MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

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

Estes Reacts to Proposed WOTUS Rule

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Congressman Baird Offers Condolences to Family of Indiana National Guardsman Spc. Terry Frye

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rutherford (4th District of Florida)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05) introduced H.R. 6068, the Preserving Recreation, Oceans, Tourism, Environment, and Coastal Towns in (PROTECT) Florida Act, to prevent drilling off Florida’s coast. This bipartisan legislation codifies President Trump’s moratorium on oil and gas leasing, seismic testing, and exploration in federal waters off the coast of Florida until 2032.

Rutherford was joined by Representatives Jimmy Patronis (FL-01), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26), Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Daniel Webster (FL-11), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Mike Haridopolis (FL-08), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Darren Soto (FL-09), Laurel Lee (FL-15), Neal Dunn (FL-02), and Vern Buchanan (FL-16) in the House.

“Florida’s coastal environment is a central part of our state’s economy and way of life,” said Rutherford. “Floridians have spoken, and they do not want drilling off their coast. That is why I am proud to introduce the PROTECT Florida Act with my colleagues from Florida. This commonsense, bipartisan bill will ensure our environment is preserved for generations to come.”

Background

Florida’s economy relies on healthy and pristine beaches. According to NOAA, Florida’s coastal economy contributes approximately $760 billion to our nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) through tourism, fishing, and recreation.

The PROTECT Florida Act codifies protections for Florida’s coastline against offshore drilling guaranteed in President Trump’s 2020 executive order. It extends the GOMESA protections in the Eastern Gulf and creates a new moratorium for Florida’s Atlantic Coast and the Straits of Florida through 2032.

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

Headline: Carter statement on Trump Administration approving Georgia broadband deployment grant

Carter statement on Trump Administration approving Georgia broadband deployment grant

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Ryan Zinke (R-MT) today introduced the Wildlife Road Crossings Program Reauthorization Act to make permanent the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Wildlife Crossings Program and authorize funding through 2031. The Wildlife Crossings Program is a competitive grant program established under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to address the concerning rate of wildlife-vehicle collisions by supporting wildlife crossing projects that reduce these roadway collisions, protect migration corridors, and improve species habitat connectivity.

“Every year, more than 1 million wildlife–vehicle collisions are reported across the United States, resulting in human and wildlife fatalities and costing billions of dollars in damages. We know there are proven solutions – such as culverts, bridges and tunnels that allow animals to migrate safely – to reduce these incidents and save lives,” said Rep. Beyer. “Our bill would invest in these solutions by reauthorizing the Wildlife Crossings Program and allowing it to continue funding wildlife-friendly transportation infrastructure that saves lives, lowers costs, and improves road safety for drivers and wildlife alike.”

“Wildlife crossings save lives and are good for healthy herds,” said Rep. Zinke. “As the Secretary of the Interior I launched the first federal effort to protect big-game migration corridors and dedicate federal dollars to crossings in the west. This bill locks in the progress we started, keeps the funding flowing to the states and tribes that need it most, and ensures Montana families don’t have to risk their lives or lose the wildlife we all cherish driving to work or school.” 

Full text of the Wildlife Road Crossings Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 is available here.

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

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced that it has approved Virginia’s Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Final Proposal. This achievement puts Virginia one step closer to securing federal funding to support broadband development in Virginia, including in rural underserved areas.

In response to this news, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, issued the following statement:

“The Virginia BEAD proposal has immense potential to bridge the digital divide, deliver high-speed internet and usher in a new era for rural communities in Virginia. This recent NTIA approval of Governor Youngkin’s plan is welcome news. I commend the Commonwealth for its diligent work to make broadband opportunities and access a reality in rural Virginia.” 

BACKGROUND

As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee which has jurisdiction over broadband, Congressman Griffith was previously able to waive onto the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing to advocate for greater broadband access in Virginia’s Ninth District. In 2024, he pressed an official from the NTIA and encouraged approval of Virginia’s BEAD program proposal submitted by Governor Youngkin.

After the 2024 hearing, the NTIA announced approval of Virginia’s Initial Proposal to access BEAD program funding, allowing the state to request over $1.4 billion. Rep. Griffith commented at the time, “Governor Youngkin and the Commonwealth of Virginia put together a great plan under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to close the digital divide and equip rural Virginia with access to broadband. After my office and I actively monitored the status of Virginia’s proposal and encouraged NTIA, Virginia moves a step closer to expanding broadband for Virginians.”

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

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced today that the House Democratic Caucus has approved Adelita Grijalva to be appointed to the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Natural Resources.

“Today, I am honored to announce that the Democratic Caucus has approved Rep. Adelita Grijalva to be appointed to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Committee on Natural Resources. As a former school board member and the daughter of the former Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Rep. Grijalva will be a powerful advocate for our nation’s students and teachers, for the men and women of organized labor and for the environment.

After 50 long days of Republican delay tactics, Rep. Grijalva has been sworn in as a Member of Congress. We are proud to welcome her into our family and look forward to her principled service on behalf of the American people.”

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

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar released the following statement opposing H. Res. 878:

”Congressman Chuy García has been a progressive champion and voice for the voiceless in his community for decades, fighting to make life better for the least, the lost and the left behind throughout his entire public service career. He is a good man who has always prioritized the people he represents, even while experiencing unthinkable family tragedy. We unequivocally oppose this misguided resolution and urge our colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus to reject it.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) announced that the House of Representatives passed the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act unanimously on November 17, a bipartisan victory that will make air travel safer, more consistent, and more humane for parents traveling with breast milk, formula, and feeding equipment. The bill will now go to the President to be signed into law. 

The BABES Act is co-led in the House by U.S. Representatives Maria Salazar (R-FL), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL). U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced companion legislation in the Senate, co-led by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI).

The legislation requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to strengthen and streamline its screening protocols for breast milk, formula, and related feeding equipment. These improvements will ensure parents can navigate airport security without unnecessary delays, confusion, or the risk of damaging essential nutrition products.

“As a husband and father, I know how overwhelming traveling with a newborn can be. Having a baby in your arms is already a challenge and the last thing mothers should worry about is whether their breast milk or formula will be mishandled at the checkpoint,” said Congressman Swalwell. “This is a huge win for traveling mothers. The BABES Act ensures TSA officers receive proper training and follow robust hygienic standards so parents can travel with confidence. This is about giving families peace of mind and making sure babies have the nutrition they need. I’m proud this bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.”

“I am proud to co-lead this much-needed law to protect families and the essential breastmilk, formula and baby food their children depend on,” said Congresswoman Salazar. “For years, I’ve heard heartbreaking stories of parents and breastfeeding mothers facing inconsistent policies at airport checkpoints, because of the absence of clear TSA standards. That’s wrong, and the government should never stand between parents and their child’s nourishment while traveling. This bill guarantees clear rules, proper training, and full transparency so parents can travel knowing their baby food will be protected, not mishandled or thrown away.”

“As a mom, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to travel when you are breastfeeding or worried about how to feed your child,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “Like so many moms, I’ve experienced the frustration of having to throw out milk or pumping supplies, despite them being TSA-approved. Outdated regulations or lack of training shouldn’t add to an already stressful situation. We need clear policies about how TSA handles breast milk, baby formula, and pumping supplies so parents can travel without worrying that they will be confiscated, contaminated or mishandled. I’m glad to see it pass in the House with bipartisan support, a commonsense step to support families and keep our kids safe and healthy.”

“As a mother, I understand how stressful traveling with a young child can already be,” said Congresswoman Luna. “Parents should not have to worry about whether TSA will mishandle breast milk or formula. The BABES Act brings needed consistency, hygiene, and common sense to these screenings so families can travel with confidence. I am glad to join my colleagues in advancing this bipartisan, pro-family legislation.”

“After pushing for this for years, I’m proud that Congress passed this long-overdue legislation to make it easier for new moms to travel with their breast milk and the breastfeeding equipment they need to pump and feed their babies,” said Senator Duckworth. “Our bipartisan legislation will ensure the TSA keeps its employees up to speed on their own policies and updates those policies as necessary. It’s the least we can do to help parents travel through airports with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

 

Background & Need for the Legislation

Unsanitary screenings of breast milk and formula put infants at risk. Lactating parents must breastfeed or pump every few hours to avoid complications like clogged ducts or mastitis. Clear standards and consistent TSA training are essential to keeping families safe.

The BABES Act will require TSA to:

1. Develop clear, updated guidelines for screening breast milk, formula, and feeding equipment in consultation with nationally recognized maternal health organizations;
2. Ensure TSA officers receive enhanced and consistent training on these procedures;
3. Improve communication with parents about their rights at security checkpoints;
4. Update its guidance every five years to reflect changing needs and technology.

The bill also directs an independent government watchdog to audit TSA’s compliance with these policies to ensure accountability and prevent improper handling, like the incident experienced by Emily Calandrelli, host of Emily’s Wonder Lab, whose story helped inspire this legislation.

The BABES Enhancement Act is endorsed by March of Dimes, the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, MomsRising, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

It is also cosponsored by Reps. André Carson (D-IN), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Tim Kennedy (D-NY), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Julie Johnson (D-TX), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), Luis Correa (D-CA), Nellie Pou (D-NJ), George Latimer (D-NY), Tom Souzzi (D-NY), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Josh Gotteimer (D-NJ). 
 

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