Haley Stevens Statement on Michigan Rejecting RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Misinformation

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Michigan’s top doctor advised health care providers to move away from vaccine guidance of RFK Jr.’s federal panel and instead follow vaccine schedules from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

In response to Michigan standing up to RFK Jr.’s chaos, MI Congresswoman Haley Stevens issued the following statement:

“RFK Jr. is dangerous—full stop. He spreads lies and conspiracy theories that put children at risk. He’s left Michigan no choice. I’m glad our state is standing with science, doctors, parents, and kids.”
 

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Read More (Rep. Steube: Trump is Right, Time to Reschedule Marijuana)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

December 18, 2025 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) issued the following statement today, praising President Trump’s support for rescheduling marijuana and calling for Congress to take up his Marijuana 1-to-3 Act:
“President Trump is right. Now is the time to reclassify marijuana, and the Drug Enforcement Administration must open the door for scientific research into the plant’s medicinal value,” said Rep. Steube. “My Marijuana 1-to-3 Act will deliver exactly what President Trump has requested: legislation that moves marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This bill will create new opportunities for scientists and physicians to develop treatments and cures for pain and disease. I am grateful for the White House’s leadership on this issue and call on my colleagues in Congress to bring the Marijuana 1-to-3 Act to the House floor immediately.”
Background: This legislation orders the Drug Enforcement Administration to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III as defined under the Controlled Substances Act. Reassigning marijuana to Schedule III will permit federal funding for research on the medicinal value of marijuana.
The Marijuana 1-to-3 Act has the support of the US Cannabis Roundtable, the Veterans Cannabis Project, Management Science Associates, the National Cannabis Industry Association, and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. 
“The U.S. Cannabis Roundtable strongly supports Representative Greg Steube’s (R-FL) reintroduction of the Marijuana 1-to-3 Act, which would move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
“Congressman Steube is absolutely right — it makes no sense that federal law treats marijuana the same as heroin and LSD, and even more absurd that cocaine is classified less restrictively than marijuana. This is a common-sense, science-based reform that would finally unlock real medical research, improve care for patients and veterans, and modernize our outdated drug laws — all while maintaining existing safeguards to protect children and young people.
“We are encouraged that leading House Republicans are championing this effort and urge members of Congress from both parties to support this legislation. Rescheduling cannabis is not a partisan issue — it’s about advancing science, strengthening public health, and reflecting the realities recognized in communities across America. —US Cannabis Roundtable
“Veterans across the country have borne the brunt of outdated laws that treat medical marijuana the same as heroin. Representative Steube’s Marijuana 1-to-3 Act is a long overdue and commonsense reform that will allow real scientific research into cannabis’ therapeutic potential, improve safety standards, and give veterans access to treatments without fear of legal or regulatory fallout. We applaud Rep. Steube’s leadership in introducing this bill — it’s the kind of policy that puts veterans first, restores evidence-based decision making, and finally begins to align federal law with what medical science, state programs, and veterans themselves already know to be true.” —Nick Etten, Founder of Veterans Cannabis Project
“Management Science Associates, Inc. applauds the Administration’s recent announcement to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III substance. We also commend Representative Greg Steube for reintroducing the Marijuana 1-to-3 Act (H.R. 4963), which would help eliminate longstanding federal barriers and significantly expand access to critical cannabis research. Efforts like these lay the foundation for a more robust regulatory framework and enable cannabis businesses to invest with greater confidence in science, innovation, and evidence-based practices. These developments are vital to fostering a responsible, data-driven industry centered on public health and wellness.” —Management Science Associates, Inc.
“NCIA commends Rep. Steube for his continued leadership on this issue. The Congressman’s Marijuana 1-to-3 Act would alleviate the punitive burden that is IRC Section 280E, however, further reforms are needed. NCIA urges the administration to move swiftly and transparently toward a science-based outcome that recognizes cannabis’ medical value and eases the burdens that businesses face under outdated federal law. At the same time, we call on Congress to enact legislation that tracks with a public that overwhelmingly supports making cannabis legal for adults, protecting our industry and upholding public safety in the process.” —Michelle Rutter Friberg, Director of Government Relations for the National Cannabis Industry Association
“This timely legislation corrects the absurdity of classifying cannabis as a Schedule I substance and helps pave the way for sensible, evidence-based federal cannabis policy. Moving cannabis to Schedule III is an overdue recognition of its established medical value, and will allow state-licensed cannabis providers to better compete against underground operators to ensure that consumers have access to tested, reliable, and affordable products.” —Morgan Fox, Political Director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
Read the full bill text here.

Congressman Jimmy Gomez Remarks at American Affordability Act Press Conference

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

I really want to just appreciate the work that my colleagues have done.  The question about affordability, I don’t need statistics to tell me that people are struggling.  Because I grew up in a family of immigrant parents for my siblings were born in Mexico. 

And they came here to work hard and to develop a better life for themselves and their kids.  And they were able to buy a home, but still had to work four to five jobs a week to make  ends meet, to put food on the table, to pay the mortgage. 

Unfortunately, we didn’t have health insurance at the time.  And we were always one crisis away from going under and losing that house.  But here’s the thing, my parents thought, you own a home, you’ve made it in the United  States.  You own a home, you have security and stability. 

And then your kids are going to be able to come back if need be, or they were inherent at  home to build wealth and stability.  So when I was about 39 years old, yes, 39, I bought my first house in Los Angeles.  It was a lot of money back then.  It’s even more today. 

But my mom was more proud that when I bought that home than when I graduated from Harvard University.  That’s what a home means.  It means that the American dream is alive and well.  But today, more people know that buying a home is out of reach. 

And that comes for the fact that it’s no longer affordable.  More people are renting, paying 30% of their incomes towards rent.  More people are trying to buy a home, but then instead of buying it in their late 20s or  early 30s or buying it in their 40s. 

And parents now, because of that, believe that their children are going to be worse off  than they were.  So no longer is it believe that the next generation is going to inherit the idea that you work hard  enough, you will do better, and your kids will do better.  So housing and the housing affordability crisis is a big part of that.

That’s why we held the first ever congressional summit on the national housing affordability  crisis in September, bringing together advocates from the renters, to the homeowners, to the  developers to find a way forward.  And this bill, the American Affordability Act, is a part of that moving forward. 

Because it puts into place a lot of different pieces of legislation that we worked on in ways  it means over the last several, I would say, last four years, including a bill to convert  property, underused commercial and office real estate to housing, to provide down payment assistance to first time home buyers, to provide builders incentives to build starter homes across the country that will be affordable, not be big, but affordable, that they can actually  afford to get into that first home.

We were trying to create a 21st century housing boom that will rival what we saw after  World War II.  And if we do that, we will bend the cost curve on housing and make America more affordable  for everyone.

Donald Trump likes to talk about it, but he’s never going to do it.  Just like when he talked about the infrastructure week, every week when I first got here, I  never delivered.  Well the Democrats, when we get back to Gavils, we will deliver and make America not only  great again, but affordable again.

With that, I’ll like to hand it over to Jimmy Panetta, who is my colleague in Northern California.

Over 4,000 Join Congressman Brad Sherman’s Year-End Telephone Town Hall

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

SHERMAN OAKS, CA – On December 17th, more than 4,000 residents joined Congressman Brad Sherman’s (CA-32)live Telephone Town Hall, as he reviewed the battles fought over the past year and outlined the priorities and challenges facing Congress in the year ahead.

“I’m grateful that thousands of residents continue to join these town halls,” CongressmanSherman said. “This was my final town hall of the year, and I’ve held many town halls throughout the year to keep constituents informed during a chaotic and consequential time in Washington. We’ve pushed back against reckless policies that raise costs and threaten basic protections, but there is more work ahead — and staying connected with constituents is essential to that fight.”

In his opening remarks, Congressman Sherman reviewed efforts over the past year to counter what he described as President Trump’s reckless policies — including actions that have driven up everyday costs, threatened health care affordability, and weakened federal protections. He warned that Republican inaction in Congress is setting the stage for sharp health insurance premium increases in the coming year and emphasized the need to protect families from higher out-of-pocket costs.

Congressman Sherman also discussed what he described as reckless actions by the Trump administration on the world stage, including the recent Venezuelan boat strikes. As a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Sherman emphasized the dangers of unilateral military actions without transparency or accountability and warned that such decisions risk broader instability and unintended consequences.

The Congressman also addressed the recent antisemitic terror attack in Bondi Beach, Australia, placing it within the broader context of a rising tide of antisemitism around the globe. Sherman reiterated that combating antisemitism has been a central focus of his career and stressed the importance of strong international cooperation and moral clarity in confronting antisemitism, hate and political violence wherever and whenever it occurs.

Throughout the event, Sherman answered questions and addressed concerns about the continued and aggressive ICE deportation raids, rising prices, threats to Medicare and Social Security, and the broader direction of the country under the Trump administration. He reiterated his commitment to holding the administration accountable and continuing to fight for working families across our communities.

The Town Hall also featured California Assemblymember Nick Schultz as a special guest. Schultz discussed priorities in the State Legislature, including efforts to address affordability, protect access to health care, and ensure coordination between state and federal leaders to support communities during a period of economic and political uncertainty.

During the Town Hall, Sherman requested input from residents by asking a series of survey questions about their thoughts and concerns.

The results of the survey questions are as follows:


1) Thinking about your financial situation one year ago, would you say that you and your family are better off or worse off financially TODAY than you were one year ago?

-Better Off: 10%

-Same: 29%

-Worse Off: 58%


2) Do you support President Trump’s unilateral, extrajudicial military strikes against allegedly gang-affiliated Venezuelan drug runners without the approval of Congress?

-Yes: 7%

-No: 91%

-Unsure: 3%


3) Should Congress pass a law requiring nationwide independent nonpartisan redistricting commissions as Prop 50 calls for?

-Yes: 79%

-No: 5%

-Unsure: 16%


Jayapal, Fletcher Demand Answers as Trump Cancels Immigration Applications, Citizenship Ceremonies

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Security, Integrity, and Enforcement, and Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) are demanding answers after the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced they would indefinitely pause the immigration process for nationals from the countries listed in Trump’s travel ban.

“Without clarity on how long this broad pause will last, soon-to-be citizens will be left in limbo for perpetuity, and families will be forced to remain separated,” wrote the Members. “What is clear is that no amount of vetting, moral character, or commitment to this country and its democratic values is enough to satiate the Trump Administration.”

Based solely on immigrants’ country of origin, Trump’s USCIS is both pausing and canceling green card interviews, applications, naturalization interviews, and even oath ceremonies for immigrants who have completed rigorous vetting and have secured citizenship. These are people who have followed every process and undergone extensive and repeated vetting to secure legal status.

“These naturalization ceremonies are a time of celebration, as soon-to-be U.S. citizens welcome their friends and family to witness their achievement of becoming a U.S. citizen. To deny this monumental achievement to those who have waited years, if not decades, to pledge the Oath of Allegiance. Delaying their naturalization through no fault of their own is a slap in the face to all those who have devoted their time and energy to become U.S. citizens,” continued the Members. “This sweeping action is unjustified, discriminatory, and inconsistent with our nation’s founding principles.”

The Members are demanding answers on a timeline for when the pause will be lifted, any new background and security checks that are being run in the meantime, and a full report to Congress. 

The full text of the letter can be found here.

The letter was also signed by Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Pete Aguilar (CA-31), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Ami Bera (CA-06), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-27), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Herbert Conway (NJ-03), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jason Crow (CO-06), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesús “Chuy”  García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Rick Larsen (WA-02), John Larson (CT-01), Summer Lee (PA-12), Susie Lee (NV-03), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-09), John Mannion (NY-22), Sarah McBride (DE-At Large), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Richard Neal (MA-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cotrez (NY14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Andrea Salinas (OR-29), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

Issues:

Monopoly Busters Caucus Blasts Trump Administration for Ending Key Partnership with States that Protects Competition in the Agriculture Industry, Lowers Prices for Consumers

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, DC -Today, The Monopoly Busters Caucus, led by Co-Chairs U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17) and Pat Ryan (NY-18), blasted the Trump Administration for ending a key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) partnership with bipartisan state attorneys general (AGs) that bolstered competition and tackled anticompetitive market structures in food and agricultural markets that have driven up prices for working Americans. 

Through the Agricultural Competition Partnership (ACP), USDA previously provided $15 million in funding, support, and expertise to under-resourced state AG offices to help facilitate partnerships between federal and state law enforcement in order to achieve fairer, more competitive markets and more resilient supply chains. This included a focus on price gouging and addressing market structure problems, barriers to competition, and conflicts of interest.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the caucus stressed the importance of the ACP in combatting market consolidation, which has decreased margins for family farmers, producers and small business owners, while increasing prices for consumers. The Members also demanded answers from Secretary Rollins about how USDA plans to promote competition in the food and agriculture industries and supply emergency price relief to American farmers, workers and consumers.

“Ending the partnership with state AGs threatens competition and is contrary to President Trump’s stated goals of lowering food prices, helping struggling independent farmers, and promoting national security,” the Members wrote. 

“Consolidation in the food and agriculture markets is significant and remains a growing problem for farmers and consumers,” the Members continued. “In consolidated markets like food and agriculture, dominant firms are able to abuse their market power, cutting costs and underinvesting in workers, supply chains, and key food infrastructure; forcing consumers and small businesses to pay higher prices; and reducing choice and quality in the marketplace. As consolidation has accelerated, hundreds of thousands of independent farms have shuttered, hurting rural communities, limiting production, and hindering food accessibility.”

“Although the Trump Administration has claimed it intends to ‘deliver emergency price relief’ to defeat the ‘cost-of-living crisis’ and implement ‘America First Priorities,’ walking away from the ACP with state AGs signals you are abandoning antitrust efforts that could actually address rising food prices for consumers and rising costs for farmers,” the Members concluded. 

The letter was signed by Reps. Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Jerry Nadler (NY-10), André Carson (IN-07), Becca Balint (VT-AL) and Greg Casar (TX-35).

You can read the full text of the letter here.

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Issues:

Casten, Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Resolution Honoring Illinois’ Blue Ribbon Schools After Trump Administration Ends Program

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

December 18, 2025

Washington, D.C. (December 18, 2025) — After the Trump Administration ended the Blue Ribbon Schools Program, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06), U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced a resolution to recognize the 28 Illinois schools that were selected to receive the designation of Blue Ribbon Schools this year. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program was a national recognition from the U.S. Department of Education given to public, charter, and private schools for their exemplary education and work to close the achievement gap.

“Illinois’ Blue Ribbon Schools represent the very best of our state’s education system,” said Rep. Casten. “Teachers, administrators, and students work tirelessly to earn this distinction, which recognizes a sustained commitment to academic excellence. Although the Trump Administration needlessly ended the program, Congress can and should continue to honor deserving institutions. I am proud to introduce this resolution with Senators Durbin and Duckworth to ensure their achievements receive the recognition they’ve earned.”

“Rather than continue our nation’s tradition of celebrating schools that have dedicated themselves to closing the achievement gap, the Trump Administration has focused its energy on closing the Department of Education at the detriment of our nation’s students and their education. While the Trump Administration will not recognize the hard work of educators, I am proud to celebrate the achievements of Illinois schools who earned the title of being a Blue Ribbon School,” said Sen. Durbin. “My resolution with Senator Duckworth and Congressman Casten gives these schools – and the educators, faculty, and staff that run them – the recognition they deserve.”

“Our state and our nation are stronger when we invest in our schools and support our teachers,” Sen. Duckworth said. “I’m proud to recognize this year’s National Blue Ribbon Schools across Illinois and their efforts to help students thrive inside and outside the classroom. I will continue to work alongside Senator Durbin to ensure that all students—no matter their zip code—have the opportunity to grow and thrive.”

Created in 1982 by the Reagan Administration, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program was the highest federal recognition a school could receive. The program showcased the best teaching practices of educators and encouraged other schools to model them. Since its inception, the program has honored more than 9,000 public, private, charter, and parochial schools nationwide.

Joining Casten, Durbin, and Duckworth in introducing the resolution are U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Johnathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14).

Full text of the resolution is available here.

Illinois schools that were selected for the 2025 Blue Ribbon Schools designation prior to the discontinuation of the program are:

  1. Ascension Catholic School – Oak Park, Illinois

  2. Clarendon Hills Middle School – Clarendon Hills, Illinois

  3. Glen Oaks Elementary School – Hickory Hills, Illinois

  4. Highlands Elementary School – La Grange, Illinois

  5. Kennedy Junior High School – Lisle, Illinois

  6. Liberty Intermediate School – Bourbonnais, Illinois

  7. Lincoln-Way East High School – Frankfort, Illinois

  8. Lyons Township High School – La Grange, Illinois

  9. Mascoutah Middle School – Mascoutah, Illinois

  10. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy – Chicago, Illinois

  11. Pleasantdale Middle School – Burr Ridge, Illinois

  12. Prescott Elementary School – Chicago, Illinois

  13. Regina Dominican High School – Wilmette, Illinois

  14. Sarah Adams Elementary School – Lake Zurich, Illinois

  15. St. Anne Catholic School – Barrington, Illinois

  16. St. Giles School – Oak Park, Illinois

  17. St. John of the Cross Parish School – Western Springs, Illinois

  18. St. Matthias School – Chicago, Illinois

  19. St. Norbert School – Northbrook, Illinois

  20. St. Therese Chinese Catholic School – Chicago, Illinois

  21. Sunset Ridge Elementary School – Northfield, Illinois

  22. The Academy at St. Joan of Arc – Evanston, Illinois

  23. Timothy Christian P–8 – Elmhurst, Illinois

  24. Walker Elementary School – Clarendon Hills, Illinois

  25. Warren Elementary School – Warren, Illinois

  26. Wheaton Academy – West Chicago, Illinois

  27. William Fremd High School – Palatine, Illinois

  28. Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart – Lake Forest, Illinois

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Larsen Celebrates Wins for Washington State in Coast Guard Authorization Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act (CGAA) as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act:

“The Coast Guard Authorization Act invests in Washington state’s Coasties and the communities they serve – from better equipping marine firefighters to preventing and responding to oil spills to extending the whale desk,” said Rep. Larsen. “I have proudly supported this bill to make sure the women and men who keep our seas safe have the resources they need to achieve mission success and protect Washingtonians. I am glad to see it move to the President’s desk and I urge him to sign it into law.”

The CGAA includes key provisions to support Coasties in the Pacific Northwest and keep Washingtonians safe, including:

Extension of the Cetacean Desk

The CGAA provides a two-year extension of the pilot program that established the whale desk at Coast Guard Base Seattle. This program provides real-time whale location data for mariners to prevent ship strikes and noise disturbance while also protecting whale species.

International Oil Spill Contingency Planning

In response to the increased oil tanker traffic entering Canadian waters north of Puget Sound, the CGAA requires the Coast Guard to update and modernize oil spill response plans and agreements with Canada in the event of a cross-jurisdiction spill.

Salvaging and Marine Firefighting (SMFF)

In response to the tragic passing of a community member during the 2022 sinking of the Aleutian Isle off Sunset Point in Rep. Larsen’s district, the CGAA allows for verification of SMFF capacity in vessel response plans to ensure that ships are stocked with the necessary salvage and marine firefighting equipment.

Seattle Property Negotiating

The CGAA broadens the scope of cooperative agreements into which the U.S. Coast Guard can enter, including with Tribal organizations. This will allow the Coast Guard to better negotiate with Muckleshoot and Suquamish tribes over land and water use while modernizing Base Seattle.

Tsunami Preparedness

The CGAA requires every Coast Guard base or station located in a high-tsunami-risk area to develop an evacuation plan in coordination with local governments, conduct regular drills and conduct follow-ups with servicemembers and staff.

Rep. Larsen is the top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has jurisdiction over the U.S. Coast Guard. In that role, Rep. Larsen introduced and secured passage of the CGAA through the Committee by a 60-0 vote and the House by a 399-12 vote.

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Rep. Mike Levin Votes in Favor of the 2026 National Defense Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

December 10, 2025

The 2026 NDAA Provides Military Pay Raise, Significant Resources for Camp Pendleton

Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) voted to pass the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a pay raise for service members, funding for new military construction projects, and increases child care financial assistance. Following Rep. Levin’s advocacy, it delivers $90.04 million in new construction funding to Camp Pendleton. The NDAA also includes Rep. Levin’s bill, H.R. 6097, the TIER Act of 2025, which assists service members with the tools they need to successfully transition back into civilian life.

Rep. Levin released the following statement after the passage of the NDAA in the House:

“I supported this year’s National Defense Authorization Act because it strengthens our national security while delivering meaningful benefits for the Marines, Sailors, and military families who call our region home. The bill provides a pay raise for all service members, including key projects at Camp Pendleton that will improve safety, training, and quality of life. It also includes my TIER Act, which will strengthen the transition process for those leaving active duty and help ensure they receive the right level of support.

“Importantly, many of the harmful provisions that forced me to vote against the previous House version were removed, and the final bill avoids the culture fights that would have undermined readiness. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will now work to ensure every authorized dollar actually reaches our bases. That means fighting for full funding for Camp Pendleton and the surrounding installations, and making sure these investments translate into real improvements for our service members, their families, and our regional economy,”

The FY2026 NDAA authorizes millions in new funding to Camp Pendleton including:

  • $23.5 million for the Area 52 Communications Center;
  • $43.8 million for the Fire Emergency Response Station;
  • $22.74 million for Area 53 Mess Hall and Armory.

Additionally, the FY2026 NDAA includes provisions that improve service members’ quality of life:

  • 3.8% pay raise for service members;
  • $1.5 billion for new construction of barracks and family housing;
  • Five-year pilot program that will increase maximum childcare financial assistance by 30% for children two years or younger who are located in areas with high child care service costs. Service members on Camp Pendleton are eligible for this program;
  • Requires the Department of Defense to study alternative methods for calculating Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to better reflect market trends and the true cost of housing, especially in high cost and rural areas.

The TIER Act, which is included in the FY2026 NDAA, improves the existing Transition Assistance Program (TAP) by adding additional screening factors to more accurately assess the transition risk for individual service members. By focusing especially on child care requirements, spousal employment, and familial obligations of each service member, the bill will help us identify the resources each service member needs to succeed in their transition to civilian life.

TAP has three pathways, also called tiers, that screen each service member for potential risk as they go through the transition process in order to determine the level of support they will need. Service members are assigned a tier by counselors based on many factors, such as disability, rank, term of service, educational and employment history, military occupational specialty, and more. The passage of Rep. Levin’s TIER Act in the NDAA will help clarify other factors such as familial obligations and spousal unemployment that will then contribute to the tier where they are placed and the level of support they are given.

The FY2026 NDAA now goes to the Senate for final consideration.

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Quigley, Jayapal, McBride, Foushee Lead Legislation to EndTrump Use of Police for Immigration Enforcement

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (IL-05), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Sarah McBride (DE-At Large), and Valerie Foushee (NC-04) re-introduced the Protecting the Rights of Towns against federal Enforcement contrary to Constitutional Tenets for (PROTECT) Immigration Act, legislation which would end the deputization of local and state police departments to enforce immigration law. The PROTECT Immigration Act would rescind the statutory authority for the federal government’s 287(g) Program, which allows the Department of Homeland Security to enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration law.

“The Trump administration just spent months terrorizing immigrants in the Chicagoland area. Their actions led to domestic violence victims fleeing a courthouse rather than receive restraining orders against their abusers, all out of fear that ICE or local law enforcement would detain and deport them,” said Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05). “I met with immigrants and their neighbors who are afraid to call for help or report crimes in their neighborhoods because of Trump’s deliberate erosion of trust between communities and local police. And now the Trump administration is running ads targeting local police and offering $50,000 signing bonuses to pull critical law enforcement away from day-to-day policing in order to arrest and detain hardworking immigrants with no criminal records. We must bring an end to the 287(g) program and cut off one of the avenues this administration has exploited to intimidate immigrant communities.”

“Allowing local law enforcement to be deputized to kidnap and disappear immigrants undercuts the trust that local police rely on to maintain public safety in our communities,” said Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07). “Immigrants and their U.S. citizen loved ones stop reporting crimes out of fear of being kidnapped and deported. Local police are spread thin enforcing federal civil immigration law. We know that Trump is not targeting criminals, he is targeting our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and pillars of our community. This lawlessness must end immediately.”

“I’m proud to co-lead this legislation with Congressman Quigley to restore trust, safety, and integrity to our immigration system. For too long, the 287(g) program has drained local resources, fueled racial profiling, and made communities less safe — and it’s time we end it. The PROTECT Immigration Act makes clear that immigration enforcement belongs with trained federal authorities, guaranteeing that local law enforcement can focus exclusively on keeping our communities safe. This bill would take a step toward restoring trust between local communities and police departments so every family can live with dignity and without fear,” said Representative Sarah McBride (DE-At Large).

“The Trump Administration’s attempt to expand the 287(g) Program is a direct assault on civil rights and the Constitution,” said Representative Valerie Foushee (NC-04). “Having served in local law enforcement for more than 20 years, I know policing should protect and support our communities, not divide it, and deputizing local officers into immigration enforcers only erodes public trust, undermines public safety, and deepens fear. We need laws in place that restore fairness and uphold justice. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the PROTECT Immigration Act, which will reverse this harmful program and take an important step toward repairing the flaws in our broken immigration system.”

“In just one year, the Trump administration has massively expanded the 287(g) program and distorted it in ways Congress never intended, exploiting local law enforcement resources for its dystopian mass deportation agenda,” said Naureen Shah, director of policy and government affairs for the ACLU’s Equality Division. “Enlisting local law enforcement for mass deportations isn’t just a waste of taxpayer dollars – it terrorizes our communities, undermines public safety and fuels racial profiling. We thank Congressman Quigley for his leadership and urge our members of Congress to pass the PROTECT Immigration Act without delay.”

“The rapid expansion of the 287(g) program under the Trump administration represents yet another way that mass deportation undermines public safety for all Americans. When local police serve as a force multiplier for ICE, people become more afraid to report crime and less trusting of local police officers.  Local law enforcement agencies should prioritize real public safety concerns in their communities rather than waste limited manpower making traffic stops that turn into detention and deportation for long-standing community members who pose no threat. The PROTECT Act takes the overdue step of repealing a program that is unnecessary for effective enforcement of immigration laws, but continues to have a harmful track record for public safety,” said Nayna Gupta, Policy Director at the American Immigration Council.

Quigley has championed the PROTECT Immigration Act since 2017.

The PROTECT Immigration Act would:

  • Repeal the statutory authority for the 287(g) Program; and
  • Clarify that state and local law enforcement lack “inherent authority” to arrest people for suspected immigration offenses.

The legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (Del.-DC), Sarah Jacobs (CA-51), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Henry “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).