Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)
U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16) today introduced the Produce Prescription for Veterans Act, new legislation that would authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide produce prescriptions to veterans. These produce prescription programs would allow veterans who have diet-related chronic conditions to be “prescribed” vouchers or debit cards that allow them to purchase free or discounted fruits and vegetables.
“As food costs climb and food deserts make grocery stores inaccessible, Americans—especially our veterans—are struggling to eat enough fruits and vegetables, contributing to high rates of chronic illness in the U.S.,” Durbin said. “With the Produce Prescription for Veterans Act, we can put fresh foods within reach by implementing a ‘produce prescription’ program so that our veterans have the means to put fruits and vegetables on their plates.”
“For their service and sacrifice, our veterans deserve the best health care possible—including access to fresh, healthy food,” Pingree said. “Study after study has shown that eating more fruits and vegetables can be enormously beneficial to people suffering from chronic health conditions. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation is an important step towards improving veterans’ health, reducing long-term health care costs, and ensuring that nutritious foods are available to any veteran who needs it.”
“I’ve long believed that prevention should be at the heart of our health care system, especially when it comes to those who’ve served our country,” Buchanan said. “The Produce Prescription for Veterans Act puts the ‘food is medicine’ approach into action by helping veterans manage diet-related chronic conditions before they worsen. Making sure veterans have access to fresh, nutritious whole fruits and vegetables is a simple way to improve health outcomes and strengthen their quality of life.”
“When a doctor prescribes eating more fruits and vegetables to manage chronic illness, veterans should have access to those nutritious foods just as they would have access to a medication. We applaud Senator Durbin and Reps. Pingree and Buchanan for introducing this language, which establishes produce prescriptions as a medical service within the Veterans Health Administration and opens the door for veterans to receive the full breadth of healthcare services they deserve,” said Sam Hoeffler, Director of the National Produce Prescription Collaborative.
“Today’s legislation takes a pivotal step forward in integrating fruits and vegetables into healthcare at scale. After years of successful pilots, we know produce prescriptions work. IFPA and our members are deeply grateful to Representatives Buchanan and Pingree and Senator Durbin for their leadership in bringing this bill forward and for recognizing of the critical role fruits and vegetables play in addressing chronic disease. By incorporating this program into the standards of clinical care for the Veterans Health Administration, the results could be transformational for the health of those who have served our nation,” said Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association.
Currently, less than 13 percent of Americans consume their recommended daily serving of fruits and vegetables. Inaccessible produce, due to rising grocery costs or Americans living in food deserts, contribute to the high rate of diet-related chronic conditions – heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and certain cancers – in the U.S. Veterans experience a disproportionally high rate of chronic disease as compared to non-veterans, and nearly 25 percent of post-9/11 veterans report being food insecure—almost double the rate of the general population.
The American Heart Association (AHA) has found that adults who participate in produce prescription programs consume 30 percent more fruit and vegetables a day. AHA also found that all participants in a produce prescription program saw a measurable decrease in blood pressure and blood sugar.
The Produce Prescription for Veterans Act would seek to improve health outcomes for veterans by establishing new authority for the VA to provide veterans with vouchers or debit cards to purchase fruits and vegetables. The legislation would build upon the success of the pilot program launched at Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities in Houston and Salt Lake City in 2023. These pilot programs have been expanded to New York, North Carolina, and Maryland.
In April 2024, Durbin and Pingree wrote to then-Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough to request information about the implementation of produce prescriptions in the VA. The VA responded that it does not have the existing authorities to “provide direct support (i.e., food or money to purchase food) to veterans to address food insecurity.” The VA’s lack of authorities prevent veterans across the nation from accessing produce prescriptions to improve their diet-related chronic conditions.
The Produce Prescriptions for Veterans Act has earned the endorsement of the National Produce Prescription Collaborative.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MS NOW’s Chris Jansing Reports, where he made clear that Democrats have called for Kristi Noem to be fired and will continue to use every avenue available to hold Donald Trump and DHS accountable for their out of control behavior.
CHRIS JANSING: Joining us now, House Minority Leader New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. It’s good to see you. What do you make of the President’s full-throated support of Kristi Noem? […]
LEADER JEFFRIES: Good afternoon, Chris. Thank you for having me on. Kristi Noem is a despicable, corrupt, pathological liar. We’ve seen her slander not just one but two American citizens, patriotic Americans who were killed without justification on the streets of Minneapolis in the last few weeks. She’s deeply unqualified. She never should have been confirmed to begin with by Senate Republicans. And House Democrats have called for her to be fired immediately. And in the event that she is not terminated, we are prepared to initiate impeachment proceedings against her in the House of Representatives.
CHRIS JANSING: Well, the President has given no indication that he’s ready to fire her or even thinking about it. And you, as I don’t need to tell you, are in the minority. So how do you do that? I mean, what can you do? Have you spoken to the Speaker? Do you have any sense that there are Republicans who would stand by you in an impeachment process?
LEADER JEFFRIES: We have to build the case so that we can convince a handful of Republicans, as we have done on other issues, that the time is now to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable for their behavior. They are conducting themselves like a paramilitary organization as opposed to protecting the health, the safety and the well-being of the American people. They are violently targeting American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families and it’s unacceptable, it’s unconscionable and it’s un-American. We’re prepared to hold hearings, as we’ve done in other instances, and use every tool available to make sure that Kristi Noem is held accountable, but even more importantly, of course, we support the effort by Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats to force common sense changes to the Department of Homeland Security so that these law enforcement agencies are behaving like every other law enforcement agency in the country, as opposed to like a paramilitary organization, which is what the American people have seen on the streets of Minneapolis.
CHRIS JANSING: Are there conversations going on with Republicans to make that happen? Do you see any reasonable expectation that the government is not going to shut down at the end of the week?
LEADER JEFFRIES: What has been proposed by Senate Democrats, which is something that we of course strongly support, is that there are bipartisan bills related to other aspects of the government that should move forward to avoid an extended shutdown in other areas. The issue before us is making sure that ICE, of course, is brought under control in ways that taxpayer dollars are not being spent to kill American citizens or brutalize everyday Americans. We know taxpayer dollars should actually be spent to make life more affordable for the American people. It’s shocking to me that over a year has passed since Donald Trump was inaugurated. This guy promised to lower costs on day one. Costs haven’t gone down, they’ve gone up. They’re ripping healthcare away from the American people. And now, masked federal agents on American streets are killing American citizens in cold blood. That’s all unacceptable. And we really need to make some changes to change direction here.
CHRIS JANSING: I understand, Leader Jeffries, that there are things you firmly believe, and I think many Democrats believe with you, believe should be done. But the real question, again, is what can be done? What are you willing to do? What can you do?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, as we’ve done in the past, we’re going to make our case to the American people. There were a lot of folks who never believed that the Epstein files would be released in a way that would be forced by the Congress in a bipartisan way over the objection of Donald Trump. We passed legislation to be able to do that, forced Donald Trump to sign it. And now of course we’ve got to compel the Department of Justice to actually comply with a bipartisan law that was enacted. We passed a law in the House of Representatives, sent it over to the Senate to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years. Nobody thought that was possible, but all 213 Democrats joined by 17 Republicans were able to get that done. Abraham Lincoln once made the observation, ‘public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed.’ And so our goal right now is to continue to make the case to the American people who know that the behavior of ICE and other law enforcement agencies within the Department of Homeland Security is immoral and it’s illegal and it’s not what they’ve signed up for. The Trump administration has gone way too far and public pressure can lead to decisive action in the Congress as we have seen over the last several months.
CHRIS JANSING: Some of that public pressure is coming from pulpits. Newark Cardinal Joseph Tobin is urging church members to tell lawmakers to vote against additional funding for immigration agencies. Here’s what he said.
RECORDING OF CARDINAL TOBIN: If we are serious about putting our faith in action, we need to say no. How will you say no? In this week when an appropriations bill is going to be considered in Congress, will you contact your Congress Representative, your congressional Representatives, the Senators and Representative from your district? We ask them for the love of God and the love of human beings, which can’t be separated. Vote against renewing funding for such a lawless organization.
CHRIS JANSING: Will you and your Caucus vote against it? Is this, as he’s presenting it, a moral imperative as well as a political one?
LEADER JEFFRIES:Democrats strongly opposed the Homeland Security funding appropriation bill when it was before us in the House. And if it comes back to us without the necessary changes to rein in a lawless organization and actually protect the health, the safety and the well-being of the American people, we’ll take the same position, and we’ve joined with our Senate colleagues in that way. It was a powerful statement by a highly distinguished member of the clergy, and we know that faith without works is dead. And we have faith that we can bring about a better society and make America the best version of herself as we move forward, pushing back against the corruption and extremism that’s being unleashed by the Trump administration day after day after day. But it’s going to take work. And it’s actually all of us. It’s elected officials, it’s community-based organizations, it’s the American people, civil rights organizations, certainly members of the clergy and the faith community, all banding together to address preventable tragedies that have occurred and ensure that they never happen again here in the United States of America.
CHRIS JANSING: Well, we heard him say that ICE is a lawless organization. And the death of Alex Pretti has changed a lot of people’s minds. President Trump—last hour—was asked about the killing of Alex Pretti. I want to play exactly what he said.
RECORDING OF REPORTER: Do you believe that Alex Pretti’s death was justified?
RECORDING OF PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, you know, we’re doing a big investigation. I want to see the investigation. I’m going to be watching over it. I want a very honorable and honest investigation. I have to see it myself.
CHRIS JANSING: Do you believe there will be an honorable and thorough investigation? And what do you make of the President saying he is going to be watching over it?
LEADER JEFFRIES: There’s no reason to believe that the Trump administration or Kristi Noem, which is why she needs to go, will be able to preside over a credible investigation. Do we think that the Trump Department of Injustice is going to actually conduct a credible investigation? These extremists and political hacks at the Department of Justice have been weaponizing the criminal justice system against Donald Trump’s enemies. So what we need here is an independent investigation conducted by state and local authorities. And we’ll continue to call upon every single officer who has broken the law as it relates to what ICE and other parts of the Department of Homeland Security have been doing. In Minneapolis and throughout the country, they should be criminally investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. That’s consistent with who we are as a nation. Nobody’s above the law. And ICE needs to conduct itself like every other law enforcement agency in the country. Focus on protecting the health, the safety and the well-being of the American people, not killing them.
CHRIS JANSING: I hear your frustration. I hear your pushback. But what good is anger and pushback if it’s not coupled with clear action? For the people who are watching, not just Democrats, but Americans who are frustrated as you are by what they’re seeing, what is the clear action you believe you, as a party, you, as the House and Senate Democrats, can take that isn’t just words?
LEADER JEFFRIES: The clear action that’s in front of us is already underway, right? It’s legislative action. Listen, we have said that we are in a four-front battle. It’s legislative, it’s the appropriations process, it’s legal and it’s moral. And we’ve got to press our case in every single lane. But in terms of the legislative lane, where there are clearly changes that need to be made to the manner in which ICE conducts itself, legislatively, we’re on that case, and we’ll continue to press our case. In terms of the appropriations process, we are working with our Senate Democratic colleagues, under the leadership of Chuck Schumer, who has taken a strong position as it relates to what needs to happen before the Homeland Security appropriations bill passes. That’s concrete action in the arena that we’re in. And of course, we’re working with Democratic Attorneys General across the country and state and local authorities to make sure that investigations occur, that the behavior that is illegal that we’re seeing coming out of the Department of Homeland Security is challenged in federal courts, as is being done to make sure that everyone is held accountable. And we’re going to continue to work with faith leaders, members of the clergy, civil rights organizations, democracy protection organizations to ensure that we are making the moral case to America that this has to end.
CHRIS JANSING: I think that you made some news in the beginning, too, about action, and that is to pursue impeachment against the DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. I wonder, and all of this is in the context, you can’t ignore it, of the midterms. We’re already hearing it in races, questions being asked and answered. How do you think this fight will go over heading into the midterms, especially for Members of your Caucus who are in those frontline tough seats?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Everyone’s going to speak for themselves as it relates to making sure they’re doing what they deem to be the right thing for the communities they are privileged to represent in the House of Representatives. What brings us together is going to continue to be our fight to make clear to the American people that you deserve better than the extremism that has been unleashed, the attacks on the economy, on healthcare, on law-abiding immigrant families, on the rule of law, on the American way of life itself, of course, on veterans and on farmers and on hardworking people who are just trying to survive in a country where the cost of living is completely and totally out of control. So we know the American people deserve better and we’re going to deliver better. We’re going to focus on driving down the high cost of living, focus on fixing our broken healthcare system and, of course, we’re going to focus on dealing with the corruption that is rampant in Washington, DC. Deal with it in the Congress, deal with it at the Supreme Court and, of course, deal with it with respect to the President and his administration, the most corrupt administration in American history. Democrats are winning races all across the country. That has been the case since January of last year. And of course, we saw that decisively throughout the country during the off-year election last November in Virginia, in New Jersey, in New York, in California, in Pennsylvania, of course, in Georgia, where we won statewide races for the first time in 20 years, in Mississippi, where we broke their supermajority in the state Senate. The American people know that Democrats are fighting to make life better for them. And we’re also fighting to push back against the extremism that Donald Trump and Republicans have unleashed on the American people.
CHRIS JANSING: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, thank you.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)
Today, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) announced new federal funding for projects across San Luis Obispo County. The funding was recently approved by Congress and signed into law through theFiscal Year 2026 government funding bill. The bill includes investments in the San Luis Obispo County Jail Security System Project and will help fund an important dredging project in the Morro Bay Harbor.
The funding package includes $1,031,000 for the San Luis Obispo County Jail Security System Project. The funding will be used to replace the jail’s security electronic system, which was installed in 2014. The system includes video surveillance, door controls, and intercoms for both the San Luis Obispo County Jail and the Honor Farm.
“Modernizing our correctional facilities is crucial for the safety of staff, inmates, and the surrounding community,”said Rep. Carbajal.“This federal funding represents a critical investment in public safety for San Luis Obispo County, and a significant upgrade from the current system.”
The funding bill also includes $4,120,000 in grants for the crucial annual dredging of the Morro Bay Harbor.
“It would be difficult to overstate the importance of the annual dredging project for the economic strength of Morro Bay and broader San Luis Obispo County. The project not only ensures successful maritime navigation but is foundational to maintaining the vitality of local tourism, recreational boating, and waterfront businesses,”said Rep Carbajal.
In the spring of 2025, Carbajal began to push for funding these projects through formal requests to the House Appropriations Committee for Fiscal Year 2026.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)
OLATHE, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) visited an Olathe-based aerospace manufacturer to highlight the strength of Kansas manufacturing and her work to protect programs that help local businesses grow and create jobs.
The visit followed Davids’ voteto fully fund the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program, which includes Kansas Manufacturing Solutions (KMS), after the Trump Administration attempted to cutcongressionally approved funding for the program last year.
“Kansas manufacturers are proving every day that when we invest in American workers and innovation, we all benefit,” said Davids. “Kansas Manufacturing Solutions helps these small and mid-sized manufacturers strengthen their operations, grow their workforce, and compete globally. I’m glad we were able to overturn extreme policies that would harm this progress, ensuring Washington doesn’t pull the rug out from under Kansas businesses and workers.”
WATCH: Davids and Tiffany Stovall, KMS, discuss the importance of domestic manufacturing
Last year, the Trump Administration cut off MEP funding, forcing KMS to lay off nearly half its staff and putting local jobs and economic growth at risk. In response, Davids introduced the Defend American Manufacturing Act, legislation to restore and protect critical funding for MEP programs — the primary source of support for KMS. Following Davids’ advocacyand bipartisan pressure from Congress, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) temporarily restored funding to the MEP program.
Manufacturing plays a critical role in Kansas’ economy, accounting for 86 percent of the state’s annual exports. In 2024, KMS helped create or retain 2,339 jobs, spurred $122 million in new investment, saved local businesses $14.3 million, and generated $328 million in sales statewide. In Kansas’ Third Districtalone, KMS assisted 552 manufacturers and supported more than 30,000 manufacturing employees last year.
“Kansas Manufacturing Solutions employs industry experts to provide hands-on support to manufacturers in Kansas,” said Tiffany Stovall, Chief Executive Officer, Kansas Manufacturing. “The results speak for themselves in Kansas by number of new/retained jobs, measurable company growth, and helping companies navigate uncertainties like supply chain challenges. We are so thankful for Representative Davids’ support. She is a champion of manufacturing, KMS and the MEP program in every state.”
For nearly 40 years, the MEP program has helped small and mid-sized manufacturers improve efficiency, strengthen supply chains, and expand into new markets. Through 51 public-private centers operating in every state and Puerto Rico, MEPs provide services such as workforce training, cybersecurity assistance, and market expansion support. In 2024 alone, the program helped create or save more than 108,000 manufacturing jobs nationwide, generated $15 billion in sales, and saved businesses $2.6 billion.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Shontel Brown (D-OH), and Valerie Foushee (D-NC) re-introduced the Prison Libraries Act toexpand library resources in U.S. state and territory correctional facilities, aiming to increase educational opportunities, advance reintegration efforts, and reduce recidivism. The bill will authorize $60,000,000 over six years for state prisons to expand library resources and services to support the education and skills training of incarcerated Americans.
“America’s correctional system is far too often focused on punishment rather than rehabilitation. The Prison Libraries Act is an attempt to shift this dynamic, providing incarcerated Americans with increased access to education and skills training services that will better prepare them for reintegration into society,” said Congressman Cleaver. “By making strategic investments in the rehabilitative components of America’s correctional facilities, we can reduce recidivism, strengthen public safety, and curtail the growing costs of our correctional system.”
“Everyone deserves to have access to learning, ideas, information and literature no matter where they are,” said Congresswoman Brown. “The Prison Libraries Act would help give incarcerated community members the resources they need to pursue knowledge and development opportunities they would not have otherwise received. When people have access to education and information, they’re better equipped to succeed when they come home, and our communities are safer and stronger.”
“Libraries give everyone the chance to learn and grow, yet many correctional facilities lack the infrastructure to provide these essential resources,” said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). “To reduce recidivism and support successful reintegration, our justice system must provide incarcerated individuals with ways to prepare for life after release. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Prison Libraries Act to help more prisons establish libraries and educational programs, giving people the necessary tools to build skills and successfully re-enter their communities.”
“Prison libraries open doors of opportunity and provide essential literacy support to address the urgent information needs of millions of incarcerated people in the United States,” said Sam Helmick, American Library Association President. “Funding from the Prison Libraries Act would expand educational services and provide incarcerated individuals with resources to build skills for employment and enable them to return to their communities better equipped for life after incarceration.”
Prison Libraries should not be treated as a privilege. They are one of the only places for people in prison to be connected to the world and intellectually stimulated. This is about the fundamental human right of all people to seek and receive information, and to access the ideas and lived experiences of others through literature; rights that are often abridged by carceral censors. We applaud Representative Cleaver for his inspiring effort to revive libraries in prisons through re-introduction of the Prison Libraries Act,” said Jonathan Friedman, PEN America’s Sy Syms Managing Director, U.S. Free Expression Programs.
Within the prison community, libraries offer escapism and a means for personal development through learning and acquiring new trades and skills that can be applied upon release. Ultimately, prison libraries are an innovative tool for rehabilitation and re-entry.
Over 600,000 individuals are released from federal and state prisons each year. Upon release, these individuals often struggle to reintegrate into their communities. This struggle is exacerbated by prisons often offering incarcerated individuals little to no educational or job training opportunities.The lack of such resourceful opportunities affects formerly incarcerated individuals’ ability to find gainful employment once released and increases the likelihood of recidivism. Libraries are one of the most powerful and transformative resources against recidivism, but they tend to be substantially underutilized, scarce, insufficiently funded, and inadequately equipped with learning, training, information, and communication materials and technologies in American jails and prisons.
The Prison Libraries Act would authorize a competitive grant program for state and U.S. territory prisons to:
Offer adequate library services, including education and job training, digital literacy, career readiness programming, and computer and internet access, among other services, for free;
Invest in acquiring updated materialsand equipment that reflect the prison population’s interests, identities, abilities, and languages;
Expand the infrastructure of prison libraries;
Hire well-trained and qualified staff to manage libraries, their resources, and services; and
Build a collaborative relationship with respective local public libraries.
The Prison Libraries Act is endorsed by the American Library Association, Books Through Bars, Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants, DC Books to Prisons, Friends & Foundation of the San Francisco Public Library, Missouri Humanities, Missouri Prison Books, Prison Book Program, Prison Library Project at Claremont Forum, Prisoners Literature Project, Vera Institute of Justice, and Books to Prisoners Seattle.
The Prison Libraries Act is cosponsored by Representatives Ed Case (D-HI), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Cleo Fields (D-LA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Julie Johnson (D-TX), Summer Lee (D-PA), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Emily Randall (D-WA), David Scott (D-GA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Bennie Thompson (D-MS).
Official text of the Prison Libraries Act is availablehere.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) held a virtual event to congratulate Riddhi Singhvi of Stillwater Area High School for winning the 2026 Fourth Congressional District App Challenge. Singhvi’s app, Bite Balance, was chosen by an independent judge from the Fourth Congressional District.
Bite Balance is a wellness application designed to improve user health by replacing calorie counting and manual food logging with simple, AI-driven insights. Bite Balance helps users understand how food, activity, and rest work together to support gut health and daily energy use. Users take a photo of their meals, which the app analyzes to assess nutrition quality, fiber, and food processing, generating a Gut Balance Index. This information is combined with real-time data from wearables devices, i.e. an Apple Watch, tracking activities, sleep, and stress levels. Producing a single, easy-to-read “Bite Balance” score. The app also provides three core insights: nutrition quality, energy balance, and recovery to guide users to healthier and more mindful choices. By eliminating tracking and focusing on long-term habits, Bite Balance aims to offer a science-based, user-friendly approach to wellness that empowers people to better understand their bodies and build sustainable health routines.
Congresswoman McCollum also congratulated second-place winner Ethan Finch of Stillwater Area High School for his app ArticuRace, and third-place winner Karthik Uppala of Math and Science Academy for his app EchoLens.
“It is a pleasure to congratulate Riddhi Singhvi as the winner of the 2026 Fourth Congressional District App Challenge, and recognize Ethan Finch and Karthik Uppala for their outstanding entries,” said Congresswoman McCollum. Bite Balance is Riddhi’s first solo entry to the MN-04 Congressional App Challenge. Riddhi and her brother, Coolsjes, a rising senior had previously entered second place during the 2024 Congressional App Challenge.
This year’s judge was Metropolitan State University senior Calvin Yang, who is majoring in Computer Science. Yang’s experience includes an internship at Trusted Semiconductor Solutions working on AI models and integrations. His relevant focus is on Algorithms and Data Structures; Organization of Programming Languages; Database Management Systems; and Machine Learning.
The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide STEAM competition where students create an application or “app” for desktop/PC, web, tablet, mobile, or other devices. Fourth Congressional District middle and high school students are encouraged to enter next year’s competition by submitting an app of their own creation by late October 2027.
Students and educators can find more information about the competition at mccollum.house.gov.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02)
Washington, D.C.– Today, Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Amodei released the following statement on the latest developments in Minnesota:
“A pivot to ICE’s core mission in Minnesota is needed. Prioritizing the most dangerous criminal aliens and focusing enforcement on individuals who have gone through due process and have final orders of removal is the stated core mission. Over the past 60 days, we’ve been compiling data to better understand the internal culture and operational decisions that existed prior to the recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis.
The fact that Tom Homan, along with CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott and former Deputy CBP Commissioner and Acting ICE Director Ron Vitiello, have been sent to assess the situation is an encouraging indicator that a pivot is happening; led by career law enforcement professionals, who have served under both Republican and Democratic Administrations. Those are the people who are now in charge in Minnesota. Additionally, Governor Walz talking on the phone with the President to coordinate efforts is another step in the right direction. What we’ve seen in the last 72 hours looks completely different from before, and that shift must continue. I look forward to the shooting investigation results in both instances in a timely manner.
That said, there is another player in the room who has not been exemplary, and that is the local agitators and politicians who have encouraged the continued interference with immigration enforcement operations. They share equal responsibility for creating a warzone mentality on the ground. State, local, and federal agencies must unify their efforts, leveraging their distinct authorities and resources to restore safety and order in Minnesota.
For those calling to shut down the Department of Homeland Security under the belief that it would be wise for the nation, I beg to differ. It is beyond reckless to shut down FEMA during unprecedented winter weather events that affect approximately 30 states. Sidelining the Secret Service, impeding Coast Guard operations, disrupting TSA during an already strained travel environment, and weakening CISA, who is responsible for critical cyber security protection, would defy logic and public safety.
The loss of any American life is tragic, and my thoughts are with the loved ones of both Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti. As the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman, I expect thorough and transparent investigations into what went wrong and immediate actions to ensure something like this never happens again.
I look forward to having bipartisan conversations with Mr. Homan and his team in the coming days.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today condemned President Trump’s decision to freeze federal funding that Congress already approved for the Gateway Tunnel project saying:
“Trump froze federal funding Congress already approved for the Gateway Tunnel, and now nearly 1,000 union workers who are on the project right now are about to be sent home and construction is days from shutting down. Over the life of the Gateway Tunnel project, we’re going to see 100,000 jobs created and 20 billion dollars in economic activity, but Trump is willing to blow that up because of some made up culture war. Existing Hudson River rail tunnels are 115 years old, they were wrecked by Sandy, and if just one of those tunnels breaks down, three out of every four trains into New York stop running. Trump can restore Gateway funding today or he can own the damage he is about to cause to commuters and the regional economy. This is plain reckless, and New Jersey knows exactly who is responsible.”
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.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 by a vote of 341-88, and H.R. 7147, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 bya vote of 220-207:
“By passing these final appropriations bills, House Republicans are demonstrating that regular order can still work in Washington. After years of relying on bloated, last-minute continuing resolutions and stopgap measures, we are moving back to a process where Congress debates and passes spending bills the way it is supposed to. That is how you get better outcomes and more accountability for taxpayers.
“These bills deliver for our troops and their families, strengthen border security, fund important medical research, and invest in critical infrastructure, all while saving taxpayers money. This is another step toward restoring fiscal discipline and responsible governance, and making sure the federal government is working for the people of Arkansas and the country.”
Background:
H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, includes appropriations for the following agencies: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development; and Defense. H.R. 7147, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, funds the Department of Homeland Security.
Here are a few items of note that were included in the four appropriations bills that passed the House today:
Supports apprenticeship programs to build strong American working families and increases funding to train workers and educate students in rural America.
$418 million for rural health, including increased funding for America’s rural hospitals.
$1.9 billion to support community health centers.
$49 billion for the National Institutes of Health for biomedical research to find cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, rare diseases, and chronic diseases impacting Americans.
Increases funding by $20 million for special education, including $5 million for rural education.
$500 million for charter schools.
Maintains funding for the Pell Grant’s discretionary maximum award level.
Invests in transportation safety and rebuilds America by increasing funding for the FAA by $1.588 billion and providing the FAA with resources to hire 2,500 new air traffic controllers.
Reinforces English language proficiency requirements for truck drivers.
Champions America’s military superiority and provides a 3.8% pay raise for all service members and a 1% civilian employee pay increase.
Bolsters public safety and homeland preparedness by enhancing resources to detect and counter the spread of deadly drugs like fentanyl.
Strengthens U.S. national security and border protections by providing $513 million to sustain 22,000 Border Patrol agents.
Invests $20 million to hire critical positions at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to counter the threat from China.
Directs $20 million for the procurement, deployment, and operations of body-worn cameras for agents and officers performing immigration enforcement activities.