MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Pressley Has Fought to Defend DEI, Protect Black History, and Push Back Against Republicans’ Efforts to Ban Books and Deny Intellectual Freedom

Earlier This Year, Pressley, Tonko Demanded an Investigation into Trump’s Attack on Smithsonian Museums

Text of Letter (PDF) | Pressley Floor Speech (YouTube)

BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement condemning Trump’s thinly veiled attempt to politicize and editorialize exhibits at Smithsonian museums – particularly museums and exhibits with diverse and factual presentations of American history – as yet another attempt to whitewash history, erase Black history, and attack intellectual freedom.

The museums subject to review include the National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

“It is the impartial role and responsibility of the Smithsonian museums to ensure a full, accurate, and resonant telling of American history – and Trump has no right to censor our history, ignore the systemic oppression of marginalized people, and attack our intellectual freedom. Much like his disgraceful rollbacks of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and his campaign to ban books, this action is yet another attempt to whitewash our shared history and replace the challenges and triumphs of women, people of color, and Native Americans with false narratives forged with white supremacist ideology.

“Black History is American history, and no amount of white-washing or erasure will change the truth. There is no American history without the brilliance of every marginalized individual, the labor and talent of our enslaved Black ancestors, and the contributions of our Black and brown communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, indigenous people, individuals with disabilities, and others. We refuse to allow Trump and Republicans’ narrow vision of what it means to be American rewrite our shared, truthful history.”

In May 2025, Rep. Pressley, alongside Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), Co-Chair of the Congressional Museum Caucus, led 69 of their colleagues on a letter to the Inspector General of the Smithsonian Institution demanding an investigation on the impact of Donald Trump’s harmful Executive Order attacking Smithsonian museums – namely, the American Art Museum, the American Women’s History Museum, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture – attempting to erase histories of marginalized communities. A copy of the letter is available here.

In April 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech slamming Trump’s attack on Smithsonian museums and affirming that Black history is American history.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) led a letter requesting Governor Hochul and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton extend the public comment period and public hearing for the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project. 

“As members of the New York congressional delegation, we respectfully request that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) consider extending the public comment period for the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project to at least 120 days and convene public hearings in the impacted communities. We appreciate NYSDEC’s decision to extend the initial 30-day comment period to 45 days. However, we remain concerned that this timeline, ending August 16, 2025, may not provide sufficient opportunity for comprehensive review and input from concerned residents, subject-matter experts, and community-based organizations across New York,” wrote the lawmakers.

“The NESE Project would involve constructing a 23.5-mile, 26-inch fracked gas pipeline under Raritan Bay and Lower New York Bay, coming within two miles of Staten Island and three miles of the Rockaways. Construction would require trenching and dredging through sea floor sediments known to contain toxic contaminants such as arsenic, lead, PCBs, mercury, and dioxins. As evidence of this, In October 2019, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a public notice confirming that Williams had applied for authorization to dispose of approximately 735,000 cubic yards of dredged material from the NESE pipeline route at an offshore site located just 7.7 miles south of Rockaway Beach, indicating that the sediments in question were considered contaminated and necessitated ocean disposal rather than upland reuse. The proposed construction method, which involves trenching and dredging, would also create prolonged noise and vibrations that could impact local marine ecosystems,” continued the lawmakers.

The lawmakers went on to explain that because of the technical complexity of the application, the substantial health and environmental risks at stake, and the strong public interest, a 120-day comment period would ensure a thorough review. Additionally, the NYSDEC has previously granted similar request so there is already a precedent set for allowing meaningful public engagement through sufficient time.

Representatives Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) signed onto the letter. 

Read the full letter here and below.

Dear Governor Hochul and Commissioner Lefton:

As members of the New York congressional delegation, we respectfully request that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) consider extending the public comment period for the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project to at least 120 days and convene public hearings in the impacted communities. We appreciate NYSDEC’s decision to extend the initial 30-day comment period to 45 days. However, we remain concerned that this timeline, ending August 16, 2025, may not provide sufficient opportunity for comprehensive review and input from concerned residents, subject-matter experts, and community-based organizations across New York.

The NESE Project would involve constructing a 23.5-mile, 26-inch fracked gas pipeline under Raritan Bay and Lower New York Bay, coming within two miles of Staten Island and three miles of the Rockaways. Construction would require trenching and dredging through sea floor sediments known to contain toxic contaminants such as arsenic, lead, PCBs, mercury, and dioxins. As evidence of this, In October 2019, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a public notice confirming that Williams had applied for authorization to dispose of approximately 735,000 cubic yards of dredged material from the NESE pipeline route at an offshore site located just 7.7 miles south of Rockaway Beach, indicating that the sediments in question were considered contaminated and necessitated ocean disposal rather than upland reuse. The proposed construction method, which involves trenching and dredging, would also create prolonged noise and vibrations that could impact local marine ecosystems.

Although the project remains under federal review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), New York retains independent authority under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act to determine whether the pipeline complies with state water quality standards. Without a valid Water Quality Certification from the state, FERC cannot authorize construction. This makes robust state-level review and public engagement essential. As you are aware, the NYSDEC has previously denied a Water Quality Certification for this pipeline twice, first on May 15, 2019, and again on May 15, 2020, due to its likely violation of New York State’s water quality standards. That determination was based in part on the significant disruption to contaminated sediments and associated harm to marine and coastal resources.

Given the technical complexity of the application, the substantial health and environmental risks at stake, and the strong public interest, a public comment period of at least 120 days would help ensure a thorough and inclusive review. The proposal includes thousands of pages of documentation that require careful analysis. Providing additional time would allow residents, experts, and community-based organizations to fully understand the scope of the project and offer meaningful feedback. Public hearings in affected communities would further strengthen the review process by ensuring that the voices of those directly impacted are heard and taken into consideration.

The NYSDEC has previously granted public comment periods that are longer than 45 days for complex and high-impact proposals.6 This precedent reflects the Department’s recognition that meaningful public participation requires sufficient time and opportunity to engage.

We share your belief that the public has a fundamental right to evaluate how this project aligns with New York’s water quality standards, environmental protection statutes, climate commitments, and public health safeguards. Providing additional time for public input would reinforce the transparency and public trust that are hallmarks of the state’s permitting process.

Extending the public comment period to at least 120 days and holding in-person public hearings would help ensure a thorough and inclusive review.

Thank you for your attention to this request.

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

West Columbia, SC – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) will host his annual bus tour from August 18-20, 2025, where he will travel throughout South Carolina’s Second Congressional District making stops at local businesses, schools, and organizations. 

     “Each August I host an annual bus tour where I visit all five counties across the Second Congressional District to hear from members of our community and share news of my work in Congress. While I regularly meet with people in our district, I am grateful for this time-honored tradition of being accessible and accountable to those I represent,” said Congressman Wilson.

     Though all can follow us throughout the tour with ongoing updates and photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages, and via hashtag #SC02BusTour2025, the following stops are opportunities for the media to join us and ask questions.

August 18th

Edisto Research and Education Center

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

64 Research Street

Blackville, SC 29817

 

August 19th

Turnkey Technical Services

11:50 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

413 Main Street S

New Ellenton, SC 29809

 

August 20th

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

500 Wildlife Parkway

Columbia, SC 29210

 

Media interested in attending please RSVP to David Snider at david.snider@mail.house.gov.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant was recently canceled by Department of Homeland Security

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) announced the reintroduction of the Protections and Transparency in the Workplace Act to combat sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. This legislation requires publicly traded companies to disclose the presence and status of sexual harassment and discrimination claims, as well as require independent, licensed investigators to examine claims. Additionally, employers would be required to develop workplace training programs to educate employees on prohibited harassment and discrimination, and how to report this behavior.

“It is despicable that companies can just pay off employees to hide inappropriate behavior that happened on their watch,” said Congressman Lieu. “The public deserves full transparency about companies with a history of harassment and discrimination. Employers also have a responsibility to inform and protect the people that work for them. I’m pleased to join Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and Congresswoman Pressley to stand up to the powerful and demand accountability in workplaces across America.”

“Reported harassment claims must be taken seriously in the workplace, and people must be able to report without fear of retaliation,” said Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez. “Survivors of sexual harassment are too often silenced while their abusers get a slap on the wrist. The Protections and Transparency in the Workplace Act stops companies from sweeping sexual abuse and racial discrimination under the rug by forcing companies to publicly report complaints. Our legislation will empower survivors to speak out and is an essential step in ensuring every person feels safe at work.”

“Every worker should expect safety, dignity, and respect on and off the job. For too long, institutions have shielded powerful sexual abusers and silenced survivors, denying workers their right to report injustice in the workplace,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “The Protections and Transparency in the Workplace Act is a critical step towards protecting workers and ensuring accountability for sexual discrimination, harassment, and abuse. I’m proud to partner with Congressman Ted Lieu and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to prevent workplace harassment.”

Congressman Lieu introduced this legislation in the 116^th, 117^th, 118^th, and now the 119^th Congress.

READ THE FULL BILL TEXT HERE

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

Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:

“The United States and its partners must work together to promote the security and safety of the Israeli and Palestinian people. Continued U.S. leadership is important to secure a lasting peace.

“I joined Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06) and more than 90 House Democrats in demanding oversight into the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an unqualified organization whose efforts are ineffective and have led to mass panic and Palestinian casualties at distribution sites.

“Providing secure humanitarian assistance to Palestinians is a moral obligation and vital to the region’s long-term security and the safe return of all hostages.

“I continue to oppose any effort for Israel to take over Gaza. I again call for a reconstruction plan that begins the day the conflict ends, ensures a two-state solution where Israel and a Palestinian state exist securely side-by-side, and ensures the Palestinian state is not led by a terrorist organization.”

You can read the full letter Rep. Larsen, Rep. Casten, and more than 90 House Democrats sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding an investigation into the ownership structure and operation of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) here. 

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

COLUMBUS, OH – Yesterday, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) hosted a listening session with local veterans on how best to support veterans’ health care, with the event taking place just one day after the third anniversary of the PACT Act becoming law. Veterans also shared perspectives on how supporting those who have served in other critical areas, particularly amid staffing reductions at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and widespread layoffs of veterans across the federal workforce.

During the conversation, Congresswoman Beatty reaffirmed her commitment to fully funding veterans’ health care needs, including PACT Act programs, and ensuring other care and support veterans have earned remains intact.

“My commitment to veterans is not new. I’ve fought to strengthen the VA, expand benefits, and remove barriers — from ending the unfair offset of retirement and disability benefits, to expanding access to VA home loans, to protecting disability benefits in housing eligibility,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “Your voices are the most powerful tools we have to protect and improve these programs. I will take what I hear today back to Washington to fight for full PACT Act funding, strong care protections, and to ensure the benefits veterans have earned remain intact. For the veterans of Ohio’s Third District, these benefits are not a gift — they are a promise. And my promise to you is that I will not stop fighting to keep it.”

Veterans representing the U.S. Army, Air Force, and U.S. Marine Corps attended, with years of service ranging from 30 to 50 years.

This event was part of a coordinated effort by House Democrats during the August District Work Period to highlight their commitment to fully funding the PACT Act and delivering on the promise to care for America’s veterans.

Press kits with photos and additional materials from the event are available HERE. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

WASHINGTON, DC [8/12/25] – Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) led 34 Members of Congress in calling for the Department of Health and Human Services to protect immigrant access to Head Start.

The Representatives sent the letter after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a notice in the Federal Register on July 15 that changes how the department interprets “federal public benefit” under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). This change bars certain immigrants from critical HHS services they have been able to access for decades. 

With this reinterpretation, more than 115,000 children and families would lose access to vital early childhood education services. Since its founding more than 60 years ago, Head Start has served approximately 40 million children. And since 1982, it has been the law of the land that school districts cannot exclude undocumented school-age children from public schools. 

“Excluding some immigrant children from early education may create greater costs over time,” the Representatives wrote. “Children who enter kindergarten without access to preschool are more likely to need additional support in foundational areas such as literacy, social skills, and basic health care; services that are often addressed in Head Start through early learning and screenings. Keeping immigrant children from participating in Head Start programs would not address the long waitlists nor alleviate limited program availability.” 

The Representatives expressed concern the proposed change would have wide-reaching consequences for both families and the labor market. Without access to affordable, reliable early care and education, thousands of parents – many of whom work in essential industries – would likely be forced to leave their jobs or abandon job searches to care for their children. 

“We strongly urge you to cease efforts to reclassify Head Start as a federal public benefit and restore program access to immigrant children, who should not be punished for their family’s immigration status,” the Representatives wrote. “Insufficient investment in children’s early years ultimately costs taxpayers far more in the long run by increasing the burden on the education and health systems and shortchanging vulnerable families trying to meet their most basic needs. Head Start programs are critical to overall child care landscape and the proposed change will further exacerbate pervasive challenges in the child care sector, hinder labor participation, and limit educational opportunities for our nation’s youngest.”

The full letter is available here.

Bonamici is Ranking Member of the House Education and Workforce of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee (ECESE) and Co-Chair of bipartisan Pre-K and Child Care Caucus. Leger Fernández is Chair of Democratic Women’s Caucus and Co-Chair of bipartisan Head Start to Congress Caucus. Hayes is on the ECESE Subcommittee and is an inaugural member of the Head Start to Congress Caucus.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko and Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Sean Casten, Mike Levin, and Chellie Pingree, released the following statement in response to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin’s formal decision to repeal the landmark Endangerment Finding and gut life-saving pollution standards for motor vehicles. Previously, SEEC sent a letter in February condemning Administrator Zeldin’s reported recommendation to strike down EPA’s Endangerment Finding. 

“EPA Administrator Zeldin’s decision today to overturn the landmark Endangerment Finding represents a disturbing new level of extreme science denial by the very agency entrusted to protect the American public from pollution. The scientific consensus is overwhelming and has been well-established for decades—greenhouse gas pollution from cars, power plants, and factories is causing climate change and climate change is endangering our public health and welfare. This is not theoretical. We can see it with our very own eyes. Whether it’s the catastrophic flash floods in Texas, the wildfires that demolished Californian communities, or the scorching heat dome currently enveloping half of the U.S., it is no longer a question whether climate change endangers our lives. Climate change is already wreaking havoc across America. By ignoring the overwhelming scientific consensus, contradicting the clear statutory language in the Clean Air Act, and overriding repeated Supreme Court rulings, EPA has revealed today just how far it will go to be every polluter’s ally. 

“This is no empty threat. EPA is already using this absurd climate denialism to justify repealing life-saving vehicle pollution standards that have delivered clean air to communities across America. These standards would have saved thousands of lives and thousands of dollars per vehicle in fuel, maintenance, and repair costs, while paving the way for a globally competitive American vehicle market. As international markets rapidly transition away from polluting fossil fuels to cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable technologies, the Trump Administration is choosing to deprive America of the greatest economic opportunity of the 21^st century. 

“With each Republican rollback of common-sense pollution protections, our children will pay the price when they do not have a safe and healthy future. Is it not enough that we’ve lost at least 500 Americans in the past year to extreme weather events; that today 215 million people in the United States are currently living under an extreme weather alert; or that climate-fueled disasters in just the past year have already cost the American economy $182 billion dollars? 

“The real question is: how many more American lives do we have to lose before Republicans stand up to their big polluter friends and acknowledge that climate change is a real and deadly problem for the American people?”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) joined leaders from University Health, local Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and rural healthcare partners for a roundtable discussion on the impact of Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, specifically, the impact of the largest cut to Medicaid in history on the region’s healthcare providers and the patient populations they serve.

“If you aren’t deeply concerned about the GOP’s Big Ugly Law and the drastic cuts it makes to Medicaid, you should be,” said Congressman Cleaver. “These cuts threaten essential funding that our local hospitals, health centers, and rural health providers rely on to serve our most vulnerable neighbors, ensuring Missouri families will see less access to care and higher costs in the years ahead. Slashing Medicaid not only jeopardizes access to vital services for countless patients in Missouri’s Fifth District and throughout the state – it undermines the stability of the entire healthcare system. I will always stand up to protect these critical services that families depend on and reject policies that put politics ahead of people’s health and wellbeing.”

University Health President and CEO Charlie Shields said, “We sincerely appreciate the Congressman’s interest in Medicaid and how changes could impact people in our area. At University Health, approximately half of our patients are currently on Medicaid. It is our commitment to provide the very best guidance through any changes that might occur, making sure our patients know we’re right here with them ready to simplify the process and provide quality care every step of the way.”

According to independent estimates, Republicans’ Big Ugly Law will kick 17 million Americans off their health insurance and make premiums, deductibles, and copays soar for millions more. The bill cuts more than $1 trillion from healthcare, including the largest cut to Medicaid in history and could cause a $500 billion cut to Medicare. According to one analysis, more than 50,000 people will die annually because of these cuts.

In Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, 159,359 Missourians on Medicaid are at risk of losing their health care under the Republican budget plan, including 79,000 children and 15,000 seniors over the age of 65. Moreover, slashing federal funding for Medicaid would leave Missouri with the hard choice of whose coverage and benefits to cut. With few options for how to fill the budget hole left by proposed cuts to Medicaid funding, states will consider cuts to coverage and benefits, leaving more people uninsured and underinsured.

Federal law requires states to cover certain groups of people, while others are optional. With less federal funding for Medicaid, Missouri policymakers may consider cutting coverage for groups like:

• Certain children with disabilities such as children under age 19 who are disabled and living at home.
• Elderly and disabled adults such as those who are institutionalized or eligible for home and community-based services.
• Individuals who need breast or cervical cancer treatment and do not have other treatment coverage.
• Postpartum moms whose pregnancies ended in the prior 12 months.
• Adults with disabilities, chronic health conditions, and behavioral health care needs.
• Missouri also may consider reducing income eligibility levels for mandatory eligibility groups, such as children, pregnant women, and parents/caretakers.

Additionally, cutting federal funding for Medicaid would close health care providers’ doors and reduce the overall quality of services. With more people uninsured and underinsured, providers will experience an increase in uncompensated care. Making matters worse, states are very likely to further cut Medicaid provider rates as another way to make up for the loss in federal funding. This would have devastating impacts on Missouri hospitals who received nearly $2.6 billion in Medicaid payments in 2023, including $1 billion in Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) and other supplemental payments to offset uncompensated care for Medicaid patients and the uninsured. Community health centers will also bear the brunt of Republican budget cuts to Medicaid – nearly 49% of Missouri community health centers’ revenue came from Medicaid in 2023 and serve patient populations made up of nearly 53% Medicaid recipients.

According to the House Committee on the Budget, the Big Ugly Law will rip healthcare away from an estimated 265,298 Missourians, leave Missourians covered under the Affordable Care Act with an average premium increase of $710, and put four rural hospitals across the state as risk of closure due to Medicaid cuts.

“With this harmful bill now law, our communities face real and immediate threats to the safety net that so many depend on. Cutting Medicaid funding to provide more handouts to the wealthiest members in our community isn’t just bad policy – it’s a direct attack on the health and dignity of the people we serve. We must come together to mitigate this damage and keep fighting for healthcare that works for everyone,” said Congressman Cleaver.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.