MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) released the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, and S.1582, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act:

“In order for New Hampshire and the United States to remain innovation leaders, we must embrace emerging technologies and establish baseline rules and guardrails for cryptocurrency. The legislation considered today is necessary to begin to provide common-sense safeguards, establish consumer protections, and allow entrepreneurs and small businesses to spur economic growth.”

“Today’s action is just the start of this process. I remain committed to working with regulators, industry stakeholders, and my constituents to ensure that new policies are written in a way that drives innovation, protects consumers, and prevents bad actors and U.S. adversaries from abusing this technology. I am deeply concerned by President Trump’s disregard for existing ethics standards and laws, and I urge Congress to strengthen anti-corruption rules and enforcement that prevent public officials from violating the public trust.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today, in response to the LGBTQ+ subline of the 988 crisis support hotline being shut down as previously ordered by the Trump Administration, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers and national mental health advocates to speak out against the harmful decision and called for its immediate reversal. Today’s event follows an earlier plea to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., urging his office to “scrap this ill-advised plan.” WATCH HERE.

Since its launch in 2022, the LGBTQ+ subline under the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has been a critical, life-saving resource for LGBTQ+ youth and adults facing mental health crises. The line has handled nearly 1.3 million calls, texts, and chats from LGBTQ+ individuals seeking support. Its closure comes at a time of growing need — just last year, nearly 40 percent of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide, according to national surveys.

“LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. It should not be a political issue, but a matter of basic human decency to restore the 988 hotline’s specialized services that have been proven to save LGBTQ+ children’s lives,” said Rep. Pappas. “We all know someone who struggles with their mental health. We will continue to call on the administration to right this wrong and make them see why they must fund these critical services for LGBTQ+ youth.” 

The decision to shut down the LGBTQ+ subline has drawn widespread concern from mental health experts and civil rights organizations, including The Trevor Project, which helped establish the dedicated line in partnership with the federal government. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ own data shows the subline has significantly expanded access to crisis care for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially youth in underserved communities.

Today’s press conference included Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and representatives from The Trevor Project, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The bipartisan group emphasized that the LGBTQ+ subline is not duplicative or political — it is a proven, specialized tool that meets a real and growing public health need. 

“The 988 Lifeline’s ‘press 3’ option represents a landmark, bipartisan achievement that has connected more than 1.5 million LGBTQ+ youth in crisis with life-saving care during their darkest moments,” said Jaymes Black, CEO, The Trevor Project. “Ending our country’s suicide crisis is about people, not politics — and we are devastated that the federal government has prioritized a political agenda over saving the lives of at-risk young Americans. Even in the wake of this difficult news, we express our enormous gratitude to the champions in Congress and across the mental health space who have fought to protect these life-saving services — and who continue to fight for a country that supports the health, happiness, and safety of LGBTQ+ young people everywhere. For any LGBTQ+ young person who needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s counselors are still here for you 24/7 — no matter what. Visit TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help.” 

“LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges — including stigma, discrimination, and elevated stress — that contribute to a suicide attempt rate more than four times higher than their non-LGBTQ+ peers,” said Robert Gebbia, Chief Executive Officer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “Recognizing the urgent need for culturally competent support, Congress established a dedicated crisis line for LGBTQ+ youth in 2022. Since then, usage has grown steadily, with over 1.4 million contacts as of June 2025. We are grateful to Representatives Moulton, Krishnamoorthi, Davids, Matsui, Salinas, Tonko, Pappas, Fitzpatrick, and Lawler for championing continued support for this life-saving resource. At a time when youth, including LGBTQ+ youth, are facing a mental health crisis, eliminating specialized services would endanger lives.” 

“Since its launch, over 1.3 million individuals have reached out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. The importance of talking to someone who understands your experience or has a shared experience with you is invaluable, and it has saved countless lives,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “NAMI urges the Administration to immediately reverse its decision eliminating these specialized services and to support resources for the mental health of our LGBTQ+ friends and family, who are tragically at a higher risk of suicide.” 

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity (EO) Subcommittee of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC), joined Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01), Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07), Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01), and Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08) in introducing the NOPAIN for Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation to increase veterans’ access to non-opioid pain medications.

“Veterans served and sacrificed for our country, and they shouldn’t face barriers to accessing the medications and treatments they need and prefer. Making non-opioid pain management more affordable and accessible to veterans is common sense for their health and for preventing addiction,” said Congressman Pappas. “This bipartisan legislation will close the gap on VA’s non-opioid drug coverage to help our veterans stay safe and healthy.”

The opioid epidemic has impacted nearly every demographic in the United States. In response, Congress passed the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NOPAIN) Act in 2022 so seniors on Medicare have access to and never pay more for non-opioid pain management medications.

To ensure veterans have the same access, the NOPAIN for Veterans Act would reform the way the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers and covers non-opioid pain management drugs. The legislation would require VA to furnish and cover non-opioid pain management drugs under VA pharmacy benefits if those drugs are covered by Medicare.

“Our veterans deserve the very best care, which includes access to safer options for managing pain,” said Congressman Landsman. “Our bipartisan bill is a commonsense step to make non-opioid treatments more affordable and available to those who’ve served our country, and a way to prevent addiction before it starts. We can protect our veteran’s health and keep pushing forward in the fight to end the opioid epidemic.”

“I thank the VA for taking the issue of opioid administration mismanagement seriously and the great strides they have made over the years to improve care for our vets,” said Congressman Van Orden. “Veterans must have access to comprehensive medical treatment plans, and the NOPAIN for Veterans Act will provide pain management alternatives that are safer, more effective, and promote long-term recovery.” 

“As a police chief in Southwestern Ohio, we are on the front lines of the opioid addiction epidemic. As a veteran myself, I know that veterans face additional risks for developing a substance use disorder and prevention is critical for these individuals. This bill will go a long way towards preventing addiction in our veteran community,” said Tom Synan, Board Member of Voices for Non-Opioid Choices:

The full text of the NOPAIN for Veterans Act can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14) introduced the United States-Israel Bilateral Innovation for Research and Development in (BIRD) Health Act of 2025. The legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to partner with the successful Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation to create a dedicated BIRD Health Program, modeled after existing collaborations in energy, cyber, and homeland security.

The BIRD Health Act deepens U.S.-Israel collaboration in the development of next-generation health technologies, fortifies domestic supply chains, and reduces our reliance on adversarial nations for critical medical products by leveraging Israel’s world-class biotech ecosystem and America’s unmatched research infrastructure.

“U.S. and Israeli doctors, scientists, and researchers are leading the world in groundbreaking medical advancements, including regenerative medicine, disease prevention, and cancer research,” said Rep. Pappas. “The health technology and innovation program created through this bipartisan legislation will strengthen the bilateral partnership between the U.S. and Israel to address emerging health issues, develop innovative solutions, and save lives.”

“The United States and Israel share one of the strongest, most enduring alliances in the world, and it just makes sense to join forces in advancing life-saving health technologies that benefit both our nations,” said Rep. Weber. “The BIRD Health Act of 2025 builds on our shared strengths to support cutting-edge medical innovation, strengthen supply chains, and improve health outcomes for American families.”

The bill supports:

• Joint U.S.-Israel research and development in medical devices, digital health, diagnostics, vaccines, and biotechnology
• Manufacturing partnerships to boost U.S.-based production of critical medicines
• Innovation ecosystems that promote startups, clinical trials, and the commercialization of new treatments
• Data-sharing and cybersecurity protocols to protect patient privacy and medical infrastructure

Read the bill here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) today was denied entry by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the Aurora Detention Facility in his district. This denial is in violation of federal law, which grants Members of Congress the right to provide oversight of such federal detention facilities.

Congressman Crow’s office regularly conducts oversight of the facility, including publishing public reports on his website of oversight visits and conditions at the facility.

Since being elected to Congress, Crow has fought to promote transparency, oversight, and accountability in government. In February 2019, following multiple reports of a disease outbreak at the Aurora Detention Facility operated by GEO Group, Congressman Crow made an unannounced visit to the federal facility where he was initially denied entry. Afterward, he led the push for Members of Congress to be able to conduct unannounced, in-person oversight visits of ICE facilities, including to check on any concerns related to public health and the humane treatment of detained individuals. 

In a statement, Congressman Crow said:

“Today I attempted to visit the federal detention facility in Aurora in order to conduct critical oversight as a Member of Congress. I was unlawfully denied access by ICE and the Trump Administration.

“Providing oversight is critical to my job in Congress. The law is clear that Members of Congress have the legal right to conduct unannounced oversight of federal detention facilities.

“Since President Trump was elected, this administration has tried to intimidate Members of Congress from doing their jobs. I will not be deterred from conducting lawful oversight. I will continue working to hold the Trump administration accountable for its actions.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

AURORA — Today, Congressman Crow hosted his annual Job Fair for Coloradans looking for work. The event featured more than 30 local employers from across the Denver metro area, and hundreds of Coloradans looking for a new job attended the event.

“Connecting Coloradans with important resources is one of the most important parts of my job,” said Congressman Crow. “That’s why I’m proud to host an annual job fair that brings our community together, and connects Coloradans with valuable employment opportunities. I’m thankful to the hundreds of job seekers and more than 30 local employers who made this year’s job fair a great success.”

The event included employers from across an array of industries, including: Buckley Space Force Base, the U.S. Navy, Thrivent, Littleton Public Schools, Arapahoe County Human Services, Target, STRIDE Community Health Center, Troops Into Transportation, Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, and Rocky Mountain Human Services.

The event took place on Friday, July 18th from noon to 5 PM MT at Arapahoe/Douglas Works in Aurora. Veterans and spouses of servicemembers were granted early access at 11:30 AM MT.

Through his time in Congress, Congressman Crow has made it a priority to connect Coloradans with important community resources. Since his first term in Congress, Congressman Crow has held an annual job fair; his 2024 Job Fair helped connect over 500 Coloradans with employers.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), a former Army Ranger who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, announced today that more than 15 provisions he championed have been successfully included in the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Congressman Crow’s provisions focused on improving the lives of servicemembers and their families, modernizing our military to make America more safe, and investing in Colorado’s space industry to make us more competitive.

“I served in combat and know the critical role Congress plays in improving the quality of life for servicemembers, strengthening our military readiness, and keeping Americans safe,” said Congressman Crow. “As a Member of the Armed Services Committee, I’ve worked in a bipartisan fashion to secure key wins for Colorado and support our men and women in uniform.”

Congressman Crow’s provisions included in this year’s Pentagon budget include:

Improving the Lives of our Servicemembers:

• Upgrading Digital Health Technologies for Traumatic Brain Injury: Improves care for active-duty servicemembers suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) by identifying ways that digital technology can be used to better deliver care.
• Preventing Traumatic Brain Injuries in Fighter Pilots: Directs the Department of Defense to create a strategy to better identify, document, and treat TBIs in active duty pilots.
• Providing Dental for Our Troops: Ensures no-cost dental care for all reservists, which will help recruiting, retention, and readiness.
• Securing affordable health care for servicemembers: Ensures children’s hospitals that serve a large population of active duty families can continue providing high quality, affordable healthcare for servicemembers and their children.

Investing in Colorado’s Space Industry & Making America More Competitive:

• Bolstering Crucial Space Programs: Provides U.S. Space Systems Command with the resources needed to compete tactically and technologically with our adversaries in outer space.
• Modernizing Rocket Launches: Requires the Space Force to report to Congress on how it will modernize standards and processes around rocket launches so they are safer and more efficient.
• Supporting Space Domain Awareness: Improves our ability to track objects, like satellites, and activities happening outside of our atmosphere.
• Increasing competition when the government buys space technology: Ensures that all companies have a fair shot when the U.S. government is looking to purchase technology that we use in space.

Modernizing our Military:

• Updating Air Force’s Flying Communications System: Authorizes support for mobile communications platforms to ensure continuity of government and national military command and control during a crisis
• Protecting Assets Against Climate Change: Ensures climate shocks don’t negatively impact military installations, training, operations, and readiness.
• Ensuring the Military Protects Civilians in Combat: Compels the Department of Defense to produce a report on how civilian harm could impact the success of military operations.
• Improving the Defense Supply Chain: Encourages changes to the way DoD buys equipment so the supply chain that supports our defense is stronger and more efficient.
• Strengthening the Afghanistan War Commission: Gives them more tools to complete their bipartisan assessment of key decisions made over twenty years of war in Afghanistan and to produce their final report.
• Maintaining a global security footprint: Prevents the elimination or consolidation of US Southern Command.
• Bolstering our strategy in Eastern Europe: Requires DoD to provide Congress an updated strategy related to NATO, and provide a detailed update on Russia’s actions. 

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

Senior population skyrocketing while resources, health care access dwindling

Last convened in 2015, time running out for 10-year Aging Conference this year

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) called for immediate action to fast-track solutions to address unprecedented challenges for seniors. As the senior population grows, long-term care becomes less accessible and more unaffordable, leaving many seniors without the critical care they need.

The White House Conference on Aging is traditionally held every ten years and was last convened in 2015. With time running out to hold the conference this year, Rep. Harder introduced legislation to demand the federal government take this long-term care crisis seriously and immediately convene the 2025 Conference. 

The aging crisis by the numbers:

• By 2034, seniors will outnumber children under 18 years old for the first time ever.
• 70% of seniors need long-term care at a time when the long-term care workforce is short nearly 8 million workers.
• More than 53 million Americans currently provide unpaid caregiving services to family members, and nearly one-third of unpaid caregivers report experiencing mental health challenges.

“A caregiver collapse is coming, and we’re running out of time to prevent it,” said Rep. Harder. “Seniors can’t get the care they need, and now many parents are being squeezed to provide for their parents and their kids at the same time. We need an all-hands-on-deck approach to change course before it’s too late – that’s why I’m calling for the 2025 Aging Conference to immediately convene and put long term care at the top of the agenda.”  

Harder’s top priorities for the 2025 White House Conference on Aging:

• Protect health care access, including Medi-Cal and the Affordable Care Act.
• Tackle workforce shortages facing the nation’s health care system.
• Reduce barriers to quality, affordable in-home care.

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

WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) delivered the following remarks at the House Appropriations Committee markup of the fiscal year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding bill:

“Families in northern Illinois are in a cost-of-living crisis. The price of rent is through the roof. Actually buying a home feels more out of reach than ever. And working people are paying more—and waiting longer —to get to work and back home every single day.

We heard Republicans talk endlessly about inflation and the cost of living before the election. But what have they done since? Nothing to lower costs. Nothing to help families. Nothing to make housing more affordable or transit more reliable.

Instead, they’ve pushed through their “Big Ugly Bill,” which gives tax breaks to the same corporations and private equity firms that are driving up the cost of housing and construction.

And now, the bill in front of us today continues the Republican agenda of stealing from the poor to give to the rich.

This bill cuts nearly $1 billion from effective, data-backed housing programs.

While rents skyrocket, Republicans are gutting the very programs that help the lowest-income families keep a roof over their heads and pushing more families into homelessness.

These policies don’t just ignore the housing crisis—they’re fueling it.

This bill also includes more poison pills that, once again, do nothing to help families in northern Illinois.

This bill includes language to block HUD from building energy-efficient housing. It also strips away basic protections for tenants, making it easier for families to be evicted in violation of their rights.

And the transportation cuts in this bill are just as harmful.

Families in my district depend on Metra every day to get to work, pick up their kids, and get downtown without sitting in hours of traffic.

Yet the bill we are debating today cuts federal funding programs that Metra uses to improve service, capacity, and reliability by 98 percent.

That means slower trains, longer waits, worse service, more traffic on our roads, and more pollution for everyone.

Republicans are also slashing Amtrak—another essential service for Illinois families, especially in rural towns like Mendota, where Amtrak is a lifeline. These communities will be hit the hardest.

But once again, the Republican answer to popular government services is: cut it, dismantle it, or give it away to big corporations who will charge us more. 

Republicans will tell you this is about cutting waste. But the truth is, this is about taking resources away from working families, so they can hand the reins to their billionaire friends who want to keep making money off public services. 

Families in my district, and across the country, deserve safe, affordable housing and reliable, efficient public transportation. 

They deserve a government that shows up for them, not one that guts the programs they depend on.

With this bill, Republicans are once again failing to address the cost-of-living crisis that is crushing families in northern Illinois.

I urge my colleagues to reject this cruel, out-of-touch bill.”

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

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Lauren Underwood, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, wrote to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons after receiving no response to previous inquiries regarding alleged ICE activity in Joliet, Illinois last week.

Multiple witnesses report that on Wednesday, July 9^th, an unmarked black truck taking part in alleged ICE enforcement actions rammed a civilian vehicle in a high-traffic public area, trapping it near a youth center, high school, and minor league baseball stadium. Witnesses report that four individuals in military-style fatigues then allegedly exited the vehicle and pointed automatic weapons at the vehicle’s occupants, removing one of them and telling him he would “be removed on the 22^nd.”

“If true,” Underwood wrote, “these allegations are a flagrant violation of law enforcement’s responsibility to prioritize community safety, minimize potential risks to civilians and officers involved in operations, and operate with extreme care and sensitivity for child welfare. The reckless use of vehicle assault and weapons of war on our streets – especially in areas near schools and youth centers where these actions pose heightened risks to children – is completely unacceptable.” 

People who need help with federal agencies like ICE and DHS are always encouraged to contact Rep. Underwood’s office for free assistance at (630) 549-2190 or https://underwood.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency. 

Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

 

July 17, 2025

 

The Honorable Todd Lyons

Acting Director

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

500 12th Street SW

Washington D.C. 20536                                            

Dear Acting Director Lyons,

I write to urgently request a detailed briefing regarding reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement action last week in Joliet, Illinois that allegedly put the community’s safety at risk. My office reached out to your office via email and phone last week immediately after hearing these reports but has not received any response from ICE despite repeated follow-ups.  

Multiple witnesses report that on Wednesday, July 9th, an unmarked black extended cab truck taking part in ICE enforcement actions allegedly rammed the rear of a civilian vehicle and forcibly trapped it near the intersection of Cass and Arch Street in Joliet. This location is adjacent to a youth center, a high school, and a minor league baseball stadium, and is considered a high-traffic public area. 

Witnesses further report that four individuals, reportedly dressed in military-style fatigues with black bulletproof vests labeled “Police,” allegedly exited the vehicle and pointed what were described as automatic weapons at the vehicle’s occupants. Witnesses then report seeing one man being removed from the vehicle that was rammed and detained. We have since been informed that the individual was told he would be “removed on the 22nd.” 

These allegations, if true, are egregious. They appear to be a flagrant violation of law enforcement’s responsibility to prioritize community safety, minimize potential risks to civilians and officers involved in operations, and operate with extreme care and sensitivity for child welfare. The reckless use of vehicle assault and weapons of war on our streets – especially in areas near schools and youth centers where these actions pose heightened risks to children – is completely unacceptable.  

Given the nature, location, and urgency of these allegations, I request a comprehensive briefing from you or senior leadership on your team on this incident no later than July 20, 2025. Please contact my office at 202-570-2381 or il14.scheduling@mail.house.gov as soon as possible to schedule this. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and I look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

Lauren Underwood

Member of Congress

CC: The Honorable Kristi Noem, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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