MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

Dyslexia may be the most common learning disability, but it unfortunately remains misunderstood in many parts of the country. This learning disability should never be a roadblock for students’ success in the classroom; however, the lack of public awareness further hinders early diagnoses, preventing our students from receiving the tools they need to succeed early in their educational journey. Thankfully, great efforts are being made on the state level in Arkansas to ensure our students with learning disabilities can receive the help they need for a better, more inclusive learning environment.

Early in my years of public service, I had the privilege of serving as school board president. That, combined with my understanding of education as the husband of a teacher, deepened my comprehension of dyslexia, growing my desire to provide accessible resources for educators who could support students with dyslexia. During my service in the Arkansas legislature, we were proudly able to lay the groundwork for changes in the Natural State.

As co-chair of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus, I now have the opportunity to work in Congress on behalf of educators, parents, and students with dyslexia to advocate for a more science-based approach to creating a modern understanding around the definition of dyslexia. This week, it was a privilege to introduce a Resolution recognizing October as National Dyslexia Awareness Month in addition to signing on as a cosponsor for the 21st Century Dyslexia Act. This legislation underscores the need for a modern-day, scientific understanding of this learning disability in order to prevent the harm that unidentified dyslexia can inflict on our young students. 

Education policy is always best handled at the state and local level, but the federal government can help with research, bringing focus to an issue, and sharing best practices. Efforts to expand and streamline training and schooling for dyslexia therapists are greatly encouraging to see, as schools across the Natural State face a growing need for trained professionals. The University of Arkansas recently announced its partnership with the Academic Language Therapy Association and the Nelms Dyslexia Center to create a new master’s degree pathway for those looking to pursue a career in academic language therapy. This new avenue allows Arkansans who are pursuing a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) certification to also earn university credit, creating a more affordable and streamlined path for their credentials process.

True change and progress for all learning disabilities will only come from the continued advocacy, awareness, and commitment to resources that lead to a greater understanding of helping individuals succeed in learning, and I extend my deepest thanks to the tireless advocates in Arkansas who lead the charge in this pursuit. While millions of students experience the hurdles of dyslexia, my hope is that we continue to gain a deeper understanding of this learning disability in order to foster a more inclusive, supportive, and modern-day learning environment for all students.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) issued the following statement in response to the passage of the government funding bill in the House of Representatives:

“The government funding bill passed tonight fails to stop health care premiums from skyrocketing, fails to undo the cruel cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in the Big, Ugly Law, and once again leaves our farmers and ranchers behind by punting on a new Farm Bill that actually meets their needs,” said Thompson.

“I voted NO because I refuse to support a bill that fails the American people. I’ll keep fighting for all Americans, while Congressional Republicans continue to exacerbate the healthcare crisis and enable the President’s ill-advised policies that are increasing costs across the board.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Napa, CA – Sunday, Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) was joined by special guest Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-38) and local Latino leaders from across the North Bay for a panel discussion and networking event in downtown Napa.

The event, entitled “Connecting Latino Voices: Here to Lead” brought together dozens of Latino leaders, elected officials, changemakers, and community members for a discussion on what it takes to be a successful leader, how Latino leaders are giving back to their community, and the challenges facing the Latino community today. Local leaders from Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Lake, and Yolo counties were in attendance.

“Our region is incredibly diverse, with voices from every walk of life. Sadly, sometimes not every voice gets the spotlight it deserves. That’s why I started Connecting Latino Voices, to ensure that our local Latino voices could be heard and their stories be shared. At a time when our Latino community and our immigrant community are facing the worst attacks by our government in decades, events like these that bring our community leaders together are more critical than ever,” said Thompson. 

Rep. Thompson was joined by Rep. Linda Sánchez, Congresswoman for California’s 38th District; Supervisor Belia Ramos, Napa County District 5; Herman G. Hernandez, Executive Director, Los Cien Sonoma County; Deborah Bautista Zavala, Board President, Woodland Joint Unified School District; Jazmin Garcia, Host, NextGen Talks; Leo Callejas, Northern Region Chair, California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, board member, Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Business Owner/Founder, DigitalTrack Digital Marketing; and Angela Cuellar-Marroquin, President, Latinos United of Lake County for a panel discussion. Following the panel, audience members were invited to join local leaders for a networking session with members of Rep. Thompson’s Latino Advisory Panel, local elected leaders, business owners, students, and more.

During the panel, special guest Congresswoman Linda Sánchez shared the story of her career. A former labor lawyer, Rep. Sánchez is the daughter of immigrants and grew up in a proud Latino household. She made history as the first Latina to serve on the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Judiciary Committee. In 2016, she became the first woman of color elected to a leadership position in Congress when she was elected to vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus. In 2024, she shattered another glass ceiling, becoming the first Latina and woman of color to serve as a ranking member on a Ways and Means subcommittee. She currently serves as the ranking member of the Trade Subcommittee.

BACKGROUND 

Rep. Thompson’s Connecting Latino Voices event is one part of his programming to support and uplift Latino voices in our community. Rep. Thompson is proud to work with his Latino Advisory Panel to advance policies that help the Latino community in Congress and to stay informed on the issues facing our local Latino community. 

As Latinos and the immigrant community face attacks from the President, Rep. Thompson has continued to fight back against policies that harm our Latino and our immigrant communities, including by monitoring the San Francisco ICE detention facility, hosting “Know Your Rights’ workshops for local business owners to understand the rights of their employees, and co-sponsoring legislation to prevent ICE from wearing masks and from wearing the word “Police” on their uniforms. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) released the following statement in response to the Senate’s funding bill:  

“The Senate’s bill is a bad deal for the American people,” said Thompson. “This bill fails to prevent Americans’ health care premiums from skyrocketing and it fails to reverse the President and Congressional Republicans’ devastating cuts to Medicaid. It also kicks the can down the road for our farmers, failing to deliver a Farm Bill 2.0 that serves our ag community’s needs. I cannot support this bill that fails the American people.

“Once again, I continue to call on Speaker Johnson to bring his party back to Washington to negotiate a bipartisan path forward that lowers costs and protects health care for hardworking Americans.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

LEGISLATION WILL REINSTATE THOMPSON’S TAX CREDITS THAT BROUGHT HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS INTO THE U.S. ECONOMY.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Robert Wittman (VA-01) introduced a resolution designating the week of October 11-18, 2025, as National Wildlife Refuge Week.

The resolution celebrates the diversity of ecosystems and wildlife found in our national wildlife refuges and the many recreational activities that they support, including hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. Since President Theodore Roosevelt created the first U.S. national wildlife refuge in 1903, the National Wildlife Refuge System has served a critical role in wildlife conservation. The national wildlife refuges have been strong drivers of economic growth for local communities across the country, generating billions of dollars each year. 

“America’s national wildlife refuges are among our greatest conservation success stories,” said Thompson. “They safeguard habitat, protect endangered species, and give people from all walks of life the chance to experience the natural beauty of our country. National Wildlife Refuge Week is a celebration of that legacy and a reminder that protecting these lands for future generations is a responsibility we all share.”

“The First District of Virginia is home to unique and special ecosystems. As a former state health official who conducted field research in the Chesapeake Bay, I am aware of the ecological challenges facing Virginia waters, wetlands, and refuges and I know the importance of taking care of our environment for future generations. Providing for the protection and security of these resources is absolutely vital,” said Wittman. “This resolution reiterates my support for our nation’s refuges.” 

Today, the national wildlife refuge system includes 573 refuges, 38 wetland management districts, and 5 marine national monuments spanning more than 850 million acres across all 50 states and U.S. territories. National wildlife refuges receive 71 million annual visitors, generating $3.2 billion for local economies and supporting over 41,000 jobs.

A longtime outdoorsman and conservationist himself, Thompson has helped conserve nearly 5 million acres of North American wetlands and uplands through his legislative work and his work with the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. 

In addition to Reps. Thompson and Wittman, the resolution’s original cosponsors include Representatives Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), and Jill Tokuda (HI-02).

Senators Coons and Kennedy have introduced a companion resolution in the Senate.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

“For 54 days, House Republicans refused to come to the table—let alone vote. And today, they jammed through a continuing resolution that ignores the reality facing millions of Americans: without extending the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits, health care costs will spike, coverage will be lost, and families will be left with impossible choices.

“This crisis wasn’t inevitable, it was manufactured by Republicans’ indifference. Instead of negotiating to lower costs, they chose a bill that leaves people staring at higher premiums, fewer plan options, and mounting uncertainty about whether they can stay covered. Rising health care costs don’t just hit those whose premiums go up—they ripple across every community through reduced access to care. They shrink provider networks and cause clinic cutbacks, longer wait times, and delayed treatments that make people sicker and care more expensive. 

“Foundationally this is about whether families can afford groceries, rent, child care—and still see a doctor when they need one. It’s about whether Americans have the ability to live healthy lives. This bill undermines our health care system and raises the cost of living for families, that’s why I voted NO.

“Democrats are still fighting. We will continue to take action to deliver relief and protect affordable coverage. The American people deserve stability and security. They deserve leadership that puts them first. And I will never yield to Republican cruelty, chaos, and indifference.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) released the following statement after Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced she would not seek another term in the House of Representatives. 

“Nancy Pelosi is the most consequential and effective speaker in American history. She is an extraordinarily gifted legislator and a fierce defender of our democracy. But to me, she is first and foremost a true, dear friend, someone I have learned from and laughed with countless times. She is an inspiration to us all. 

“Nancy shattered every barrier placed in front of her—not for the sake of breaking history, but to change the future for the better. Time and again, she stepped into uncharted territory and turned it into a path for others to rise behind her. That’s who Nancy is—she sees the possibilities long before anyone else does, dives headfirst into solving the toughest problems, and inspires that same boldness in everyone around her. From delivering and protecting affordable health care, to rebuilding our infrastructure and confronting the climate crisis head-on, she has delivered real progress for families in every corner of this country. 

“To really know Nancy is to see the heart behind the headlines. She brings compassion, a remarkable ability to connect with people, and keen instincts to every room she enters. When the stakes are highest, she never wavers. She leads with distinctive grace, determination, and brilliance no matter the moment. 

“Her work has strengthened our democracy, expanded opportunity, and gave a voice to millions who had been overlooked or unheard. Nancy Pelosi has made America fairer, stronger, and more just. And she is not done. In the year ahead, she will continue fighting the Trump Administration’s reckless agenda and standing up for the American people. Thank you, Nancy, for everything you have done and everything you will continue to do.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, DC – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) led a bipartisan and bicameral coalition to urge the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to preserve critical legislation in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that addresses food insecurity among military families.

Despite steps taken by Congress, including the creation of the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) and the expansion of eligibility thresholds, new data makes clear that hunger remains a persistent and widespread issue for military households.  A recent follow-up report by the RAND Corporation confirmed that 25% of active-duty personnel across all branches of the military remain food insecure, with the overwhelming majority being mid-career and junior enlisted servicemembers.

The letter highlights two of Congressman Panetta’s bipartisan and bicameral amendments in the NDAA: 

1. Removing Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) income calculations. Under current law, BAH is included in income for purposes of determining BNA eligibility, even though this benefit is intended to offset housing costs. This structure unfairly excludes thousands of struggling servicemembers from receiving nutritional support. By excluding BAH from income, we can ensure that the BNA reaches the personnel most in need and more faithfully aligns with congressional intent. 

2. Establishing a new commissary benefit pilot program. This initiative would authorize the Pentagon to pilot a commissary coupon benefit at two military installations, helping servicemembers access affordable and nutritious meals at commissaries. It also directs the Pentagon to assess the program’s impact on food security, dietary health, commissary utilization, and impact on dining facilities. This measure provides a practical, immediate pathway to increasing access to nutritious food for those living on installations where dining facilities are often inadequate or inaccessible.

“Embarrassingly, way too many of our nation’s servicemembers and their families experience food insecurity, especially with the recent uncertainty around SNAP benefits during the shutdown,” said Rep. Panetta. “As members of the U.S. Congress, the least that we can do is to address military hunger in this year’s final NDAA. That must be our responsibility for the men and women in uniform and their families who are responsible for the security of our nation.” 

“The Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) is an innovative solution for our servicemembers who struggle to make ends meet, and Congress has an opportunity to expand access to this resource for more food insecure families in this year’s NDAA. With paychecks spread thin, benefits being slashed, and soaring grocery prices, our military families are feeling the pain. Our servicemembers deserve the same respect from the federal government that they show our country every day, and Congress can free them from the economic anxiety that plagues too many American families. MAZON welcomes this bipartisan and bicameral effort to expand the BNA and address food and nutrition security in the FY 2026 NDAA,” said Liza Leiberman, Vice President of Public Affairs for MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.

Additional signers of the letter include; Roger Marshall (KS-Sen); Blake Moore (UT-1); Raphael G. Warnock (GA-Sen); Marilyn Strickland (WA-10);Danny Davis (IL-7); Maggie Goodlander (NH-2); Sara Jacobs (CA-51); Morgan McGarvey (KY-3); Dave Min (CA-47); Gwen Moore (WI-4); Eleanor Norton (DC-At-Large); Josh Riley (NY-19).

Full letter can be found here and below.

Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Smith, Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Reed,

As you begin to conference the House and Senate versions of the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), we urge you to preserve Section 621 of the House NDAA, and Section 5621 of the Senate NDAA that address food insecurity in the military.  These sections are essential to improving the quality of life and readiness of our servicemembers, particularly those in the junior and mid-level enlisted ranks who are most affected by hunger and lack of access to quality nutritious meals.

During the past four years, Congress has recognized the urgent need to combat food insecurity among servicemembers. Establishing the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) in the FY22 NDAA and raising the eligibility threshold to 200% of the federal poverty limit in the FY25 NDAA were important steps forward. However, recent analysis from the Pentagon and RAND has confirmed that food insecurity is far more widespread than initially believed, affecting as many as one in four servicemembers. Despite these findings, implementation of the BNA has been far too narrow, reaching only about 2,400 servicemembers, or 0.08% of those in need.

Two provisions in particular deserve continued support:

1. Section 621 of the House NDAA, Removing Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) income calculations.      Under current law, BAH is included in income for purposes of determining BNA eligibility, even though this benefit is intended to offset housing costs.  This structure unfairly excludes thousands of struggling servicemembers from receiving nutritional support.  By excluding BAH from income, we can ensure that the BNA reaches the personnel most in need and more faithfully aligns with congressional intent.
2. Section 5621 of the Senate NDAA, Establishing a new commissary benefit pilot program. This initiative would authorize the Pentagon to pilot a commissary coupon benefit at two military installations, helping servicemembers access affordable and nutritious meals at commissaries.  It also directs the Pentagon to assess the program’s impact on food security, dietary health, commissary utilization, and impact on dining facilities.  This measure provides a practical, immediate pathway to increasing access to nutritious food for those living on installations where dining facilities are often inadequate or inaccessible.

Forging an army requires stamina and vigor, yet too often, servicemembers are unable to put nutritious meals on the table. With a proposed defense budget of nearly $900 billion in FY26, ensuring our servicemembers and their families have reliable access to healthy meals should be both feasible and a top priority.  We owe it to those who serve to safeguard their most basic needs.  Addressing hunger and ensuring access to nutrient-dense meals is fundamental to both our servicemembers’ well-being and our military readiness.

We respectfully urge you to preserve these provisions as the FY26 NDAA moves forward. Thank you for your continued leadership and commitment to the men and women of our Armed Forces.

Sincerely, 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, DC – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta released the following statement regarding his “No” vote on tonight’s Continuing Resolution:

“In my limited time in Congress, there have been 29 continuing resolutions (CR) for the federal budget, all of which have been the result of direct negotiations, agreements, or deals by the Republican and Democratic leadership of the House and the Senate. During the recent government shutdown, the Republicans who are in charge of the House, Senate, and White House refused to negotiate with the Democrats. After the longest government shutdown in history, a few Democratic Senators decided to vote for and help Republicans pass the current CR to reopen the government. Even with some positive funding provisions and protections for federal workers in the bill, there were no negotiations, no agreements, and no deals with any members of the House of Representatives on this CR.”

“Although the Senators who voted for the bill were assured of a subsequent vote around an extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, there were absolutely no promises made by Speaker Mike Johnson for the same vote on the same type of issue to occur in the House of Representatives. Moreover, there were no negotiations, no agreements, and no deals made about extending the premium tax credits for the ACA or protecting healthcare for working families. With this President’s numerous attempts to abolish the ACA, his Administration’s impoundments and rescissions of previously legislated and agreed upon federal funding, and the compliant Majority in the Congress and Senate that voted for the largest reduction of Medicaid in history and abdicated its Constitutional duties to be a check and balance on this executive branch, we cannot solely rely on the CR vote in the Senate without any negotiations, agreements, or deals in the House of Representatives.”

“Additionally, the current CR also includes a provision that would allow Republican Senators to line their pockets with taxpayer funded dollars. A section was secretly tucked in to the CR late at night that would provide at least eight Republican Senators with the opportunity to sue and receive millions in taxpayer funded pay-outs over attempts to subpoena their phone records as a part of the government’s investigation into the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.”

“Without any negotiations, agreements, or deals with the House of Representatives, with the provision for a select few Senators to line their own pockets with taxpayer funds over litigation on the investigations into the January 6 attack, and without any efforts to protect healthcare or reduce costs for working families, I oppose the CR. After this vote, Republicans and Democrats from the House and the Senate must get back to governing by reclaiming and reestablishing our Article One authority. Together, we can work to negotiate bipartisan solutions for a responsible federal budget, ensure affordable and accessible healthcare, stop the tariffs imposed by this Administration which are increasing inflation and hurting our economy, and increase affordable housing, so that Congress can reduce costs for working families in California’s 19th Congressional District and across our country.”

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