Rep. Neguse Statement on Removal of Nevada & Utah Public Lands Sale in Republicans’ Disastrous Budget Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Washington, D.C. — After public outrage swelled following Congressman Joe Neguse’s exposure of House Republicans’ last-minute move to force the sale of thousands of acres of public lands in Utah and Nevada, the amendment was stripped from the reconciliation bill. The provision at issue would have mandated the sale of 11,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in Utah and at least 500,000 acres in Nevada, all to pay for tax cuts benefiting the country’s wealthiest citizens.

Rep. Neguse, Ranking Member of the Committee on Federal Lands, unveiled Republicans’ disastrous scheme during the House Natural Resources Committee’s midnight markup of the budget reconciliation bill earlier this month, and further amplified opposition to the provision during the House Rules Committee 21-hour marathon markup this week. 

“As my Republican colleagues push forward with a disastrous scheme to strip millions of Americans of health care, food assistance, and more—all to fund a $7 trillion tax giveaway to billionaires—House Democrats remained consistent in our pursuit of the truth. For literally the last 29 hours straight — and pushing back day after day, week after week prior — my colleagues and I continue to stand in firm opposition to this reckless legislation,” said Congressman Neguse. 

“While I am proud to see our efforts result in the removal of Republicans’ plan to sell off treasured public lands in Nevada and Utah, I continue to be deeply concerned for the sweeping threats this bill still poses to critical conservation and public oversight programs. It’s time for common sense to prevail and for more members of the Republican Conference to speak up for the folks they were elected to represent, working with us to champion beliefs I know we’ve long shared, like the protection of America’s prized public lands.

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CONGRESSMAN BISHOP’S STATEMENT REGARDING THREAT TO JOB CORPS

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Job Corps Caucus, released the following statement in response to news today that the Trump Administration is pausing Job Corps Center operations, effectively shuttering Job Corps Centers nationwide, including the Turner Job Corps Center in Albany, Georgia.

“The Job Corps program is the embodiment of a hand up and not a handout. It provides workforce skills and training that empower participants to become self-sufficient and productive citizens. Today’s foolish action by the White House and the United States Department of Labor to close the Job Corps program will shatter the dreams and aspirations of tens of thousands of promising students.

“For over sixty years, there has been strong, bipartisan support for Job Corps. It has paid tremendous dividends in terms of ensuring that young people become valuable members of the labor force. I intend to work with my Republican colleagues to protect and improve Job Corps to ensure its continued success.”

Job Corps is a national program with over 120 centers across the country. Job Corps offers at-risk youth varied academic opportunities and career pathways in business and industry.

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CONGRESSMAN BISHOP STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF FORMER REP. CHARLIE RANGEL

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) issued the following statement upon news today that former Congressman Charles B. Rangel of New York had passed:

“Charles B. Rangel dedicated his life to this country and the people of New York from fighting on the battlefields of Korea to commanding the gavel in the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. He was a decorated soldier, a determined federal prosecutor, and a champion for human and civil rights. He was driven to create a better world and make the American Dream more attainable for hard-working Americans.

“He was a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus and helped blaze a trail for future generations of public servants. I had the honor of working with him to improve the lives of our veterans as co-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual Veterans Brain Trust.

“He was a patriot, true friend, and compassionate soul. My wife, Vivian, and I send our deepest condolences his family, friends and all who mourn his loss.”

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CONGRESSMAN BISHOP OPPOSES PARTISAN BUDGET BILL THAT INCREASES U.S. DEFICIT WHILE ALSO HURTING FAMILIES, SENIORS, VETERANS, AND THE DISABLED

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) opposed H.R. 1, a budget reconciliation bill that would gut crucial basic needs programs upon which millions of Americans rely and increase red tape. These cuts are being used to fund trillions of dollars in tax giveaways that overwhelmingly benefit billionaires and still explodes the deficit by $3.8 trillion.

“Despite weeks of efforts by Democrats and some Republicans to make this bill better and remove at least a few of its many warts, Congressional Republican leaders ignored our amendments and, in the dead of night, moved forward on a bill that makes it harder for millions of Americans to afford food and healthcare, and undermines public education,” said Congressman Bishop.

The Congressman added, “This bill is a reverse Robin Hood. Make no mistake, more children will go hungry and more working Americans will lose access to healthcare. Seniors and veterans will find it harder to access their hard-earned benefits and care. The cost of living for the vast majority of Americans will go up thousands of dollars in return for meager tax relief. However, the wealthiest 1% of Americans – folks who do not rely on the programs and services being cut – will each get over $100,000 in tax breaks.”

H.R. 1 hurts Americans by:

  • Cutting nearly $700 billion in Medicaid which will cause millions to lose healthcare coverage as well as make it harder for hospitals and nursing homes across the country to provide all the care communities need or to even stay open – even people who do not rely on Medicaid may have to travel farther to get the care they need;
  • Taking $300 billion from the ACA exchanges which will increase monthly health insurance premiums and co-payments;
  • Slashing SNAP by $300 billion which will cost America’s farmers around $30 billion in lost income, threaten more than 27,000 retailers nationwide and imperil nearly 400,000 jobs and $20 billion in direct wages throughout the food supply chain;
  • Gutting school breakfast, lunch, and senior nutrition programs;
  • Increasing the cost of education by eliminating Pell Grants for over 4 million students;
  • Eliminating energy conservation program funds that will push up gasoline prices, make it harder for homeowners and small businesses to become more energy efficient and reduce their energy costs, makes it harder for schools to afford less expensive, clean buses that reduce their students’ exposure to air pollution, and undermine efforts to revitalize domestic manufacturing;

If H.R. 1 is enacted, Georgia’s Second Congressional District will see:

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CONGRESSMAN BISHOP STATEMENT ON THE KILLING OF ISRAEL EMBASSY EMPLOYEES IN WASHINGTON, DC

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) issued the following statement in response to the killing of two Israel Embassy employees last night in Washington, DC:

“It is heartbreaking that these two young Israel Embassy employees who were attending an event dedicated to peace were cut down in the prime of their lives. Antisemitism and political violence have no place in a civilized society. May the memories of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim be a blessing.”

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Amata Welcomes $302,000 EPA Water Quality Monitoring Grant

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming $302,000 in federal funds for American Samoa from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authorized by Congress in the BEACH Act. 

“The EPA is fulfilling one of its original key functions with these coastal water monitoring funds for health protection,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “Thank you to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, a friend and former colleague in Congress, as well as Region 9 Administrator Josh F.W. Cook as you work with our dedicated local department and American Samoa Government on this and other efforts throughout the year.”

In all, the EPA has announced $9.7 million in BEACH Act grant funding for states, Tribes and territories to monitor water quality at coastal and Great Lakes beaches such as to notify the public if elevated levels of illness-causing bacteria make swimming unsafe.

The Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act was reauthorized by Congress in 2024. The EPA states these allocations advance the agency’s goals of cooperative federalism and ensuring that every American has access to clean and safe water. Each of these goals supports EPA’s “Powering the Great American Comeback” initiative.

“Millions of Americans will travel to the beach this summer to relax or play in the water. They will make lifelong memories and provide a boon to local economies,” said EPA’s Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Peggy Browne. “With $9.7 million from EPA, states and local authorities can help ensure that our beaches are open for business and that beachgoers can swim and splash without fear of getting sick.”

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Amata’s Statement of Strong Support for President Trump’s Fishing Order as Lawsuit Filed

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement: 

“These islands within PRIMNM are not Hawaiian islands nor are they American Samoan islands; these are America’s islands and waterways, and food security is national security. Insuring the safe supply of domestic American canned tuna for our military, schoolchildren and consumers is paramount and a national emergency that President Trump has recognized and acted upon with the urgency that is needed.

“I commend his Administration for both enacting his Executive Orders in this regard in his first 100 days and for doing so on April 17, American Samoa’s Flag Day, when the union between the United States and American Samoa was enacted.

“The President recognized and honored Fa’a Samoa, the Samoan way of life, by taking this action on the historic 125th Flag Day just a few weeks ago and helped all Americans during these critical times of food and other resource needs to protect our whole country.

“Lastly, neither Presidents Bush, Obama or Biden ever asked American Samoa what they wanted before they took away our indigenous fishing rights without any science — they decided what they wanted first, gave us lip service and back filled their decisions with bureaucracy and outside interests. President Trump asked and acted, and I thank him again for his EO for the safety and security of the food supply for American Samoa and all America.”

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Wilson Statement on the Murder of Two Members of the Israeli Embassy Staff

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Joe Wilson (2nd District of South Carolina)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Joe Wilson issued the following statement on the murder of two members of the Israeli Embassy staff in Washington, D.C.: 

     “My sincerest condolences to the families of the bright staffers whose lives were senselessly taken by a coward while attending an event representing peace and a positive future for Jewish communities around the world. Remarking on the ‘beautiful couple,’ Israel Ambassador Yechiel Leiter spoke of Israeli and American resilience and together overcoming moral depravity. 

     “I am grateful that Attorney General Pam Bondi, Washington, D.C. Chief of Police Pamela Smith, and the highest levels of law enforcement are dedicated to justice and eliminating the scourge of anti-Jewish hatred in our streets.”

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Wilson Announces 2025 Congressional Art Competition Winner

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Joe Wilson (2nd District of South Carolina)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) is pleased to announce Kinsleigh Ringus of Lexington High School, as the Second District of South Carolina’s 2025 Congressional Art Competition winner. 

“The Congressional Art Competition is a way to recognize the talent of young artists in the Second Congressional District of South Carolina and across the nation. I congratulate Kinsleigh for her wonderful submission. The piece, entitled ‘Under the Palmetto Sky,’ is a talented and colorful use of watercolor, pencil, and acrylics to convey a South Carolina theme. A special thank you goes to her parents, Adrian and Ashleigh, as well as her art teacher, Anna Degtyareva. I look forward to showing her artwork to all of our visitors in the U.S. Capitol over the coming year,” said Congressman Wilson. 

For more information about the Congressional Art Competition, please visit Congressman Wilson’s website here

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Statement from Congresswoman Joyce Beatty on the Passing of Rep. Gerry Connolly

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

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my good friend Congressman Gerry Connolly. 

Known for his kind spirit and steadfast leadership on the House Oversight and House Foreign Affairs Committees, Congressman Connolly was a passionate advocate for Americans and Virginians, alike, and a champion for government accountability. 

A protector of integrity and a proponent of transparency for the American people, Connolly was also a voice for America’s federal workforce, leading legislation that protected jobs and pushed back against partisan attempts to politicize civil servants.

Connolly was also a democracy defender, leading domestic investigations into political interference in the 2020 Census, the January 6th insurrection, civil service regulations, and more. Internationally, on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he condemned authoritarian regimes and advocated for free and fair elections, holding world leaders accountable for their anti-democratic efforts, and keeping the U.S. at the forefront of human rights advocacy. 

Connolly’s 30+ year career in public service has left an indelible mark on Congress and our country. His courage, leadership, and integrity will be sorely missed. My heart and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.

May he rest in peace.

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