MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01)

Republican Policy Committee Chairman Kevin Hern (OK-01) celebrated the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act in the House of Representatives this morning. 

“President Trump and the American people gave us a clear mandate; today we delivered,” said Rep. Hern. “While Democrats have been demagoguing and fearmongering, spreading lies about what this legislation does or doesn’t do, Republicans have been working hard to deliver real relief to working families and small businesses. I am proud of the work we did on this legislation, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.” 

Here are Rep. Hern’s remarks during floor debate. 

Included in the legislation were several priorities previously introduced by Rep. Hern, the WIRED Act and the Education and Workforce Freedom Act. 

Previously introduced as HR 6817, the WIRED Act establishes a fee on certain remittance transfers out of the country to target cartel activity and help fund border security. Last Congress, Rep. Hern led the House bill, and then-Senator J.D. Vance led the Senate version of the bill. The legislation is based on a similar policy enacted by the State of Oklahoma. 

“Republicans are delivering on President Trump’s agenda, and I’m proud to see my legislation included,” said Rep. Hern. “This bill was originally inspired by successful legislation happening right here in Oklahoma. I was able to take this great idea that our state legislature enacted and work with now-Vice President Vance to scale it up to the federal level. We must be using every tool at our disposal to combat the cartels.” 

The Education and Workforce Freedom Act, previously introduced as HR 8915, expands tax-advantaged 529 accounts to allow K-12 students from public, private, religious or home school settings to use those funds. It also allows the funds to be used for licensing and credentialing expenses, modernizing our tax code to meet the demands of the American workforce. 

“Any parent will tell you that they know what’s better for their kids than the government,” said Rep. Hern. “Parents should be allowed to use their 529 tax-advantaged accounts to get their children the education they deserve, according to their individual needs. Including this provision in our One Big, Beautiful Bill puts us one step closer to a stronger education system and better outcomes for students of all backgrounds.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01)

Trump budget plan is a win for America

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01)

Hern votes to advance Trump agenda

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01)

Republican Policy Committee Chairman Kevin Hern (OK-01) celebrated the passage of HR 22, the SAVE Act, in the House of Representatives this morning. 

The SAVE Act amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for federal office. 

“The SAVE Act is simple: only American citizens can vote in our elections,” said Chairman Hern. “It’s not controversial, it’s just common sense! After four years of dangerous open border policies, I’m proud to work alongside the Trump Administration to secure our border and protect Americans from Biden’s failed policies.” 

This was a bipartisan vote, with four Democrats voting in favor: Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii, Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, and Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez of Washington. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01)

Hern applauds passage of CR to clear the runway for President Trump’s Agenda

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) alongside Representative Laurel Lee (FL-15), Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), reintroduced the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act (DEFIANCE Act), bipartisan legislation that would grant survivors the right to take civil action against individuals who knowingly produce, distribute, solicit and receive or possess with the intent to distribute nonconsensual sexually-explicit digital forgeries, building on progress made by the passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act signed into law earlier this week.

“We are reintroducing the DEFIANCE Act to grant survivors and victims of nonconsensual deepfake pornography the legal right to pursue justice,” said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “I am proud to lead this legislation with Representative Lee, and Senators Durbin and Graham to provide victims with the federal protections they deserve.”

“I am proud to co-lead the bipartisan DEFIANCE Act, which gives victims a civil right of action when predators attempt to use exploitative AI-generated intimate images—so-called deepfakes—to intimidate, shame, or harm them,” said Representative Laurel Lee. We’ve seen stories across the country of women and girls as young as 12 years old victimized by this new and growing form of sexual violence. The time for action is now. This legislation will complement the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which was recently signed into law. Together, they both create both accountability and recourse. I am grateful for my colleagues’ work on these issues, and look forward to moving this bill through Committee.”

“Sexually-explicit ‘deepfake’ content is often used to exploit and harass women and girls, and no one should have their privacy and autonomy violated by someone else generating explicit AI-generated content of them,” said Senator Durbin. “Although the imagery may be fake, the harm to the victims is very real. Victims have lost their jobs, their reputations, and many have suffered from life-altering depression or anxiety. By introducing the DEFIANCE Act, we’re giving power back to the victims; cracking down on the production, receipt, distribution, and possession of ‘deepfake’ images; and holding those responsible for the images accountable.”

Last summer, the Senate unanimously passed the DEFIANCE Act of 2024 to give survivors of digital abuse and exploitation the tools they need to seek justice.

The full bill text is available here. 

The DEFIANCE Act is led by U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), Mike Lee (R-UT), Martin Heinrich (D-NV), and Peter Welch (D-VT), In the House, the legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives by Kat Cammack (FL-03), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Nancy Mace (SC-06), Max Miller (OH-07), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-8), and Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02).

The legislation is endorsed by the National Women’s Law Center, National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), Raven, Public Citizen, Sexual Violence Prevention Association, Democratic Women’s Caucus, UltraViolet, Joyful Heart Foundation, My Image My Choice, Reclaim Coalition, SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, American Association of University Women (AAUW), End Rape on Campus, Foundation Ra, Explain the Asterisk, Protect America’s Daughters, Sexual Assault Response Coalition (SARC), Students Against Sexual Assault, What Were You Wearing, Rooting Movements, Recognize Violence, Change Culture (RVCC), and Street Grace.

“As a survivor of deepfake pornography, I know the trauma of having your body and identity manipulated and weaponized. It is a violation that leaves you feeling powerless. The DEFIANCE Act changes that. It empowers victims to seek justice through a civil right of action, finally giving us a path to hold perpetrators accountable. With the number of deepfakes doubling every six months—and over 98% of them being pornographic—we are in a crisis. This bipartisan bill addresses the creation, distribution, and solicitation of nonconsensual deepfake pornography. It’s not just necessary—it’s urgent. Survivors deserve justice. Congress must act swiftly to pass the DEFIANCE Act and take a meaningful stand against digital sexual violence.” – Omny Miranda Martone, Founder & CEO of the Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA)

“Survivors of image-based sexual abuse deserve a clear path to civil justice,” said Stefan Turkheimer, VP of Public Policy at RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. “The DEFIANCE Act is the right solution — and now is the right time to build on the growing momentum to ensure survivors have real power to hold offenders accountable, including the ability to pursue civil remedies against those who use AI to create and spread sexually explicit images meant to cause harm.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)

Washington, DC – Today, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) released a statement following reports of the Israeli government blocking humanitarian assistance from entering Gaza.

“Israel’s blockade of food and humanitarian assistance to Gaza is in violation of international law. Another 14,000 babies face severe malnutrition if the Israeli government does not reverse course. The United States can prevent this atrocity. We must pressure the Israeli government to open up more routes for humanitarian aid and finally uphold the law by stopping further weapons transfers to Israel.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Representative Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) introduced legislation that would reauthorize the Healthy Start program, which provides critical funding for community-based efforts that improve maternal and child health.  

“Healthy Start serves countless families across the nation. In my district, The Bronx Healthy Start Partnership provides essential public health services to ensure that all babies and new parents can receive medical and non-medical support that improves their health outcomes,” said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “This bipartisan bill would ensure that Healthy Start programs across the country can continue to fill in where traditional health care falls short, working to eliminate major health disparities that leave the most vulnerable communities wounded.” 

“Over the past two years, this program has delivered more than $2 million to my district to support women, infants, and families in low-income communities,” said Representative Nicole Malliotakis. “Our bipartisan legislation will continue the authorization of the Healthy Start program, which aims to improve health outcomes for new mothers and reduce infant mortality rates and other adverse perinatal outcomes nationwide.”

The full bill text is available here. The legislation will go through the Energy and Commerce Committee, where Representative Ocasio-Cortez now serves. 

The Healthy Start program invests in communities across the country to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy. The Bronx Healthy Start Partnership provides case management, educational activities, and other support services to more than 475 families in the Bronx community each year. 

Local Healthy Start projects are community-driven and tailored to the specific needs of each community to help reduce disparities in infant mortality and maternal health outcomes, so that all new parents and their babies can be healthy. These projects work to enroll pregnant women, other women of reproductive age, new parents, children from birth to 18 months, and fathers/partners. This bill would authorize $145 million in critical funding for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030.

Healthy Start program funding goes to communities experiencing high rates of adverse health outcomes, including infant mortality rates that are at least 1.5 times the U.S. national average, or high rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal illness. 

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), alongside Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06) and Congressman Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), led several members of New York’s Democratic Congressional delegation in writing to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to demand that the administration reverse their proposed staffing and benefits cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

“This proposal would cut 80,000 employees – over 15% of the VA’s total workforce – who help provide health care, housing, and other services to our veterans, including more than a quarter of whom are veterans themselves. We urge you to immediately reverse course on the proposed firings and ensure that the more than 688,000 veterans in New York State receive timely care, benefits, and peace of mind,” the lawmakers wrote. “It is the federal government’s responsibility to “honor the contract,” – we must honor that commitment by providing the care, benefits, and opportunities every veteran has earned through their sacrifice.” 

A total of 15 lawmakers signed the letter. In addition to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Kennedy, and Rep. Meng, the following members joined in signing: Representatives Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), George Latimer (NY-16), John Mannion (NY-22), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Josh Riley (NY-19), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07). 

The letter details that previous shortages and firings have already affected care quality by leading to reduced patient-provider interactions, longer waiting times, delays in benefits, and increased workloads for existing staff. The lawmakers also emphasize that staffing shortages across VA offices in New York have created a widespread atmosphere of fear and instability across the state, encouraging the Department to stand against any proposed staffing or benefits cuts. 

The full letter is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) sent a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to stop the reduction in force (RIF) and reorganization plans at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) impacting FDA’s San Juan Medical Products Laboratory (SJNLMP).

The SJNLMP is one of the few FDA-owned and operated facilities specializing in pharmaceutical drug analysis. It has evaluated and led to removal of thousands of adulterated products from the market that otherwise would have exposed American consumers to unsafe products. The laboratory also plays a critical role in ensuring that the drugs and medical products that are part of HHS’ Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) remain safe and available for the nation’s armed forces and civilian populations during emergencies and conflicts.

According to constituents, on April 1st, 2025, a RIF notice was distributed to the 20 laboratory employees and since then the laboratory has ceased operations.

“Shutting down this laboratory is against your commitment to protect “essential services” and “frontline jobs” as doing so jeopardizes the safety of millions of Americans by weakening FDA’s ability to detect contaminated pharmaceuticals, respond to health emergencies, and safeguard national security,” wrote the lawmakers. “Additionally, this decision would eliminate over 20 highly skilled jobs in Puerto Rico.”

“April 1 was the worst day of my life — receiving the RIF notice shattered me,” a SJNLMP employee said. “After years of dedication to public health, I felt abandoned, invisible, and heartbroken.”

“Receiving the RIF notice felt like having the ground pulled from under us,” a SJNLMP employee said. “After years of sacrifice and commitment to public health, it was devastating to be dismissed so suddenly, without acknowledgment of our work or our worth.”

“Receiving the RIF notice was devastating and left me feeling discarded after years of dedicated public service,” a SJNLMP employee said. “It created uncertainty, fear, and a deep sense of injustice. We were blindsided despite the critical role we played in protecting public health.”

“When I received the RIF notice, I felt an overwhelming sense of shock and betrayal,” a SJNLMP employee said. “It was heartbreaking to see our vital work disregarded so abruptly. The uncertainty about our future was deeply unsettling.”

HHS’ RIF plans at SJNLMP will impact various FDA initiatives. Some are the Health Fraud Program, which focuses on identifying and removing dietary supplements that are unsafe or advertised with misleading claims from the market, the Shelf-Life Extension Program, which verifies the stability of SNS drugs and medical products, an existent Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to advance analytical methods for drug safety, and various Import and Surveillance Programs designed to monitor the safety of pharmaceutical imports. “We urge you to prioritize the health of the American people and the integrity of our pharmaceutical supply chain by ensuring that the San Juan Medical Products Laboratory remains fully staffed and operational,” wrote the lawmakers.

For a full copy of the letter, click here. 

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