MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)

Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement after the Trump Administration terminated $3.7 billion in grants issued by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. This includes an $87 million grant issued to Sublime Systems, whose low-carbon cement manufacturing plant is scheduled to open in Holyoke in 2027.

“The Trump Administration’s decision to kill critical clean energy projects is deeply irresponsible and is a betrayal of American innovation, workers, and the fight against climate change. Scrapping funding for projects for innovators like Sublime Systems in Holyoke undercuts years of progress in decarbonizing heavy industry, and it jeopardizes good-paying jobs and economic development in communities that need it most.

“The Inflation Reduction Act was written in the Ways and Means Committee during my time as chairman, representing the largest investment in combatting climate change in our nation’s history. I can say unequivocally that this was not the intention of the bill; it was designed to accelerate the clean energy transition through innovation, not stall it.

“This isn’t just about climate— it’s about global competitiveness and leadership. Turning away from American-made clean technologies in favor of outdated fossil fuel priorities is shortsighted and will be disastrous for our economy and environment, all while giving the upper hand to our competitors around the world. I urge the Trump Administration to reverse course and recommit to a forward-looking energy strategy that supports innovators and benefits our communities, economy, and planet.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)

Neal Statement on May 2025 Jobs Report

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)

Today, Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (D-CT) released the following statement after the Supreme Court stepped in to allow Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE’ access to Social Security beneficiaries’ personal data.

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court should alarm every American. Common sense suggests that Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE’ minions should not have unfettered access to the personal records of over 70 million Americans. Overturning two lower courts’ decisions to put their access on pause while the facts of this case are sorted, something rational minds could all agree to, only further creates suspicion and mistrust on the real intentions of ‘DOGE.’ Why do they need this access? What is the sense of urgency? In addition to the fears surrounding artificial intelligence, it only fuels the fire that ‘DOGE’ wants to dismantle Social Security from within. They have cut more than 7,000 workers, closed regional offices, slashed phone services, and fired inspectors general. They have their sights set on the $2.7 trillion in Social Security’s Trust Funds. This is the people’s money that American citizens have paid for. Elon Musk and his twenty-four-year-old proteges have not been vetted, gone through hearings, or any Senate confirmation. They have continued to dodge our inquiries and will not appear before the Ways and Means Committee, even after we filed a Resolution of Inquiry demanding answers from the Administration. They operate as if they are above the law, hiding behind President Trump’s designation of their ‘special’ status. For the Supreme Court to allow them to access Social Security numbers, income history, and medical records, is outrageous. We have been in contact with Ranking Member Jamie Raskin and are in full agreement with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s opinion that there is no reason for this. We introduced legislation to deny political appointees this type of unfettered access to sensitive beneficiary data at the Social Security Administration. Congress must act.”  

Ranking Members Larson and Neal’s Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act would block political appointees, like Elon Musk and his ‘DOGE,’ from accessing sensitive data systems at the Social Security Administration. It would also establish privacy requirements in law for beneficiary data and strengthen oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries’ personal information.  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

The Minnesota Congressional Delegation stands united in condemning the politically motivated violence in Minnesota.

My joint statement with Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Tina Smith, Congressman Tom Emmer, Congresswoman Angie Craig, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Congressman Pete Stauber, Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach, Congressman Brad Finstad, and Rep. Kelly Morrison:

“Today we speak with one voice to express our outrage, grief, and condemnation of this horrible attack on public servants. There is no place in our democracy for politically-motivated violence. We are praying for John and Yvette’s recovery and we grieve the loss of Melissa and Mark with their family, colleagues, and Minnesotans across the state. We are grateful for law enforcement’s swift response to the situation and continued efforts.”

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

BOWIE, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) visited the Bowie Interfaith Pantry and Emergency Aid Fund to greet volunteers and visitors as they distributed meals to families in Prince George’s County. During the visit, Rep. Hoyer discussed the harmful impacts of Trump’s tariffs and Republicans’ cuts to SNAP and Medicaid.

“I am proud to stand with interfaith leaders as they assist families who have hit hard times and might otherwise have no place to turn,” Congressman Hoyer said. “It is clear that the Trump Administration’s policies––from mass firings of federal employees to cuts to Medicaid––have betrayed many Marylanders. The Republicans’ plans to assault SNAP and other nutritional assistance programs will only exacerbate the situation. I want to thank the Bowie Food Pantry and its volunteers for their steadfast commitment to families in the Fifth District.”

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

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement on the Israeli and Iranian air strikes.

“Donald Trump has done virtually nothing to stop Iran’s continued enrichment of weapons-grade nuclear material or to curb its support for terrorist organizations that threaten Israel, destabilize the Middle East, and endanger U.S. interests since he walked away from the nuclear weapons treaty Obama negotiated.

“While I’m not generally supportive of Prime Minister Netanyahu, as he often seems intent on addressing every security challenge through military means, Israel unquestionably has the right to defend itself. And Iran has unquestionably and repeatedly threatened the security of Israel, directly and through their proxies.

“While I have hope, I also have little faith, that Donald Trump has the leadership skills or the interest to stabilize the region or secure lasting peace for Israel, but in the leadership vacuum he’s created, one thing is clear: Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and they have continued, in defiance of international nonproliferation treaties, to move toward acquiring nuclear weapons. Let’s be clear, a nuclear-armed Iran would endanger not just Israel — but the entire world.

“I would like both Israel and Iran to de-escalate the current conflict. But ultimately, there will be no stability in the Middle East, which requires a secure Israel, hope for the Palestinian people, and a denuclearized Iran, without diplomacy and U.S. engagement. The President needs to step up and provide the leadership this moment demands.”

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Issues: 119th Congress

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

Toledo, Ohio — Today, the office of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) released the following statement upon receiving notice that Congresswoman Kaptur was named in writing by an individual suspected of the targeted assassination of lawmakers in the State of Minnesota:

“Congresswoman Kaptur is exceedingly grateful to law enforcement for keeping our Great Lakes communities safe on several occasions over these past few years and for their work around the clock this weekend in Minnesota.

“Political extremism in America is cause for serious reflection and concern. The inclusion of Congresswoman Kaptur’s name in the Minnesota suspect’s writings is a matter better left for law enforcement and investigators — but it will not deter her work to make life better for families across Northwest Ohio. 

“Uplifting those who she has the honor to serve has been her sole focus every single day she has served and nothing will deter her from doing so now. 

“At this time out of respect to law enforcement working around the clock locally, and nationwide to keep law makers safe, we will not be providing further public comment on this matter.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. House Energy and Commerce Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), U.S. House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) along with 40 Democratic Colleagues in the House and Senate submitted formal comments to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), opposing any new or expanded offshore oil and gas leasing in the Trump administration’s proposed updates to the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas leasing program.

In their letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the lawmakers warned that more offshore drilling would threaten our national security, coastal communities, marine life, and local economies – all while handing more giveaways to an industry already sitting on millions of acres of unused leases. They urged the agency to exclude any new leasing in the final program. 

“New or expanded oil and gas leasing poses risks to the health and livelihoods of our constituents, jeopardizes our tourism, fishing, and recreational economies, and threatens the marine life that inhabits our coastlines” the members wrote. “New, unnecessary lease sales will lock in decades more of pollution and climate impacts from an industry that already holds more than 2,000 offshore leases covering more than 12 million acres of federal water, of which only 469 leases are currently producing oil and gas. The United States is already the number one producer of oil and gas in the world. There is no need for increased leasing, especially when oil and gas companies continue to impose environmental and climate consequences, public health risks, and billions of dollars in cleanup costs on the American people.”

Members also reminded the Secretary of the long-standing legal restrictions that prevent the administration from offering lease sales in protected areas.

“We remind the agency that it cannot offer sales in areas permanently protected under Section 12(a) of OCSLA, including areas off the Atlantic coast, the Pacific off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington, the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, and portions of the Artic Ocean, including the Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea planning areas. In 2017, during his first term, President Trump attempted to reverse President Obama’s Arctic and Atlantic withdrawals, but Judge Sharon Gleason for the District Court of Alaska determined that Section 12(a) does not give the president authority to revoke prior withdrawals. President Trump does not have the authority to reverse the Obama and Biden withdrawals, and his Executive Order of January 2025, which attempts to do so, is unlawful.”

During his first term, the Trump administration proposed 47 lease sales over five years, covering nearly every U.S. coastline. Fortunately, this program was never finalized due to litigation and strong bipartisan opposition. But now, with the Biden administration’s leasing plan under review and Secretary Burgum signaling that protections may be on the chopping block, lawmakers are raising the alarm once again.

At a budget hearing last week, Secretary Burgum refused to commit to protecting Florida’s Gulf Coast from new oil and gas leading, saying only that “the administration may be considering opportunities.” This region has long been protected by both bipartisan legislation and administrative withdrawals – protections that are now under threat.

Read the full letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Dear Speaker Johnson:

We write in the wake of this weekend’s lethal and catastrophic political violence in Minnesota to urge you to fulfill one of your most fundamental obligations as Speaker of the House: ensuring Members of Congress can safely carry out their constitutional duties.

As you know, on June 14, 2025, Minnesota State Representative and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were assassinated in cold blood. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were critically injured after being shot 17 times by the same violent gunman.

These shootings were not isolated incidents. Credible threats and acts of political violence have increased significantly over the last decade. Threats against Members of Congress have grown by nearly 1,000 percent since 2016. These incitements, often posed by lone actors motivated by conspiracy theories and political grievance, are particularly dangerous for Members, their families and staff while at home in their communities and away from the protective measures in place at the Capitol.

While we differ in many areas related to policy and our vision for America’s future, Member safety must be an area of common ground. Representatives from both sides of the aisle have endured assassination attempts that changed their lives and careers forever. Too many other patriotic public servants have left Congress because they no longer felt safe carrying out their duty as elected officials. We must act to protect each other and preserve this great American institution.

That responsibility starts with you.

The Speaker of the House has extensive authority over this institution, both administratively and legislatively. We strongly urge you to immediately direct the Sergeant at Arms to take all necessary steps to protect House members throughout the country. At the same time, it is imperative that we substantially increase the Member Representational Allowance (MRA) to support additional safety and security measures in every single office.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

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

Rep. Hill Announces New District Representative in Little Rock