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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Bill to Empower Michigan Native Tribes Advances Committee

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar’s legislation, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act, was passed by the House Committee on Education and Workforce. The legislation affirms the rights of Native American tribes to govern labor relations on their own lands. The bill intends to respect tribal sovereignty, ensuring that Native communities have the same self-determination enjoyed by state and local governments.  

“The Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act is about fairness and respect. Tribal governments should have the same authority as every other level of government in America to make decisions for their people and their communities,” said Congressman Moolenaar. “This legislation recognizes the sovereignty of tribes and ensures they have the ability to create policies that best serve their members. I am grateful for the support it received in the Education and Workforce Committee, and will continue my work to deliver this important protection for tribal communities.”   

The Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act has been a longstanding priority for Native American leaders, receiving support letters from 33 tribes across the country as it was considered by the Education and Workforce Committee. By placing tribes on equal footing with states and territories under the National Labor Relations Act, the bill strengthens tribal self-governance and reaffirms the federal government’s commitment to honoring tribal sovereignty. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Meets with Netherlands’ Ambassador to America

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar met with Birgitta Tazelaar, the Dutch Ambassador to the United States. Their conversation covered areas of cooperation between the United States and the Netherlands, while recognizing the deep cultural and historical ties shared with West Michigan.

“In West Michigan so many families trace their roots back to the Netherlands, so it was wonderful to meet with Ambassador Tazelaar and discuss the strong alliance between our two countries. We also talked about how our countries can work together to protect innovation and counter the Chinese Communist Party. I look forward to continuing to work with the ambassador and the Dutch government on these issues,” said Moolenaar

Congressman John Moolenaar, right, meets with Dutch Ambassador Birgitta Tazelaar.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02)

Washington, D.C. –  Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, released the following statement after her Financial Exploitation Prevention Act was unanimously approved by the Financial Services Committee:

“We are facing a growing crisis that is often hidden in plain sight: the financial exploitation of our most vulnerable citizens. This issue affects millions, robbing them of their life savings and sense of security.  For too long, the financial industry has been limited in its ability to combat this insidious crime.  My Financial Exploitation Prevention Act empowers the people who are in the best position to intervene and stop financial abuse before it’s too late.  Crucially, it allows financial institutions to temporarily delay a transaction if they have a reasonable belief that it is the result of financial exploitation.  Tools like this will help better protect those who are 65 or older, as well as those with mental or physical impairments who are unable to protect their own interests. I am grateful the full Committee passed this legislation today, and I look forward to the House as a whole taking this up.”

Background

The Financial Exploitation Prevention Act would give the financial industry better tools to address suspected financial exploitation and abuse of seniors and those with mental and physical disabilities. First, the bill requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to report to Congress on recommendations for legislative and regulatory changes on how to combat financial exploitation of seniors and vulnerable adults. Second, the bill permits a registered open-end investment company or transfer agent for that company, including mutual funds, to better protect seniors by delaying the redemption period of any redeemable security if it was reasonably believed that such redemption was requested through the financial exploitation of a security holder who is a senior or an individual unable to protect their own interests.

Seniors aged 65 and over will make up 18% of the U.S. population by 2030. As more investors age into retirement, their risk of exploitation increases. According to a 2023 AARP report, Americans age 60 and older lose an estimated $28.3 billion annually due to financial exploitation.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK), along with Reps. Betty McCollum (D-MN), Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Jared Huffman (D-CA), introduced H.R. 5257, the Tribal Trust Land Reaffirmation Act. This legislation would address the Supreme Court’s 2009 Carcieri v. Salazar decision by reaffirming that all current land put into trust on behalf of a federally recognized tribe by the Department of the Interior (DOI) is officially reaffirmed as trust land.

After introducing the legislation, the members of Congress released the following statements:

“This decision has caused uncertainty and resulted in heavy legal and administrative burdens for tribes and the federal government, putting millions of dollars’ worth of trust land in legal limbo,” said Congressman Cole. “The Tribal Trust Land Reaffirmation Act will help alleviate this egregious wrongdoing and restore stability for federally recognized tribes that have land in trust. I am thankful to my good friends and allies to Indian country, Reps. McCollum, Rogers, and Huffman, for their collaboration on this legislation and continued efforts to right this wrong.”

“All federally recognized Tribal Nations deserve the assurance that land they have had placed into trust will be honored. Trust land is vital for Tribes to restore their homelands and to meet their communities’ needs for housing, healthcare infrastructure, agriculture, and other resources,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “The Tribal Trust Land Reaffirmation Act will strengthen self-governance by removing the threat and burden of lawsuits that have challenged the trust land of tribes recognized after 1934. Congress must honor our federal trust and treaty responsibilities by passing this legislation to reaffirm the legitimacy of all land placed into trust for all tribal nations.”

“I am proud to join my friend and colleague, Chairman Tom Cole, in introducing this legislation,” said Congressman Rogers. “These lands are currently in a state of legal flux, and passage of the Tribal Trust Land Reaffirmation Act will bring needed certainty to our tribes.”

“All federally recognized tribes deserve to have equal access to economic development opportunities that come with taking land into trust. The disastrous Carcieri decision threw a wrench into this system, pitting tribes against each other and creating a never-ending spiral of litigation,” said Congressman Huffman. “I’m glad be working alongside Rep. Cole, my colleagues, and our many tribal partners to right this wrong, and we won’t stop until this bill becomes law.”  

Background:

As a result of the Indian Removal Act signed into law by President Andrew Jackson in 1830, many Native American Tribes were forcibly removed from their land and relocated to unknown areas that provided them with little to no opportunity to prosper.

Then, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Congress authorized placing tribal lands into trust with the federal government. On the contrary to the unknown lands, trust lands offered Tribes the ability to rebuild their communities by expanding economic opportunities and provide for their fellow Tribal members. For example, Tribal communities often use trust lands to produce energy, grow crops, build schools, housing, and hospitals for their communities, and more. Additionally, trust land gives Tribes access to certain tax credits and contracting opportunities that generate public and private partnerships that lead to increased jobs and services for both Tribal and non-Tribal communities. In fact, Tribal nations are often the largest employers and health service providers in their areas.

Yet, unfortunately, in Carcieri v. Salazar in 2009, the Supreme Court ruled that the Secretary of the Interior’s authority to take land into trust is limited to only those tribes “under federal jurisdiction” as of 1934, the year Congress enacted the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA). This decision upended 75 years of federal precedent, causing damaging consequences for Tribes, as it created two different classes of Indian Tribes: those that can have land in trust and those that cannot. An unfortunate result of this decision stemmed opportunities for litigation to be brought against Tribes challenging the legitimacy of their trust land. This has resulted in heavy legal and administrative burdens for both Tribes and the federal government.

Ever since the 2009 Supreme Court decision, Rep. Tom Cole, in coordination with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, has introduced or helped lead legislation to fix this detrimental decision, protect tribal sovereignty, and alleviate the federal government from frivolous lawsuits and burdensome, time-consuming protocols for trust land applications.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

Today, Congresswomen Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12)and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), alongside Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), introduced the bicameral Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act. The bill will help address financial challenges for new farmers and ranchers, especially as farm input costs continue to rise and agricultural prices continue to fall in 2025.

Beginning farmers often face immediate financial hurdles during their first years of operation. This legislation directs the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to develop a multi-year loan pilot program to address financing challenges for beginning farmers and ranchers.

“The future of our agriculture industry depends on the next generation of farmers and ranchers, but high costs and shrinking profit margins make it difficult for them to enter the field,” said Congresswoman Adams. “The Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act is a lifeline for our new agriculture producers, ensuring their access to essential programs like long-term loans, flexible financing terms, and technical assistance that strengthen their operations. Our farms, especially small, mid-sized, and family farms, need our support and I’m proud to introduce this bill to give them the resources they need to be successful.”

“New farmers starting their businesses often face financial barriers,” said Representative Strickland. “This bill gives farmers immediate access to capital as they begin their farming operations.”

“Supporting aspiring and beginner farmers is key to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our food systems and the health and welfare of our communities. Start-up funds are vital to building a business in any industry, and farming is no exception. Yet for many beginning farmers—especially first-generation and farmers of color—financial barriers can make it difficult to break ground on their farm,” said Senator Welch. “Our bicameral bill will make it easier for beginning farmers in Vermont, North Carolina, Washington, and across the country to start and maintain farming operations.”

The full bill text can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative for Western Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata

Headline: House Passes Amata-Cosponsored Veterans and Foreign Affairs Legislation

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting House passage this week, and a few earlier this month, of several bills that she cosponsored. 

The following Amata-cosponsored bills were passed by the House on Monday: 

The TRAVEL Act, H.R. 3400, fully titled the Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare Act, sponsored by Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-CNMI); together with original cosponsors Rep. Aumua Amata Radewagen of American Samoa, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC), and Rep. James Moylan (R-Guam), then added the support of ten more representatives, including Rep. Ed Case (D-HI) and Pablo Jose Hernandez (D-PR). 

This bipartisan bill, passed 371-21, authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assign a physician in the Veterans Health Administration as a traveling physician for up to a year, providing health care to veterans in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Traveling physicians will coordinate locally for quality care for veterans. The VA will provide a relocation or retention bonus to these traveling physicians.

“Through this bipartisan bill, the VA can bring fresh medical expertise directly to our island Veterans,” said HVAC Vice Chairman Amata. “The VA traveling physician would work in cooperation with our local health professionals to the benefit of our veterans, for weeks and months at a time.”

The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, House final passage by voice vote Monday of the Senate-amended H.R. 452, which Amata cosponsored, now sent to President Trump to be signed into law. The bill awards Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, “in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics where, being comprised of amateur collegiate players, they defeated the dominant Soviet hockey team in the historic ‘Miracle on Ice’, revitalizing American morale at the height of the Cold War, inspiring generations and transforming the sport of hockey in the United States.”

Congresswoman Amata also cosponsored the following bills, passed earlier in September, after advancing through the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC):

The ARMOR Act, H.R. 4233, fully titled the AUKUS Reform for Military Optimization and Review Act. In turn AUKUS is an acronym for Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, working cooperatively on security issues, equipment and systems. The bipartisan bill, led by Rep. Young Kim (R-CA), who chairs the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, of which Amata is vice chairman, expedites review and licensing to prioritize these efforts. 

The Uyghur Policy Act of 2025, H.R. 2635, a bipartisan effort also led by Rep. Kim. This bill addresses human rights issues concerning the Uyghurs and other minority groups residing primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in China; directs the Department of State to prioritize policies and programs to support the Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in the XUAR and to lead coordination efforts for the release of certain political prisoners in the XUAR; facilitate the presence of human rights advocates at public diplomacy forums to speak on issues related to the human rights and religious freedoms of persecuted minority groups in China; ensure that Uyghur language training is available to Foreign Service officers, and that a Uyghur-speaking member of the Foreign Service is assigned to U.S. diplomatic and consular posts in China.

“AUKUS strengthens our Pacific region and is an enduring priority,” concluded Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “We also take an important stand as a nation for human rights, principles of freedom, and the dignity of people. Years ago, before I was in Congress, I held workshops on democracy and economics including a seminar with the Uyghurs, as their leaders came to our meeting from all over the world. Thank you especially to the leadership of Chairwoman Young Kim on each of these bipartisan efforts.”

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

WASHINGTON – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today introduced the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation to ensure dedicated, trained support remains available to LGBTQ+ youth who contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain specialized services and to reserve no less than 9 percent of 988 Lifeline funds each year to sustain and strengthen those services.

The House bill is co-led by Reps. Michael Lawler (R-NY), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Seth Moulton (D-MA), with Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introducing companion legislation in the Senate.

“America’s youth mental health crisis is real, and LGBTQ+ young people are at significantly higher risk,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “The 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline must always meet them with affirming, specialized care, not busy signals or generic referrals. Our bill locks in the trained counselors and resources these teens need in the darkest moments of their lives, so a text, call, or chat to 988 reaches someone who understands and can help. This is about saving lives, and it should remain above politics.”

In July, Congressman Krishnamoorthi led 104 of his House colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to the House Appropriations Committee calling for 988 funding to be preserved. Congressman Krishnamoorthi also spoke about the importance of the 988 hotline during a press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol this summer.

Why it matters:

• Approximately 45 percent of high school students who seriously considered attempting suicide in 2021 identified as LGBTQ+.

• Since its launch, the 988 LGBTQ+ specialized services have handled over 1.5 million calls, texts, and chats—averaging ~2,200 contacts per day as of May 2025.

• Specialized lines staffed by counselors trained on LGBTQ+ youth challenges deliver safer, more effective crisis response.

What the bill does:

• Protects and sustains specialized services: Directs HHS to maintain and operate LGBTQ+ youth specialized services within 988, including the Press 3/IVR path to affirming counselors.

• Sets a funding floor: Requires HHS to reserve at least 9 percent of 988 resources annually for these services, ensuring reliable capacity and continuity.

“Growing up can be challenging, and for LGBTQ+ youth, those challenges can feel overwhelming,” Congresswoman Davids said. “That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues from both parties to introduce this bipartisan bill that ensures every young person has access to the 988 suicide crisis hotline. Mental health support saves lives, and we must make sure trained counselors are always there for LGBTQ+ youth when they need help most.”

“I led the fight to create the 988 hotline because I knew it would save lives— and it has,” Congressman Moulton said. “More than 2,000 LGBTQ+ young people used the ‘Press 3’ option each day to get in touch with someone who understood what they were going through, and more than 1.5 million youth in crisis have received life-saving care since the lifeline started. That’s what makes the reckless decision to eliminate the ‘Press 3’ option so cruel and dumbfounding. Now, through the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act, we are acting to guarantee the ‘Press 3’ option into law. No president, no administration, and no political agenda should ever be able to take it away again.”

“Every young person in crisis deserves to know that when they reach out for help, someone will be there to answer. We must ensure that the 988 Lifeline continues to be a critical resource for folks in New York and across the country. I’m proud to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure it’s there for every American who needs it,” Congressman Lawler said.

“Every young person in crisis deserves to hear a voice on the other end of the line—one that is trained and equipped to save their life,” Congressman Fitzpatrick said. “Nearly 1.3 million LGBTQ+ youth have already turned to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s ‘Press 3’ option. That tells us two things: the need is staggering, and the service is working. Behind every call is a child fighting to survive, and having trained, affirming support on the other end of the line can mean the difference between despair and hope. This bill ensures no call goes unanswered and no child is left without support. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Task Force, I’ve fought to expand 988 and strengthen youth mental health services. Now is the time to build on that progress—not walk it back.”

“LGBTQ+ youth experience significant health and behavioral health disparities, including elevated rates of suicide attempts, with 39% reporting in 2024 that they had seriously considered suicide in the past year,” Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said. “Research shows that culturally competent care—support that understands and affirms LGBTQ+ identities—can be life-saving. Before the 988 LGBTQ+ line was shut down on July 17, more than 1.5 million calls, texts, and chats were routed to specially trained counselors. AFSP thanks Representatives Krishnamoorthi, Lawler, Davids, Fitzpatrick, and Moulton, and Senators Baldwin and Murkowski, for introducing bipartisan legislation to restore these specialized services. We urge Congress to act quickly to pass this vital bill and ensure LGBTQ+ youth in crisis have access to the care they need.”

“Two months ago today, the administration eliminated the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s ‘Press 3’ LGBTQ+ youth specialized services – a devastating blow that cut life-saving resources for more than 1.5 million young LGBTQ+ Americans who relied on them,” Trevor Project’s CEO, Jaymes Black said. “Given that LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, the need for these services remains pressing. At The Trevor Project, we are doing everything we can to fill the gaps in crisis care caused by the ‘Press 3’ shutdown. We are immensely grateful to the members of Congress – both Republicans and Democrats – who are calling to restore this vital suicide prevention funding through new legislation. This is not about politics, or identity; this is about doing what is best to support our country’s highest risk populations – and save young people’s lives nationwide.”

“LGBTQ+ youth are facing a mental health crisis at a scale we can’t ignore. Nearly 40% have seriously considered suicide, according to The Trevor Project, and far too many are unable to access the care they need. In 2024 alone, almost half of LGBTQ+ young people who sought mental health support couldn’t, often because of barriers at home or in their schools,” GLSEN’s Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers said. “The launch of the LGBTQ+ option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was a major step forward. It’s a service that has already made a difference, and one we can’t afford to lose. The bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025 will ensure that this specialized service remains available and fully funded for the LGBTQI+ community. By codifying ‘Option 3’ into law, this bill sends a clear message: our LGBTQ+ youth matter, and they deserve support, safety, and someone to turn to in their darkest moments. We’re proud to see leaders on both sides of the aisle standing up for their lives.”

“It comes down to one simple truth: 988 saves lives—especially for those who are most vulnerable,” David Stacy, Vice President of Government Affairs, Human Rights Campaign, said. “The evidence is clear and overwhelming, yet this administration has cruelly ripped away this vital lifeline. We are proud that leaders from both parties recognize the importance of 988, what it represents, and the lives it changes. Their support helps us ensure that every person has the chance to live their full American dream.”

“LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionately high rates of suicide and suicidal thoughts, making access to specialized suicide prevention and support essential,” Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), said. “We have to do everything we can to save young people’s lives. The 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act dedicates critical resources to maintain and strengthen the specialized LGBTQ+ services within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.  NAMI is proud to support this lifesaving legislation.”

The legislation is supported by the Trevor Project, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the National Alliance for Mental Illness, GLSEN, and the Human Rights Campaign. 

The full text of the bill is available here.

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

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) delivered a speech from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives about the concerning state of American politics and the path forward to unite our country.  The full speech is available here.

President Trump and his administration have increasingly acted in ways antithetical to American and democratic values, including deploying the U.S. military to cities, labeling the Democratic Party as domestic terrorists, targeting non-profit organizations and civil society organizations, and intimidating media companies, law firms and universities that don’t align with Trump’s policies.

Congressman Crow’s speech underlined the stakes of this moment, and builds on Crow’s longstanding work to condemn political violence and stand up for our democracy.

On Political Violence: 

Watch: “Political violence in every form is abhorrent. I condemn every act of political violence regardless of the source or motivation. I went to war three times for this country to defend the Constitution and the rights of people to say things I may disagree with. The right of every American to speak freely, peacefully organize, and protest is fundamental to who we are. After all, what is more American than the ability to question authority? Questioning authority is, in fact, our foundation and how we came about as a nation.” 

On the Concerning State of US Politics: 

Watch: “An attack on one person’s freedom is an attack on all of us. And that is exactly what Donald Trump is doing – attacking all of our rights. Donald Trump and his cronies are now labeling those who disagree with them terrorists, scum, and enemies of the state. And only they will decide what is hateful, only they will decide what poses a threat, only they will decide who can speak and who will be silenced.” 

On the Path Forward to Unite Our Country:

Watch: “There is courage everywhere we look. We have not yet lost our power. So many Americans have been sounding the alarm bell for a long time, and they have been right.  We have now reached the inflection point. Now is the time for us to stand firm. For us to stand with them. And for us to stand with all those defending democracy. Defending free speech. Defending freedom of religion. Defending due process. Defending the rule of law. Defending the right of schoolchildren to learn without fear of being shot. Defending government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Watch: “I have taken many oaths to protect and defend our country and Constitution, first as a soldier and now as a member of Congress. I often think back to the start of my service to this nation. As a young paratrooper, leading an infantry platoon in the invasion of Iraq. I think about the faces of those young men I was responsible for. Black, White, Asian, Hispanic. From the North, South, East, and West. From farms and from cities. Rich and poor. When I think of America, I still think of those young paratroopers. How we came together, despite our differences, we served together, we fought together, we found great strength in one another. That is America. There’s a tradition in the paratroopers, that the leader of the unit jumps out of the plane first and then the others follow. I’m ready to jump.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) released the following statement in celebration of Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787. This year’s observance carries special meaning as the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary in 2026.

Introduced by Reps. Aderholt and Watson Coleman, the Constitution Day Resolution is a bipartisan resolution that expresses support for and honors September 17th, 2024, as “Constitution Day”, and calls on the people of the United States to observe the day. The resolution recognizes the importance of the Constitution, both at the time of its signing on September 17th, 1787, and the importance it still bears today.

Congressman Aderholt, who serves on the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission (America 250), emphasized the enduring strength of the Constitution:

“The founders gave us a document that has withstood the test of time. For nearly two and a half centuries, the Constitution has been the guiding framework of our Republic, ensuring freedom, limiting government, and protecting the rights of the people. While nations around the world have risen and fallen, our Constitution has remained the foundation of American liberty and stability. As we honor Constitution Day, we should recommit ourselves to preserving its principles for future generations.”

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), who also serves on the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, added:

“As both a Representative and a citizen of the great state of New Jersey, the third state to ratify the Constitution and the first to ratify the Bill of Rights, it’s an honor to help introduce this resolution supporting and celebrating Constitution Day,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. “The framers of the Constitution had both the ingenuity to craft such a profoundly democratic document and the foresight to include a process to reform and update it as our country grew and progressed. In this way the United States Constitution is the longest surviving written charter of government in the world. It has inspired freedom-seeking people here at home and across the globe. As we approach the nation’s 250th Anniversary next year, we should all take time to reflect on our blessings and examine how we can all make the United States a ‘more perfect union.'”

The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, on which both Aderholt and Watson Coleman serve, is leading efforts to plan the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration in 2026. Constitution Day provides an important opportunity to reflect on the document that continues to define the American experiment in self-government.

47 bipartisan members have signed on as original cosponsors Constitution Day resolution.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON– Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) spoke on the House Floor to honor Donna Minter for her accomplishment of completing the “Grammy Climate Ride” to raise awareness and support for climate justice. Over her 3,000 mile journey, she raised over $25,000 for various Minnesota-based climate nonprofits.

The full video can be found here.

Full transcript below:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Donna Minter from Minneapolis for her extraordinary feat, completing the “Grammy Climate Ride.”

Inspired by her love for her grandchildren and a vision for a healthier, more sustainable planet for future generations, Donna spent 64 days traveling over 3,000 miles by bicycle to raise awareness and support for climate justice.

From California to Florida, Donna struck up conversations with those she met along the way to raise the alarm on the climate crisis.

Through this year’s ride, Donna raised over $25,000 for various Minnesota-based climate nonprofits.

Please join me in celebrating the extraordinary achievements and spirit of Donna Minter, and her strength and perseverance that made this possible.

Thank you and I yield back.”

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