MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s executive order to strip federal employees’ right to collectively bargain across the federal government:

“Today’s executive order terminating union rights for hundreds of thousands of federal workers is part of Donald Trump and his administration’s continued effort to fire, traumatize, and vilify the patriots who carry out the duties of the federal government in service of the American people. For the past 67 days since Trump took office, this attack has been as destructive as it has been unrelenting.

“The architect of this assault, Trump’s Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, made their strategy clear: ‘we want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected. When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work because they are increasingly viewed as the villains. We want their funding to be shut down… we want to put them in trauma.’

“In the past century, the right to organize and bargain collectively has been enshrined and expanded through multiple laws passed by the Congress. This president, however, thinks he can govern through executive order as if he makes the law. I am hopeful that our courts will deem this latest executive order illegal, as they have for so many of the Trump Administration’s actions these past few months. I will continue to work with my friends who represent the working men and women who serve our country every day.

“It is clear that neither the law nor common sense nor the welfare of our federal employees and the American people they serve are of any concern to the Trump Administration. Its conduct is consistent with the Republican Party’s longstanding hostility to the rights of working men and women to organize and bargain collectively. It also reflects this administration’s agenda to serve the interests of the richest individuals and the most powerful and wealthy corporations in America.”

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

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) released the following statement regarding the Whitmer Administration’s ill-defined EGLE requirements for PFAS testing as a condition for harbor dredging. There has been a critical lack of communication with communities as well as on the specifics regarding PFAS standards. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently informed Congressman Huizenga’s Office that USACE Headquarters will not authorize PFAS testing until the State of Michigan defines the threshold for acceptable levels. Without this clarification from the State of Michigan, new dredging cannot occur. The inability to remove material from inner harbors – where freighters deliver aggregate material – threatens imminent shoaling, harbor closures, and further delivery of critical construction materials.

“Governor Whitmer’s ‘act first, define later’ approach to dredging will hurt families, communities, small businesses, and job creation across Michigan,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “This is the equivalent of writing a speeding a ticket when there is no posted speed limit. For this reason, I have written to encourage EGLE to halt its implementation until the impacts can be further discussed and defined, and so that dredging activities can resume as needed.  As Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force and a founding member of the PFAS Task Force, I understand the threat of PFAS in our communities. Our efforts to combat PFAS contamination, however, are undermined by vague regulatory requirements, like this one, which would impact harbors at 14 locations across Michigan. These inner harbors, including Holland, Grand Haven, St. Joseph and South Haven, may not be dredged. As a result, shoaling could block cargo ships and cripple our local economies up and down the lakeshore. Additionally, if aggregate is not able to be shipped in, it will dramatically raise the taxpayer cost of infrastructure improvements.”

Last week, Congressman Huizenga sent a letter to Governor Whitmer sharing his concerns. You can read his letter to the governor here.

Background:

Here is the list of the 14 federal harbors identified by EGLE that are likely to be impacted:

 

Alpena

Black River, MI (Port Huron)

Clinton River

Detroit River

Grand Haven (inner)

Holland (Inner)

Manistee (inner)

Menominee

Monroe

Rouge

Saginaw

South Haven (inner)

St. Clair

St. Joe (inner)

 

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

On Friday, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, announced the introduction of the Improving Disclosure for Investors Act. This bipartisan bill was introduced with Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), Congressman Bryan Steil (R-WI), and Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA). The Improving Disclosure for Investors Act directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to engage in rulemaking that would allow registered investment companies to satisfy their obligation to deliver regulatory documents to investors under the federal securities laws using electronic means.

After introducing this bipartisan legislation, Congressman Huizenga released the following statement:

“The Improving Disclosure for Investors Act is designed to modernize disclosure requirements, building on President Trump’s efforts to make our financial system more efficient and inclusive” said Congressman Huizenga. “Continuing to send customers paper disclosure notices is not only wasteful but fails to acknowledge that digital communications are safer and more effective in reaching all Americans. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House as well as the Securities and Exchange Commission to finally make this a reality.”

Background

The SEC currently permits electronic delivery of certain documents under the federal securities laws, subject to requirements that a registrant provide notice that the information is available electronically, the investor has effective access to such information, and the registrant either obtains evidence to show actual delivery or obtains informed consent from the investor (“opt-in” requirement). The SEC has not comprehensively updated this framework in over 20 years.

In 2023, the SEC announced a proposal that would require electronic submissions for nearly all forms, filings, and other materials. The proposal further highlights the need for a more digitalized reporting ecosystem.

In the 118^th Congress, the House of Representatives, overwhelming passed the Improving Disclosure for Investors Act with a vote of 269-153.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Calls for Gotion to End Project as Company Pauses Plans

Media reports indicate Gotion, a Chinese Communist Party-affiliated company planning to build a battery component factory in Mecosta County, is pausing its permitting applications and environmental studies. Congressman John Moolenaar is strongly opposed to the Gotion project due to the company’s ties to the CCP.

“The residents of Mecosta County have made it clear multiple times they do not support Gotion operating in their community. The company has continuously misled the public about its close ties to the CCP and refused to heed election results, instead deciding to sue a small town that does not want it. Gotion’s announcement it is pausing its application process is good news, however, it should listen to the people of Mecosta County and end its plans in Michigan once and for all,” said Moolenaar.

Moolenaar has introduced bipartisan legislation, the NO GOTION Act, which would disqualify companies based in China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, as well as the subsidiaries of those companies, from qualifying for green energy production tax credits created by the Biden administration.

In federal filings, Gotion admitted it is “wholly owned and controled” by its parent company, Gotion High-Tech. In an amended filing last year, the company clarified it recieves subsidies from the Chinese government. Gotion High-Tech employs hundreds of CCP-members and hosts field trips for employees to pledge their life to the CCP. 

Since the company announced its project in 2022, it has been discovered an executive at the company attends meetings of the parent company’s internal CCP committee. Last year, an investigation conducted by the Select Committee on the CCP, which Moolenaar chairs, found that Gotion’s supply chain is reliant on forced labor that is part of the CCP’s ongoing genocide of Uyghur Muslims, a religious minority in China.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Presents Military Honors to Muskegon Navy Veteran Karl Smith

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar presented military honors to Karl Smith at VFW Post 7729 in Muskegon. Smith enlisted in the Navy at 17 years old, while still attending Muskegon High School. During his service, he was assigned to serve on the USS Halsey, and was deployed to the West Pacific during the Vietnam War. In recognition of Karl’s service, Moolenaar presented the medals he earned, but never received. 

“It is a pleasure to honor Karl Smith and celebrate his service to our nation in the U.S. Navy. Karl was an exemplary sailor who, after his service, dedicated his life to keeping his community safe as a firefighter and police officer in Muskegon County. Brave service members like Karl deserve to be recognized, and it is an honor to present him with the awards he earned in service to our country 50 years ago.” said Moolenaar.

Congressman Moolenaar with Karl and Mary Beth Smith.

Moolenaar presented Karl with the following awards: The Navy “E” Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), the Vietnam Service Medal (with one bronze campaign star), and the Honorable Reserve Discharge Button.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Votes to Avoid Government Shutdown, Support Critical Programs

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar voted for a resolution to keep the federal government from shutting down. The bill funds the government through September 30, 2025 and maintains programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Additionally, the resolution fully funds veterans programs and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The legislation passed by the House in a vote of 217-213 today is a major step in implementing President Trump’s agenda.

“Avoiding a government shutdown is a necessity. The resolution passed today gives Congress the opportunity to work on the issues important to Michigan residents, like securing the border, restoring American energy independence, and extending tax relief for the middle class. This legislation also provides certainty that vital programs Michigan families rely on will continue to serve them without disruption. It upholds our responsibility to veterans by fully funding the benefits they earned, and maintains critical funds to protect the Great Lakes, while ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely,” said Moolenaar. 

More information about the government funding package can be found here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar, Dingell Introduce Bill to Improve Services for Rural Veterans

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would require the VA to ensure veterans in rural areas have reliable access to patient advocates to receive better care. Patient advocates assist veterans with paperwork, services, and appeals related to their care.

“Our nation’s veterans deserve the best possible service from the VA. Unfortunately, veterans know receiving care from the VA often consists of time-consuming paperwork, fighting through layers of red tape, and lengthy appeals. This is especially true for Michigan veterans in rural communities, where the nearest VA clinic may be hundreds of miles away. Patient advocates are an asset for veterans to work through the bureaucracy, and improve accountability in the VA. Our bipartisan legislation will increase the number of patient advocates available to these veterans, so they receive better care and attention from the VA,” said Moolenaar. 

“America’s veterans rely on the VA for access to vital programs, benefits, and supportive services. Patient advocates employed by the VA are an important source of support for veterans navigating the VA health system, and strengthening the VA workforce is more important than ever,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “I am glad to join Congressman Moolenaar in introducing the Veterans Patient Advocacy Act, which will increase the number of VA patient advocates to so veterans can get easier access to the support they deserve.” 

The lawmakers previously introduced the Veterans Patient Advocacy Act in 2021 and 2023. The text of the legislation can be found here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar, Scholten Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Veterans Enter the Workforce

Congressman John Moolenaar and Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-MI) have introduced bipartisan legislation that would help veterans and service members finishing their time in the military enter the workforce. The Veterans Fellowship Act would allow states to use federal funding to create fellowship programs for veterans to find jobs with long-term opportunities following the completion of their fellowship. 

“Veterans often face unique challenges after their service when entering the workforce as civilians. The Veterans Fellowship Act would provide them a pathway to gain useful skills for full-time employment in a new career. Veterans make significant sacrifices to keep our nation safe, and our bipartisan legislation will support them after their service,” said Moolenaar.

“We are the home of the free because of the brave. Our Veterans Fellowship Act will expand opportunities for our veterans to ensure they have the tools and resources needed to build successful careers,” said Rep. Scholten. “Our veterans have served our country with honor, and we must do everything we can to support them as they transition to civilian life. I’m proud to work with Rep. Moolenaar to support efforts that invest in our veterans and their futures.”

Moolenaar previously introduced the Veterans Fellowship Act in 2023. Legislative text can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland
March 30, 2025                                                    202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

PLASKETT HOSTS MARCH COMMUNITY EVENTS

US Virgin Islands – During the last week of March, Congresswoman Plaskett and her office hosted numerous community outreach events.

On Thursday, March 27^th and Friday, March 28^th, the Congresswoman and her team hosted U.S. Postal Service Town Hall Working Sessions where they received in writing various constituent complaints, inquiries, and testimonials regarding delayed or damaged packages and other issues. The US Postal Service initially agreed to have representatives from the regional and local offices present at both town halls, but then later declined the invitation, stating that travel demands were too great and would take too much time away from USPS staff and representatives’ work duties. Since the Congresswoman’s first term, the office has hosted at least four (4) town halls with postal service personnel in attendance—up to the Deputy Postmaster General has come—at the Congresswoman’s invitation—to speak to the Virgin Islands community as well as postal inspectors come to simply share how to make a claim. Despite the US Postal Service representatives’ inability to attend, the Congresswoman and her team received numerous complaints and shared information on additional topics regarding social security, immigration and veterans affairs.

On Saturday, March 29^th and Sunday, March 30^th, the Congresswoman’s office also hosted their 4^th annual V.I. History with Stacey events where Virgin Islands’ students were front and center with numerous displays of Virgin Islands history and culture through the performing arts and spoken word. Also, a part of the program were this year’s winners of the office’s Black History Month essay contest (winners’ names listed below).

“I would like to thank all of the members of our community who came out and supported our community events this week, and a special thank you to our students, their parents and teachers who participated in our V.I. History with Stacey presentations,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “Additionally, my team and I take very seriously our commitment to keeping Virgin Islanders informed and equipped with the appropriate information and resources regarding agencies like the U.S. Postal Service. I look forward to sharing the complaints and information gathered at our town halls with the USPS regional office and my team will share updates as we receive them.”

St. Thomas/St. John  – Middle School Category Winner

Khaden  Jn-Jacques
All Saints Cathedral School

St. Thomas/St. John – High School Category Winner

Mirza Baig
Charlotte Amalie High School

St. Croix Middle School Category Winner

Taejah S. Green
Eulalie Rivera School

St. Croix High School Category Winner

Knala  A.S. Hendrickson
St. Croix Education Complex High School

Honorable Mentions:

Video/Power Point Presentation

Kingston Walker
All Saints Cathedral School 

Artwork

Maddy Donnelly
Good Hope Country Day School

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Barry Moore (R-AL), and LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), as well as Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in reintroducing the bicameral Second Chance Month Resolution.

“In West Virginia, we know how important it is to provide everyone with opportunities to succeed. Recognizing April as Second Chance Month gives hope to those who are reentering the workforce after serving their time incarcerated. When we invest in our communities and put in place resources and support for people released from prisons and jails, we build stronger and safer communities,” said Congresswoman Miller. “This resolution will bring more visibility to Second Chance programs that are instrumental in helping people across the nation get back on the right path as they reenter their communities.”

“Recognizing April as Second Chance Month is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of creating pathways for the millions of Americans previously and currently incarcerated, who have paid their debt to society, and experience the innumerable barriers to re-entering their communities,” said Congressman Westerman. “Each of these Americans have an intrinsic value and are worthy of the dignity that comes with establishing hard-earned jobs and gaining sought-after respect. Everyone deserves a second chance, and Congress must work to break down the stigmas attached to incarceration and reducing recidivism rates. I’m honored to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this resolution to restore the dignity of these reformed individuals.” 

“Since Prison Fellowship launched Second Chance Month in 2017, we are honored to lead this growing national movement that includes more than 1,000 partners committed to unlocking second chances for the 1 in 3 Americans with a criminal record who face nearly 44,000 barriers to building a productive future,” said Heather Rice-Minus, CEO and president of Prison Fellowship.

“We encourage Congress to pass this Second Chance Month resolution quickly because supporting second chances recognizes the God-given dignity and potential of every person and reinforces our nation’s commitment to creating pathways for new beginnings, healthy communities, and increased public safety,” said Kate Trammell, Prison Fellowship senior vice president of advocacy and legal.

Background:

• Millions of American adults with a criminal record face enormous obstacles to successfully re-enter society upon release. When legal and social barriers prohibit a formerly incarcerated person from finding well-paying jobs, this not only negatively impacts them, but also has lasting negative effects for their families. Beyond that, securing gainful employment and being accepted in society has been proven to reduce the likelihood of these individuals returning to prison in the future, ultimately decreasing crime and improving public safety.
• This resolution was endorsed by Prison Fellowship.
• This resolution is also supported by Brennan Center for Justice, Right on Crime, CPAC, Niskanen Center, FAMM, and National District Attorneys Association.

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