MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Dear Colleague:

I write in connection with the vicious Republican assault on the right to vote, free and fair elections and Black political representation in the South. 

Over the weekend, the American people celebrated the love and support of mothers throughout the nation. At the same time, Republican extremists spent the last few days applauding their ongoing effort to rig the midterm elections based on two egregious judicial decisions dripping with far-right partisanship. 

We remain undeterred.

The cost of living is out of control, grocery bills are skyrocketing, gas prices are surging, healthcare has been ripped away from millions and a reckless war of choice is raging in the Middle East. Donald Trump is deeply unpopular and Republicans have failed to make life better for the American people. Instead of changing direction, GOP extremists are scheming to change the electoral composition of districts throughout the country. 

Republicans only hold a three-seat majority in the House of Representatives. This is the narrowest margin of any party since 1930. During Donald Trump’s first midterm election in 2018, House Democrats flipped 40 seats. To take control this Fall, we only need to flip a fraction of that total. That is why right-wing extremists have been in full panic mode since they passed their historically unpopular One Big Ugly Bill last July. 

Our effort to forcefully push back against the Republican redistricting scheme will not slow down. We are just getting started. 

Led by the Congressional Black Caucus and national civil rights groups, Democrats are battling Jim Crow-era racial gerrymandering throughout the Deep South. Simultaneously, there is pending litigation in Virginia, Florida, Missouri and Wisconsin. States like New York, Maryland, Colorado, Washington and several others are taking steps to decisively respond to what the U.S. Supreme Court has unleashed. 

Given the highly unfavorable political environment confronting House Republicans, the extremists will not meaningfully benefit from their scandalous gerrymandering scheme. Quite the opposite. Democratic enthusiasm and resolve have grown more intense. Even after being aided and abetted by blatantly undemocratic court decisions, the failed GOP majority will not be able to gerrymander themselves back into power. 

Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives in November. 

In the majority, we will fight to lower the high cost of living, fix our broken healthcare system and clean up corruption wherever it is found. Our agenda will decisively address dramatic electoral, campaign finance and judicial reform. Finally, in connection with the ongoing Republican effort to cheat in advance of the 2028 election, we will bury the GOP gerrymandering scheme with a massive Democratic redistricting counteroffensive. 

On Thursday, May 14, at 11:00 a.m., in partnership with House Administration Committee Ranking Member Joe Morelle, we will host a Caucus-wide briefing to discuss the steps Democrats are taking to advance the largest voter protection effort in modern American history. We will ensure the people decide who controls the Congress, not MAGA extremists desperate to rig the midterm elections. 

Thank you for your continued leadership as we march onward to victory.

Sincerely,

Hakeem Jeffries
Democratic Leader

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

“Americans struggle to afford food, gas, and healthcare, but Republicans ask taxpayers to pay $1 billion for a Trump ballroom,” said Wasserman Schultz. “With just the $210 billion that Republicans are gifting ICE and Border Patrol, we could extend the health care premium tax credits for at least 6 years, reverse the SNAP cuts from the Big Ugly Bill, fund a decade of free preschool for 4-year-olds, and fund the National School Lunch Program for a decade. We could fund Head Start for more than 15 years, we can restore the clean energy tax credits Republicans cut last year and expand rental and home buying assistance. That’s how you lower costs for South Florida families.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig hosted a roundtable in Inver Grove Heights with State Representative Robert Bierman, Trent Andersen from Protect Our Care and Bob Miller and Dan Spano, Minnesotans who have been impacted by our broken health care system. During the roundtable, the panelists discussed her new legislation to hold health insurance companies accountable for above average-denial rates and refund patients for health care costs that should have been covered by insurance. 

Rep. Craig’s Patient Refunds for Bad Denials Act would create financial penalties for health insurers that deny more than 25% of claims in a given year according to an annual audit by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The penalty would total $10 million plus an additional $2 million for each percentage point above the 25% denial threshold. These penalties would be paid back to affected enrollees.

“For too long, mega health insurance companies have raked in record profits while exploiting sick Americans. Well, my team and I have listened. And we say, enough is enough,” said Rep. Craig. “We live in the richest country in the world. Americans shouldn’t be struggling to pay for necessary health care, especially when they’re paying an arm and a leg already for health insurance. So that’s why we’re here today – to talk about the path forward toward a health care system that actually works for Minnesotans and how we’re going to work together to hold these players accountable.” 

In plan year 2024, the in-network denial rate for qualified health plans (QHPs) sold on HealthCare.gov ranged from three percent to 36 percent, with significant variation by insurer and by state. According to a January 2026 Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) poll, two-thirds of insured adults believe delays and denials of health care services by health insurance companies are a “major problem” and one-third of insured adults say they have had a health insurance company deny coverage for a service or medication prescribed by their doctor in the past two years. Nearly 40 percent of participants who reported having trouble paying medical bills said that denied claims contributed to their medical debt.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

ISSAQUAH, WA – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) recently joined local leaders and housing providers to discuss challenges and proposed solutions to the housing affordability crisis. During the discussion, Congresswoman Schrier highlighted her bill, the Permanent Housing Affordability Act, which aims to increase home ownership rates across the country.

Congresswoman Schrier was joined by Issaquah Mayor Mark Mullet, Habitat for Humanity Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donohue, Washington State Community Land Trust Coalition President Kathleen Hosfeld, Imagine Housing CEO Yi Zhao, and ARCH (A Regional Coalition for Housing) Executive Director Lindsay Masters. 

BACKGROUND: The average age for purchasing a first home is now 40. For many families across the country, home ownership is simply out of reach. Washington state currently ranks as the fifth-most unaffordable state for housing costs. 

“Home ownership has become unattainable for more and more of the constituents I represent in Washington State,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Across the Eighth District, constituents tell me that, especially at a time when prices for groceries, gas, and healthcare are skyrocketing, they can’t fathom saving enough to purchase a home. High rents also make it a challenge to find an affordable place to live and to save for a down payment. I am glad that local leadership and housing groups were able to come together for this discussion, and I am hopeful that we will continue to coordinate our efforts to expand access to all types of housing.” 

“As my kids finish college, I want them to be able to live in Issaquah, the town that I love,” said Issaquah Mayor Mark Mullet. “With things the way they are, they aren’t able to. Federal, state, and local action are all needed to make housing affordable in our communities.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WENATCHEE, WA – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), joined local law enforcement and other leaders to highlight federal funding she secured for the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. The funding will equip officers with de-escalation tools that aim to reduce the risk of serious injuries and lethal encounters, deter dangerous situations, and improve local public safety response. 

Through FY 2026 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests in Congress, Congresswoman Schrier secured $713,000 to equip the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office with modernized de-escalation tools. 

“Across the Eighth District, one of the concerns I hear about the most from neighbors is public safety,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “From police ride-alongs and in conversations with chiefs and sheriffs in Chelan County, I know that our officers need more tools to protect themselves and our communities, and deter dangerous situations. We also need to build trust between local law enforcement and our communities, and ensure that officers are always using the appropriate tools. That is why I’m proud of my work in Congress to provide funding for new de-escalation tools in Chelan County. These dollars, as part of the $14 million I am proud to have secured in district-wide Community Project Funding this year, will improve our public safety and protect the well-being of our communities in the Eighth District.” 

“We are grateful to the congresswoman for this investment in de-escalation tools, which strengthens our ability to protect lives, resolve incidents safely and serve our communities with care and professionalism,” said Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison. “Through strong partnerships, especially with Congresswoman Schrier, and the continued commitment of this administration, we are ensuring that even in tight funding times, the needs of our agency and citizens are met. It continues to be an honor to serve and protect the residents of Chelan County.” 

“Limited local budgets are often obstacles to providing deputies with the tools required by law and best practices. At the same time, the importance of de-escalation cannot be overstated in today’s complex landscape,” said Chelan County Commissioner Shon Smith. “We are so grateful to have Congresswoman Schrier as a champion of our community. These dollars and the de-escalation tools they will fund are an investment in the safety of not only the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office but also our community.”

This Congress, Congresswoman Schrier also secured public safety infrastructure funding for the Issaquah Police Office, King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Snoqualmie Tribe police station.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Paul A Gosar DDS (AZ-04)

Yuma, Arizona — Congressman Paul Gosar, DDS (AZ-09) issued the following statement in response to introducing H.R. 8686, legislation authorizing the withdrawal and reservation of approximately 22,000 acres of federal land in Yuma and La Paz Counties to support the critical national security mission of the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground:

“The Yuma Proving Ground plays a vital role in America’s national defense and military readiness.  This legislation ensures our service members can safely conduct advanced testing and training operations while protecting the long-term mission of one of the most important military installations in the country.  Arizona is proud to support the men and women who defend our nation, and this bill strengthens that mission for decades to come.

This is not a partisan issue.  This is about military readiness, national security, and protecting the safety of the troops training at Yuma Proving Ground.  Our military must have the tools, land, and operational flexibility necessary to prepare for modern threats and evolving battlefield conditions.

The Yuma Proving Ground is a cornerstone of Arizona’s economy and our nation’s defense infrastructure.  This legislation strikes the right balance between military readiness, responsible land management, public access, and regional infrastructure needs,” stated Congressman Paul Gosar.

Background:

The legislation would establish a permanent withdrawal for lands necessary to safely conduct military testing, training, and advanced air delivery operations while preserving existing public land management responsibilities and utility access.  

Specifically, H.R. 8686 authorizes the withdrawal of approximately 21,783 acres adjacent to Highway 95 to create a larger safety buffer zone for military air delivery system testing. According to Army analysis, the additional land is necessary to allow higher-altitude testing, longer glide distances for guided parachute systems, and more complex tactical training scenarios that cannot safely occur under current land limitations.  

The bill also formally withdraws and reserves approximately 249 acres within the Howard Cantonment area that has been continuously used by the Army since 1955 under authorities that have since expired.  

Importantly, the proposal originated during the Biden Administration and received environmental review and approval across multiple agencies before ultimately being formally approved under the Trump Administration, underscoring the nonpartisan nature of the military’s operational need.

Under the legislation, the Department of the Interior would continue managing the withdrawn lands pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act while allowing for ongoing conservation activities, protection of wildlife habitat, preservation of cultural resources, wildfire management, recreation, hunting access, and management of wild horses and burros.  

Additionally, the legislation preserves the Parker-Blaisdell Utility Corridor and authorizes continued rights-of-way for critical regional utility infrastructure, including transmission lines, ensuring the proposal does not interfere with regional energy reliability or future utility needs.  

The bill amends the Military Land Withdrawals Act of 2013 by adding a new subtitle pertaining specifically to the Yuma Proving Ground withdrawal area.  

A copy of the legislation can be found by clicking here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Paul A Gosar DDS (AZ-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Paul Gosar (AZ-09) released the following statement after introducing the “Stopping Wasteful Allowances for Lawmaker Wrongdoing and Ensuring Legal Liability Act,” or the SWALWELL Act—a direct strike against Washington’s culture of corruption, secrecy, and self-protection.

“For decades, the swamp in Washington, D.C. has protected its own—letting corrupt politicians bury misconduct behind closed doors while sticking taxpayers with the bill. That ends now. If a Member of Congress or professional staff breaks the law or abuses their position, they should pay the price themselves—not the American people, and not in secret.

The SWALWELL Act slams the door on taxpayer-funded hush money. It bans the use of federal dollars for misconduct settlements and forces Members and professional staff to pay every penny out of their own pockets—no bailouts, no pass throughs, no campaign fund loopholes, no excuses. Lawmakers will have to certify under oath that they didn’t use public money to cover their tracks.

This bill also rips the curtain back on decades of buried abuse. It creates a public, searchable database naming those who settled or were found liable, including how much they paid and why—while fully protecting victims. And it exposes every taxpayer-funded payout going back to 1995, finally revealing the true scale of this congressional slush fund.

Just as importantly, it ensures that potential crimes can’t be swept under the rug. Any allegation of criminal conduct must be sent straight to the Department of Justice—no NDAs, no internal deals, no delays. Washington, D.C. doesn’t get to police itself in secret anymore.

And for those who try to game the system, the penalties are severe—at least double damages and ethics investigations, enforced by the Attorney General.

This is about ending the two-tiered system in Washington, D.C. where politicians play by their own rules. The SWALWELL Act restores accountability, enforces transparency, and makes it clear: if you betray the public trust, you will be exposed, and you will pay for it,” stated Congressman Paul Gosar.

Click here to view a copy of SWALWELL Act.

Current cosponsors: Biggs (AZ), Boebert, Burchett, Carter (GA), Fine, Luna

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today reintroduced her Federal Employee Short-Term Disability Insurance Act, which would allow federal employees to purchase short-term disability insurance at group rates to replace a portion of their income lost due to a short-term injury or disability, pregnancy, or pregnancy-related illness. 

“According to the Social Security Administration, a 20-year-old worker has a one-in-four chance of becoming disabled by retirement age. Most disabilities are not caused by major accidents, but by injuries or illnesses, such as back injuries or cancer, according to the Council for Disability Awareness,” Norton said. “At a time when Americans are already struggling to afford necessities, there is every reason to allow our federal employees to take advantage of the federal government’s purchasing power to obtain the most reasonable price for short-term disability coverage, at no cost to the federal government.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows. 

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Federal Employee Short-Term Disability Insurance Act of 2026

May 11, 2026

Today, I introduce the Federal Employee Short-Term Disability Insurance Act of 2026, which would make short-term disability insurance available to federal employees.  Employees would be responsible for 100 percent of the premiums and would receive benefits for up to one year.  Insurance companies would be prohibited from excluding federal employees, or charging them higher premiums, based on preexisting conditions. Many private-sector employers make available disability insurance to their employees.

I began examining how we could provide federal employees with short-term disability insurance at group rates and with guaranteed coverage after learning that many of them buy such insurance in the individual market, which can have high premiums and exclude those with preexisting conditions.  Although federal employees have good health insurance, health insurance benefits do not replace lost income.  Moreover, while federal employees may have available sick or annual leave, they may not have enough such leave to pay the bills if they cannot work for an extended period, such as following surgery.  Although the federal government provides disability benefits to federal employees who become permanently disabled, federal employees do not qualify for these benefits until they have worked for the federal government for at least 18 months.  The Office of Personnel Management would contract with insurance companies to provide short-term disability insurance. 

According to the Social Security Administration, a 20-year-old worker has a one-in-four chance of becoming disabled by retirement age. The majority of disabilities are not caused by major accidents, but by injuries or illnesses, according to the Council for Disability Awareness. 

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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

Annual Forum, Hosted by McCain Institute, Brings Together National, International Leaders

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

Latta Announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winners

57 Students from 13 high schools participated in this year’s Congressional Art Competition