MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced a resolution declaring that Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted sex trafficker and longtime co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, must not receive a presidential pardon, commutation, or any other form of clemency. The legislation follows recent revelations that Maxwell is seeking clemency in exchange for testimony about Epstein. In a recent letter to the House Oversight Committee, Maxwell’s attorney stated that she would be “willing and eager to testify openly and honestly…if she were to receive clemency,” but otherwise would remain silent.

“Ghislaine Maxwell enabled one of the most appalling child exploitation networks in modern history. Her conviction was not only just, it was necessary,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “The idea that she could now bargain for clemency insults every survivor and undermines our justice system. The message must be clear: no one gets to traffic children and then negotiate their way out of accountability.”

The resolution comes amid continued efforts by the Trump administration to block the public release of the Epstein files, raising broader concerns about transparency, accountability, and potential political interference. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on multiple charges, including sex trafficking of minors, for her role in grooming and transporting girls to be abused by Epstein and others. Currently, she is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi was joined in introducing the resolution by Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Lou Correa (D-CA), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Dina Titus (D-NV), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), and Eric Swalwell (D-CA).

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) partnered with his bipartisan colleagues to reintroduce the Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act, landmark bipartisan legislation to prohibit Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading individual stocks, securities, commodities, or futures. Joining the congressman in introducing the bill were Reps. Michael Cloud (R-TX), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Josh Riley (D-NY), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA).

“When Members of Congress hold financial assets that stand to be affected by their own policy decisions, it creates not just the appearance, but often the reality, of a conflict of interest,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “The ETHICS Act is the most comprehensive reform ever proposed to eliminate those conflicts and restore Americans’ trust that their elected representatives are working for the public good, not personal gain.”

“The American people need to know that when their elected officials are making decisions, they’re doing so based on what’s best for the country, not what’s best for their own stock portfolios,” Congressman Cloud said. “The ETHICS Act brings long-overdue reform that bans Members of Congress and their families from trading individual stocks. Reforms like this help shift the focus back to where it belongs—the American people.”

“Upstate New York knows what it’s like to be sold out by greed on Wall Street and corruption in our politics,” Congressman Riley said. “That’s why I want to ban corporate PAC money from influencing our elections, impose term limits, and crack down on self-dealing in Congress. I’m proud to introduce the ETHICS Act alongside a bipartisan group of colleagues to ban Members from trading stocks. If you’re in Congress, you should focus on serving the people, not yourself.”

“When it comes to owning and trading stocks, Members of Congress must be above reproach,” Congresswoman Kiggans said. “The ETHICS Act will ensure no Member of Congress can use their power and position to enrich themselves. When more and more Americans are losing trust in our institutions, including Congress, this bipartisan bill is one way we can begin to restore that trust.”

According to the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center, before the stock market was shaken by the onset of the global pandemic, dozens of House and Senate members made over a thousand financial transactions after receiving closed-door briefings. In 2022, Members of Congress made more than 12,700 individual trades, with dozens of members making above-average gains as Wall Street saw its worst year since 2008. A 2022 New York Times investigation reported a fifth of all lawmakers trading in companies directly related to their work on a congressional committee. Even in a divided political climate, polling consistently shows that 70 percent of voters support banning members of Congress from holding individual stocks, including majorities of Democratic, Independent, and Republican voters.

The ETHICS Act would bar members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading individual stocks, securities, commodities, or futures. Lawmakers often have advance notice of investigations, hearings, and legislation that can impact stock prices or can move markets by supporting or enacting policy changes that affect specific companies or industries. The legislation gives several options to members of Congress who own covered assets, including divesting, diversifying into allowable assets, such as mutual funds, or placing assets into a Qualified Blind Trust (QBT). The ETHICS Act addresses concerns about Qualified Blind Trusts not being truly blind with new, enhanced provisions requiring divestiture of assets that go into the Qualified Blind Trust. The ETHICS Act strengthens congressional ethics, bans conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest, and increases transparency in Congress.

The ETHICS Act includes strong penalties with enforcement by respective Congressional Ethics Offices. If Members or their covered family members continue to hold or trade in violation of the Act, the fine will be at least the value of the Members’ monthly pay. The ETHICS Act also expands on disclosure requirements under 2012’s Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

COLUMBUS, OH – Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) hosted “Medicaid & Medicare Matter: From Coverage to Crisis,” a roundtable discussion with Central Ohio health policy advocates, county health officials, and community leaders to examine the real-life consequences of historic Medicaid cuts enacted by Republicans’ H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

Marking the 60th anniversary of the enactment of Medicaid and Medicare, the event spotlighted the critical role these programs play in ensuring access to health care for millions of Americans and the implications OBBBA’s devastating cuts will have on individuals, families, and health systems in Ohio and across the country.

For Congresswoman Beatty, a long-time health equity advocate, “This isn’t policy—it’s personal. These cuts will strip coverage, bankrupt families, and shut down vital care facilities across Ohio,” Beatty said. 

“Just weeks ago, President Trump signed into law what he calls the One Big Beautiful Bill. But there is nothing beautiful about stripping health care from millions of Americans. That’s why House Democrats and I call it what it truly is: the One Big Ugly Law,” said Beatty.

Featured panelists included:

• Joy Bivens – Franklin County Deputy County Administrator of Department of Health and Human Services
• Fran Ryan – Former Columbus City Councilmember and Community Leader
• Anthony Trotman – Public Sector Executive; Medicaid Policy Advisor; and former Director of the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services
• Katie White  – Administrator of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
• State Senator Beth Liston, MD, PhD – Virtual Appearance – A physician, educator and Assistant Minority Whip of the Ohio Senate who serves as the Ranking Member of the Medicaid Committee, the Health Committee, and the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee. 

In addition to discussing OBBBA’s Medicaid cuts, participants also addressed the importance of protecting Medicare from future threats and how the two programs often work together to ensure health care access for seniors. Taken together, OBBBA’s policies will have significant consequences for health care delivery across Ohio at both the state and county levels. Following a moderated panel discussion on these topics, Central Ohio community leaders had the opportunity to ask questions and share concerns about health care affordability, access to care, and local and state health care infrastructure.

This event was part of a national effort by House Democrats during the August District Work Period to spotlight the human cost of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, uplift community voices, and affirm their commitment to defend and strengthen access to health care for all Americans, especially the most vulnerable. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN), Mark Alford (R-MO), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI) and Mark Messmer (R-IN) reintroduced the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act to strengthen the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) BioPreferred Program.

This bipartisan legislation will increase market access for bio-based products and help ensure that the United States remains the world’s leader in biomanufacturing. 

Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“Increasing market access for biomanufacturers benefits the environment, strengthens our economy, creates good-paying jobs and opens ups opportunities for Minnesota’s family farmers,” said Rep. Craig. “I’m proud to be introducing this bipartisan bill to stabilize markets for bio-based products and ensure America remains the world leader in biomanufacturing.”

“The USDA’s Bio Preferred Program is a game-changer for industries worldwide — and it starts with America’s farmers and ranchers,” said Rep. Alford. “Through this program, they turn homegrown agricultural feedstocks into biobased products that power our economy. This legislation safeguards and strengthens their access to these critical markets. I’m proud to team up with Reps. Craig, McDonald Rivet, and Messmer to champion this vital effort for our producers and our future!”

“We need to find innovative ways to support growers and help our economy thrive. This bill will help strengthen markets for farmers, fortify American biomanufacturing jobs, and stand up to foreign competitors,” said Rep. McDonald Rivet. “Our coalition of Democrats and Republicans is standing together to support Michigan’s hardworking farmers and ensure we continue producing here at home, not overseas.”

“American farm goods don’t just reach the dinner table. They fill fuel tanks, stock supply closets, and even fight fires,” said Rep. Messmer. “By encouraging the expansion of our biobased supply chain, this legislation invests in the rural innovator and the American farmer. I am proud to support the biobased industry in Indiana’s Eighth District through the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act.“

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08), along with  Representative Norma Torres (CA-35), and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) and the entire California Democratic Congressional Delegation secured the release of nearly $7 billion, congressionally-appropriated funding for K-12 schools and adult education. The funds included $928 million owed to California public schools.

Trump reversed course and released the funds after pressure from Democrats, including from a letter that was sent to the Department of Education (ED) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) demanding the funds be released.

“With the new school year fast approaching, it’s essential that schools have the complete information they need to plan their budgets effectively,” said Congressman Garamendi. “I’m glad this crucial funding has been reinstated for the 5.8 million K-12 students in California who depend on federal funds to ensure teachers remain in the classroom and students receive the high-quality education they deserve. Democrats will continue to stand against the chaos created by the Trump administration and fight to ensure every California student has access to a strong public education.”

Background:

With the start of the new school year approaching in California, on June 30, 2025, the Trump Administration gave states just one day’s notice that these critical funds would be indefinitely frozen past their typical release on July 1.  

As a result, California schools would have been forced to roll back programs, lay off staff, and cut services that help students thrive. Last week, the Trump administration relented, ultimately restoring the $928 million owed to California, and $7 billion owed to schools across the country after Democrats’ pressure.

With nearly 5.8 million K-12 students in California, the illegal freezing of these Congressionally appropriated funds is already hurting our schools and students. Many school districts had already budgeted for these federal dollars, leaving them scrambling to fill massive funding gaps just weeks before the school year begins. The withheld funding included vital investments in:

• Reducing class sizes and teacher recruitment and retention, especially in underserved areas.
• After-school, before-school, and summer learning programs in low-income communities.
• School-based mental health services, accelerated learning courses, STEM education, and college and career counseling.
• Academic Support for English learners and children of migrant workers.
• Adult education and workforce readiness programs.

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

WASHINGTON – Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9) and Robert Aderholt (AL-4), both Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, released the following statements on a possible peaceful settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia:

Co-Chairman Cohen said:

“I have many Armenian friends and I’m very happy to see these two nations and their people come together in peace, for they are good people. Having been a Co-Chair of the Azerbaijan Caucus for years, I know how much Azerbaijan has been supportive of the United States.” 

Co-Chairman Aderholt said:

“I welcome the announcement of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, brokered through the leadership of President Donald J. Trump. As a Co-Chair of the Azerbaijan Caucus, I have consistently supported efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to this longstanding conflict.

“This agreement is a significant step forward and yet another powerful example of what strong American diplomacy can achieve. I commend President Trump and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff for their leadership in helping to bring both sides together and for working toward a more stable and secure future for the Armenian and Azerbaijani people. This is a moment of hope, and I pray it leads to lasting peace in the region.”

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

Discussing his work with 9th District constituents at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church

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

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) issued the following statement after the passing of Reverend Don Fado. 

“We have lost a powerful voice for justice and compassion with the passing of my friend Reverend Don Fado,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Throughout his decades of ministry, Don embodied the true spirit of service—standing with the marginalized and living his faith through action. His commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and social justice reflected his dedication to ensuring that love and dignity knew no bounds. In retirement, he poured his heart into the Sacramento community—feeding the hungry, sheltering the unhoused, and making sure everyone felt they belonged. Don leaves behind a legacy rooted in courage, kindness, and an unwavering devotion to the greater good. My prayers are with Jean, their children, and all of Don’s loved ones during this difficult time.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the anniversary of the August 7, 1998, attacks on U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

“Today we honor the heroes who were killed in the August 7, 1998, attacks on the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania when Al Qaeda attacked with near-simultaneous truck bombs. Among the 213 people who lost their lives in the tragic attacks were 12 Americans—career diplomats, intelligence officers and Department of Defense personnel—alongside foreign service nationals and local staff. Their families successfully advocated for the creation of the State Department’s Office of Casualty Assistance (OCA) in 1999 to ensure support for the loved ones of U.S. personnel killed or injured overseas. As we reflect on their sacrifice—and the contributions of the brave American and local personnel who rebuilt our diplomatic presence in these countries after that tragedy—we must also reaffirm our commitment to those who serve the United States today. The abrupt closure of the OCA dishonors the memory of the 1998 victims, and the service of Americans stationed abroad. The U.S. must continue to ensure that in the face of tragedy, our diplomats and their families receive the respect, care and support they deserve.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio requesting information and documents in light of concerning reports that the Trump administration would destroy hundreds of tons of now-spoiled emergency food commodities after it failed to distribute them before they expired. 

The food provisions have already been paid for by the American taxpayer and could have provided life-saving nourishment to millions of hungry people around the world. These reports come even after the Secretary testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in May that there would be “no State Department delays” in distributing life-saving emergency food aid abroad. Following that testimony, Meeks had sent a letter to Secretary Rubio asking him to clarify his dubious claim that no one had died as a result of the administration’s deep cuts to foreign assistance.  

Text of the letter is below. A PDF copy of the letter is available here.

Dear Secretary Rubio,

I write to express serious concern regarding reports that nearly 500 metric tons of emergency food assistance procured by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is set to be destroyed instead of reaching recipients in need. The U.S. government had reportedly already purchased $800,000 worth of high energy biscuits, which were stored in a warehouse in Dubai and could have fed as many as 1.5 million children for a week. It is unacceptable that USAID and Department of State officials would allow these supplies to expire on shelves rather than distribute them to food insecure populations, and the agency leaders who permitted this morally reprehensible waste of taxpayer dollars must be held accountable.

Media reports indicate that the U.S. government must pay an additional $125,000 to incinerate the emergency food in line with a policy requiring the destruction of any expired food commodities. This is an egregious misuse of taxpayer funding that will result in nearly $1 million dollars of waste. It also could have been avoided, given that USAID staff made agency leadership aware of the need to distribute this emergency food aid well before its expiration date, including by documenting the situation in memoranda reportedly sent to agency leadership on May 5, 2025, and May 19, 2025. If not for President Trump’s harmful aid freeze and agency officials’ inaction to approve this shipment in the proper timeframe, this emergency food aid would have reached beneficiaries in time.

This situation is emblematic of challenges arising from the Trump Administration’s hasty and haphazard dismantling of USAID and its efforts to subsume it into the State Department—namely, sweeping terminations of experienced staff, program freezes and cancellations, and disruptions to waiver and distribution authorities.

During your testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on May 21, 2025, Committee Vice Ranking Member Gabe Amo specially inquired about the State Department’s delays in shipping Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) supplies. He detailed a situation involving 123,000 boxes of lifesaving RUTF purchased by the U.S. government to feed malnourished children in Sudan left sitting in a Rhode Island warehouse for months because the appropriate government officials had not signed off on the transportation contracts needed to move it. You responded that “there were no State Department delays” in getting that food out and stated, “we are going to continue to do food aid.” Yet at that very moment, it appears that memoranda sat in front of your USAID leadership team warning them that emergency food assistance was at risk of expiring, and no one acted to send the food out in time.

The Washington Post’s “Fact Checker” has already awarded you four Pinocchios for your claim during your May testimony to the Committee that “no one has died” because of USAID cuts. Now it seems your assertions that there were no delays in food aid distribution are also false. As the Congressional committee responsible for oversight of foreign assistance, the Foreign Affairs Committee has a clear interest in understanding the stewardship of foreign assistance resources and in agencies’ capacity to accountably manage lifesaving aid, including commodities. As such, I request that you please respond in writing to the following questions by August 12, 2025.

1. Has the State Department now destroyed the approximately 500 metric tons of expired high energy biscuits reportedly allowed to expire? Are there additional U.S. food assistance commodities in warehouses that are at risk of expiring?
2. Are press reports accurate that estimate nearly $1 million in total cost to the American taxpayer associated with the procurement and incineration of these food supplies? What is the exact cost?
3. Which official(s) received memoranda requesting their approval on the delivery of this assistance before it expired?
4. Why did such officials fail to approve the distribution of these commodities before they expired?
5. Have any senior USAID or State Department staff been held accountable for this failure to use USAID-procured emergency food assistance before it expired? If so, what position(s) do they hold and what disciplinary action did the State Department take? If not, why not?

Additionally, I request copies of all USAID and State Department communications (to include, but not limited to, cables, memoranda, emails, and electronic messages) generated since January 20, 2025 that refer or relate to the distribution or potential expiration of food assistance commodities, with productions of these agency documents to begin on a rolling basis by August 19, 2025 and conclude on a timeline negotiated on a good-faith basis with the Committee.

This Administration has displayed a troubling pattern of squandering lifesaving foreign assistance resources and commodities rather than using them to reach people in need around the globe to extend American influence and goodwill. This is a textbook example of government waste and an affront to the generosity of the American people. I look forward to your responses and transparency regarding this important matter.