MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after Israel launched military strikes on Iran overnight.

“I stand with Israel. A world with fewer nuclear weapons is a safer one for everyone. The autocratic and theocratic Iranian regime could launch nuclear weapons not only at Israel, but also U.S. military bases and other U.S. interests.

“I worry about the safety of innocent civilians in Israel, Iran and elsewhere in the region. I urge that innocent civilians not be targeted. I also worry about U.S. personnel stationed in the Middle East. Iran must not target U.S. personnel. 

“What makes this situation even more volatile is that the United States, a longstanding ally of Israel, does not have a President respected or trusted on the world stage. This makes our country and the world less safe. This escalation happened because Donald Trump is a weak president who is focused on the wrong priorities in the region. While Iran ratcheted up its nuclear program, Trump was focused on getting an illegal gift from Qatar of a used 747 ‘palace in the sky.’ He also chose to go to Saudi Arabia earlier this year to make corrupt deals that benefit his family. He has not visited Israel since becoming President.

“By Trump’s design, our government lacks leaders who can manage a crisis. We live in a dangerous world and entrusting the world’s most powerful military to former TV host Pete Hegseth is extraordinarily irresponsible. Secretary of State Rubio’s weak and feckless statement yesterday was troubling too and reflects an indifference towards ensuring the U.S. is the global leader it once was. These are the moments where a competent cabinet matters.

“The Iranian regime must not gain nuclear weapons and we must secure a diplomatic solution that avoids an all-out war in the Middle East. I am praying for the safety of the civilians who are in harm’s way and for our service members stationed across the region.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, DC — Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements for 2026 and 2027.

“Today’s announcement rightfully recognizes the key role biofuels play in American energy security,” Smith said. “If finalized, these volumes will support our agriculture producers, provide much needed certainty to the industry, and ensure consumers have greater access to affordable liquid fuels. I thank Administrator Zeldin and President Trump for their continued support of American biofuels and look forward to working with them to ensure today’s RVOs have the intended effect of promoting American energy production.”

BACKGROUND:

Congressman Smith first introduced a bill to approve year-round sale of E15 in 2015.

On May 16, Smith, Reps. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), and Angie Craig (D-MN) joined 25 colleagues in a letter to the President urging for robust blending requirements in the ongoing RFS rulemaking.

On April 22, Smith, Craig, Hinson, and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) led 25 members of Congress in a letter urging the administration to lower prices at the pump by providing a summertime E-15 waiver.

On March 11, Smith led a bipartisan press conference highlighting grassroots support for eliminating restrictions on E15 sales.

On February 13, Smith and Craig introduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to enable the year-round, nationwide sale of E15. Read more about the bipartisan, bicameral legislation here.

On February 6, 2025, Smith and Craig led nearly 30 colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to EPA  Administrator Lee Zeldin. The letter emphasized the important role of the American biofuels industry in maximizing energy abundance and affordability while encouraging the EPA to issue timely and science-driven guidance to fulfill the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Yesterday, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH-5) and Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA-50) introduced the Nuclear REFUEL Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill to help increase investment of nuclear energy in the United States. Senators John Husted (R-OH) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are leading the effort in the Senate.

“It’s important that we make it easier to produce more energy in this country – not less,” Congressman Latta said. “The Nuclear REFUEL Act will streamline nuclear regulatory licensing and increase investment of nuclear energy right here in the United States, helping to unleash American energy. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan solution with my colleague, Rep. Peters, so we can get back on track to establishing American energy dominance.” 

“We must find a way to recycle nuclear fuel to reduce nuclear waste and make nuclear power, which can help reduce air pollution, more economically viable,” Congressman Peters said. “Right now, nuclear operators are not allowed to recycle and reuse spent fuel responsibly, but our bill will change that by creating a regulatory pathway to allow the practice. While we work toward a permanent long-term solution to nuclear waste storage and disposal, proposals like this will help us safely utilize nuclear waste.” 

“Ohioans need reliable and affordable energy sources, and America’s national and economic security depends on onshoring and expanding energy production. The Nuclear REFUEL Act would inject additional sustainable energy options into our economy by expanding clean nuclear energy production here at home. I am proud to lead this bill because it would give our homes and businesses more of those choices,” said Senator Husted.

“More zero-emission nuclear power can help meet our growing energy demand while strengthening our energy independence and national security. By making it easier to safely recycle spent nuclear fuel, we can reduce nuclear waste, lower energy costs, and further America’s longstanding global leadership in nuclear energy. I’m pleased to co-lead another bipartisan, bicameral nuclear bill to support U.S. clean energy dominance,” said Senator Whitehouse.

“With this bill, Congress is stepping up in a bipartisan way to provide solutions for fuel availability for advanced reactors and for used fuel management. This helps accelerate the deployment and adoption of clean energy powered by advanced fission technologies. The changes proposed in this legislation will facilitate efficient NRC licensing for facilities that recycle used nuclear fuel and produce fuel for advanced reactors. Domestic recycling of used nuclear fuel also enhances the supply chain resilience and security of nuclear fuel for advanced nuclear power plants, like Oklo’s powerhouse, securing America’s future of clean energy abundance,” said Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo Inc.

“For decades, the United States government has failed to provide a meaningful solution for what to do with spent nuclear fuel. Technology currently exists to recycle the roughly 95% of spent nuclear fuel’s remaining energy generation capability to refuel nuclear reactors, and as a country we should do so. Recycling will help secure our domestic nuclear fuel supply and help alleviate the massive cost that onsite storage has burdened American taxpayers with for far too long. USNIC commends Senator Husted for introducing the Nuclear REFUEL Act and encourages the Senate to act swiftly to move this legislation forward,” said the United States Nuclear Industry Council.

BACKGROUND: Nuclear fuel recycling technology, known as pyroprocessing, creates a uranium-transuranic (U/TRU) mixed fuel that can be used by advanced fast reactors to make energy while reducing the amount of nuclear waste.  

Currently, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission does not clearly state which regulatory pathway they will use to license recycling facilities that do not separate plutonium. They could be licensed under two categories: Part 50 or Part 70. Part 50 is typically targeted towards reactors (licensing utilization and production facilities), while Part 70 licensing focuses on fuel cycle (licensing uranium enrichment or fuel fabrication facilities). 

The Nuclear REFUEL Act will clarify that a U/TRU facility would be licensed only under Part 70, which is a single-step licensing process and would significantly streamline the licensing requirements for fuel recycling facilities which will revitalize domestic investment in nuclear energy. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Congressman Allen Testifies Before the International Trade Commission in Support of the American LSPTV Industry

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

In response to Israel’s successful preemptive strike against Iran, Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) voiced strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself:

“It was with satisfaction that I received the news that Israel successfully interrupted Iran’s plans to produce nuclear weapons,” said Grothman. “Israel has every right to defend itself, and when faced with an existential threat, it acted decisively with a highly sophisticated and successful operation involving aircrafts, drones, and world-class intelligence. As the world’s leading sponsor of terror, Iran must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

“The fact that civilian casualties during an operation of this size were so small shows that this is not an operation against the people, just the Iranian leadership whose stated goal is to wipe Israel off the map. If initial reports are true and only 80 Iranians have died, it is incredible how Israel was able to protect noncombatants.

“The overwhelming success of Israeli intelligence in determining exactly where to strike indicates a sizeable number of Iranians want the regime to fail. The Iranian government should take stock of their lack of popularity and focus more on making their own people happy and less time trying to destroy a country 1,000 miles away.

“It is disappointing that some of my colleagues in Congress seemed to expect Israel to stand by while Iran advanced a nuclear program that threatens Israel, the United States, and global stability.

“My prayers are with the Israeli military, citizens, and Americans abroad. Your safety remains top of mind.”

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) proudly serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Connecticut’s U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy, and U.S. Representatives Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34) and Donald Beyer (D-VA-08) today reintroduced the Choose Medicare Act. This revolutionary proposal opens Medicare to all Americans with a new ‘Part E’ and builds on the system we have today by allowing Medicare to compete with private health insurance.

“In the richest country in the world, no person should have to worry about whether they’ll be able to afford care if they become sick or get into an accident. At a time when proposed cuts from Republicans threaten the health and financial security of millions, it’s more important than ever to expand access to high-quality, affordable health care,” said Merkley. “The Choose Medicare Act does just that by allowing every American to buy into Medicare, protecting and expanding this effective, popular system, and putting consumers and businesses in the driver’s seat on the road to universal health care.”

“Instead of shielding big insurance companies from competition, we should give Americans the option to choose Medicare’s high-quality, low-cost coverage if it’s right for them and their families,” said Murphy. “While Republicans spike the cost of living and cut health care for millions of Americans, we’ll keep fighting to expand access and affordability.”

“I got pneumonia when I was seven years old, and my family almost went bankrupt because we were uninsured. Today too many families are still one medical emergency away from financial crisis,” said Gomez. “Our bicameral legislation lets every American opt into Medicare — which is affordable, effective, and trusted — and we’re going to keep fighting until everyone has access to the care they need.”

“Our bill would give all Americans access to Medicare, one of the most popular and successful health care delivery programs in history,” said Beyer. “Allowing employers and the general public the option to choose Medicare would fill many of the gaps in our health care system, get more people covered, and make the nation healthier. Every American should be able to access affordable, quality health care, and this bill represents the kind of bold action required to make that a reality for all.”

The Choose Medicare Act is co-sponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL). The bill is supported by Families USA, MoveOn, American Federation of Teachers, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, and the Center for Health and Democracy.

“Now, more than ever, millions of people are grappling with skyrocketing health care costs and rising concerns that they won’t be able to access affordable health insurance and the care they need to keep their families healthy. Lawmakers should be doing all they can to ensure people across the country have more options for affordable health care, not less. The Choose Medicare Act is an important effort that creates a new pathway to make Medicare accessible to more consumers and employers, and makes important improvements to the current program like coverage of all reproductive health and essential health benefits,” said Jane Sheehan, Deputy Senior Director of Government Relations for Families USA.

“The Choose Medicare Act would improve the existing Medicare program by creating a critically needed out-of-pocket cap in traditional Medicare,” said David Lipschutz, Co-Director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy. “The bill would also enable people currently not yet eligible for Medicare to enjoy the benefits of traditional Medicare, without the restrictions of limited provider networks found in many Medicare Advantage plans.”

“Big Insurance’s monopoly control over health care in this country has led to higher health care costs and a growing medical debt crisis, all while making health care unaffordable and inaccessible to a majority of Americans. It is a system designed to put profits over patients. This bill is a vital step towards breaking Big Insurance’s strangle hold over health care in this country and will open up the most successful health care program in our country’s history, Medicare, to even more people. I applaud Senator Merkley for introducing it,” said Wendell Potter, President, Center for Health and Democracy.

Medicare ‘Part E’ aims to be self-sustaining and fully paid for by premiums. Plans would be offered on all state and federal exchanges, giving people the ability to use existing Affordable Care Act subsidies to help cover their premiums. Additionally, employers could choose to select Medicare ‘Part E’ rather than private insurance to provide affordable and reliable health care to their employees.

The Choose Medicare Act:

Increases Access, Competition, and Choice

1. Opens Medicare to employers of all sizes and allows them to purchase high-quality, affordable health care for their employees without requiring replacement of employment-based health insurance.
2. Addresses the discrepancy between consumer protections in the individual and group markets by extending the ACA’s rating requirements to all markets, to end discrimination based on pre-existing conditions once and for all.

Provides Comprehensive Coverage

1. Includes the ACA’s 10 essential health benefits and all items and services covered by Medicare.
2. Provides high-quality, gold-level coverage and cost-sharing.
3. Ensures coverage for a wide range of reproductive services, including abortion.

Improves Affordability

1. Establishes an out-of-pocket maximum in traditional Medicare.
2. Increases the generosity of premium tax credits and extends eligibility to all earners.
3. Directs Medicare to negotiate fair prices for prescription drugs by incorporating in the program the drug price negotiation section of the Inflation Reduction Act.
4. Drives down private insurance premiums through competition from Medicare by allowing the HHS Secretary to block excessive private insurance rates.
5. Extends traditional Medicare protections on balance billing or surprise bills to ‘Part E’ plans.

Full text of the Choose Medicare Act can be found by clicking here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

GOMEZ: “If it can happen to Alex, it can happen to any of those senators on the other side, or any member of Congress, or anybody.”

You can watch the press conference HERE.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), and members of the California congressional delegation held an emergency press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to condemn the Trump administration’s forcible removal of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla during a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press conference.

Senator Padilla was thrown to the ground and handcuffed while attempting to ask Secretary Kristi Noem questions regarding DHS’s military-style deployments in LA and ongoing reports of human rights abuses at detention facilities. The senator identified himself repeatedly, yet was removed from a federal building where his own office is located.

You can read Rep. Gomez’s full remarks as delivered below:

“I think everyone is definitely shaken up—but extremely angry about what just occurred. Because we’ve seen this situation before. This administration — Donald Trump — is outside the bounds of the law, outside the bounds of the courts, outside the bounds of custom and practice. And he will not stop in just Los Angeles.

“He’s not gonna stop in California. He’s gonna go to every state in the union to show that he is not controlled by the Constitution. And if people think it’s only in California, they are mistaken.

“What we’ve seen is that this administration—with their ICE raids—is not going after criminals. I don’t know any MS-13 gang members that work at a car wash during the day, or at a day laborer site, or at a restaurant during the day. That’s who he said he would go after. But who is he going after?

“He’s going after a mom doing her yearly check-in—with her kids—and then deporting them to Texas and separating them. A little girl who’s getting cancer treatment—and the only place she can get it is here.

“People should be pissed off. Not just because of them—but because of what it means about our country, where we’re heading. And we’re heading down a dark, dark path. Something that, in my imagination, I never thought we’d reach. But this is where we are.

“And if they can do that to a member of Congress from New Jersey [and California’s] senior senator, who was shouting at the top of his lungs, ‘I am Senator Alex Padilla,’ and whose office is in that federal building—he had a right to be there—then they’re gonna make something up to justify, probably, an indictment of that senator.

“And what we want to know—what we’re going to demand—is that Kristi Noem come before Congress and testify about what occurred today.

“Because if it can happen to Alex, it can happen to any of those senators on the other side. It can happen to any member of Congress. It can happen to anybody.

“So I want to just stress: we’re not going to give up. We’re not going to be intimidated. We’re not going to be cowed. We’re going to keep fighting for our communities. And I know the Trump administration says using the word ‘fight’ is some kind of declaration. And it is a declaration.

“It’s a declaration that we’re not going to give up. That we’re going to stand up for one another. Because too much is at stake. And I want everybody to know—we’re calling on all Americans to stand up. Because when is it going to be enough?

“When somebody gets shot in the streets of Los Angeles? When a member gets shot?”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Washington, DC – Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), Lou Correa (D-CA), and Jack Bergman (R-MI) introduced bipartisan legislation repealing the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) joined as an Original Cosponsor, as well. 

The Caesar Act which imposed sanctions on Syria in response to the Assad regime’s war crimes was waived by Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month for 180 days. However, unless Congress permanently repeals the law it will require waivers every 180 days until the law expires in December 2029, thereby creating economic uncertainty which will harm efforts to reduce the massive humanitarian and economic hardship in Syria which has been ravaged by years of war. 

On May 21, Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In response to a question regarding Syria sanctions from Rep. Wilson, Sec. Rubio said, “The sanctions in Syria are largely based on a statute, the Caesar Act, and so that allows the President to do rolling waivers, I believe 6 months at a time. So the goal is ultimately to make enough progress, so that Congress will permanently repeal those.”

Ambassador Thomas Barrack, who is U.S. ambassador to Türkiye, was named as Syria’s U.S. envoy on May 23; he noted Syria had been under U.S. sanctions since 1979. Some of the toughest were implemented in 2020 under the Caesar Act, which Barrack said must be repealed by Congress within a 180-day window. “I promise you the one person who has less patience with these sanctions than all of you is President Trump,” Amb. Barrack said.

“For far too long, the Syrian people suffered under the brutal dictatorship of the Assad regime. With the ousting of this regime, it is critical that we give the new government the opportunity to deliver for the Syrian people,” said Rep. Jayapal. “The repeal of these broad sanctions will give foreign partners the certainty they need to invest in the Syrian economy and give their new government a chance to succeed.”

“The Assad regime sanctioned by the Caesar Act no longer exists, and it is time to repeal the law to provide long-term certainty to those who would like to invest in the reconstruction and rebuilding of Syria,” said Rep. Wilson.     

“With the fall of the Assad regime, the Syrian people have renewed hope for a better future,” said Rep. Panetta. “By repealing the Caesar Act, the United States can better support the Syrian people and their economy during this critical transitional period. Syria is at a turning point, and as geo-political adversaries try to take advantage of the turmoil, the United States must position itself as a partner for continued progress.”

The full text of H.R. 3941 is available here. 

Issues: Foreign Affairs & National Security

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today, Representative Rick Larsen released the following statement on the Republican rescissions package, which passed the House of Representatives 214-212:

“I voted no on the package of funding cuts the Trump administration put forward because it is bad for families and kids.

“My sons grew up watching Arthur on PBS and I watch Masterpiece Mysteries, just like millions of Americans. NPR and PBS provide important educational, cultural and news programming, as well as public safety announcements and severe weather alerts. The Administration wants to cut $1.1 billion from these programs, which will push smaller, rural stations that rely heavily on federal funding toward shutting down.

“All the while, the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are trying to pass the Republican Rip-Off Budget, which will give the highest-income households $12,000 more per year while taking away $1,600 each year from lowest income households. That’s not my opinion – that’s according to analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

“This administration is working hard to serve the richest Americans and wealthiest corporations. I will continue to use all the tools available to fight for American families and kids alongside House Democrats.”

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