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

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON – Rising energy demand from AI data centers has led to higher utility costs for consumers. To address this challenge, U.S Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21) and Blake Moore (UT-01) introduced H.R. 5227 – Unleashing Low-Cost Rural AI Act, bipartisan legislation to require the U.S. Departments of Energy, Interior, and Agriculture to study the impact of AI data center expansions in rural America.
“AI Data Centers are expanding rapidly and using more energy and water than entire cities. That energy demand is driving up utility costs for consumers,” said Congressman Costa. “My legislation ensures we take a hard look at how this growth impacts rural communities that are powering the AI industry, and make sure families aren’t left paying the price.  But at the same time, it’s important that rural communities are not left behind in the new opportunities that AI data centers will provide for agricultural sciences and an improved ability to compete in this modern era.”
“As a leader in both tech and energy innovation, Utah is a prime location for data centers and AI infrastructure. Cementing our role as an innovation hub will require identifying rural areas ready for data expansion, streamlining permitting for new energy projects, and promoting the co-location of data centers with energy facilities,” Congressman Moore said. “These efforts will power our growing digital demands without passing costs on to families. I’m grateful to partner with Representative Costa to introduce the Unleashing Low-Cost Rural AI Act to identify other areas of the country, like Utah, that will advance solutions to meet our energy needs.”BACKGROUNDArtificial Intelligence (AI) data centers are increasingly being built in rural areas to power the AI industry. This surge has led to increased energy demand and higher utility costs for consumers. PJM, the world’s largest energy market that covers 13 U.S. states from Illinois to Washington, D.C., estimates that data centers are responsible for an added $9.3 billion in costs for ratepayers.
The Unleashing Low-Cost Rural AI Act would require the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Interior, and Energy to conduct a joint study on the impact of AI data center expansions in rural areas. Specifically, it would identify rural areas poised for technological expansions and the impact of such expansion on energy supply, reliability, and costs to consumers.
This study would also look at ways to upgrade existing energy infrastructure so AI and data centers can be built alongside power facilities. It will review not just nuclear and geothermal energy, but also hydroelectric dams, solar, wind, battery storage, and carbon capture.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)  – along with 21 bipartisan Members of Congress representing the Chesapeake Bay watershed region – called for a new Chesapeake Bay agreement that sets ambitious, measurable, and achievable targets, especially for water quality improvement and pollution reduction, in order to restore and protect the Bay. The lawmakers letter comes as the Chesapeake Executive Council (CEC) seeks public feedback on its “Beyond 2025” Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Revision Draft. In their letter to the CEC, the lawmakers emphasize their commitment to continuing strong federal funding for Bay restoration while stressing that a robust agreement among the states in the watershed is needed to maximize the use of those resources to address the many factors putting strain on the health of the Bay.

Congressman Hoyer joined Senator Van Hollen on this letter along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), as well as Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Don Beyer (VA-08), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Sarah McBride (DE), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), and Eugene Vindman (VA-07).

The lawmakers wrote, “As federal representatives for the Bay region, we are working hard to ensure that we maintain strong funding for the Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program as well as the other critical federal programs that support ecosystem restoration in the Bay watershed. While federal resources will continue to play an essential role in achieving our vision of a healthy Bay, we know that we cannot arrive at our many goals through such funding alone. A robust Watershed Agreement that sets measurable targets that are both ambitious and achievable is key to unlocking the full potential of federal support for the Bay and its watershed. Therefore, we are closely monitoring the PSC’s work to update the agreement to meet current and future challenges.”

They also expressed appreciation that the draft revised agreement proposes a “holistic” approach to the many challenges to the Bay’s health, writing, “Today, the Bay and its watershed face numerous interrelated and pressing challenges, including falling populations of key fish and wildlife species, emerging pollutants of concern, agricultural land and forest depletion, shifting environmental dynamics, and the prevalence of invasive species. We appreciate that the draft revised Watershed Agreement addresses these issues in a holistic manner, maintaining strong water quality and habitat restoration goals at its core, while also pursuing outcomes to deliver healthy landscapes, vibrant living resources, and engaged communities throughout the Bay.”

The lawmakers go on to urge the Principals’ Staff Committee (PSC) to set new restoration goals with clear targets and timelines, linked to the legally mandated total daily maximum load (TMDL) requirements; regularly engage the public to promote transparency and accountability for carrying out the agreement; and retain flexibility to adapt to evolving science and Bay conditions.

“The PSC should also seek to ensure that the final Watershed Agreement lays out clear timelines for meeting its recommended targets, particularly in relation to its water quality and pollution reduction goals. Improving water quality by reducing excess nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment, as well as other emerging contaminants, is essential to revitalizing the Bay’s living resources and supporting local economies and recreation opportunities. […] Additionally, we urge the PSC to clearly express the relationship between these deadlines, implementation plans, and the legally mandated Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements in the finalized agreement to maintain public confidence in our shared commitments to meet our water quality goals,” they wrote.

“Improving the health of the Bay will require continued cooperation from all of us at the federal, state, and local levels of government, in partnership with tribal communities, non-governmental organizations, private businesses, landowners, academic experts, and the public. As we continue our work to deliver the federal resources for the Bay necessary to achieve our goals, we encourage the PSC to put forward a bold updated Watershed Agreement that will maximize the impact of these funds and demonstrate to our constituents the importance of our collective efforts,” the lawmakers closed.

Text of the letter can be viewed here and below.

Members of the Chesapeake Executive Council:

We write as Members of Congress representing the Chesapeake Bay watershed to provide feedback on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Beyond 2025 Revision Draft. We appreciate this opportunity to provide input as the Principals’ Staff Committee (PSC) continues its important work to propose updates to the 2014 Watershed Agreement at this crucial moment in our collective efforts to restore the health of the Bay and the rivers and streams throughout its watershed.

As federal representatives for the Bay region, we are working hard to ensure that we maintain strong funding for the Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program as well as the other critical federal programs that support ecosystem restoration in the Bay watershed. While federal resources will continue to play an essential role in achieving our vision of a healthy Bay, we know that we cannot arrive at our many goals through such funding alone. A robust Watershed Agreement that sets measurable targets that are both ambitious and achievable is key to unlocking the full potential of federal support for the Bay and its watershed. Therefore, we are closely monitoring the PSC’s work to update the agreement to meet current and future challenges.

Today, the Bay and its watershed face numerous interrelated and pressing challenges, including falling populations of key fish and wildlife species, emerging pollutants of concern, agricultural land and forest depletion, shifting environmental dynamics, and the prevalence of invasive species. We appreciate that the draft revised Watershed Agreement addresses these issues in a holistic manner, maintaining strong water quality and habitat restoration goals at its core, while also pursuing outcomes to deliver healthy landscapes, vibrant living resources, and engaged communities throughout the Bay.

In the final updated Watershed Agreement, the PSC should strive to put forward clearly defined targets that emphasize local ecosystem and quality of life benefits where they will be felt most by our constituents in the watershed. Stating the goals of the revised agreement without ambiguity will inspire accountability among stakeholders and promote transparency in efforts to monitor and communicate progress toward these targets.

To that end, the PSC should also seek to ensure that the final Watershed Agreement lays out clear timelines for meeting its recommended targets, particularly in relation to its water quality and pollution reduction goals. Improving water quality by reducing excess nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment, as well as other emerging contaminants, is essential to revitalizing the Bay’s living resources and supporting local economies and recreation opportunities.

We recognize that the updated Bay water pollution model is forthcoming and will inform the long-term targets that are set, and we appreciate that the draft revised Watershed Agreement sets a December 2030 deadline for revising pollution reduction targets and implementation plans based on the updated model. Additionally, we urge the PSC to clearly express the relationship between these deadlines, implementation plans, and the legally mandated Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements in the finalized agreement to maintain public confidence in our shared commitments to meet our water quality goals.

Furthermore, public understanding of the goals and mechanisms of the updated Watershed Agreement will be crucial to its successful implementation. Therefore, in the final agreement, the PSC should strive to use specific but accessible language so that the public can hold the signatories accountable for making progress toward stated targets. We also encourage the agreement’s signatories and implementing partners to continue active public engagement after the updated agreement is finalized to ensure that our constituents can monitor its progress and have additional opportunities to provide feedback.

Finally, we applaud the PSC for including mechanisms for adaptive management in the draft agreement, which are crucial to ensuring that the finalized Watershed Agreement is informed by the most up-to-date science and capable of responding to changing environmental conditions. Uncertainty caused by shifting ecological dynamics has complicated the task of restoring the Bay and exacerbated many of the fundamental challenges to our efforts. Ensuring flexibility to respond to new obstacles as they arise will be necessary to support the updated agreement’s continued success.

Improving the health of the Bay will require continued cooperation from all of us at the federal, state, and local levels of government, in partnership with tribal communities, non-governmental organizations, private businesses, landowners, academic experts, and the public. As we continue our work to deliver the federal resources for the Bay necessary to achieve our goals, we encourage the PSC to put forward a bold updated Watershed Agreement that will maximize the impact of these funds and demonstrate to our constituents the importance of our collective efforts.

We appreciate this opportunity to provide feedback on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Beyond 2025 Revision Draft and look forward to reviewing the finalized document. Thank you for your consideration and ongoing partnership as we work toward a healthy Bay and watershed for all.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today commemorating the 24th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001:

“What we witnessed 24 years ago today is forever etched in America’s memory: the wall of smoke and debris that swallowed lower Manhattan, the flaming gash in the side of Pentagon, the column of smoke looming over a field in Shanksville. But that is not all we remember of that terrible day. We remember how first responders bravely rushed to the scene, how the passengers of United 93 gave their lives to save our Capitol, how Americans across the country of every background and political persuasion stood together, indivisible. Indeed, one of the greatest days of infamy in American history also reminded us of the integrity of the American people.
 
“As we mark 24 years since the September 11 terror attacks, we continue to pray for the 2,977 innocent people killed that day. We also recommit ourselves to care for the families of those we lost and survivors who still bear scars from that attack. That sacred duty is why I brought legislation to the Floor as House Majority Leader in 2019 to reauthorize the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund permanently. That same commitment is why I will continue fighting to protect the World Trade Center Health Program, which has been the target of abhorrent partisan attacks these past nine months.

“We owe it to the victims of that day not only to care for their memory and for those they left behind but to find the same faith in our fellow Americans that we did 24 years ago. Let us remember that when united in common cause, Americans can overcome any challenge.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) introduced a resolution condemning the Trump administration’s plan to implement a new Medicare requirement, dubbed the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model, to force recipients of traditional Medicare to receive prior authorization, including through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), before being able to receive some forms of medical care.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that the requirement of prior authorization for traditional Medicare services will kill seniors,” said Congressman Mark Pocan. “Not only that, but the use of AI in determining whether or not treatment is necessary is extremely reckless. Unlike Medicare Advantage plans that already use AI in prior authorization decisions, traditional Medicare is supposed to cover you, no questions asked. This is a disastrous idea of epic proportions and should be immediately rescinded.”  

“Every year, millions of seniors on Medicare Advantage are unfairly denied the care they need because of burdensome prior authorization rules. Now, the Trump Administration plans to implement these same requirements on certain traditional Medicare services — threatening access to care for millions more. This is unacceptable,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “That is why I am proud to be joining Congressman Pocan in introducing this resolution calling for the termination of the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model. We must protect traditional Medicare.”

The WISeR Model requires Medicare beneficiaries in pilot states – Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington – to increase the number of Medicare services requiring pre-approval by 30%, primarily using AI to do so. This means that patients’ medical decisions — from what medications they can take to which procedures they can undergo — will be made by a bot run by private contractors who prioritize profits over patient safety.

Most Medicare Advantage plans primarily require prior authorization to receive any care, leading to countless delays and denials, resulting in thousands of deaths every year. However, when those denials are appealed, a significant portion of them are overturned, resulting in needless delays and bureaucracy. Moreover, some Medicare Advantage plans that already use AI in prior authorization decisions have been found to have error rates as high as 90%.

A full copy of the resolution can be found here.

Representatives Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) co-sponsored the resolution.

Endorsing Organizations: Center for Health and Democracy, Just Care USA, Labor Campaign for Single Payer, National Nurses United, Physicians for a National Health Program, Social Security Works

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

WASHINGTON — The FY26 National Defense Authorization Act helps the United States confront international challenges to our core interests by enacting President Trump and House Republicans’ Peace Through Strength Agenda.

President Trump and House Republicans’ Peace Through Strength Agenda in the NDAA:

The FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) strengthens America’s defenses and advances President Trump’s ‘Peace Through Strength’ agenda — codifying his executive orders, ending woke ideology at the Pentagon, securing the border, revitalizing the defense industrial base, and restoring the warrior ethos.

• Secures the border: Deploys the National Guard, expands counter-narcotics missions, and boosts DOD support to DHS.
• Improves family life: 3.8% pay raise, better housing, stronger healthcare, and expanded childcare.
• Modernizes defense: Accelerates new weapons, AI, drones, missile defense, and nuclear deterrence.
• Strengthens deterrence: Fully funds nuclear modernization and space capabilities to outpace China and Russia.
• Ends wokeism: Eliminates DEI and CRT programs, restores merit-based promotions, and bans race-based admissions at service academies.

Building the Most Modern and Lethal Fighting Force in the World:

The FY26 NDAA equips America’s military with the strength to deter any adversary:

• Ships: New submarines, destroyers, and a Ford-class aircraft carrier.
• Aircraft: Dozens of new F-35’s and F-15EX’s, plus next-gen F-47 and F/A-XX programs.

• Munitions: $15B for missiles, rockets, and artillery to rebuild the arsenal.
• Technology: $142B for hypersonics, AI, drones, quantum computing, and space systems.

Building on the Working Families Tax Cut:

Earlier this year, President Trump signed into law the Working Families Tax Cut — the most pro-worker, pro-family economic package in decades. On top of tax relief and lower prices, it also delivered historic investments to strengthen America’s defenses:

• $150B for military modernization.
• $100B for border security, detention, deportations, and 10,000 new ICE agents.
• Major surge in U.S. defense production to rebuild the industrial base and onshore supply chains.

The FY26 NDAA builds on this foundation ensuring America has both the economic strength and the military power to deter our enemies and protect our interests worldwide.

The Bottom Line:

China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are testing America’s resolve. Under President Trump, the U.S. is rebuilding strength, restoring deterrence, and proving America will not back down.

The FY26 NDAA ensures our forces can deter any adversary and keeps the U.S. military the most capable in the world.

President Trump and House Republicans promised peace through strength. The FY26 NDAA delivers it.

###

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

September 11, 2025

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (IL-06) and Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin urging EPA to stop approvals and operations for carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities until ongoing systemic problems have been addressed.

Recent events regarding CCS, including substantial well failures at the Archer Daniels Midland injection well facility in Decatur, Illinois, and a pattern of well failures and non-compliance at injection wells in Texas, demonstrate regulatory gaps that threaten underground sources of drinking water and warrant immediate EPA action. The events bring to light systemic problems with CCS technology and its regulation.

“On August 13, 2025, EPA issued an Administrative Order on Consent to Archer Daniels Midland for these violations, confirming that injected CO2 and brine migrated into an unauthorized underground formation,” the lawmakers wrote. “While the order acknowledges breaches of core safeguards, it imposes no penalties, does not suspend ADM’s permit, and leaves in place the weak rules that allowed this incident to occur. This underscores the urgent need for EPA to strengthen its Class VI oversight, update regulations, and halt additional injections until it can ensure such leaks will not endanger drinking water.”

The lawmakers expressed further concern about EPA’s oversight of CCS injection wells and urged EPA to stop approvals and operations until it is clear that the systemic problems have been addressed.

“We stand ready to work with EPA to safeguard our drinking water and public health,” the lawmakers continued. “The ADM order makes clear that current safeguards are insufficient to prevent dangerous CO2 migration, even under direct EPA oversight. Without stronger rules, robust enforcement, and adequate staffing, approving or operating additional Class II and Class VI wells risks repeating these failures and putting drinking water supplies at grave risk.”

A copy of the letter can be found here. Text of the letter can be found below.

Dear Administrator Zeldin:

We write to express our serious concerns regarding the adequacy of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) oversight of underground injection control (UIC) wells used for carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Recent events, including the substantial well failures at the Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Class VI injection well facility in Decatur, Illinois, and a pattern of well failures and non-compliance at Class II injection wells in Texas, demonstrate regulatory gaps that threaten underground sources of drinking water and warrant immediate EPA action. The events highlight systemic issues with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology and its regulation, raising serious concerns about the safety and viability of CCS.

On August 13, 2025, EPA issued an Administrative Order on Consent to Archer Daniels Midland for these violations, confirming that injected CO2 and brine migrated into an unauthorized underground formation. While the order acknowledges breaches of core safeguards, it imposes no penalties, does not suspend ADM’s permit, and leaves in place the weak rules that allowed this incident to occur. This underscores the urgent need for EPA to strengthen its Class VI oversight, update regulations, and halt additional injections until it can ensure such leaks will not endanger drinking water.

ADM Decatur Leak and Abandoned-Well Failures

In March 2024, ADM identified a subsurface CO2 leak from its Illinois Class VI injection well facility caused by corrosion at a monitoring well.This followed years of monitoring equipment failures, dating back to 2020. In October 2024, ADM reported a second subsurface leak connected to another monitoring well. Concerns have been raised that other existing wells in the vicinity of the well failures could serve as vectors for the migration of CO2 into Lake Decatur, the primary source of drinking water for 80,000 people in central Illinois.

EPA notified injection well applicants in June 2024 that steel commonly used by the industry is prone to corrosion in the presence of CO2, but did not take steps to notify the public about the leak and threats to drinking water sources. It was ultimately media reports that made the public aware of these concerns, which surfaced five months after the leak was disclosed and two months after EPA notified pending permit applicants.

Broader Texas Class II Noncompliance

Following the public reporting regarding the ADM facility, EPA was made aware of well failures throughout Texas in an October 2024 letter highlighting:

• a sudden increase in significant non-compliance violations starting in 2011;

• and a higher percentage of Class II CO2 injection wells failing one or more mechanical integrity tests relative to other Class II wells.

Class II wells make up thousands of potential injection sites across the country used to extract oil by injecting CO2 deep into these formations. The practice of injecting CO2 into these wells carries many of the same risks associated with Class VI wells used for CCS; however, the regulations governing Class II wells are less stringent, posing an even greater risk of leaks.

Staffing and Programmatic Cuts at EPA

The Republican congressional leadership is moving forward with plans to cut EPA’s budget by 23%, on top of 3,700 staff who are no longer working at EPA since January of this year. These cuts raise grave concerns about EPA’s ability to comply with its mandate to protect human health and the environment. These cuts, moreover, compound specific concerns we have regarding EPA’s ability to effectively provide oversight and accountability for the UIC program, including ensuring compliance by states that have primacy over Class VI and Class II injection wells.

Concerns with Well Blowouts

Due to changes in the tax code under the recent budget bill, which increased subsidies for the use of CO2 for oil extraction, there are significant concerns with the potential impacts of CO2 well blowouts, uncontrolled releases of CO2 from Class II and Class VI wells, particularly in areas with a long history of oil drilling. Just as with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (3.19 million barrels over 87 days) and the Aliso Canyon methane blowout (109,000 metric tons from October 2015 to February 2016), CO2 wells can catastrophically fail.

CO2 blowouts pose particular risks due to the rapid expansion of supercritical CO2 that would occur during a blowout, as well as the extreme temperatures and pressures present in CO2 wells. Given the thousands of legacy oil and gas wells, especially along the Gulf Coast, we are concerned that a major CO2 blowout, with uncontrolled releases far from an injection site, could threaten the safety of nearby communities if the blowout reaches the surface.

Moratorium on CO2 Injections

We urge EPA to exercise its broad authority to protect sources of drinking water from “imminent and substantial endangerment” under the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. §300i) by:

• halting approval of Class II and Class VI wells;

• halting approval of primacy applications;

• directing existing injection well operators to cease injections;

• directing states with primacy to ensure compliance with this EPA objective; and

• keeping these restrictions in place until such time that EPA is able to:

  • ensure that CO2 is not leaking from wells;

  • update regulations to ensure that the integrity of injection well operations is sufficient to protect drinking water sources; and

  • ensure adequate staffing to provide direct oversight of injection wells to ensure protection of drinking water sources.

We also ask that you respond to the following questions by November 1 in order to allow Congress to provide resources to EPA in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations legislation to ensure adequate protection for drinking water sources from the injection of CO2:

• How has EPA changed permitting of Class II and Class VI wells in light of the deficiencies discovered at the ADM facility?

• How has EPA revised its permit-review protocols and state primacy-application evaluations to prevent similar oversights in states with extensive oil-and-gas histories, including Texas, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Alaska?

• How was a permit issued to ADM without accurate subsurface mapping, and what steps has EPA taken to require comprehensive historical-well surveys prior to permit approvals?

• Given that steel used in existing wells is prone to corrosion, what steps has EPA taken to ensure that well equipment at existing Class II and Class VI wells is not corroding and posing a threat to drinking water?

• What steps has EPA taken to ensure that injection well operators are not using steel that is prone to corrosion in CO2 injection wells?

• Given that standard monitoring equipment was unable to detect a second leak at the ADM injection site, how has EPA changed monitoring protocols to ensure detection of future leaks?

• Is EPA aware of other leaks or well failures at Class II or Class VI wells?

• Why did EPA fail to notify the public about the leak, even while it notified the industry of issues with corrosion of steel in injection wells?

• What steps has EPA taken to ensure that states with primacy over Class II and Class VI wells are updating monitoring, oversight, and permitting in light of revelations from the Texas and ADM well failures?

• To what extent are staff positions responsible for the monitoring, reporting, and verification of CO2 injection wells no longer filled at EPA headquarters and regional offices?

• Can you provide an assessment of staffing changes within EPA’s UIC and SDWA enforcement offices over the past five years?

• Can you provide an evaluation of how resource constraints have affected permit reviews, inspections, and enforcement actions at EPA in general and for the UIC program specifically?

• What analyses or modeling has EPA conducted or is planning to conduct to quantify the likelihood and potential consequences of CO2 well blowouts in various environments?

• What steps does EPA take to ensure that if a catastrophic blowout were to occur, well operators would be able quickly to identify and plug the well and prevent drinking water contamination?

We stand ready to work with EPA to safeguard our drinking water and public health. The ADM order makes clear that current safeguards are insufficient to prevent dangerous CO2 migration, even under direct EPA oversight. Without stronger rules, robust enforcement, and adequate staffing, approving or operating additional Class II and Class VI wells risks repeating these failures and putting drinking water supplies at grave risk.

We request a written response to each of the points above and look forward to your prompt engagement on this urgent matter. Please have your staff contact Nikki Roy (nikki.roy@mail.house.gov) on Rep. Casten’s staff with questions.

Sincerely,

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

• The implementation of stronger and more targeted sanctions aimed at crippling Dictator Putin’s regime.
• The acceleration of vital air defense systems, military aid, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, ensuring they have the tools needed to defend their sovereignty and protect their citizens.
• Enhanced coordination and cooperation within NATO to bolster the security of Eastern European nations and to prevent future violations of alliance airspace.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today introduced the HCBS Worker Protection Act, legislation that would enable independent provider home care workers to make deductions from their pay for typical employment benefits. This bill strikes language from the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” that would prohibit Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) workers from being able to make deductions from their own pay for health insurance, skills training, union dues, charity contributions, and other employment benefits that other workers enjoy. 

“Expanding access to home care is critical. We know that the majority of people who require long-term care would prefer to receive it in the comfort of their homes and communities where they can live with dignity and independence,” Dingell said. “In order to expand home and community-based care, we must support the workers who provide these crucial services. We cannot expect people to do this work if we deny them the benefits they would receive if they worked for another employer. This bill would help improve pay and benefits for HCBS providers and strengthen the workforce.”  

This bill is endorsed by Caring Across Generations, AFSCME, SEIU, National Domestic Workers Alliance, and National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals.

“Home care workers nationwide have long organized for fair pay, benefits, and the freedom to support themselves while caring for seniors and people with disabilities,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “As they continue to fight for dignity and respect on the job, the so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ goes out of its way to target this predominantly women- and women-of-color workforce by blocking them from making voluntary paycheck deductions — a basic right most other workers can exercise freely. Rep. Dingell’s HCBS Worker Protection Act of 2025 would strike this unfair and discriminatory measure and protect providers’ hard-fought freedoms. Congress should not tell home care workers how to spend their own paychecks, and we are proud to support this bill.”

“Home care workers do the essential work that keeps our families safe and our communities running. But instead of honoring that work, Republicans in Congress have targeted them with yet another attack—this time through the OBBBA – which blocks these workers from making voluntary paycheck deductions to support their union,” said Leslie Frane, Executive Vice President, SEIU. “This restriction strips them of a fundamental right all workers deserve: the freedom to build a strong union and advocate for better conditions. It’s a move rooted in a long history of systemic racism against a workforce made up largely of women of color and immigrants. Rep. Dingell understands that striking down the harmful restriction is critical to ensuring care workers have the freedom to come together, speak out, and build their union. This isn’t just about paycheck logistics — it’s about dignity, stability, and having a real voice to improve their lives and the care they provide.”

“Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) are a lifeline for families across the country. The quality of this care depends on being able to appropriately compensate the qualified, compassionate workforce who cares for our loved ones,” said Ai-jen Poo, President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. “We applaud the introduction of the HCBS Worker Protection Act for taking an important step towards ensuring the care workers who provide these critical services to our aging and disabled family and community members are paid accordingly. Our care workforce deserves the dignity of a living wage and families deserve the peace of mind knowing their loved ones are receiving the care they need.”

“This bill does something that historically our country has not, recognizing the value of direct care workers and the support that they need to care for those who need it,” said Joseph Macbeth, CEO of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals. “Given the massive cuts to Medicaid passed in July, and the major impact that will have on this workforce, this legislation is an imperative for direct care workers and the people with disabilities who rely on them.”

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

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries