Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)
VIDEO: Team Gomez and Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez’s Office Deliver Air Purifiers and Essential Supplies to Families Impacted by the Lineage Logistics Fire
– As families in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles continue to deal with the lingering impacts of the Lineage Logistics Fire, the offices of U.S. Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez remained on the ground delivering air purifiers, N95 masks, bottled water, and other essential supplies to residents living closest to the fire zone.
In a new video, Rep. Gomez’s District Director, Ivette Aragon, and Assemblymember Gonzalez’s District Director, Sebastian Lozano, highlighted their joint efforts to respond directly to constituent requests for assistance and deliver critical resources to households still coping with hazardous air quality.
Since the fire began, Team Gomez has worked in partnership with Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez’s office, local organizations, and community partners to connect residents with essential resources, respond to constituent requests, and ensure impacted families receive the support they need as recovery continues. Residents in need of assistance are encouraged to contact Rep. Gomez’s district office or Assemblymember Gonzalez’s office for help accessing available resources.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)
Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded a total of $50 million to two Riverside County transportation projects from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. Rep. Calvert led efforts to advocate for the grant applications submitted by Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and the City of Lake Elsinore, including sending letters of support and outreach to DOT officials.
The following projects were awarded funding:
$25 Million – State Route 91 Eastbound Corridor Operations Project
Recipient: Riverside County Transportation Commission
Project summary: This project will implement an operational lane for approximately three miles in the eastbound direction on State Route 91 from the State Route 241 general purpose connector to the State Route 71 connector auxiliary lane. Other improvements include widening bridges, constructing retaining walls, constructing a two-lane exit ramp, replacing overhead signs, lowering Coal Canyon access road, and constructing debris and rockfall mitigation measures.
$25 Million – I-15/SR 74 (Central Avenue) Interchange Improvement Project
Recipient: City of Lake Elsinore
Project summary: The project will make improvements to the I-15/SR-74 (Central Avenue) Interchange in the City of Lake Elsinore, California. Improvements include interchange reconfiguration, widening of a segment of SR-74 (Central Avenue), Dexter Avenue, upgraded on- and off-ramps, new traffic signals and freeway signage, ADA-compliant pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and drainage improvements.
“The $50 million being awarded to Riverside County highway projects will make a significant impact by easing congestion and improving safety for drivers,” said Rep. Calvert. “By working together with Riverside County Transportation Commission and the city of Lake Elsinore, I’m proud to once again help return tax dollars back to our region to make a difference for the constituents I represent. Our region remains one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, which means we must continue to invest in infrastructure improvements to keep people moving and protect their quality of life. I will continue to work with our local communities to support the projects that are necessary to achieve those goals.”
“With more than 300,000 vehicles traveling SR-91 between Riverside and Orange Counties each day, continued investment in the corridor is needed to keep our communities moving,” said RCTC Chair Raymond Gregory. “RCTC is grateful to Representative Ken Calvert for his help to secure $25 million in BUILD grant funding for the 91 Eastbound Corridor Operations Project, which will help improve traffic operations.”
“On behalf of the City of Lake Elsinore and my City Council colleagues, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to Congressman Ken Calvert and his team for his steadfast leadership and unwavering support in securing this transformative BUILD Grant,” said Lake Elsinore Mayor Bob Magee. “His commitment to improving infrastructure throughout Southwest Riverside County has helped make one of Lake Elsinore’s highest-priority transportation projects a reality. This investment will significantly improve the I-15/SR-74 (Central Avenue) Interchange through a comprehensive reconfiguration of the interchange and also widen parts of SR-74 (Central Avenue) and Dexter Avenue, improving safety, reducing traffic congestion, strengthening regional connectivity, and providing more efficient access for residents, businesses, emergency responders, and the thousands of visitors who travel through our community each day. As one of the fastest-growing communities in California, Lake Elsinore depends on strategic infrastructure investments to support economic development, attract new businesses, create jobs, and, more importantly, improve our residents’ quality of life. This project is not simply about improving an interchange—it is about investing in our community’s future and ensuring our transportation network can support the opportunities ahead. We are deeply grateful to Congressman Calvert for his partnership, leadership, and unwavering commitment to bringing federal resources home to Lake Elsinore.”
WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after theBureau of Labor Statisticsannounced that the economy gained 57,000 jobs in June, and the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.2 percent. At this point in his term, the economy under President Biden had created 9.5 million jobs, compared to just 716,000 under President Trump’s second term.
“In the year since President Trump and Congressional Republicans passed their ‘Big Ugly Bill,’ Americans’ lives have gotten more difficult and more expensive. Seventeen months into President Trump’s second term, the economy has only created 7.5 percent of the jobs that President Biden created at the same point in his term. As a direct result of Republicans’ health care cuts, over eight million Americans have lost health care coverage in the past year, and over four million
“These bad economic policies continue to put the American dream further out of reach for working people. Inflation has begun to outpace wage growth, and American workers’ share of national income has shrunk to its lowest level in at least seventy years. These factors contribute to a ‘K-shaped economy,’ where the rich get richer while working people continue to struggle.
“On the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation and as we reflect on the ambitions of our country’s founders, we cannot take for granted the power of self-determination. Democrats are committed to making the government work for everyone, not just the wealthy and Trump-connected few. Congress must expand economic opportunity for all Americans by lowering the cost of living, delivering quality health care, and creating well-paying jobs that stand the test of time.”
To see a chart comparing the cumulative seasonally adjusted job change by month between President Trump’s first and second terms, and President Biden’s presidency,click here.
To see a chart comparing the total job change between President Trump’s first 17 months in office and President Biden’s first 17 months in office,click here.
WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) rescinded the 1979 rule that establishes affirmative action guidelines for employers.
“The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) decision to rescind its long-standing guidelines on affirmative action in the workplace is another step in the Trump Administration’s campaign to dismantle civil rights and equal opportunity for workers. For nearly 50 years, the rule has established clear guidelines for employers on when and how to implement strategies to address race and gender imbalances and protect Americans from workplace discrimination.
“Even without this guidance, employers are still required to follow Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although the Supreme Court has limited the use of race in the admissions process to increase diversity in higher education, its earlier decisions, United Steelworkers v. Weber (1979) and Johnson v. Transportation Agency (1987), that guide the use of affirmative action in the private sector have not been overturned and remain the law of the land.As Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, I am committed to fighting back against the Trump Administration’s attacks on workers and to ensuring that all Americans are given an equal chance to get ahead.”
Background:Following Donald Trump’s unprecedented firing of two of the three Democratic Commissioners on the five-seat Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the elevation of Andrea Lucas as Chair of the Commission, the EEOC has taken numerous actions that undermine rather than advance equal opportunity for workers.
On September 22, 2025, Ranking Member Scottcondemnedthe EEOC after it was reported that it would end investigations where an employee alleges solely disparate impact workplace discrimination charges.
On January 23, 2026, Ranking Member Scottexpressedhis concern that the EEOC had taken numerous actions at the direction of Chair Andrea Lucas that undermined the EEOC’s mission to protect workers from discrimination. In hisletterto Chair Lucas, Ranking Member Scott noted that the Commission has abandoned cases alleging disparate impact, singled out white men as a group that should reach out to the EEOC with discrimination claims, and rescinded guidance that served as an important resource for both workers and employers regarding prohibitions against discrimination, including harassment.
On June 29, 2026, Ranking Member Scottcondemnedthe Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Trump’s firing of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, a decision that also undermines the independence of the EEOC.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Last week, Congresswoman Brownley (CA-26), Congressman Huffman (CA-02), and Congressman Raskin (MD-08), alongside other democratic colleagues, introduced a resolution in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. As the United States prepares to celebrate its Semiquincentennial, the resolution recognizes the nation’s long tradition of protecting religious liberty through a secular government, celebrates America’s growing religious diversity, and rejects efforts to use the power of government to impose any one religious belief on the American people.
This resolution comes at a pivotal moment for religious freedom in America. Last week, Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission released a dangerous 224-page draft report proposing policies that would expand the role of religion in government and weaken safeguards that have protected religious freedom for generations. The commission is stacked with mostly right-wing Christian nationalists, and one conservative Jewish member, all of whom endorse claims that America was founded as a Chrisian nation.
“Last week Trump’s so called Religious Liberty Commission released an absurd report launching a direct attack on one of America’s greatest constitutional achievements: the separation of church and state,” said Rep. Jared Huffman. “The Constitution doesn’t belong to Christian nationalists, and it doesn’t belong to Donald Trump. It belongs to all of us, and its promise of religious freedom protects every American, regardless of what they believe. No president, no matter how determined to erode our constitutional freedoms, can change what has always been at the heart of this country: a belief in liberty and freedom for all. That includes the freedom to worship as you choose, or not at all, without government interference or religious coercion. That’s the America worth celebrating after 250 years, and it’s the America we must continue to defend.”
“Our Founders rebelled against centuries of state-controlled churches, religious warfare, Crusades, inquisitions, witchcraft trials, and other expressions of religious authoritarianism to create a secular Constitution,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin. “As we mark America’s 250th anniversary, our resolution is a necessary reminder to guard religious freedom, one of our nation’s founding principles, from those seeking to destroy it by using the government to impose white Christian nationalism. Mr. President, read the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses of our Constitution.”
The resolution draws on the writings of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Washington, and other Founders, as well as longstanding constitutional precedent, to underscore that religious freedom flourishes when government remains neutral in matters of faith. It also recognizes that the First Amendment’s Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses have safeguarded Americans of every religion, and those of no religion, for nearly 250 years.
In addition to Brownley, Huffman, and Raskin, the resolution is cosponsored by Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Sean Casten (IL-06), Emily Randall (WA-06), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Robert Garcia (CA-42).
The resolution is endorsed by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, American Humanist Association, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Secular Coalition, The Center for Inquiry, and Interfaith Alliance, and Baptist Joint Committee, Ex-Muslims of North America, Muslim Public Affairs Council, Jews for Secular Democracy, Society for Humanistic Judaism, Emgage, Vote Common Good, Sikh Coalition.
A full list of quotes from endorsed organizations can be found here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)
Headline: Federal Assistance Now Available to Michigan Residents Affected by Flooding
Last week, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration in the State of Michigan in response to severe flooding, storms, and tornadoes which impacted the state in April. Congressman John Moolenaar supports the President’s announcement and joined his colleagues from Michigan in Congress in urging him to approve Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s request for federal assistance.
“I am grateful President Trump stepped in to approve the major disaster declaration in our state,” said Congressman Moolenaar. “April’s flooding and storms devastated communities across the Second District, and now FEMA will be able to assist residents and local organizations as they continue to recover. I encourage all Michigan families who were affected by the flooding to apply for assistance before the August 31 deadline.”
The President’s declaration includes direct federal assistance for homeowners and renters affected by the flooding in the following counties in Michigan’s Second Congressional District: Barry, Gratiot, Manistee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Wexford.
Michigan residents who experienced property loss or damage from the flooding in these counties may apply for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. FEMA requires homeowners and renters seeking individual assistance to file an insurance claim prior to submitting an application.
FEMA’s declaration also includes Public Assistance to reimburse local governments, tribal agencies, and certain non-profit organizations for response costs, infrastructure repair, and debris removal in Eaton, Gratiot, Lake, Manistee, Mecosta, Newaygo, Osceola, and Wexford counties.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)
June 30, 2026
Esmeralda Gonzalez and David Ontiveros
Oceanside, CA — Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) named Oceanside residents Esmeralda Gonzalez and David Ontiveros as his June 2026 Co-Constituents of the Month. They both exhibit extraordinary dedication to supporting the LGBTQ community in North County San Diego.
David has served on the Pride by the Beach Planning Committee for three years, and Esmeralda for two. Together, they have been indispensable to the organization’s mission, showing up consistently for both high-visibility events and behind-the-scenes work that keeps the community running. Their efforts were on full display at this year’s 19th Annual Pride by the Beach, themed “The Fabric of Community.”
David brings a focus on the greater good to everything he does, keeping the organization’s mission front and center and ensuring that every decision serves those who need it most.
Esmeralda leads with purpose and drive, serving as an anchor to the organization’s core values and inspiring those around her through her take-charge approach and unwavering commitment to community.
See below for Rep. Levin’s statement recognizing Esmeralda Gonzalez and David Ontiveros in the Congressional Record:
“Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Esmeralda Gonzalez and David Ontiveros, residents of Oceanside, as my Co-Constituents of the Month for June 2026.
“Esmeralda and David represent the very best of what community means. They do not wait to be asked; they simply show up, roll up their sleeves, and give everything they have to the people around them. Through their years of service with Pride by the Beach, they have helped build something that is more than an event. It is a testament to belonging.
“David’s commitment to the greater good and Esmeralda’s steadfast leadership remind us that strong communities are built one dedicated person at a time.
“I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating Esmeralda Gonzalez and David Ontiveros, and in thanking them for the service they bring to North County San Diego and to our entire community.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)
July 06, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Sean Casten, George Whitesides, and Mike Levin introduced the Global Climate Resilience Act, legislation that would create a new debt-for-resilience program to improve the United States’ ability to provide climate finance and debt relief to countries in the Global South. This new program would enhance the United States’ ability to negotiate debt reductions with countries in the Global South that agree to undertake climate resilience initiatives. The legislation also directs the United States to use its influence with international financial institutions to promote debt reduction for nations at risk of climate damage and advocate for an international climate insurance program. Senators Peter Welch (VT) and Andy Kim (NJ) introduced the companion bill in the Senate.
“Climate change is a global crisis that demands a global response,” said Rep. Casten. “The United States has a responsibility to help lead the way towards innovative financial solutions. I’m proud to support this legislation that strengthens climate resilience, supports our own national security, and advances a safer, more secure, and more prosperous future for communities across the Global South.”
“I’ve seen the extreme financial impact that natural disasters like wildfires have on my community and state, and that problem exists at scale across the globe,” said Rep. Whitesides. “The Global Climate Resilience Act asserts U.S. leadership in combating climate change, while also addressing widespread debt by creating better pathways for countries in the Global South to invest in resilience measures for natural disasters. By making it easier for countries with developing economies to implement climate resilience initiatives, we can help facilitate a global effort to combat climate change with more nations and international organizations.”
“The science is clear: disasters are more intense, sea levels are rising, and climate change is accelerating. Combating these global challenges demands global cooperation,” said Rep. Levin. “Our Global Climate Resilience Act helps the world’s most vulnerable communities protect against the worst effects of climate change. By addressing root causes of poverty, disease, and migration around the world, our bill helps keep Americans safer, healthier, and more secure.”
“This House bill and its Senate companion directly respond to calls from the Global South to address two of its most pressing challenges: relieving crushing debt burdens and bolstering life-saving resilience efforts,” said Brenden Guy, Senior Director of International Climate at the Natural Resource Defense Council. “The climate crisis has eliminated 20% of the wealth of the most vulnerable countries in the world over the last two decades. And make no mistake, this is not charity: it’s a strategic investment in building global resilience that will also keep Americans safer and supply chains more secure from climate-fueled disasters that drive up prices. The bill advances much-needed solutions to build greater global resilience and prosperity that Congress should get behind.”
“One of the biggest barriers to enacting climate action on a global scale is resourcing communities that have been extracted from for generations that want to transition to the clean energy economy but have been let down by Countries failing to meet their commitments to help in this transition,” said Aaron McCall, Federal Advocacy Coordinator, California Environmental Voters. “Oil Companies then fill this gap as primary energy suppliers and continue the cycle of extracting and polluting communities. This bill promises to take a step in the right direction to help communities looking to invest in the health and sustainability of their nation, and global health as a whole.”
“If the United States wants to reclaim its leadership role in addressing the myriad global challenges of the climate crisis, we must truly lead from the front,” said Davis Bates, League of Conservation Voters’ Congressional Champions Campaign Director. “We must not simply renew our previous commitments to international agreements. We also need to support and empower countries around the world to adapt to increasingly disastrous extreme weather and build financial and structural climate resiliency for the future — especially for countries least responsible for the pollution fueling climate change but are most impacted.”
“Countries on the frontlines of climate change, including small island states, shouldn’t have to choose between paying down debt and protecting their communities and ecosystems,” said Dan Whittle, Associate Vice President, Resilient Caribbean, Environmental Defense Fund. “The Global Climate Resilience Act points to a smarter path, linking debt relief with investments that build resilience and stability. This is the kind of climate finance the moment demands.”
Just last year, the Global South was devastated by floods and cyclones in South and Southeast Asia, hurricanes in the Caribbean, extreme heat waves in Middle East and Northern Africa, and rising sea levels which are beginning to submerge small Pacific Islands countries. While some nations have the resources necessary to adapt to the effects of climate change, countries with developing economies often lack resources to meet challenges of a warming world. For many countries in the Global South, this creates a vicious cycle where funds from economic growth service debt from a climate event instead of building resilience.
Collective international action to reduce carbon emissions and build resilience are crucial to combatting the growing impacts of climate change. At the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COPs), global leaders recognized the need to provide climate financing to countries in the Global South. The United States must take further action to help at-risk countries reduce their debt.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced today that Kristian Richard, a Lafayette homeschool student, is the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Louisiana’s 3rd District.
Kristian’s piece, titled “With God All Things Are Possible”, captures the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette. Congressman Higgins hosted Kristian and her family at the U.S. Capitol last week, where her artwork will remain on display for a year.
“Kristian’s art reflects the spirit that defines South Louisiana, and I was honored to see her work displayed in the Capitol, said Rep. Higgins. “St. John the Evangelist is a beautiful cathedral, and Kristian captured it with great artistic skill. I’m proud to see one of our youth use her gifts to honor faith and South Louisiana culture.”
About the Congressional Art Competition:
Each spring, the U.S. House of Representatives sponsors an art competition for high school students. The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved in the nationwide competition.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)
WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Reps. Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Carol Miller (WV-01), and Paul Tonko (NY-20) to reintroduce the Residential Recovery for Seniors Act. This bipartisan bill would help lower the rate of drug overdoses among older adults by authorizing residential and in-patient treatment of opioid-use disorder under Medicare.
“Substance use disorder can affect anyone, and over the last two decades, overdose deaths among older Americans have increased at an alarming rate,”said Congressman Valadao.“While Medicaid covers residential addiction treatment, too many seniors who rely on Medicare are left without access to these critical services or forced to pay out-of-pocket for expensive services they can’t afford. In the Central Valley, we’ve seen the devastating impact of the opioid crisis firsthand, and we need to ensure every American has the care they need to recover. I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this bipartisan bill to expand access to lifesaving treatment and better support seniors struggling with substance use disorder.”
“Substance use disorders among seniors are on the rise, and I’ve heard from so many families who have lost older relatives to addiction,”said Rep. Underwood.“We cannot accept this as a new normal. Our bipartisan legislation will make sure seniors in our communities can get help when they need it and have access to the high-quality recovery care that they deserve.”
“In a state where seniors represent more than 20 percent of the population, substance use disorders among older adults remain a serious yet frequently overlooked challenge,”said Rep. Miller.“This bill is an important step to expand access to recovery care for seniors and support families facing addiction. By allowing Medicare to cover residential addiction treatment programs, we are strengthening the continuum of care and ensuring seniors have access to structured, medically appropriate recovery services when they need them most.”
“The disease of addiction has touched every corner of our communities, so our response addressing this crisis must be equally extensive,”said Rep. Tonko.“Given the alarming rise in substance use disorder among our seniors, making sure they have the treatment and care they need is of particular importance. Our Residential Recovery for Seniors Act delivers that lifesaving care for older adults and people with disabilities. I’m proud to join my colleagues in pushing this commonsense, compassionate bill, that delivers the support needed to those on the path to recovery.”
Supporting organizations include the American Society of Addiction Medicine, Legal Action Center, Pyramid Healthcare, Illinois Association for Behavioral Health, National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, Smart Recovery, The Kennedy Forum, Treatment Communities of America, New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addictions Agencies Inc., National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, HIV Alliance, Shatterproof, Gaudenzia, Faces & Voices of Recovery, Powell Recovery Center, Inc, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, and the Mental Health Association of Maryland.
The Residential Recovery for Seniors Act would:
Create a new Medicare benefit to cover residential and inpatient treatment for opioid use disorder according to American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) standards.
Include coverage for:
Low-intensity residential treatment for individuals who need ongoing support in a structured setting.
High-intensity residential treatment for individuals requiring more comprehensive clinical care.
Medically managed residential treatment for patients with more complex medical and addiction treatment needs.
Establish a predictable Medicare payment system that reimburses treatment providers through a fixed payment amount, helping improve access to care and encourage provider participation.
