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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

San Francisco — Today, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi visited the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) to mark House Democrats’ Honor Our Veterans Day of Action and highlight the impact of the PACT Act ahead of its third anniversary. The visit focused on oversight of ongoing health system improvements, research advancements and the threat posed by House Republican efforts to defund and dismantle core VA services for America’s Veterans.

During the visit, Pelosi met with Interim Medical Director Neil Gordon and Chief of Staff Dr. Bruce Ovbiagele to discuss a range of issues—from expanding access to care through the PACT Act and advancing groundbreaking research on women Veterans, PTSD, Alzheimer’s, sexual trauma, and suicide prevention, to addressing workforce challenges like staffing shortages, retaining clinical expertise and delays in construction projects.

Donald Trump’s attack on Veterans’ health care has weakened the VA and made it harder—or even impossible—for Veterans to get the care they deserve. In July, House Republicans passed, and Donald Trump signed the Big, Ugly Bill into law, which will have devastating consequences for San Francisco Veterans and their families.

Meanwhile, House Democrats have been out in full force meeting with Veterans, holding hearings with Veterans and military families, and demanding the Trump Administration stop these cuts and strengthen Veterans’ benefits.

“Today we honor our Veterans not just by saying ‘thanks for your service.’ We honor them and their service by meeting their needs. As we listen to Veterans in our community and across the country, they talk about a wide range of subjects including housing, food, Medicaid and health care needs,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said.

Pelosi continued: “That’s why I’m proud to join our House Democrats on this Honor Our Veterans Day of Action to call on the Trump Administration to improve Veterans’ policy, improve their budget and to stop the VA privatization that the Republicans have been advocating for.”

More background information on how the Trump Administration’s actions are affecting Veterans HERE.

View and download photos from the Speaker Emerita’s visit HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), released the following statement following Amtrak’s announcement that NextGen Acela trains will enter service on August 28, 2025:

“I’m thrilled that later this month new high-speed Acela trains will begin service at 30th Street Station. These faster, more reliable trains are a win for Philadelphia’s economy, bringing new jobs and more visitors to support our local businesses.

As one of Congress’s strongest advocates for passenger rail, I’m proud to have championed record funding for Amtrak. From modernizing 30th Street Station to creating union jobs at our city’s new rail yard, these historic investments are delivering real results for Philadelphia.”

Background

• Philadelphia’s William H. Gray III 30th Street Station is the third-busiest station in Amtrak’s network, with more than 5 million intercity passengers served in fiscal year 2024.
• Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supported by Congressman Boyle, a new heavy maintenance facility is currently under construction near 30th Street Station.
• In fiscal year 2024, Amtrak spent over $227,000,000 on goods and services from businesses in Philadelphia.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, D.C. – California Congressional Representatives whose districts were harmed by the recent closure of five Planned Parenthood clinics due to Republicans’ Medicaid cuts, are calling upon the Trump Administration to comply with a Federal District Court injunction and reinstate this essential health care funding.

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), and Adam Gray (CA-13) led a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Trump and Republicans’ Big Ugly Budget Bill attacks the reproductive health services that women and families across the country rely upon, and intentionally targets Planned Parenthood by blocking Medicaid reimbursements. Due to the Administration’s anti-health care policies, Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, the largest network in the country that serves 300,000 patients annually in California and Nevada, was forced to close five clinics in South San Francisco, San Mateo, Gilroy, Santa Cruz and Madera.

“These centers, which have served over 23,000 patients in the past year, provided essential care to their communities, including cancer screenings and STI testing. [Republicans’] policy choices have also forced Planned Parenthood Mar Monte to sunset three of their services, which an ever-increasing number of patients have come to rely on: family medicine, behavioral health, and prenatal care,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter.

Planned Parenthood operates nearly 600 health centers across the nation that serve 2.1 million patients. About 1 in 3 women have been to a Planned Parenthood clinic in their lifetime, with 65% of patients living below 150% of the federal poverty line. It provides a range of preventative health care services including routine check ups, cancer and diabetes screenings, smoking cessation programs, and family medicine to people of all ages from prenatal care to menopause treatment.

“We urge you to recognize the important role reproductive health care centers play in expanding access to care and demand you comply with a federal court’s preliminary injunction halting enforcement of this harmful cut in funding,” the lawmakers wrote. “With so much instability in the health care system right now, our constituents should not have to bear the burden of health center closures. You have a duty to ensure that they, along with all Americans, have access to health care, including safe and quality reproductive care.”

Read the full letter here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Santa Cruz, CA – U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced that the Santa Cruz Port District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have officially executed a renewed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will permanently ensure the annual dredging of the Santa Cruz Harbor.  This agreement marks the culmination of four years of persistent negotiation and advocacy, and it guarantees a long-term, cost-sharing partnership to maintain a safe and navigable channel.

“For years, the Santa Cruz Harbor faced uncertainty over the long-term stability of its federal dredging support, putting local safety, jobs, and maritime access at risk,” said Rep. Panetta.  “This renewed agreement provides a permanent, cost-sharing solution that ensures the harbor remains safe, navigable, and operational year-round.  I’m proud to stand with our local leaders to ensure that the federal government deliver the resources for California’s 19^th Congressional District.”

The MOA provides for an ongoing cost-sharing arrangement in which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will contribute 35 percent of the annual dredging expenses, ensuring stable federal support for harbor operations moving forward.

“The Santa Cruz Port District is grateful for the support provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to maintain a safe and navigable channel for the boating public,” said Toby Goddard, Chair of the Santa Cruz Port Commission.  “Through this new cost-sharing agreement, the Port District will continue to perform annual dredging of the harbor entrance.  The Army Corps will contribute 35 percent of the annual expense to operate and maintain the dredge.  We are indebted to Congressman Panetta, who has worked diligently on behalf of the Port District to reach consensus, secure funding, and ensure continuing access to the waters of Monterey Bay.”

Santa Cruz Harbor plays a critical role on the Central Coast, supporting search and rescue missions, sustaining commercial and recreational boating, and serving as a harbor of refuge.  It is home to charter and commercial fishing operations, the U.S. Coast Guard’s seasonal Station Santa Cruz, and educational and environmental programs that benefit the broader community.

This milestone agreement follows Rep. Panetta’s years-long engagement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Office of Management and Budget, including formal requests for continued federal funding and robust engagement throughout the FY25 Work Plan process.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

San Jose, CA – U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), a former prosecutor, reintroduced the Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act, which would strengthen protections for undocumented immigrant victims and witnesses of crimes who cooperate with law enforcement.  The legislation aims to reduce barriers that prevent survivors from seeking justice and ensure they are not penalized for coming forward.  Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04) is co-leading this legislation in the 119th Congress.

Immigrant women and children are particularly vulnerable to abuse, with the domestic violence rate among immigrant women at three times the national average.  U and T visas are essential tools that allow undocumented victims and witnesses of serious crimes to safely assist law enforcement without fear of deportation.  The U Visa program currently operates under an annual statutory cap of 10,000, but the demand for these critical visas has drastically outpaced the supply.  

Despite federal protections such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and U and T visas, survivors often hesitate to report crimes due to fear of deportation or immigration-related retaliation. Project 2025, which is largely seen as the policy blueprint for a second Trump Administration, calls for the dismantling of the U and T visa programs.  A recent policy change from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has resulted in U and T visa applicants facing enforcement action.

The Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act would lift arbitrary caps on U visas, prevent the detention or deportation of eligible applicants before protections are granted, and establish a statutory timeline for issuing work authorization permits. These provisions would help ensure that survivors and witnesses can safely engage with the justice system and avoid further exploitation. 

“These days, with this Administration, many non-citizen victims and witnesses won’t come forward to report a crime, as they feel they will be deported rather than rewarded for participating in our criminal justice system,” said Rep. Panetta.  “My legislation would remove obstacles that prevent these undocumented individuals from cooperating with law enforcement without the risk of being detained or deported.  As a former prosecutor and now as a federal representative, I know that strengthening trust with our immigrant communities can be essential to holding criminals accountable and ensuring our overall public safety.”

“The Trump administration has subjected T and U visa applicants to immigration enforcement across the country, including in Milwaukee. Yessenia Ruano, a trafficking victim, T-visa applicant, and upstanding Milwaukee resident, was forced to self-deport before her application was fully reviewed. My other constituent, Ramon Morales Reyes, a U-visa applicant, was framed by the person who robbed him and wanted him deported before he could testify in a criminal case. He was detained before eventually receiving bond,” said Rep. Moore.  “By subjecting these vulnerable individuals to immigration enforcement, the Trump administration is helping create a two-tiered justice system that empowers criminal and discourages certain victims from coming forward.  Congress created these visas as a tool to make our communities safer and support the flow of critical information during criminal investigations.  This legislation creates stronger T and U visa protections, helping victims and law enforcement.”

The legislation is supported by numerous advocacy organizations working on behalf of immigrant rights, domestic violence prevention, and criminal justice reform. Supporting organizations include; Tahirih Justice Center, VALOR, ASISTA, Esperanza United, API-GBV, Freedom Network USA, Advocates for Human Rights, Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Cast), and End SIJS Backlog Coalition.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, DC — Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), both co-chairs of the Biofuels Caucus, announced introduction of the bipartisan Ethanol for America Act. This legislation would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize a rulemaking from 2021 to make the E15 fuel label clearer and more consumer-oriented. It would also confirm the compatibility of E15 with existing underground fuel storage and dispensing equipment, ensuring business owners are not required to make costly and unnecessary infrastructure changes.

Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

The members released the following statements.

“Estimates show access to E15 at the fuel pump can save consumers up to 30 cents per gallon,” said Rep. Smith. “This bipartisan bill recognizes E15 compatibility with existing infrastructure and reduces red tape for retailers who wish to provide consumers with more options at the pump. I thank Rep. Budzinski and Sens. Ernst and Klobuchar for their collaboration.”

“I’ve long been a strong advocate for year-round E15, having seen firsthand the benefits it brings to consumers at the pump and to the farmers across Central and Southern Illinois,” saidRep. Budzinski. “We should be doing everything we can to expand access, not create barriers, which is why I’m proud to join Representative Smith and Senators Ernst and Klobuchar in this important push for E15 storage and availability.”

“It’s no secret that access to E15 creates lower prices at the pump for consumers, value added to homegrown crops, stronger rural communities, and domestic energy dominance,” said Sen. Ernst. “I’m working to remove regulatory roadblocks and ensure biofuels are offered to folks filling up their cars using existing infrastructure at local gas stations across our nation. We cannot allow outdated red tape to stand in the way of unleashing the benefits of E15.”

Original cosponsors in the House of the Ethanol for America Act include Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Mike Flood (R-NE), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), and Brad Finstad (R-MN)

Read text of the legislation here.

The legislation is supported by industry groups including the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy, which provided the following statements.

“We thank Reps. Smith and Budzinski for introducing this commonsense legislation, which would lower pump prices for American consumers, bolster our nation’s energy security, and open new markets for our nation’s family farmers,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “The most effective way to keep a lid on gas prices is to expand and diversify the domestic fuel supply with higher ethanol blends like E15. Knocking down regulatory barriers and allowing E15 to be stored and distributed in existing infrastructure will lower fuel costs for Americans and strengthen the market’s resilience against global supply disruptions.”

“Consumer demand for E15 grows each year, but onerous labeling and underground tank requirements have prevented many retailers from expanding access to better options at the pump,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We applaud Representatives Smith and Budzinski for spearheading the push to complete the work that EPA started during President Trump’s first term and eliminate needless barriers standing between U.S. consumers and lower-cost E15. This important effort will put more homegrown energy into the marketplace, reduce prices at the pump, and open critical new markets for U.S. farmers and biofuel producers.”

Additionally, Smith, Budzinski, Ernst, and Klobuchar with 13 colleagues in the House and Senate sent a corresponding letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, calling on him to deem existing fuel infrastructure compatible with E15 and outlining: 

• Research shows underground storage tanks and dispensing equipment compatible with E10 are also compatible with E15
• E15 is approved for 96 percent of vehicles on the road today with over 160 billion miles driven using E15, proving it is a safe and reliable choice
• E15 routinely offers lower prices—saving drivers 10 to 30 cents per gallon—and approving current infrastructure avoids costly upgrades for retailers
• Expanding E15 access boosts demand for U.S.-grown corn and strengthens farm incomes, helping create domestic markets for agricultural products. 

BACKGROUND:

Congressman Smith first introduced a bill to approve year-round sale of E15 in 2015.

On February 6, 2025, Smith led nearly 30 colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to EPA  Administrator Lee Zeldin. The letter emphasized the important role of the American biofuels industry in maximizing energy abundance and affordability while encouraging the EPA to issue timely and science-driven guidance to fulfill the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).

On February 13, Smith introduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to enable the year-round, nationwide sale of E15. Read more about the bipartisan, bicameral legislation here.

On March 11, Smith led a bipartisan press conference highlighting grassroots support for eliminating restrictions on E15 sales.

On April 22, Smith led 25 members of Congress in a letter urging the administration to lower prices at the pump by providing a summertime E-15 waiver.

On May 16, Smith joined 25 colleagues in a letter to the President urging for robust blending requirements in the ongoing RFS rulemaking.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

SAN BENITO, TEXAS – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez announced that he sent a letter to Juan Agudelo, ICE Field Office Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations, urging the agency to provide Juana Melendez additional time to submit a new Military Parole-in-Place application which would delay her deportation. With the assistance of her immigration attorney, she submitted an appeal that is awaiting a decision by USCIS. 

Ms. Melendez is currently scheduled to be deported after living in South Texas for 25 years, owning a small landscaping business, and raising her children, two of which are proud active-duty U.S. service members.  

“This is shameful and deeply un-American,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “The Trump Administration’s mass deportation policies are not only causing economic harm to our communities, they are now breaking military families apart. We cannot deport families of American heroes that pay taxes and contribute positively to our community. Her children are dutifully serving our country, her small business is providing growth and opportunities for our community, how can anyone truly justify this?”

Read the full letter HERE.

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

Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) released the following statement:

“The ongoing hunger crisis in Gaza is tragic, and all must come together to reverse it immediately. Israel, the United Nations, and all NGOs operating in Gaza must work to surge humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza – not Hamas or criminal gangs, who exacerbate this hunger crisis by reselling free aid for astronomical prices in local markets. The best way to undercut this criminal enterprise is to flood Gaza with food aid and eliminate scarcity. 

I welcome the steps Israel has taken, including instituting humanitarian pauses and conducting airdrops of aid. However, these steps alone are not sufficient – it is clear that the current aid delivery system needs to be scaled up to adequately meet the needs in Gaza. That includes significantly increasing the number of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s distribution sites to prevent crowding, establishing safer distribution processes, and distributing higher quantities of aid each and every day. 

I also call on all UN agencies and NGOs delivering aid to stop playing politics and work with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to improve the aid delivery process – all mechanisms to feed Gazans should be pursued, and there shouldn’t be a turf war between the traditional aid agencies and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. 

Of particular concern is the scores of truckloads of food that are sitting inside Gaza but not being distributed by aid organizations. Israel has agreed to distribute this food inside Gaza or to allow the World Food Program and other aid organizations to distribute it within Gaza. Yet the World Food Program and others are unwilling to distribute the food within Gaza or let Israel do so. 

The fastest way to alleviate the suffering of Gazans and the hostages is for Hamas to release the hostages and lay down its arms and depart for Iran or another country willing to accept them. This would pave the way for legitimate Arab-led governance and allowing Gaza to be rebuilt. 

Those who criticize Israel but are silent in the face of Hamas’s starvation of hostages like Evyatar David and fail to place any pressure or accountability on Hamas only embolden Hamas’s continued rejection of ceasefire offers and encourage them to carry on with the fighting. Hamas must be defeated, and Israel and all aid agencies must work together to surge aid into Gaza immediately and alleviate this crisis.” 

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

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), author of the bipartisan Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act and the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act, which was signed into law in 2021, today issued the following statement on the FBI’s release of 2024 hate crimes statistics:

“According to the FBI’s release of 2024 hate crimes statistics, only 16,419 agencies out of 18,800 agencies nationwide participated in hate crimes data collection, with 81 percent of agencies reporting zero hate crimes including at least 57 localities with populations of 100,000 or more. The 2024 hate crimes statistics illustrate the urgent need to improve hate crimes reporting across the country and in particular, accurate hate crimes reporting from law enforcement agencies representing cities with populations of 100,000 or more. 

“The jurisdictions that did report hate crimes reported 11,679 offenses, the second-largest total since the FBI started keeping data. Religiously motivated incidents increased by 3.1 percent with 3,096 offenses reported, and of those 69 percent were anti-Jewish incidents. 7,043 of the hate crime offenses reported were motivated by race, ethnicity, or ancestry, and 50.4% of these reported offenses were motivated by anti-Black bias. 

“Accurate and reliable hate crimes data is key to keeping our communities safe and preventing hate crimes from happening. But right now, major gaps in reporting make that hard. I wrote the Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act to help address these challenges.

“The lack of credible and complete national hate crimes data collection poses a significant challenge to prevention efforts. Congress must pass the Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act to ensure we accurately collect this data and use it effectively in the fight against hate.”

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

As a Parent, Caregiver, Former Service Industry Worker, Pressley Has Been a Consistent and Strident Champion for Workers and Organized Labor

Earlier This Year, Pressley Condemned Trump’s Attack on Unions and Collective Bargaining Rights for Federal Workers

BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), a longstanding champion for workers and organized labor, issued the following statement slamming the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for terminating the collective bargaining agreements for most VA bargaining unit employees. As a parent, caregiver, and former service industry worker, Congresswoman Pressley has consistently advocated for policies that bolster workers’ rights and strengthen labor unions.

“Yesterday’s brazen decision by the Trump Administration to put union-busting before the hard-working VA staff and the veterans they serve is devastating and shameful. Unilaterally terminating collectively bargained contracts for more than 330,000 workers nationwide—most of whom are represented by the American Federation of Government Employees, and close to 4,000 employees in VA Boston alone, is part of this administration’s continued assault on dedicated public servants and a total disregard for the health and well-being of the veterans and families that rely on services they provide.

“Donald Trump and VA Secretary Doug Collins may believe they can silence the workers who have called out this administration’s hollow promises to our veterans, but we will fight this dangerous and blatant attack on the nurses, doctors, benefits specialists, housekeepers, electricians, painters, food service workers, mental health clinicians, janitors and other hardworking people caring for the veterans this administration uses as a prop. I call on the Trump Administration to immediately reverse this decision.”

Earlier this year, Pressley condemned Trump’s executive order to end collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees.

Rep. Pressley has been a committed voice for federal workers pushing back against the Trump Administration’s efforts to decimate federal agencies. In a House Oversight Committee hearing in March, Rep. Pressley slammed Republicans for attempting to gut federal unions and weaken worker protections.

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