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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman of the Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events — held a roundtable briefing with representatives from FIFA and the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28) as part of the task force’s oversight of security preparations for major upcoming events hosted by the United States. Members and briefers delivered public opening statements and then transitioned to a closed-door briefing.

Click to watch

Full Transcript of Opening Remarks: 

Good afternoon. I want to thank everyone for joining us today for this important roundtable with the Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States.

The FIFA World Cup, America’s 250^th anniversary, and the LA 2028 Summer Olympics will be great opportunities for us to showcase what makes America great. These events will bring millions of athletes, fans, and foreign delegations to our country, showcasing our people and our culture on a global stage.

As chairman of this Task Force, I look forward to hearing more about the security preparedness efforts that FIFA and LA28 are conducting over the next few months. This task force was created to be proactive in addressing known security risks through a whole of society approach. Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, online radicalization, and drones especially [comprise] some of the most pressing security challenges in today’s landscape. Next year will also be the 250^th birthday of the United States, which is why this task force is vital to bridge gaps and advance legislation to counter the multi-faceted threats present.

Last week, I visited — along with the chairman — the 9/11 memorial, which reminded us all of all the significant efforts we have taken as a nation to make America and the world safer. When I was chairman of this committee, ISIS and the caliphate were at their peak. To address this global threat, I championed counterterrorism initiatives such as launching the task force on denying terrorists entry into the United States, to enhance intelligence sharing and counter online radicalization to prevent attacks on U.S. soil. The risk of security preparedness for next year requires strong public-private information sharing efforts and effective security coordination between government, private sector, and our foreign partners.

We have structured today’s roundtable in two parts. This opening portion is public — allowing members, staff, the press, and the public to hear directly from our briefers as they share their initial remarks. Afterwards, we will briefly clear the room and then continue with a closed-door question-and-answer session to protect the security operations. This transition is necessary so that members can engage in a more candid discussion with our briefers on sensitive aspects of their security planning.

So I want to thank our briefers for joining us today and for the critical roles that they play in this process. We are fortunate to be joined here today by G.B. Jones, who is leading safety and security planning for the FIFA World Cup, and Voviette Morgan, who is serving as the Senior vice president of safety and security for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Both bring decades of experience in law enforcement, counterterrorism, and special event security, and they are at the forefront of preparing for these extraordinary undertakings.

By working together, we can strengthen our security planning and ensure that the United States is as prepared as possible to hold these global events safely. With that, I’ll turn it over to Ranking Member Ms. Pou for her opening statement.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security Committees — joined Martha Raddatz on ABC’s “This Week” to discuss the latest on Ukraine, Israel’s strike in Qatar, and his future plans

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Excerpts from the interview:

On Russia’s violation of Polish airspace: “I think Putin is testing the resolve of NATO. He wants to see how NATO reacts, how Poland reacts. The good news is Poland had a great response. They shot [several of Russia’s drones] down. But it shows you how aggressive Putin is getting in the region. Not only the drones, but these war game exercises with Belarus right on the NATO border, the Baltic States. The nuclear bombers that flew to Poland, close to their airspace, and then these strikes up in the Arctic. He’s really putting the pressure on right now.”

On NATO moving air defenses to the eastern flank and Putin’s next moves: “I think it’s a response to Putin’s aggression. Putin is the one responsible for this. And so, it’s called Eastern Sentry. That means the prepositioning of assets, relocation of military assets to the eastern flank of NATO right on the border. We’ve never seen anything like this in recent times. And so, what I’m concerned about is that the escalation here and the temperature rising, we got to be very careful not to be on the precipice of a World War III.

“I think [Putin will] continue to be provocative and saber-rattle. … What we need to do is negotiate out of strength. … You know, the more Putin irritates the president, I think the better we are in terms of defending NATO and Ukraine.”

On Israel’s strike in Qatar: “As the president said, this does not serve the interest of the United States or Israel well long term. And what do I mean by that? I think normalization is where we want to be at the end of the day. The more we inflame the Arab world, the less likely that normalization process. What do I mean by that? I mean, peace with Israel, Abraham Accords.”

On visiting Ground Zero for 9/11 and his future plans: “I was up there in New York [this weekend] for that powerful ceremony. [The 9/11 attack] changed my life and many others. I became a counterterrorism federal prosecutor within the Justice Department. I entered Congress. I chaired the Homeland Security Committee, [where] I saw the rise of ISIS and the caliphate. As chairman of Foreign Affairs, I saw Afghanistan fall and Putin invade Ukraine and the Middle East on fire, and then the threat from Chairman Xi and China in the Indo-Pacific.

“It’s been an honor to serve for over two decades in the Congress. I’m looking now for a new challenge. I’m going to serve the remainder of my term, but I’m looking for a new challenge in the same space — that would be national security and foreign policy, but just in a different realm. But I want to continue to serve the people of this country in national security and foreign policy and do what I’ve done in the last two decades: make America stronger and the world safer.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus of the House Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs Committees — announced he will not run for another congressional term. He will continue to serve the people of Texas for the remainder of the 119th Congress.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent the people of central Texas and to chair the prestigious Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs Committees,” said Chairman McCaul. “My father’s service in World War II inspired me to pursue a life of public service, with a focus on defending our great nation against global threats, and I have been proud to carry out that mission in Congress for more than two decades. I am ready for a new challenge in 2027 and look forward to continuing to serve my country in the national security and foreign policy realm.”

Accomplishments:

McCaul entered Congress in 2005. Prior to that, he served as chief of counterterrorism and national security in the U.S. attorney’s office for the Western District of Texas; as Texas’ deputy attorney general under current U.S. Sen. John Cornyn; and as a federal prosecutor in the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section in Washington, D.C.

McCaul was selected by his peers to serve as the Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security from 2013-2019, and as the Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee 2019-2023 and then as the Chairman from 2023-2025. He was also selected by then-Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to serve as the Chairman of the China Task Force, which would later become the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Below are just some of McCaul’s many accomplishments during his time in Congress:

House Committee on Homeland Security Leadership

McCaul’s chairmanship of the House Homeland Security Committee was marked by a rise in brutal terror attacks against the United States homeland, our interests overseas, and our allies. He used his time with the gavel to strengthen the homeland amidst threats from these foreign fighters and online radicalization.

Boston Marathon Bombing Investigation

• In the wake of the 2013 bombing, Chairman McCaul led the congressional investigation that exposed glaring gaps in the way federal, state and local law enforcement agencies share information.
• The investigation culminated in two comprehensive reports, released in March 2014 and April 2015.
• As a result of McCaul’s investigation, CBP tightened screening when there is a TEC “ping” on an individual – something that was missed on Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s travel. In addition, the FBI rewrote the JTTF information sharing rules that allowed task force officers to share information more easily with their home agencies.

Additional Counterterrorism Leadership

• McCaul began releasing a monthly assessment of global terrorism threats, called the “Terror Threat Snapshots,” which were widely cited by media and policymakers. The assessment was so useful, it has continued to be used by the committee to this day.
• McCaul established a Foreign Fighter Task Force to investigate how best to fix ISIS-era foreign fighter travel gaps in our laws. The result was a comprehensive report. Using their findings, the House passed legislation requiring a DHS exercise to detect and interrupt foreign fighter travel, and a later version of the bill was signed into law in 2019. The work done by the task force also allowed the House to swiftly respond to the 2015 attacks in Paris because they had ready-made legislative text for two billsthat quickly passed the House.

CISA Creation

• Chairman McCaul authored the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2018, creating CISA as a standalone agency under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security.
• This gave the federal government the ability to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure — coordinating cyber defense, threat sharing, and incident response across government and industry.

TSA Expansion and Authorization

• McCaul passed the first ever reauthorization of TSA for three years in 2018, which reformed and reauthorized TSA, while expanding important TSA programs like PreCheck and Global Entry.
• These measures eased airport congestion while allowing TSA to focus their resources on high-risk passengers that could have nefarious intentions.

Other Homeland Security Leadership

• McCaul successfully authored and passed the first reauthorization of the Department of Homeland Security in years.
• McCaul served as an impeachment manager in the proceedings against DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in 2024.
• McCaul successfully secured a provision to pay back border states — primarily Texas — for $13.5 billion in costs incurred under the Biden administration.
• McCaul is currently chairing the Homeland Security Committee’s “Task Force on Securing the Homeland Amidst Special Events” conduct oversight of the federal government’s security preparations for major upcoming international events, including the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, the 2025 Ryder Cup, the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026, and the 2027 National Football League (NFL) draft. 

House Committee on Foreign Affairs Leadership

McCaul’s leadership on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, serving as both the ranking republican and the chairman, was marked by generational turmoil overseas, including the U.S. withdrawal from and resulting catastrophic fall of Afghanistan, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine resulting in the largest land war in Europe since WWII, the horrific October 7^th attack on Israel and resulting war and instability in the Middle East, and increasingly aggressive actions by the Chinese Communist Party in the Indo Pacific. McCaul used his leadership position to pass legislation to confront U.S. adversaries and strengthen crucial U.S. alliances in order to boost U.S. national security.

Countering U.S. Adversaries

• McCaul led the charge to hold the Iranian regime accountable for the web of terrorism it created across the Middle East, including his Fight Crime Act, bipartisan legislation sanctioning those doing business with Iranian missile and drone programs that passed the House in 2023 and was later incorporated into the national security supplemental and signed into law in 2024. As a result of his efforts to counter the regime, particularly his involvement in the strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, McCaul was indicted by Iran in 2023.
• He was particularly focused on strengthening U.S. export controls, which are used to keep critical U.S. technology out of the hands of the CCP’s military. He conducted a 90-day review, resulting in a comprehensive report. In addition, the House passed a multitude of bills sponsored or shepherded by McCaul during his leadership on the committee, including H.R. 8152, the Remote Access Security Act, which allows the U.S. to restrict or block remote access (via networks or the cloud) to U.S.-controlled technology, even when it’s physically outside the country if that use poses a significant national security or foreign-policy risk.
• The chairman helped shepherd multiple pieces of legislation that strengthened the U.S. sanctions regime to hold our adversaries accountable and punish bad actors through the committee, including sanctions on the Houthis for the repeated attacks against international shipping vessels; sanctions on CCP members for their nefarious actions against Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Uyghur people; and a variety of sanctions on Russia for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, to name a few.
• McCaul led the investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. His investigation resulted in three comprehensive reports, released in June 2020, September 2020, and August 2021. As a result, he testifiedas an expert witness in front of the Coronavirus Select Subcommittee. His findings were since corroborated by the Biden administration.

Strengthening U.S. Alliances and U.S. National Security

• McCaul was a champion for strengthening our relationships with our Indo Pacific allies. authored and championed several pieces of legislation that were passed in the 2023 NDAA to fully implement and strengthen AUKUS, the security pact between the U.S., U.K., and Australia that counters China in the Indo-Pacific. His legislation also streamlined the exchange of critical technology between the three countries, allowing our defense industrial bases to grow stronger and smarter together.
• McCaul was a congressional champion for the sweeping 2024 defense supplemental that invested billions of dollars in the U.S. defense industrial base and provided crucial weapons systems and support for U.S. allies, including Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. His leadership was a crucial factor in getting the sweeping legislation passed. Had this not passed, it is almost certain that Russia would be occupying Ukraine and threatening the rest of eastern Europe today.
• He was the lead sponsor of one of the four pillars that made up the final supplemental package, entitled the “21^st Century Peace Through Strength Act.” This legislation contained a variety of critical policies to both confront our adversaries and strengthen U.S. national security, including the most comprehensive sanctions against Iran in years, and the REPO Act, which allowed frozen Russian assets to be redirected to Ukraine’s reconstruction.
• Because of his determination to help Ukraine defeat Russia, the Ukrainian Parliament honored him with their “Man of the Year” award, and President Zelensky honored him with an “Order of Merit.”
• McCaul authored and passed the House’s strongest bipartisan resolution (with more than 400 cosponsors) supporting Israel and condemning Hamas after the October 7 attack.
• McCaul has championed the rights of the people of Taiwan and led two bipartisan congressionaldelegation visits to the island in the face of strong CCP opposition. His support for Taiwan is one of the primary reasons he was sanctioned by China.
• McCaul was dedicated to strengthening our defense industrial base. As one example of his efforts, he created the Foreign Military Sales Task Force to identify legislative improvements that could strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base, ensuring our country has the tools it needs to confront our adversaries. The task force released a report that was turned into legislation that was marked up and passed by the committee.
• Throughout his time in Congress, McCaul also prioritizedsecuring the nation’s last line of defense: our borders. As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, McCaul’s legislation requiring the then-Biden administration to resume Remain in Mexico was incorporated into H.R. 2, which passed the House in May 2023.

Afghanistan Oversight

• McCaul led the charge to hold the Biden administration accountable for its disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. From the moment the president announced the unilateral withdrawal, McCaul continuously pushed back on the administration’s rosy narrative of the situation in Afghanistan during the military retrograde, and he repeatedly pushed the administration to prioritize the safety and security of U.S. personnel in the country — unfortunately to no avail.
• From the moment the emergency evacuation began, McCaul launched a comprehensive investigation to determine how such a catastrophe had happened, who was to blame, and how the U.S. could ensure this never happened again.
• The culmination of his three-year investigation produced a 115-page interim report and a 350-page final report, based on 18 transcribed interviews, including with some of the most senior Biden officials in charge of the withdrawal and the subsequent evacuation; seven public hearings, with testimony from top Biden State Department and Defense Department officials; and 20,000 pages of documents obtained under subpoena from the State Department. As a result of the report, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan resolution condemning senior Biden administration officials the investigation found to be at fault.

China Task Force

• In the wake of the COVID pandemic, McCaul was selected by then-Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to lead the China Task Force, which was aimed at coming up with cross-jurisdictional recommendations to address the generational threat emanating from the Chinese Communist Party. The task force, comprised of 15 members of Congress representing 11 congressional committees, conducted briefings with current and former administration officials on both sides of the aisle, business executives, ambassadors, and various outside experts. In total, the CTF engaged with more than 130 leaders to provide insights and solutions for its comprehensive action plan. The result was a 141-page comprehensive report with 82 key findings and more than 400 forward leaning recommendations, with over half of the legislative recommendations being bipartisan.
• One of the top recommendations from the China Task Force was passing the CHIPS Act, legislation authored by McCaul that would boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing research and strengthen supply chains for this critical technology. Because of McCaul’s tireless leadership on this issue, the CHIPS Act was incorporated into the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act, which became law in 2022.

Other Foreign Policy Leadership

• McCaul has been a vociferous advocate for Americans illegally detained overseas, including Ryan Corbett, Trevor Reed, Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Austin Tice, and Mark Swidan, as well as the hostages held by Hamas. His efforts included holding roundtables and press conferences with family members to support their return.
• McCaul authored a landmark, bipartisan conservation bill (included in the 2024 NDAA), which established the United States Foundation for International Conservation to promote robust, long-term conservation efforts between America’s public and private sectors and undercut malign actors like Russia and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) which tacitly profit from illicit hunting.
• McCaul’s USAID Branding Modernization Act ensured USAID projects are branded as American aid, not Chinese or Russian, to build goodwill for the United States.
• His Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act was signed into law in 2022, authorizing USAID to advance targeted interventions to prevent and treat malnutrition around the world, and requiring robust monitoring of these interventions to ensure effective use of taxpayer dollars.

Other Miscellaneous Accomplishments and Accolades

Childhood Cancer Caucus Leadership

• McCaul co-founded the Childhood Cancer Caucus in 2009 to give children with cancer a voice on Capitol Hill.
• Creating Hope Act – created the FDA Priority Review Vouchers (PRVs) for rare pediatric diseases including childhood cancers to spur drug developments where the market was failing.
• 63 PRVs have been awarded for pediatric diseases so far.
• Race for Children Act of 2017 – allows the most innovative adult treatments for cancer to be studied for use in children.
• STAR Act of 2018 (Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research Act) — the most comprehensive childhood cancer bill ever passed. It boosts tracking of childhood cancers, expands research, and works to improve the quality of life for survivors.
• The STAR has also been re-authorized in subsequent Congresses to keep funding and programs in place.
• McCaul’s Give Kids a Chance Act is currently making its way through the Energy and Commerce Committee. The bill would:
• Reauthorize the Food and Drug Administration priority review voucher (PRV) program — originally created under McCaul’s Creating Hope Act — which allows pharmaceutical companies to expedite FDA review of more profitable drugs in return for developing treatments for rare pediatric diseases.
• Direct companies to study combinations of cancer drugs and therapies in pediatric trials, giving kids the same chance as adults to beat cancer.

Anti-Human Trafficking Work

• While chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, McCaul formally authorized and codified DHS’s Blue Campaign against human trafficking, providing law enforcement new tools to help them deter, detect and mitigate instances of human trafficking.
• While ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, his Leveraging Information on Foreign Traffickers (LIFT) Act was signed into law. The bill ensured law enforcement officials receive timely information about foreigners denied entry to the U.S. for human trafficking reasons, and it extended the survivor-led Advisory Council on Human Trafficking.

Productivity and Accolades

McCaul consistently ranked among the most effective and bipartisan members of Congress in independent scorecards.

• McCaul was named most effective Republican of the 116th Congress.
• While Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the 118th Congress, the committee passed 145 measures, 94 passed the House, and 29 became law. Approximately 90% of the committee’s bills were bipartisan. This made it one of the most productive committees of the Congress.
• In 2023, he received the Statesmanship Award, presented by Former Members of Congress, for demonstrating bipartisan courage, commitment to democracy, and lifetime dedication to public service.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Bill to Empower Michigan Native Tribes Advances Committee

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar’s legislation, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act, was passed by the House Committee on Education and Workforce. The legislation affirms the rights of Native American tribes to govern labor relations on their own lands. The bill intends to respect tribal sovereignty, ensuring that Native communities have the same self-determination enjoyed by state and local governments.  

“The Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act is about fairness and respect. Tribal governments should have the same authority as every other level of government in America to make decisions for their people and their communities,” said Congressman Moolenaar. “This legislation recognizes the sovereignty of tribes and ensures they have the ability to create policies that best serve their members. I am grateful for the support it received in the Education and Workforce Committee, and will continue my work to deliver this important protection for tribal communities.”   

The Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act has been a longstanding priority for Native American leaders, receiving support letters from 33 tribes across the country as it was considered by the Education and Workforce Committee. By placing tribes on equal footing with states and territories under the National Labor Relations Act, the bill strengthens tribal self-governance and reaffirms the federal government’s commitment to honoring tribal sovereignty. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Meets with Netherlands’ Ambassador to America

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar met with Birgitta Tazelaar, the Dutch Ambassador to the United States. Their conversation covered areas of cooperation between the United States and the Netherlands, while recognizing the deep cultural and historical ties shared with West Michigan.

“In West Michigan so many families trace their roots back to the Netherlands, so it was wonderful to meet with Ambassador Tazelaar and discuss the strong alliance between our two countries. We also talked about how our countries can work together to protect innovation and counter the Chinese Communist Party. I look forward to continuing to work with the ambassador and the Dutch government on these issues,” said Moolenaar

Congressman John Moolenaar, right, meets with Dutch Ambassador Birgitta Tazelaar.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02)

Washington, D.C. –  Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, released the following statement after her Financial Exploitation Prevention Act was unanimously approved by the Financial Services Committee:

“We are facing a growing crisis that is often hidden in plain sight: the financial exploitation of our most vulnerable citizens. This issue affects millions, robbing them of their life savings and sense of security.  For too long, the financial industry has been limited in its ability to combat this insidious crime.  My Financial Exploitation Prevention Act empowers the people who are in the best position to intervene and stop financial abuse before it’s too late.  Crucially, it allows financial institutions to temporarily delay a transaction if they have a reasonable belief that it is the result of financial exploitation.  Tools like this will help better protect those who are 65 or older, as well as those with mental or physical impairments who are unable to protect their own interests. I am grateful the full Committee passed this legislation today, and I look forward to the House as a whole taking this up.”

Background

The Financial Exploitation Prevention Act would give the financial industry better tools to address suspected financial exploitation and abuse of seniors and those with mental and physical disabilities. First, the bill requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to report to Congress on recommendations for legislative and regulatory changes on how to combat financial exploitation of seniors and vulnerable adults. Second, the bill permits a registered open-end investment company or transfer agent for that company, including mutual funds, to better protect seniors by delaying the redemption period of any redeemable security if it was reasonably believed that such redemption was requested through the financial exploitation of a security holder who is a senior or an individual unable to protect their own interests.

Seniors aged 65 and over will make up 18% of the U.S. population by 2030. As more investors age into retirement, their risk of exploitation increases. According to a 2023 AARP report, Americans age 60 and older lose an estimated $28.3 billion annually due to financial exploitation.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK), along with Reps. Betty McCollum (D-MN), Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Jared Huffman (D-CA), introduced H.R. 5257, the Tribal Trust Land Reaffirmation Act. This legislation would address the Supreme Court’s 2009 Carcieri v. Salazar decision by reaffirming that all current land put into trust on behalf of a federally recognized tribe by the Department of the Interior (DOI) is officially reaffirmed as trust land.

After introducing the legislation, the members of Congress released the following statements:

“This decision has caused uncertainty and resulted in heavy legal and administrative burdens for tribes and the federal government, putting millions of dollars’ worth of trust land in legal limbo,” said Congressman Cole. “The Tribal Trust Land Reaffirmation Act will help alleviate this egregious wrongdoing and restore stability for federally recognized tribes that have land in trust. I am thankful to my good friends and allies to Indian country, Reps. McCollum, Rogers, and Huffman, for their collaboration on this legislation and continued efforts to right this wrong.”

“All federally recognized Tribal Nations deserve the assurance that land they have had placed into trust will be honored. Trust land is vital for Tribes to restore their homelands and to meet their communities’ needs for housing, healthcare infrastructure, agriculture, and other resources,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “The Tribal Trust Land Reaffirmation Act will strengthen self-governance by removing the threat and burden of lawsuits that have challenged the trust land of tribes recognized after 1934. Congress must honor our federal trust and treaty responsibilities by passing this legislation to reaffirm the legitimacy of all land placed into trust for all tribal nations.”

“I am proud to join my friend and colleague, Chairman Tom Cole, in introducing this legislation,” said Congressman Rogers. “These lands are currently in a state of legal flux, and passage of the Tribal Trust Land Reaffirmation Act will bring needed certainty to our tribes.”

“All federally recognized tribes deserve to have equal access to economic development opportunities that come with taking land into trust. The disastrous Carcieri decision threw a wrench into this system, pitting tribes against each other and creating a never-ending spiral of litigation,” said Congressman Huffman. “I’m glad be working alongside Rep. Cole, my colleagues, and our many tribal partners to right this wrong, and we won’t stop until this bill becomes law.”  

Background:

As a result of the Indian Removal Act signed into law by President Andrew Jackson in 1830, many Native American Tribes were forcibly removed from their land and relocated to unknown areas that provided them with little to no opportunity to prosper.

Then, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Congress authorized placing tribal lands into trust with the federal government. On the contrary to the unknown lands, trust lands offered Tribes the ability to rebuild their communities by expanding economic opportunities and provide for their fellow Tribal members. For example, Tribal communities often use trust lands to produce energy, grow crops, build schools, housing, and hospitals for their communities, and more. Additionally, trust land gives Tribes access to certain tax credits and contracting opportunities that generate public and private partnerships that lead to increased jobs and services for both Tribal and non-Tribal communities. In fact, Tribal nations are often the largest employers and health service providers in their areas.

Yet, unfortunately, in Carcieri v. Salazar in 2009, the Supreme Court ruled that the Secretary of the Interior’s authority to take land into trust is limited to only those tribes “under federal jurisdiction” as of 1934, the year Congress enacted the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA). This decision upended 75 years of federal precedent, causing damaging consequences for Tribes, as it created two different classes of Indian Tribes: those that can have land in trust and those that cannot. An unfortunate result of this decision stemmed opportunities for litigation to be brought against Tribes challenging the legitimacy of their trust land. This has resulted in heavy legal and administrative burdens for both Tribes and the federal government.

Ever since the 2009 Supreme Court decision, Rep. Tom Cole, in coordination with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, has introduced or helped lead legislation to fix this detrimental decision, protect tribal sovereignty, and alleviate the federal government from frivolous lawsuits and burdensome, time-consuming protocols for trust land applications.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

Today, Congresswomen Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12)and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), alongside Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), introduced the bicameral Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act. The bill will help address financial challenges for new farmers and ranchers, especially as farm input costs continue to rise and agricultural prices continue to fall in 2025.

Beginning farmers often face immediate financial hurdles during their first years of operation. This legislation directs the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to develop a multi-year loan pilot program to address financing challenges for beginning farmers and ranchers.

“The future of our agriculture industry depends on the next generation of farmers and ranchers, but high costs and shrinking profit margins make it difficult for them to enter the field,” said Congresswoman Adams. “The Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act is a lifeline for our new agriculture producers, ensuring their access to essential programs like long-term loans, flexible financing terms, and technical assistance that strengthen their operations. Our farms, especially small, mid-sized, and family farms, need our support and I’m proud to introduce this bill to give them the resources they need to be successful.”

“New farmers starting their businesses often face financial barriers,” said Representative Strickland. “This bill gives farmers immediate access to capital as they begin their farming operations.”

“Supporting aspiring and beginner farmers is key to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our food systems and the health and welfare of our communities. Start-up funds are vital to building a business in any industry, and farming is no exception. Yet for many beginning farmers—especially first-generation and farmers of color—financial barriers can make it difficult to break ground on their farm,” said Senator Welch. “Our bicameral bill will make it easier for beginning farmers in Vermont, North Carolina, Washington, and across the country to start and maintain farming operations.”

The full bill text can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative for Western Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata

Headline: House Passes Amata-Cosponsored Veterans and Foreign Affairs Legislation

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting House passage this week, and a few earlier this month, of several bills that she cosponsored. 

The following Amata-cosponsored bills were passed by the House on Monday: 

The TRAVEL Act, H.R. 3400, fully titled the Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare Act, sponsored by Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-CNMI); together with original cosponsors Rep. Aumua Amata Radewagen of American Samoa, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC), and Rep. James Moylan (R-Guam), then added the support of ten more representatives, including Rep. Ed Case (D-HI) and Pablo Jose Hernandez (D-PR). 

This bipartisan bill, passed 371-21, authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assign a physician in the Veterans Health Administration as a traveling physician for up to a year, providing health care to veterans in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Traveling physicians will coordinate locally for quality care for veterans. The VA will provide a relocation or retention bonus to these traveling physicians.

“Through this bipartisan bill, the VA can bring fresh medical expertise directly to our island Veterans,” said HVAC Vice Chairman Amata. “The VA traveling physician would work in cooperation with our local health professionals to the benefit of our veterans, for weeks and months at a time.”

The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, House final passage by voice vote Monday of the Senate-amended H.R. 452, which Amata cosponsored, now sent to President Trump to be signed into law. The bill awards Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, “in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics where, being comprised of amateur collegiate players, they defeated the dominant Soviet hockey team in the historic ‘Miracle on Ice’, revitalizing American morale at the height of the Cold War, inspiring generations and transforming the sport of hockey in the United States.”

Congresswoman Amata also cosponsored the following bills, passed earlier in September, after advancing through the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC):

The ARMOR Act, H.R. 4233, fully titled the AUKUS Reform for Military Optimization and Review Act. In turn AUKUS is an acronym for Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, working cooperatively on security issues, equipment and systems. The bipartisan bill, led by Rep. Young Kim (R-CA), who chairs the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, of which Amata is vice chairman, expedites review and licensing to prioritize these efforts. 

The Uyghur Policy Act of 2025, H.R. 2635, a bipartisan effort also led by Rep. Kim. This bill addresses human rights issues concerning the Uyghurs and other minority groups residing primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in China; directs the Department of State to prioritize policies and programs to support the Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in the XUAR and to lead coordination efforts for the release of certain political prisoners in the XUAR; facilitate the presence of human rights advocates at public diplomacy forums to speak on issues related to the human rights and religious freedoms of persecuted minority groups in China; ensure that Uyghur language training is available to Foreign Service officers, and that a Uyghur-speaking member of the Foreign Service is assigned to U.S. diplomatic and consular posts in China.

“AUKUS strengthens our Pacific region and is an enduring priority,” concluded Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “We also take an important stand as a nation for human rights, principles of freedom, and the dignity of people. Years ago, before I was in Congress, I held workshops on democracy and economics including a seminar with the Uyghurs, as their leaders came to our meeting from all over the world. Thank you especially to the leadership of Chairwoman Young Kim on each of these bipartisan efforts.”

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

WASHINGTON – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today introduced the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation to ensure dedicated, trained support remains available to LGBTQ+ youth who contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain specialized services and to reserve no less than 9 percent of 988 Lifeline funds each year to sustain and strengthen those services.

The House bill is co-led by Reps. Michael Lawler (R-NY), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Seth Moulton (D-MA), with Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introducing companion legislation in the Senate.

“America’s youth mental health crisis is real, and LGBTQ+ young people are at significantly higher risk,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “The 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline must always meet them with affirming, specialized care, not busy signals or generic referrals. Our bill locks in the trained counselors and resources these teens need in the darkest moments of their lives, so a text, call, or chat to 988 reaches someone who understands and can help. This is about saving lives, and it should remain above politics.”

In July, Congressman Krishnamoorthi led 104 of his House colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to the House Appropriations Committee calling for 988 funding to be preserved. Congressman Krishnamoorthi also spoke about the importance of the 988 hotline during a press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol this summer.

Why it matters:

• Approximately 45 percent of high school students who seriously considered attempting suicide in 2021 identified as LGBTQ+.

• Since its launch, the 988 LGBTQ+ specialized services have handled over 1.5 million calls, texts, and chats—averaging ~2,200 contacts per day as of May 2025.

• Specialized lines staffed by counselors trained on LGBTQ+ youth challenges deliver safer, more effective crisis response.

What the bill does:

• Protects and sustains specialized services: Directs HHS to maintain and operate LGBTQ+ youth specialized services within 988, including the Press 3/IVR path to affirming counselors.

• Sets a funding floor: Requires HHS to reserve at least 9 percent of 988 resources annually for these services, ensuring reliable capacity and continuity.

“Growing up can be challenging, and for LGBTQ+ youth, those challenges can feel overwhelming,” Congresswoman Davids said. “That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues from both parties to introduce this bipartisan bill that ensures every young person has access to the 988 suicide crisis hotline. Mental health support saves lives, and we must make sure trained counselors are always there for LGBTQ+ youth when they need help most.”

“I led the fight to create the 988 hotline because I knew it would save lives— and it has,” Congressman Moulton said. “More than 2,000 LGBTQ+ young people used the ‘Press 3’ option each day to get in touch with someone who understood what they were going through, and more than 1.5 million youth in crisis have received life-saving care since the lifeline started. That’s what makes the reckless decision to eliminate the ‘Press 3’ option so cruel and dumbfounding. Now, through the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act, we are acting to guarantee the ‘Press 3’ option into law. No president, no administration, and no political agenda should ever be able to take it away again.”

“Every young person in crisis deserves to know that when they reach out for help, someone will be there to answer. We must ensure that the 988 Lifeline continues to be a critical resource for folks in New York and across the country. I’m proud to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure it’s there for every American who needs it,” Congressman Lawler said.

“Every young person in crisis deserves to hear a voice on the other end of the line—one that is trained and equipped to save their life,” Congressman Fitzpatrick said. “Nearly 1.3 million LGBTQ+ youth have already turned to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s ‘Press 3’ option. That tells us two things: the need is staggering, and the service is working. Behind every call is a child fighting to survive, and having trained, affirming support on the other end of the line can mean the difference between despair and hope. This bill ensures no call goes unanswered and no child is left without support. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Task Force, I’ve fought to expand 988 and strengthen youth mental health services. Now is the time to build on that progress—not walk it back.”

“LGBTQ+ youth experience significant health and behavioral health disparities, including elevated rates of suicide attempts, with 39% reporting in 2024 that they had seriously considered suicide in the past year,” Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said. “Research shows that culturally competent care—support that understands and affirms LGBTQ+ identities—can be life-saving. Before the 988 LGBTQ+ line was shut down on July 17, more than 1.5 million calls, texts, and chats were routed to specially trained counselors. AFSP thanks Representatives Krishnamoorthi, Lawler, Davids, Fitzpatrick, and Moulton, and Senators Baldwin and Murkowski, for introducing bipartisan legislation to restore these specialized services. We urge Congress to act quickly to pass this vital bill and ensure LGBTQ+ youth in crisis have access to the care they need.”

“Two months ago today, the administration eliminated the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s ‘Press 3’ LGBTQ+ youth specialized services – a devastating blow that cut life-saving resources for more than 1.5 million young LGBTQ+ Americans who relied on them,” Trevor Project’s CEO, Jaymes Black said. “Given that LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, the need for these services remains pressing. At The Trevor Project, we are doing everything we can to fill the gaps in crisis care caused by the ‘Press 3’ shutdown. We are immensely grateful to the members of Congress – both Republicans and Democrats – who are calling to restore this vital suicide prevention funding through new legislation. This is not about politics, or identity; this is about doing what is best to support our country’s highest risk populations – and save young people’s lives nationwide.”

“LGBTQ+ youth are facing a mental health crisis at a scale we can’t ignore. Nearly 40% have seriously considered suicide, according to The Trevor Project, and far too many are unable to access the care they need. In 2024 alone, almost half of LGBTQ+ young people who sought mental health support couldn’t, often because of barriers at home or in their schools,” GLSEN’s Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers said. “The launch of the LGBTQ+ option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was a major step forward. It’s a service that has already made a difference, and one we can’t afford to lose. The bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025 will ensure that this specialized service remains available and fully funded for the LGBTQI+ community. By codifying ‘Option 3’ into law, this bill sends a clear message: our LGBTQ+ youth matter, and they deserve support, safety, and someone to turn to in their darkest moments. We’re proud to see leaders on both sides of the aisle standing up for their lives.”

“It comes down to one simple truth: 988 saves lives—especially for those who are most vulnerable,” David Stacy, Vice President of Government Affairs, Human Rights Campaign, said. “The evidence is clear and overwhelming, yet this administration has cruelly ripped away this vital lifeline. We are proud that leaders from both parties recognize the importance of 988, what it represents, and the lives it changes. Their support helps us ensure that every person has the chance to live their full American dream.”

“LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionately high rates of suicide and suicidal thoughts, making access to specialized suicide prevention and support essential,” Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), said. “We have to do everything we can to save young people’s lives. The 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act dedicates critical resources to maintain and strengthen the specialized LGBTQ+ services within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.  NAMI is proud to support this lifesaving legislation.”

The legislation is supported by the Trevor Project, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the National Alliance for Mental Illness, GLSEN, and the Human Rights Campaign. 

The full text of the bill is available here.

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