MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), a member of the Ho Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, alongside Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act. The bill would help improve hiring and retention for tribal law enforcement officers in Central Washington and across the United States.  

Rep. Sharice Davids said, “Tribal law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and they deserve the same support and recognition as their counterparts. This bill takes a long-overdue step to cut red tape and ensure tribal officers can access the training, authority, and benefits they’ve earned. I’m proud to support this effort to strengthen public safety in tribal and rural communities alike.” 

Rep. Dan Newhouse said, “As the missing and murdered indigenous women crisis continues to plague tribal communities across the country, tribal law enforcement agencies are facing serious challenges with recruiting and retaining officers and resources. This bipartisan legislation empowers tribal law enforcement to build and maintain strong, well-trained forces who will be far better equipped to address the MMIW crisis, counter illicit drug flow, and protect tribal communities in Central Washington. I thank members of the House and Senate on both sides of the aisle who understand the scale of these challenges and are helping to lead towards a solution.” 

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez said, “I hear from law enforcement across Southwest Washington about how difficult it can be to recruit and retain officers, especially in rural communities. Our bipartisan legislation will cut down on administrative burdens and strengthen benefits for Tribal law enforcement—to ensure that sovereign Tribal Nations can keep their communities safe.” 

Senator Maria Cantwell said, “Tribes need more law enforcement officers to fight both the fentanyl and murdered and missing indigenous people epidemics and to respond to emergencies in their communities. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will help tribal communities get the law enforcement resources they need to keep their communities safe.” 

Senator Markwayne Mullin said, “Tribal police departments work tirelessly to protect and serve our communities in Oklahoma and around the nation. Tribal police should receive equal treatment and resources needed for the safety of their communities without going through excessive red tape. I’m proud to join with my colleagues on this and support our Tribal law enforcement.” 

Rep. Tom Cole said, “Native American communities in the United States generally face higher crime rates than the national average. Yet, unfortunately, tribes are still facing major challenges in recruiting and retaining police officers. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will help to improve this struggle by ensuring tribal police have the resources they need, removing administrative barriers, and giving tribal law enforcement officers under a 638 contract or compact the same federal benefits as other federal law enforcement officers. I am so proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill and would like to thank Reps. Newhouse and Gluesenkamp-Perez for their leadership on this legislation, as this is a critical issue that Congress must address.” 

Rep. Ryan Zinke said, “The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act ensures tribal officers are treated as the equal partners they are in the fight against drug smuggling and human trafficking. By cutting red tape and giving these officers federal parity in jurisdiction, training, and benefits, we’re strengthening public safety, supporting tribal sovereignty, and honoring our commitment to the rule of law in every community.” 

Rep. Marilyn Strickland said, “It is critical for the federal government to respect tribal sovereignty and strengthen public safety. This bill will protect tribal communities and help with officer recruitment and retention.” 

Rep. John Moolenaar said, “Law enforcement officers work hard to protect their communities, and we should support them no matter what level of government they work for. Unfortunately, law enforcement officers working for Indian tribes are currently unable to enforce all our nation’s laws and cannot claim certain benefits, making it difficult for tribes to recruit officers. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act is a commonsense bill that removes barriers for tribal governments and equips them with the resources they need to enforce the law and keep their communities safe.” 

Rep. Gabe Vasquez said, “As the proud representative of seven federally recognized Tribes, I’ve heard firsthand the unique challenges Tribal law enforcement officers face in keeping their communities safe. The bipartisan Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act is a crucial step toward addressing some of these needs by delivering the federal benefits these brave officers deserve, cutting the red tape that makes it harder to recruit and retain officers, and bringing us closer to delivering the safety every Tribal community deserves.” 

This legislation is supported by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Suquamish Tribe, the Hopi Tribe, and the Tulalip Tribes. 

The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will:  

• Authorize tribal officers acting under a 638 contract or compact to be considered federal law enforcement officers and enforce federal law, provided they meet certain qualifications, including having completed certain training and background investigation requirements that are comparable to BIA law enforcement officers. This action would eliminate the need for Indian tribes to enter into Special Law Enforcement Commission (SLEC) agreements, which are currently required under existing for tribal officers to enforce federal law and have proven administratively burdensome for tribes to obtain.
• Treat tribal law enforcement officers acting under a 638 contract or compact as federal law enforcement officers for purposes of other federal laws, including for benefits applicable to federal law enforcement officers for injury and death, retirement, and pension benefits. Tribal law enforcement officers are currently not eligible for these federal benefit programs and including tribal officers will enhance tribes’ ability to recruit and retain officers, especially in rural areas.
• Provide for the Secretary of the Interior to implement procedures for credentialing tribal officers and for the Attorney General to coordinate training and reporting activities.

See full bill text here.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Bill gives employers flexibility when recruiting, hiring, and retaining people with disabilities

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Aviation Chairman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) and Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) released the statement below following the second meeting of the bipartisan Air Traffic Control (ATC)/National Airspace System (NAS) Modernization Working Group listening session, which is designed to foster open dialogue with a broad range of aviation industry stakeholders: 

“Today, we had a successful conversation with telecommunications providers, focused on making necessary changes to our telecommunications infrastructure within our nation’s air traffic control and national airspace system. It’s no secret that the current telecommunications technologies being used are outdated and are subject to temporary outages. This cannot continue to be the norm. 

“The discussions today provided insightful information that is part of a broader dialogue aimed at making the best updates to our nation’s air traffic control and national airspace system. We are leaning forward in the saddle and are committed to revitalizing these outdated systems. The American people deserve the best, and we are focused on delivering that for them.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today introduced the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, a bill to modernize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to streamline the permitting process and return the law to its intended purpose as a procedural statute for assessing the environmental impact of federal actions. 

Golden is the lead Democratic sponsor of the bill, which was submitted today by the House Natural Resources Committee Chairman, Republican Bruce Westerman (AR-04).

“Being a good steward of our environment doesn’t mean we must tolerate a yearslong permitting process that is onerous, overly complex and ripe for litigation abuse,” Golden said. “America must get back into the business of building. We need modern infrastructure. We need robust power production that does not discriminate between energy sources. These investments will create jobs, support our economy, keep prices down and help us maintain energy independence.”

“A country as advanced as the United States must be nimble enough to build what we need, when we need it. I’m proud to partner with Chairman Westerman on reforms that protect our environment while delivering the investments Americans need today, not years from now,” Golden said.

“America’s model of successful environmental stewardship alongside strong economic growth is being hobbled by a more than half-century old permitting process that is overdue for a tune-up. Although well-intentioned, the National Environmental Policy Act has not kept up with the times, which is bad for both our environment and our economy,” Westerman said. “With commonsense upgrades, we can cut red tape and enable the United States to build once again while setting the standard for environmental stewardship. The SPEED Act will help launch America into a future where we can effectively innovate and implement to revitalize our infrastructure, meet skyrocketing energy demands, lead the world in the AI race and work in harmony with our natural environment. America must lead by setting an example for the rest of the world on how to steward the environment, strengthen the economy and create the best place to live and work. The bipartisan SPEED Act is a big step in the right direction. I’d like to thank my colleague Congressman Golden for co-leading this bill, and I look forward to working with him to get it signed into law.”

BACKGROUND:

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a procedural statute that established parameters for assessing the environmental impacts of all major federal actions and created the Council on Environmental Quality. The procedural requirements in NEPA apply to all major federal actions, including but not limited to the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, highways, ports, irrigation systems, forest management, transmission lines, energy projects, broadband and water infrastructure.

While well-intentioned, NEPA has evolved into a cumbersome and lengthy process that has increased costs and permitting timelines. Additionally, NEPA has become a tool used by special interest groups to block critical infrastructure across the country, as it is currently the most litigated environmental statute.

This litigation is most often initiated not by communities or individuals, but by national NGOs. According to the Breakthrough Institute, NGOs filed more than 70 percent of all lawsuits filed under NEPA in recent years. According to the report, litigants lose their challenges 80 percent of the time. But what they lost in court, they made up for in delays; Litigation under NEPA added an average of four years to a project’s timeline. These kinds of delays can kill a project even when the litigation against it fails.

The SPEED Act will modernize NEPA to help streamline the permitting process and return the law to its intended purpose. The bill will shorten permitting timelines and reduce the frequency of frivolous litigation. This legislation will simplify the analysis required in NEPA documents, thereby easing the burden on agencies. The bill will also clarify when NEPA is triggered by clarifying the definition of “Major Federal Action.” Lastly, the bill will establish judicial review limitations for NEPA claims, including a 150-day deadline for filing claims, a new standard of review and the elimination of procedural moves that stop projects from moving forward.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON— With the national debt topping $36 trillion and interest payments now exceeding spending on Medicare and national defense, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) has signed on as the lead Democratic cosponsor of the Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act, introduced today by Congressmen Ben Cline (VA-06).

This bipartisan bill would require the federal government to assess and report its ability to respond to major national emergencies like economic downturns, energy crises and national security threats. The bill was also sponsored by Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01) and Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). 

The legislation directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to produce an annual report measuring the government’s fiscal strength and readiness. After this report is released, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) would conduct its own independent review and publish its findings to ensure accuracy and transparency.

“One of the many lessons the Marine Corps taught me was to have a plan for the worst-case scenario,” Golden said. “This bipartisan bill would force Washington to be clear-eyed about our fiscal outlook in potential national emergencies, which is the necessary first step for responsible planning to keep America stable and secure.”

“With our debt piling up and interest payments skyrocketing, we cannot afford to be caught flat-footed when the next emergency hits,” Cline said. “Just like households plan ahead for tough times, the federal government must do the same. Americans deserve a clear picture of how much room we actually have to respond to future crises. Congress must face the facts and make responsible decisions now, before an emergency strikes.”

“We know that when a crisis hits, preparation makes all the difference,” Bergman said. “The Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act is a commonsense step to ensure we’re ready to respond to whatever comes our way – whether it’s an economic downturn, a natural disaster, or a national security threat. If we’re serious about keeping our Nation strong and secure, we need to start planning ahead and making our decisions based on reality – not scrambling to prepare after the fact.”

“As a small business owner, I know how important it is to plan for a rainy day — and hardworking families in Southwest Washington know it too,” Gluesenkamp Perez said. “Our federal government should hold itself to the same standard and be ready to weather any crisis that comes its way. Our bipartisan legislation would require annual assessments of our national fiscal strength when faced with different crises — so we can better prepare our economy to work for the American people under any circumstances.”

According to the Congressional Budget Office, interest payments on the national debt will permanently exceed defense spending. By 2050, interest costs are expected to double the size of the defense budget. Gross federal debt is projected to hit 123% of GDP by September 2025, surpassing the previous World War II-era high of 119%.

“Our national debt is not just a number,” said the Hon. Joe Manchin, former Senator from West Virginia.“It is a real and rising threat to our way of life. It impacts our economy, our national security, and our ability to respond in times of crisis. I am proud to see Representatives Cline and Golden take up the Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act. This is a commonsense measure. Just like American families must prepare for emergencies, so should our government.” 

“Policymakers and the public need access to the best available analysis on how a severe economic shock may impact the federal government’s finances,” said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. “While our nation’s largest banks are required to undergo regular stress tests to prepare for an unexpected shock, the federal government lacks an equivalent playbook. It is essential that the federal government be prepared for a possible fiscal emergency, and we commend Representatives Cline and Golden for introducing this bipartisan, commonsense proposal to strengthen our fiscal resilience.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) released the following statement praising the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to repeal the so-called 2009 Endangerment Finding, a rule established in the first year of the Obama era. This ruling has served as the legal foundation for more than $1 trillion in greenhouse gas emission regulations, including the Biden Administration’s electric vehicle mandates, and many other new regulations on lawn mowers, gas stoves, and more. 

If finalized, the proposal would eliminate EPA’s authority under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon dioxide and five other “greenhouse gas” emissions from new motor vehicles and engines—removing sweeping mandates that limited consumer choice, strained supply chains, and raised costs on nearly every product that moves by truck.

“This is long overdue. CO₂ is not a pollutant, it’s a basic building block of life. Plants can’t survive without it, and the 0.04% we are currently at is nowhere near a threat to the planet,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “The Earth has seen far higher CO₂ levels long before the invention of the SUV. The 2009 Endangerment Finding twisted the law to give unelected bureaucrats the power to dictate lifestyles, driving up costs and force working Americans into electric vehicles they don’t want and can’t afford. This repeal puts the brakes on that nonsense and gets us back to real-world thinking. I applaud President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for putting the American people’s choices back in the driver’s seat.”

Background on the 2009 Endangerment Finding

The Endangerment Finding, issued by the Obama EPA in 2009, concluded that carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases “endanger” public health and welfare. That determination ostensibly gave EPA broad authority to regulate vehicle emissions under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act, even though the statute was never intended to regulate climate policy.

Since then, the Endangerment Finding has been used to justify seven vehicle and engine emissions rules, including EV mandates and efficiency standards, that have collectively imposed more than $1 trillion in compliance costs on businesses and families. These mandates were enacted without proper evaluation of their real-world economic impact, technical feasibility, or affordability, particularly in rural and working-class areas.

Recent Supreme Court decisions have reinforced that sweeping regulatory actions must originate from Congress, not from executive branch agencies unilaterally reinterpreting the law.

EPA’s new proposal, based on updated scientific and economic data, would roll back greenhouse gas standards for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines. The agency estimates this move could save Americans $54 billion annually.

The proposal will be open for public comment.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) released the following statement alongside the entire California Republican Congressional Delegation:

“In 2010, California voters passed the VOTERS FIRST Act by over 20 points, giving the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission the sole authority of drawing California’s congressional districts. Today, Governor Newsom, flanked by Texas Democrats, announced that he stands ready to take power away from the Citizens Commission and place it back into the hands of Sacramento politicians to further his left-wing political agenda. 

The Commission received feedback from tens of thousands of Californians as to their communities of interest which shaped the current set of congressional districts. Districts that represent the local communities that they live in rather than the whims of one political party. A partisan political gerrymander is NOT what the voters of California want as they clearly stated when they passed the VOTERS FIRST Act and participated in the Citizens Redistricting Commission process. As it stands, Republicans only hold nine congressional seats out of 52 despite winning 38% of the vote statewide. 

It’s a shame that Governor Newsom and the radical Left in Sacramento are willing to spend $200 million on a statewide special election, while running a deficit of $20 billion, in order to silence the opposition in our state.

As a Delegation we will fight any attempt to disenfranchise California voters by whatever means necessary to ensure the will of the people continues to be reflected in redistricting and in our elections.”

Reps. Doug LaMalfa, Tom McClintock, Ken Calvert, David Valadao, Vince Fong, Young Kim, Jay Obernolte, Darrell Issa, and Kevin Kiley

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08), a senior California Democrat and member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to recent reports of violence in the West Bank:

“I am demanding answers about the reported tragic death of Awdah Hathaleen. Awdah, an English teacher and Palestinian activist, was previously denied entry to the United States after being invited to an Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity event to speak about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to recent reports, Hathaleen was shot by an Israeli settler in the West Bank village of Umm Al-Khair and later died of his wounds.

“Violence by Israeli settlers against peaceful Palestinians has been all too common and we must demand accountability. Unfortunately, this administration has shown little interest in pushing for peace. On day one of his second term, President Trump repealed sanctions on 30 Israeli settlers and settler organizations accused of engaging in violence in the West Bank. One of those settlers allegedly shot Hathaleen. Lifting sanctions on the very individuals who perpetrate these unacceptable acts only emboldens violent settlers and sends a signal that the United States won’t hold violent actors accountable.

“The West Bank has witnessed intolerable levels of settler violence for decades, and the war in Gaza has only further exacerbated this situation. Settler violence in the West Bank wreaks terror and forces the displacement of Palestinian communities, further destabilizing the Middle East region and putting the prospects for peace and security even further out of reach. This is unacceptable. Israel must rein in settler violence and ensure that Palestinians in the West Bank are able to live in peace, free from the threat of violence.”

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

FAIRFIELD, CA — On Monday, July 28 at 6:00 PM PT /9:00 PM ET, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (CA-08) will host a Zoom town hall to share the latest updates on how he’s fighting back against the impacts of the so-called “Big Ugly Law” on Californians, and how the public can get involved in the fight.

WHO: U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (CA-08)

WHAT: Zoom Townhall  

WHEN: Monday, July 28, at 6:00 PM PT/9:00 PM ET

WHERE: Register to join the Zoom event HERE 

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08), a senior California Democrat and member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement on the dire, devastating, and deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza:

“It’s impossible to look at the starvation caused by Israel’s dangerous and willful failure to enable humanitarian aid and not see a genocide being committed against the people of Palestine,” said Garamendi. “Gaza has been in a devastating man-made crisis where starvation is widespread among children and adults, where one in three people are going multiple days without eating and many are dying because of malnutrition. This must end.

“Food is readily and immediately available. Earlier this year, it was found that 60,000 metric tons of U.S. food aid, enough for 3.5 million people, or the entire population of Gaza, was sitting in storage, untouched because of Trump’s dissolution of USAID. We know now from Israeli officials that there is little evidence of Hamas routinely stealing aid, a claim that has been used by the Israelis for not distributing aid. Israel has the ability and the means to deliver adequate food to the Palestinians. They also have the obligation under international law to deliver it; it’s the choice of Prime Minister Netanyahu not to feed Gaza.

“I have seen starvation like this. In the Peace Corps, I saw firsthand what starvation does to a child. I have repeatedly called for Israel to stop this war and to address the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I was one of the only members to vote against military support for Israel, demanding that the U.S. cannot supply more weaponry to a country that is using it recklessly against innocent civilians. I have also joined 94 of my colleagues in demanding the Israeli government immediately resume shipments of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. I have also voted to block offensive weapons to Israel because I believe that America has an ethical imperative to ensure that humanitarian aid can promptly reach the population in Gaza.

“What Israel is doing is a horribly destructive attack on Gaza’s communities, and America should no longer provide destructive bombs and munitions to Israel. I unequivocally renew my call for Israel to immediately provide necessary humanitarian assistance and stop the purposeful starvation of Gaza.”

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