MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

WASHINGTON–Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement after voting against the partisan Continuing Resolution (CR):

“At a time when our government is already being hollowed out, Republicans pushed a partisan full-year continuing resolution that gives a blank check for unelected billionaire Elon Musk and Donald Trump to continue their campaign of chaos and destruction. With a full-year CR, the guardrails are off and Musk and Trump will have even more leeway to shut off and repurpose funding as they see fit.

“Right now, families across my district are struggling with the rising costs of living. This bill puts tens of thousands of households on rental assistance at risk of eviction. At a time when some of my constituents are struggling to put food on the table, this bill neglects to fully fund the lifesaving Emergency Food Program. When thousands of my constituents have already been fired from their jobs by Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), this bill allows even more federal employees to be laid off including thousands of employees at the Social Security Administration. While veterans in my district are already struggling to get by, this bill allows critical VA funding for homelessness assistance grants, mental health care, rural health, opioid, and substance abuse programs to be redirected. It also cuts $22.8 billion from the PACT Act that will eliminate healthcare for veterans with cancer and other diseases from toxic exposures. This bill also makes funding cuts for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $280 million which will impact research on cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, and countless other health conditions. On top of these cuts, the bill eliminates funding for local projects to almost every city in my district that are instrumental in directly addressing some of the most pressing needs in the Fifth District. Additionally, this bill includes about a $6 billion increase to unnecessary defense spending.

“My community cannot afford these devastating cuts and further chaos from this administration. For those reasons, I voted NO on the partisan continuing resolution.”

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

Today, the U.S.-Africa Policy Working Group convened its first meeting of the 119th Congress. Members of the Working Group heard from a variety of expert briefers on the escalating human rights and humanitarian catastrophes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly as it relates to the occupation of Goma and the surrounding areas by the M23 militia, and the historical context in which they are occurring.

Congresswoman Omar, the Chair of the Working Group, expressed her ongoing concerns about the effects of the Trump Administration’s dismantling of USAID, illegal mining, and foreign aid freeze as they relate to the urgent humanitarian and global health needs in DRC. She also discussed the political and regional implications of the situation, reaffirming her commitment to a genuine, inclusive peace process and the need for justice and autonomy for the Congolese people.

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

RELEASE: REP. HILL STATEMENT ON SUPPORTING PRESIDENT TRUMP-BACKED FUNDING BILL

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (AR-02), Co-Chair of the Hostage Task Force in the House, today introduced the Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act alongside Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01). This bipartisan legislation provides financial relief to Americans wrongfully detained abroad. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) recently introduced companion legislation in the Senate. 

Rep. Hill said, “After returning home, American hostages and wrongful detainees should not have to face penalties for taxes missed while held abroad. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will correct a crucial gap in our laws that burdens these Americans with penalties and fines from the IRS after they return home.”

Rep. Titus said, “It goes without saying that no one who has endured wrongful detention or been taken hostage abroad should face the additional trial of navigating onerous tax burdens they incurred through no fault of their own when they return. This commonsense, bicameral, bipartisan legislation will eliminate that unthinkable possibility by simplifying the tax code to postpone tax deadlines and refund late fees to support wrongful detainees, hostages, and their families.”

Further Background:

Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act: This legislation postpones tax deadlines, refunds late penalties, and exempts forgiven debts from taxation for Americans who were wrongly or illegally detained abroad, helping ease this financial burden when they return

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

RELEASE: REP. HILL STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today reintroduced the Flatside Wilderness Additions Act, which will add 2,215 U.S. Forest Service acres to the Flatside Wilderness area. In 2019, Flatside was initially expanded by over 600 acres under Rep. Hill’s original bill, H.R. 5636, the Flatside Wilderness Enhancement Act. In the 118th Congress, identical legislation from Rep. Hill was unanimously approved by the House Natural Resources Committee.

“As a ninth-generation Arkansan and a lifelong outdoorsman, I believe that all Arkansans should have the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of our state. In 2019, my Flatside Wilderness Enhancement Act added over 600 acres to Flatside Wilderness, known as Bethune Woods, and I also commissioned a study of all possible qualifying additions to Flatside.

“I am proud to reintroduce my Flatside Wilderness Additions Act, which will complete my work on the final expansion of Flatside Wilderness by adding 2,215 acres of existing U.S. Forest Service land. Finishing this expansion will bring more opportunities for Arkansans and visitors to explore more of our state’s natural qualities and further boost our outdoor recreation economy.”

Further Background:

Flatside Wilderness Additions Act – This bill will designate an additional 2,215 acres to Flatside Wilderness. This area is a part of the Ouachita National Forest and is in Perry County, Arkansas, which is in the Second Congressional District. At the direction of Congress, this addition was thoroughly studied and evaluated by the U.S. Forest Service. They issued their report in May of 2021. This legislation is designed based on their analysis and findings. This legislation has support from local and state agencies, as well as numerous outside organizations, including:

• Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders
• Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde
• Perry County Judge Larry Blackmon
• Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
• The National Wildlife Federation
• The PEW Charitable Trusts
• Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
• The Ozark Society
• Southern Environmental Law Center
• The Wilderness Society

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

RELEASE: REP. HILL STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF FORMER GOVERNOR JIM GUY TUCKER

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

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) released the following statement following President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress:    

“The other night, Donald Trump showed the American people that we are going down a dangerous path under his leadership. In a little over a month as president, Donald Trump has diminished our country’s standing in the world, hurt our economy with an unnecessary and insensible trade war with our allies, created a constitutional crisis with DOGE-led firings of civil servants and dismantling of agencies, and so much more. Let me be clear: Trump’s actions will increase costs for working Americans. It is horrifying to watch Republicans in Congress applaud Trump and Musk’s illegal, unconstitutional, and unhinged actions that are only hurting hardworking Americans.    

“Sadly, Trump and Musk’s illegal executive actions are just the start. Last week, nearly every Republican in Congress voted to pass the starting point for Trump’s legislative agenda. This scheme would take away our core government services by giving tax breaks to billionaire donors like Elon Musk. This would mean cuts to Medicaid, undermining veterans’ benefits, and stealing food from needy children and seniors. The House Republican budget scheme makes everyday Americans sicker and poorer. It will force even more middle-class families to live paycheck to paycheck while making the wealthiest Americans even richer.   

“House Democrats have a different vision. We will work every single day to provide opportunities for working Americans to succeed and pay for services by making the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share. We will remain steadfast in defending what is right and resist these dangerous and immoral actions at every stage. I pledge never to stop fighting to protect our allies, the rule of law, the American people, and our democracy. America has four more years with President Trump, and we must fight every single day to protect the values that have sustained our country for over two centuries. We are in a historically dangerous and significant time- it’s time we all start acting like it.”  

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

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding Donald Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

“Today, the President of the United States further aligned himself with Vladimir Putin, the known enemy of the United States. That alone is shocking, but Trump went further – berating Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, whose country was invaded by Russia in a war that has taken the lives of tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, civilians, and children. This is a shocking new low to turn our back on an ally when they need our support. President Donald Trump not only blamed President Zelenskyy for Russia’s brutal invasion but also refused to retract his disgraceful comment calling Zelenskyy a ‘dictator.’   

“I have worked with every president since President Jimmy Carter, and I have never had any president so disgracefully abandon an ally and take the enemy’s side. It’s disgraceful and creates an extraordinarily dangerous situation in Europe.  

“President Trump has previously said that he’d be a dictator on “day one,” so it is no surprise that our wannabe dictator would try to cozy up to another dictator. Since World War 2, America has led the world in establishing a world order based on democracy and respect for international boundaries. President Trump and Vice President Vance have abandoned those rock-solid principles by aligning themselves with Russia and Putin, who has made it clear that he is going to reestablish the Soviet Union empire.  

At the end of this appalling display, the President and Vice President Trump said it would be ‘good TV.’ It is a tragedy and appalling display of the dereliction of duty to see the president of the United States abandon its role as a defender of democracy. We must remain steadfast in defending what is right. I and Congressional Democrats will never stop supporting our ally Ukraine in their fight to defend themselves against unprovoked aggression. The onus is now on Republicans. Will they do the same, or will they continue to bow to Trump’s disgraceful abandonment not only to an ally but our most basic principles?” said Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA-08).

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

WASHINGTON, DC— Recently, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding Donald Trump’s purge of military leadership: 

“Last night, President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth unleashed more chaos and confusion with the firing of Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force Gen. James Slife, and several Judge Advocate Generals.

These firings are not only unprecedented, but they also follow a disturbing partisan pattern that this administration has taken since the inauguration of firing the most qualified and dedicated military and civilian leaders solely to install MAGA loyalists. Trump’s purge began with Coast Guard Admiral Linda Fagan, who, despite her distinguished record throughout her 36 years of service to our country, was unceremoniously removed and later given only three hours’ notice to leave her home.  

It is hypocritical that the administration that claimed politics were tearing our military apart is now engaged in a massive political purge of the most senior, experienced, battle-tested, and professional leaders in the military solely because of identity politics.  

The reason why Gen. Brown, Gen. Slife, Adm. Franchetti, and Adm. Fagan rose to the most senior positions of leadership because of their competence, intelligence, and ability to create and lead a cohesive fighting force.

The purge of competent, experienced, and capable military leaders puts our national security at risk, and unfortunately, the President is enabled and, indeed, encouraged by timid Republicans in Congress who know better.

As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have worked with these incredibly competent and experienced leaders, and I know their wisdom and leadership will be missed and that the readiness of the military will be compromised.” said Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA-08). 

 

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