MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded the New River Valley Airport Commission, based in Pulaski County, Virginia, a $474,406 grant. The funding supports the construction of hangars for aircraft storage and maintenance. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“The New River Valley Airport is anchored in a growing area of Southwest Virginia and serves the larger New River Valley.

“This DOT grant for more than $474,000 helps the New River Valley Airport Commission pursue structural and capacity improvements at the New River Valley Airport.”

BACKGROUND

The New River Valley Airport Commission is comprised of: Pulaski, Montgomery and Giles Counties, the Towns of Dublin, Pulaski and Christiansburg and the City of Radford.

The New River Valley Airport is located just outside of Dublin.

This grant money was made available through the FAA Fiscal Year 2025 Airport Infrastructure Grant program.

This project supports the construction of new 152,000 square foot hangars and the rehabilitation of 40,000 square yards of existing main Apron pavement.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, demanded answers from the Trump Administration on their cruel efforts to unlawfully remove dozens of unaccompanied Guatemalan children from the United States in the middle of the night over Labor Day weekend.

In their letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, the lawmakers demanded answers on the Administration’s compliance with due process and confidentiality obligations under asylum law, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), and other statutory protections afforded to unaccompanied children by law. They also asked for copies of the agreement the Administration said they made with the government of Guatemala regarding these removals and requested copies of training requirements for officials who interact with children.

“We write in response to deeply disturbing allegations that the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attempted to unlawfully remove unaccompanied children (UACs) from the United States in the dead of night, during a holiday weekend,” wrote the lawmakers. “We are concerned that you violated these children’s due process and procedural rights, and in doing so, abandoned your legal obligation to safeguard the best interests of the children in your care.”

“UACs are among the most vulnerable children attempting to navigate our complex immigration system. They must trust in the government’s care, frequently having fled abuse, violence, and persecution abroad,” continued the lawmakers. “They are entitled to notice and due process under the Constitution, and the Trafficking Victims Protections Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) sets forth special procedures for the removal or voluntary departure of UACs to ensure they receive such process.”

The Trump Administration identified approximately 600 Guatemalan children living alone for removal, first notifying Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) staff on Friday night, August 29, to prepare children for deportation despite their ongoing immigration proceedings. Both attorneys and the children were shocked to learn for the first time that night that repatriations may occur. Late Saturday into Sunday morning, 76 Guatemalan children were put on planes for removal with no regard for their well-being or safety, as many children expressed immense fear of returning to Guatemala.

At 4:22 a.m. on Sunday, August 31, a federal judge issued an emergency temporary restraining order against the removals, but the Administration continued to place children onto planes until 10:30 a.m. Government officials did not respond to the judge’s requests to transmit the court order to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ORR staff amid their ongoing attempts to deport these unaccompanied children, which prompted the judge to call an emergency hearing at 12:30 p.m. the same day.

The TVPRA sets forth specific procedures for the removal or voluntary departure of unaccompanied children, generally affording them the opportunity to appear before an immigration judge before DHS can remove them. The Guatemalan children in question did not have this opportunity — likely violating the TVPRA — nor did the Administration explain to them why their immigration court cases were taken off the docket.

Many of these children and their families strongly objected to their return to Guatemala, and many had pending applications for asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, or other protection. In fact, a majority of Guatemalan families contacted explicitly expressed that they did not request their children’s return, according to a recent report by a Guatemalan attorney general’s office. This report was then later substantiated by a Department of Justice attorney representing the government at a September 10 hearing, withdrawing the government’s previous statements in court claiming parents had requested that their children be returned. After the hearing, D.C. District Court Judge Timothy J. Kelly extended the preliminary injunction, blocking the Administration from removing the children until September 16.

“As the Ranking Members of the Committees and Subcommittees with primary jurisdiction over the TVPRA and the [Immigration and Nationality Act], it is our responsibility to conduct oversight over implementation of these laws, ensuring that HHS, ORR, DHS, and the immigration courts meet their legal and ethical obligations under the law with respect to the care and protection of unaccompanied children. This situation is alarming, unacceptable, and raises serious concerns as to whether you are meeting your basic obligations to act in the best interests of children in your care,” concluded the lawmakers.

The lawmakers demanded responses to a series of inquiries regarding the incident by September 29.

Full text of the letter is available here.

Issues: Immigration

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, South and Central Asia Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced the introduction of H.R. 5271, the Pakistan Freedom and Accountability Act. This bipartisan legislation is co-led by South and Central Asia Subcommittee Ranking Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) as well as Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Julie Johnson (D-TX), and Jefferson Shreve (R-IN). The bill is cosponsored by Reps. Rich McCormick (R-GA), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and Mike Lawler (R-NY).

The Pakistan Freedom and Accountability Act builds on the work from H.Res. 901, which passed the House last Congress, and was supported by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of members. This bipartisan bill reaffirms the strong U.S. support for democracy, free and fair elections in Pakistan, and the need for the Government of Pakistan to uphold human rights. Importantly, the Pakistan Freedom and Accountability Act authorizes the President to impose Global Magnitsky Human Rights and Accountability Act sanctions on any current or former senior official of the government, military, or security forces of Pakistan who is responsible for gross violations of human rights or violations associated with undermining democracy in Pakistan.

“The United States will not sit idly by as individuals who currently serve or have previously served in Pakistan’s government, military, or security forces commit or downplay blatant human rights abuses,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “The Pakistan Freedom and Accountability Act is a bipartisan measure designed to protect the people of Pakistan by holding bad actors accountable and ensuring that neither the democratic process nor free speech is drowned out in Pakistan.”

“Promoting democracy and protecting human rights are core tenets of U.S. foreign policy and must remain central to the Administration’s engagement in Pakistan,” said Ranking Member Kamlager-Dove. “At a time of democratic backsliding and global unrest, the U.S. must defend these values at home and abroad—and hold those who undermine them accountable. I’m proud to join Chair Huizenga in introducing legislation to sanction those who threaten democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Pakistan.”

“The bipartisan Pakistan Freedom and Accountability Act makes clear that the United States stands firmly with the people of Pakistan in their pursuit of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law,” said Congresswoman Julie Johnson (D-TX). “By holding officials accountable when they undermine free and fair elections or commit gross human rights abuses, we send a strong message: those who attack democracy will face consequences, and they will not find impunity on the global stage. Our nation will continue to champion freedom, accountability, and democratic values, because these principles are the foundation of peace and stability around the world.”

“This Legislation empowers the people of Pakistan and ensure that human rights, free speech, and democracy violators will be accountable and face appropriate consequences.” – Asad Malik, Former President, PAKPAC

“We thank Chairman Huizenga for his bold and principled leadership, which is critical for the national interest of the United States. For too long, the voices of ordinary Pakistanis have been silenced under undeclared military rule, through tactics of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, intimidation, and censorship of media and journalists. H.R.5271 is not just a bill — it demonstrates solidarity with 250 million people. It affirms that the U.S. Congress is listening, and that Pakistani-Americans will not stop fighting until democracy and human rights are restored in Pakistan, including freedom for Prime Minister Imran Khan and all political prisoners.” – First Pakistan Global

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Establishing Telehealth Awareness Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today introduced a bipartisan resolution declaring the week of September 15, 2025, as Telehealth Awareness Week.

The resolution, co-sponsored by Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA), David Schweikert (R-AZ), and Mike Thompson (D-CA), aims to recognize the impact of telehealth in delivering health care services to patients across the United States, particularly seniors and those living in rural areas, and encourage continued use and adoption of this vital service.

“Telehealth brings qualified health care professionals directly to every home in America. It is critical that we continue to advocate for widespread adoption of this revolutionary technology, so telehealth services are available to all who need them. We all want quality, affordable, and accessible health care, and telehealth helps us get there,” said Rep. Carter.

“Telehealth has transformed from a novel tool into one of the premier ways patients access care. From mental health to rural health, it has removed barriers and enabled millions of Americans to be proactive about their wellbeing,” said Rep. Matsui. “As technology advances and care delivery evolves, we must continue to underscore telehealth’s proven impact and ensure it remains a cornerstone of our health care system. Establishing Telehealth Awareness Week reaffirms our commitment to building a more connected, equitable future for patients everywhere.”

“Expanding digital health solutions is one of the most effective ways to improve access, lower costs, and help patients live healthier lives,” said Rep. Schweikert. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance innovative technologies and modernize this critical space.”

“Since my days in the California State Senate, I’ve been a big believer in telehealth’s ability to save money, time, and lives,” said Rep. Thompson. “It’s great to join my colleagues to mark Telehealth Awareness Week. Telehealth allows patients—especially those with low mobility or who otherwise can’t make it to the doctor’s office—to access the care they need when they need it. Expanding Americans’ access to telehealth’s vital services just makes sense and I look forward to working with my colleagues to make telehealth access permanent.”

This month, Rep. Carter introduced the bipartisan Telehealth Modernization Act, which ensures continued access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries and extends these flexibilities to federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics.

Read the full resolution text here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), a member of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health, and Angie Craig (D-MN), introduced the “The Diagnostic Accuracy in Sepsis Act.” This legislation aims to improve patient safety by reducing blood culture contamination and also aims to avoid administering unnecessary and costly treatment during this process.

“Patient safety should always be the top priority, and this legislation does just that,” Rep. Kelly said. “This legislation aims to improve both patient care and patient outcomes while ensuring thousands of Americans who receive this treatment each year can avoid false-positive sepsis test results.”

“Contaminated blood culture tests can lead to incorrect diagnoses and costly and unnecessary treatments,” said Rep. Craig. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with Rep. Kelly to help prevent false-positive sepsis results. Our legislation will keep patients safe while reducing health care costs.” 

BACKGROUND

Inaccurate sepsis tests due to blood culture contamination cost Medicare hundreds of millions of dollars annually, harm patients by leading to unnecessary treatments, and worsen the antimicrobial resistance crisis. Accuracy is especially important in acute care hospitals when patients present with symptoms of sepsis. Despite multiple federal government–sponsored educational campaigns, the national blood culture contamination rate has remained above 3 percent for decades.

This legislation, which requires CMS to add a blood culture contamination rate measure to the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction (HAC) Program, would eliminate wasteful spending and unnecessary treatments, reduce significant patient harm, and support antimicrobial stewardship.

As a result, the health care system could realize billions of dollars in savings and afford patients the opportunity for quality outcomes.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“Sepsis Alliance applauds Reps. Kelly and Craig for introducing “The Diagnostic Accuracy in Sepsis Act,” said Thomas Heymann, Sepsis Alliance President and CEO. “This legislation will help thousands of patients avoid false-positive sepsis test results, and the potential overuse of antimicrobials, due to preventable blood culture contamination. This legislation will incentivize hospitals to take the steps necessary to address this critical patient safety issue.”

“We know from the experience of hospitals across the country that best practice techniques together with innovative technology can lead to substantial reduction in the number of contaminated blood culture tests,” said Dr. Lucy Tompkins, an expert in the fields of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Microbiology, Epidemiology, and Infection Prevention and Control. “Getting to zero percent contamination is a goal that “The Diagnostic Accuracy in Sepsis Act” will help us achieve, allowing us to avoid administering unnecessary and costly treatment. It is also a critically important step in support of continued antimicrobial stewardship efforts.”

Read the full text of the legislation here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)

U.S. Representatives Ron Estes (R-Kansas) and Seth Magaziner (D-Rhode Island) introduced the Unclaimed Retirement Rescue Plan. This legislation will direct the Secretary of Labor to reunite workers with lost retirement funds from 401(k) accounts and IRAs. This error can occur when retirement savings are left behind with employers due to job changes.

“Hardworking Americans deserve the retirement savings they’ve earned, but these savings are sometimes lost due to job changes. As a former Kansas State Treasurer, I know how unclaimed property programs protect and return lost assets in an efficient manner,” said Rep. Estes. “Working with Congressman Magaziner at the federal level to introduce this bipartisan bill will ensure forgotten retirement funds make their way back to their rightful owners, strengthening retirement security for millions.”

“Americans work hard and deserve every penny of the retirement benefits they’ve earned. As the former state treasurer of Rhode Island, I know firsthand that state unclaimed property systems are effective tools to help reconnect people with their benefits,” said Rep. Magaziner. “The Unclaimed Retirement Rescue Plan will build on these systems to ensure more workers receive what they earned and can retire with dignity.”

Background:

October 2024 – Reps. Estes, Magaziner Lead Letter to Reunite Americans With Unclaimed Retirement Savings

March 2022 – House Passes SECURE 2.0, Includes Rep. Estes Priorities

October 2020 – Rep. Estes Statement on Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Retirement Security

October 2020 – Reps. Estes and Murphy Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help American Workers Have Financially Secure Retirements

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

WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson joined Shannon Bream on Fox News’ Fox News Sunday and Major Garrett on CBS News’ Face the Nation to discuss Charlie Kirk’s impact on America, as well as the responsibility of all leaders to turn down the temperature of political rhetoric in America. Speaker Johnson also addressed Republican efforts to responsibly keep the government funded and operating.

Watch Speaker Johnson on Fox News and CBS.

On Charlie Kirk’s impact:

It was a difficult week for the country, certainly it was felt on Capitol Hill. There is a mixture of anger and sadness and fear, frankly, on the part of a lot of people. It cast a large shadow across the country and in the nation’s capital. But what I do know Major is that my good friend Charlie would not want any of us to be consumed by despair. He would want us to go forward boldly. That was his message and to do it in love. And I think that, I hope, is the message that continues in the days ahead.

And I think this is a real moment for America, affirmatively. And I think one of the ways to do that Major is to adopt the manner of Charlie Kirk, because while he loved vigorous debate and he believed in the free marketplace of ideas and advancing truth boldly, he also was motivated by love for his fellow man, because he’d never hated the person on the other side of the table. And I think everyone would do well to be reminded of that model.

On the rise of political violence and the need to turn down the temperature:

I’ve spoken to a lot of members on both sides of the aisle, and there’s this recognition that people have got to stop framing simple policy disagreements in terms of existential threats to our democracy. All these phrases you hear all the time; you can’t call the other side fascists and enemies of the state and not understand that there are some deranged people in our society who will take that as cues to act and do crazy and dangerous things. And that’s what we’ve seen in increasing frequency.

Members of Congress and all public officials have an obligation to speak clearly to this and calm the waters. We can have vigorous disputes. I mean, Charlie Kirk was an expert at that. He loved debate, but Charlie also advanced another really important idea, and that is that he loved the people on the other side of that table. He was never motivated by hate. He was motivated by truth and love. And that’s what we have to do. That’s who we are as Americans, that follows the best of our Judeo-Christian traditions and heritage and our civil society. And we have got to get back to that.

On government funding: 

Democrats currently are playing games with government funding; they’re trying to bring in extraneous issues. We’ve been working towards getting the government funding appropriations bills done in the House. Our Appropriations Committee worked, by the way, in bipartisan fashion, to get all 12 appropriations bills through the committee. We’ve gotten three of them passed off the House floor and now we’ve voted just last week to go into a conference committee with the Senate to begin grinding this out. That’s how the process is supposed to work.

So, if there’s anyone, any Democrats who are trying to suggest that they want to shut the government down, we’re going to do everything possible to prevent that from happening. It does not behoove the country. And we may need a short gap funding measure, a CR for a short period of time, to allow the negotiations to continue. But it will be clean in its scope. And I surely hope the Democrats will not try to make this a big partisan fight.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the House of Representatives. The legislation included several key national defense priorities for South Jersey that Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) fought for.  

Fiscal Year 2026 NDAA Priorities Secured by Rep. Norcross:

• Over $618 million for CH-47 helicopters, which will be manufactured by South Jersey workers. 

• Over $2.5 billion for the KC-46 refueler aircraft, which flies out of Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst.  

• $5 million to Rowan University for research, development, and engineering to enable rapid entry and sustainment in the Arctic and other cold regions being conducted. 

• Required an Army study to on the consequences of ammunition research and development away from Picatinny Arsenal in Wharton, New Jersey.  

• Protected collective bargaining rights for Department of Defense Employees.  

• Protected Buy American principles, American jobs and manufacturing by making sure defense programs continue using U.S.-made parts and materials, keeping our industrial base strong 

• Protected the E-7 Wedgetail program from cancellation, ensuring $800 million in continued investment in this critical airborne warning and control capability. 

• $9.9 million investment to enhance Army command and control for unmanned systems and their defense which will be developed by South Jersey workers.  

• $10 million for research and development of man-portable doppler radars for Army Network Command, Control, Communication, and Intelligence (C3I) Technology. 

• $50 million to support U.S.-Israel anti-tunneling cooperation. 

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

 WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined fellow members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and Rep. Julie Johnson (TX-32), as well as Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-04) and representatives from the Women’s National Basketball Player’s Association (WNBPA) to push for fair pay for female athletes. On a press call, the Members urged the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) to bargain in good faith with the WNBPA to reach a fair collective bargaining agreement (CBA) before the October 31 deadline.

The press call follows a letter from Rep. Craig, fellow House Democrats and members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus to the WNBA urging the league to reach a fair CBA that considers players’ requests before the upcoming deadline. In the letter, the Members put pressure on the league to continue negotiations, which have stalled, and address the needs of players – particularly when it comes to fair compensation and revenue sharing.

“It takes the same amount of grit, dedication and skill for women to excel in their sport than it does men,” said Rep. Craig in her remarks. “So why doesn’t their pay reflect that? I’m sick and tired of hearing excuses from leadership – in men and women’s sports alike – about why they can’t pay women athletes fairly.”  

“WNBA athletes are making waves on and off the court,” she continued. “And not only that – they’re making money for the WNBA. It’s time to pay them what they are owed.”

Rep. Craig has been a staunch advocate for fair pay for female athletes. In July, Rep. Craig took to the House Floor to challenge WNBA leadership and call for pay raises for female athletes.

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