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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) is seeking qualified applicants for his Congressional nomination to our nation’s four service academies: the U.S. Military Academy (West Point/Army); U.S. Naval Academy(Annapolis/Navy); U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs/Air Force) and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point/Nassau County – New York).

“One of my favorite and most serious duties as a member of the U.S. Congress is nominating Hawaii’s best and brightest young men and women to our nation’s service academies,” said Case.

“I have had the privilege for over ten years now of nominating many candidates to our service academies, many of whom are in service or now attending. I’m again honored to do my part to ensure that Hawaiʻi continues our long tradition of contributing to the next generation of America’s outstanding military leaders.”

A Congressional nomination is the exclusive avenue for appointment to our nation’s service academies for most applicants. A nomination does not guarantee an appointment, but it is a requirement for final consideration for the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Successful applicants must have high moral character, a strong academic record and a motivation to dutifully serve our nation.

In a letter to all high schools in his district (see below), Case said: “An applicant must also be a U.S. citizen, a high school graduate between the ages of 17 and 23, unmarried and without dependents. Fully completed applications must be received by my office no later than October 10, 2025. Please also visit my military academy nomination webpage at https://case.house.gov/services/service-academy-nominations.htm.”

Case continued: “Additionally, please note that I may only consider applicants who are legal residents of the First Congressional District which I represent (Honolulu from Makapu‘u through Downtown and Pearl City up to Mililani and then through Waipahu and ‘Ewa Beach to Kapolei). My office can assist in verifying this requirement, but you can check yourself by entering your home address here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.

“I encourage and invite students and school officials assisting candidates with their applications to mail in application packets to my Honolulu Office and or submit applications electronically in a Portable Document Format (.pdf) to my Honolulu office staff via Nestor Garcia at Nestor.Garcia@mail.house.gov, or contact him at phone (808) 650-6688.”

Attachment: Case letter to high school principals, college career counselors and JROTC instructors

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced the Bringing Back Benefits Act, legislation that would nullify the cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) made in the Republican-passed Reconciliation Bill. The package, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), served as one of the largest attacks on health care in modern history, slashing almost $1 trillion in funding for Medicaid, a program millions of Americans, including tens of thousands of Illinoisans, depend on for access to health care. The OBBBA also cut the SNAP program by $186 billion, a move that will result in more hungry families across America. In Illinois alone, the law puts 205,000 people at immediate risk of losing some of their SNAP benefits and threatens to strip 535,000 residents of their Medicaid coverage.

“The decision by President Trump and Congressional Republicans to slash Medicaid and SNAP to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest among us was a moral failure and a massive mistake,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “Families across Illinois and the nation are already feeling the devastating impacts of this so-called ‘Large Lousy Law,’ and we must act now to repeal these disastrous provisions before millions more are affected. This is Congress’s chance to correct a serious misstep and help working families — we must take it by passing my legislation.”

In July, Congressman Krishnamoorthi visited Franklin Hospital in Benton, one of the nine hospitals in Illinois that faces closure due to the cuts enacted in the OBBBA. Illinois is projected to lose $6.73 billion in Medicaid funding alone under this legislation.

A full copy of the legislation is available here.

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s plan to deploy troops to Chicago:

“President Trump’s illegal attempt to militarize Chicago will do nothing but spark chaos and create spectacle. There is no emergency in Illinois that warrants federalizing our National Guard or deploying active-duty troops into our communities—just as there was no justification in Washington or Los Angeles. Donald Trump’s flagrant abuses of power must end. Our brave servicemen and women are not pawns in his political games.

That’s why I introduced legislation to block any president from unilaterally deploying the military into states without a governor’s request. If the President is serious about making Chicago safer, we’re ready to work with his Administration—but not on half-baked stunts that trample the Constitution and spread chaos. I stand with Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson in rejecting this reckless overreach and defending the rule of law.”

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

CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (Il-02) released the following statement after President Donald Trump claimed Black women want him to send the National Guard to Chicago:

“President Trump, let me be absolutely clear: you are not welcomed in Chicago. Do not send the National Guard into our city. And you have no authority to claim what Black women want. Black women have lost sons and daughters, spouses, fathers and mothers to gun violence – and experienced the horrific trauma of gun violence and domestic violence themselves – yet you have done nothing to save Black lives. In fact, bringing the National Guard into Chicago threatens Black communities that have already been overpoliced and under-invested in for generations.

“President Trump believes he can make an easy target out of Chicago – but he’s never understood our city. Crime has gone down to pre-pandemic levels due to community violence intervention organizations that have provided opportunities and safer pathways for young adults. If the President truly cared about law and order, he would keep the National Guard away – out of DC, too – pass gun safety laws, and release already-allocated funds to CVI organizations. We all know, though, that he’s too scared of the gun lobby to do anything.” 

According to the Chicago Mayor’s Office Violence Reduction Dashboard, crime has decreased this year compared to 2024, including a 45% reduction in multi-victim shooting incidents, 35% reduction in fatal shooting homicides, and 49% reduction in car hijackings.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), are expressing serious concern over the planned closure of labor and delivery services at Providence Seaside and call on Providence Health & Services to support families and clinicians affected by the decision. 

 

Last week, Providence announced that, on October 4, the Seaside hospital would end obstetrics and inpatient newborn care. The lawmakers sent a letter to Providence President and CEO Erik Wexler expressing concerns for mothers, families, and employees affected by the closure. 

 

“We anticipate that this decision will hurt the health and safety of expectant mothers, newborns, and families, who will no longer have local access to obstetrics care,” cautioned the lawmakers. 

 

The Seaside hospital serves a wide geographic area, and the closure will force patients to travel dangerously long distances—in some cases, more than an hour—to receive both routine and emergency obstetric care. Compounded by Samaritan Health Service’s reported plan to close its Lincoln City and Lebanon labor and delivery departments, Providence’s decision would impede access to maternity care in Oregon’s rural communities, while also putting an undue burden on many families that could cause them to bypass necessary medical care. 

 

“In addition, we expect these challenges will only get worse given the Republican reconciliation bill that gutted the health care system by $1 trillion, thereby making it harder for rural and isolated maternity units to survive,” they wrote. “As a result of these cuts, rural and small hospitals will be forced into impossible choices and unpopular operational decisions, like cutting labor and delivery services, in order to keep their doors open.”   

 

While the lawmakers deeply understand the numerous economic challenges facing rural labor and delivery units across Oregon—including low volumes of births, workforce shortages, and challenging reimbursement rates—they’ve also seen the negative impacts labor and delivery unit closures have on Oregon’s mothers and families. Together, they are calling for Providence Health & Services to support the families, clinicians, and communities it serves.  

 

“We urge you to assist expectant families to find alternative options for safe maternal health care so they do not suffer disruptions in their obstetrics care. In addition, we urge you to provide meaningful support to the physicians, nurses, and other clinicians whose jobs will be affected by the reduction in obstetrics care at Providence Seaside. Finally, we urge Providence Seaside to engage in a transparent process with the community it serves as it winds down local obstetrics care,” continued the lawmakers. 

 

Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) led a group of bipartisan House members in the reintroduction of legislation that would ban greyhound racing in the United States and outlaw gambling on the outcome of greyhound races simulcast from other nations.

“Greyhound racing is cruel, inhumane, and unpopular with the American public – which is why nearly every state has already voted to outlaw it,” said Rep. Carbajal. “As a member of the Animal Protection Caucus, I’m proud to stand with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to reintroduce bipartisan legislation that will finally put an end to this brutal practice and promote the universal welfare of our greyhounds.”

The lawmakers joining Carbajal in reintroducing the Greyhound Protection Act are Representatives Randy Fine (R-FL-06), Don Davis (D-NC-01), and Zach Nunn (R-IA-03).

“It’s great to work on a bill that protects man’s best friend. These animals deserve to be treated with respect and shouldn’t be exploited. In light of National Dog Day, I’m proud to contribute to this important legislation,” said Rep. Fine.

“Greyhound racing is a cruel and inhumane practice that has no place anywhere in this country,” said Rep. Nunn. “Iowa shut down its last greyhound track because our communities recognized the cruelty behind this industry. This bill follows Iowa’s lead, ensuring man’s best friend is treated with the care and respect every dog deserves.”

Greyhound racing is already illegal in 44 out of 50 states.

As American-raised greyhounds are also being exported to racetracks in other countries, the bill would also outlaw this practice. Read the full bill text here. 

The bill has the endorsement of more than 250 animal rights and protection groups, shelters, and other organizations–including Grey2K USA Worldwide and Animal Wellness Action.

“Greyhounds are sweet, gentle dogs, and for generations they have been exploited by the gambling industry,” said Christine A. Dorchak, president and general counsel of GREY2K USA Worldwide. “We are a dog loving nation, and greyhound racing goes against our values about the humane treatment of dogs.”

“Greyhounds should be safely on the laps of their humans and not taking a lap on a racing oval that puts them at risk of serious injury in front of nearly empty bleachers,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy.  “We are immensely grateful to Rep. Carbajal for leading this fight in Congress.”

Carbajal is a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus and has a 100% lifetime score with the Humane Society.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

Los Angeles, CA — On August 25th, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) joined veterans, veteran advocates, leadership of several Veteran Service Organizations, and fellow congressional members at “Forward Together: Creating Community on the West Los Angeles Department of Veterans Affairs Campus,” a roundtable discussion held at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in Los Angeles. The event — hosted by Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39) — focused on transforming the long-troubled West LA VA campus (also known as the Soldiers Home) into a thriving hub of housing, services, and community for Southern California veterans. Also in attendance were Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) and L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.

Congressman Sherman, who has long championed housing initiatives and veteran services in Los Angeles County, emphasized the importance of hearing directly from veterans during the redevelopment process.

“This can’t be top-down. It has to come from the veterans who will live here, who know what works, and who have waited far too long for promises to be kept,” Congressman Sherman said. “Today’s roundtable is part of that process — and I intend to keep showing up until this vision becomes reality.”

The West LA VA campus has faced decades of controversy, but redevelopment is now underway to create hundreds of units of permanent supportive housing. Congressman Sherman has played a key role in advancing this effort, helping deliver $1.5 million in federal funding for the project and supporting broader appropriations efforts to secure additional resources.

His office also continues to advocate for veterans in the San Fernando Valley and Westside communities through ongoing federal investment and oversight.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

VATICAN CITY –Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced his audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City, during the Jubilee of hope, as part of the 16^th Annual Meeting of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN). This is the first ICLN meeting led by Pope Leo.  

 

Congressman Gonzalez, along with a bipartisan Delegation of Catholic Members of Congress, discussed with Pope Leo the chosen theme of “The New World Order: Major Power Politics, Corporate Dominion and the Future of Human Flourishing,” emphasizing the importance of authentic human flourishing.

 

“As a devout Catholic, it is the highest honor to meet His Holiness Pope Leo – the first American Pope – and hear his message of compassion, unity, and service to others,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Pope Leo challenged us to build a world rooted in hope, conscience, and solidarity. He also urged us to shape the societies around us with the love of God and neighbor rather than selfish interests.

 

As a key member of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, Congressman Gonzalez also met with senior leader from the Holy See and the United Nations World Food Program to discuss their partnerships with international financial institutions to support humanitarian operations in the Middle East.   

 

CONGRESISTA VICENTE GONZALEZ SE REÚNE CON SU SANTIDAD EL PAPA LEON XIV  

 

CIUDAD DEL VATICANO –Hoy, el Congresista Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) anunció su audiencia con Su Santidad el Papa León XIV en la Ciudad del Vaticano, durante el Jubileo de la esperanza, parte de la decimosexta Reunión Anual de la Red Internacional de Legisladores Católicos (ICLN). Esta es la primera reunión de ICLN dirigida por el Papa León.

 

El Congresista Gonzalez, junto con una delegación bipartidista de Miembros Católicos del Congreso, discutió con el Papa León el tema elegido “El Nuevo Orden Mundial: Política de las Grandes Potencias, Dominio Corporativo y el Futuro del Florecimiento Humano”, enfatizando la importancia del auténtico florecimiento humano.

 

“Como católico devoto, es el honor más alto conocer a Su Santidad el Papa León – el primer Papa de los Estados Unidos – y escuchar su mensaje de compasión, unidad y servicio a los demás. El Papa León nos desafió a construir un mundo arraigado en la esperanza, la conciencia y la solidaridad. También nos invitó a modelar las sociedades que nos rodean con el amor de Dios y al prójimo en lugar de intereses egoístas.”

 

Como miembro del Comité de Servicios Financieros de la Cámara de Representantes de EE.UU., el Congresista Gonzalez también se reunió con dirigentes de la Santa Sede y del Programa Mundial de Alimentos de las Naciones Unidas para discutir sus asociaciones con instituciones financieras internacionales para apoyar operaciones humanitarias en el Medio Oriente.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon, House GOP Military Veterans Share Heartfelt Testimonies on Abbey Gate Anniversary

Washington – Today, Representative Don Bacon (NE-2) and veteran members of the House Republican Conference mark the fourth anniversary of the deadly terrorist attack at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan, which claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members and left dozens more wounded. To honor these fallen heroes, the House Republican Conference released a tribute video featuring military veterans serving in Congress. In the powerful video, the veterans–many of whom served in Afghanistan–share heartfelt testimony about the personal impact of the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal as they reflect on the devastating, preventable chaos it caused. 

Representative Don Bacon (NE-02) served nearly thirty years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, culminating his military career at the rank of Brigadier General. He served 16 assignments with four deployments to the Middle East, including one to Iraq from 2007 to 2008 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. 

Watch Rep. Bacon’s testimony here, and written as delivered below: 

“I served nearly thirty years in the Air Force. I had multiple deployments in the Middle East. And one of the things that changed my life was 9 /11. We saw the Pentagon hit, the World Towers, and the fourth airliner that crashed in Pennsylvania. We deployed, and we kicked the Taliban out of government. We ended up killing Osama bin Laden. We ended up going in Iraq as well. 

“In Afghanistan we lost 2,459 Americans over the course of those two decades. But President Biden made a terrible decision four years ago to withdraw our forces the way he did. Our military recommended against his withdrawal plans and he overruled them. His withdrawal cost us two decades of investment in Afghanistan and it ended up costing 13 more lives when that bomber attacked our forces that were trying to save lives at the airport in Kabul. 

“Today I’m thinking of Daegan Page, one of the 13 Americans killed, who is from Omaha. I’ve gotten to meet his family. We love his family and our sympathies still go with them. But also the other 12 families that lost their sons and daughters or spouses. 

“President Biden made a terrible decision. He withdrew our air support from the Afghan forces, withdrew our mechanics from the Afghan airplanes and the Afghan soldiers without air power collapsed quickly. President Biden said it would take two years, at least for the government to fail. It took one month because of the reckless decision making that he did. 

“So today, yes, I’m angry. As angry I’ve ever been on anything that any president has done in my lifetime. But I also know that we had men and women serving in uniform, doing the best they could, following orders, serving their country, and we had some that paid the ultimate sacrifice. So today our hearts and minds, our prayers are with those 13 families today.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Today, Representatives Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), and Dan Goldman (NY-10) introduced the Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act. The bipartisan bill, one of several pieces of legislation introduced in response to rampant helicopter noise in the New Jersey-New York Metropolitan Area, directs the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) to study the impact of helicopters on the safety of the airspace and helicopter noise within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty and examine solutions to divert helicopters away from residential and recreational areas. It was first introduced by Nadler and Menendez in the 118th Congress. 

“The New York Metropolitan area experiences some of the most concentrated helicopter traffic anywhere, and the impact on our communities continues to grow,” said Representative Nadler. “In the past five years, the number of complaints about helicopter noise has increased by nearly 2,500 percent, making it one of the most frequently raised issues by my constituents. That’s why I am proud to join Congressman Menendez in introducing the bipartisan Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act, which directs the FAA to study this problem and develop concrete solutions so families and neighborhoods can finally get the relief they need.” 

“It is impossible to ignore the detrimental effects that helicopter noise has on our community and the broader region,” said Representative Menendez. “I’ve heard from constituents in Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, and beyond whose quality of life is severely impacted by non-essential helicopters. The tragic crash of a tourism helicopter in the Hudson River just a few months ago makes it clear that this is a safety issue as well. It’s time for the FAA to act, and I’m grateful to my colleagues for helping to move this forward on a bipartisan basis.” 

“I join my colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation requiring the FAA to examine helicopter noise, safety, and health impacts within 20 miles of the Statue of Liberty,” said Representative Malliotakis. “This report will identify solutions to reduce constant noise as a result of the flight paths, deliver relief to our communities, and address resident’s quality-of-life concerns.” 

“The prevalence of noise pollution from helicopters over New York City is an unnecessary and wholly preventable burden on millions of residents,” said Representative Goldman. “New technologies like Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing Aircrafts (eVTOLs) are expected to be quieter than helicopters and other conventional aircraft and could meaningfully decrease noise pollution over densely populated urban areas. We have an obligation to understand how eVTOLs may help solve the problem of noise pollution, as well as how best to enforce regulations on helicopter flight paths above our city to enhance quality of life, safeguard public health, and restore community well-being.” 

For full bill text, click here.

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