Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:
The baseless indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James is part of Donald Trump’s corrupt weaponization of the criminal justice system against anyone who has sought to hold him accountable.
Attorney General James has courageously been at the forefront of successfully challenging the Trump administration’s lawless and deeply unpopular overreach. At all times, she has followed the facts, applied the law and been guided by the Constitution.
The malicious prosecution of Attorney General James has no legitimate basis in law or fact, was brought by a corrupt political hack and will not survive scrutiny in a Court of Law.
Donald Trump continues to disgrace the presidency and the Department of Justice. Those sycophants who aid and abet the President’s vengeful schemes will not be able to hide from the serious legal consequences of their behavior. They will be held accountable.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement after the announcement of an initial U.S.-backed ceasefire framework between Israel and Hamas:
“The first phase of the ceasefire agreement is an important and long-overdue step toward ending a war that has caused immense human suffering and instability across the region. The agreement calls for the return of the remaining Israeli hostages and will surge urgently needed humanitarian aid into Gaza for Palestinians. Fulfilling those commitments is critical to reduce further suffering.
“This phase must be swiftly implemented and built upon to achieve a comprehensive, permanent ceasefire. The United States, working with partners in the region, must remain deeply engaged to ensure the agreement holds and moves forward with the remainder of the U.S.-backed plan that ends the war, prevents Hamas’s ability to govern or conduct military operations, ensures Israel’s long-term security, delivers sustained humanitarian assistance, rebuilds Gaza, and establishes a credible path toward political resolution and Palestinian self-determination.
“This agreement represents a necessary first step in reducing violence and advancing regional stability. Achieving lasting peace will require continued diplomacy, accountability, and a clear commitment from all parties to support a secure and sustainable future for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)
“We are elated by news that Israel and Hamas have come to an agreement to end the war in Gaza, release the hostages, and surge aid into Gaza. We thank President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and negotiators in allied and partner nations for their tireless efforts in service of peace over these past two years. Once all the hostages still held by Hamas are released, the Abraham Accords Caucus looks forward to reconvening Israel and its Arab partners in support of lasting peace, the disarming of Hamas, and rebuilding on foundations of stability and tolerance so that our ally Israel will never again be threatened.
WASHINGTON – Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Abraham Accords Caucus – Reps. Brad Schneider (IL-10), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Craig Goldman (TX-12) – released the following statement welcoming the announcement of a Middle East peace deal:
“We are elated by news that Israel and Hamas have come to an agreement to end the war in Gaza, release the hostages, and surge aid into Gaza. We thank President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and negotiators in allied and partner nations for their tireless efforts in service of peace over these past two years. Once all the hostages still held by Hamas are released, the Abraham Accords Caucus looks forward to reconvening Israel and its Arab partners in support of lasting peace, the disarming of Hamas, and rebuilding on foundations of stability and tolerance so that our ally Israel will never again be threatened.
“This devastating war began just over two years ago when Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, brutally slaughtered nearly 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, including Americans. The past two years have seen tragic devastation and many false starts toward peace. We have also seen the welcome dismantling of much of Iran’s proxy terror network across the region, and the decimation of Iran’s nefarious nuclear and missile programs.
“We are grateful for strong U.S. leadership across Democratic and Republican Administrations and staunch bipartisan support for Israel throughout the war, including by helping bring dozens of hostages home during the November 2023 ceasefire, as well as dozens more in early 2025. We are also appreciative of the efforts of the mediators who helped get the deal over the line. Our hearts are with the families of the hostages in Israel as they anxiously await reunification with their loved ones, and we share in the hope of Israelis and Palestinians alike as they look forward to a peaceful future and the end of Hamas’s reign of terror.
“In the 118th Congress, the Abraham Accords Caucus launched the Gaza Working Group to prepare for the ‘day after’ Hamas’s defeat and breathe new life into the Accords. Building on the success of those efforts, we stand ready to work with the White House, Israel, our allies in the region, and the international community to kickstart these conversations in support of long-term peace and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians and a better future for the entire Middle East. We are particularly enthusiastic to work with the Kingdom of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Morocco, and other Arab nations to deepen and expand the Accords to work towards a lasting peace in the region.”
The Abraham Accords Caucus, established to expand and deepen the historic Abraham Accords, serves as a forum for identifying and advancing strategic partnerships between Israel and its friends and neighbors. In the 118th Congress, Reps. Brad Schneider, Ann Wagner, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and David Trone launched the Gaza Working Group (GWG) within the Abraham Accords Caucus to guide regional efforts in rebuilding Gaza with a focus on thwarting extremism and ensuring lasting stability. Off-the-record, Member-level meetings allowed candid discussions with diplomats from Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing regional contributions to Gaza’s reconstruction and sustaining the momentum of normalization efforts to foster peace and mutual prosperity between Israel and partner nations. The GWG worked with diplomats from across the region, as well as with U.S. government agencies, think tanks, and development organizations to sharpen these ideas and assert the bipartisan role of Congress in promoting the Abraham Accords. We thank our counterparts in the U.S. government and partner nations for their engagement, as well as the many experts and practitioners who shared their insights.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9, 2025
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) released the following statement regarding the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas:
“The agreement to end the war in Gaza and bring home the remaining hostages offers a moment of relief and hope after two years of immense suffering.
“Far too many families have endured heartbreak and uncertainty. Their prayers — and the tireless work of U.S. diplomats and our partners in the area — have helped make this progress possible. I’d like to thank the president and his administration for their leadership in delivering this historic achievement.
“This is not the end of the story, but a step toward a safer, more stable Middle East. The coming days will require accountability and cooperation to ensure Hamas fully abides by its commitments and that Israel retains the means to defend itself against future threats.
“I will continue supporting efforts that advance peace, promote dignity, and strengthen democracy across the region.”
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Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. is a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. Previously, he served as a Texas State Representative and Texas Secretary of State.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)
WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Representative Mikie Sherrill released the following statement regarding the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas:
“I am deeply relieved that Israel and Hamas have reached an initial agreement to bring the remaining hostages held by Hamas home after more than two years in brutal captivity. Since Hamas’s October 7th terrorist attack, communities across the world, including in New Jersey, have come together every day to pray for and demand the safe return of the hostages. Today, those families and communities can know that there is a plan for their loved ones to finally come home.
“While there is still significant work to be done, this agreement is a vital starting point to permanently ending this conflict, protecting Israeli security with Hamas laying down its arms, and finally alleviating the famine and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I urge all parties to maintain their commitments from this agreement and take bold action to continue the peace process. Too many people have experienced pain and suffering for too long for us to allow this war to continue for even one more day. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas must allow unrestricted humanitarian and medical aid to reach civilians in Gaza immediately. Every delay means even more innocent civilians will die.
“The world is watching, and it is vital that President Trump continue every effort to negotiate the end of the war. American advocacy has been crucial to reaching this initial agreement, so I urge him and his administration to maintain America’s leadership, uphold America’s values, and do everything within their power to establish a lasting peace that will pave the way for a better future in the region. “
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)
Headline: Carter urges DOJ to investigate Soros role in left-wing violence
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi calling for an investigation into the role that groups backed by George Soros, such as the Open Society Foundations, have played in funding left-wing political violence.
The letter cites a growing trend of left-wing violence, including the recent politically-motivated assassination of Charlie Kirk.
In the letter, Carter writes: “There is growing concern, based on credible reporting, that George Soros’ Open Society Foundations have played a significant role in funding organizations associated with promoting political extremism and engage in or endorse actions that meet the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s definition of domestic terrorism.”
Cartercontinues: “The funding of organizations that engage in, support, or incite political violence must not be tolerated. I urge the Department of Justice to launch an immediate and comprehensive investigation into George Soros, the Open Society Foundations and their affiliates to determine whether they are in violation of any federal laws related to domestic terrorism, material support for violence, or other illegal activities targeting Americans based on political beliefs.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)
WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats are refusing to reopen the government to appease their Far-Left flank.
The House has already passed a clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution (CR) to fund essential services and keep the government open for the American people. President Trump and Congressional Republicans stand united behind that responsible plan.
Rather than pass that bill and reopen the government, Washington Democrats are prolonging the shutdown to satisfy their radical base — forcing their members to take increasingly unpopular votes in the process.
SCHUMER: EVERY DAY THE SHUTDOWN “GETS BETTER” FOR DEMOCRATS
Yesterday, Chuck Schumer — the engineer of this painful shutdown — said the following:
Most Americans want Democrats to end their disastrous government shutdown, according to a new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll.
This comes as servicemembers, TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and federal employees are set to miss their next paycheck, states are staring down an economic slow down, and layoffs could be imminent — all because of Democrats’ push to add $1.5 trillion in new partisan spending in exchange for ending their shutdown.
Key results:
70% oppose the government shutdown.
65% say Democrats should accept Republicans’ clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution.
62% say Republicans “will win the government shutdown.”
55% say Democrats are “just trying to please their base.”
Additional polling underscores the point. According to Morning Consult (Oct. 3–5, 2025): Voters are increasingly blaming Democrats in Congress for the shutdown — by six-points more than they did last week.
Among Independents, frustration with Democratic leadership continues to climb — showing that voters clearly see which party is keeping the government closed.
DRIVEN BY ACTIVISTS, NOT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
Rather than work across the aisle to reopen the government, Senator Schumer and Representative Jeffries are catering to the same radical groups organizing the “No Kings” protest on October 18 — groups that have spent weeks pressuring Democrats to shut the government down.
Axios reports that Schumer and his team even established a private “shutdown war room” with progressive activists, unions, and operatives — including MoveOn and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee — to coordinate messaging and strategy. The effort began weeks before the shutdown, with Schumer’s office sharing talking points and campaign-style materials to rally the Far-Left.
BOTTOM LINE
House Republicans did our job. Senate Democrats are stalling.
Democrats are keeping the government closed to protect themselves from their own radical activists. It’s time for Senator Schumer and Senate Democrats to stand up to the Far-Left, stop the theater, and join Republicans in reopening the government for the American people.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)
For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps
October 9, 2025 202-813-2793
PRESS RELEASE
CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CONTINUES EFFORTS FOR CUSTOMS DUTY RELIEF FOR U.S. TERRITORIES
Washington, D.C.— Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett provided an update on her continued engagement with the White House regarding customs duty requirements impacting U.S. territories outside the customs zone:
“Effective August 29, 2025, Executive Order 14324 – Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries – eliminated the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods valued at $800 or less entering from outside of the U.S. customs zone. This order affects the U.S. territories outside the customs zone (the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands) requiring residents to prepay customs duties on packages shipped to the fifty U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, which is the only U.S. territory inside the customs zone.
“The duty requirements apply only to packages leaving the territories—goods entering the Virgin Islands are not impacted by this change. While prices are increasing on many goods throughout the country for various reasons, the de minimis exemption suspension does not impact goods coming into the Virgin Islands.
“I am grateful for the continued engagement and dialogue on this critical issue with the Trump Administration and my territorial colleagues. I remain committed to working closely with my colleagues representing Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands to ensure our collective voices are heard and that we secure relief for all affected territories. The White House has demonstrated an acute awareness of the significant challenges this situation presents for the U.S. territories. In light of the current federal government shutdown, constituents have inquired whether we remain actively engaged in addressing this issue. I want to assure the people of the Virgin Islands that this remains a top priority. Through my office’s White House liaison—members of Congress are assigned White House liaisons to facilitate ongoing communication with the Administration—our engagement is positive and has continued without interruption.
“I remain committed to securing a solution, just as I successfully worked with the Trump Administration earlier this year to obtain an exemption for the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Caribbean from punitive port fees. I will continue working with the same determination to secure relief for the people of the Virgin Islands and all affected territories.”
Using the Zonos Prepay App
Residents shipping packages from the U.S. Virgin Islands to the fifty U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico must use the Zonos Prepay app to calculate and pay duties to U.S. Customs and Border Protection before visiting the Post Office. After creating an account, users must input information about all package contents, including the number of items, descriptions, country of origin, and value. The application calculates the duties owed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and charges a clearance and processing fee. Once completed, customers obtain a Declaration ID and QR Code, which USPS requires to accept packages for delivery from the U.S. territories to the fifty U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.
The Zonos Prepay Application is available for Apple devices here and for Android devices here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke at the Interfaith Rally and Vigil for Health Justice, where he underscored the vitality of protecting the healthcare of the American people in the face of the Republican healthcare crisis.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Are we here to save healthcare?
Are you ready to hold the line?
Are we in this fight until we win this fight on behalf of the American people?
What an honor and a privilege to be here with all of you. Certainly so thankful for all of our faith leaders for your support, for the leadership, the partnership, the friendship, for organizing this convening, organizing this vigil, lending your powerful moral voices to this existential struggle that we are waging on behalf of the American people. It’s also a blessing to be with all of you, joined by my colleagues in government, who you will hear from, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, the legendary Nancy Pelosi, a great woman of faith, and, of course, my good friend and colleague, the Democratic Whip, Katherine Clark.
Now, I grew up in the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, and my mom would take my younger brother and I to Sunday school each and every week. In fact, we used to think growing up, every week, every week, every month, every year that we were mailmen for Christ. Because it didn’t matter if it was raining, snowing, sleeting or hailing. If it was Sunday morning, we were going to church. And that was the foundation that was laid for us from the very beginning. And I grew up in church learning, of course, that what the Bible teaches us is to stand up for the least amongst us—the lost, the left-behind, those whose station in life may not have always dealt them the best of hands. And unfortunately, what we’re dealing with right now in the United States Congress is a group of people who sometimes say they go to church and they pray on Sunday, but then they come to Washington, D.C., and they prey, P-R-E-Y, on the American people for the rest of the week. Prey on the poor, prey on the sick, prey on the afflicted. But we believe in an America of the people, by the people and for the people, which is why we’re standing up for the healthcare of the American people, today and at all times.
Scripture tells us in Second Corinthians, the fourth chapter. By the way, that’s Second Corinthians, not Two Corinthians. Mr. President, if you’re gonna sell the Bible, you should know the Bible. Second Corinthians, the fourth chapter, eighth verse, the Scripture tells us, the Apostle Paul writes, ‘We are troubled on every side, but not distressed. Perplexed, but never in despair.’
Certainly, I think it’s fair to say that we’ve got trouble all around us. A hater in the White House. Haters in the Congress. Haters throughout the Cabinet. Trouble all around us. But we’re not distressed. Because we believe in the resilience and the goodness of the American people. And that’s why we’re so thankful for all of you in this fight, standing with us Democrats in the House and the Senate, a separate and co-equal branch of government. We understand we don’t work for Donald Trump. We don’t work for JD Vance. We don’t work for Elon Musk. We don’t work for their billionaire donors. We work for all of you, the American people. And we’re determined to stand up to protect their healthcare, to stand up for Medicaid, stand up for our hospitals, stand up for our nursing homes, stand up for our community-based health clinics, stand up for the Affordable Care Act, stand up for the principle that in America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, healthcare can’t simply be a privilege for the wealthy and the well-off. Healthcare is a right that should be available to every single American. And that’s what this fight is all about.
And so, as I close, let me simply lean into the words of a great man of God and great civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who led a great movement, interfaith religious movement, brought the American people together across the divides that may artificially be put upon us. And in those early days of the Civil Rights Movement, when people saw trouble on every side, concerned that it wouldn’t be possible to break the authoritarianism that was the Jim Crow South at the time. Dr. King gathered some folks in March of 1956, just a few months after Rosa Parks sat down so that everybody else could stand up. He gathered folks in the basement of the Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, and others were concerned and anxious as to whether they could win the fight that they were involved in at the time. And he said, ‘No matter what the odds are, we have to press on and keep pressing.’ And what Dr. King said is that ‘If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. But at all times, press on and keep pressing.’
So I just dropped by today to say, as Dr. King once echoed prophetically, that we’ve just got to press on in this fight. Press on for our children, press on for our seniors, press on for our veterans, press on for our unions, press on for people of faith, press on for the healthcare of the American people, press on for nutritional assistance, press on for the proposition that everybody should have a fair shot in this country to live the American dream, press on for working-class folk, press on for the middle class, press on for the poor, press on for the sick, press on for the afflicted, press on for the least, press on for the lost, press on for the left-behind, press on for social justice, press on for racial justice, press on for healthcare justice, press on for economic justice, press on for freedom, press on for liberty, press on for democracy, press on in this healthcare fight until victory is won.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)
Gomez was one of the first members of the US House to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and has consistently advocated for the release of October 7th hostages and the surging of immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) released the following statement following the announcement of a preliminary agreement between Israel and Hamas to implement the first stage of a peace plan in Gaza, including an imminent ceasefire, the return of hostages by Hamas, and swift delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza:
“I am deeply relieved by this breakthrough, and I urge all parties to implement the agreement as quickly as possible for the safety and well-being of millions in the region.
“From the beginning of this conflict two years ago, I have been unwavering in calling for a lasting peace that includes the return of the October 7th hostages, humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza, an ironclad commitment from all sides to protect civilians and a permanent ceasefire. This agreement appears to begin to meet those essential conditions. Ultimately, a permanent peace must ensure Israeli and Palestinian security through permanently disarming Hamas, and give the Palestinian people true international, democratic representation through the realization of a two-state solution.
“As this complex peace negotiation moves forward, I recognize the obstacles and challenges and will be closely monitoring the developments. The United States and our international partners must ensure that all parties continue to act in good faith in fully implementing their obligations.