MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Andy Harris M.D. (MD-01), sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging a review of the environmental and financial risks posed by U.S. Wind’s Maryland Offshore Wind Project and the company’s plan to manufacture turbine parts at the Sparrows Point Superfund Site in Baltimore County, Maryland. 

The letter also raises concerns over the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) decision to approve the project without requiring a proper decommissioning bond to ensure proper removal of the windmills at the end of the project. Without this bond, American taxpayers could be forced to pay the enormous cost of clearing industrial debris from the ocean floor at the end of the project’s service life if the developer defaults on the project.

The Sparrows Point site remains under a 1997 EPA consent decree governing any industrial activity on the Superfund Site property and mandating ongoing environmental cleanup. The letter calls on the EPA to reopen the agreement, warning that U.S. Wind’s plan to manufacture turbine components on the site violates the intent and restrictions of the 1997 consent decree with respect to the release of environmentally hazardous waste from the Superfund Site.

Statement from Congressman Harris: 

“The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s decision to advance the Maryland Offshore Wind Project – and numerous offshore wind projects like it – without requiring a decommissioning bond demonstrates a concerning disregard the environment and the American taxpayer. This failure shoulders American taxpayers with costly liabilities all while bringing irreversible environmental damage to Maryland’s coastline and marine ecosystems.              

The 1997 Consent Decree provides the EPA authority to govern activities at the Sparrows Point Superfund Site, consistent with the EPA’s statutory responsibility to protect the environment from irreversible industrial pollution. The installation of well over 100 industrial wind turbines without an adequate and mandated decommissioning bond constitutes the release of hazardous industrial waste onto Maryland’s Coastline – a totally preventable environmental catastrophe.

The EPA must assert its authority and act immediately to ensure proper oversight of the Sparrows Point Superfund Site and protect our coastal communities from industrial pollution and habitat destruction.” 

To read the full letter, click HERE.

For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

“I rise today in support of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371, which will finally put an end to the Democrat-led government shutdown. Millions of Americans have suffered because the Democrats refused to reopen the government – including those who depend on SNAP benefits, federal workers, border patrol agents, and our troops who were uncertain about their next paycheck. 

This legislation extends government funding to the end of January 2026, thereby blocking attempts to force an omnibus at the last minute before Christmas. It also includes the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Republicans have effectively locked in disciplined, flat spending levels while supporting the Trump Administration’s policy priorities. The Agriculture bill provides $26.65 billion in discretionary spending, which is level with current amounts while also including Community Project Funding. 

This bill provides critical funding to support America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. It ensures both USDA and FDA can safeguard our nation’s food and drug supply and fully funds nutrition programs, including SNAP and WIC. 

Additionally, the bill closes the hemp loophole that has resulted in the spread of unregulated intoxicating hemp-derived products that are being sold online and in gas stations and corner stores across the country. Many of these products are accessible and attractive to children, resulting in thousands of calls to U.S. poison control centers, with more than 30% involving children age 5 years and younger. The provision is supported by 39 State Attorneys General and over 81 national and state public health, medical, law enforcement and other organizations.      

It’s beyond disappointing that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle will soon be voting to continue the chaos and uncertainty of a government shutdown. But this is what responsible Republican governance looks like: we stared down radical Democrats’ outrageous demands and held the line for American taxpayers. 

I want to thank Appropriations Committee Chairman Cole for his leadership throughout this process, and I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.”

To view the full speech, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

WASHINGTON, D.C .— Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), applauded the announcement that the Maryland Department of Agriculture will award $1.9 million to the Maryland Food Bank, Capital Area Food Bank, and Western Maryland Food Bank to be used for the purchase of wild-caught Chesapeake blue catfish filets. 

Funded through the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the program will provide 283,000 pounds of blue catfish to food banks for distribution statewide.

Statement from Congressman Harris:

“I applaud the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the USDA for this important partnership to help Maryland families and our local businesses. Through these efforts, food banks are now supplied with wild-caught Chesapeake blue catfish, turning an environmental challenge into a resource that strengthens our seafood industry and supports Maryland families in need.”

For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

WASHINGTON, D.C .— Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., issued the following statement in response to the actions of Maryland’s Democratic delegation for refusing to reopen the federal government — a stand that now threatens the critical transportation, economic, and travel plans of Marylanders.

It was reported this morning that the Federal Aviation Administration plans to cancel 10% of flights at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and 39 other major airports due to air traffic controller fatigue as the federal government shutdown continues. 

Statement from Congressman Harris: 

“I voted to keep the government open so that our federal workers are paid, our transportation systems remain operational, and our families are not left paying the price for political posturing,” said Congressman Harris. “Instead, Maryland Democrats, including Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, are refusing to reopen that government at the expense of Maryland families. Five weeks ago, the House passed a clean bill to keep the government open, pay all federal workers, and ensure programs like SNAP continue without interruption. It’s time for Maryland’s senators to do their jobs, stop their grandstanding, and vote to reopen the government.”

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on the Trump Administration Politicizing Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Department of Education released a final rule restricting access to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

“Public service loan forgiveness was created as a bipartisan effort to make higher education more affordable and attract talented individuals to serve our communities, including law enforcement, firefighters, teachers, and nurses.

“Now, the Trump Administration is politicizing this critical debt relief and making repayment less affordable by preventing public servants whose work does not align with President Trump’s partisan political agenda from accessing loan forgiveness. These might include organizations that serve marginalized communities, such as those advocating for civil rights or immigrant and refugee families amidst rampant ICE raids, or health providers that serve LGBTQ+ youth.

“A college degree remains the surest path to financial stability. Individuals who have dedicated their lives to giving back to their communities do not deserve their hard-earned loan forgiveness to be ripped away from them on a political whim. This rule follows the Trump Administration’s disturbing pattern of making repayment less affordable and taking money out of the pockets of hardworking families, all while attempting to police political speech. I oppose this dangerous rule and am committed to working in Congress to promote equitable and affordable education for all.”

Background: In September, Committee Democrats submitted a comment letter expressing strong disapproval of the Department of Education’s proposed rule.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Chesapeake Bay Democrats Condemn Trump Administration’s Proposed Firings at Bay Office

“Terminating these employees is a direct attack on the decades-long work to preserve the Chesapeake Bay.”

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on Second Missed Jobs Report

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) did not release a jobs report for the second month in a row. This is the first time BLS has missed two jobs reports in a row.

“Workers, businesses, and policymakers rely on the Bureau of Labor Statistics to provide accurate, up-to-date information about the labor market to maintain a healthy and functioning economy. However, today marks the second consecutive month without a jobs report, leaving key stakeholders without the crucial guidance they need to address sluggish job growth, and further eroding Americans’ confidence in the integrity of our economy.

“Working families across the country are struggling in an economy that is not working for them. Moreover, the Trump Administration’s reckless economic policies are driving up everyday costs. In addition to refusing to lower the cost of health care, the President has threatened to illegally withhold SNAP benefits from hungry children and seniors. With the government shutdown also jeopardizing the release of critical inflation data like the Consumer Price Index (CPI) moving forward, policymakers are flying blind on key indicators that affect gas, groceries, and other daily costs.

“The public must have confidence that policymakers are making decisions using accurate data and evidence. The continued absence of the monthly jobs report only deepens the anxiety and uncertainty Americans are feeling about the future of our country under this Administration.

“Speaker Johnson must call Republicans back from their weeks-long vacation and get back to work. The American people deserve an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy.”

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on Judiciary Committee’s Baseless Allegations Against George Mason University President

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott issued the following statement following the release of the Judiciary Committee’s interim staff report entitled, “Illegal Racial Discrimination in Faculty Hiring at George Mason University Under the Direction of President Gregory Washington.”

“Under President Gregory Washington’s tenure, George Mason University welcomed the largest and most diverse freshman class in its history and its most academically prepared, with more than 70 percent of freshmen entering with a 3.5 GPA or higher. And George Mason University became the first four-year public university in Virginia to enroll more than 40,000 students.

“Despite President Washington’s cooperation with both the Trump Administration and the House Judiciary Committee’s investigations, he is now facing spurious and partisan attacks. It is not a crime to follow Virginia’s laws aimed at advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across state government. And it is not a crime to offer equal employment opportunities to qualified job applicants.”

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Votes Against Republican Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting against the Republican funding bill: 

“This government shutdown has been painful for many, especially Virginians. It could have been entirely avoided if Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans had worked with Democrats to address the health care crisis caused by their own policy choices. Their Big Ugly Law decimated Medicaid and placed a huge strain on the health care system, particularly on rural health facilities that are now being forced to close. We are now in the middle of open enrollment season, and because Republicans refused to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits, working families across the nation are seeing their health insurance costs skyrocket. 

“Outrageously, this bill includes millions of dollars in cash payouts to several Republican Senators who were investigated during the January 6th insurrection prosecutions. This provision applies to a handful of United States Senators only, not members of the public or even other government officials who were likewise investigated. This last-minute amendment corruptly enriches a few senators, all of whom voted for the payout.

“As we seek to open the government on a temporary basis while regular spending bills are worked on, it must be noted that traditionally an agreement is achieved which provides for spending to continue at the same rate as the last enacted spending legislation. Insofar as the president is required by the Constitution to faithfully execute the laws, all previous presidents have interpreted ‘Continuing Resolutions’ to require the president to spend the money as it has been appropriated.  However, since Donald Trump came back into office, he seems to believe he can spend money on what he wants, where he wants, when he wants, and if he wants. Therefore, for any spending agreement to make sense, Congress must now obtain assurances that when we come to funding agreements in a Continuing Resolution, the executive branch will actually spend the money as it has been appropriated. So we must now include provisions in spending bills that require funds to be spent as intended and, regrettably, this legislation fails to include such provisions.

“I appreciate that this bill will reverse the Trump Administration’s mass firings since October 1 and will prevent any future mass firings through January and restates the law ensuring that all federal employees will receive backpay. It also fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through September, ensuring that the Trump Administration can no longer play political games with people’s ability to feed their families. However, we should address the important health care issues not addressed in the bill and address the spending assurances required for the agreement to be enforced and certainly delete the provisions that allow for the corrupt enrichment of a handful of Republican Senators from the bill. For those reasons, I voted no. 

“Finally, it should be noted that we will be forced to confront all of these policy questions again at the end of January when this Continuing Resolution expires. In the meantime, I will continue working to fully fund the government in a way that addresses the needs of American families.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Earlier this evening, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D, MN-04), Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, delivered the following remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives during debate on H.R. 5371:

“Mr. Speaker, Donald Trump and Republicans control the entire government. For 42 days, Republicans shut it down. Why? Because they refuse to extend tax credits to help millions of Americans afford their healthcare. If that wasn’t bad enough, President Trump even withheld food assistance during the shutdown. Hunger should never be used as a weapon. This CR continues the Republican health care crisis. The Speaker already said that he won’t hold a vote to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits to reduce health care costs for Americans. So now, my constituents are going to have to choose between heating their homes, feeding their families, or taking their children to the doctor. It’s a terrible deal for the American people. Americans deserve an open and transparent government that works for them. They deserve access to affordable healthcare and nutritious food for their families. That’s what House Democrats are fighting for. I wish the President and Republicans would join us in this fight and share our priorities. I yield back.”

Click here to watch the full remarks on YouTube.