MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Frederica S Wilson (24th District of Florida)

Today, Rep. Frederica S. Wilson led a letter to President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem alongside Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Rep. Joe Courtney, Rep. James P. McGovern, Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Rep. Gwen S. Moore, Rep. William R. Keating, Rep. Terri A. Sewell, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez, Rep. Henry C. “Hank” Johnson Henry Jr., Rep. Seth Magaziner, and Rep. Sarah McBride objecting to the Rescission of Haitian Temporary Protection Status.

For the full letter, click here.

Letter Text:

Dear President Trump and Secretary Noem,

The undersigned strongly oppose the Department of Homeland Security’s recent decision to partially vacate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals. This decision undermines the urgent humanitarian needs of the Haitian people, who have endured protracted suffering due to economic instability, escalating violence, and devastating natural disasters.

Haiti has faced more challenges than any other nation in the Western Hemisphere, with crises and despair. The evidence is clear: the “extraordinary and temporary conditions” that warranted TPS designation remain dire and, in many respects, have worsened. The United Nations reported over 5,000 fatalities and more than 2,000 injuries in Haiti in 2022 alone. The country has been embroiled in violence and instability, especially following the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

Your recent notice contradicts the determination made by former Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, yet we see no compelling evidence that justifies this abrupt change.

Returning individuals to Haiti, where their safety and well-being are at serious risk, is not only unjust but also goes against our moral obligation to protect those in need.

As champions of equality and human rights, we are compelled to oppose this decision, which jeopardizes the well-being of Haitian nationals and sets a concerning precedent for U.S. humanitarian policy. When Haitians are supported and unified, they possess profound potential for recovery and growth. We remain highly concerned about your administration’s hostile tone concerning TPS, where a DHS spokeswoman claimed that the TPS system has been abused and exploited for decades. First, TPS is not being abused or exploited by foreign nationals, and the claims as such are cruel and uncouth. Temporary Protected Status is a system that was created under a Republican administration and has been utilized by both Democratic and Republican administrations, showing our nation’s diplomatic and humanitarian position in the world.

We urge you to rescind this decision, reaffirm TPS for Haitian Nationals, and engage with Congress, humanitarian organizations, and the Haitian diaspora to address the urgent situation in Haiti. Our values as a nation dictate that we extend compassion and support to our neighbors facing adversity.

We look forward to your prompt response and hope for a resolution that reflects our humane and just principles as Americans. America must remain the world leader in diplomacy, and it is prudent to show leadership in diplomacy among our neighbors in the Western hemisphere.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08)

WASHINGTON, DC ­– Today, Representatives Austin Scott (R-GA-08) and Al Lawson (D-FL-05) led several of their colleagues in sending a letter to the International Trade Commission (ITC) voicing support for a Section 201 safeguard investigation for the U.S. blueberry industry currently before the ITC. The members contend that extremely low pricing on rising imports during U.S. harvest periods have had a devastating impact on the domestic industry and request a prompt determination in the Section 201 case.

“Thousands of workers across the country have been laid off or not rehired. Scores of blueberry growers have gone out of business causing hardship on family farmers, economic harm to providers of packing and freezing services, and damage to the growers’ local communities and tax bases. Grower profits have declined or vanished as prices have plummeted and blueberries have been left on bushes because it is uneconomic to harvest.  In short, the effects of the import surge have been and remain devastating to the domestic blueberry industry,” wrote the Members. “As the Commission develops the evidentiary record in this case, it will be clear that imports are a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic blueberry industry. We urge the Commission to promptly make an affirmative determination in this regard.”

In addition to the co-signers, the American Blueberry Growers Association and American Farm Bureau Federation support today’s letter.

Below is the text of the letter. You can also click here to read the letter.

December 11, 2020

U.S. International Trade Commission

500 E Street, SW

Washington, DC 20436

RE: Investigation No. TA-201-77 (Fresh, Chilled, and Frozen Blueberries)

Dear Chairman Kearns and Commissioners:

We write to express our support for the Commission’s ongoing Section 201 investigation regarding fresh, chilled, and frozen blueberries. The significant surge of imports of blueberries in recent years, the timing of such imports during U.S. harvest periods, the extremely low pricing of the imports, and the targeting of the U.S. blueberry market by foreign exporters has had a devastating impact on the domestic blueberry industry.

Current prices for blueberries are lower than they have been in years. Thousands of workers across the country have been laid off or not rehired. Scores of blueberry growers have gone out of business causing hardship on family farmers, economic harm to providers of packing and freezing services, and damage to the growers’ local communities and tax bases. Grower profits have declined or vanished as prices have plummeted and blueberries have been left on bushes because it is uneconomic to harvest. In short, the effects of the import surge have been and remain devastating to the domestic blueberry industry.

Blueberry imports have surged from a number of countries, especially Chile, Peru, Mexico, Argentina, and Canada, rising nearly 62 percent from 423 million pounds in 2015 to 684 million pounds in 2019. The blueberry market in these countries has been developed to expand exports to the United States rather than for domestic consumption. The large number of countries providing those exports indicates that a global solution is warranted and necessary to provide relief to the domestic blueberry industry.

The United States is already heavily dependent on imports for a variety of important food crops and failure to control the surge of blueberries threatens to sharply reduce the number of U.S. blueberry growers and the volume of U.S. blueberries produced. Not only do these imports threaten domestic businesses and livelihoods, they also expose U.S. consumers to products from countries with poor or inconsistent product safety records.

As the Commission develops the evidentiary record in this case, we believe it will be clear that imports are a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic blueberry industry. We urge the Commission to promptly make an affirmative determination in this case.

Sincerely,

Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA-08)

Rep. Al Lawson (D-FL-05)

Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Rep. James Baird (R-IN-04)

Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12)

Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02)

Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16)

Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24)

Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA-01)

Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA-09)

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR-04)

Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01)

Rep. Val Demings (D-FL-10)

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25)

Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL-02)

Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-GA-03)

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01)

Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA-03)

Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI-02)

Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01)

Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA-02)

Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL-07)

Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04)

Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL-08)

Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL-04)

Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR-05)

Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ-04)

Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL-09)

Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL-17)

Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI-06)

Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02)

Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL-03)

-30-

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

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair and co-founder of the bipartisan, bicameral Abraham Accords Caucus, released the following statement in response to renewed fighting in Gaza.

“It’s been 530 days since thousands of Hamas-led terrorists invaded Israel, murdered more than 1,200 and took 250 hostages back to Gaza. The war Hamas started has been devastating, especially for Palestinians, and we all want it to come to an end with the release of all remaining 59 hostages and removal of Hamas from reigning over Gaza. Only then can recovery and renewal begin in Gaza, and only then can there be any hope for real and lasting peace for all the people in the region. 

“The breakdown of the ceasefire and resumption of deadly violence in Gaza is deeply concerning. The renewed fighting underscores once again the devastating cost of Hamas’s intransigence and its disregard for both Palestinian and Israeli lives.

“Hamas’s insistence on holding hostages as leverage is reprehensible. Their refusal to engage seriously in efforts toward a lasting ceasefire, despite sustained diplomatic conversations, has precipitated the tragic events unfolding now. The humanitarian toll of these renewed hostilities is heartbreaking and unacceptable.

“Israel has the right to defend itself and to act decisively to secure the release of hostages and to ensure the safety of its citizens. However, continued violence and instability cannot be the solution. It is imperative that diplomatic channels remain open and active.

“I strongly encourage all involved parties, with support from the United States and regional mediators, to urgently resume negotiations aimed at swiftly restoring a durable ceasefire so that the next phase of hostage releases can take place. It is critical to prioritize humanitarian considerations and the release of hostages as core components of any renewed dialogue.

“The international community, including the United States, must remain engaged and active in supporting efforts that can lead to a sustainable and peaceful outcome for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

###

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

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement as the US Senate is set to vote on government funding today:

“House and Senate Republicans are relinquishing their Constitutional duties to Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Rather than working to pass legislation that responsibly funds the government, Republicans are giving a blank check to Trump, and empowering Musk and his DOGE bros to continue their devastating campaign of chaos through the federal government. 

Veterans, seniors, students, farmers and small businesses will all bear the burden of Republican cuts to VA healthcare, to Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and other critical government programs. Meanwhile, billionaires like Musk get a free ride with massive tax cuts, paid for on the backs of working families and the most vulnerable Americans.

House Democrats were united in rejecting the extreme funding bill Republicans crammed through earlier this week, and we remain opposed to it as it moves through the Senate. We are committed to a path that keeps the government open with a temporary funding bill that gives time for Congress to negotiate responsible, full-year funding legislation that reflects the priorities, and addresses the needs of the country.”

###

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

Schneider, Bilirakis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reclassify Turkey as a Middle Eastern country

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

WASHINGTON – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s address to a Joint Session of Congress:

“Tonight, President Trump continued to gaslight the American people. His 100+ minute speech was just the same old, tired routine, chock full of lies, and offering more chaos, corruption, and confusion. Absent from his hollow promises were any real solutions to the challenges that are facing the American people: high prices, a weakening economy, housing prices through the roof and affordable health care out of reach. 

“Here’s the hard truth about the state of our union: just two months in, Trump and House Republicans are making our country weaker, and the chaos they are creating is making life harder for hardworking Americans. 

“Today, families who were already facing rising prices now face Trump’s 25% ill-conceived Trade War Sales Tax — costing the average family up to $2,000 this year alone. The stock market is in free-fall as economists and industry experts prepare for a recession. Bird flu is raging and measles is sickening children and threatening communities across the country.  Meanwhile the Trump administration demonizes vaccines and blocks research fighting diseases. Elon Musk is arbitrarily and maliciously firing thousands of people, including more than 6,000 veterans, responsible for keeping our skies safe, our communities healthy, and our veterans supported. Trump is endangering our national security and threatening democracy around the world by bowing to dictators like Vladimir Putin while attacking and even abandoning our closest allies.

“At the same time, House Republicans are plotting to demolish Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security benefits to line the pockets of Trump’s oligarchs like Elon Musk. Trump, Musk, and their billionaire friends are thriving on the Republican agenda, getting a free ride on the backs of middle-class Americans.

“I want to make life better for all Americans, to lower costs, keep our communities safe and healthy, and stand up for democracy, and protect our national security. While Republicans bury their heads in the sand and hide from their constituents at town halls, Democrats are ready to roll up our sleeves to lift up our nation and tackle the challenges confronting our country.” 

###

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

WASHINGTON – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), representative for Highland Park, Illinois, released the following statement in response to the Highland Park shooter pleading guilty to 69 counts of murder and attempted murder. At the Highland Park Independence Day Parade on July 4, 2022, the shooter, hiding on a nearby rooftop, fired 83 shots in less than a minute – murdering seven people, wounding 48 others, and traumatizing the entire community.   

“More than two years ago, the now convicted murderer stole seven beloved souls from us, wounded dozens more, and forever changed our community. He deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison. I am relieved by his guilty plea which will bring at least some sense of closure for the families of the murdered and wounded, and for our community.

 “July 4, 2022 left a deep scar on the Highland Park community, one that will never fully heal. But with the strength of a united community, the love from neighboring villages and towns, and the resolve to do all we can to stop this from happening again, Highland Park is standing strong and on the path to healing. 

 “We will never forget the lives stolen on that terrible day and will forever remember their vibrant lives and beautiful spirits. Nor will we leave behind those who are still healing – physically and emotionally. 

“Highland Park Strong, forever.”  

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

Today, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) led a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel requesting an investigation into the incitement of, and acts of, domestic terrorism by the radical Left.

Elon Musk, Tesla dealerships, and Tesla car owners have been threatened, harassed, and attacked in recent weeks. Attorney General Bondi has made arrests of some of these criminals.

Some individuals, including United States Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), have encouraged this violence. Activities that appear to be intended to intimidate, coerce citizens, or to influence government policy are considered acts of domestic terrorism.

Recent attacks on Tesla vehicles are increasing in number and escalating in severity, with the sole intention of retribution for Elon Musk and President Trump’s actions.

“Recent threats and actions against Tesla dealerships and owners are dangerous and may constitute a federal crime.” said Congressman Biggs.

“I know that Director Patel’s FBI will thoroughly investigate these domestic terror threats.” 

Cosigners of the letter include: Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Rep. Keith Self (R-TX), Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO).

The letter may be read here.

Deseret covered the letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

This week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released previously redacted information relating to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s (ONDCP) Hemisphere Project. DOJ OIG released the information in response to a May 2024 letter from Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). The lawmakers’ letter requested that DOJ OIG publicly release unclassified information contained in their March 2019 report on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Use of Administrative Subpoenas to Collect or Exploit Bulk Data.

Last year, the House Oversight Committee considered legislation to reauthorize the ONDCP. The bill included a number of provisions negotiated by Congressman Biggs that were designed to improve Congressional oversight of ONDCP funded programs, and to protect Americans’ privacy. The release of this information underscores the need for similar legislative reforms to be enacted across government programs.

Additionally, the ONDCP informed Senator Wyden that federal funding for Hemisphere was ended as of September 30, 2024, and the program has been shut down.

Congressman Biggs and Senator Wyden have led bipartisan efforts to protect Americans’ privacy and issued the following statement on DOJ OIG’s data release:

“This report contains information that the public has a right to see. The American people demand transparency from their government, and Congress must work to ensure that the federal government is accountable to its citizens. We’re thankful to DOJ OIG for their work to make new information public, and we look forward to further cooperation in the interest of American citizens.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

Today, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) sent a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel requesting an investigation into ActBlue, the main fundraising platform of the Democrat Party. In 2024, banks across the country reported hundreds of suspicious transactions with ActBlue, but the previous Administration stonewalled congressional efforts to investigate the reports further. There are also allegations of foreign donations originating in China, Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.

“The allegations against ActBlue are alarming and warrant a thorough investigation by the FBI,” said Congressman Biggs.

“If the allegations against ActBlue are proven true, the fundraising group has undermined the integrity of our elections for years, and justice must be delivered swiftly. Americans’ faith in our electoral system is crucial to our Republic, and Congress must ensure that we protect the security of our elections.

“I’m grateful to Director Patel for his work to restore our justice system, and I look forward to working with him to get to the bottom of these concerning reports.”

The letter may be read here. 

Fox News covered the letter here.