MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) today met with U.S. Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan to discuss the limited logistical support provided by Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials as they ramp up increased immigration enforcement operations across the Chicago area during “Operation Midway Blitz.”  At DHS’s request, NSGL has agreed to provide limited logistical support, to include office space, parking, and storage space for nonlethal munitions.  No Navy personnel or resources will be involved in immigration raids directed by DHS in the Chicago area.

During the meeting, the lawmakers underscored that transparency is essential as the Trump Administration increases ICE’s presence in the Chicago area and continues to threaten to deploy the National Guard.  Durbin, Duckworth, and Schneider also made clear that NSGL should not provide any additional support to DHS as raids are expected to continue, and that the limited nature of NSGL’s support to DHS and restrictions to DHS operations on the base are outlined in writing.

“Chicago does not need to be ‘saved’ by President Trump, and the increased federal immigration enforcement operation is nothing more than a shameless scare tactic,” said Durbin. “While the President and DHS officials dodge accountability and literally lock us out of buildings to avoid our oversight, I appreciate that Secretary Phelan accepted our invitation to speak about ensuring Naval Station Great Lakes does not get dragged into the President’s political theater.”

“I’m deeply concerned by how little transparency the Trump Administration is providing when it comes to deploying federal agents and our troops into our cities to intimidate Americans in their own communities,” Duckworth said.  “I’m glad Secretary Phelan answered our request for a meeting and answered our questions today, but I am still concerned about exactly what plans DoD has for DHS use of Naval Station Great Lakes and we still need the Administration’s plans in writing. We have a duty to our servicemembers to find out exactly what the Administration’s plan is around Naval Station Great Lakes and to ensure these efforts do not undermine our military’s readiness and ultimately weaken our national security.”

“Senators Durbin and Duckworth and I pressed the Secretary of the Navy to ensure that Naval Station Great Lakes is protected from the Trump Administration’s political theatrics that threaten our national security. Every Sailor in our Navy goes through basic training at NSGL, the largest military installation in Illinois, where more than 1,000 Sailors graduate each week. It is essential to our military readiness, and we are calling for clear guardrails and written agreements to guarantee that those working and residing there can pursue their mission without interruption,” said Schneider.

Durbin, Duckworth, and Schneider have been explicit about their opposition to President Trump increasing immigration raids in Chicago and his threats to deploy National Guard troops as a political move to distract from his Administration’s failure to lower the cost of living or address constituents’ health care needs.  The Senators wrote to Attorney General Bondi, DHS Secretary Noem, Department of Defense Secretary Hegseth, and FBI Director Patel requesting immediate information regarding potential actions President Trump would take to send the military to Chicago.

Last week, the lawmakers visited NSGL to learn more about how DHS plans to position itself at the base.  The Trump Administration first contacted the base on August 14, asking if they could make space available for DHS to be occupied for the next month. Durbin, Duckworth, and Schneider requested a meeting with DHS and were denied, as well as locked out of the office space that DHS intends to use after requesting entry. DHS has not provided any transparency into its plans for how this military base will be used by DHS officials, which component of DHS will be using the base, and whether the use of this base is necessary given existing field offices in the Chicagoland area.

Durbin and Duckworth have also introduced seven amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2026 to enhance congressional oversight over President Trump’s expansive use of the military for law enforcement operations in American cities, including without the consent or request of a state’s elected officials.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

WASHINGTON, DC — Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Abraham Accords Caucus, released the following statement in response to an Israeli strike in Doha, Qatar targeting Hamas leadership:

“I am following developments on Israel’s strike today targeting senior Hamas officials in Doha. If senior Hamas operatives were killed, I do not mourn them. Hamas is a terrorist organization responsible for murdering 1,200 people and taking 250 people hostage on October 7th, 2023. 

“Israel’s strike raises many questions about timing, location, and any possible U.S. involvement. Qatar is a U.S. ally and home to Al Udeid Air Base. Our military presence there enables the U.S. to better project power across the region and protect our national interests, including ensuring Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon. It is essential we maintain our ability to operate freely from Al Udeid Air Base.

“I continue to pray that the war in Gaza ends swiftly, the remaining hostages return home immediately, humanitarian aid is urgently surged into and throughout Gaza, and Hamas is removed from power.”   

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s announcement that it is beginning to send a surge of homeland security agents to the Chicago area: 

“President Trump threatened to bring war to the streets of Chicago, and today his administration is advancing that threat with ‘Operation Midway Blitz.’

“The Department of Homeland Security has said that the ‘operation’ is in honor of Katie Abraham who was tragically killed earlier this year in a horrific drunk driving hit and run.

“There is no doubt too many people across the country are killed or severely injured by drunk drivers every day. We should do all that we can to save lives and prevent these tragedies – just as we can and must do all we can to prevent violent crime in our communities and secure our borders. 

“But let’s be honest – this ‘operation’ is not about making our communities or roads safer. If it was, the administration wouldn’t be holding up $158 million for gun violence prevention programs and $800 million to prevent violent crime. 

“These actions are clearly intended to bully and terrify our communities while pushing the limits of federal law and expanding the authoritarian powers of the Trump Administration.

“Americans don’t want war on our streets. They don’t want masked ICE agents parading through our neighborhoods and scaring our families. They want peace, safety, and security. 

“The President would do better to work seriously with cities to address and prevent crime, support local police and law enforcement officials who work hard every day to keep communities safe, to identify and arrest violent criminals and gang members, and to provide a pathway to citizenship for people who have lived here peacefully and contributed to our communities for decades. 

“Unfortunately, we know the President is not interested in that – in working together to make us safer. He’s really interested in putting on a political reality show, using law enforcement and troops as pawns in his game.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

Washington, D.C. — Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the August jobs report:

“The numbers don’t lie. President Trump’s economic agenda continues to hurt the American economy. For the first time since the depths of the pandemic, we’re seeing the job market start to stall out.

“Today’s report is clear evidence that President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ actions are hurting working families across the country. The chaos and uncertainty of the President’s tariff taxes are causing layoffs and raising prices across the board. Meanwhile, families already struggling with the high cost of living are now forced to deal with Congressional Republicans’ cruel cuts to their healthcare and food assistance. This is the reality of the Trump Economy.

“These aren’t just figures on a page, but real people whose lives are being impacted by the President and Congressional Republicans, who have turned their backs on American families. Trump and Congressional Republicans must reverse course and finally tackle the affordability crisis facing the American people before it’s too late.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) released the following statement applauding the Trump Administration for formally filing to vacate the Biden Administration’s approval of the US Wind Offshore project off the coast of Maryland. 

The filing marks a major development in the ongoing fight over the wind farm. For years, Ocean City officials, fishermen, business leaders, and residents have warned the project would harm the Eastern Shore’s economy and environment.

Statement From Congressman Harris:

“I applaud the Trump Administration’s decision to vacate the Biden Administration’s reckless approval of the US Wind Offshore project. This is a victory for the people of Ocean City and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, who were consistently ignored by federal bureaucrats pushing this offshore project without proper local input or approval. Offshore wind poses serious risks to our coastal economy, marine environment, national security, and the livelihoods of watermen. I thank President Trump for standing up for my constituents and will continue working with him and his administration to end this project once and for all.”

For more information, please read WBOC’s reporting HERE. 

For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Washington, DC) — On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, shared remarks in a Financial Services Hearing entitled, “Proxy Power and Proposal Abuse: Reforming Rule 14a-8 to Protect Shareholder Value.”

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s remarks to witnesses on the panel here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Houston, TX) – Today, Congressman Al Green highlights an article written by Houston Chronicle staff writers Abby Church and Matt DeGrood titled, “‘Women will die:’ Houston’s domestic violence response team faces uncertain future as funds run dry.” This article emphasizes the vital role of the Houston Police Department’s Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART), which provides essential support to families and individuals in crisis through collaboration among police officers, medical professionals, and advocates from the Houston Area Women’s Center. A copy of the article is accessible here. 

In 2020, DART expanded due to federal funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act. However, the program now faces the possibility of operational reductions or even cuts due to budget constraints stemming from President Trump’s “One Big Ugly Steal” bill as these federal funds begin to expire. 

Congressman Al Green stated, “The DART program and the Houston Area Women’s Center are crucial lifelines for individuals impacted by domestic violence in the Houston area. President Trump’s “One Big Ugly Steal” threatens programs that save lives, paving the way for future reductions in social assistance. A sad example of this is the cuts to funding that the program has relied upon, while the current budget bill instead prioritizes tax cuts primarily for wealthy Americans and large corporations. We must continue to support federal funding for programs like DART that provide critical resources and protection for victims of these horrific crimes.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) released the following statement after voting to pass the fiscal year 2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act.

“After four years of the Biden administration hamstringing American energy, stifling our economy, and ceding national security ground to our adversaries, House Republicans and the Trump administration are getting this country back on track,” said Rep. McCaul. “Today’s bill strengthens U.S. energy production, fuels job creation and economic growth, and leverages America’s natural resources to reduce our reliance on other countries for critical minerals. I was proud to vote for this bill and secure a decisive victory not only for Texans, but for all Americans who want to see this nation prosper.”

The fiscal year 2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act would:

• Safeguard national security by prohibiting crude oil sales from our strategic petroleum reserves to the CCP and prohibiting Chinese and Russian citizens from accessing nuclear weapons facilities;
• Invest in mining production technology and critical mineral extraction, which will reduce our dependency on foreign nations;
• Fully fund small modular and advanced reactor demonstrations, which are critical to restoring U.S. nuclear leadership;
• Maintain our nuclear edge by modernizing nuclear weapons stockpiles;
• Improve U.S. ports and waterways to facilitate efficient transport of goods and services; and
• Preserve cybersecurity funding to protect Americans’ data and infrastructure.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on August Jobs Report

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 22,000 jobs in August, and the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.2 percent to 4.3 percent.

“Today’s jobs report confirms what millions of working families already know: that today’s economy is not working for them. For the first time since the pandemic, there are more unemployed Americans than available job openings. Instead of addressing job loss and economic hardship, the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are ripping away health care coverage, food assistance, and school meals from working families to fund massive tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.

“The Trump Administration’s disastrous economic policies are leaving working families without job opportunities, workplace rights, or a robust social safety net. For example, since returning to office, President Trump has attacked federal unions and stripped nearly half a millionfederal employees of their hard-won protections in one of the largest acts of union-busting in American history.

“Unions help workers come together to bargain for higher pay, better benefits, and safer workplaces free from discrimination. Democrats are committed to protecting workers’ rights and building a strong economy that serves all Americans, not just the privileged few.”

Background:

During former President Biden’s first seven months in office, the economy created 4.3 million jobs. In President Trump’s first seven months in office during his second term, he has created 487,000 jobs. Under former President Biden, the economy added 16.1 million jobs in total and did not have a single month of seasonally adjusted job loss during his entire term. In June 2025, under President Trump’s leadership, the economy lost 13,000 jobs. The last time the economy lost jobs was during President Trump’s first term.

Former President Biden created more jobs during his tenure than any Republican president, whether they served four or eight years. Former President Reagan created the most jobs of any Republican President on record—16,128,000 in eight years—which is still less than the 16,140,000 jobs created during former President Biden’s four years.

To see a chart comparing the seasonally adjusted job change between President Trump’s first and second term, and President Biden’s presidency, click here.

To see a chart comparing the cumulative seasonally adjusted job change between President Trump’s first and second term, and President Biden’s presidency, click here.

Following disappointing numbers in the July Jobs Report, President Trump fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner. Ranking Member Scott and Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) requested Chairman Tim Walberg (MI-05) hold an oversight hearing on this firing but have not received a response.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on the 2025 Nation’s Report Card

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the National Center for Education Statistics released the 2025 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results for 8th grade science and 12th grade math and reading.

“The latest Nation’s Report Card offers a troubling confirmation of what educators, students, and families have long been signaling: our schools were struggling to improve student outcomes long before the COVID-19 pandemic and are still struggling to fully recover from the academic disruptions of the pandemic. These declines reinforce the urgent need for sustained federal investment in academic recovery and educational equity.

“Unfortunately, instead of responding with the urgency that our nation’s learning crisis demands, the Trump Administration is pushing forward with its reckless efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, including critical offices such as the Institute for Education Sciences (IES). IES is responsible for evaluating and assessing learning styles to improve educational outcomes for all students and producing the Nation’s Report Card. Eliminating the very agency responsible for supporting public schools and enforcing civil rights protections of students will only deepen the achievement gaps identified by this assessment.

“Moreover, Congressional Republicans passed, and the President signed into law, the ‘Big Ugly Law,’ which will create the first nationwide school voucher program, effectively diverting taxpayer funding and resources away from public schools. An analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that this new private school voucher program could cost $56 billion per year—more than all current federal K-12 spending combined.

“Congressional Democrats remain committed to delivering the resources our schools need to help every student succeed. Now is not the time to retreat from our responsibility to provide every child, regardless of background or zip code, with the opportunity to succeed.”

Background: Nationally, 12th grade math and reading scores are down across most groups, with the lowest-performing students hit hardest. Alarmingly, 12th grade math scores are below 2005 levels, and reading scores are below 1992. Eighth grade science was not measurably different than in 2009.

In 2021, Congressional Democrats made the single largest investment in K-12 education in the American Rescue Plan Act. Although scores remained below pre-pandemic levels, preliminary studies showed that when states and districts spent their federal investments on academic interventions, student outcomes improved modestly.

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