MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration abandoning the effort to put Harriet Tubman on the twenty-dollar bill:

“In all my years, I’ve never seen an Administration so hell-bent on erasing Black excellence from American history.”

“Harriet Tubman was an American hero. She risked her life for freedom and shaped our nation.”

“We’re seeing another attack on Black history and the generations of Black Americans whose courage built this country.”

“This is the same playbook—from removing the portrait of the first Black four-star general, Daniel “Chappie” James Jr., to attempts to erase the history of slavery from our national parks.”

“We cannot rewrite history, and we cannot ignore it.”

“We must confront our history, learn from it, and ensure we never repeat its darkest chapters.”

“I’ve fought for years through my Woman on the Twenty Act to ensure our nation’s currency reflects the full story of America.”

“My fight doesn’t end today.”

“Donald Trump may try to delay progress, but he cannot stop it.”

“Harriet Tubman’s place in the American story is permanent, and I will fight with every breath until her face is on the $20 bill.”

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) released the statement below following the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) opening a 30-day public scoping period to receive public input on potential oil and gas lease sales across California, including in San Luis Obispo County.

“The Trump administration continues to favor Big Oil at the expense of our environment and public health. While this 30-day public scoping period does not mean new oil wells will spring up tomorrow, it represents yet another reckless step toward handing public lands over to the oil industry. Californians have been clear from the start: we do not want any more oil drilling on public lands – especially areas close to our state’s natural treasures such as the Carrizo Plain National Monument. 

“The administration claims expanding oil drilling is necessary for California’s energy security, yet just last month it blocked a wind energy project in Morro Bay that would have provided the state with a new source of clean power. These actions reveal a pattern of favoritism toward Big Oil rather than any genuine commitment to California’s long‑term energy needs. 

“I remain strongly opposed to the Bureau of Land Management’s actions and will continue working with state and local partners to stop any attempt to build new oil wells on our public lands.”

Carbajal has long opposed the expansion of oil and gas drilling in California. 

In August 2025, Carbajal reintroduced his Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, which would designate approximately 250,000 acres of public land in the Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument as wilderness, the highest form of federal protection available. A wilderness designation would protect the land from future oil or gas drilling.

In April 2026, Carbajal asked the BLM to continue the pre-existing moratorium on new oil and gas leases, citing the environmental, economic, and public health risks that new drilling could pose to California communities in response to BLM’s Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), released on January 12, 2026. 

Last year, Carbajal announced the reintroduction of the California Clean Coast Act. The California Clean Coast Act was the first bill Congressman Carbajal introduced as a Member of Congress, demonstrating his longstanding commitment to protecting California’s coast from offshore drilling and the devastating impact of oil spills.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to recognize and preserve the Civil War Defenses of Washington, located in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland, by redesignating them as a national historic park.

“This bill would redesignate the 22 Defenses of Washington currently under National Park Service jurisdiction as a national historical park, and allow other sites associated with the Defenses of Washington that are owned by D.C. or a unit of a state government to be affiliated with the national historical park through cooperative agreements,” Norton said. “This bill would also require the Secretary of the Interior to facilitate the history of the Civil War, including the history of the Defenses of Washington and the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864, being assembled, arrayed and conveyed for the benefit of the public for the knowledge, education and inspiration of this and future generations.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park Act

July 6, 2026

Today, I introduce the Civil War Defenses of Washington National Historical Park Act, which would recognize and preserve the Civil War Defenses of Washington located in the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland.  The Defenses of Washington, including forts, unarmed batteries and rifle trenches, created a ring of protection for the nation’s capital during the Civil War. 

This bill would redesignate the 22 Defenses of Washington currently under National Park Service jurisdiction as a national historical park, and allow other sites associated with the Defenses of Washington that are owned by D.C. or a unit of a state government to be affiliated with the national historical park through cooperative agreements.  This bill would also require the Secretary of the Interior to facilitate the history of the Civil War, including the history of the Defenses of Washington and the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864, being assembled, arrayed and conveyed for the benefit of the public for the knowledge, education and inspiration of this and future generations.  

The Defenses of Washington were constructed at the beginning of the war as a ring of protection for the nation’s capital and for President Abraham Lincoln.  By the end of the war, the Defenses of Washington included 68 forts, 93 unarmed batteries, 807 mounted cannons, 13 miles of rifle trenches and 32 miles of military roads.  The major test of the Defenses of Washington was the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864, when Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Early, directed by Confederate General Robert E. Lee, sought to attack the nation’s capital from the north, causing Union forces threatening to attack Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy, to be withdrawn.  General Early was delayed by Union Major General Lew Wallace at the Battle of Monocacy on July 9, 1864, and was stopped at the northern edge of Washington at the Battle of Fort Stevens on July 11-12, 1864.  The Shenandoah Valley Campaign ended when Union Lieutenant General Philip Sheridan defeated General Early at the Battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia on October 19, 1864. 

Nearly all the individual forts in the Defenses of Washington—on both sides of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers—were involved in stopping General Early’s attack, and the Battle of Fort Stevens was the second and last attempt by the Confederate Army to attack Washington.

Taken together, these battles were pivotal to the outcome of the war and the freedom and democracy that the war represented for this country.  It is therefore fitting to recognize the Defenses of Washington by redesignating them as a national historical park. 

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

July 08, 2026

President Trump’s June 24, 2026, supplemental request included $67.1 billion for the Iran War, ignoring the $34 billion needed by CA and the billions more desperately needed by over 30 other States, Tribes, and Territories to rebuild their communities after natural disasters.

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Norma Torres (CA-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Brad Sherman (CA-32), and California Democratic Congressional Delegation Chair Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) led the California Democratic Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to congressional leadership urging that no supplemental funding package move forward until Congress passes long overdue federal disaster assistance for California communities devastated by the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and other communities across the country recovering from major disasters.

More than 100,000 Californians were displaced by the January 2025 wildfires, which destroyed more than 13,000 homes and properties, claimed more than two dozen lives, and caused an estimated $275 billion in economic damage. Despite the scale of the devastation, the Administration has not taken a single step to submit a supplemental disaster funding request to Congress. This inaction is on top of the Trump Administration delaying or denying Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency aid, with FEMA’s own data showing that the Trump Administration is making it harder to access disaster aid and moving more slowly than previous Administrations to help disaster-hit communities.

In the letter, the members wrote:

“It is deeply disappointing that since January 2025, not a single step has been taken by the White House to submit a request for federal disaster aid, not just for California, but also for the over 30 States, Tribes, or Territories with major disaster declarations.”

“President Trump’s Administration is prioritizing the war in Iran over helping American communities recover from devastating disasters… Instead of taking up the June 24, 2026, Iran War supplemental request, we believe that Congress should immediately draft a federal disaster aid supplemental to help Americans rebuild their communities from the most deadly and costly wildfires in recent history.”

The letter notes that while the Administration requested more than $67 billion for military operations related to President Trump’s costly war of choice in Iran, it has failed to request the approximately $34 billion in federal disaster assistance needed for California’s wildfire recovery, along with billions more needed by disaster-impacted states, Tribes, and territories across the country.

The California Democratic Congressional Delegation reaffirmed its commitment to working on a bipartisan disaster relief package that ensures American families receive the support they need to rebuild their homes, businesses, and communities.

Additional signers of the letter include: Aguilar, Pete; Barragán, Nanette; Bera, Ami; Brownley, Julia; Carbajal, Salud; Chu, Judy; Cisneros, Gilbert; Correa, J.; Costa, Jim; DeSaulnier, Mark; Friedman, Laura; Garamendi, John; Garcia, Robert; Gomez, Jimmy; Harder, Josh; Huffman, Jared; Jacobs, Sara; Kamlager-Dove, Sydney; Khanna, Ro; Levin, Mike; Liccardo, Sam; Lieu, Ted; Lofgren, Zoe; Matsui, Doris; Min, Dave; Mullin, Kevin; Panetta, Jimmy; Pelosi, Nancy; Peters, Scott; Rivas, Luz; Ruiz, Raul; Sánchez, Linda; Sherman, Brad; Simon, Lateefah; Takano, Mark; Thompson, Mike; Torres, Norma; Tran, Derek; Vargas, Juan; Waters, Maxine; Whitesides, George.

Full letter

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) announced he has named Colin O’Brien as his Communications Director. O’Brien will be based in the Washington, DC office.

“Colin is a talented and motivated communications professional, and will serve the people of North Carolina’s 9th district well,” said Rep. Hudson.

Prior to joining Rep. Hudson’s office, Colin served as Deputy Press Secretary and Press Assistant in Senator Bill Cassidy’s office and as a Political Director for Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smith (MO-08).

-###-

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) celebrated the news that the I-5 Bridge Replacement project has concluded the environmental review process and can now begin construction on a replacement bridge connecting Washington and Oregon. 

“Today, the I-5 Bridge Replacement project reached an important milestone, bringing it closer to completion,” said Ranking Member Larsen. “You can’t have a big league economy with little league infrastructure. This is a legacy investment that will create good jobs for the women and men of the Pacific Northwest while safely and efficiently connecting Washington and Oregon. Thank you to all of my colleagues on the state and federal level for keeping this game-changing project moving.” 

“Getting the green light on construction of the new I-5 bridge is a massive step towards ensuring we have durable transportation and interstate access for generations. Families, truckers, and commuters across Southwest Washington depend on this roadway for the strength of our local economy,” said Rep Gluesenkamp Perez. “Getting funding for projects like this is where the rubber meets the road on delivering for working families. I’m so proud to see this project get closer to becoming a reality.”

Today, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published the final Record of Decision for the I-5 Bridge Replacement project, concluding the federal environmental review process and allowing Washington and Oregon to move toward construction on the project.  

The I-5 Bridge Replacement project will construct a new pair of Columbia River bridges, one northbound and one southbound, as well as develop enhanced parking capacity, bus service improvements, and various interchange/auxiliary lane modifications on the I-5 bridge. 

In 2024, Rep. Larsen and Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez held a roundtable discussion together to hear from labor unions, commuters and local transportation businesses about their priorities for the I-5 Bridge Replacement project.  

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – One year ago, on July 4, 2025, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act was signed into law, giving tens of millions of Americans more tax relief and economic breathing room to pay their bills and save for their children’s futures.

According to government data, more than 60 million filers claimed at least one new tax cut during the legislation’s first year of operation. The average refund (approximately $3,300) put 11 percent more money back into the pockets of hardworking Americans than the previous year. The vast majority of filers receiving a tax cut (96%) reported yearly earnings of less than $200,000. Millions of filers claimed the new No Tax on Tips and No Tax on Overtime deductions.

Additionally, the bill made the 20% pass-through deduction permanent and renewed immediate expensing, giving entrepreneurs the certainty to invest, hire, and grow. Those reforms were projected to create over one million new Main Street jobs and generate $750 billion in economic growth. With more earnings in hand, business owners can raise wages, expand operations, and build stronger local economies.

Arizonans benefited greatly from the historic tax cuts bill. Thanks to this legislation, many Arizonans have seen a substantial wage increase, and 133,000 jobs have been protected. Well over a million Arizona seniors were eligible to benefit from the provision eliminating taxes on Social Security. Roughly two-thirds of workers across the state are employed in overtime-eligible occupations, allowing them to use the no-tax-on-overtime provision. Many Arizona laborers were eligible for the provision exempting tips from taxes.

“In the first filing deadline under the Working Families Tax Cuts era, tens of millions of Americans, including many across Arizona, celebrated higher wages and lower tax bills,” said Congressman Biggs. “President Trump and congressional Republicans were motivated to build on the successful 2017 tax cuts, giving more certainty to families and business owners – and we accomplished our mission with flying colors. As I travel around my district, I’m pleased to hear the positive stories of how this legislation improved lives and created opportunities for business growth. Americans deserve to keep more of their money, and this bill has done—and will continue to do—just that in the years to come.”

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

Ranking Members Hank Johnson, Jamie Raskin Call for Strong Safeguards Against Insider Trading and Ethical Conflicts By Federal Judges, Clerks, And Staff

Washington, D.C. (July 7, 2026) — Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Hank Johnson, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet, sent a letter to the Honorable Robert J. Conrad Jr., Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, urging the Judicial Conference to prohibit federal judges, clerks, and judicial staff from participating in online prediction markets.

“Federal officials in all three branches of government often have advance knowledge of, if not direct influence or control over, the prospective outcome of a wager related to public policy events and decisions. It is no surprise that, in this setting, prediction markets appear rife with insider trading and other abuses,” wrote the Ranking Members. 

The growing use of prediction markets—platforms that allow users to wager on future events—poses serious ethical risks to the federal judiciary. These markets enable betting on matters directly related to the courts, including case outcomes, the length of judicial opinions, and even the timing of a Supreme Court Justice’s retirement.

Prediction markets such as Kalshi, Polymarket, and PredictIt currently operate largely outside of state gambling restrictions and, under the Trump Administration, have faced limited federal oversight. Because judges and court personnel may have access to nonpublic information or influence over judicial outcomes, their participation in such markets raises significant concerns about insider trading, conflicts of interest, and the appearance of impropriety.

While existing judicial ethics rules may address some aspects of this conduct, a clear, categorical ban is needed to eliminate ambiguity and fully safeguard the integrity of the courts.

“We respectfully urge the Judicial Conference to take prompt action to prohibit participation in prediction markets by the entire federal judiciary and their staff. Establishing this rule now will help protect the integrity of judicial decision-making, prevent the appearance of impropriety, and reinforce public confidence in the judicial branch,” wrote the Ranking Members. 

Judiciary Democrats are calling on the Judicial Conference to act swiftly to implement a comprehensive prohibition on prediction market participation for all members of the federal judiciary and their staff.

Click here to read the letter.

###
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is delighted to congratulate Lucas “Hoss” Tafesilafa’i Foster of Samoana High School, American Samoa’s first-ever representative at this week’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. 

Lucas and Chief Executive Officer Sandy Spavone

Lucas, of Pago Pago and Futiga villages, was selected in April as one of only 12 recipients nationwide of the 2026 FCCLA National Leadership Conference Scholarship, as he takes part in this year’s national conference with more than 10,000 students and educators.

Additionally, while traveling from Pago Pago to Washington, Lucas learned FCCLA administrators selected him as American Samoa’s 2026 Election Voting Delegate. He also served as the territory’s flag bearer during the national conference, and will walk across the platform to accept a membership increase award on behalf of American Samoa FCCLA, with his family looking on. Each of these honors are first-time milestones for American Samoa’s participation in FCCLA.

“Congratulations to Lucas Foster on these outstanding achievements, and thank you for representing American Samoa with excellence,” said Congresswoman Amata. “We’re so proud of his selection as one of only 12 FCCLA national scholarship recipients, serving as our territory’s Election Voting Delegate, and carrying our flag at a national conference, all in honor of American Samoa. On this stage, Lucas is showing the wonderful leadership, responsibility, and promise that our young people bring to every opportunity, and opening the door for our students in FCCLA.”

FCCLA is a national Career and Technical Student Organization for students in Family and Consumer Sciences education. Their mission is to promote personal growth and leadership development while helping students build skills for life through character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.

As American Samoa’s Election Voting Delegate, Lucas takes an official role in FCCLA’s national governance process. His responsibilities include reviewing national officer candidate materials, attending election activities, evaluating speeches, and casting American Samoa’s official vote for National Officers. He will also participate in the National Business Session, where voting delegates consider by-law amendments and other official FCCLA business.

“I am very grateful to Heavenly Father for this amazing opportunity,” said Lucas. “I am humbled because I never thought I would receive the scholarship, and I was surprised to learn on the way to Washington, D.C., that I had also been selected as the Voting Delegate for American Samoa. I am honored to represent our people and my peers at this year’s FCCLA National Leadership Conference. I am learning, enjoying my time here, meeting new people, and trying my best to advocate for and represent American Samoa.”

“What a great job by Lucas at this exciting event, with support from all of American Samoa and I know how proud of him his family and Samoana High School are,” Congresswoman Amata concluded. “When our students gain opportunities to be seen, heard, and represented nationally, they stand out and make our islands proud. This kind of educational experience helps students develop practical skills for real life, future careers, and service to our people.”

See more pictures

###

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

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, visited Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, Virginia. In conversations with Clinch Valley Health President & CEO Peter Mulkey as well as hospital officials and staff, Chairman Griffith received updates on the hospital, services to local patients and rural health care.

“As Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, I collect perspectives from medical professionals on rural health care access. My tour of the Clinch Valley Medical Center helped me gather such input from dedicated rural health care providers that serve our region. I remain committed in Congress to strengthen rural health care relationships for the benefit of patients in Southwest Virginia.” – U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith, Virginia’s Ninth District

“It was great to have Congressman Griffith here in the community. We continued dialogue around issues with rural health care and how we can work together to improve the outlook for the best health care possible for the communities we all serve in rural America.” – Peter Muley, Clinch Valley Health President & CEO

NOTE: Press release and photos from visit also available on Congressman Griffith’s website here.

###