Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today on the August jobs report:
“The August jobs report reflects the same alarming slowdown in the job market we started to see the previous month. In August, just 22,000 jobs were added to the economy, and unemployment ticked up to 4.3%. From rising costs caused by Trump’s tariffs to the trillions of dollars of additional debt from Republicans’ massive new tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, the American economy is flashing red lights as a product of this administration’s disastrous polices. American families are paying the price through higher costs on everyday goods.
“These weak jobs numbers come on the heels of the recent revision that 258,000 fewer jobs were created over the summer than previously thought. That poor showing led Trump to take rash, unprecedented action to fire the nonpartisan head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. He made the completely baseless allegation that she somehow manipulated statistics that were compiled by a vast team of experts through a transparent, rigorously fact-checked process that Americans and our economy depend on.
“Trump may lie, but the data doesn’t. The American economy is in a perilous position, and the only person Trump ought to blame is himself. If Trump tries to manipulate economic data to his political advantage – as he has indicated he plans to do – he will find that it only adds to the uncertainty paralyzing our economy right now.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Paul A Gosar DDS (AZ-04)
Yuma, AZ — Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement announcing that the Yuma Elementary School District One has received a federal grant for $8,030,235 to replace the James D. Price Elementary School located on Yuma Proving Ground:
“I am very pleased to announce that the Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation has approved this $8 million federal grant to address facility capacity and condition deficiencies at James D. Price Elementary School in Yuma, Arizona.
This important funding will ensure students, teachers and staff have a safe and modern learning environment they deserve by replacing an aging infrastructure that has strained the elementary school for years.
Every child deserves a safe and supportive place to learn. Strong schools are the foundation of a strong community. This investment will give students the space and facilities they need to strive, and I am pleased to announce this critical award,” stated Congressman Gosar.
Background:
The Department of Defense and the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation has awarded the Yuma Elementary School District One a $8,030,235 construction grant to replace the James D. Price Elementary School at Yuma Proving Ground under the Department of Defense’s Public Schools on Military Installations program. Once completed, 125 students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be supported through this project. Construction is expected to begin in February 2026.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Paul A Gosar DDS (AZ-04)
Washington, DC — Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement following the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries legislative hearing regarding H.R. 4255, the Enhancing Safety for Animals (ESA) Act, legislation introduced by Congressman Gosar delisting the Mexican wolf from the Endangered Species Act and delinking its populations in the United States and Mexico:
“I am very grateful to Chair Hageman for holding today’s critical legislative hearing on the importance of advancing my legislation delisting Mexican wolves from the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Since being reintroduced to the wild in Arizona, Mexican wolves have significantly grown in population. In fact, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared in 2024 that the Mexican wolf population had nearly doubled its recovery goal in the United States. Additionally, another 350 Mexican wolves are currently being housed in captive breeding facilities. Yet the wolf has remained on the Endangered Species list since 1982.
Since that time, Mexican wolves have preyed on cattle, horses, elk, sheep and even family pets, causing significant financial losses and economic hardship on family-run ranches as the uncontrolled and unmanaged wolf populations have been allowed to roam free. In response, local governments in New Mexico, Arizona and Indian nations have been forced to issue disaster declarations due to the thousands of dollars in economic losses, missing cattle and heightened danger caused by the Mexican wolves.
Now a stable population, the Mexican wolf has grown steadily since being reintroduced to the wild. Today’s legislative hearing was an important next step in ensuring my legislation delisting the Mexican wolf from the ESA is brought to the House floor for a vote,” stated Congressman Gosar.
The Arizona Cattle Growers Association is grateful for Congressman Gosar’s leadership in finally addressing the damaging Mexican wolf program. The original recovery benchmark of the wolf population was met years ago. It makes no sense for ranchers to bear the ongoing loss of their livestock because we are waiting for Mexico to increase its wolf population. It is time to delist these predators and let American ranchers continue to raise high-quality beef,” added Arizona Cattle Growers Association President, Brian deGanahl.
“Rural communities are currently facing the grave consequences from an apex predator that should be delisted. Due to past management focused principally on population numbers, we no longer just have a livestock crisis with Mexican wolves. Mexican wolves now stalk local kids and the elderly, snatch and kill cats and dogs off front porches in town and even kill our kids’ horses. Wolves are a constant presence around our homes and school yards. Our residents are reluctant to walk in the woods because of wolves. Mexican wolves have also killed my cattle, causing severe economic stress to our operation and to other producers. Thank you to the Subcommittee members for considering this critical legislation and to Congressman Paul Gosar for introducing it, stated New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA) President-Elect Tom Paterson.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) and fellow Democratic colleagues have urged the Trump administration to rescind its proposed rule to reinstate a near-total ban on abortion care and abortion counseling at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As a longtime champion for women veterans’ healthcare, Brownley participated in multiple efforts to underscore the dangers of the rule.
Last month, in direct response to the proposed rule, Brownley introduced the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act, legislation that would guarantee veterans and eligible dependents the right to receive abortion care, medication, and counseling at VA, without interference from political appointees or partisan agendas and protected by law.
Brownley Joins Women Veteran Advocates on National Press Call
Brownley joined veteran advocates and Democratic Women’s Caucus Servicewomen, Women Veterans, and Military Families Task Force Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) on a national press call coordinated by Free & Just. She spoke directly to the harms the proposed rule would have on women veterans who rely on VA care.
“The administration’s cruel and reckless decision to rescind VA’s already limited abortion protections is an enormous step backward, not only in safeguarding reproductive freedom, but in our broader commitment to our women veterans, who also put their lives on the line to keep us all safe and to defend our freedoms,” said Brownley.
“We know the consequences: women are denied care, doctors are afraid to act, patients are left to suffer, and lives are put in jeopardy,” Brownley continued. “Under this new proposed rule, there is no clear guarantee that women veterans facing miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, or other health-threatening complications will get the care they need. Make no mistake: Donald Trump and his extremist allies are using women veterans to advance an anti-choice, anti-women agenda and inch us closer to a national abortion ban.”
Brownley Speaks at Joint House & Senate Veterans’ Affairs Press Conference on VA’s Decision to Ban Abortion Care and Counseling
At a press conference with fellow Democratic colleagues on the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees, Brownley emphasized the urgent need to pass the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act to protect women veterans’ access to reproductive healthcare.
“They claim issues of reproductive health should be left to the states, yet here they are abusing federal power to impose their personal beliefs on veterans nationwide – even in states where abortion is legal,” said Brownley. “This is a direct attack on women veterans’ freedom and bodily autonomy. Veterans should be able to make personal decisions about their health without interference from politicians. Their access to care should not shift with every administration. That is why I introduced the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act, a bill that will protect abortion access at VA once and for all, ensuring veterans are not subjected to the political whims of whoever happens to occupy the White House.”
“Veterans fought to defend our freedoms. They should not have to fight again for their own healthcare. That is why Congress must act – and act now. Because the lives of women veterans depend on it,” Brownley continued.
A full recording of the press conference can be found here.
Public Comment Letter Opposing Trump Administration’s Proposed Rule
Brownley also joined House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA), Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and 228 colleagues in submitting a public comment letter strongly opposing the proposed rule.
“This incredibly dangerous and reckless rule change will take away essential healthcare for veterans and beneficiaries of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA),” the lawmakers wrote in their public comment letter responding to the proposed rule. “For the past three years, these patients have been able to obtain comprehensive pregnancy counseling, including information about abortion services, and abortion care in cases of rape, incest, or life or health endangerment. This proposed rule seriously calls into question whether the Department is putting political allegiances and culture wars ahead of its sacred obligation to deliver quality, life-saving health care to veterans, including the more than 462,000 women veterans of reproductive age enrolled in VA healthcare.”
In September 2022, following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, VA used its rulemaking authority under the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 to allow VA health care providers to offer abortion counseling and abortion services in cases of rape, incest, and the life and health of the veteran.
Prior to that rule, VA enforced the most restrictive abortion ban of any federal health care agency. The Biden-era policy survived legal challenges and was finalized in March 2023.
On August 4, 2025, the Trump administration issued a proposed rule to repeal the 2022 policy. While the new rule preserves a narrow exception when the life of the pregnant person is at risk, it eliminates VA’s ability to provide abortion care in nearly all other cases. If implemented, the rule would once again make the VA the only major federal health provider with such an extreme restriction.
In response to the Trump administration’s proposed rule, Brownley introduced the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act, legislation that would end the uncertainty created by shifting agency policies and eliminate ambiguity in the rulemaking process when it comes to veterans’ health care. It would enshrine in law a veteran’s right to access abortion care at VA, ensuring that reproductive health services are not subject to the personal views or political agendas of any future Secretary or administration. Veterans deserve consistent, guaranteed access to the care they’ve earned and not a patchwork of policies that change with every administration.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), co-chair of the Latino Jewish Congressional Caucus, issued the following statement following the passing of Mr. David Schaecter:
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of David Schaecter, a dear friend and Holocaust survivor.
I last had the privilege of meeting with David and his wife, Sam Dubbin, in May of this year in my Washington, D.C. office. Sam works tirelessly for Holocaust survivors and their families.
David was one of more than 200,000 Holocaust survivors who lived to tell their stories, out of the six million Jews who were systematically murdered by the Nazis. He was a survivor of two Nazi concentration camps and a witness to the greatest act of antisemitism in human history. Eighty years ago, six million Jews were killed for no other reason than being Jewish.
David was born in a small town in what was then Czechoslovakia. At the young age of 11, he and his family were forced in cattle trains under inhumane conditions. By the time they arrived at Auschwitz, roughly 25% of the passengers were already dead or dying. Upon arrival, the Nazis separated David and his family. Tragically, the rest of his immediate family was murdered in concentration camps, and he lost more than 100 extended family members.
As President of the Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA and founder of the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach, David devoted countless hours to educating students nationwide about the horrors of the Holocaust and the global resurgence of antisemitism.
The horrific terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, followed by the shocking wave of pro-Hamas protests on college campuses which intimidate and threaten Jewish students, should be a wake-up call that we have not succeeded in ridding the world of antisemitism. Clearly, we have work to do.
We must never allow David’s story, the story of other survivors, the memory of the six million Jews murdered, or the suffering of the hostages in Gaza to be forgotten. We must teach our children of the dangers of antisemitism so that such atrocities never happen again.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)
BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s baseless lawsuit against the City of Boston.
“Boston is a safe, vibrant, and welcoming city. We will not be intimidated by this administration’s illegal scare tactics, and we will not back down as they continue terrorizing our communities,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “Nothing the Trump Administration has done since taking office has been about public safety. From the militarization of our cities, to abducting our neighbors off the street, to sham, baseless lawsuits like this one—it has always been about sowing fear, punishing dissent, and tearing apart hardworking immigrant families. In Boston, we take care of our neighbors, and we do not back down. I am glad we have a clear and steady Mayor at the helm who is working with community leaders and peace advocates to mitigate trauma and protect everyone who calls Boston home.”
Earlier today, as Trump threatens National Guard action in cities nationwide, Rep. Pressley joined advocates and councilmembers to condemn Donald Trump’s unlawful occupation and federal law enforcement surge in Washington, DC.
Earlier this year, in a House Oversight Committee hearing with Mayor Michelle Wu, Rep. Pressley discussed how immigrants are essential to the success of Boston and anti-immigrant policies have not made Boston safer but instead traumatized children, weakened public health, and disrupted daily life.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)
Headline: Congressman Veasey’s Statement Regarding Omar Salazar’s Detention by ICE
Washington, D.C.— Congressman Veasey has released the following statement regarding the detention of Omar Salazar at Bluebonnet Detention Center:
“My office has been in contact with Dallas community leaders regarding Omar Salazar’s detention by ice following a stop by the Lubbock police department. we are working with his legal team and ice to assist however we can. my team and I will continue to actively monitor the situation and provide support to ensure that ice follows proper law and procedure in a humane and just manner.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)
WASHINGTON –Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 4553 – Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026. This bill includes key wins for the Central Valley by providing enhanced resources for critical infrastructure projects, flood prevention, water storage, and drought resilience projects. It also prioritizes funding for agencies and programs that safeguard U.S. national security, strengthen American energy production, and advance economic competitiveness.
Congressman Valadao is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.
“As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, I was proud to support the FY26 Energy and Water Development bill, which makes critical investments in the Central Valley,”said Congressman Valadao. “Water is the lifeblood of our communities, and this bill strengthens our region’s resiliency, secures reliable water supplies, and restores conveyance systems our farmers and families depend on. It also funds key infrastructure priorities, like the Success Reservoir Enlargement Project and much-needed repairs to Bureau of Reclamation canals. I’ll keep working with my colleagues to ensure the Central Valley has the resources it needs as we continue advancing our funding bills.”
Key Takeaways:
Provides $14.6 million for the Success Reservoir Enlargement Project.
Reauthorizes the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act through 2027.
Provides $201 million for Bureau of Reclamation WIIN storage projects.
Provides $20 million for Bureau of Reclamation’s delivery canal subsidence repairs.
Increases investments to develop new baseload geothermal energy sources to capitalize on our vast domestic resources.
Maintains funding for cybersecurity efforts that enable a resilient, reliable, and secure electric grid.
Refocuses applied energy technology program funding to ensure taxpayer resources go to the highest priority research and development efforts.
Background:
The FY26 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes a total discretionary allocation of $57.3 billion. This bill also provides $24.1 billion in non-defense funding and $33.2 billion in defense funding.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)
(Kansas City, MO) – Followinga callfrom U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sharice Davids (D-KS) to restore federal funding obligated to Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA), the FFNHA received its full federal funding for 2025 that had been frozen by the Department of Interior earlier this year. The announcement comes just weeks before the end of the federal fiscal year, when funds would have otherwise expired, ensuring uninterrupted support for local history projects, educational programs, and community partnerships across western Missouri and eastern Kansas.
“Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area plays a prominent role across the region in working with local partners to preserve our history and promote economic development that is vital to our communities,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Despite a regrettable delay, I’m pleased that Freedom’s Frontier has secured the funding provided by Congress and will now be capable of continuing their mission to tell our story to visitors from around the world while boosting economic activity.”
“Freedom’s Frontier is more than a collection of historic sites — it’s a living story of who we are in the region. I’m glad we were able to secure this critical funding so that local partners can keep preserving our history, educating the next generation, and boosting our regional economy. This is what happens when communities speak up and we work together to get things done,” said Representative Sharice Davids.
“Because of the dedication and advocacy of our friends and partners across the region, we are now able to continue our core mission of promoting tourism and economic development in rural Kansas and Missouri,” said Lucinda Adams, executive director of FFNHA. “Your calls and conversations with your representatives mattered. We are deeply grateful.”
Despite being signed into law in March, federal funding for NHAs — including the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA) in western Missouri and eastern Kansas — had been frozen for nearly six months. As a result, local sites struggled to keep staff employed, preserve historic landmarks, and continue educational programs that serve thousands of visitors and students each year.
NHAs are public-private partnerships that highlight culturally significant regions across the U.S., from Civil War battlefields to Indigenous heritage sites. Each federal dollar investedgeneratesover $5 in private and local support. Without this timely funding, programs grind to a halt and community-driven preservation work suffers.
Established in 2006, the FFNHA is one of 55 National Heritage Areas throughout the United States. FFNHA tells the stories and builds awareness of western Missouri and eastern Kansas’ past, present, and future, including stories of American settlement of the western frontier, Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War, Brown v. Board of Education, and significant figures in our nation’s history such as President Harry Truman, Amelia Earhart, and the Native tribes of the Great Plains.
The FFNHA supports and promotes roughly 323 partners, including historic sites, museums, historical societies, libraries, and other cultural-heritage tourism destinations in 41 counties across the Missouri-Kansas border.
Some notable FFNHA partners in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri include the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Truman Presidential Library, American Jazz Museum, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, and more.
Some notable FFNHA partners in the Third Congressional District of Kansas include Old Quindaro Museum, John Brown Museum, Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association, Kaw Point Park, Louisburg Historical Society, and more.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) offered and passed an amendment to H.R. 4553, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026, which further expresses congressional intent in support of spot dredging the Vermilion River.
The amendment increased and decreased the Army Corps’ Operations and Maintenance account by $50 million to emphasize the importance of dredging the Vermilion River and maintaining its authorized parameters. While the river is intended to be 9 feet deep and 100 feet wide, the Army Corps has not performed dredging activities since 1997, despite having the funds to do so.
In 2019, Congressman Higgins’ office secured funding and helped coordinate an extensive hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) analysis of dredging scenarios through the Army Corps and UL Lafayette. The H&H analysis included 500,000 data points and clarified that spot dredging of the Vermilion River would increase retention and help mitigate flooding. In 2021, Congressman Higgins secured the inclusion of $50 million in the Army Corps’ Work Plan for spot dredging of the river. However, despite clear intent, statutory obligation, and available funding, the Army Corps has not removed one bucket of sediment.
Congressman Higgins said, “They’re sitting on a ton of money, nationwide, maybe a trillion dollars. We’re going to track every penny. The COE casually drags on and on and on for decades, delaying work that needs to be completed. I’m not certain the COE serves a purpose any longer, other than obstructing every sovereign state from actually building bridges and levees.”