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Rep. Torres and Rep. Calvert Bill Establishing an Eastvale Zip Code Advances House Committee

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

May 21, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) and Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) praised the advancement of H.R. 672 by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP Code for the city of Eastvale, in addition to other communities across the country. Reps. Torres and Calvert both represent portions of the city of Eastvale in the House of Representatives.

“For too long, Eastvale has faced unnecessary challenges due to the lack of a single, unique ZIP Code. I’m proud to work with Congressman Calvert as we push for a bipartisan solution that meets the needs of Eastvale’s growing community,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “This bill is about more than numbers-it’s about ensuring every resident, small business, and neighborhood is accurately represented and properly served. Today’s vote in committee is a big step forward for fairness- and we will continue to push for passage through the full House of Representatives.”

“Eastvale residents and small businesses are one step closer to having the single, unique ZIP Code they have been seeking since incorporating as a city,” said Rep. Calvert. “As we have heard, establishing a single, unique ZIP Code for Eastvale is important for the city’s identity, GPS directions, insurance rates, the collection of sales taxes, and other factors. I’m thankful for the support of Rep. Torres and my House colleagues who have supported this legislation.”

Earlier this year, Reps. Torres and Calvert reintroduced legislation, H.R. 1225, to establish a unique ZIP Code for the city of Eastvale. That bill was incorporated into H.R. 672, an omnibus ZIP Code bill introduced by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26). 

Currently, the city of Eastvale is split between two ZIP codes, 91752 and 92880. The 91752 ZIP code is shared between Eastvale and the city of Jurupa Valley. The City of Eastvale was incorporated in 2010 and has a population of approximately 70,000.

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Reps. Huffman, Raskin Statement on Republicans’ Push to Divert Billions in Federal Funding to Private, Religious Schools

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

May 21, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Freethought Caucus Co-Chairs Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) released the following statement regarding House Republicans’ plan to divert billions of dollars in public funds to private, religious schools through a voucher tax giveaway in the new reconciliation package:

“Republicans once again are showing the American people where their priorities lie: with the wealthy and well-connected, rather than with working families —especially rural families. Buried in their reconciliation package is a deeply harmful proposal— the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA)—which would create a completely new dollar-for-dollar tax credit and corporate stock windfall scheme—for individuals and corporations that funnel money to organizations providing scholarships or vouchers for private or religious K-12 schools.

“Pulled directly from the Project 2025 playbook, this policy move is a billion-dollar backdoor scheme to drain public resources from neighborhood schools to fund private institutions that aren’t required to provide a free and appropriate public education to all students. This bill would send federal funds to private and parochial institutions that are not required to follow basic standards of accountability, transparency, and nondiscrimination. These institutions can—and often do—exclude students, families, and staff based on religion, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Using public dollars to support such discriminatory practices and sectarian instruction is a clear violation of the separation of church and state. It’s a gift-wrapped tax break for the wealthy masqueraded as education policy.

“When given the opportunity to vote on these schemes, voters from Colorado and Kentucky to ruby-red Nebraska rejected voucher programs. Voucher programs do not improve students’ academic achievement, and they don’t offer real options for low-income or rural families who lack access to private schools. Taxpayer funds should serve the public good—not subsidize private institutions that serve only a select few.”

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Rep. Weber Announces $138 Million in Army Corps Funding for Southeast Texas Projects

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Randy Weber (14th District of Texas)

Rep. Weber Announces $138 Million in Army Corps Funding for Southeast Texas Projects

Washington, May 16, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14) announced that Southeast Texas waterway projects will receive $138,380,000 in funding in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers FY 2025 Army Civil Work Plan.

“This is great news for Southeast Texas, America’s energy capital,” said Rep. Weber. “Our ports and waterways are the lifeblood of our economy and keeping them well-maintained is critical to preserving our nation’s leadership in commerce and energy. I’m grateful the Trump administration recognizes the strategic importance of our region. I will continue fighting for the infrastructure investments our communities deserve.:

Operation & Maintenance projects in Texas’ 14th District were awarded:

  • $900,000 for the Channel to Port Bolivar. The Channel to Port Bolivar shallow-draft navigation project consists of a 14-foot deep by 200-foot wide channel that is 950 feet long. It extends from the entrance to Galveston Bay (Bolivar Roads) northward to the west point of Bolivar Island. The channel is heavily utilized by the Texas Department of Transportation and the Galveston-to-Port Bolivar Ferry System.
  • $13,150,000 for Freeport Harbor. The Freeport Harbor deep-draft navigation project consists of a 45-foot deep by 400-foot wide channel that is 8.5 miles long, extending from the Gulf of America, through a jetty-protected inlet, to a turning basin at the Freeport port facilities. The project also includes two rock jetties, 1.46 and 1.64 miles in length.
  • $47,975,000 for Galveston Harbor and Channel. The Galveston Entrance Channel is the main entrance for Galveston, Texas City, and the Houston Ship Channel. This deep-draft project includes a 45-foot deep by 800-foot wide channel that is 23.9 miles long, stretching from the Gulf of America through a jetty-protected inlet into Galveston Bay, to the port facilities at Galveston Harbor.
  • $50,000 for Chocolate Bayou. The Chocolate Bayou navigation project is a shallow-draft waterway, 13 feet deep by 125 feet wide and approximately 8.2 miles long. It extends from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) at Mile Marker 376 through Chocolate Bay and Chocolate Bayou to port facilities located between Galveston and Freeport in Brazoria County, Texas.
  • $40,550,000 for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The Texas portion of the GIWW extends from the Sabine River to Port Isabel, Texas, and includes several tributary channels. It features a 12-foot deep by 125-foot wide, shallow-draft channel stretching 423 miles along the Texas Coast. The GIWW includes flood gates at the Brazos River and navigation locks at the Colorado River, along with mooring basins and buoys at 11 locations supporting heavy barge traffic.
  • $25,075,000 for the Sabine-Neches Waterway. The Sabine-Neches Waterway (SNWW) is a federally constructed deep-draft navigation project serving the Ports of Port Arthur, Beaumont, and Orange in Jefferson and Orange Counties, Texas, and Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes, Louisiana. The waterway includes 97 miles of navigation channels in three main segments: a jetty-protected entrance channel 42 feet deep and 500 to 800 feet wide; a 40-foot deep, 400-foot wide channel to Beaumont via the Neches River; and a 30-foot deep, 200-foot wide channel to Orange via the Sabine River.
  • $10,680,000 for the Texas City Ship Channel. The Texas City Ship Channel deep-draft navigation project includes a 45-foot deep by 400-foot wide and 9.4-mile-long channel, extending from the intersection of Galveston Harbor and the Houston Ship Channel to a turning basin and Industrial Canal at the Port of Texas City.

Rep. Weber added: “This is not just about dredging or infrastructure—it’s about jobs, national security, and Texas leading the way. I will always stand up for the hardworking men and women who rely on these waterways to fuel our economy and keep America strong.”

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Rep. Peters Thanks EPA Administrator Zeldin for Commitment to Stop Cross-Border Sewage Pollution

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington D.C. – Today, at an Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) thanked Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin for touring the U.S.-Mexico border in southern San Diego and for his commitment to address the scourge of cross-border wastewater pollution. This follows a joint announcement from the EPA and U.S. International Border and Water Commission (IBWC) this morning, that both agencies will speed up the first phase of the incremental expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) from two years to 100 days. This phase will increase the plant’s capacity to treat wastewater from 25 to 35 million gallons per day (mgd). The full project to repair and expand the dilapidated plant, for which Representative Peters and the San Diego delegation have secured $360 million in the last 18 months, will double treatment capacity to 50 mgd. 

During the hearing, Rep. Peters stated, “I want to thank you for your recent visit to the South Bay and your tour of the Tijuana River Valley. This contamination issue remains, what I believe is one of the worst environmental catastrophes of the hemisphere and we are so encouraged by your commitment to working on a 100% solution… We’ve all worked really hard to get resources here — Republicans and Democrats. You have a partner here, and we’re happy to partner with you.”  

During his opening remarks, EPA Administrator Zeldin stated, “[We] have issued immediate action items for Mexico to permanently and urgently end the Tijuana River sewage crisis that has plagued Southern California for decades.”  

Last month, EPA Administrator Zeldin toured the South Bay at Rep. Peters’ invitation to see firsthand the ecological, economic, and health harms caused by this crisis.  

Further Background: 

Representative Peters has, for years, worked to address the cross-border pollution fouling San Diego’s coastal waters, including pushing for additional funding to fix and expand the dilapidated SBIWTP. The following are some recent actions: 

2025 

  1. In March, Rep. Peters introduced legislation to authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to accept funding from federal and non-federal entities for wastewater treatment, flood control projects, or other water conservation efforts. 

2024 

  1. In January, Rep. Peters took to the House floor to demand that the President’s requested $310 million to fix and expand the dilapidated SBIWTP be included in any upcoming spending deal. 
  1. In February, Rep. Peters joined members of San Diego’s Congressional delegation to ask U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro about the effects of cross-border pollution on Navy operations. 
  1. In March, Rep. Peters celebrated the inclusion of $156 million, at his request, for the International Boundary and Water Commission’s (IBWC) construction budget in the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations bill. The IBWC is the federal agency tasked with operating and maintaining the SBIWTP. 
  1. In May, Rep. Peters joined Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX-16) in a bipartisan request for $278 million for the IBWC’s construction budget in the Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations bill. 
  1. In August, Rep. Peters hosted Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma on a tour of the broken wastewater treatment plant. 
  1. In September, Rep. Peters joined members of San Diego’s Congressional delegation to reiterate their call for a federal state of emergency declaration amid high levels of toxic gases. 
  1. In December, Rep. Peters and the Congressional delegation successfully fought to include an additional $250 million to fully repair and expand the capacity of the SBIWTP in the government funding bill. This brought the total amount of funds secured to $650 million. 

2023 

  1. In June, Rep. Peters led a letter with other members of the San Diego Congressional delegation to the governor of Baja California urging accountability for the Mexican government’s commitments to build wastewater treatment infrastructure. 
  1. In July, members of the San Diego congressional delegation requested that the Environmental Protection Agency assist with directing environmental justice funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act to help stop the flow of pollutants and urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to tour the broken plant. 
  1. Also in July, they sent a letter to President Biden and submitted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, calling on the administration to declare this crisis a federal emergency. 
  1. In August, he led two letters to the Office of Management and Budget and to OMB and the State Department, calling for urgent additional funding to confront this crisis.  
  1. In September, he proposed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill to boost U.S.- Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Grant Program funding. Additionally, he proposed two amendments to the Fiscal Year 2024 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill to boost annual construction funding to the USIBWC to $100 million. 
  1. In October, Rep. Peters led a bipartisan letter to the Department of State demanding a complete account of how the SBIWTP fell into such a severe state of disrepair. 
  1. In December, he led a letter urging leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate to include President Biden’s $310 million supplemental budget request to repair the SBIWTP in any upcoming funding package. 

In previous years, Peters and colleagues have secured funding, introduced legislation, called for investigations, and arranged a visit by EPA Administrator Regan in response to the wastewater contamination crisis.  

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Congressman Scott Perry Introduces the Taiwan PLUS Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10), with Senator Rick Scott (FL), and co-sponsored by Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07), introduced the Taiwan PLUS Act to strengthen U.S.–Taiwan defense cooperation and ensure peak efficiency in delivering vital weapons systems to deter the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“Taiwan is on the front lines of CCP’s growing aggression, and it’s time our policies reflect the urgency of the threat,” said Congressman Perry. “This legislation streamlines our arms sales process to Taiwan, strengthens deterrence, and solidifies our commitment to defending American interests in the Indo-Pacific.”

Under current law, Taiwan must wait for congressional notification and a 30-day review period when requesting critical weapons systems exceeding low financial thresholds – $14 million for major defense equipment, $50 million for defense services, and $200 million for construction support. The Taiwan PLUS Act boosts these thresholds ($25 million, $100 million, and $300 million, respectively) to the same levels afforded to “NATO Plus” partners and shortens the review window to 15 days. By elevating Taiwan to the same status as trusted U.S. defense partners like Australia, Israel, and Japan, the bill removes red tape and improves speed and efficiency in military aid.

“Communist China has tried to intimidate and overpower our ally, Taiwan for years. Communist China has made clear they are more than willing to invade Taiwan as it continues its attacks on democracy around the world, and the United States must make clear we will continue to stand by Taiwan,” said Senator Rick Scott. The Taiwan PLUS Act will cut red tape and make it faster and easier for Taiwan to purchase the weapons it needs from the U.S. to defend itself should Communist China invade. Taiwan is a critical partner in the Indo-Pacific, and the U.S. must act with urgency to strengthen our defense ties to help our nation and our ally counter these threats from Communist China.“ 

Taiwan already is one of the United States’ closest defense collaborators – the top Foreign Military Sales customer in FY20, and historically tied with Japan as the third largest buyer since 1950. This bill ensures that future sales meet the moment by providing Taiwan with the tools needed to defend itself when needed.

“Streamlining the arms sale process will help ensure that Taiwan can defend itself in the face of Communist China’s reckless and relentless campaign of intimidation, said Congressman Tom Tiffany. “Promoting greater US-Taiwan security cooperation benefits both of our countries, and that’s exactly what this bill will do.“

As the CCP continues to escalate its hostile posture, the Taiwan PLUS Act sends a clear and unambiguous message: America stands with Taiwan, and will ensure our partners have the means to protect peace, freedom, and security in the Indo-Pacific.

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DelBene Introduces Legislation to Help Seniors Get Care They Need When They Need It

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), and John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), and Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (KS) and Mark Warner (VA) introduced an updated Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. The bipartisan, zero-cost legislation would help get seniors the care they deserve and allow health care providers to spend more time with patients by streamlining and modernizing the prior authorization process under Medicare Advantage.

Prior authorization is a tool used by health plans to reduce unnecessary care by requiring health care providers to get pre-approval for medical services. However, the current system often results in multiple faxes or phone calls by clinicians, which takes precious time away from delivering care. Prior authorization continues to be the number one administrative burden identified by health care providers, and nearly three out of four Medicare Advantage enrollees are subject to unnecessary delays due to the practice.

“While we’ve made progress streamlining prior authorization, this practice still results in too many seniors facing harmful delays in their care and providers spending too much time justifying common procedures instead of treating patients,” said DelBene. “Our bipartisan bill builds on that progress by bringing the system into the 21st century and ensuring seniors can access the timely, high-quality care they deserve. When seniors are fighting deadly illnesses, they shouldn’t have to fight their insurance company.”

In 2025, 34.5 million people are enrolled in Medicare, including nearly 760,000 in Washington.

In 2024, the Congressional Budget Office determined that the legislation would result in a zero cost to American taxpayers. Patients would receive better access to necessary care, and providers would see a significant regulatory burden.  

In recent years, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revealed that Medicare Advantage plans ultimately approved 75% of requests that were originally denied. More recently, HHS released a report finding that MA plans incorrectly denied beneficiaries access to services even though they met Medicare coverage rules. The bill focuses on holding Medicare Advantage plans accountable and transparent to the American public.

The bill would:

  • Establish an electronic prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans including a standardization for transactions and clinical attachments.
  • Increase transparency around Medicare Advantage prior authorization requirements and its use.
  • Clarify HHS’ authority to establish timeframes for e-prior authorization requests including expedited determinations, real-time decisions for routinely approved items and services, and other prior authorization requests.
  • Expand beneficiary protections to improve enrollee experiences and outcomes.
  • Require HHS and other agencies to report to Congress on program integrity efforts and other ways to further improve the e-prior authorization process.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act unanimously passed the House in the 117th Congress and was cosponsored by a majority of members in the Senate and House of Representatives in the 118th Congress. The bill also received endorsements from over 500 national and state organizations representing patients, physicians, Medicare Advantage plans, hospitals, and other key stakeholders in the health care industry. 

In January 2023, HHS finalized regulations that made many of the changes proposed in the legislation. The bill would codify these wins to ensure no future administration could undo them and make further improvements.

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Jayapal Statement on the Attempted Deportation of Immigrants to South Sudan

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, released the following statement regarding the attempted deportation of immigrants to South Sudan. 

“Any person convicted of serious crimes should be held accountable, and we have laws to govern that, including due process, which the Trump Administration has been violating. It is exactly for this reason that the courts have consistently blocked the Trump Administration from deporting immigrants to third-party countries, where they then claim they cannot get them back to obey the courts.

“And yet, again in violation of these court orders, the Trump Administration just unlawfully deported immigrants, attempting to send them to South Sudan, a country that the U.S. State Department currently has a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning for. It is extremely reprehensible to send immigrants to such a dangerous country, with armed conflict, rampant violent crime, and political and ethnic turmoil. Just two weeks ago, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudan, further acknowledging how dangerous the country currently is. 

“If the Trump Administration can disobey court orders for immigrants and send them into active war zones, who will be next — lawful permanent residents who use their free speech in a way this administration disagrees with? U.S. citizens who break the law? Trump’s political enemies? 

“Donald Trump is not a king. He is not above the law. He must obey the courts, full stop, and stop deporting immigrants in violation of their rights and the law.”

Issues:

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Congressman Sherman’s Bipartisan Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act Passes House Financial Services Committee

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 20th, the House Financial Services Committee voted to advance Congressman Brad Sherman’s (CA-32) bipartisan Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act, which he led along with Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), and Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (D-OR), clearing the way for its consideration on the House floor. 

The Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act makes a technical correction to a federal securities rule allowing Business Development Companies (BDCs) to access additional capital to invest in America’s small and medium sized businesses. Business development companies play a vital role in supporting small businesses around the nation who otherwise would be unable to access capital to grow their businesses. 

The most important thing that our financial institutions and capital markets do is provide capital for businesses, particularly small, medium-sized, and growing enterprises. These businesses are the engine of our economy, driving innovation, job creation, and regional economic development in ways that benefit every community. This bipartisan legislation will open the door for more investment in BDCs, thereby unlocking more capital for small and mid-sized businesses across the country. Importantly, it does so without rolling back investor protections or weakening existing SEC oversight.

“I’m pleased that the House Financial Services Committee passed this bill with broad bipartisan support, clearing the way for a vote by the full House,” said Congressman Brad Sherman. “I thank Chairman Hill and Ranking Member Waters for their assistance in advancing this legislation and urge House Republican leadership to swiftly bring it to the floor so that America’s small businesses can access the capital they need to grow and succeed.”

Senator David McCormick (R-PA) and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) have also recently introduced an identical version of Congressman Sherman’s bill in the Senate signaling bipartisan bicameral support. 

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Congresswoman Torres Proposes Key Amendments to Republican Budget Reconciliation to Protect Working Families and Strengthen Public Services

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

May 21, 2025

Amendments Address Critical Issues facing Californians, including higher taxes, Cuts to Healthcare and food assistance, and dangerous Trump Administration changes to Air Safety Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres introduced targeted amendments to the Republican Budget Reconciliation aimed at protecting working families’ access to healthcare, food assistance, fairness in tax policy, and protecting essential public services. These amendments address critical areas, including healthcare, SNAP, transportation, and infrastructure, ensuring that policies serve the best interests of American workers and communities.

“Republican budget proposals threaten essential programs that millions of Americans depend on,” said Congresswoman Torres. “These amendments are a necessary step to ensure that our tax policies, public services, and infrastructure investments are fair and effective in supporting the American people.”

The proposed amendments aim to address the issues in the Republican Budget Reconciliation bill, which includes cutting healthcare coverage for nearly 14 million people, reducing SNAP benefits by $300 billion, and leaving 42 million Americans facing cuts to their benefits:

  • Protect Healthcare and Prevent Medicaid Cuts: Torres is pushing to strike provisions to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid. This amendment would protect the healthcare of millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid for essential health services, including the nearly 340,000 adults and children in the Inland Empire who rely on Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program). Cuts to Medicaid disproportionately harm children, seniors, and people with disabilities. A cut to Medicaid is also a cut to Medicare, as 30% of Medicaid dollars support Medicare enrollees. 

  • Prevent Harmful SNAP Cuts: Torres is proposing an amendment to prevent $300 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which would endanger the food security of millions of American families, including 112,000 Americans in the Inland Empire. By striking these harmful provisions, nearly 90% of households that participate in SNAP have either a child, a senior, or an individual with disability. Rep. Torres seeks to protect vulnerable working families from losing access to the resources they need to stay healthy and nourished.

  • Lift the SALT Deduction Cap: Torres is advocating for the removal of the $10,000 cap on State and Local Tax (SALT) deductions that Trump signed into law in 2017. By limiting the SALT deduction to $10,000, the Trump 2017 Tax bill effectively raised taxes on Californians by eliminating their ability to deduct their state and local tax payments (including state income taxes and local property taxes) from their income for federal taxes. As residents of a state with a high cost of living and high housing costs, hardworking Californians are hit particularly hard by Trump’s cap on the SALT deduction. Californians pay more than their fair share of taxes, contributing $83 billion more in federal taxes than they received in return. Lifting the cap is about fairness and provides Californians with deserved tax relief in Trump’s high-priced economy.

  • Protect Aviation Safety and Ensure Fair FAA Staffing Practices: Torres introduced an amendment to keep the flying public safe, protecting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees from unlawful firings. The FAA has fired at least 400 individuals responsible for maintaining air traffic control systems. This amendment will ensure that no funds made available by this Act may be used to terminate a probationary or non-probationary employee unless an individual performance assessment is conducted. This amendment aims to prevent unlawful terminations, ensuring that FAA staff are treated fairly and that safety standards are upheld for the traveling public. This amendment protects local jobs while maintaining air travel safety standards at Ontario International and regional airports.

  • Support California’s Critical Infrastructure Needs: Torres is fighting back against the indefensible corruption of this Administration, specifically the newly released U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan to help only Republican leaning states, not all Americans equally. Torres is advocating for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to allocate resources for California’s water infrastructure, environmental restoration, and flood management projects. Given California’s challenges with drought, wildfires, and floods, this amendment is designed to strengthen the state’s infrastructure and ensure communities are better protected from environmental and flood-related disasters.

  • Remove harmful tax on remittances: Torres is fighting back against this bill’s unjust 5% federal tax on remittance transfers that targets immigrant communities. With Americans sending over $93 billion in 2023 to help families abroad with basic necessities, this tax would devastate economies in countries like Honduras, Haiti, and El Salvador, where remittances comprise up to 30% of GDP. This amendment would prevent harmful policies that destabilize regional allies, contradict migration management efforts, and punish those playing by the rules—ensuring our policies support rather than harm immigrant communities and diplomatic partnerships.

“These amendments are designed to protect the well-being of American families, ensure the long-term viability of essential public programs, and support fair policies that address the unique needs of communities across the country,” Congresswoman Torres added. “We cannot afford to let partisan politics undermine the services and resources that our citizens rely on every day.”

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Griffith Chairs Hearing with EPA Administrator Zeldin

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, held a hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2026 Environmental Protection Agency Budget.” The hearing, which featured Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, focused on the agency’s budget request for fiscal year 2026.

Chairman Griffith delivered his opening statement on the EPA’s ongoing work to rein in burdensome regulations and advance the “Powering the Great American Comeback” initiative. Click on link below.

Later in the hearing, Chairman Griffith directed questions to Administrator Zeldin on his agency’s work. See below.

BACKGROUND

In the 118th Congress, Rep. Griffith chaired the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations.

In 2024, Congressman Griffith chaired the hearing, “Fighting the Misuse of Biden’s Green Bank Giveaway.”

Later in 2024, Rep. Griffith helped lead a letter with then-Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of the Energy and Commerce Committee pressing the EPA for answers regarding Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) awards.

On April 11, 2025, Congressman Griffith joined Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie and Congressman Gary Palmer in an investigation into eight GGRF grant recipients.

In the 119th Congress, Congressman Griffith is serving his first term as chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment.

The Environment Subcommittee’s first two hearings of the year focused on the EPA’s regulation of chemical manufacturing and the administration of the Brownfields Program. 

Congressman Griffith recently announced EPA Brownfields grants coming to Virginia’s Ninth District. 

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