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Dingell Leads Michigan Democratic Delegation in Requesting Answers About Rescinded Funds for Disability Services

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) led her House Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., requesting answers about federal grant funding that has been rescinded for the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Program, which provides legal support for people with disabilities.

The letter is in response to concerns from Disability Rights Michigan (DRM) after the organization was awarded $960,270 in funding from Protection and Advocacy (P&A) grants but recently had $130,485 rescinded by HHS. DRM is the independent, private, nonprofit, nonpartisan protection and advocacy organization authorized by Federal and State law to advocate for and protect the legal rights of people with disabilities.

“There are 57 independent Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agencies in the United States, serving all 50 States and U.S. territories, the District of Columbia and Native Americans,” the lawmakers write. “Established in 1975, the P&A network continues to serve an increasing number of people with disabilities due to an aging population. DRM is a part of this P&A network and is an essential and nonpartisan organization that helps individuals with disabilities. Their advocates and lawyers advise individuals with disabilities on how to advocate for their human, civil and legal rights within the state of Michigan, and they play an important role in investigating abuse and neglect.”

“We are concerned that without full funding, the P&A network will face tremendous fiscal uncertainty, limiting their ability to serve individuals with disabilities who depend on their assistance. We worry there will be fewer investigations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation that will harm lives,” the lawmakers continue. “Through these actions, HHS is needlessly putting lives at risk and reducing the ability for our government to protect those in need. Without the grant, DRM will not be able to ensure patients are being discharged to appropriate placements with reasonable accommodations, represent individuals in administrative hearings to ensure they are receiving the benefits they deserve, and advocate for children so they can receive the proper behavioral supports needed to remain in school and receive instruction.”

The lawmakers requested answers to the following questions:

  1. When should DRM and other organizations expect to have the funds from SAMHSA to return to their organizations?
  2. What is the rationale for rescinding funding for Protection & Advocacy Grants for individuals with disabilities, which support programs to investigate abuse and neglect in facilities that care for or treat individuals with mental illness?
  3. In the past, the funding was delivered in lump sum, but this year was being released in installments. Can you explain the reasoning for the change in distribution of funds?
  4. Can you commit to ensuring that individuals with disabilities will continue to have access to legal advocacy that protects their human, legal, and civil rights, and explain in detail how you plan to continue providing those services?
  5. What is the Department’s broader strategy to ensure that the rights and protections of individuals with disabilities are safeguarded?

The letter is signed by Representatives Rashida Tlaib, Haley Stevens, Shri Thanedar, Hillary Scholten, and Kristen McDonald Rivet.

View the full text of the letter here.

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Rep. Kelly Joins LIFE-NWPA for Tour of Crawford Center

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

MEADVILLE, PA – U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) recently joined LIFE-NWPA to tour its Crawford center and learn more about the essential services that Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) in Pennsylvania, known nationally as the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), provides to older adults. During the center visit, leaders at LIFE-NWPA showcased the valuable services offered to produce positive health outcomes for patients, as well as the role the LIFE program has in identifying health risks, preventing health crises, and reducing healthcare costs.

“It was great to tour LIFE NWPA’s Meadville facility last week. I was pleased to see how their work is giving our local seniors greater independence and the freedom they seek in their golden years. I look forward to taking our conversations from this visit back to Washington as we continue to advocate for Pennsylvania’s seniors,” said Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA). 

“We were honored to host Representative Kelly and show him the excellent care we offer to participants across the Erie community,” said Marcie Campbell, Vice President at One Senior Care. “We commend Congressman Kelly for his support and for recognizing the value of LIFE in improving the lives of participants. By strengthening access to LIFE for aging Pennsylvanians, we can improve lives, prevent health crises, and reduce healthcare costs.”

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 5% of individuals in the United States account for 50% of healthcare spending. The LIFE program is specially designed to keep these complex patients out of high-cost settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes, and instead partner with existing health providers to provide care to older adults in their homes and communities.

Learn more about LIFE NWPA here.

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Rep. Gomez Statement on Federal Judge Declaring Trump’s Use of Marines and National Guard in L.A. Illegal

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

Rep. Gomez Statement on Federal Judge Declaring Trump’s Use of Marines and National Guard in L.A. Illegal

Washington, September 2, 2025

Today, Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) released the following statement on a federal judge’s ruling: 

“A federal judge just confirmed what we’ve known all along: Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles is Illegal. Trump turned our city into a war zone, spreading fear and chaos in our community, but we stood up and fought back. 

“His use of our guardsmen and marines for local law enforcement purposed is contrary to historical precedent and treats the American people as the enemy. Allowing this to continue threatens the liberties of every individual in every state of the Union. 

“Today’s ruling is a major victory against a wannabe dictator, but the fight is far from over. We, the people, must continue pushing back against Donald Trump.”  

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Monopoly Busters Caucus Chairs Call Google Monopolization Remedies A “Slap on the Wrist”

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Monopoly Busters Caucus Chairs, U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Pat Ryan (NY-18), and Angie Craig (MN-02), released the following statement on Judge Amit Mehta’s decision on the remedies for Google’s illegal search monopoly:

“The court’s decision on remedies in the Google case is a mere slap on the wrist for a giant company that has crushed competition and hurt consumers and small businesses.

“In practice, this ruling allows Google to stay a monopoly. Despite finding Google guilty of search monopolization, the court is allowing the company to retain Chrome and Android, key tools that Google uses to dominate the market. While the court banned exclusive search deals, this is only a minor tweak that still allows Google to continue to benefit from default search agreements worth billions annually. As long as Google keeps control of its search and advertising businesses, it will keep rigging the game and pushing out innovative companies and new ideas.

“It is unfortunate that this decision undermines important bipartisan efforts to curb Big Tech monopolies, and could even embolden other giants to continue their monopolistic practices. That is why today, we call on the Department of Justice and the 49 states to appeal this decision. The American people deserve a digital economy where new entrants can compete on their merits, not a system where a monopoly thrives by judicial inaction.

“We will continue to push for stronger antitrust reforms that protect small businesses, innovation and consumers rather than giant corporations that rip people off and rig our economy for their benefit.”

Issues:

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Reps. Hoyle, Huffman Introduce Bill to Expand Smith River National Recreation Area into Southwest Oregon

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

August 28, 2025

EUGENE, OR – Today, U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle (OR-04) and Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) introduced the Smith River National Recreation Area (NRA) Expansion Act to protect Southwest Oregon’s scenic North Fork Smith River watershed and its world-class rivers, salmon strongholds, rare plants, clean drinking water, and recreation opportunities. The House bill is a companion to Senator Jeff Merkley’s legislation.

“Southern Oregonians know how important the Smith River is to our way of life,” said Rep. Hoyle, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries. “Clean water supports families, salmon sustain fishing jobs, and outdoor recreation strengthens our local economy. Expanding the National Recreation Area is about protecting all of that, and it’s why this effort has broad bipartisan support across Southern Oregon and Northern California. It is a commonsense investment in our communities and our future, and I’m proud to work with Senator Merkley and Ranking Member Huffman to make it happen.”

“Designating landscapes as a National Recreation Areas creates jobs, preserves vital resources and ecosystems, and ensures folks can experience their scenic beauty for generations to come,” said Rep. Huffman, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee. “The Smith River is a thriving natural feature in my district, and expanding its designation into Oregon will go a long way in protecting this treasured waterway and extending its many economic and cultural benefits to our neighbors up north.”

“This legislation to expand the Smith River National Recreation Area protects one of our state’s natural wonders, creates jobs, protects resources, grows our economy, and makes sure future generations of Oregonians can enjoy our incredible public lands,” said Senator Merkley. “It’s a win for adventurers across the Northwest, those interested in conserving the beautiful places in Oregon, and Southern Oregon’s economy.”

The Smith River NRA Expansion Act would:

  • Add 58,000 acres in Curry County Oregon to the existing Smith River NRA in Northern California that currently stops at the California/Oregon border.
  • Designate 75 miles of rivers as Wild and Scenic, including Baldface Creek, Chrome Creek and nearby streams.
  • Permanently prevent new mining projects in the recreation area.
  • Allow critical wildfire prevention work in the area to continue.

The bill has also earned strong support from outdoor recreation advocates, conservation leaders, and local stakeholders:

American Whitewater – Thomas O’Keefe, Director of Policy and Science:

“The upper reaches of the Smith River watershed provide exceptional and unique opportunities for backcountry recreation. We appreciate the leadership of Representative Hoyle to expand the Smith River National Recreation Area to include the headwaters in Oregon. The area is characterized by rare hydrologic and botanical resources that the legislation appropriately recognizes. The extension of Wild and Scenic designation to the tributaries of the North Fork Smith will further protect one of the west coast’s last free-flowing rivers and a special place for all who enjoy wild rivers.”

Smith River Alliance – Grant Werschkull, Co-Executive Director:

“The expansion of the Smith River National Recreation Area completes a conservation effort initiated over thirty years ago. This action is vitally important to downstream communities, their water purveyors and the Smith River as a stronghold for Pacific salmon species.”

Trout Unlimited – James Fraser, Oregon Policy Director:

“The value of the Smith River lies in its fisheries and the headwaters which support them. Fishing and hunting is a huge part of the rural economy in southwest Oregon. We thank Representatives Hoyle and Huffman for their leadership on a bill that safeguards those opportunities and the resources that hunters and anglers depend upon.”

The full bill text can be viewed here.

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McCaul, Amo Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort to Streamline Defense Production for the U.S. and Allies

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

The AUKUS Improvement Act removes duplicative requirements for defense collaboration between the U.S., the U.K., and Australia

WASHINGTON – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus — and Vice Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) introduced the AUKUS Improvement Act, legislation that would exempt entities already vetted by the State Department as AUKUS Authorized Users from the Third Party Transfer requirement for Foreign Military Sales. The bipartisan, bicameral bill would enhance collaboration between companies across the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia to better counter rising threats in the Indo-Pacific.  

“The Chinese Communist Party is working at lightning speed — in collaboration with its friends in Iran, Russia, and North Korea — to outpace the free world’s defense production base and shape the future of warfare,” said Chairman Emeritus McCaul. “The AUKUS security pact, which I prioritized as chairman, is working to ensure the U.S. and our allies maintain the edge. I’m proud to support the AUKUS Improvement Act to build on that momentum, deter CCP aggression in the Indo-Pacific, and help prevent a global catastrophe.”

“Australia and the United Kingdom are steadfast, longstanding partners of the United States and critical allies in our mission to counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific,” said Vice Ranking Member Amo. “This smart, bipartisan, bicameral legislation will make it easier for our nation’s defense industrial bases to work together to build the next generation defense technologies needed to counter a rising China. I’m grateful to Chairman McCaul for his willingness to work across the aisle to get this done and to Senators Pete Ricketts and Tim Kaine for their leadership on this bill in the Senate.”

The legislation is also cosponsored by Friends of Australia Caucus Co-Chair Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) and Sarah McBride (D-Del).

Background:

Last Congress, McCaul championed several pieces of legislation to strengthen the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) defense pact. He also penned a recent op-ed in the National Review on the critical importance of AUKUS.

Currently, AUKUS Authorized Users must undergo additional, often slow, Third Party Transfer approvals, causing unnecessary delays to defense production. By removing this redundant step, the AUKUS Improvement Act will expedite collaboration and strengthen the efficiency of AUKUS.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

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Rep. Norcross Introduces Bill to Designate Peter J. McGuire Memorial and Gravesite a National Historic Landmark

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

PENNSAUKEN, NJ. – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) was honored with the Southern New Jersey Council Lifetime Labor Achievement Award, joined labor leaders at the Southern New Jersey Central Labor Council-AFL-CIO Labor Day Observance and Scholarship Breakfast, and announced legislation to designate Peter J. McGuire’s memorial and gravesite in Pennsauken as a National Historic Landmark.

Known as the ‘Father of Labor Day,’ Peter J. McGuire lived in Camden and was the founder of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and the first Secretary of the American Federation of Labor. He organized meaningful strikes that led to increased wages for workers and the establishment of the 8-hour workday. In 1882, he called for a “festive parade through the streets of [New York] city” on the first Monday of September, resulting in the nation’s first Labor Day celebration.

“Today, I am humbled to receive the Southern New Jersey Council Lifetime Labor Achievement Award. It means a lot, but it’s also a reminder that the fight for working people is far from finished. Labor Day is about the men and women who built this country. More than a century ago, South Jersey’s own, Peter J. McGuire, made sure workers got the recognition they deserved by creating this holiday,” said Congressman Donald Norcross, co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus. “Peter J. McGuire dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of workers and revolutionized the labor movement. I am proud to carry that torch forward and today I’m introducing legislation to honor his legacy by designating his memorial and gravesite in Pennsauken as a National Historic Landmark.”

In 2019, McGuire’s memorial and gravesite officially became recognized as part of the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of the United States historic buildings, districts, sites, structures, and objects worthy of preservation. It was established as part of the National Historical Preservation Act of 1966 and is overseen by the U.S. National Park Service.

The Peter J. McGuire Labor Day Landmark Act, introduced by Rep. Norcross, will designate McGuire’s Memorial and Gravesite in Pennsauken, New Jersey, as a National Historic Landmark.

For bill text, click here.

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Beatty Fires Back on Trump for his Decision and Stands with Cook’s Decision to Not Leave

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), issued the following statement on President Trump’s illegal attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor, Lisa Cook:

 

“Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has served our country with honor and distinction. President Trump’s illegal attempt to fire her is a dangerous assault on a fundamental pillar of our economy. Politicization of the Fed will cause instability in our financial markets, threaten Americans’ retirement savings and mortgages, and weaken our standing in the global economy.”

 

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RELEASE: REP. KHANNA’S STATEMENT ON OVERSIGHT SUBPOENAING EPSTEIN ESTATE, SAYS THE “PRESSURE IS WORKING”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Rep Ro Khanna (CA-17)

Washington, DC — Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and co-lead of the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, released the following statement on Chairman Comer issuing a subpoena to Jeffrey Epstein’s estate:  

“The pressure is working. After I sent a letter to Jeffrey Epstein’s estate last month requesting a copy of the Epstein ‘birthday book,’ we received a response that indicated the estate would comply with a subpoena with redactions to protect the victims. Today, Chairman Comer subpoenaed the estate, including the birthday book. I will continue pushing for the full release of the Epstein files and justice for the survivors,” said Rep. Ro Khanna. 

To read the response from Epstein’s estate to Rep. Khanna and Ranking Member Garcia, click here. To read the July 25th letter to Epstein’s estate, click here.

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RELEASE: REP. RO KHANNA SLAMS DOJ FOR “STONEWALLING,” CALLS FOR THE FULL RELEASE OF THE EPSTEIN FILES

Source: United States House of Representatives – Rep Ro Khanna (CA-17)

Washington, DC — Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, released the following statement on the files received by the committee yesterday from the Department of Justice: 

“Only 3% of the documents given to the Oversight Committee are new. The rest are already in the public domain. Less than 1% of files have been released. DOJ is stonewalling. The survivors deserve justice and the public deserves transparency. Congress must pass my bill with Rep. Thomas Massie, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, to force the full release of the Epstein files with redactions to protect the victims. On September 3rd, I’m holding a press conference with survivors of Epstein and Maxwell’s abuse. Some will be speaking for the first time. We’ll hear from them why releasing this information is so important,” said Rep. Ro Khanna.

For the text of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, click here. 

Press conference details below:

What: Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Thomas Massie (KY-04) will hold a press conference joined by survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s abuse –– several of whom will speak publicly about the abuse for the first time. They will also be joined by the survivors’ attorneys, Brad Edwards and Brittany Henderson. 

Date: September 3rd at 10:30am ET  

Location: House Triangle 

Media RSVP: sarah.drory@mail.house.gov   

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