MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Today, during the full Appropriations Committee markup of the Legislative Branch funding bill for Fiscal Year 2026, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) condemned House Republicans’ proposed cuts to the Library of Congress, which she says threatens the preservation of our nation’s history and culture.

“This is the largest library in the world. It is where some of our greatest treasures are held. It is the Library of Congress. It’s our library. It was set up for us for the time we need to do the research for the work that we need to do,” Pingree said in her opening remarks. “And it shows our belief in education, experience, and knowledge. […] It is all about understanding the importance of education and learning in the work that we do.”

Pingree pointed to the Trump Administration’s pattern of attacking the arts, museums, and culture, including firing the Librarian of Congress, cuts to the Institution of Museum and Library Services, and the President’s proposed budget that would eliminate the National Endowment for the Humanities. She warned that by going along with the proposed cuts to the Library of Congress, the Appropriations Committee would be “colluding in that assault on knowledge.”

A complete transcript of Pingree’s remarks is copied below. 

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Thank you very much. Mr. Chair, I want to concur and associate myself with the remarks of so many of my colleagues. This is a terrible bill. It’s inadequate funding. It’s bad policy. And there are so many irresponsible cuts and programs that are being eliminated under this. 

It also, as the member from Maryland so eloquently stated, really reduces the power of the Congress, and allowing us to abdicate so much of our responsibility to the Executive Branch, particularly, as you’ve heard others say, my colleagues in Florida, on these GAO cuts – our only legitimate way to have nonpartisan investigations. And we are also abdicating that responsibility. 

But I too, like my colleague from South Carolina, want to focus on the Library of Congress and the important role it’s played in our work here and throughout time. And this ridiculous $90 million cut – 15% of the library’s budget, starting with the assault already on this institution by firing the great librarian, Carla Hayden, and losing her leadership and the great work she’s done for all of us.

This is the largest library in the world. It is where some of our greatest treasures are held. It is the Library of Congress. It’s our library. It was set up for us for the time we need to do the research for the work that we need to do. I direct every visitor to Washington and to go to the Library of Congress. It’s one of the most magnificent buildings here on Capitol Hill and throughout the Capitol. 

And it shows our belief in education and experience and knowledge throughout the building. The art displayed the symbolism in the building. It is all about understanding the importance of education and learning in the work that we do. It has Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, and we all love the dinners that we attend at the Library of Congress. It’s one of the few bipartisan things we do. We sit next to each other. We talk about history, something that we can usually agree on, and we share that knowledge, and we share that experience, and we see the great treasures that are pulled out, usually just for us that night to look at it. It’s just recently acquired Stephen Sondheim’s papers, but that’s just one of the many items that is there.

Every book is somehow represented in the Library of Congress. Many of you don’t know that I used to write knitting books, and I’m sure you would like to have volumes on your shelves right now. Just let me know. But the fact is, I can remember the day back in the 1980s when I got my Library of Congress number for the first book, and I just thought—long before I ever thought it would be in Congress—what an amazing experience this is to have my book in the Library of Congress. 

We were so excited in the state of Maine in June when one of our Passamaquoddy elders, Dwayne Tomah, came to the Library of Congress because he was having the opportunity … Dwayne Tomah has been one of the Passamaquoddy who has done so much to preserve the language. And he was there to sing a song that had been retrieved from wax cylinders that were provided by an anthropologist in the 1890s. 

But finally, through technology used by the Library of Congress, they were able to get the digital version of that song, and he could sing that version in the original language. Think about that treasure and how important that is to preserve the knowledge and the culture of that particular tribe. Singing a song that hadn’t been heard for 128 years. 

That’s just one of the many things that happens there. And I just want to say, in the context of libraries, this is part of this administration’s assault on libraries and knowledge. They’ve already gutted the IMLS, the Institution of Museum and Library Service. They’ve gutted the National Endowment for the Humanities. These will both be zeroed out in the FY 26 budget request, although they haven’t been heard before us. But we will be colluding in that if we go along with this. 

We’ve heard so much from our own libraries about the devastation of not having this funding that’s already been cut by DOGE. The attack on knowledge, the assault of this administration through their executive orders, on what is allowed in research and scholarship and how we talk about and treat history.

This is us now in this cut colluding in that assault on knowledge that this administration is making. So, Congress should set its best example with its own library. We should not be cutting this account. We should not be getting swept up in the administration’s efforts. 

I yield back, but I ask everybody to vote no on this budget. Or, as my colleague said, just throw this bill away and let’s start over.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Maine First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s bipartisan effort to safeguard H-2B visas was unanimously approved in the Homeland Security Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2026. During today’s full Appropriations Committee markup of the bill, Pingree urged her colleagues to support her amendment, which she introduced with Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (R-Md.), explaining how vital these seasonal work visas are to Maine businesses and tourism industry. 

“We are going to have endless debate today, and it is all related to the fact that we don’t straighten out the situation that goes on in our country: the need for workers, the need to make sure that we have legal processes for people, and the need to make sure that farmers and hospitality industry and everyone else has all the people they need to do the job,” Pingree said. 

Under the amendment, employers that have demonstrated a history of compliance with the H-2B program would have access to the highest number of visas issued to them over the past five years. 

“I have examples of a family here, who had a family-owned seafood restaurant for 17 years,” Pingree continued. “They’ve been able to run their business [and] support local fishermen because they have H-2B workers. Motels, when they don’t have enough people, they close down a wing. They can’t be open for the season that they want because they don’t have enough people.”

A transcript of Pingree’s remarks is available below.

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Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to thank my colleagues who have been working on some of these H-2B related issues, and make a few remarks about how they impact Maine. 

First, I just want to say this is the Homeland Appropriations Committee, and we all have a lot of debate today related to immigration issues. And in my opinion, most of them go back to the fact that this Congress has been unwilling—during the period of time I’ve been here—to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Let’s just get that done. 

We are going to have endless debate today, and it is all related to the fact that we don’t straighten out the situation that goes on in our country: the need for workers, the need to make sure that we have legal processes for people, and the need to make sure that farmers and hospitality industry and everyone else has all the people they need to do the job.

I also want to concur, we shouldn’t be authorizing [this] on an appropriation committee, but we do, and we all use it when we can, because things like this are so vital. And this amendment comes up every year. And I’m always pleased to work with my colleague Mr. Harris and so many others, Mr. Cuellar who also have these concerns. Dutch [Ruppersberger], who used to be on the committee.

If you have any kind of a seasonal industry, you know what we’re talking about. And this one also includes some agriculture, which is very much the same. So, I remind you all that I represent Maine. This is our summer season. I hope you’re all planning your August vacations, your opportunity to eat some lobster, have some wild blueberries, spend a little time on the ocean, and see our wonderful state.

If you want, you can come in the winter, where we also have a seasonal industry of skiing and winter sports. So we’d love to have you either time. Tourism is our largest industry, and while we’re very proud of our agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, and the other things we do, we depend on tourism.

And like so many other states, we don’t have enough people to do the jobs now. It’s a common summer job for kids. All my kids worked in the seasonal industry. I’ve worked in the seasonal industry. We’ve owned businesses in the seasonal industry. And the challenge is, while people say, ‘Oh, what a great summer job for kids,’ by the time it gets to August, they’re back to school, they’re back to sports. You can’t finish out the season.

And we are thrilled that our tourists stay through October or come in even early November now, but we don’t have enough people to do the work. And I can list countless employers who come to visit me every year and say, what’s going to be the situation? How many workers? Will I be able to get the number of people that I need?

I have examples of a family here, who had a family-owned seafood restaurant for 17 years. They’ve been able to run their business [and] support local fishermen because they have H-2B workers. Motels, when they don’t have enough people, they close down a wing. They can’t be open for the season that they want because they don’t have enough people.

So without these visas that are so necessary, without these kinds of amendments that we have to sponsor, usually every year, because we’re always at odds with the system, we can’t do it. So I just want to support all the people who work on this. But I want to encourage us all to find an ultimate solution so that we’re not here every year authorizing on this committee—and also dealing with a hodgepodge solution to immigration reform.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Hill (AR-02), Rep. Gottheimer (NJ-05), Rep. Kean Jr. (NJ-07), Rep. Lawler (NY-17), and Rep. Moskowitz (FL-23) introduced the Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025, which would create a designation for countries or nonstate actors that engage in the unlawful or wrongful detention of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, empowering the Secretary of State and Congress to hold them accountable.

Rep. Hill said, “When Americans are wrongfully detained abroad, it’s not just a personal tragedy — it’s a direct attack on the United States. Those who wrongfully detain Americans must know that there will be real consequences for using U.S. citizens as political pawns. That’s why our bill gives the State Department the tools it needs to hold bad actors accountable while keeping Congress firmly engaged in the process. This bipartisan bill is a strong step toward protecting Americans by deterring and punishing them.”

Rep. Gottheimer said, “As the United States faces increasing threats from foreign adversaries, protecting Americans abroad must remain a top priority. I am proud to help introduce the bipartisan Countering Wrongful Detention Act alongside Congressman Hill to ensure the State Department has the tools it needs to hold bad actors accountable.

“This bipartisan bill will help bring home Americans wrongfully detained around the world and strengthen efforts to prevent future hostage taking. To those being held, and their families, our message is clear: we stand with you and we are fighting every day to bring you home.”

Rep. Kean Jr. said, “My constituent, Sarah Moriarty, lost her fath

er, Robert Levinson, after he was taken hostage by Iran in 2007. Her family spent years wondering where he was, not knowing if he was alive or if they would ever see him again. Sadly, far too many American families have lived through that same kind of fear and heartbreak.

“Hostile regimes like Iran continue to use innocent Americans as bargaining chips, dehumanizing and mistreating them—and in some cases, even taking their lives. The Countering Wrongful Detention Act makes it clear that there will be consequences for this kind of behavior, and the United States will always go to great lengths to protect its citizens.”

Rep. Lawler said, “As a co-lead on the Countering Wrongful Detention Act, I’m proud to be joining a bipartisan group of colleagues working to protect Americans held hostage by rogue nations as political pawns. This legislation will provide the State Department with the necessary tools to exert pressure while ensuring that Congress maintains accountability. American families deserve nothing less.”

Rep. Moskowitz said, “For years, my constituent Bob Levinson was illegally, unjustly, and unacceptably held by the Iranian regime. Bad actors like these can’t detain Americans without cause and think they can get away with it. I’m helping lead the Countering Wrongful Detention Act because this bipartisan bill puts real tools in place that’ll crack down on this practice and send a strong, bipartisan signal that our government will hold accountable any state or nonstate actors who threaten Americans in this way.”

Sarah (Levinson) Moriarty, Co-Founder of R. A. Levinson & Associates and Fellow, New America Future Security Program, said, “Since the introduction of PPD30 ten years ago, and the Robert A. Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage Taking Accountability Act in 2019, we have seen marked improvement in how our government handles the cases of American nationals held hostage by state and nonstate actors.

“This important bipartisan legislation, coming at such a critical time when Americans continue to be taken on a weekly basis as political bargaining chips, is a giant leap forward in creating tangible deterrence that stops bad actors from continuing this horrific practice. Thank you to Representatives Hill, Gottheimer, Kean Jr., Lawler, and Moskowitz for their leadership on this issue.

“We hope to see this legislation passed by Congress and swiftly signed into law, as we know it will help prevent so many Americans from falling victim to the suffering that my father, my family, my friends in the hostage community, and far too many others have experienced.”

“The Foley Foundation supports the bipartisan introduction of this bill in the House of Representatives by Reps. Hill, Kean Jr, Lawler, Gottheimer, and Moskowitz to ensure hostile regimes that take American nationals for political leverage face greater and targeted consequences. We welcome oversight provisions to require public testimony or public reporting that will allow the American people to better understand the threat of international hostage-taking.” 

Background:

The bipartisan legislation creates a new authority for the Secretary of State to formally designate countries or nonstate actors as state sponsors of unlawful or wrongful detention, creating a deterrent framework similar to the existing state sponsors of terrorism designation. Once designated, the Secretary may impose a range of penalties on those governments, including diplomatic and economic consequences.

The bill provides congressional oversight by requiring that all state sponsors of unlawful or wrongful detention designations expire unless Congress passes a joint resolution to approve them within six months. Congress would also have the authority to terminate a designation through a joint resolution, ensuring these decisions reflect the interests of the American people and are subject to public accountability.

This legislation further directs the Secretary of State to brief Congress on whether the following countries should be designated under this new authority:

• China
• Russia
• Iran
• Afghanistan
• Eritrea
• Nicaragua
• Syria
• Venezuela
• Belarus

A one-pager on the Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025 is available HERE.

The full text of the bill is available HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered remarks in response in support of an amendment to bring an end to the freeze of Cost-Of-Living-Adjustments (COLA) for Members of Congress at the House Appropriations Full Committee Markup of the FY26 Legislative Branch Bill markup. Below is a video and transcript of his remarks:

Click here to watch a full video of his remarks:

“I generally try to support righteous amendments, and so I compelled to support this amendment. Mr. Clyde, I’ve always impressed how much research you do – you with me? I’m complimenting you. (laughter erupts across the room) I know, Ms. Wasserman-Schultz is distracting, I understand that (more laughter), but the fact of the matter is, you always do your research and I wish the research would make the difference, but we know it doesn’t.

“This is about politics. This is about fear of the public thinking that we have our hand in the cookie jar. Let me suggest to you, the more times we – and this will be the 16th time – we stop putting the hand in the cookie jar, the [objective] of the reform in 1989 was to make sure that members weren’t doing that, because you’re absolutely right. I never took payment for speeches. I thought that was a not too well-designed bribe, but I have always supported making sure that at least we stayed even. That’s all this COLA is, this is not a raise. Your purchasing power if you were here as long as the distinguished gentleman, former Chairman, Mr. Rogers and I have been here, has been reduced about 45% since 2009. Now you’ve noticed your grocery prices haven’t been frozen, your rent hasn’t been frozen here or at home – now maybe your mortgage has been frozen because you’ve had it for a long time. 

“But the fact of the matter is two things are going to occur, first of all, people won’t be able to run for Congress. Now, I want to tell the public, who presumably may be watching this, that I believe a large number of Members on the other side of the aisle from me support this COLA adjustment. Why? Because they’ve told me so. Now I was the number two leader for 20 years, and I have not kept track of the number of Members from across the aisle who came to me and said, ‘You’re going to be able to take care of this this year?’ And very frankly, for a lot of years I did, not unilaterally, however, with Mr. Blunt, Mr. Delay, with Mr. Cantor, with other leaders in your party.

“We agreed that not having a COLA, making Members lose purchasing power, frankly, was not a good thing for us to do so that Members could stay as the ’89 reform meant them to be: independent and not required to seek other forms of income, legally or illegally. And I am so pleased that Mr. Clyde, I have an amendment to do the same thing.

“I’m not going to offer it because we’re going to resolve it on this issue. Now, Mr. Valadao, I understand your problem. So we understand one another. I’m going to be honest. I tell people on my side, ‘If you’ve got a tough race, don’t vote for this.’ And the reason we’ve been able to do it, both sides did that. Mr. Cantor, Mr. Blunt, you had 40-30% of your people who didn’t ever vote for this. Why? Because we know it can be demagogued and we know it is demagogued. So, I tell people on my side, do not vote for this, because it will be a big issue in your campaign.

“But there are a majority on both sides whom that will not affect, not because we don’t stand for election, because I’ve been for this since the day I got here, and I’m here now in my 23rd term so what we’re going to decide is a political question of whether we have the courage and the honesty, the intellectual honesty not to come to Hoyer or any other leader in the House and say, ‘boy, I hope you can get this done. I can’t vote for it, of course, but –’ that’s what this issue is about, and I understand some of you have tough issues.

“Frankly, both sides go after the moderates every year. It’s why we have become more and more polarized. But this is something that we ought to do if we have self-respect for ourselves, for our institution and respect for our voters who themselves want a COLA. And if they’re retired, you damn well know you better have that COLA for Social Security or you’re in trouble. Why? Because they know if they don’t get that COLA adjustment, they lose standard of living. Why? Because prices go up. But if you are on a fixed income, and I know I’ve run out of time again. Now I will tell you, I hope I take my side. I can support this, but we’re not going to go empty into this dark night if you’re not there with us, I yield back.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

Bipartisan Leadership Statement on Member Security

Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement on the vote to table the impeachment motion against President Donald Trump.

“I have voted to impeach President Donald Trump two times, and each time, the reasoning behind those decisions was grounded in facts, flagrant breaches of public trust, and this President’s repeated refusal to uphold the Constitution and the will of the American people. I am steadfast in my belief that Donald Trump remains a clear and present danger to our democracy and must be held fully accountable for his actions.

“This week’s resolution was introduced abruptly and only allowed for less than an hour between its introduction and the vote, leaving no room for sufficient discourse and failing to meet the scrupulous standards that have been set for impeachment proceedings. My vote — along with that of House Democratic leadership, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee Jamie Raskin, and the majority of my Democratic colleagues — was not a vote on whether to impeach Donald Trump, but rather, a procedural vote to table a hastily filed resolution that lacked the careful consideration such a serious matter demands. 

“I remain more committed than ever to defending the integrity of our democratic institutions and to delivering real accountability, not through performative gestures, but through meaningful and effective actions.”

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Issues: 119th Congress

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

Republicans know what they’re doing is illegal and unpopular, and they are doing everything they can do to hide it.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

June 26, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Steve Cohen (TN-09), along with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), re-introduced legislation that would ban hazardous cyanide bombs from public lands. Their bill, Canyon’s Law, would protect families, pets, and wildlife from dangerous M-44 ejectors – spring-loaded devices made up of sodium cyanide used to kill predatory animals and pest species.

“Cyanide bombs have proven to be deadly for families, pets, and wildlife – regardless of their intended target – and have no business being on our public lands,” said Rep. Huffman. “People and their pets should not be threatened by cruel and indiscriminate devices when they are trying to enjoy the outdoors, especially when there are far safer, proven methods to protect livestock. Our bill will help ensure this unnecessary use of hazardous devices comes to an end.”

“The use of M-44 cyanide bombs to control wildlife is inhumane and unjustifiable. I am pleased to join Congressman Huffman and my other colleagues in ending this barbaric practice. With the passage of Canyon’s Law, hikers, campers and their pets will be able to traverse federal lands without the fear of harm or death from these inconspicuous devices,” said Rep. Cohen.

“Cyanide bombs do not belong on public lands, and we must permanently ban these dangerous devices that threaten our ability to safely enjoy our natural treasures,” said Sen. Merkley. “These bombs have no safeguards to protect you, your family, your pets, or unintended wildlife from the dangers they pose. More effective, safe, and humane options exist for predator control—their intended purpose—and those should be the only options used on public lands given the harms cyanide bombs can cause to humans and animals alike.”

M-44s are small traps driven into the ground and loaded with the powdered poison, sodium cyanide. Once set, M-44s resemble sprinkler heads, and when triggered, these traps eject a cloud of cyanide intended to kill coyotes, wild dogs, or foxes. As a byproduct, these devices sometimes harm humans and their pets around public lands.

Canyon’s Law is named after Canyon Mansfield, an Idaho boy whose dog came into contact with an M-44 while walking along public lands in 2017. His dog accidentally activated a M-44 device, and Canyon watched helplessly as his beloved companion suffered a cruel and painful death. Fortunately for Canyon, the wind pushed much of the cyanide away from him, yet he still suffers health effects to this day.

“No one should have to experience what my family and I went through with the death of our dog and the near death of our son,” said Dr. Mark Mansfield, Canyon’s father. “Cyanide has no place being used anywhere in the U.S. as a pesticide or ‘lethal control’ weapon, such as an M-44 ‘cyanide bomb.’ All Americans can and should get behind this simple, common-sense law, ‘Canyon’s Law’.”

The Agriculture Department acknowledges that there are hundreds of unintended wildlife deaths every year as a result of these devices. These cyanide bombs also cause severe, irreparable harm to people who have been exposed, either inadvertently or while trying to save their pets.

The legislation was originally introduced in the House by now-retired Congressman Peter DeFazio (OR-04). Last Congress, Rep. Huffman oversaw the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife hearing on this legislation. View his line of questioning with Dr. Mark Mansfield, Canyon’s father here.

This bill is endorsed by Predator Defense, Animal Welfare Institute, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Western Watersheds Project, Center for Biological Diversity, and Animal Legal Defense Fund, Humane World Action Fund, Humane World for Animals.

“Working side by side with the Mansfield family since their tragedy, as well as with other M-44 victims for over 30 years, I have witnessed the pain and loss these indiscriminate devices inflict,” said Brooks Fahy, Executive Director of Predator Defense. “Since M-44s can never be used safely, they must be banned. This is not a partisan issue. It’s a public safety issue.”

“Wildlife Services’ refusal to end the use of M-44 sodium cyanide devices shows both an unwillingness to transition away from archaic lethal methods, as well as a cruel indifference to the threats posed to people, pets, and wildlife,” said Susan Millward, Executive Director and CEO of the Animal Welfare Institute. “These dangerous devices have no place on America’s public lands. We urge Congress to stand up to Wildlife Services and end the use of this inhumane method.”

“Targeting native wildlife with cyanide bombs is a barbaric and unacceptable practice,” said Erik Molvar, Executive Director for Western Watersheds Project. “These chemical weapons need to be outlawed before the next child, pet, or unsuspecting creature is poisoned.”

“It’s horrifying to think that cyanide bombs are still being used today when we know they indiscriminately kill and injure children, pets and endangered species,” said Rachel Rilee, Policy Specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “We should be allowed to hike and enjoy our public lands in peace. It’s time to ban these cruel wildlife-killing traps once and for all.”

“M-44 sodium ‘cyanide bombs’ are indiscriminate devices that pose deadly risks for people, pets, and wildlife,” said Allison Ludtke, Legislative Affairs Manager at Animal Legal Defense Fund. “These poisons — which have injured people, taken the lives of pets, and decimated wildlife — do not belong on public lands, and their use is unjustifiable at a time when countless humane, non-lethal alternatives exist.”

Original co-sponsors of the legislation in the House include Representatives Suzan K. DelBene, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jan Schakowsky, and Dave Min. In the Senate, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Bernie Sanders, Ron Wyden, Sheldon Whitehouse, Chris Van Hollan, Martin Heinrich, Adam Schiff, and Angela Alsobrooks.

Text of the House legislation can be found here.

Text of the Senate legislation can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson hosted a bipartisan Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony today to honor the courage and contributions of the Army Rangers of World War II. First activated in 1942, the Rangers formed the tip of the spear of the Army’s special operations in World War II. They fought heroically from North Africa to Europe to the Pacific, playing a pivotal role in some of the most consequential battles of the war, such as the Battle of El Guettar, the Battle of Cisterna, the assault on Pointe du Hoc, and the Philippines raid that liberated more than 500 prisoners of war from Japanese camps.

The ceremony was held in Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol and featured remarks from Speaker Johnson, Secretary of Defense Hegseth, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Collins, Leader Thune, Leader Schumer, Leader Jeffries, Senator Duckworth, Senator Ernst, Rep. Miller-Meeks, Rep. Jason Crow, and President of the Descendants of World War II Rangers, Inc., Dr. David Williams. Two Army Rangers who served in World War II, Sergeant Joseph Drake and Private First-Class John Wardell, accepted the medal on behalf of the living and deceased Army Rangers of that war.

Watch the Speaker’s remarks here

Read Speaker Johnson’s remarks below:

Ladies and gentlemen, Secretary Hegseth, Secretary Collins, members of Congress, Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, Dan Kaine, and honored guests, welcome to the United States Capitol. We’re so grateful to have you here today.

We gather on this momentous occasion to honor some of World War II’s greatest heroes, the United States Army Rangers. This band of brothers is so deserving, and this day, to be frank, is long overdue.

They formed the spearhead of America’s special operations in the Second World War, and today we express our most profound gratitude for their courage and contributions with the highest honor that this body can bestow. And that is the Congressional Gold Medal.

We are deeply honored to have here with us today, two of these ranger heroes. With us today is Sergeant Joe Drake, right here in front of me on the front row. Sergeant Drake faced down the frozen tundra of Ardennes, where the 6th Ranger Battalion helped to turn the tide at the Battle of the Bulge.

And from the legendary 2nd battalion, we have Private First-Class John Wardell also with us today. John deployed to Normandy just days after his battalion breached Hitler’s Atlantic wall at the cliffs of Pointe Du Hoc. And I should also point out that in just two weeks, Mr. Wardell will celebrate his 100th birthday.

Also watching from home are three more of these American heroes and we honor today, Major General John Raaen Jr., Private Cecil Lisk. and Private First-Class Edward Stimer. We salute you all.

I would invite you all to take your seats if you’d like to do that, because we have really an incredible program for you today. It’s fitting for this great honor.

In 1942, under the command of Major William Darby, 473 men formed the first battalion of the US Army Rangers. The day these men arrived on the rocky shores of Northern Ireland, the fate of the free world was sealed.

The rangers came from every corner of American life. They were welders and waiters and factory hands and musicians. They were ordinary men called to extraordinary valor, who stared death in the face. And by the grace of God, achieved the incredible and defended freedom.

These were men of steel who with fighting knives tightly in hand, fought back with everything they had. They were America’s best.

From the first shots of Dieppe to the shores of Sicily, to the bloody waters of Omaha Beach. The Rangers led the way as America and the Allied powers clawed back the continent of Europe.

And in their courage, all Americans found something to be proud of and the free world found reason to hope. Today we take to heart the words of Calvin Coolidge when he said so well “The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.” We will not be guilty of that.

Today, we remember some of America’s fiercest defenders and we remember their service and sacrifice, and we remember that every day that we rise in a free nation, free to speak and to pray, and to live unafraid.

We enjoy the fruits of liberty paid for by men like these. God bless you all for that service. Thank you for being here and hope you all enjoy the ceremony. Thank you. 

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