MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Washington, D.C.) — On Friday, September 19, 2025, Congressman Al Green delivered remarks on the House floor, reaffirming that he continues to stand firmly in protecting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s speech on his official YouTube page or by clicking here. The floor speech highlighted is also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter). 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

September 19, 2025 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced today the Streamlining FEMA Procurement Procedures Act. This bill directs the President of the United States to take necessary action to allow local governments to utilize qualifications-based Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) procurement methods to carry out certain tasks. It also allows for expedited project reviews by raising the “simplified procedure” threshold.
“FEMA has a responsibility to work with local governments during times of crisis. The last thing survivors of natural disasters want to hear is that the federal government is standing in the way of their neighborhood rebuilding,” said Rep. Steube. “My bill ensures FEMA is fully equipped to meet urgent needs on the local level in a swift and flexible manner.” 
A Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) is a project delivery method in which a construction manager is hired to provide oversight and implementation of a project from the design and construction phases to its completion. While FEMA provides funding to the states to rebuild after natural disasters, it requires local governments to adopt pricing as a primary factor for determining assistance. This is further complicated by the fact that several states, including Florida, require qualifications of a CMAR-led project to be the primary factor, resulting in the cancellation or delay of numerous well-deserving projects due to a lack of funding. The Streamlining FEMA Procurement Procedures Act fixes this issue by allowing local governments to consider “qualifications” when using Construction Managers at Risk (CMAR) instead of only focusing on pricing.
The bill also addresses shortcomings in FEMA’s approval process for “simplified procedure” projects. Under the status quo, FEMA limits applications for expedited approval to $1,000,000. This low ceiling hamstrings recovery efforts from natural disasters by forcing local governments to choose between accepting an inadequate level of funding or waiting months or even years for Washington to approve the full and necessary amount of relief. The Streamlining FEMA Procurement Procedures Act solves this problem by raising the simplified threshold from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000, giving our communities the resources they need to rebuild in the aftermath of a disaster.
The Streamlining FEMA Procurement Procedures Act has the support of the National Association of Counties. 
Read the full bill text here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Pressley Has Condemned Violence and Extended Condolences to Charlie Kirk’s Family

Congressional Black Caucus Offered Strident Opposition to the Divisive Resolution

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued a statement after joining 118 Democratic colleagues in declining to support H. Res. 719, a divisive resolution on Charlie Kirk put forward by Republican leadership. The Congressional Black Caucus also offered strident opposition to the resolution. Congresswoman Pressley has condemned violence and extended condolences to Kirk’s family, and is a co-sponsor of Congressman Mark Veasey’s resolution to condemn political violence.

“I unequivocally condemn violence in all of its forms. No family, no child, should ever lose a loved one to gun violence. I once again extend my sincere condolences to Charlie Kirk’s wife and children, to the surviving family members of Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and to everyone whose life has changed in an instant because of the cruel actions of an assailant with a gun. Our nation has endured harrowing chapters of political assassinations—from John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy to Black civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers, and Fred Hampton—and this moment feels stark for many reasons.

“In this moment, it is critical that our elected leaders work to unify, heal, and mend. I do not take that responsibility lightly, and I will continue working to build a truly just America where everyone is safe. Unfortunately, what we are seeing in real time is Donald Trump and Republicans leveraging the senseless death of a public figure to advance and embolden dangerous ideology, rhetoric, and policy actions.

“The resolution brought to the House floor today was not a resolution that simply condemned violence and offered condolences – like H. Res. 746, of which I am an original co-sponsor. Instead, this resolution glorified right-wing extremist rhetoric and lionized someone who has promoted shameful, bigoted ideas that have led to deep and lasting harm. The resolution characterizes the violent rhetoric from groups including Turning Point USA as ‘respectful, civil and Biblical.’

“As a Black woman whose faith teaches me to treat all people with love and compassion, I grieve what happened to Mr. Kirk and his family—and I could not in good conscience support a resolution that canonizes the vilification and dehumanization of Black people, immigrants, our LGBTQIA+ siblings, and other marginalized communities. Language matters, and I will continue to be clear and remain dedicated to working for a more just and inclusive nation for every person who calls America home.”

As a parent, woman of faith and Member of Congress, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has dedicated her career to advancing policies and budgets that keep our communities safe, including . She is a member of the bipartisan gun violence prevention task force and has repeatedly condemned violence in all its forms. 

Congresswoman Pressley, her family and her staff unfortunately receive a high volume of threats and acutely understand the dangerous rhetoric, largely driven by right wing media and actors that jeopardizes the safety of elected officials and public figures.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement on her vote on H.Res. 719. 

“My heart goes out to Mr. Kirk’s family and friends. My heart especially goes out to his wife and children, who should never have had to witness the loss of their husband and father in that way. No child should ever endure such trauma, and I hope his children and family can take solace in the love and support of those around them in the days ahead.

“That said, I chose not to support this resolution. While I strongly support freedom of speech in all its forms, I also recognize that Mr. Kirk engaged in rhetoric that was deeply divisive and hurtful. Out of respect for the communities impacted by that rhetoric, I could not in good conscience vote to endorse a resolution honoring that legacy.

“This moment should not be about further dividing our country. It should be about rejecting political violence, lowering the temperature of our political discourse, and recommitting to respectful debate that leads to a better understanding of who we are as one nation, strengthened and enriched by the diversity of our people and perspectives.

“My commitment remains clear: to defend freedom of expression, to reject violence without exception, and to help build a nation rooted in mutual respect, unity, and shared purpose.”

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Issues: 119th Congress

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

Wasserman Schultz Statement on Kirk Resolution

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

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