MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued the following statement after Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez announced she would not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez is a trailblazer, tenacious truth-teller and transformational figure. Throughout her career in public service, she has been an incredible advocate for the communities she is privileged to represent.

Rep. Velázquez made history in 1984 as the first Latina ever to serve in the New York City Council. In 1992, she became the first Puerto Rican woman ever elected to the House of Representatives. For more than three decades, she has continued to break barriers in Congress, including as the first Latina to serve as Chair of a congressional committee. Nydia has always been a voice for the voiceless, a defender of democracy and a relentless champion for the self-determination of Puerto Rico.

During a once-in-a-century global pandemic, Small Business Committee Chairwoman Velázquez helped stand up the Paycheck Protection Program that protected small businesses and their workers, created millions of jobs and rescued the economy. 

Known to anyone who has witnessed her passion and advocacy firsthand as “La Luchadora,” there is nobody better to have in your corner than Nydia. From the very beginning of my journey in the Congress, Rep. Velázquez has been a tremendous mentor, friend and partner. It’s been an immense honor to learn from her and serve alongside her in the New York delegation. 

She will be deeply missed by the House Democratic Caucus, and we all wish her and her family the very best in this next chapter.

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

Larsen Statement on Reports of Coast Guard Downgrading Swastikas, Nooses and Confederate Flags as Hate Symbols

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:

Kristi Noem is a corrupt disgrace who is doing grave damage to the integrity and reputation of the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Coast Guard. 

The recent reporting that the Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses and Confederate flags as hate symbols is shameful. Unfortunately, it is not surprising given that the Trump administration peddles hate and intolerance with malign consistency.  

The swastika is a symbol of hate associated with the murder of six million Jews during the Holocaust. The Confederate flag is part of a painful history of racial oppression in America that enslaved Africans in this country for hundreds of years. The noose is directly tied to the thousands of horrifying lynching deaths of African Americans during the Jim Crow era. These are unquestionably hateful symbols that have no place in civilized society. 

The Coast Guard must reverse course immediately and Kristi Noem should resign. 

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

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), John Garamendi (CA-03), Vince Fong (CA-20), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), and Sharice Davids (KS-03) introduced the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Amendments of 2025, a bipartisan bill to update and improve a loan program that funds critical water and wastewater infrastructure projects through modernized water systems in the San Joaquin Valley and California. 
“Water is the lifeblood of our valley; therefore, we must continue to invest in our water infrastructure. We know that where water flows, food grows, and nowhere is that more evident than in the agricultural heartland of the San Joaquin Valley. Over 10-year periods, we have either too much water and flood conditions or too little water and drought conditions,”said Congressman Costa. 
“That is why I am proud to lead a bipartisan piece of legislation that includes my bill, the “Restoring WIFIA Eligibility Act.” This effort will help strengthen the tools needed to modernize our water systems and protect every drop of water possible.” 
BACKGROUND 
The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (WIFIA) established the WIFIA program, a federal credit program administered by the EPA and other agencies for eligible water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Under this program, eligible borrowers, including state, Tribal, and federal government entities, apply for low-interest, flexible loans to fund water infrastructure projects. These loans are invaluable resources that allow local governments to meet the infrastructure needs of their respective communities at an affordable rate. 
The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Amendments of 2025 would improve WIFIA by extending funding for the program, expanding eligibility for loans, and other common-sense reforms. 
Specifically, this bill aims to: 

Broaden and restore WIFIA funding and financing eligibility to state entities and non-federal cost shares in federally involved projects. This includes state-led water storage projects, transferred works of the Bureau of Reclamation, and congressionally authorized Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects. 

Authorize the use of collaborative project delivery methods for WIFIA projects, allowing more flexibility and reducing the time and cost of the project.  

Allow certain federal water infrastructure loans to have maturity dates of up to 55 years.

Reauthorize the USACE WIFIA program through FY2029.    

Rep. Jim Costa’s Restoring WIFIA Eligibility Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation aimed at strengthening water quality and storage infrastructure across the Western United States, is a main part of this bill. It accelerates investment in the nation’s aging water systems by offering long-term, low-cost loans for major water projects.  
This bill would clarify that federally owned infrastructure managed and operated by non-federal entities, such as the San Luis Delta-Mendota Water Authority, can utilize WIFIA funding to finance water infrastructure projects, such as the C.W. “Bill” Jones Pumping plant. 

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

WASHINGTON — After four years of record inflation and skyrocketing costs, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are delivering lower taxes, lower prices, and a renewed commitment to putting American citizens first.But in some blue states, Democrats are making life even more unaffordable — setting aside core services for seniors, law enforcement, and infrastructure while pouring billions into health benefits for illegal aliens.

CALIFORNIA

Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom’s final budget makes clear that affordability for American families is not a priority. California is spending $10 billion on health care for illegal aliens while allocating just $348 million for state police — all while Californians grapple with soaring costs and the nation’s highest taxes.

Key facts:

• Illegal aliens now make up 11% of Medi-Cal enrollees — about 1.7 million people.
• Their benefits consume 25% of all state Medicaid dollars.
• The cost is 35% higher than Newsom’s own January estimate.
• California is considering a $900 tax on the uninsured while illegal aliens pay $30 monthly premiums.

Newsom dismisses criticism as “California derangement syndrome.” But for working families who are already struggling from Democrats’ record inflation and higher taxes to fund benefits for illegal aliens, it’s simply reality.

ILLINOIS

In Illinois, Democrat Governor J.B. Pritzker is spending $629 million on health care for illegal aliens: more than the state spends on roads, senior meals, foster care, and the arts combined. And taxpayers are footing the bill.

Key Facts

• $629 million — Spent on health care for noncitizens in FY2025
• $1.6 billion — Total spent on similar programs since 2021
• 30,000 — Illegal aliens currently enrolled in the state plan
• $200 million — Budget deficit despite new limits on coverage

Instead of strengthening public services for Illinois families, Democrats are draining core programs to sustain one of the least affordable sanctuary-state systems in the country.

OREGON

Democrats have devoted $1.5 billion to Oregon’s Healthier Oregon program — more than double the $717 million budgeted for state police. The program offers free, full health coverage to noncitizens regardless of legal status, with enrollment nearly doubling projections and driving a $260 million shortfall.

Key facts:
• $1.5 billion — Total program cost for 2025–27 (state + federal)
• $1.2 billion — State share, per Oregon Health Authority
• 25% — Portion federally reimbursed
• >1,100% increase — Spending growth since the program’s launch in 2021

While Oregon families battle higher taxes and rising premiums, Democrats are rapidly expanding a runaway program that is becoming one of the most expensive sanctuary-state health systems in America — adding an even heavier burden on taxpayers already struggling under four years of inflation.

THE BOTTOM LINE

From coast to coast, blue states are spending billions on health care for illegal aliens while cutting core services for American citizens. In California, Illinois, and Oregon, Democrat governors have made clear where their priorities lie — and it isn’t with working families, law enforcement, or seniors.

• California: 28× more on illegal-alien health care than police
• Illinois: More than roads, seniors, and foster care combined
• Oregon: Nearly 2× more than state police

President Trump and Congressional Republicans will continue delivering real relief — lowering costs, restoring accountability, and putting American families FIRST.

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

WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson released the following statement after the House passed the H.R. 1949, Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025.

“President Trump and Congressional Republicans are working together to unleash reliable American energy to lower costs for families, support American workers and energy producers, and ensure America is never again held hostage by radical climate bureaucrats and activists. President Biden’s natural gas export ban was among his most damaging policy decisions, and it was a major setback for American energy, workers, producers, consumers, partners, and allies,” Speaker Johnson said. “The House passage of the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act helps guarantee that a ban is never placed on American LNG exports again, depoliticizes the permitting process and unleashes American energy producers from the bonds of the Biden-era subversive bureaucratic overreach. This legislation codifies more of President Trump’s executive orders, advances Republicans’ energy dominance agenda, and returns to regular order on LNG exports so America can once again be a leader in the global market.”

“By unleashing American energy, House Republicans are leading the way to support our nation’s energy security, strengthen our grid, and lower prices for hard-working families,” Chairman Guthrie said. “The REFINER Act will help to ensure our refineries are being used effectively to produce the oil, gas, and other critical feedstocks we rely upon while the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act expands American energy production and infrastructure by removing U.S. LNG export restrictions, which the Biden-Harris Administration politicized and abused.”

“Today’s House passage of my Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act is another major victory in achieving American energy dominance. My legislation reforms the broken, politically weaponized approval process so we can streamline permitting for exporting LNG once and for all,” Congressman Pfluger said. “It’s simple: Exporting American LNG strengthens our economy, stabilizes prices, drives much-needed investment in energy infrastructure, and bolsters the energy security of our global partners. I thank my colleagues for supporting this critical legislation, and I urge its swift passage in the Senate under Senator Scott’s strong leadership.”

Background:

• Under the four years of President Biden, not a single new LNG export authorization was issued as a result of a misguided and politically motivated ban of natural gas exports.

• Since President Trump took office in January 2025, his administration has issued at least three final LNG export authorizations, and U.S. developers have made final investment decisions on six LNG export projects worth more than $70 billion.

• H.R. 1949 depoliticizes the export of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) by eliminating the requirement for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to authorize its export and instead giving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) sole authority over the approval process.

• Under this legislation, FERC would have the exclusive authority to approve or deny any application for authorization for the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of a facility to export natural gas from the U.S. to a foreign country or import natural gas from a foreign country.

• Nothing in this legislation limits the authority of the President to impose sanctions on a foreign government, including a country that is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, to prohibit imports or exports.

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

WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson released the following statement after House passage of H.R. 3109, the Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining Act (REFINER Act).

“Today, House Republicans secured another commonsense solution to continue our success in bringing down energy costs and fuel our economy. The House passed the REFINER Act to deregulate, evaluate, and expand U.S. refining capacity so we can harness the full potential of American energy,” Speaker Johnson said. “This legislation advances more of President Trump’s executive orders and energy dominance agenda to increase American energy production, create jobs, strengthen national security, and secure reliable, affordable energy to power America’s homes, businesses, and economy.”

“By unleashing American energy, House Republicans are leading the way to support our nation’s energy security, strengthen our grid, and lower prices for hard-working families,” Chairman Guthrie said. “The REFINER Act will help to ensure our refineries are being used effectively to produce the oil, gas, and other critical feedstocks we rely upon while the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act expands American energy production and infrastructure by removing U.S. LNG export restrictions, which the Biden-Harris Administration politicized and abused.”

“As energy demand grows, we have to ensure our refining capacity grows with it to maintain America’s energy dominance,” Chairman Latta said. “The REFINER Act will provide the data and insight needed to guide decisions that reinforce our energy infrastructure and help keep fuel costs low for American families. I thank my House colleagues for supporting and passing my bill and urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this legislation as soon as possible.”

Background:

• Over the last several years, our nation’s refining capacity has shrunk due to onerous Federal and State policies that make it prohibitively difficult to operate. From 2020 to 2022, refining capacity in the United States decreased by more than one million barrels of fuel per day, and the number of refineries dropped from 135 to 128.

• The REFINER Act would require the National Petroleum Council to collect and examine critical information regarding the role of petrochemical refineries in the U.S., and their contributions to energy security, reliability, and affordability. The report must analyze opportunities to expand capacity, as well as current risks to refineries, including negative policy impacts.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference, where he emphasized that House Democrats remain focused on ending the Republican healthcare crisis, extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits and lowering the high cost of living. 

LEADER JEFFRIES: Donald Trump’s presidency has been a disaster. He’s deeply unpopular, and Republicans have failed the American people on the economy. The cost of living in the United States of America is completely and totally out of control. Republicans promised to lower the high cost of living on day one. Costs have not gone down, they’ve gone up. Housing costs are up. Electricity bills through the roof. Childcare costs up. Insurance costs up. And Republicans continue to refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. And as a result of that, tens of millions of Americans are about to experience dramatically-increased health insurance costs such that they will be unable to go see a doctor when they need one.

The Affordable Care Act tax credits expire on December 31st. Donald Trump and Republicans don’t give a damn. They’ve done nothing to deal with the healthcare crisis that Republicans have created. We need to act with urgency now and extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. Tens of millions of people are in open enrollment right now. They’ve seen that their health insurance premiums, copays and deductibles are going to increase in some instances by $1,000 or $2,000 per month. That is unacceptable, unsustainable and it’s un-American.

It’s time for my Republican colleagues to stop burying their heads in the sand and do something to actually make life better for working-class Americans, everyday Americans and middle-class Americans, as opposed to what Republicans have done the entirety of this year, which is just to focus on making life better for the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected. Enough pandering to big Republican donors. Enough. Do something. Partner with Democrats to lower the high cost of living and to make life better for the American people.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy, announced that the House of Representatives has passed his Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining (REFINER) Act to help increase energy refining capacity in the United States.

Over the last several years, North America lost an estimated one million barrels of fuel per day due to low refining capacity. The REFINER Act would address this crisis by collecting critical information, including identifying factors leading to low refining capacity, and presenting lawmakers with recommendations to expand refining capacity to ensure an abundance of affordable and reliable energy in the United States. 

“As energy demand grows, we have to ensure our refining capacity grows with it to maintain America’s energy dominance. The REFINER Act will provide the data and insight needed to guide decisions that reinforce our energy infrastructure and help keep fuel costs low for American families. I thank my House colleagues for supporting and passing my bill and urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this legislation as soon as possible,” Latta said.

“By unleashing American energy, House Republicans are leading the way to support our nation’s energy security, strengthen our grid, and lower prices for hard-working families. The REFINER Act will help to ensure our refineries are being used effectively to produce the oil, gas, and other critical feedstocks we rely upon while the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act expands American energy production and infrastructure by removing U.S. LNG export restrictions, which the Biden-Harris Administration politicized and abused,” said Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Background on the REFINER Act: 
The REFINER Act would require the National Petroleum Council to submit a report to the Secretary of Energy and Congress, detailing:  

• the role of petrochemical refineries in the U.S. and the contribution they make to the energy security of the United States, including the reliability of supply in the U.S. of liquid fuels and feedstocks, and the affordability of liquid fuels for consumers in the U.S.;  
• analyses and projections for the capacity of petrochemical refineries in the U.S., opportunities for expanding capacity, and current risks to the refineries;  
• an assessment of any Federal or State executive actions, regulations, or policies that have caused or contributed to a decline in refining capacity; and  
• any recommendations for Federal agencies and Congress to encourage an increase in refining capacity. 

Congressman Latta spoke on the House floor in support of his bill, watch here.

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) voted to release all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the Department of Justice’s possession that relate to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.

“After the Trump Administration attempted to block this vote at every turn, House Democrats had to invoke a rarely used procedural motion to guarantee that the House of Representatives would vote on releasing the Epstein Files. Today, after working to bring this bill to the floor, I will be voting yes to release these files,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “Epstein’s victims deserve justice, and his accomplices must be held accountable for their horrific crimes. The American people deserve to know the truth. In Congress, I’m working to hold these despicable abusers accountable, no matter how powerful or well-connected they are.”

Earlier this year, House Republicans voted to effectively block a debate on whether or not the Department of Justice should release the Epstein files. Last week, the House Oversight Committee released alarming new emails about convicted child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplices.

Congressman Norcross joined 217 of his Congressional colleagues in signing a discharge petition to force a vote in the House of Representatives on releasing all documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The discharge petition is a procedural motion that allows Members of Congress to bypass the Speaker of the House and send a bill to the House floor for a vote.  

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