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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens released the following statement:

“Michiganders have known it for weeks, and now the CBO has confirmed it: Trump’s big, beautiful bill only benefits the rich and powerful, all while hurting Michiganders and hemorrhaging our financial future. 

“Kicking millions of Americans off their health insurance, including hundreds of thousands of Michiganders, is absurd and an insult to working families struggling with rising costs. This means even higher prices, less people in the workforce, less people getting the healthcare treatment they need, all while giving handouts to the very top of the 1%.

“Republicans need to stop their chaotic agenda and get serious about protecting Michigan’s health care.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, announced the introduction of H.R. 3719, the Restoring American Freedom Act. This commonsense measure bans employees at the State Department from silencing the free speech of American citizens by explicitly stating that no taxpayer dollars can be used to unconstitutionally limit the free speech of any American citizen. Additionally, this legislation stops the federal government from using third party entities to “blacklist” Americans or create censorship tools used against Americans.

“The Restoring American Freedom Act is a direct response to the Biden Administration’s effort to censor Americans, particularly conservatives and those who disagreed with the Administration’s policies,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “The federal government should not be censoring the speech of Americans, and they sure as heck shouldn’t be using taxpayer dollars to pay outside organizations to do it either. The Restoring American Freedom Act codifies President Trump’s executive order from April into law and makes sure that free speech is protected and the federal government is never weaponized in this manner against Americans again.”

The legislative text of the Restoring American Freedom Act can be found here. H.R. 3719 is cosponsored by Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), Keith Self (R-TX), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Michael Guest (R-MS), Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ), and Andrew Clyde (R-GA)

Background

The State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC) played a key role in facilitating the censorship of Americans protected free speech via its shadowy network of grantees and subgrantees. The GEC awarded grants to NGOs, not-for-profits, and for-profit entities that created and sold advertising blacklists that were used to target conservative media outlets and voices. Prior to the 2020 Presidential election, the GEC also quietly worked with a consortium of academic and media entities to monitor and censor political speech in the US by flagging posts to get taken down from social media websites.

In December 2024, following an investigation from House Foreign Affairs Committee and numerous other committees, Congress allowed the statutory authorization of the Global Engagement Center to lapse. Following the termination of GEC, the Biden Administration restructured the office into a Counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Hub (R/FIMI).

On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued the Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship executive order to end all censorship of Americans by the federal government. On April 16, 2025, President Trump terminated the remaining 40 R/FIMI employees and shuttered the office.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson joined Annmarie Hordern on Bloomberg TV’s Bloomberg Surveillance to dispel myths about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and discuss the House and Senate working together to send the final product to President Trump’s desk by July 4th.

Watch the full interview here

On falsehoods surrounding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:

I think there’s a lot of confusion out there about what the legislation is, and there’s certainly a lot of misinformation. The Democrats have been engaged in this strategy for many, many weeks and months. But remember, it took us over a year to develop this piece of legislation. We have 11 different committees in the House, all the areas of jurisdiction that worked on the reconciliation effort to reconcile the budget. What we’re going to deliver here, again, is historic tax relief and savings.

At the same time, if we do not get this bill done, the tax cuts of 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, will expire at the end of December. Every American will receive the largest tax increase in US history all at once. It’ll be devastating for the economy, so we’ve addressed that here. We’ve made the tax cuts permanent, and we’ve infused it with a pro-growth series of policies that will get the economy going again. It will be jet fuel to the economy because we’re going to reduce wasteful spending. We’re going to reduce taxes, and we’re going to reduce regulations as well, which is what will allow job creators and the energy sector and everyone else to get going again.

On the difference between budget reconciliation and appropriations:

I think everybody on Capitol Hill understands that this is not a spending bill. This is a budget reconciliation bill. And what we’re doing here is delivering the America First agenda. This is all the President’s priorities and all the priorities of the Republican Party. Everything we promised the American people, that is what we are delivering with this piece of legislation, and the reason we’re using the reconciliation process is because this is the only way to get around the 60-vote threshold in the Senate. Everybody probably recognizes Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are in no mood and not going to be helpful in delivering President Trump’s agenda for the people.

On working with the Senate:

Remember, it took us over a year to develop this piece of legislation. We have 11 different committees in the House, all the areas of jurisdiction that worked on the reconciliation effort to reconcile the budget. What we’re going to deliver here, again, is historic tax relief and savings at the same time. If we do not get this bill done the tax cuts of 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, will expire at the end of December. Every American will receive the largest tax increase in US history all at once. It’ll be devastating for the economy, so we’ve addressed that here. We’ve made the tax cuts permanent, and we’ve infused it with a pro-growth series of policies that will get the economy going again. It will be jet fuel to the economy because we’re going to reduce wasteful spending. We’re going to reduce taxes, and we’re going to reduce regulations as well, which is what will allow job creators and the energy sector and everyone else to get going again. 

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced it would rescind $4 billion from California’s High Speed Rail Project.   “President Trump just ripped roughly $4 billion from California’s High-Speed Rail (CAHSR). This undermines over 15,000 jobs created, growing local economies, and connecting both rural and urban communities alike.  He doesn’t understand the San Joaquin Valley or the legal challenges that have delayed this project. Instead, he is stalling progress and killing good-paying jobs to score political points. While President Trump remains stuck in the past, the people of California and the Valley are focused on building a cleaner, more connected future through modern rail infrastructure.  The President of the United States asked the question years ago, why America doesn’t have high-speed rail systems like those in Europe and Asia. The answer to that question is simple. He could provide the leadership to build high-speed rail corridors in America, as other countries have over the last 40 years in other parts of the world.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

FRESNO, Calif. – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement after a violent antisemitic attack on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado. “This hateful act of terror against the Jewish community in Boulder on the eve of Shavuot is part of a disturbing rise in antisemitic violence that we must confront head-on.We must speak out, stand united against it, and make clear: there is no place for antisemitism in America. My heart is with the victims, their families, and every community shaken by this violence.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Appropriations Committee released the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill. The bill will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow, June 5th at 10:30 a.m. The markup will be live-streamed and can be found on the Committee’s website.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris said, “The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill reflects a clear, conservative commitment to fiscal responsibility while ensuring that America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities remain a top priority. This legislation also prioritizes agricultural research, rural broadband expansion, and protects our food and drug supply, all while reducing the wasteful spending of the Biden Administration era. Just as importantly, by supporting fresh, affordable, American-grown food, this bill helps Make America Healthy Again. America’s farmers feed the world, and this bill ensures they have the investment, support, and resources they deserve — while reducing the burgeoning federal deficit.”

Chairman Tom Cole said, “The prosperity of our future golden age depends on the strength and perseverance of our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. This FY26 bill delivers targeted investments to protect U.S. agriculture and family farms, bolster agricultural research, and safeguard access to nutrition and health programs. From livestock and crops to pharmaceuticals and broadband, the legislation strengthens the agriculture economy and infrastructure across the nation. Just as our producers responsibly tend to the land, Chairman Harris has stewarded this legislation to protect core duties while upholding fiscal responsibility.”

The Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill provides a total discretionary allocation of $25.523 billion, which is $1.163 billion (4.2%) below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level.

The bill prioritizes agencies and programs that protect our nation’s food and drug supply; support America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities; and ensure low-income Americans have access to nutrition programs. The bill is fiscally responsible and refocuses programs on their core mission while putting the health, safety, and prosperity of American producers and consumers first.
 
Key Takeaways

Champions U.S. farmers, agriculture, and rural communities by: 

• Continuing critical investments in agriculture research, rural broadband, and animal and plant health programs.
• Providing funds to ensure the safety of food, drugs, and medical devices.
• Ensuring low-income Americans have access to nutrition programs.
• Reining in harmful regulations proposed during the Biden Administration that dictate how poultry and livestock producers raise and market their animals.
• Increasing resources for the Food Safety and Inspection Service to fund frontline meat and poultry inspectors and bolster support for state inspection programs.
• Providing a rider to block any revised energy standards for newly constructed homes financed by USDA that would increase costs for rural, lower-income households that was proposed during the Biden Administration.

Supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by: 

• Allocating the President’s requested total funding of $6.8 billion for the FDA to keep food, drugs, and devices safe and for initiatives to Make America Healthy Again.
• Delivering $1.15 billion for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is a priority in the President’s budget to protect American agriculture from foreign pests and diseases.
• Codifying President Trump’s executive orders by prohibiting funding for DEI activities and ending federal censorship of free speech.
• Retaining the gene editing provision, which prohibits the “editing” of heritable genes or altering of genes that can be passed on to offspring.
• Maintaining “Buy American” provisions that maximize the federal government’s use of services, goods, products, and materials produced and offered in the United States.
• Closing the hemp loophole that has resulted in the proliferation of unregulated intoxicating hemp products, including Delta-8 and hemp flower, being sold online and in gas stations across the country.

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by: 

• Addressing foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land by improving the tracking system of foreign-owned land and adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review agricultural transactions, including purchases made by China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
• Directing USDA to provide transparency into research funding spent collaborating with foreign governments including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
• Continuing a program to increase inspection of foreign drug manufacturing facilities in China and India.
• Providing adequate funding for land-grant universities to conduct agricultural research to ensure American producers can compete with China.

Safeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by: 

• Capturing DOGE savings by reducing salaries and expenses where appropriate to account for staffing reductions and reducing grant programs that housed canceled grants.
• Eliminating funding for the Biden-era Rural Partners Network initiative.
• Including no funds for climate hubs or climate corps.
• Eliminating funds for the Office of Urban Agriculture.

A summary of the bill is available here.
Bill text is available here.

For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s newly released compliance report confirming that California’s High-Speed Rail project is in default of its federal grant agreements and has no viable path to completion.

The 315-page report, released by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, cites years of mismanagement, missed deadlines, inflated ridership projections, and a staggering $7 billion funding gap just to complete a small segment between Merced and Bakersfield. The full cost of the project has now ballooned to $128 billion. Notably, the Federal Railroad Administration stated it has no confidence CHSRA will ever deliver an operating high-speed rail system and found that the state cannot support the representations it made when applying for Federal funds. In other words, California misled the federal government to secure billions in taxpayer dollars—and still has nothing to show for it.

“This report confirms what Californians have known for years: this project is a train to nowhere. It was supposed to be done by 2020. Now they’re saying 2030 just to finish a small stretch that costs more than the entire original plan. The price tag has quadrupled to $128 billion, they’re now an incredible $110 billion short, and have only raised about $17 billion after 17 years. They’ve barely built anything. It’s a waste of time, money, and trust—a shining example of government waste. The state has not held up its end of the deal. It’s well past time to shut this down and send the money to real infrastructure projects that can actually be delivered, like water storage that California desperately needs, or road repairs and traffic relief. I appreciate Secretary Duffy’s leadership in holding the line for taxpayers. It’s long past time for accountability,” said Rep. LaMalfa.

Congressman LaMalfa joined Secretary Duffy earlier this year at a press conference calling attention to the project’s mounting failures and urging a full federal review. The report issued today by the Federal Railroad Administration makes clear that the California High-Speed Rail Authority has failed to meet its basic obligations under the $4 billion in federal grant funding it received.

The DOT has given the state until mid-July to respond before the administration moves to terminate the grants. You can find a full copy of the letter and report, here.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sam Graves (6th District of Missouri)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) reintroduced the bipartisan Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act to help struggling rural hospitals stay open and continue serving their communities. Rising costs and falling Medicare reimbursement rates have pushed many to the brink—this bill gives them the lifeline they need.

“Falling Medicare reimbursement rates have been hammering rural hospitals for years,” said Congressman Graves. “In the last 15 years, more than 150 rural hospitals have closed, and hundreds more are at risk. When these hospitals shut down, families lose access to care, good-paying jobs disappear, and entire communities suffer. I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan bill to make commonsense reforms, keep rural hospitals open, and ensure folks can get the care they need without having to drive hours to find it.” 

“Rural hospitals are a lifeline for the folks they serve. But with healthcare costs rising and outdated Medicare repayment rules, many have been forced to close their doors,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “The Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act offers a real solution to help rural hospitals become more financially solvent so they can continue to serve our communities. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Graves to make sure that every American can access quality care – no matter where they live.”

Since 2010, more than 150 rural hospitals across the country have closed their doors—forcing patients to travel further to get the care they need and leaving others to put off necessary healthcare. Today, 453 rural hospitals are currently operating at levels similar to those that have shut down over the last decade.

The Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act will reverse this dangerous trend by:

• Eliminating Medicare sequestration for rural hospitals,

• Making Medicare telehealth service enhancements permanent for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics, and

• Making permanent increased Medicare payments for rural ground ambulance services.

You can read the bill here.

You can read highlights of the bill here.

What They Are Saying:

 “The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) applauds Representatives Graves and Budzinski for introducing the Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act. Since 2010, 190 rural hospitals have closed their doors or stopped providing inpatient care, leaving the majority of those communities without access to care. The provisions in this important legislation will support the rural health infrastructure and ensure that the 60 million Americans who call rural America home will maintain local access to the care they need.” – Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer, National Rural Health Association 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04)  issued the following statement about federal agents activity in his district: 

“I have been in contact with Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez and local stakeholders to offer assistance and get more information about what happened yesterday in Pilsen, when federal agents took two Mexican nationals into custody. Local grassroots organizations responded to provide support, and they are trying to get more information about the two individuals. While we do not know if the agents  presented any warrants before detaining them, any apprehension without due process, including no warrants, is unfair and illegal. Chicago is a sanctuary city, and in Illinois, the Trust Act prohibits State or local law enforcement’s participation in federal immigration enforcement. My staff and I will continue in communication with advocacy organizations and local elected officials as this case develops.”

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