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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland
August 8, 2026                                                   202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS PASSING OF VIRGIN ISLANDS’ CULTURAL ICON BRADLEY CHRISTIAN

U.S. Virgin Islands – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of Bradley Christian, a Virgin Islands cultural icon celebrated for his mastery of the traditional head wrap and his role in shaping the territory’s official madras:

“Today, the Virgin Islands lost a true keeper of our culture. Bradley Christian spent his life carrying forward traditions passed down through generations. He was known far beyond our shores for his beautifully crafted head wraps, but Bradley’s gift was never just in the craft itself. It was in his deep understanding of the history, heritage, and meaning behind every head wrap, our food, storytelling, quelbe, quadrille – the many elements of our islands.  Bradley Christian reminded us to love ourselves and our history – that we are a tapestry of beautiful people.  His hand also helped shape the official madras of the Virgin Islands, a symbol our people wear with pride,” said Congresswoman Plaskett.

“Bradley was one of our territory’s cultural icons, and we are forever grateful for his contributions. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and all his loved ones and friends during this difficult time. May they find comfort in knowing how deeply his legacy is felt across the Virgin Islands,” Congresswoman Plaskett concluded.

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

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress:

“I have known Dr. Anthony Fauci for forty years, and there are fewer individuals who have had such an enormous positive impact on our public health and our understanding of infectious diseases as he has. He is an individual of tremendous character, thoughtfulness, and wisdom. He has spent his life in service to Americans, and he helped lead our nation through the darkest days of a deadly global pandemic. Senate Republicans’ vote in the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee to hold him in contempt of Congress is nothing short of a witch-hunt instigated by President Trump and whose purpose is to achieve Republicans’ goal of focusing attention backwards. That’s because they lack any serious plans to deal with the challenges of the present or to offer a vision for the future.  Americans deserve to have Congress focus on the issues that matter, not litigating conspiracy theories from the pandemic. Dr. Fauci deserves better too – and he ought to know that he has the respect and admiration of most Americans.”

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

As the most foundational building block of our federal framework, federalism – or the division of power between a central national government and individual state governments – is essential to upholding the American ideal of checks and balances, ensuring that no single entity retains too much power. 

The first draft for our government’s framework, the Articles of Confederation, proved unsuccessful – as most first drafts usually are – because too much power was placed into the hands of the states. 

Our Founding Fathers were reeling from the tyrannical rule of a powerful unitary government in which all power resided in a single, centralized national authority. So, their goal was to create a form of government in which no single group or individual could gain too much power or control over the people.

Seeking to discover how the power of the federal government could be better balanced while still keeping the same idea of states’ rights, the Founders met once again, in Philadelphia in 1787, to draft what we now know as the Constitution. While the word itself isn’t explicitly used, the concept of federalism is woven throughout the language of the document.

It’s been 238 years since the Constitution was ratified, and the United States has successfully functioned under this idea of federalism ever since, setting an example for similar systems of government across the globe. 

Serving my own time in the Arkansas State Legislature, I have been privileged to gain a deep understanding of how the state and federal government work separately but also hand-in-hand. 

Now serving in Washington, it remains a high priority to work closely with and hear directly from officials on the state and local levels. Earlier this month, I was pleased to welcome several members of our State Legislature to Washington, D.C., where we met to discuss several important issues impacting Arkansans.

These men and women in the State Legislature understand the direct needs of the folks they serve. That’s why I see it as such an important part of my job here in Congress – on the federal level – to work directly with these senators and representatives on the state level so that we can push Arkansas-specific agendas across the finish line here in Washington.

It’s a great privilege to get to serve here in Congress and be a part of this incredible system our Founding Fathers created. It’s a form of government that started as an experiment but has since proved to be the very best in the world. We are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, which is why it will remain an honor and responsibility that I do not ever take lightly to represent the people of the Fourth District in the halls of Congress.

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

It’s time for the federal government to stop fiddling while America burns. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, over 40,000 fires have burned nearly 4 million acres across the United States so far this year.

We’ve seen countless American lives upended by wildfire. Families have lost loved ones, communities have lost homes and businesses, and thousands of firefighters risk their lives to protect their friends and neighbors.

Congress has a role to play in preventing further catastrophe caused by wildfire. Eighteen months ago, the Fix Our Forests Act passed out of the House with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 279-141. From working to accelerate hazardous fuel reduction in our highest-risk forests, utilizing state-of-the-art science to treat our forests, and streamlining processes that reduce cost while still maintaining environmental standards, this bill does so much to invest in the forests we love.

Through healthy forest management practices, we will see a drastic decrease in wildfire risk.

It’s incredible that, while we are a nation filled with an abundance of timber, we look beyond our borders to import timber products. In fact, the Observatory of Economic Complexity reported that the year-on-year exports from the United States for paper goods decreased by 6.52% while imports increased by 8.82%. Because of this trend in relying on foreign imports, we are severely limiting our domestic manufacturing capabilities for lower-value and residual wood. 

With too many trees and too few markets, we’re seeing our lumber supply chain impacted and the cost of paper products increase. But more seriously, we’re witnessing hardworking Americans lose their jobs.

Because of this, I’m proud to continue working diligently in Congress to broaden the avenue for greater opportunity for our domestic timber supply. Since 2014, we’ve seen at least 37 pulp mills close. These mill closures have directly impacted their local communities, contributed to overgrown forests, and led us to where we are now with more timber growing than we’re harvesting. 

By utilizing this abundance of timber for new, innovative forest-derived products, and strengthening our domestic supply chain, we’d be able to generate billions of dollars in sales and manufacturing across the forest products industry on a national level. And the rural communities that depend so heavily on the timber industry could see millions invested, in return. 

Now, Congress has the chance to fix our forests and invest in our communities. Through commonsense legislation like the Fix Our Forests Act and revised administrative policies on trade and business development, we can get to work to revitalize our nation’s forests and address the forest health crisis we’ve created.

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

Water resources infrastructure touches every American, from protecting homes against flooding to keeping goods moving through our ports and waterways. Every other year, Congress works to pass the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that makes critical investments to strengthen these essential systems.

As a water-rich state, Arkansas depends heavily on the passage of WRDA. This week, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure successfully voted to send this piece of legislation to the House Floor.

One thing I really stressed in this year’s WRDA legislation is access to recreation areas – especially at the Dardanelle Lock and Dam so that the Arkansans who enjoy fishing below that Lock and Dam can still have access, regardless of an ongoing Army Corps of Engineers project. This is an issue that has been raised countless times by constituents who enjoy recreating in that area and as a fellow outdoorsman, I consider it a great win to have been able to secure that provision in the bill.

Additionally, Arkansas’ ports and inland waterways move billions of dollars in goods every year. We often don’t pay much notice to our transportation systems – especially those like the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) that moves approximately 11 million tons of cargo annually. But when we don’t invest in up-to-date maintenance for our waterways like the MKARNS, a large part of that 11 million tons ends up travelling across the state on our highways and interstates, creating more traffic and safety issues for commuters.

Through my proposed provisions in WRDA, the legislation will greatly benefit the MKARNS through increased efficiency requirements for inland waterway project management within the Corps, enhanced dredging coordination and beneficial use policies improving sediment management in navigable waterways, and improve contracting efficiency that accelerates navigation construction and maintenance.

This year’s WRDA package will deliver much-needed improvements to our locks and dams, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other water resources infrastructure that Arkansans depend on to function properly and efficiently.

Because each WRDA package reflects the infrastructure needs identified by individual communities across the country, it was great to see several priorities for Arkansas cross the finish line. I look forward to continuing to advocate for the Natural State as House Republicans craft commonsense, conservative legislation.

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

Larsen Announces $1.3 Million to Local Shipyards

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, joined House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-CA) in sending a letter on Thursday urging Speaker Mike Johnson to immediately bring to the House floor a resolution opposing any presidential pardon, commutation, or other form of executive clemency for convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. The lawmakers note that the Senate unanimously adopted such a resolution last week and argue that the House should do the same without delay. 

In the letter, the lawmakers write:

“The Senate has unanimously passed a resolution opposing a pardon or clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell. The House must, without delay, do the same. There are now multiple resolutions that have been introduced holding that Ghislaine Maxwell—a convicted child sex trafficker and essential partner in lurid crime with Jeffrey Epstein—should not receive a pardon, commutation, or any other form of clemency from the President of the United States. You have not yet provided for any legislative forum or consideration of these resolutions. It is time for action.”

The letter argues that granting executive clemency to Maxwell would undermine confidence in the rule of law and inflict further harm on the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking network. It also notes that Speaker Johnson has previously stated Maxwell deserved a life sentence because of her “unspeakable crimes” and urges him to act consistently with those public statements. 

 The lawmakers continue:

“We urge you to call such a vote without delay and without asking the permission of President Trump, Attorney General Todd Blanche or anyone else reporting to the White House. This is a matter for the House of Representatives to consider. We urge you to put your own words into action and bring a resolution opposing any form of clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell to the House floor without delay so that the House may reaffirm that child sexual abuse and human trafficking are abominable crimes that should be met with justice, not a pardon.”

The lawmakers’ letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

CALI, COLOMBIA – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, was a member of the United States Presidential Delegation at the inauguration of Abelardo de la Espriella as President of the Republic of Colombia. The distinguished Delegation’s presence at the ceremony served to reaffirm the enduring alliance between the United States and Colombia, while signaling an unwavering commitment to advancing shared democratic values, deepening strategic cooperation, and fortifying regional security.

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Colombia and its people, presenting a pivotal opportunity to restore and strengthen the relationship with the United States. This moment not only signifies renewed hope for Colombia’s future, but also reaffirms the enduring partnership and shared values that unite our nations.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to President Abelardo de la Espriella on his inauguration and wish him, his Administration, and most importantly, the Colombian people, great success, peace, and prosperity. I look forward to working alongside President de la Espriella and our Colombian partners to strengthen regional security and advance our shared priorities. 

I am confident that the close relationship between the United States and Colombia will flourish once again under the new administration, rebuilding the strong partnership that has long benefited both our nations while contributing to greater stability in the region.”

Background:

Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart leads the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP). This subcommittee is responsible for funding U.S. foreign policy initiatives, international security efforts, and diplomatic operations. NSRP maintains jurisdiction over foreign assistance to Colombia, supporting areas such as counternarcotics, security cooperation, economic development, and migration. 

During the Petro Administration, U.S. funding to Colombia experienced notable reductions and was subject to stricter conditions. These changes reflected bipartisan concerns regarding President Petro’s policy decisions.

In addition to his subcommittee leadership, Chairman Díaz-Balart is the founding co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Colombia. Established in 2009, this caucus brings together Members of Congress who are committed to strengthening the partnership between the United States and Colombia. The caucus played a pivotal role in advancing a vote on the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement in the House of Representatives.

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

GILBERT, ARIZONA- Last week, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited the Port of Entry in Douglas, Arizona, to reveal that a multi-million-dollar sterile fly dispersal facility would be built in the state to combat the New World screwworm – a parasitic fly that feeds on the flesh of warm-blooded livestock, killing them if left untreated. The new facility will serve as a critical line of defense for the Southwest, expanding the nation’s sterile fly dispersal capacity beyond Texas while strengthening Arizona’s ability to protect its livestock industry and prevent the New World screwworm from spreading into the region as the Douglas Port of Entry reopens to cattle imports later this month.

This announcement follows Congressman Biggs’s efforts to position Arizona as a national leader in New World screwworm prevention by working with Secretary Rollins and USDA officials to highlight the state’s infrastructure, expertise, and cross border partnerships that support robust livestock inspections and protect the nation’s livestock industry. In his June 9 letter, Congressman Biggs specifically highlighted the historic Douglas sterile fly facility, identifying it as a “strategically valuable location for future production capacity [to] strengthen Arizona’s ability to support national containment efforts.”

“Thanks to the federal government’s decisive action, New World screwworm cases have fallen significantly over the past year,” said Congressman Biggs. “Arizona is leading the way in prevention efforts, and I am grateful that this administration answered my call for assistance. I know how hard our state’s ranchers and farmers work for America’s economy and supply chain, which is why I’m doing all I can to protect their cattle.”

In May 2025, the Douglas Port of Entry ceased cattle imports from Mexico because of the New World screwworm. The USDA has confirmed 43 domestic cases of the New World screwworm in the United States since June 3 – 42 of which have occurred in Texas. Thanks to decisive action from the federal government since June’s outbreak, transmission, and active cases have dropped significantly.

Read Congressman Biggs’s letter to Secretary Rollins here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Contact: Alexis Torres

Brownsville, Texas – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) presented former Port of Brownsville, City of Brownsville and Cameron County Commissioner John Wood with a prestigious Congressional Record to honor more than five decades of outstanding civic leadership and public service to South Texas. A Congressional Record is a daily transcript of all proceedings of the United States Congress, including any remarks provided by a Member in either chamber to recognize notable milestones in the communities they serve.