MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) authored and introduced the Workforce Housing Tax Credit (WHTC) Act. Rep. Mike Carey (OH-15) co-leads this bipartisan bill that would increase the supply of affordable housing for middle-income families who earn too much to qualify for low-income affordable housing and not enough to afford to buy or rent housing.

The Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act would help to close that gap between middle and low income housing by establishing the first-ever middle-income housing tax credit, which is estimated to finance approximately 344,000 affordable rental homes. The legislation would also provide flexibility so that states can maximize their resources and best meet community housing needs by allowing housing finance agencies to transfer their middle-income allocation to their Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) allocation when necessary. It also allows buildings to combine the two credits to help make more low-income housing projects financially feasible.

“In California’s 19th Congressional District, there are many people who work and support their families but make too much to qualify for low-income housing and too little to buy or rent a home near their workplace,” said Rep. Panetta. “My bipartisan Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act would address that gap by incentivizing investment in the development of workforce housing for middle-income families. This legislation would help ensure that middle-income working families spend time in our communities rather than stuck in their commutes and that people who work here can afford to live here and call California’s 19th Congressional District home.”

“I am proud to once again co-lead the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act alongside my Ways and Means colleague, Congressman Panetta,” said Rep. Carey. “Columbus, Ohio has seen incredible population and economic growth, but with this new development comes significant challenges. Given the current shortage of affordable housing, we must continue to do everything we can to incentivize the development of low and middle-income housing, and this bill does exactly that. Stable housing is essential to the success of individuals and families, and I will continue to focus on ensuring people in Ohio’s 15th Congressional District have access to housing.”

Highlights of the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act include:

• Similar to the LIHTC, state housing finance agencies would allocate the tax credits to developers through a competitive process. The tax credits would be provided to developers over a 15-year period, with a 15-year compliance period and 30-year extended commitment.
• Tax credits are allocated to states based on population, at $1 per capita with a $1.5 million small state minimum. An additional 5% of the allocation would be made available and reserved for middle-income housing developed in rural areas.
• For new buildings, the credit would equal 50% of the cost of the building over the lifetime of the credit. For rehabilitated buildings and bond-financed buildings, the credit would equal 20% of the cost of the building. More credit could be awarded for buildings in difficult development areas, as designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). However, state housing agencies would only allocate the amount of credit needed to make a housing project financially feasible.
• To qualify for the credit, at least 60% of the building’s units must be occupied by individuals with area median incomes of 100% or less where the rents are restricted to 30% of the designated income. The affordability restrictions would remain in place for up to 15 years after the compliance period (for a total 30-year affordability period).
• WHTC also works in conjunction with LIHTC to support low-income affordable housing. First, a state can tailor the allocation to its needs: it can elect to transfer any portion of their middle-income allocation to LIHTC at any point during the year. Second, WHTC can help the financial feasibility of affordable buildings by combining LIHTC and middle-income housing tax credits for different units as long as at least 20% of the total units are middle-income units.

“NMHC strongly supports Reps. Panetta and Carey’s introduction of the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act,” said NMHC president Sharon Wilson Géno. “Building on the immensely successful Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, the Workforce Housing Tax Credit would extend critical support to moderate-income households who are struggling with housing costs. Together, both tax credits will help grow the supply of housing across communities nationwide and move us closer to the affordability solutions that American renters urgently need.”

“The Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act is a smart, targeted solution to one of the most pressing challenges facing our housing market today, the shortage of homes affordable to middle-income families. By leveraging the proven success of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, this legislation will unlock private investment and expand housing options for teachers, first responders, and other essential workers who are increasingly priced out of the communities they serve. We applaud Representatives Jimmy Panetta and Mike Carey for their leadership in advancing a bipartisan approach that strengthens our housing supply, supports economic mobility, and brings more Americans closer to achieving the dream of stable, attainable homeownership,” said Shannon McGahn, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer for the National Association of REALTORS®.

“The National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) strongly endorses the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act. As the leading voice for affordable housing providers, we recognize that our nation’s housing crisis now extends well into the ‘missing middle,’ impacting the very workers who sustain our local economies. While the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) remains our most successful affordable housing tool for low-income families, a widening gap exists for those earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Teachers, first responders, and healthcare professionals are increasingly priced out of the communities they serve. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Representatives Panetta and Carey, provides a necessary, market-based extension of the proven tax credit model to meet this specific need. By providing a scalable financing tool, this Act will empower developers and managers to expand the supply of stable, high-quality housing for middle-income earners. NAHMA commends this proactive approach to strengthening the housing continuum. We urge Congress to act swiftly to pass this legislation, ensuring that the American workforce has access to the housing security essential for economic stability and community growth,” said Kristina Cook, NAHMA Chief Executive Officer.

“The Mortgage Bankers Association is pleased to support the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act. Expanding the availability of rental housing for middle-income households is critical to addressing the nation’s housing supply challenges. This legislation would help address a significant gap in the market, supporting the development of housing for working families who earn too much to qualify for existing programs but still struggle to find affordable options near where they work or want to live. We appreciate Representatives Jimmy Panetta and Mike Carey for their bipartisan leadership on this important issue,” said Bill Killmer, Senior Vice President, Legislative and Political Affairs at the Mortgage Bankers Association.

“I applaud Representatives Jimmy Panetta and Mike Carey for their leadership in introducing and championing the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act. As Harvard’s Joint Center on Housing Studies has regularly documented, renter cost burdens are climbing up on the income spectrum, leaving households in many urban, suburban, and rural communities that earn too much for traditional rental housing subsidies but too little for market-rate rental housing with few or no affordable housing options. This bill provides states with a very flexible rental housing financing tool to address this growing national need,” said Michael Novogradac, Managing Partner at Novogradac & Company LLP.

“The Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act takes a proven approach and applies it to the part of the market our housing system is failing to serve,” said Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth and Up for Growth Action. “We have built a strong system to support low-income housing, but there is no comparable tool for middle-income workers who keep local economies running and are increasingly priced out of the communities they serve. This bill makes middle-income housing pencil and gives developers a real path to deliver housing at scale, so people can afford to live near their jobs,”

Full text of the bill is available here.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today observed the wholesale destruction of democratic representation in the state of Tennessee by the Tennessee General Assembly that he has tried to prevent and made the following statement:

“While we expected this egregious result, it’s hard to contemplate how much harm the General Assembly has done to the voice of Black voters in Tennessee, and specifically in Memphis. The procedures outlined in this hastily drawn legislation are obviously inadequate. The time factor for creating new district lines for candidates is clearly inadequate and confusing for voters after established lines have been in place and candidates have been campaigning for two months. The new arrangement cannot result in fair representation. 

“Beyond all that, the fact that each of these new districts was drawn to divide almost exactly into thirds the Black voting population of the 9^th District suggests serious racist and unethical intent and raises legal issues about the use of race being the true predominant factor in this redistricting effort.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) will join leaders of the Historic Clayborn Temple for a press conference on Friday to discuss the $3.1 million he secured through the annual appropriations process for restoration of the church ravaged by fire one year ago.

The church was the organizing headquarters for striking sanitation workers in 1968.

What: A press conference to discuss the $3.1 million Congressman Cohen secured in his Community Project Funding request in the annual appropriations process

Who: Speakers will include Congressman Cohen; Anasa Troutman, Founder and CEO of The Big We from Historic Clayborn Temple; Willie “Hank” Henry, the District Director of the 9^th Congressional District who attended meetings at the church during the 1968 strike; and Dorcas Young Griffin, deputy chief administrative officer, Shelby County

Congressman Cohen will be available after the press conference to discuss other matters.

When: Friday, May 8, at 10:30 a.m.

Where: Historic Clayborn Temple is at 294 Hernando Street, Memphis (38126) Street parking is available on Hernando Street.

Please RSVP to Congressman Cohen’s communications director at Bartholomew.Sullivan@mail.house.gov

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

New Emergency Food Bank Recovery Hub will more than double capacity, improve efficiency, and reduce food waste

ABOVE: Dr. Leonard Hansen, Rep. Harder, and Stockton Emergency Food Bank Board Chair Don Ruhstaller present a check for the new distribution hub

STOCKTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced more than $1 million in federal funding he secured for a massive food storage expansion at the Stockton Emergency Food Bank. In response to growing food assistance demand and chronic infrastructure challenges, Harder secured funding for a new, 17,400 square-foot Food Recovery Hub warehouse to expand the Food Bank’s storage and service capacity and reduce food insecurity in the Valley.

The Stockton Emergency Food Bank is a lifeline for struggling families:

• The Food Bank serves an average of 500 vehicles per distribution, supporting over 21,000 people each month.
• But demand for food assistance is on the rise – nearly 200,000 residents in San Joaquin County in 2024 were food insecure, and federal cuts to food assistance programs are kicking thousands more off of CalFresh.
• The Food Bank is also facing chronic infrastructure challenges, including a warehouse that is nearly 50 years old and no dedicated loading dock for food transportation.

“Food banks play a critical role in our communities providing families with essential resources – that’s why I fought for the Stockton Emergency Food Bank to receive federal funding to expand their services,” said Rep. Harder. “Many of the families that use food banks work full-time jobs but still can’t make ends meet with rising costs. This expansion project will make sure that more families have access to this lifeline with dignity. We can’t let our community go hungry.”

The new Food Recovery Hub will better support the Food Bank’s mission to address hunger and food insecurity in the Valley:

• The new 17,400 square-foot warehouse will more than double capacity and include a dedicated loading dock.
• These upgrades will significantly improve efficiency and expand the Food Bank’s ability to recover, store, and distribute fresh and shelf-stable food from local and regional partners. 
• This increased capacity will also reduce food waste while ensuring more food reaches families who need it most.

“Our goal is not only to provide food and nutrition education, but to do so in a way that honors the dignity of every person we serve,” said Leonard Hansen, Stockton Emergency Food Bank President and CEO. “This Community Project Funding grant will allow us to expand our food recovery efforts, operate more efficiently and reach more families across Stockton and San Joaquin County suffering from food insecurity.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

Annual “One Voice” trip connects local leaders with federal lawmakers to discuss Valley priorities

PICTURES from the speaker series are available here

WASHINGTON – Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) hosted dozens of local leaders, community advocates, and Valley elected officials on Capitol Hill this week for the annual San Joaquin One Voice advocacy trip. One Voice connects Valley advocates with federal lawmakers to discuss regional priorities and collaborate on future funding opportunities. 

“My number one job is showing up and listening to Valley issues, and it was great to welcome so many Valley leaders to Washington,” said Rep. Harder. “The best ideas don’t come from bureaucrats sitting behind desks in D.C., they come from the people on the ground who know exactly what their communities need. I’m grateful for the important discussions and exciting opportunities that come out of this annual tradition, and I’m going to keep working with local leaders to make sure our families have the federal support they deserve.” 

Throughout the week, Harder held discussions and speaker series with a wide range of Valley representatives, including San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency, Stockton Metropolitan Airport, and the City of Mountain House.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition in Massachusetts’ Third District. The winners were announced at her annual art competition reception held at The Chelmsford Center for the Arts.
“Every year, this competition reminds me just how much talent we have right here in the Third District,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Nate’s painting stopped me in my tracks – there’s a real stillness and maturity to it that you don’t expect from a high school student. I’m so proud of him and every student who had the courage to put their work in front of a panel of judges. The fact that ‘Midsummer Indolence’ will hang in the United States Capitol is a tribute not just to Nate, but to the incredible arts community we have across this district.”
The winner of this year’s competition is Nate Kim, an 11th grader at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. His piece, titled “Midsummer Indolence,” was created using oil paint on canvas and depicts a young child fishing by a pond, surrounded by lush green grass and plants. The painting will be displayed in the United States Capitol later this year alongside winning pieces from other congressional districts.
Trahan also announced the runners-up for this year’s competition:
Second Place: Yumeng Mia Li from the Groton School with her submission titled “The Wash”
Third Place (tie): Westford Academy student Navya Katru’s “Suspension” and Concord Academy student Krithik Davarjan’s “Green Miles of the Routine: The Milkman”
This year’s winners were selected by a three-judge panel: Sara Bogosian, President and Executive Director of the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell; Eileen Williston, Executive Director of The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord; and Emily Mazzola, Curator at the Fitchburg Art Museum.
About the Congressional Art Competition: Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent across the country and in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 700,000 high school students have participated. Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of local artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. First-place pieces are displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, and the winner will be invited to a celebratory reception in Washington, D.C. in June.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

Members cite new research showing 988 Lifeline has prevented thousands of youth suicide deaths nationwide

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

TAMPA, Fla. – Ahead of Mother’s Day, Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Lauren Underwood (IL-14) reintroduced H.R. 8651, the Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act. The bipartisan legislation builds on earlier congressional efforts to strengthen and deepen the understanding of how medications affect pregnant and lactating women and their infants. It would modernize FDA regulations, raise awareness of research that includes pregnant and lactating women, and encourage high-quality priority research projects to be conducted at the NIH—to help ensure moms and babies stay safe and healthy.

“Excluding pregnant and lactating women from research and trials creates significant information gaps that can impact the health of mothers and babies,” said Rep. Castor. “We can and must do better. Expectant mothers and their doctors deserve clear, accurate guidance about how medications affect both mom and baby so they can make informed decisions and achieve the best possible health outcomes. Too often, a blanket assumption that medications are unsafe during pregnancy or breastfeeding is simply wrong—and in some cases, it can put moms and babies at greater health risk of costly complications. I’m grateful to my colleagues, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Lauren Underwood, for their partnership in advancing this bipartisan effort to expand high-quality scientific research and improve health outcomes through the Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act.”

“It is vital that we continue to advance medications and treatments for pregnant and lactating women to keep them healthy,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “I am proud to work alongside Representatives Castor and Underwood to push for updated FDA regulations, continued educational materials, and overall awareness of how medications impact pregnant and lactating women.”

“Pregnant and lactating people must be protected through research, not excluded from it,” said Rep. Underwood. “The exclusion of this population from clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines led to a serious information gap that resulted in lower vaccination rates for pregnant people. Evidence now shows that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for people who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. We must do more to protect this population, and the Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act takes important steps to ensure that pregnant and lactating people can safely access life-saving vaccines and therapeutics.”

“The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has long advocated for the inclusion of pregnant people in clinical trials to help ensure the safety and efficacy of medication taken during pregnancy. Ninety percent of pregnant individuals take at least one medication during pregnancy, and yet seventy percent of medications approved by the FDA have no human pregnancy data. Not only does this present challenges for clinicians who have to manage the treatment of chronic conditions during pregnancy, but it creates uncertainty for patients when there is a lack of critical data on the effects of medications and therapeutics taken during pregnancy and lactation,” said ACOG President Camille A. Clare, MD, MPH, CPE, FACOG. ”By taking steps to ensure pregnant and lactating women are included in clinical trials, the Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act will help give our patients and their physicians peace of mind when taking needed medications during pregnancy and lactation. We applaud the continued leadership of Representatives Kathy Castor, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Lauren Underwood for introducing this legislation and ensuring that this issue remains at the forefront.”

“As the nation’s leading nonprofit fighting for the health of all moms and babies, March of Dimes strongly supports the Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act of 2026. Despite the prevalence of pregnancy complications, pregnant and lactating individuals are often excluded from clinical trials for the therapeutics they depend on. This legislation takes important steps to better our understanding for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding of how to take medications and vaccines safely and effectively. We applaud Representatives Kathy Castor, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Lauren Underwood for their continued leadership,” said Stacey Y. Brayboy, Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, March of Dimes.

“The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) is pleased to see the reintroduction of the Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act. By advancing the inclusion of pregnant and lactating populations in clinical research, this legislation will drive safer, evidence-based treatments and healthier outcomes for moms and babies alike. SWHR thanks Representatives Castor, Fitzpatrick, and Underwood for introducing this important legislation and their continued leadership in this space,” said Kathryn Schubert, President and CEO, Society for Women’s Health Research.

“Inclusive clinical research isn’t just good science; it’s essential for the health of pregnant and lactating individuals. As the CEO of HealthyWomen and a practicing maternal and fetal nurse, I have seen firsthand how critical it is to equip expectant and new mothers with accurate, evidence-based information on how to best care for themselves and their babies, including medication use and vaccine uptake. But too often, this information is unavailable, sparse or delayed, leaving pregnant and lactating individuals uncertain during a vulnerable time. That’s why we are proud to support this bill that takes a crucial step toward ensuring that clinical trials and research are inclusive and accessible to pregnant and lactating individuals,” said Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO of HealthyWomen.

“Including pregnant women in research is not a risk to be avoided—but an opportunity to embrace. For the first time in decades, researchers have begun to learn how to identify and prevent preeclampsia with new therapies on the horizon. However, the therapeutic pipeline only reaches patients if pregnant women are included in clinical research, and the federal investment is there to support it. The Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act delivers both. We thank Representatives Castor, Fitzpatrick, and Underwood for their leadership and urge Congress to pass this bill without delay,” said Eleni Tsigas, CEO, Preeclampsia Foundation.

The bill is supported by the following organizations: Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM); American Academy of Pediatrics; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP); HealthyWomen; Lupus Foundation of America; March of Dimes; Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance; Preeclampsia Foundation; Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention; Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine; Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR); U.S. Breastfeeding Committee; VAMPSS (Vaccines and Medications in Pregnancy Safety Studies) / American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; Wake Up Narcolepsy, Inc.; WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter introduces bill establishing life imprisonment for attempting political assassinations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today introduced the Zero Tolerance for Political Assassins Act, a bill mandating 25 years to life imprisonment for individuals who attempt to assassinate federal politicians.

Political violence erodes the very fabric of our democracy. In the United States, change is enacted by the people for the people. When radicalized individuals escalate hatred toward others over differing ideologies, they trample on the rights that every American exercises at the ballot box.

President Donald Trump has survived three assassination attempts to date, inspired by radical leftist rhetoric from politicians such as former President Joe Biden and disgraced former FBI Director James Comey. Unfortunately, we live in a world where Democrats have inspired lunatics in their party to attempt unthinkable acts. That ends now.

The Zero Tolerance for Political Assassins Act would apply to the following targets: President, Vice President, Presidential Staff, Cabinet Members, Supreme Court Justices, and Members of Congress.

“The American people spoke in November 2024, electing Donald J. Trump with a mandate to deliver a safer and more prosperous nation. Yet recently, at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the President was the target of a third assassination attempt. The cowards who carry out acts of political violence are the greatest threats to democracy,” said Rep. Carter. “My bill ensures they face proper justice and the full weight of the law.”

Read full bill text here.

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