MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

Rep. Kelly is impeaching Sec. Noem with 185 cosponsors

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

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement on the Fiscal Year 2026 funding package, which provides full-year funding for jobs, education, health care and national security priorities along with two weeks of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

“These funding bills are a rejection of Trump administration’s agenda.

“Eliminating the Department of Education? Rejected. Cutting life-saving medical research? Rejected. Gutting the Department of Labor, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Homeless Assistance Grants? Rejected, rejected, rejected.

“Additionally, Democrats have successfully held back full-year funding for DHS until oversight and accountability for ICE is in the law. Providing two weeks of funding for DHS ensures that FEMA, air traffic control and the Coast Guard remain funded and operational while we negotiate a full-year funding bill that ensures ICE follows the same rules as every other law enforcement agency.

“I supported this package of funding because it rejects the President’s agenda and isolates DHS funding, which will be negotiated separately in the coming weeks.”

Larsen Demands ICE Oversight and Accountability

Rep. Larsen supports impeaching DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and negotiating a full-year funding bill for DHS that creates accountability and oversight of ICE operations and DHS detention facilities, including provisions to:

• Ensure ICE and CBP immediately leave Minneapolis and stop terrorizing American cities and communities;
• End arrests without judicial warrants and, outside of exigent circumstances, arrests at sensitive locations such as churches, shelters, schools, and courthouses;
• Ensure full, independent, and transparent investigations into all DHS-related shootings, including federal cooperation with state and local investigations, and ensure that federal agents are properly trained, appropriately supervised, and held fully accountable for their actions;
• End the detention and deportation of U.S. citizens;
• End the anonymity of federal agents by requiring them to remove their masks and provide identification;
• Ensure robust minimum standards of care at detention facilities – including access to medical care, clean water, edible food, and protections against abuse – and ensure independent investigations of deaths. 

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP), delivered House floor remarks in support of Fiscal Year 2026 NSRP legislation, which passed as part of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, and will soon head to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature, avoiding another destructive government shutdown.

The NSRP legislation delivers a historic 16% spending reduction, the largest of any appropriations bill this fiscal year.

Watch Rep. Díaz-Balart’s House floor remarks here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) issued the following statement after the final passage of H.R. 7178, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. This bill included funding for the final two of 13 total community projects requested by Congressman Guthrie, totaling $76.65 million in funding for projects across the Second District. 

“One of my most important jobs in Congress is developing legislation that encourages economic development, fosters an environment to spur job creation, and improves the quality of life for all Kentuckians,” said Congressman Guthrie. “I’m proud that after months of work, I was able to secure $76.65 million for projects across our district. I am confident that these projects will make meaningful impacts for hardworking Kentucky families for years to come.” 

Community Project Funding Secured by Congressman Guthrie

– $14,000,000 – Edmonson County Water District Treatment Plant, Brownsville
This project will provide for the replacement and upgrade of intake structures and tower at the Edmonson County Water District’s Brownsville facility, ensuring more reliable access to the Green River, a primary source of potable water for residents in Edmonson, Hart, and Grayson Counties.

– $2,000,000 – Green River Valley Water District, Hart County
This project will upgrade existing water lines to increase water supply from Bonnieville to Priceville to meet the area’s rising demand.

– $2,000,000 – City of Lewisport Water Treatment Plant
This appropriation will help construct a new regional Water Treatment Plant to help ensure long term quality service for all Lewisport citizens as well as those households outside of the city limits that the plant services.

– $1,500,000 – City of Clarkson Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
The funding will help upgrade the current wastewater treatment system, as it is currently at capacity. It will also expand the system to allow for new users in the city of Clarkson.

– $2,130,750 – Meade County Water District System Upgrades
This project will install a new transmission main, along with a new interconnect, tank, and pump station, to help provide a more reliable and consistent supply of water to more than 5,000 rural customers in Meade County.

– $675,000 – New Haven Asbestos Water Line
This project will allow the LaRue County Water District to replace approximately 4,500 linear feet of existing asbestos cement water lines in the City of New Haven with a six-inch PVC pipe, to improve water quality throughout the city. 

– $50,000,000 – Fort Knox ARAC Aviation Support Facility 
This funding will support the Army Reserve rotary wing aviation maintenance mission at Fort Knox.

– $817,491 – Vine Grove Water Line Improvements
This funding will improve and replace undersized waterlines in Vine Grove, improving water pressure, reliability, and providing highly effective fire flow protection for the community.

– $854,400 – Greenville Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation
This funding will support infrastructure upgrades at the Greenville Wastewater Treatment Plant.

– $750,000 – Bullitt County Collection System Rehabilitation
This project will rehabilitate the wastewater collection system for Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District, previously the Bullitt County Sanitation District, that serves the cities of Hillview, Pioneer Village, Fox Chase, Hebron Estates, and Hunters Hollow.

– $656,000 – Auburn Cast Iron Water Line Replacement 
This funding will provide for the replacement of 3,000 linear feet of galvanized water lines that have been in service since 1938 in Logan County.  

– $470,617 – Barren County Sheriff’s Technology Improvements 
This funding will support the Barren County Sheriff’s Department to purchase critical technology improvements such as body and cruiser cameras, software for cell phone recovery and access technology to expedite criminal investigations, license plate identification management equipment, a firearm training simulator, thermal imaging equipment, and digital speed monitors.

– $796,528 – Daviess County Sheriff’s Office Community Response and Safeguard Initiative
These dollars will support the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office Community Response and Safeguard Initiative to purchase critical equipment and provide tactical services that are needed to safeguard the public.

Listed below are additional community projects in KY-02, funded through the FY2026 appropriations process, requested and secured by Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee:

– $250,000 – Elizabethtown Regional Airport (EKX)- Transportation Planning, Research, and Development 

– $9,000,000 – Elizabethtown Regional Airport (EKX)- Grants-in-Aid for Airports 

– $6,600,000 – Owensboro Family YMCA- Owensboro and Daviess County Community Childcare Center

– $20,000,000 – Barren County- Cave City Area Agriculture Exposition Center

– $352,000 – Warren County Fiscal Court- Law Enforcement Technology and Equipment

– $9,256,000 – Edmonson County Water District for Water Treatment Plant Modernization-  STAG – Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

– $1,350,000 – Rural Community Facilities Program- Ohio County Healthcare Hospital Infrastructure Improvement

– $8,000,000 – Fort Knox- Emergency Services Railroad Overpass: Minor Construction

– $4,500,000 – Fort Knox- Warrior Dining Facility: Design

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Randy Weber (14th District of Texas)

Rep. Weber Delivers Over $3 Million to Southeast Texas as President Moves to Reopen the Government

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sam Graves (6th District of Missouri)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) introduced the Protecting Small Businesses from Predatory Website Lawsuits Act, legislation that puts gives small businesses a chance to make websites accessible for Americans with disabilities, instead of being caught up in exploitive sue-and-settle schemes.

Small businesses in North Missouri and across the country are being hit with copy-and-paste demand letters, claiming their websites aren’t ADA-compliant. Instead of giving these small businesses a chance to make things right, these trial attorneys are demanding cash or threatening to drag these mom-and-pop shops into years of expensive litigation.

“Small businesses should not be targeted and exploited for a quick cash grab. They should not have to choose between paying a lawyer or paying their employees. These lawsuits are not about helping or ensuring access for customers, they are about making money off hardworking business owners. This bill gives small businesses much-needed protection,” said Graves.

The bill amends the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) so a civil lawsuit over website compliance cannot be filed until the owner/operator of the website is notified of their website’s noncompliance with ADA standards. The owner/operator would then have 180 days to bring it into compliance. By allowing small business owners a chance to make things right, this legislation protects Main Street America, while strengthening the ADA by ensuring more websites are accessible to Americans with disabilities.

You can read the bill here. 

###

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

WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District. Since 2013, the Congressional App Challenge has encouraged tens of thousands of young Americans to explore STEM, coding, and computer science and has connected Members of Congress with emerging technologies. 

First place winners, brothers Aiden Zhao & Kevin Zhao.

This year’s applicants, six students from Caddo Magnet High School and Benton Middle School, were selected by a panel of four judges comprised of professors from local universities. 

“OpenNeuroLens,” the first-place app designed by Caddo Magnet High School students Aiden Zhao and Kevin Zhao, automates EEG data analysis and visualization to make advanced brain research accessible and affordable to students and labs. Aiden and Kevin’s web-based app was originally developed as part of a research project at LSU Health Shreveport, studying firefighters’ cognitive performance after physical exertion.

Aiden and Kevin will be invited to the House of Code and will receive a copyright fee waiver through the ARTS Act, and their app will be on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year.

Speaker Johnson encourages all students across Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District to participate in the annual Congressional App Challenge. To learn more, visit www.congressionalappchallenge.us or our website for more information on the 2026 application and submission deadlines.

First Place

App: OpenNeuroLens*

Designers: Aiden Zhao and Kevin Zhao (Caddo Magnet High School)

Second Place

App: SafER Connection

Designers: Sara Kilpatrick, Nora Butler, & Hannah Schaefer (Benton Middle School)

Third Place

App: Tank Survival 

Designer: Steward Lokitz (Caddo Magnet High School) 

*Selected to represent the LA-04 Congressional District in the U.S. Capitol Building. 

###

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

Congressman Baird Votes to Keep Government Funded, Support Disaster Relief and National Security

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the beginning of Black History Month, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced a bill to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to the “Golden Thirteen,” which were the first 13 African American officers in the United States Navy. In 1944, 16 African American men completed the required training course to become officers and passed their exams. Twelve of those men were commissioned as officers and a 13^th was made a chief warrant officer, while no reason was given by the Navy as to why the remaining three men did not receive the commissions they had earned.

“These officers passed their exams with high marks, despite being given half the standard amount of training time,” Norton said. “When the group was accused of cheating and were forced to retake their exams, these men passed once again and scored higher on the exam than the first time, ultimately earning the highest average of any class in Navy history at the time. These men served their country honorably, even with the challenges against them. They oversaw all-Black units and the training of Black recruits. It’s time now that we honor these brave men with a Congressional Gold Medal to thank them for their service.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

on the Introduction of the Golden Thirteen Congressional Gold Medal Act

February 2, 2026

Today, I introduce the Golden Thirteen Congressional Gold Medal Act.  This bill would award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to the 13 men who became the first African American commissioned and warrant officers in the United States Navy.

In 1944, the Navy began officer training for 16 African American men.  At that time, there were no African American officers in the Navy.  These 16 men were expected to complete their officer training in eight weeks, even though officer training was normally 16 weeks.

These 16 men supported each other, including by placing blankets over their windows and studying as a group by flashlight at night. Each brought to the group his own expertise to help the others.

When their officer training was completed, all 16 passed their exams.  With some claiming that the group must have cheated, the group was forced to retake certain exams, and the group scored even higher.  The average grade for the group was 3.89 out of 4.0, the highest average of any class in Navy history at that time.

Even though all 16 men passed their exams, the Navy commissioned only 12 of the men, and a 13^th was made a chief warrant officer.  Three returned to the enlisted ranks, with no reason given by the Navy.

During the men’s careers, they oversaw all-Black units or the training of Black recruits.  One would go on to make his career in the Navy after World War II, with the rest returning to civilian life.  In the 1970s, Captain Edward Secrest, a former instructor, gave the group the name the “Golden Thirteen.”

I urge my colleagues to support this bill to honor the first African American officers in the Navy: Jesse Walter Arbor; Phillip G. Barnes; Samuel Edward Barnes; Dalton Louis Baugh, Sr.; George Clinton Cooper; Reginald Ernest Goodwin; James Edward Hair; Charles Byrd Lear; Graham Edward Martin; Dennis Denmark Nelson; John Walter Reagan; Frank Ellis Sublett, Jr.; and William Sylvester White.  The three men who passed their exams but were not made officers were Augustus Alves; J.B. Pinkney; and Lewis “Mummy” Williams.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)