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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)

U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas), a member of the Western Congressional Caucus, joined Montana Talks with Aaron Flint to discuss the Caucus’s time in Montana, the secured provisions in the One Big, Beautiful Bill, the achievement of removing the lesser prairie-chicken from the Endangered Species Act, and more.

Read a transcript below. Listen to the interview here. 

On being in Montana with his colleagues from the Western Congressional Caucus:

“It was beautiful as we went up there yesterday … It was great being able to see the heights of the mountains and the depths of the valleys as you’re going up. But also, I’m kind of an engineer by background, and so just seeing the striations in the rock layer and thinking about the geological impact of how that was created. It’s interesting to watch and just a beautiful scenery to see.”

On how the creation of roads and transportation systems in the West:

“You think about how you maintain that and you think back about, you know, in the 1930s, when they were building the road is, how you ended up with the technology that was available at that point in time. Carrying dynamite in your backpack to get up to the places where you had to blast out rock to to be able to get to that. And then using the rock formation and making the arches for part of that section of the roadway so that they didn’t have to blast too much of the mountain away in order to make that work.” 

On the purpose and intention of the Western Caucus:

“It’s called the Western Caucus because really one of the primary goals is focusing on our public lands and how do we protect, preserve and make sure that we maintain those in an equitable manner to be able to use and be beneficial for Americans. 

“There’s members from all across the country. So being able to be responsible and stewards of our public lands is so important. It’s great to see that as you’re here, see it in person and be able to partake in and experience it.”

On the geographical diversity of the Western Caucus membership:

“For me, from Kansas, we’re kind of midwestern plains, depends on which definition you’re using, but not only looking at our responsibility taking care of public lands, but also the Western Caucus, we look at . . . property rights, and the ability for us as Americans to own whatever it is, whether it’s land, whether it’s a house, whether it’s a vehicle. 

“That’s the base of being free is being able to have those property rights that you can understand and benefit from, and not have somebody at a whim because they have some political power, take that away from you. And so that’s another reason why I joined the Western Caucus. 

“The other reason … endangered species are one of the things that we talk about in the caucus, and in Kansas we have some things like lesser prairie-chicken and a few other things that sometimes pop up. So obviously that’s a concern as well as making sure that our EPA and Department of Interior and Fish and Wildlife are actually doing the things that they should be doing.”

On the tax provisions Congressman Estes secured in the One Big, Beautiful Bill:

“From a tax standpoint, we were facing a huge tax increase next year because of the temporary nature of some of the provisions that were put into the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017. So it depends on how your numbers are, different states would be differently affected, but it basically would have been … 22% tax increase for individuals. And in Kansas, in one year, that would have amounted to about $2,200. 

“. . .So obviously that has a huge impact on individuals and the way that they can run their lives whether they can buy the car or the truck that they need. We just couldn’t allow that to happen. 

“Other provisions that actually we put in place in 2017 that actually made the economy take off. Whether it’s being able to write off capital expenditure, so a business goes out and buys something, and they can be able to deduct that the first year, instead of spreading that out over five years. That provision expired, along with a provision that allowed research and development costs to be deducted the first year that they’re incurred. What we saw when those provisions expired two years ago, was … a drop in investment and a corresponding drop in jobs and incomes.”

On eliminating the Death Tax in the One Big, Beautiful Bill:

“We want to make sure that families can pass it on. I mean, they’re American citizens, whether they’re in Kansas or Montana, or are the best stewards of the land and the best stewards of property. We want to make sure that they can pass that on to their heirs as well as, you know, the benefit that they obtained during their lifetime. 

“We were able to get some permanence in what the death tax exemption is, keep it at a high rate, and index it for inflation, so that it continues to go up as inflation costs show up. 

“We want to make sure that just the permanence aspect of so many things is going to help make a lot of those decisions better and easier for people to make and go out and make that investment in the sawmill because you know that, hey, this is going to be the tax code for the next several years and it’s not a five-year provision that we have to look at.”

On the waste, fraud and abuse being exercised within the federal government:

“When you look at these other groups and, you know, the DOGE effort uncovered a lot of this in terms of just outright wasteful spending and fraud and abuse of the taxpayer dollars. We’ve been able to codify some of those things to help back up that executive order [from President Trump] and some of those things that come that have come out of the executive branch because, unless you don’t put it in law, when one presidential administration changes, you can have a completely different direction in that.

“We need to make sure that we get more things put in law like, what’s the process for taking something off of the endangered species list once they get off that place? What’s the process of looking at, this is the land we own, but do we really need all of that? Maybe because there are better uses for that land.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

SEATTLE, WA – Today, Representative Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement:

“The advancement of the long-stalled E1 settlement project is deeply alarming and destabilizing. This plan, which would add 3,400 housing units near East Jerusalem, would effectively split the West Bank into two regions and make the prospect of a viable Palestinian state significantly more difficult.

“The development of E1 flies in the face of long-standing U.S. and international opposition, undermines Israel’s own security, jeopardizes the future of the Palestinian people, and further erodes the possibility of a two-state solution, which is the only realistic path towards lasting peace. Finance Minister Smotrich’s declaration that this project is meant to ‘bury’ the idea of a Palestinian state makes the intention of this extremist plan clear. It is a direct rejection of peace efforts and a provocation that threatens to fuel further violence.

“I call on the Israeli government to reverse course and halt this reckless, dangerous plan. Continued unfettered settlement expansion threatens to push Israelis and Palestinians further from peace and jeopardizes the stability of the region.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today announced the reintroduction of the Expanding Service Coordinators Act alongside Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.). The legislation would increase funding and make reforms to service coordinator programs, expanding the national workforce that connects residents of federally assisted housing with health care, nutrition, transportation, job training, education, and other critical services.
 

“Service coordinators are essential to ensuring residents of federally assisted housing have the resources they need to thrive,” said Rep. Adam Smith. “These dedicated professionals help families and older adults navigate health care, access food and transportation, and connect with education and job training. But the demand for their support far outpaces the federal funding available. The Expanding Service Coordinators Act makes the long-overdue investments needed to grow and sustain this workforce so that more families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities can live independently, avoid homelessness, and achieve long-term stability.”

“Service coordinator programs are essential to providing Ohio families with critical social services like health care, food, transportation, and job training,” said Rep. Joyce Beatty. “These pivotal resources are vital to mobility and long-term development and have been underfunded for far too long. I’m proud to partner with Reps. Smith and Bonamici on the Expanding Service Coordinators Act to increase funding for these essential programs. By strengthening the service coordinator workforce, we can better support the professional, personal, and health needs of Ohioans in low-income housing—and take meaningful steps to prevent homelessness.”

“Service coordinators play an essential role in federally subsidized housing, helping older adults, adults with disabilities, and families lead stable and fulfilling lives,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Expanding opportunities like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program for service coordinators will bolster the workforce and expand service delivery for vulnerable community members. I am honored to advocate for the Expanding Service Coordinators Act with Reps. Smith and Beatty to support service coordinators in their work and to increase the number of service coordinators in communities across Oregon and the country.”

Endorsements

The Expanding Service Coordinators Act has been endorsed by more than two dozen national and local organizations, including:

• American Association for Service Coordinators
• King County Housing Authority
• Seattle Housing Authority
• Tacoma Housing Authority
• Council for Affordable Rural Housing
• LeadingAge
• Public Housing Authority Directors Association
• Council for Large Public Housing Authorities
• Connected Communities
• Compass Working Capital
• B’nai B’rith
• CSI Support & Development
• LifeSTEPS
• Local Initiatives Support Coalition
• New England Resident Service Coordinators Inc.
• New Hampshire Association of Professional Service Coordinators
• Massachusetts Association of Resident Service Coordinators in Housing
• Sage Advocacy and Services for LGBTQ+ Elders
• United Church Homes
• MJ Housing Services
• National Church Residences
• Embrace Living Communities
• WinnCompanies
• National Affordable Housing Managers Association
• AHEPA Senior Living
• National NeighborWorks Association
• Housing Assistance Council
• HumanGood

Statements of Support

“Every single community in this country needs more supported affordable housing. Whether you live in a city, suburb, or rural community, the older adults, families, persons with disabilities, veterans, and other vulnerable neighbors all have the same basic needs: to be healthy, happy, and housed. The Expanding Service Coordinators Act will do this by prioritizing the needs of older adults, empowering families with the resources they need to become self-sufficient, and growing supported affordable housing across the country… With this legislation, and the continued leadership of Representative Smith, we are one step closer to changing the narrative and making a substantial difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country.”—Michelle Missler, President & CEO, American Association of Service Coordinators

“I applaud Congressman Smith for introducing this critical legislation, which recognizes the need to provide supportive and connecting services to people living in federally assisted housing. The extra support provided by a service coordinator can make all the difference for a family taking that next step toward economic independence, improved health, or maintained social wellbeing.”—Robin Walls, Executive Director/CEO, King County Housing Authority

“The Seattle Housing Authority appreciates Representative Smith introducing this legislation to increase funding for support service coordinators. We are continuing to see an increasing need for this type of service for our residents. We have first-hand experience that shows these types of partnerships, personal connections and culturally appropriate services make a difference in whether our residents struggle or thrive. We provide these services but resources fall far short of the need.”—Rod Brandon, Executive Director, Seattle Housing Authority

“We are happy to continue supporting the Congressman’s efforts to increase and incentivize the supportive services needed to stably house households. Placing a high value on the critical work that Service Coordinators perform while supporting their education is an admirable step.”—April Black, Executive Director, Tacoma Housing Authority

 
“On behalf of NAHMA, we applaud Representatives Smith, Beatty, and Bonamici for reintroducing the Expanding Service Coordinators Act. This essential legislation is a strategic investment in the people who make housing work—not only as shelter, but fostering communities where residents live healthy and fulfilling lives.
 
“As owners and managers of affordable housing communities, we have long recognized service coordinators play a critical role in federally assisted housing by connecting residents, particularly older adults, people with disabilities, and working families—to the supportive services they need to thrive. By providing essential funding in FY2026 to FY2030, the bill ensures continued support for Section 202 program. It also creates targeted, three-year grant programs for HUD and USDA-assisted properties in underserved communities, including rural and persistent poverty areas. Additional investments for HRSA grants for LIHTC properties, and dedicated training funds—will enhance capacity and ensure coordinators are well-equipped. Provisions to protect coordinators from burdensome regulations, while maintaining accountability, strike an important balance. We also applaud the inclusion of Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, which will help recruit and retain qualified professionals in these roles.
 
“This legislation is not only about programs—it’s about people. NAHMA urges bipartisan support to advance the Expanding Service Coordinators Act, reaffirming our shared commitment to affordable housing as a foundation in the health and stability of our nation’s most vulnerable residents. – Kris Cook, CAE, CEO of National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA)

“New England Resident Service Coordinators Inc. (NERSC) supports the Expanding Service Coordinator Act, providing vital investments and expand the Service Coordinator Program to better support seniors and families.”—Kate Cantwell, NERSC Executive Director

“We thank Representative Adam Smith for re-introducing this important legislation that will help support and better fund our nation’s service coordinator programs. Service coordinators play a critical role in ensuring seniors and individuals with disabilities have access to affordable assisted living and other social services. At NCAL, increasing the availability of affordable assisted living is one of our main priorities. We look forward to working with Congress on advancing the Expanding Services Coordinators Act and streamlining access to quality care.”—Christopher Donnellan, American Healthcare Association Senior Director

“I write to express my support and that of Wesley Living for the Expanding Service Coordinator Act. Through my 25 plus years of affordable housing, I have found that the most beneficial program for our resident’s welfare is the service coordinator program. Our service coordinators assist our residents in health care management, transportation, nutrition, smoking cessation, fitness, dementia support, fall prevention, and wellness as well as assisting residents in personal needs when necessary. Our service coordinators find outside organizations and volunteers who provide resources, money, time, and education which allow our seniors to age in place. There is a great return on investment for this program and the dollars that the government puts into the program are returned three-fold in savings on things like Medicare and Medicaid, and local funds expended on unnecessary ambulance and fire calls. Additionally, service coordinators prevent evictions which can be devastating to an elderly person and balloon operating costs for housing operators.
 
“On the personal side, our service coordinators allow our residents to have a quality of life they otherwise would not experience. The programing that results in better health lifestyles provides for reduced falls, preventive health screening and timely treatment of disease before becoming debilitating. The program prevents large numbers of seniors from becoming prematurely institutionalized or in most cases, institutionalization at all. Service coordinators allow for the dignity of life our elderly residents deserve.
 
“So, we strongly and enthusiastically recommend and support the passing of the Expanding Service Coordinator Act and appreciate Representative Smith’s work to enhance this program.”—Ron Budynas, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Wesley Housing Corporation
 

“As an agency that provides Resident Services to over 100,000 individuals in more than 39,000 homes, LifeSTEPS supports expanding Service Coordinator legislation. Not only do Service Coordinators save millions by providing much needed housing stabilization services to those in poverty, they are a lifeline to saving billions in healthcare costs. Service coordination has proven that with proper support seniors can maintain their dignity and prevent premature placement in a Skilled Nursing Facility. Seniors want, need, and deserve to maintain their home and age in place.” – Beth Southorn, Executive Director, LifeSTEPS
 
“On behalf of The Massachusetts Association of Resident Service Coordinators in Housing (MARSCH) we strongly endorse your legislation to expand funding for Service Coordination.” –Donna L. Coyle, MARSCH President

“Once again, I am writing in support and to endorse the Expansion of the Service Coordinator Act.  HumanGood began employing resident service coordinators in our affordable housing communities in the 1990’s beginning with approximately 5 resident service coordinators.  With our continued growth, we now employ 70+ resident service coordinators in almost all of our 100+ communities in California, Washington, Oregon and Pennsylvania.  As an organization, we have come to know resident services as an invaluable component of property management. Our services team not only links our residents to supportive and medical services, but also provide case management to our most vulnerable population.  The program has evolved in the last fifteen years where the demands of the health and well being of our residents has grown substantially and we are striving to meet their needs so they can continue to age in place.  Necessary training on entitlement programs, dementia, mental health conditions, adult protective services, hospitalization and nursing home admission, mitigating isolation are some of the required trainings that enable our service coordinators to be equipped to empower residents to live independently and increase self-sufficiency.  Resident services provides a positive financial impact by reducing turnovers, evictions, property damage and helps address compliance issues.  We continue to find creative ways to expand our partnerships with county providers, educational institutions, health care providers to allow us to develop new approaches and resources to address our residents’ needs.”—Linda Coleman, VP of Resident Services for HumanGood

“On behalf of the New Hampshire Association of Professional Service Coordinators, I am writing to inform you our Association’s support and endorsement of the Expanding Service Coordinators Act.”—Karen Graveline, NHAPSC President
 
“We are committed to supporting and strengthening the service coordinator profession within affordable housing and elder care settings.  This matters as the number of older adults are rapidly increasing and many live in affordable housing without easy access to services.  Access to services and someone to assist residents in obtaining beneficial service supports has shown to improve the resident’s quality of life; age in place with respect and dignity and decrease the financial burden on Medicaid and Medicare costs. 
 
“The demand far exceeds the supply of qualified service coordination professionals and Embrace Living Communities will continue to advocate for increased service coordination opportunities for the residents we are privileged to serve..”—Jennifer Truppa, Director of Social Services and Quality Assurance for Embrace Living Communities 
 
“Service Coordinators within federally assisted affordable housing support the most vulnerable of our society — aging adults and persons living with disabilities.  At National Church Residences our network of professionally trained Service Coordinators help residents connect with and navigate critical services, nutrition, and healthcare so that they may live securely and independently in the place they call home. The Expanding Service Coordinators Act would enhance this program so even more seniors would have access to this service and the resulting benefits on their quality of life. National Church Residences proudly endorses the Expanding Service Coordinators Act and thanks Representatives Smith, Beatty, and Bonamici for their leadership in reintroducing the act for 2025.”  –Brianna Mettler, SVP Senior Services & Senior Living, National Church Residences.
 
“The Expanding Service Coordinators Act will directly benefit residents in HUD senior affordable housing by increasing access to trained professionals who connect older adults with critical services such as healthcare, nutrition assistance, and social support. By providing dedicated support to navigate complex systems, the legislation helps residents maintain their independence while reducing the risk of unnecessary and more costly institutionalization. At United Church Homes, we have more than 3,000 older adults that have benefited from service coordinators in optimizing their existing resources and benefits, enabling them to live safely and comfortably in their homes for longer.” – Terry Spitznagel, Sr Ex VP, COO, United Church Homes
 

Background

Housing service coordinators are staff embedded in multifamily housing and public housing that provide a wide range of services including case management; the arrangement of transportation and appointments for health and personal care services; the facilitation of health and wellness programming; and the continuous assessment of resident needs.

Service coordinators help promote housing stability among a population that often faces housing insecurity and helps seniors and residents with high needs avoid institutionalized care.

Unfortunately, service coordinator programs are underfunded and underutilized. The two primary programs that fund service coordinators for residents of federally assisted housing are the Multifamily Housing Service Coordinator Program and the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Service Coordinator Program.

The Multifamily Housing Service Coordinator Program embeds staff in federally assisted housing to coordinate a wide field of services for older adults and people with disabilities like meal services, medication management, and transportation to appointments. Service coordinators create critical networks for residents to receive social services that can help them age in place.

The Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency program utilizes service coordinators to help families by arranging for meals, transportation, housekeeping, health and nutrition programs, case management, job training, and assistance with personal care. This program helps families in public housing navigate social services to access better job and educational opportunities.

The Expanding Service Coordinators Act would make critical investments and reforms to expand service coordinator programs to serve more people in federally assisted housing. Specifically, the bill would:

• Authorize $225 million annually (FY2026–FY2030) for covered service coordinator programs, including Section 202 properties, and continue existing congregate service grants.

• Create new 3-year grant programs for service coordinators in Section 202 housing (HUD) and Section 515 rural housing (USDA), with priorities for properties serving elderly or disabled residents and those in persistent poverty or underserved rural areas.

• Authorize $45 million annually (FY2026–FY2030) for the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Service Coordinator Program in public and Indian housing.

• Provide $37 million in FY2026 through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to award 150 grants to Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties to fund service coordinators.

• Require a $2,500 annual training set-aside for each service coordinator and mandate annual reporting on training completed.

• Extend eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to service coordinators and protect grantees from new HUD requirements outside standard reporting, monitoring, and compliance.

Service coordinators are an underfunded resource in federally assisted housing. They help individuals navigate the complicated web of social services that can make the difference between a resident sinking or thriving. It is more important now than ever to invest in this critical workforce. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

FARMINGTON HILLS, MICHIGAN – Congresswoman Haley Stevens spent the past week on the move, connecting directly with Michiganders, spotlighting local industries, standing up for working families, and affirming her commitment to fighting for them in Washington. 

Here’s a look at her week in action:  

Last Friday, Haley helped kick off The Woodward Dream Cruise at the official ribbon-cutting celebrating Michigan’s rich automotive legacy.  

On Monday in Flint, she toured Consumers Flint Gas City training facility meeting with workers and leaders to talk about job training, workplace safety, and her ongoing fight to deliver for Michigan’s workforce. 

On Tuesday in Warren, at Weldaloy Specialty Forgings, Haley met with industry leaders diving into Michigan’s growing aerospace manufacturing sector and the pressing challenges facing Michigan’s manufacturing economy.

On Wednesday in Farmington Hills, Haley led a roundtable with Forgotten Harvest CEO Adrian Lewis and local community leaders to tackle hunger and food insecurity – sounding the alarm on Trump’s devastating SNAP cuts and highlighting her commitment to fighting hunger in Metro Detroit. 

She rounded out her time joining MichAuto’s Advocacy Committee Meeting highlighting key legislation she’s championing, including the Unearth America’s Future Act and No Chinese Cars Act, both aimed at lowering costs, protecting Michigan jobs, and strengthening domestic innovation. 

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

Headline: Carter successfully pushes for expedited review of life-saving Barth Syndrome treatment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today celebrated the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to accept for review the resubmission of the New Drug Application for Stealth Biotherapeutics’ Barth Syndrome treatment elamipretide, with the goal of reaching a decision by September 26, 2025.

This comes after Rep. Carter sent a letter advocating for the FDA to approve the drug, which is saving lives in his home state of Georgia. Barth Syndrome is an exceedingly rare disease, impacting 150 known individuals in the United States and at least six individuals in the state of Georgia.

“I strongly believe in this drug’s potential to save and improve lives. A patient in Atlanta, Georgia told me that elamipretide has allowed him to live a life he could only have dreamed of before, and he is terrified that he could lose access. We cannot let that happen, and I applaud the FDA for its timely move today that brings elamipretide a step closer to an approval,” said Rep. Carter.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement on reports that Donald Trump plans to deploy the U.S. military to Chicago:

“There is nothing more important to me than the safety and security of my constituents. The city of Chicago does not want or need the military deployed to our streets. This is a gross overreach by a President who wants to cosplay as tough by bullying his own citizens. I support real solutions to crime and homelessness—programs that provide funding to our police, violence interrupters, and drug intervention. I’ve worked hard to support these initiatives, and I’m always ready to work across the aisle to improve them. Unfortunately, Donald Trump is more interested in cutting these programs and political theater than he is in working toward real solutions.

“Trump’s talk about ‘law and order’ is a smokescreen for yet another power grab on his quest to become a dictator. Trump has abused his power to militarize DC, rewrite history in our museums, and accuse his enemies of vast conspiracies. Threatening Chicago is just his latest move toward autocracy.

“Chicagoans will not be intimidated by a thug. The moment Trump deploys troops, Chicago should take a page out of California’s playbook and sue. I will do everything I can to work with our local and state government to protect my constituents.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on CNN’s State of the Union where he laid out the Democratic agenda to lift up the American people and combat Donald Trump’s scheme to try to steal the midterm elections.

DANA BASH: Here with me now is House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Congressman from New York. Thank you so much for being here, Mr. Leader. You met with your Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, last month about possibly redrawing New York’s maps. Is this something you can even do in New York? And if so, how many seats could you gain? And could you do it before the midterms?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, good morning. It’s great to be with you. I’ve been in touch, of course, with Governor Kathy Hochul as well as the legislative leaders. House Democrats are going to respond from coast to coast and at all points in between, as has been done in California, forcefully, immediately and appropriately, to make sure that Donald Trump cannot steal the midterm elections.

DANA BASH: Okay, can you be more specific? Let’s just talk about New York, where you obviously have a window into what’s going on there. We know what California is doing. They’re gonna try to get this on the ballot. What can you do in New York? Is it even feasible to redraw the maps before the midterms?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Texas acted in a way to try and rig the congressional maps so they could add a couple of different seats to the Republican column. Understand that Republicans right now have the narrowest majority—just a three-seat majority—of any party since the Great Depression. And they have no track record of accomplishment to be able to successfully run on, which is why they are running scared. California responded forcefully, thanks to the leadership of the Governor, the legislative leaders, the members of the California congressional delegation led by Zoe Lofgren and Pete Aguilar and we will continue to respond when necessary across the country. Right now, this has happened in Texas. California has responded. Let’s see what comes next.

DANA BASH: So is there not a plan yet in New York? Is that what I’m hearing?

LEADER JEFFRIES: There’s a plan to respond as appropriately in New York and in other parts of the country as the circumstances dictate.

DANA BASH: Well, speaking of circumstances, Republicans are already looking beyond Texas, and if you look at the map, they could, adding it all up, get about six to eight seats if, big if, they’re successful in redrawing maps in other GOP-led states. Are you worried that that could be enough right there to prevent you from retaking the House?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Not at all. Listen, as Democrats, we’re focused on making life better for the American people, driving down the high cost of living. Right now, America is too expensive. Housing costs are too high. Grocery costs are too high. Electricity bills are through the roof. All of this is happening on Donald Trump’s watch. He promised to lower the high costs of living, in fact, to lower the high cost of living on day one. Costs aren’t going down, they are going up. As Democrats, we are going to focus as well on fixing our broken healthcare system and cleaning up corruption. So we have an affirmative agenda that is compelling that we will continue to present to the American people. The Republicans have failed. That is why they are running scared.

DANA BASH: I want to move on to other issues, but first, I do just have to ask—you talk a lot about Texas, as do other Democrats. You supported a move in your state of New York where Democrats—you wanted to throw out congressional maps that were drawn by the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission. You praised New York’s state legislature for redrawing new ones. Is criticizing Texas hypocritical given what you pushed for in your own state?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, so let’s go into the actual facts. The map was not drawn by the Independent Redistricting Commission. The map was drawn by a special master who was put into place by a random right-wing judge in Steuben County. That was problem number one. Now, the court then ordered a redraw so that the process could actually be completed consistent with the constitution of the state of New York and that is what occurred. Third, what’s important is that in New York, the redrawn map that was actually adopted by the legislature was adopted on a bipartisan basis. Democrats and Republicans in the Assembly voted for the map because the redraw was fair. That’s not what’s happening in Texas. In Texas, this is a racial partisan gerrymander ordered by Donald Trump as part of an effort to rig the midterm elections, and we’re not going to let it happen. And at the end of the day, we were 24 seats down during Donald Trump’s first midterm election in 2018. We won 40 seats in 2018. There’s no way that Republicans can mathematically gerrymander their way to an artificial victory next year.

DANA BASH: Speaking of math, I do want to ask about a New York Times investigation showing that Democrats are losing registered voters in all 30 states that track party registration. We’re putting on the screen the data. It shows altogether Democrats have lost 2.1 million voters. Republicans have gained 2.4 million. That’s a deficit that you have of 4.5 million voters. Why are voters turning away from your party? What is the problem?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Most of that activity, as I understand it, has occurred in Florida and Texas, and certainly it is the case that nationally we’re going to have to invest more in these two red states. At the end of the day, it’s also going to be important for us to continue to make clear to the American people what we stand for as Democrats. We believe in a strong floor and no ceiling. In this country, you work hard, you play by the rules, there should be no ceiling as to what success you can accomplish for yourself, for your family, for your children, for your grandchildren and your community. At the same period of time, we do as Democrats believe in a strong floor. That’s a strong floor that is anchored in Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid, veterans benefits, nutritional assistance and the Affordable Care Act, the things that Republicans are actually trying to detonate. That’s the difference between Republicans and Democrats and the more we can lean into what we stand for as a party, the better off we’ll be moving forward.

DANA BASH: There is new reporting this morning that President Trump has a detailed plan. It’s been in the works for weeks, apparently, to send National Guard troops into Chicago. What is your plan as the Democratic Leader in the House to fight that?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I strongly support the statement that was issued by Governor Pritzker, making clear that one, there’s no basis, no authority for Donald Trump to potentially try to drop federal troops into the city of Chicago. There’s been no request from the state of Illinois, no request at all for federal assistance. I support the Chicago Police Department. I support the New York Police Department. These are men and women who have taken an oath to protect and serve these communities and they do a great job of that. And we should continue to support local law enforcement and not simply allow Donald Trump to play games with the lives of the American people as part of his effort to manufacture a crisis and create a distraction because he’s deeply unpopular. The One Big Ugly Bill is deeply unpopular. Ripping healthcare away from millions of Americans is unpopular. Enacting tax breaks for their billionaire donors is deeply unpopular and that’s why a lot of this is taking place, Dana.

DANA BASH: Do you think it’s manufactured that Americans, even likely in the city of Chicago, are worried about crime?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Of course, people are going to be worried about public safety all across America. I represent a community that for decades has had to deal with the crack cocaine epidemic, the failed War on Drugs, gunshots going off at different points in time in communities. So, of course, all of us will continue to focus on making sure we can drive down crime whenever and wherever it is taking place. This is not about the American people. The American people understandably want safer communities. As Democrats, we want safer communities. We want to continue to make sure that crime can go down, as it’s doing in Chicago, in New York, in Washington, D. C. and other places. And to do that, we should support local law enforcement. We should make sure that the flood of guns into these communities is cut off. We should make sure we’re dealing with the mental health crisis that exists all across the United States of America, and by the way, which Donald Trump is exacerbating by cutting funds to actually help people who are dealing with emotional distress.

DANA BASH: I want to ask you about something that President Trump is doing here in Washington, which is—he’s launched a review of the Smithsonian Museums because he says, quote, everything discussed is how horrible our country is, how bad slavery was. You’re the highest-ranking African American in the U.S. government. What do you think?

LEADER JEFFRIES: There is no good aspect of slavery. And so, Donald Trump is once again behaving like a racial arsonist, and it’s extraordinary that he would make such a historically ignorant statement. The Smithsonian should continue to hold the line and make sure that this very painful part of American history is not erased, but is understood by everyone across this country and throughout the world.

DANA BASH: Is there anything that you can do from your perch in Congress to protect the way that you describe the Smithsonian and how they describe history?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Donald Trump does not have control of the Smithsonian as an institution. Actually, the chair of the Smithsonian board, as I understand it, is Chief Justice John Roberts. And so, we’re going to continue to support the Smithsonian. And we’re going to continue to make sure we fight back against any effort to erase our history and as Democrats, continue to make sure that at this moment in time, we are fighting hard to make life better for the American people in this country. Work hard, play by the rules, live the good life. Good-paying job, good housing, good healthcare, good education for your children and a good retirement.

DANA BASH: You have yet to endorse Zohran Mamdani, who, of course, your party elected about two months ago to be the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City. As a New Yorker, what does he need to do to secure your endorsement?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we had a very candid and constructive and community-centered conversation a few weeks ago before he went off to Africa. I’ve, of course, been on the road for the last several weeks, dealing in part with the Republican effort to try to rig the midterm elections through their gerrymandering scheme. But Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and myself are scheduled to sit down with him in the next few days. I look forward to that conversation.

DANA BASH: What do you want to hear from him? What’s missing? I mean, it’s pretty, just for context, it’s pretty unusual for a high-ranking Democrat like yourself to withhold the endorsement of your party’s nominee for a candidate for New York City Mayor. So what are you hoping to hear from him that you haven’t yet?

LEADER JEFFRIES: I don’t think we’ve withheld an endorsement. We are engaging in a conversation about the future of New York City, about the issues that need to be addressed, particularly the housing crisis and the Assemblyman has actually spoken pretty forcefully and strongly about the need to deal with affordability in the city of New York. Of course, we’ve got to figure out moving forward how we turn proposals into actual plans so that he is successful if he becomes the next Mayor, because we need the city to be successful and certainly the communities that I represent, which have been subjected to gentrification and housing displacement. These are all issues to be worked through and we’ll continue to work through them. As I mentioned, we’re sitting down next week.

DANA BASH: Does it have anything to do with the fact that he hasn’t denounced using the term or endorsed—supporting the term globalize the intifada?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, listen, I’ve raised several of the issues with him privately, as well as publicly spoken about some of the concerns that I’ve had. But at this particular moment, we’re going to keep those conversations moving forward. They will continue to be candid and constructive. And I’m looking forward to sitting down with him in the next few days, along with Chairwoman Yvette Clarke, who represents the neighboring congressional district to mine right here in the heart of central Brooklyn.

DANA BASH: One last final quick question, because we are out of time. The government is going to run out of money on September 30, in about a month. The President has not yet met with you or the Democratic Leader in the Senate. Any plans that you know of?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, it’s my expectation that at some point upon our return to Washington, we will have a conversation with President Trump and perhaps Republican leadership about making sure we avoid a painful government shutdown. But we have to fund the government in a way that meets the needs of the health, the safety, the economic well-being and the national security of the American people. As Democrats in the House, we are not going to accept a partisan spending bill that continues to harm and hurt everyday Americans and rewards their billionaire donors. They did that with respect to the One Big Ugly Bill that’s now law. Not a single Democrat in the House and the Senate supported it. And so, if they want to move forward in a bipartisan way, then we actually have to solve problems for hardworking American taxpayers, not create a country of the billionaires, by the billionaires and for the billionaires.

DANA BASH: Okay, Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. Thanks so much for being here. I appreciate it.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you.

Full interview can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

GLENS FALLS, NY – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL) joined advocates, union members, and community members in Glens Falls for a town hall to expose how Republican policies are harming the region, answer attendees’ questions, and present a more just, equitable vision for the nation.

Since January, President Trump and Republicans in Congress have pushed policies that cut essential services and increase the cost of health care, groceries, utilities, student loans, and more — all while handing massive tax breaks to corporations and the ultra-wealthy. The Republican budget law threatens working families in New York, Massachusetts, and across the country.

The Republicans’ “Big Ugly Bill”, signed by President Trump on July 4th, is expected to cost 17 million Americans their health insurance and take food away from 4 million people in order to funnel billions to tax giveaways for corporations and the ultra-wealthy and turbo-charge the administration’s mass deportation machine. 

Glens Falls, NY is currently represented in Congress by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik who did not respond to the invitation to join.

“Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill is an assault on every person who calls this country home and a shameful betrayal of our shared humanity,” said Rep. Pressley. “That’s why I was proud to join Reps. Balint and Tonko to let the people of Glens Falls, of the Massachusetts 7th, and across the country know that we refuse to accept this injustice as an inevitability, and we will always fight for you. Trump and Republicans – like Rep. Elise Stefanik – refuse to face their constituents because they know their policy violence will make people across America sicker, poorer, hungrier, and more vulnerable. We will not let them hide from their cuts to healthcare, to food assistance, to abortion care – because lives depend on it and families deserve more.”

“I was so proud to join my Progressive Caucus colleagues in Glens Falls to highlight the devastating consequences of the GOP’s Big, Ugly Bill for working families here in New York and across the nation,” said Rep. Tonko.  “We heard powerful stories from so many community members who are already feeling the impact of this disastrous legislation, and those voices will guide us in Washington as we continue our fierce advocacy on behalf of those we serve. While Republicans hide from defending their indefensible budget, my colleagues and I stand firmly with our communities and stand ready to give them the tools they need to join us in fighting back.”

“Americans need to hear directly from Progressives on our vision for the future. A future where life can be easier, where dreams and opportunities feel within reach, and no one worries about deciding between health care and making rent. We can build an America that truly works for working people and delivers real progress on the things that matter.” said Rep. Balint. “In Glens Falls, Elise Stefanik refuses to listen to or show up for her constituents. And Americans need us to stand up for our democracy, for our rights, and for our freedom to live without the crushing burden of corporate greed. I’m so proud to cross the border to New York with my colleagues to make sure every voice is heard.”

The town hall provided a chance for community members to get their questions answered, find resources, connect to local organizations working for community justice, and hear about a progressive vision for our nation. Questions focused on the harm caused by the Republican budget bill, threats to health care, rising costs for working people, and the need for elected representatives to be truly accountable to their constituents. 

“It was so inspiring to see three Congress people show up to answer questions in a Town Hall in our district!” said Doreen Miller, a member of Indivisible ADK/Saratoga. “Our Congress person, Elise Stefanik, has not shown up in years to talk to us and explain her reasoning for her votes.  We need representation in Congress too!”

“Glens Falls showed up tonight because folks are sick of paying higher prices while billionaires get giveaways, and they want answers,” said Catherine Rowland, PCAF’s Director of Government Affairs & Access. “Tonight was about making sure communities get those answers and giving real people a platform to demand better from this Republican Congress.”

“CWA is very proud to stand with our fellow labor, community, and elected allies to help foster both discussion and a plan to fight back against these continued attacks on our jobs, livelihoods, and freedoms.” said Dennis Trainor, Vice President CWA District 1. “Many of those currently in power have abandoned working families and laid waste to our communities and the unions that have helped build them over generations, and we will not sit idly by while the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” deepens the country’s affordability crisis and leaves millions without healthcare and out of work. We will make sure that every New Yorker understands the impact of this bill, and who is responsible for the biggest tax cuts for the wealthy, while taking away healthcare from millions of Americans.”

“We are under attack by a cruel budget that strips health care, food, and opportunity from working people while lining the pockets of billionaires,” said Ravo Root, Lead Organizer at Citizen Action of New York. “When our neighbors come together like this—sharing stories, building power, and demanding accountability—we remind those in Washington that we are organized, we are watching, and we will not stop until our communities get the justice and investment we deserve.”

“Events like this are so important for our community,” said Samantha Herman, a member of Indivisible ADK/Saratoga. “Many in the community identify as Republican, but are being harmed by the policies of those who are meant to represent them. Town halls such as these should be more common so the people can understand what is happening and ensure their voices are heard.”

Congresswoman Pressley has been an outspoken critic of Trump and Republicans’ harmful legislation since its inception.

• Upon the passage of Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the cruel legislation.
• Rep. Pressley joined colleagues at a press conference imploring the House to reject the cruel and harmful legislation.
• Rep. Pressley joined the Congressional Black Caucus and over 100 colleagues in stalling a vote on the Big, Ugly Bill.  
• Rep. Pressley and Rep. Diana DeGette, Co-Chairs of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, filed an amendment to the bill to protect and expand reproductive healthcare.
• Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Senate’s passage of the Big, Ugly Bill and vowing to continue fighting it using every tool available.
• Ahead of the third anniversary if the Dobbs decision, Rep. Pressley and her colleagues stood in solidarity with Planned Parenthood and condemned the proposed cuts to reproductive healthcare under Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill.
• Rep. Pressley and author Darrick Hamilton authored a Washington Post op-ed in which they discussed the regressive, ineffective “Trump Accounts” provision of Republicans’ reconciliation bill and urged Congress to instead embrace Baby Bonds to advance economic justice.
• Rep. Pressley rallied with advocates from Caring Across Generations, Care Can’t Wait, and partner organizations to protest Trump’s and Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill that proposes disastrous cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential programs and would leave communities sicker, poorer, and more vulnerable.
• Ahead of the House’s vote on the bill, Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned speech on the House floor in which she made a direct appeal to her Republican colleagues to oppose this cruel and harmful bill.
• Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she slammed the bill’s proposed Medicaid cuts, which would decimate reproductive healthcare in America and worsen maternal health outcomes.
• Rep. Pressley co-hosted a press conference with Color of Change to oppose the Republicans’ cruel and harmful budget reconciliation package, which would gut critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
• Rep. Pressley rallied with caregivers, advocates, and fellow lawmakers at a 24-hour vigil to protect Medicaid from Republicans’ cruel budget cuts that would devastate communities across this country.
• In the House Oversight Committee’s markup of the Republican reconciliation bill, Rep. Pressley demanded Republicans answer to the families who would go hungry by way of this reconciliation bill – and she was met with silence.
• In the House Financial Services Committee’s markup of the Republican reconciliation bill, Rep. Pressley condemned the bill’s proposed cuts to Medicaid and shared the story of Mary Marinelli, a 70-year-old hospice nurse from a Republican district in Michigan whose family depends on Medicaid to care for their autistic son.
• In an impassioned speech on the House floor, Rep. Pressley slammed Republicans’ cruel and callous budget resolution that would slash Medicaid and other critical government services to pay for trillions of dollars in tax giveaways for Donald Trump’s billionaire donors.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, D.C. – Today Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE), co-chair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency announced action on Small Refinery Exemption petitions.

“Renewable fuels provide homegrown, reliable, and affordable energy to power American energy security. As we celebrate 20 years of the RFS, small refinery exemptions should be an extraordinary exception rather than a part of the business plan. I appreciate Administrator Zeldin’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the RFS and look forward to hearing more details about how today’s announcement will be incorporated into the overall volumes for future obligation years.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) reintroduced two bipartisan bills to improve the domestic specialty crop industry—the Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act and the Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act. California produces the most specialty crops in the country in both quantity and diversity, with over 400 commodities produced in the state per year. These bills would make technology and resources available so they can access new markets and remain competitive.

Congressman Valadao originally introduced these bills in the 118th Congress.

“Specialty crops are a cornerstone of Central Valley agriculture, but due to challenges like labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and rising costs, it’s been difficult for farmers to stay competitive,” said Congressman Valadao. “We need to ensure our growers are best equipped to handle these obstacles, and these bills will give them the tools needed to expand into new markets, invest in modern technology, and continue putting fresh, nutritious food on tables across the country.”

“CFF is again proud to have worked with the California Table Grape Commission to co-lead this collaborative effort to promote U.S. produce domestically and help equip our farmers with the tools and technologies they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. I would like to thank Congressman Valadao for reintroducing these bills that aim to support the modern needs of American agriculture. These bills will support farmers and their employees to ensure that America continues to be a global leader in agricultural production,” said President of the California Fresh Fruit Association, Daniel Hartwig.

“California table grape growers are grateful to Congressman Valadao for his leadership in reintroducing the Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act and the Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act. These measures address two of the most pressing challenges our industry faces—expanding consumer demand and addressing critical labor shortages. Investments in market development will help ensure consumers know when U.S.-grown produce is in season and available, while mechanization assistance will support growers in overcoming labor challenges. Together, these efforts strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops, provide consumers with greater access to healthy, nutritious produce, and support the long-term viability of family farms in California and across the nation,”
said President of the California Table Grape Commission, Ian LeMay.

Additional co-sponsors include: Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09), Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-21), and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01).

The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act would create a program that helps specialty crop producers market their products to access American markets. It replicates the popular Market Access Program (MAP) through USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) specifically for specialty crop producers to break into niche domestic markets.

Read the full text of the bill here.

The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act makes it easier for specialty crop producers to remain competitive in the face of labor shortages by making expensive automation technology more accessible to producers. This bill aims to create a reimbursement-based cost-share program which would permit growers and processors to invest more in these time and money-saving technologies.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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