MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) delivered the following remarks at the House Appropriations Committee markup of the fiscal year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations funding bill: 

“I rise in strong opposition to the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill that we are considering today.  

This bill cuts a broad range of proven programs that train doctors and nurses, expand access to high-quality care, develop groundbreaking treatments and tools, prevent the spread of disease, address the overdose crisis, and keep our constituents healthy and safe.  

And that’s just in HHS. Outside that agency, this bill also guts education job training, defunds worker protection and labor law enforcement, eliminates critical programs that support women in the workforce, and continues the Republican assault on reproductive rights.  

The Republican majority claims these cuts are necessary for “fiscal responsibility,” yet they managed to find $100 MILLION for a new slush fund to, allegedly, “Make America Healthy Again.”  

Mr. Chairman, if we actually want to make America healthy, why would we defund programs the data show are working? And why would we hand over OUR power of the purse to some slush fund run by the wildly unqualified HHS Secretary?  

This committee should be demanding Mr. Kennedy’s resignation, not bankrolling his reign of terror.   

Instead of solving our maternal health crisis, or fulfilling Donald Trump’s broken promise of IVF for all, Mr. Kennedy’s primary goal seems to be taking American health care backwards.  

He spews dangerous falsehoods about vaccines, damaging public trust in one of the most safe and effective public health tools in history.   

He is playing a leading role in the deadly resurgence of preventable diseases that have already killed children on his watch. 

In fact, while Mr. Kennedy’s policies hurt us all, kids are even more at risk: he’s cut CDC’s lead poisoning team, their drowning prevention team, experts who study gun violence in schools, and so much more.   

He is using taxpayer funding to promote junk science and allow fraudsters to profit off the flaws in our health care system instead of fixing them.   

He’s hiding information: under his direction, the CDC has suppressed expert reports that did not align with Mr. Kennedy’s ideology, including a report finding—unsurprisingly—that measles risk is high near areas with low vaccination rates. 

He has stripped much-needed resources away from state and local public heath authorities and presided over the largest cut to health care in our nation’s history in the Big Ugly Bill.  

His anti-science, conspiratorial rhetoric has even fueled violent extremism that endangers his own employees, as we saw in last month’s terrifying shooting at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta.  

One of the CDC experts who recently resigned in protest of Mr. Kennedy’s dangerous policies—who served as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases—wrote in his resignation letter that Mr. Kennedy’s “desire to please a political base will result in death and disability for vulnerable children and adults.” 

As a public health nurse myself, I know this warning is true. Mr. Kennedy is unfit to serve. His leadership has been a disgrace and he needs to resign.   

But unfortunately, the Trump Administration’s attacks on science don’t end with Mr. Kennedy.   

The President’s Budget Request for FY26 also took a hatchet to the National Institutes of Health, proposing to consolidate the 27 institutes and centers that make up the NIH into just 8.  

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which supports some of the most promising work to end America’s maternal health crisis, is just one of the many institutes that would be undermined by this misguided reorganization.  

The President’s plan would also completely eliminate the National Institutes for Nursing Research and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, firing the scientists and other staff who have dedicated their lives to ensuring every single American gets the care they deserve.  

I am grateful that this committee has rejected this proposed reorganization of NIH, but unfortunately the bill does include a funding cut that will delay and derail the cutting-edge work being done by our nation’s top medical researchers.  

If we want to make Americans healthy, this bill makes no sense. I cannot support it, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting no.” 

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

Washington, DC — Today, H.R. 3838 – Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, passed through the House of Representatives. Included in this legislation is Rep. Aderholt’s DUAL (Defense United Access to Learning) Act and a proposal to support America’s domestic textile industry.

The FY26 NDAA boosts advanced capabilities and equipment delivery, ensuring our warfighters receive critical equipment in months rather than years.

“I would like to thank fellow Alabamian, House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, for spearheading legislation that secures our borders, streamlines procurement and delivery of military equipment, and implements President Trump’s peace through strength agenda,” said Congressman Aderholt.

This past June, Rep. Aderholt introduced the DUAL Act, a bill that allows the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) to partner with accredited colleges and universities to offer dual enrollment programs for high school students in military families, similar to what is already available to public school students in most states.

The DUAL Act opens the door for thousands of students living on military bases, both in the U.S. and overseas, to earn college credit while completing high school. Importantly, the bill requires no new funding; it simply authorizes DODEA to use existing Department of Defense funds for this purpose. It is designed to enhance college readiness, remove financial barriers, and strengthen the academic competitiveness of Department of Defense dependents – finally putting them on an equal footing with their civilian counterparts.

“House passage of the FY26 NDAA is a critical step towards codifying the DUAL Act, and in turn, removes an unnecessary barrier and allows DODEA to invest in the future of its students, without increasing federal spending,” said Congressman Aderholt. “Military families make tremendous sacrifices for our country, and their children deserve the same educational opportunities that are available to other students nationwide.”

“It’s a commonsense fix that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of military families,” Aderholt added.

In addition, Congressman Aderholt’s Amendment #0668 is designed the U.S. domestic textile industry and the Department of Defense’s reported shortfalls. This initiative is informed by the long history of Alabama’s textile industry, specifically in Alabama’s 4^th Congressional District where local manufacturers have supplied materials that support our nation’s defense and commercial sectors for generations. 

This amendment takes a simple but important step by directing the Department of Defense to look more closely at domestic textile procurement for the American textile industry to play a larger role in meeting our defense needs here at home. It’s a common-sense measure that ultimately would strengthen our national security and support American jobs.

“At a time when national security demands are growing, it is necessary to examine how we can once again rely on our own manufacturers for critical defense-related textile production,” said Congressman Aderholt.

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

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today released the following statement regarding the Department of the Interior’s decision to move forward with coal lease sales in Alabama, Utah, and Montana:

“Coal has long played an important role in fueling our economy and providing good-paying jobs, especially here in Alabama. The announcement that the Department of the Interior will move forward with competitive coal lease sales in Tuscaloosa County is welcome news for our state’s workers and for America’s energy future.

“The two lease areas being offered cover about 14,000 acres and contain an estimated 53 million tons of metallurgical coal, which is vital for steelmaking and has been recognized as a critical material under the Energy Act of 2020. These resources will help ensure America maintains its industrial strength, while also creating opportunities for families and communities across West Alabama.

“I am encouraged by this continued focus on American energy independence and resource security. By responsibly developing our domestic energy and mineral resources, we can support local economies, reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, and strengthen our national security.”

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold the sealed-bid sale for the Alabama tracts on September 30, 2025 at the BLM Eastern States Office in Falls Church, Virginia.

In addition to Alabama, the Department of the Interior also announced lease sales in Emery County, Utah and Big Horn County, Montana.

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

WASHINGTON – Congressman Aderholt released the following statement after joining President Donald Trump at the White House, alongside members of the Alabama delegation, for the announcement that the U.S. Space Command will be permanently located in Huntsville, AL: 

“I applaud President Trump’s decision to locate U.S. Space Command in Huntsville,” said Rep. Aderholt. “The Air Force originally selected Huntsville in 2021 based 100% on merit as the best choice. President Biden reversed that decision based on politics. This wrong has been righted and Space Command will take its place among Huntsville’s world-renowned space, aeronautics, and defense leaders.”

The basing decision to establish Space Command’s Headquarters in Huntsville reassures the American people their military makes decisions based on strategy, capability, and readiness, not politics.

“North Alabama has a proud history in space exploration, rocketry, and the aerospace industry. Combined with the area’s growth in defense innovation and manufacturing, it’s the most qualified and appropriate location. North Alabama is ready for the transition, and the benefits will be felt across the entire country,” Rep. Aderholt added. 

“This decision is the result of years of work by the Alabama delegation. North Alabama is not only the ideal location for Space Command, it also serves our common national security interests – not least President Trump’s vision for a Golden Dome to protect America.”

The United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the U.S. Department of Defense. It is responsible for military operations in, from, and to space, regardless of the service branch involved, ensuring freedom of action for the United States and its allies while denying the same to adversaries.

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

GUNTERSVILLE, AL. –Congressman Robert Aderholt today joined veterans, local leaders, and members of the community to commemorate the official renaming of the Guntersville VA Clinic in honor of Colonel Ola Lee Mize, a Medal of Honor recipient and Marshall County native.

“This dedication is about more than changing a sign—it is about honoring a hero and reaffirming our commitment to all who have served,” Congressman Aderholt said during the ceremony.

Aderholt, who introduced the legislation in Congress to rename the clinic, emphasized that Colonel Mize’s legacy of service belongs in a place where veterans come for care. “There is already a bridge in Marshall County that honors Colonel Mize, and hundreds of people see his name each day. But I believed it was important for his name to stand on a building where veterans come for care, so that his legacy is tied not only to remembrance, but to service,” he remarked.

Colonel Mize, who displayed extraordinary courage during the Korean War and went on to serve his country for decades, represents “the very best of Alabama and the very best of America,” Aderholt noted.

Colonel Mize’s widow, Betty Mize, attended the ceremony. Congressman Aderholt presented her with a framed copy of the bill officially naming the clinic in her late husband’s honor. “It was important to me that Mrs. Mize and her family know that this community and this nation will never forget the sacrifice and service of Colonel Ola Lee Mize,” Aderholt said.

The Congressman added that the renaming carries a message for every veteran who enters the clinic: “It is a promise—that they will be cared for with the respect and dignity they deserve. That they are never forgotten. And that our community will always honor their service.”

In closing, Aderholt underscored the significance of the tribute:
“This clinic, now bearing Colonel Mize’s name, will stand as a constant reminder that freedom has a cost, and that those who pay it deserve not only our gratitude but our action. By placing his name here, we commit ourselves to serving veterans with the same devotion that Colonel Mize showed to his fellow soldiers and to this nation.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

On a crisp, fall Saturday afternoon, nothing beats the electric energy of a college campus as it gears up for game day. The thunderous roar of the crowd in the stadium, the anticipation of kickoff, and the excitement in the air can only be because of one thing: college football. Behind every play is a tremendous amount of hard work, grit, and dedication brought on by weeks and months of preparation, training days, and practices. 

Today’s college athletes combine unparalleled talent with rigorous dedication. Advances in training, technology, and safety enable them to always be at the height of their physical best, gain a greater understanding of how the game can be played, and prepare them for future professional opportunities when their time on campus comes to an end. Being a student athlete is a year-round endeavor because college athletics are year-round. Players and coaches know that off-season actions and efforts determine success during the season. While the rules are standard for every team and player on the field during the season, with a team of referees to throw flags and enforce penalties, the off-season field is now far from level, with no referees.

This is why it has been disheartening to see the change that pay-for-play and the transfer portal have had on one of America’s favorite pastimes. When thinking of college athletics using terms from professional sports, the current college landscape could be described as free agency with no salary caps. Layer on top of that a patchwork of state laws designed to boost funding for the state’s athletic programs, and most believe the time for change in the college sports world is now. Athletes who have the opportunity to receive compensation for their name, image, and likeness (NIL) should be a positive thing; however, we are currently experiencing a “wild west” of college sports where each team and state gets to make their own rules. 

You may cringe like I did to think of Congress regulating college athletics, however, there is a need for its intervention following the Supreme Court’s ruling, which allowed for pay-for-play in college sports. This is why I am a cosponsor of the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act. This piece of legislation will offer a much-overdue solution by establishing a clear, nationwide NIL standard to empower college students as they receive compensation, transfer eligibility, and institutional responsibilities.

As a former college athlete, it is a great privilege to bring the understanding and perspective of what it looks like to compete at the college level to the legislation that is being crafted in Washington. We must preserve what makes college athletics so special, while also adjusting to the realities these student athletes are facing today. 

The SCORE Act not only addresses current challenges but creates a path forward for the next generation of college athletics. Student athletes devote countless hours and incredible determination to excel on and off the field. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to honor their dedication and continue advocating for commonsense legislation that sets each student athlete up for success as they work toward their future career goals.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

Since the beginning of time, humanity has sought out knowledge and wisdom. The ability to gain a greater understanding of the world around them ensured our ancestors’ success, safety, and survival. Over time, as humanity has continued to learn, society has developed, and tools and resources for building and farming have become more sophisticated. Advances in healthcare, agriculture, and the economy have also been made possible. Education is integral to our nation’s future, and our students returning to school is essential for providing our young people with the tools they need to lead us toward a brighter future.

In his own back-to-school address in 1988, President Ronald Reagan said, “Jefferson and the Founders believed a nation that governs itself, like ours, must rely upon an informed and engaged electorate. Their purpose was not only to teach all Americans how to read and write but to instill the self-evident truths that are the anchors of our political system — truths, to quote Jefferson, such as: ‘all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.’”

For our nation to continue to prosper, we must raise future generations to develop an understanding of civics, learn about not only our nation’s history but world history, and, most importantly, learn about the pillars upon which our nation’s government was built. Creating the best environment for students to learn such things has become a top priority as I represent the Fourth District of Arkansas in Washington. 

Earlier this year, it was a great privilege to introduce the Focus on Learning Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation requiring the U.S. Surgeon General to complete a study that considers the effects of cell phone use among students aged K-12 and how it impacts their mental health and academic performance.

Cell phone use has already been proven to cause major disruptions in the development of young people’s minds and creates barriers to an effective educational experience. It is encouraging to see Arkansas lead the charge at the state level to address the challenges cell phone use in the classroom causes, not just for students but for school staff and teachers. As I continue to serve my friends and neighbors in Congress, efforts like these will always remain a priority, and the support from colleagues on both sides of the aisle is encouraging and appreciated.

Our nation is blessed with an abundance of opportunity. In order to secure these opportunities for our children and ensure a greater future for our nation, education remains an important key. My deepest hope is that this school year, students will be eager to learn, teachers will lead with compassion and dedication, and families will surround their students with support and instill values that will not only benefit their child but ultimately their communities. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

Representing the Fourth District of Arkansas in Congress is the honor of a lifetime, and the ability to bring the voices of friends, family, and neighbors to Washington is certainly a privilege that will never be taken for granted. While the work in Washington certainly never ends, so do cumbersome federal issues that constituents face. This is why there are several representatives across the Fourth District from my office who are ready and eager to help with any problems our constituents may be facing.

Navigating the federal government can be cumbersome and certainly feel overwhelming. With the endless federal red tape and often delayed responses, our office is equipped to navigate these issues and work directly with the folks who need help. Regardless of what your issue may be: trouble renewing a passport, waiting on a tax refund, trouble with Social Security or healthcare benefits, and more – we’ve got your back.

Recently, one of my casework representatives was able to walk a constituent through a particularly challenging time as she was facing issues with her Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). After a lot of patience and dedicated work, my staff was able to get the results that were desperately needed. 

In a kind follow-up, my office received a letter of gratitude which said, “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for all the support and guidance you’ve given me through the Congressman’s office regarding my SSDI case. Your kindness, patience, and dedication truly made a difference during a difficult time in my life. It means more than words can say to have someone not only understand the process but care enough to walk alongside me through it. Your help didn’t go unnoticed—and it won’t be forgotten.”

These kind words serve as an excellent reminder that at the core of our commitment to the people of the Fourth District of Arkansas is the unwavering determination to serve with compassion, dedication, and empathy. My staff is also proud to serve their community, and we look forward to every opportunity to deliver results for our neighbors with the kindness, patience, and dedication that were so kindly mentioned in this constituent’s response.

If you find that you are facing challenges with a federal agency, please don’t hesitate to contact my Hot Springs office at (501) 609-9796 or Pine Bluff office at (870) 536-8178. It cannot be expressed enough how much of an honor it is to represent the Fourth District of Arkansas. Taking care of constituents is a responsibility not taken lightly, and it is encouraging to know that our office is well-equipped to serve and assist in any way possible.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

As we enter into August, we celebrate and welcome in National Shooting Sports Month – a time-honored tradition for many of us here in the Natural State. Many Arkansans, including myself, have grown up with a deep appreciation for shooting sports – passing this love down to our children who will undoubtedly carry the legacy on through generations. As the co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, there is a great opportunity to advocate for legislation in Congress that supports our nation’s recreational shooters and trappers, hunters, and even anglers who share a deep appreciation for a pastime that defines our nation’s history.

Deeply intertwined with the ideals of conservation, survival, and sport, our history is rich with the legacy of outdoor sportsmanship. Necessary for survival, the early American settlers relied heavily on their skills with a rifle to not only feed their families but protect their communities. However, as time went on and society became more stabilized, those skills began to transform into sport, merging the skills necessary for survival with friendly competition. 

Beginning in the early 1800s, clubs and associations formed across the United States, inspired greatly by European traditions, to formalize the concepts of shooting sports and outdoor recreation. Leaning heavily into the legacy of the frontiersmen who came before them, these pioneers of our greatest American pastime laid the cornerstone for a sport that so many of us enjoy today. We cannot, however, look back at our nation’s history of outdoor recreation and shooting sports without highlighting one of our nation’s greatest and most notable outdoor figures: President Theodore Roosevelt.     

A passionate outdoorsman, hunter, and conservationist, President Roosevelt became the leading architect of American conservation and outdoorsmanship. In a letter to Henry Cabot Lodge, President Roosevelt fondly wrote about his love for the outdoors when he said, “I heartily enjoy this life, with its perfect freedom, for I am very fond of hunting, and there are few sensations I prefer to that of galloping over these rolling limitless prairies, with rifle in hand, or winding my way among the barren, fantastic and grimly picturesque deserts of the so-called Bad Lands…” This great love for the outdoors seeped into his presidential administration’s efforts, establishing nearly 230 million acres of public lands, which included 150 national forests, 55 federal bird reservations and game preserves, 5 national parks, and our nation’s first 18 national monuments. 

Not only did President Roosevelt view shooting sports as an opportunity for outdoor recreation, but he also saw it as a prime opportunity to deepen his understanding of the wilderness and its native inhabitants. Throughout several of his adventures, he took note of his findings and observations, publishing them in pieces of literature we can enjoy today. Many of our current outdoor recreation opportunities are mostly thanks to the incredible groundwork laid by Theodore Roosevelt.

Arkansas’ rich heritage of shooting sports has been safely practiced and enjoyed for generations. This month, as we observe National Shooting Sports Month, let’s celebrate the time-honored tradition and legacy of sportsmanship that has been the lifeblood of not only the Natural State, but our nation’s very existence.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

Last week, it was a privilege to attend the Arkansas Good Roads Foundation’s annual summer meeting in Hot Springs. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, it was deeply encouraging to connect the work our committee does in Congress to the needs of our roads and infrastructure projects across the Natural State. This time spent with transportation industry stakeholders provided an excellent opportunity to reflect on the numerous accomplishments made so far within the T&I Committee.

For much of my career in Congress, a top priority has always been championing legislation to bolster our state’s infrastructure and transportation capabilities. In addition to these important initiatives, this year the T&I Committee introduced several pieces of legislation to increase transparency and accountability within government and federal agencies, improve much-needed disaster relief programs for communities across the country, strengthening the U.S. supply chain, deliver more employment opportunities for our veterans, introduced the PERMIT Act, and more. 

Coming down the pike, our committee is gearing up to shift its focus after the district work period to efforts regarding surface transportation reauthorization, which currently expires next fall. To curb a bloated bureaucratic budget, committee Republicans are going back to the basics – putting the focus back on our most fundamental infrastructure needs. A key element to securing this vision is to continue empowering states to make the best judgment call on their individual needs while limiting bureaucratic overreach and obtrusive federal red tape. 

Next year, we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, which was signed by President Eisenhower. The Federal-Aid Highway Act came nearly half a century after Henry Ford built the first automobile and addressed numerous public and national safety concerns flagged in the wake of World War II. To this day, our nation’s Interstate Highway System connects Americans with travel and trade opportunities, fostering economic growth and providing rural communities with greater opportunity for easy access to areas that provide critical care and goods. Unfortunately, if this undertaking were happening today, the implementation of this project would be deemed nearly impossible due to frivolous red tape and an outdated permitting process which sets projects like this back decades. 

It is important to reinforce the truth that America is a nation that builds, and when current legislation and outdated processes cut us off at the knees, preventing our nation from the ability to build and usher in modernized infrastructure – which our communities desperately need – America is sidelined, missing out on the opportunity to compete with the rest of the world.

House Republicans and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee must stay the course on paving a way toward a future of greater opportunity not only for the transportation industry, but our rural communities and our nation’s infrastructure. The work is just beginning, and House Republicans look forward to continuing to deliver results for the American people.