligation to protect public health?

Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Kevin Mullin (D-CA) introduced the Standardized Calculation of Operational Polluting Emissions (SCOPE) Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish voluntary guidance for companies to disclose their indirect Scope 3 emissions, ensuring greater and uniform transparency for the public and consumers about a company’s environmental footprint. By directing the EPA to provide clear and specific guidance for Scope 3 emissions from direct emitter companies, this bill would help companies adhere to one set of standardized methodologies for calculating and disclosing their indirect emissions instead of having every company use a different system. 

“By creating a uniform framework for companies on how to calculate and report indirect greenhouse gas emissions along their supply chain, our legislation would empower companies and the American public with clear, comparable information about the environmental footprint of the products and services they rely on,” said Congressman Beyer. “This information will help companies and consumers understand the full scope of sustainability of these supply chains.” 

“Communities in California and across the country are already feeling the impacts of climate change, and Americans deserve transparent information about corporations’ greenhouse gas emissions. I’m proud to co-lead the SCOPE Act, which would make it easier for companies to report on their environmental footprint – an important step toward increasing corporate accountability,” said Congressman Mullin. 

U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) leads companion legislation in the Senate.

“As the Trump administration rolls back regulations on greenhouse gas emissions and climate goals, we must work to redouble our efforts to safeguard longstanding environmental protections. Our legislation will direct the EPA to provide across-the-board guidance to companies so we have full transparency on the environmental impact of their operations,” said Senator Schiff.  

The bill is endorsed by Environment America, Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), League Of Conservation Voters (LCV), and Environment California. 

“Many companies have made commitments to protecting clean air and a livable climate, but tracking progress can be challenging,” said Lisa Frank, Executive Director of Environment America. “The SCOPE Act would help ensure progress towards a healthier environment by giving businesses, consumers and the public easily comparable information on emissions, so that we can better prevent and clean up pollution.”  

“It’s more important than ever to have a clear picture of companies’ Scope 3 emissions, and Sierra Club strongly supports Senator Schiff, Representative Beyer, and Representative Mullin’s SCOPE Act. We cannot make progress on the climate crisis if we don’t have an accurate accounting of our emissions. The SCOPE Act is critical for transparency across all industries as we work to protect our communities from the impacts of the climate crisis,” said Patrick Drupp, Director of Climate Policy of Sierra Club. 

“At a time when the Trump administration is turning its back on the calculations and impacts of pollution, this bill takes an important step toward ensuring transparency around the climate impacts of corporate supply chains. It shines a spotlight on the need for companies to provide consistent, comparable and reliable data regarding their largest greenhouse gas emissions sources,” said Sam Goodstein, Managing Director of Federal Affairs of NRDC. 

“Corporate action on climate change remains a critical lever to drive U.S. innovation, economic competitiveness, and resilience. Senator Schiff, Rep. Beyer, and Rep. Mullin’s SCOPE Act recognizes the importance of getting a full picture of companies’ greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions reporting provides valuable information for markets and the public. At the same time, it helps American companies spot ways to mitigate risk, seize market opportunities and drive efficiency across supply chains and business activities,” said Joanna Slaney, Vice President for Political and Government Affairs of EDF. 

Full text of the Standardized Calculation of Operational Polluting Emissions (SCOPE) Act is available here. 

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

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

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) and Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) are leading an effort urging the United States Postal Service (USPS) to extend mail forwarding, free of charge, for families and businesses still recovering from the devastating January 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires.

“These fires destroyed thousands of homes and displaced tens of thousands of families, and the recovery is far from over,” said Sherman. “Extending free mail forwarding is a simple, low-cost step that will provide meaningful stability for families and small businesses still struggling to rebuild their lives.”

“Over a year after the Eaton Fire, 70% of survivors have yet to return home and almost half of survivors still reside in either temporary or unstable housing. As the twelve-month period allowing survivors to forward their mail free of charge has just expired, it is imperative that survivors are not forced to pay out of pocket simply to receive their mail at another location because their home was destroyed or damaged.  That is why I am proud to join Rep. Sherman in calling on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to immediately grant an additional 18 months of free mail forwarding for those displaced by the Los Angeles Fires and ensure survivors aren’t forced to bear yet another expense,” said Rep. Chu. 

In a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner, Congressman Sherman and Congresswoman Chu called on USPS to grant an 18-month extension of free mail forwarding for wildfire survivors whose initial 12-month benefit period is now expiring.

The Palisades and Eaton wildfires destroyed more than 16,000 structures and claimed 31 lives, leaving entire neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and Malibu permanently scarred. Many displaced residents relied on USPS’s standard mail forwarding service to continue receiving essential correspondence during the immediate aftermath of the disaster. 

However, more than a year later, many survivors remain in temporary housing while navigating insurance claims, and ongoing financial losses. The Members emphasized that allowing the free service to expire now would create unnecessary hardship during an already prolonged recovery.

“The cost of this extension would be modest compared to the tangible benefit it would provide to communities still working to recover,” Sherman added.

Congressman Sherman and his colleagues requested a prompt response from USPS to ensure wildfire survivors continue receiving critical support during the extended recovery process.

Click here to view a copy of the letter.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Nadler, Lasher Statement on ICE Entering Columbia University Residential Building and Detaining Student

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries; Democratic Whip Katherine Clark; Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar; Jim Himes, Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee; and Ro Khanna, Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, today announced that House Democrats will force a vote on the Khanna-Massie Iran War Powers Resolution next week:

“As soon as Congress reconvenes next week, we will compel a vote of the full House of Representatives on the bipartisan Khanna-Massie War Powers Resolution. This legislation would require the President to come to Congress to make the case for using military force against Iran. The Iranian regime is brutal and destabilizing, seen most recently in the killing of thousands of protestors. However, undertaking a war of choice in the Middle East, without a full understanding of all the attendant risks to our servicemembers and to escalation, is reckless. We maintain that any such action would be unconstitutional without consultation with and authorization from Congress. Next week, every Member will have the opportunity to go on the record as to whether they support military action against Iran absent Congressional approval.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Latta Statement on Mortgage Rates Reaching Lowest Level Since 2022

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) today reintroduced a resolution to raise awareness for chordoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer that affects the skull and spine. The resolution, introduced ahead of National Rare Disease Day on Feb. 27, highlights the urgent need for increased research, better treatments, and improved patient support. 

Chordoma is a slow growing but complex cancer that affects more than 25,000 people worldwide. In the United States, approximately 300 individuals are diagnosed with chordoma each year. Due to its location near critical structures like the brain stem, spinal cord, and vital nerves, chordoma is among the most challenging tumors to treat. While surgery and radiation can sometimes be effective, recurrence rates remain high, and there are currently no drugs that can cure or effectively control the disease. 

Congressman Johnson’s resolution underscores the need for:

• Accurate and early diagnosis of chordoma
• Development of new treatments, diagnostics, and potential cures
• Reducing barriers between research and the development of new treatments
• Patient-centered approaches to drug discovery and development

“I am proud to reintroduce this resolution to bring much-needed attention to chordoma and the challenges faced by these diagnoses with this rare disease,” said Congressman Johnson. “Patients and families deserve increased support, better treatment options, and greater investment in research to combat this devastating condition.”

Congressman Johnson has long been an advocate for raising awareness of chordoma. In 2022, he introduced a similar resolution after a former member of his staff, Joshua Smith, was diagnosed with the disease. 

By reintroducing this resolution in the run up to National Rare Disease Day, Congressman Johnson reaffirms his commitment to supporting individuals and families affected by chordoma and other rare diseases. 

About Congressman Hank Johnson:
Hank Johnson represents Georgia’s 4th Congressional District, where he is a staunch advocate for civil rights, public safety, and economic justice. Learn more at https://hankjohnson.house.gov/

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

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) – joined by Representative Pramila Jayapal, the Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, and 22 other Members of Congress – sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons calling for the immediate closure of Camp East Montana in El Paso. They cite urgent humanitarian concerns following multiple deaths in custody, documented unsafe conditions, and serious deficiencies in medical care.

This marks the fourth letter Congresswoman Escobar has sent to DHS and ICE leadership. The previous three letters have gone unanswered.

The letter can be found in its entirety below and here.

“Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons:

We are urgently calling on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or the Department) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to shut down Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas.

Camp East Montana has been operational for six months, and at least three people have died at the site since December 2025: Francisco Gaspar-Andres, Geraldo Lunas Campos, and Victor Manuel Diaz. The El Paso County Medical Examiner has officially ruled Lunas Campos’ death a homicide, citing “asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.”

Camp East Montana was constructed in a matter of weeks and opened before construction was complete and it does not have enough federal staff on-site to provide adequate oversight. Over the last several months, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, in whose district this facility is located, has sent multiple letters to DHS and ICE regarding concerns about the conditions at Camp East Montana, and has received no responses.

According to detainees, there have been constant and consistent problems at the facility since it opened, beginning with the facility’s poor construction and poor ambient temperature control. Upon opening, the drinking water at Camp East Montana tasted foul and made some detainees sick. Detainees continue to be served inadequate meals, including food that is rotten or frozen; last fall, the facility was also consistently failing to make dietary accommodations for detainees. Detainees have shared that they have sporadic access to outside spaces and recreational areas, and that their dormitory pods are cleaned only once every eight days, despite pods housing up to 72 people at a time. Laundry services are not consistent, and people are washing their clothes in the facility showers. Additionally, the facility experiences flooding and sewage backups when it rains, leading to stagnant water. 

One of the biggest concerns with the Camp East Montana facility is the inadequate medical care being provided to detainees. Our offices have heard that only the most ill detainees are referred to the medical unit and that there are inconsistencies as to how soon after arriving detainees are able to undergo initial medical screenings. Detainees with chronic health issues who rely on regimented medications for their health have had difficulty accessing necessary medications, including blood pressure medication and insulin.

At least one of the deaths that occurred in ICE custody, the death of Francisco Gaspar-Andres, appears to partially be the result of poor medical care by staff at the facility. According to ICE’s own account, Gaspar-Andres sought medical attention from facility staff for increasingly serious symptoms, but was only transferred to an area hospital once his condition had severely deteriorated.

In addition to our concerns about poor medical care, we are also aware that detainees have experienced irregular access to their legal counsel, including instances of detainees having only two minutes allotted per phone call every 8 days, which is contrary to ICE’s Detention Standards on access to counsel, and that the belatedly created law library lacks adequate resources for the amount of people currently held at the facility. In January 2026, ICE announced the on-site death of Geraldo Lunas Campos “after experiencing medical distress.” ICE opened an investigation into the death, but did not provide a cause of death. However, The Washington Post later reported that another man detained at Camp East Montana had witnessed guards choking Lunas Campos when he refused to enter a segregated housing unit. Weeks later, the El Paso County Medical Examiner ruled that Lunas Campos had experienced “asphyxia due to neck and torso compression” and ruled his death a homicide.

Lunas Campos is the first detainee to die at Camp East Montana as a result of a use-of-force incident, but we are strongly concerned that he will not be the last if ICE is allowed to continue operating Camp East Montana.

ICE was given $45 billion in taxpayer dollars in the reconciliation bill, $1.2 billion of which were awarded to Acquisition Logistics, LLC, a company with no previous experience managing immigration detention facilities, to build and oversee Camp East Montana. However, in the wake of three deaths in custody so far, continued concerns about conditions at the facility, and ICE’s apparent disinterest in responding to oversight letters from Congress, we do not believe Camp East Montana is being run professionally or responsibly.

Camp East Montana must be shut down. For the safety of everyone at the facility, for an end to abuses to detainees, and for fiscal responsibility to the American people, the site cannot continue to operate. We are calling on DHS and ICE to move to immediately close operations at Camp East Montana.

We look forward to hearing from the Department promptly on this matter.     

The other co-signers include Representatives Yassamin Ansari, Nanette Barragán, Yvette Clarke, Lloyd Doggett, Maxwell Frost, Jesús “Chuy” García, Sylvia Garcia, Daniel Goldman, Jimmy Gomez, Henry Johnson, Stephen Lynch, Seth Moulton, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Delia Ramirez, Andrea Salinas, Janice Schakowsky, Darren Soto, Rashida Tlaib, Paul Tonko, Lauren Underwood, Gabe Vasquez, and Nydia Velázquez.

Issues: Immigration