MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) alongside Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led a coalition of over 80 Members in the House and Senate in filing an amicus brief urging the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to vacate the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) unlawful termination of the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Solar for All program.

The $7 billion Solar for All program was designed to help low-and moderate-income communities invest in residential and community solar projects – lowering energy costs for working families while creating jobs in the clean energy economy. The program was expected to deliver solar access to more than 900,000 households nationwide and save participating families an estimated $350 million annually on utility bills. 

“The Solar For All program was created by Congress, funded by Congress, and signed into law to lower energy costs for working families while accelerating the transition to clean energy,” said Congressman Cleaver. “This administration does not have the authority to unilaterally dismantle a program established by statute. That’s not how our Constitution works. This amicus brief defends both the rule of law and the communities – like those across Missouri – that were counting on these investments to reduce utility bills, create jobs, and confront the climate crisis. I am grateful to Congresswoman Fletcher and Senator Whitehouse for the collaboration on this effort and to all of my colleagues who joined us.”

“Solar for All is one of the most important affordable energy programs in our country’s history,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “The Trump administration’s decision to terminate Solar for All was not just reckless — it was unlawful. Congress established the Solar for All program. Congress appropriated the funds for it. No president or political appointee can unilaterally eliminate a program Congress has created. We created this program to serve every American, in red states and blue states alike. We wanted to make sure that families from El Paso to Elkhart, Amarillo to Austin, and Houston to Harlingen could all share in the prosperity of America’s energy future. That is why Harris County is suing — not for politics, but for principle — and why I am glad to join Congressman Cleaver and Senator Whitehouse in this effort to support Harris County.

“I am grateful to all of my colleagues who joined us, especially our newest, Congressman Christian Menefee, who filed this lawsuit as Harris County Attorney,” concluded Congresswoman Fletcher.

During the Biden Administration, EPA awarded Solar for All grants to 60 state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and Tribal governments across all 50 states. The program is part of the IRA’s $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Rep. Cleaver is leading the amicus brief alongside colleagues in the House and Senate to defend Congress’s constitution power of the purse and ensure communities receive the clean energy investments promised under the law. 

The amicus brief was signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Edward Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) as well as Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Diana DeGette (D-CO), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Adam Smith (D-WA), John B. Larson (D-CT), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Joe Courtney (D-CT), André Carson (D-IN), Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Ed Case (D-HI), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Ted W. Lieu (D-CA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX), Susie Lee (D-NV), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Deborah K. Ross (D-NC), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Shontel M. Brown (D-OH), Becca Balint (D-VT), Greg Casar (D-TX), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Valerie P. Foushee (D-NC), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Summer L. Lee (D-PA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), Robert J. Menendez (D-NJ), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Wesley Bell (D-MO), Janelle S. Bynum (D-OR), Herb Conaway (D-NJ), Laura Friedman (D-CA), Sara McBride (D-DE), Dave Min (D-CA), Emily Randall (D-WA), Christian Menefee (D-TX).

See full amicus brief here. 

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.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) announced $13,591,865.00 in direct federal funding for Community Project Funding for Illinois’ 4th District, benefitting 15 organizations. This funding represents the latest installment in more than $63 million across 54 projects in targeted federal investments delivered to IL-04 since 2022—resources centered on the district’s urgent needs.

“I am pleased to have secured $13,591,865.00 in Community Project Funding to address vital needs in our district,” Congressman García said. “Over the years, we’ve focused on investments that address the district’s urgent concerns. This round includes funding for lead pipe replacement, bus service improvements, updates to classrooms for students with disabilities, and upgraded radios for police departments. I am proud to have delivered these investments to improve the health and safety of my district. 

• $2,000,000 for the Village of North Riverside to replace eight blocks of deteriorated plain cement concrete public alleys with a new permeable pavement that is designed to naturally drain and redirect rainwater away from the Village’s collection system and into the soil underneath.
• $2,000,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, to rehabilitate the Village of Forest View’s water system, which includes an elevated tank that holds 250,000 gallons of water. This project will also rehabilitate their underground reservoir, holding approximately 500,000 gallons of water. 
• $1,092,000 for Leyden Township to replace its water main. This project will also replace lead water pipes that are harmful to human health. 
• $1,092,000 for the Town of Cicero to construct a new water pumping station that includes a finished water reservoir. This project will improve the water quality and supply for the region.
• $1,092,000 for the Village of Hinsdale to reduce sewer flow into Flagg Creek. The reconstruction includes a sewer separation project that will replace the water main and sanitary sewer lining. 
• $1,092,000 for the Village of Melrose Park to replace existing deteriorated water mains. The condition of the current system is causing service interruptions to residents. 
• $1,024,207 for the Village of Berkeley to begin replacing lead service lines in accordance with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s mandate for the provision of safe, lead-free drinking water to the residents of Illinois.
• $1,000,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, to support sewer infrastructure improvements in the Village of Riverside that will reduce flooding and prevent sewer backups in homes and buildings during heavy rain. This project will improve system capacity and reliability while reducing pressure on regional sewer infrastructure. 
• $623,000 for the Village of Brookfield, to modernize police communications and safety infrastructure, improving coordination, reliability, and training for officers serving the community.
• $750,000 for the City of Elmhurst to modernize police communications and safety equipment, including portable radios, officer training tools, and updated response technology. 
• $452,408 in funding for building updates and rehabilitation to the Summit Public Library District. The needed facility improvements to the roofing and HVAC will ensure that the library remains a functioning space and conserves valuable books, documents, and technology. 
• $446,250 to modernize classrooms at Richard J. Daley College, expanding accessible career training for adults with intellectual, sensory, developmental, and physical disabilities and strengthening pathways to employment. 
• $428,000 for the Village of Stickney to modernize police communication equipment.
• $250,000 for Pace, to implement transit signal priority (TSP) on North Avenue, one of the busiest corridors between Melrose Park and Northlake. The project will update traffic signals to improve bus reliability, improve travel times, and promote access to public transportation. 
• $250,000 for infrastructure needed to support the Village of Franklin Park’s downtown expansion by funding streetscape and landscaping improvements on Franklin Avenue from 25th Avenue east to Edgington Street. The project will allow safer access to downtown businesses, public transportation, and park facilities for residents and visitors.

The Community Project Funding (CPF) process allows Members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the communities they represent. CPF is separate from federal grants, and funding is apportioned by formula. CPFs are also not regular appropriations requests, which deal with overall funding levels for federal programs.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (43rd District of California)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, introduced the Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act in the House of Representatives today.

“The children and families of Gaza have been devastated by the war, and the food assistance being provided is far from sufficient,” said Congresswoman Waters. “The children of Gaza deserve three meals a day to begin to recover from the war and to grow up healthy and strong. My bill requires the State Department to ensure this minimum standard for children and families in Gaza.”

According to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, 1.6 million people in Gaza – more than 75 percent of the population – “are projected to face extreme levels of acute food insecurity and critical malnutrition risks^[1].” Furthermore, nearly 101,000 children aged 6 to 59 months are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition through mid-October of 2026, and that is expected to include more than 31,000 severe cases^[2].

“More than three-quarters of the people of Gaza are facing acute hunger and malnutrition, and this is clearly unacceptable,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Children and families in Gaza deserve better.”

While food assistance has begun to enter Gaza since the October 10^th ceasefire, it is far from sufficient to meet the tremendous needs of the people. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that as of January 4^th, their partners were able to resume distribution of monthly food rations for the first time since October of 2023, but these rations were only able to reach 100,000 people^[3].

“I introduced the Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act to require the State Department to certify that policies, processes, and procedures have been established and are in use to ensure that sufficient food assistance is being provided to ensure that all children in Gaza are able to eat at least three nutritious meals a day, and all other civilians in Gaza are able to eat at least two nutritious meals a day,” said Congresswoman Waters.

The policies, processes, and procedures required by the bill must be developed in coordination with the World Food Program (WFP), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and other appropriate United Nations agencies, other bilateral, multilateral, and independent donors, the Government of Israel, and representatives of the Palestinian people. The bill will also require the State Department to report to Congress on how much food assistance is being distributed in Gaza and promptly inform Congress of instances in which food assistance that is made available for the people of Gaza has been denied entry into Gaza or has been diverted or misused in Gaza along with a description of each incident and the parties involved.

Congresswoman Waters’ bill is endorsed by the Center for International Policy Advocacy, Foreign Policy For America (FP4A), Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), J Street, New Israel Fund, New Jewish Narrative, Partners for Progressive Israel, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, and Win Without War.

Congresswoman Waters’ bill is cosponsored by Representatives André Carson (IN-07), Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Betty McCollum (MN-04), James P. McGovern (MA-02), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC).

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced a House resolution to honor the victims of the mass shooting that took place at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, Illinois on February 15, 2019.

Five innocent people were killed, and six police officers were injured when a shooter, who was illegally in possession of a firearm, opened fire at the Henry Pratt Company warehouse in Aurora.

The House resolution honors the memory of the victims – Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clayton “Clay” Parks, Josh Pinkard, and Trevor Wehner – who were killed. It also recognizes the service of the Aurora Police officers – Adam Miller, Marco Gomez, John Cebulski, James Zegar, Reynaldo Rivera, and Diego Avila – who were injured responding to the shooting.

“On February 15, 2019, five members of the Aurora community were taken far too soon in a senseless act of gun violence. It’s hard to believe it has been nearly seven years since this tragedy, and our hearts go out to the victims’ friends and families during this difficult time of remembrance,” said Rep. Foster. “I’m proud to introduce this resolution to honor the victims’ memories and the courage of the police officers who rushed into danger to protect innocent people, six of whom were injured in the shooting. We cannot forget the events of that day, and we must remain committed to putting an end to these tragedies once and for all.”

Full text of the House resolution is available here.

The resolution is cosponsored by the entire Illinois Democratic House delegation: Reps. Lauren Underwood, Sean Casten, Danny Davis, Robin Kelly, Brad Schneider, Mike Quigley, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Jan Schakowsky, Jesús “Chuy” García, Nikki Budzinski, Jonathan Jackson, Delia Ramirez, and Eric Sorensen.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

February 13, 2026

Washington, D.C.—Today, Reps. Mike Levin (CA-49) and Hillary Scholten (MI-3) reintroduced the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, to address plastic pollution in our nation’s waterways and along our coasts.

This bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a rule that prohibits the discharge of plastic pellets and other types of plastic into our nation’s waters. Currently, EPA does not have an established federal rule to address plastic pellets specifically, and most states do not have meaningful regulations to combat plastic pollution.

“Much of our coastal district relies on the beautiful coastline to support our local economy, bolster tourism, sustain wildlife, and provide recreational opportunities,” said Rep. Levin. “Plastic pellets not only pollute our waterways and our coastline, but they also endanger public health. The damage they cause is preventable. Our Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act would end the discharge of plastic pellets into our nation’s waters and protect our treasured natural resources. I thank Rep. Scholten for her partnership on this bill, and I look forward to it moving through the legislative process.”

“In West Michigan, we care deeply about protecting the rivers and lakes our communities rely on every day,” said Rep. Scholten. “That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, which would require the EPA to set clear rules to prevent microplastics from entering our waterways in the first place. This commonsense step will help keep our environment clean, protect wildlife, and preserve the natural resources that make Michigan such a special place for generations to come.”

Plastic pellets are a form of microplastics. When dumped or spilled into the ocean and our waterways, these pellets absorb toxic chemicals and attract harmful bacteria that threaten marine life. Seabirds, fish, and other wildlife often mistake pellets for food, ingesting these hazardous substances. For these animals, pellets can block their digestive tracts, threaten their lives, and ultimately even contaminate the food humans eat.

The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act would prevent further ecological and public health harm from plastic pollution by requiring the EPA to issue a rule addressing plastic pellets nationwide.

The bill is endorsed by the American Bird Conservancy, Environment America, Environment California, Environment Michigan, Oceana, Ocean Conservancy, PIRG, Surfrider, 5 Gyres.

“Plastic pellets in the environment can harm birds that confuse this type of pollution for food,” said Annie Chester, Policy Director at American Bird Conservancy. “The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act would prohibit discharges of plastic pellets, safeguarding waterways that birds and people rely upon. American Bird Conservancy thanks Reps. Levin and Scholten for championing this legislation.”

“Plastic pollution is everywhere—from the beaches of California to Pennsylvania’s top trout streams, and from the Great Lakes down to the Gulf Coast of Texas. Sometimes, it’s obvious, for example, ubiquitous plastic grocery bags. But perhaps a bigger problem is something much smaller—the hard-to-notice plastic pellet. When animals ingest this plastic, they can get sick and even die. We should be doing everything we can to stop plastic pollution, but shockingly, some companies still dump and spill large quantities of plastic pellets directly into our waterways. That’s why it’s urgent that Congress pass the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act,” said Lisa Frank, Executive Director, Environment America

“Oceana thanks Representatives Mike Levin and Hillary Scholten for addressing plastic pollution by reintroducing the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act,” said Christy Leavitt, Senior Campaign Director at Oceana. “Plastic pellets can easily spill or wash into our oceans, rivers, and lakes, and they are extremely difficult to clean up because of their small size. These tiny pieces of plastic contribute to the growing plastic pollution crisis and flood of plastic into our oceans and fresh waterways. Congress should pass this much needed bill to protect our coasts, communities, and wildlife.”

“The Clean Water Act is meant to protect our nation’s waters from pollution, but right now tiny plastic pellets are literally slipping through the cracks in huge quantities,” said Dr. Anja Brandon, Director of Plastics Policy at Ocean Conservancy. “These microplastics can resemble fish eggs and are often ingested by seabirds, turtles, fish, and other marine life. We applaud Rep. Levin for reintroducing the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act to leverage America’s landmark water pollution law to keep deadly plastic pellets out of our ocean. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress to pass this commonsense legislation in our fight against the ocean plastics crisis.”

“Hundreds of citizen scientists participating in last year’s International Plastic Pellet Count found nearly 50,000 plastic pellets in waterways around the world in just a matter of minutes, primarily in the United States. That’s just the tip of the iceberg: an estimated 10 trillion plastic pellets end up in our oceans each year. Plastic pellets can escape into the environment at every step of the supply chain, and despite their small size, cause big problems for our environment, especially our waterways, where they can harm wildlife and public health. U.S. PIRG is calling on Congress to pass the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act to address this often unseen threat,” said Grace Vickers, Beyond Plastic Associate at PIRG.

“Some of the most harmful plastic pollution is also the hardest to see,” said Jenna Schwerzmann, Plastic Pollution Initiative Coordinator with the Surfrider Foundation. “Our oceans are already overwhelmed with plastic at the end of its life; plastic producers should not be adding to that burden by allowing preventable losses of virgin plastic before it even becomes a product. The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act is a commonsense step to stop this pollution at its source and hold polluters accountable.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) led 77 of her colleagues, including every Democratic Representative of the California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota delegations in urging the Trump Administration to immediately restore public health grant funding to those states. This comes after the Administration terminated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants that support core public health infrastructure and disease prevention. 

“Reports have indicated the Administration intends to cut tens of millions in public health funding to California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota,” wrote the Members. “These cuts will unnecessarily hamstring our state and local public health departments and community organizations, putting our constituents’ health at risk. We urge you to restore this funding immediately.”

The funding cuts broadly target grants that support public health staffing, data modernization, and surveillance, as well as HIV and STI prevention programs, and health programs serving communities that have historically faced barriers to care. The Members warned these terminations would weaken states’ ability to detect, contain, and respond to outbreaks, which is especially reckless during the current active measles outbreak. They argued the cuts target the core infrastructure public health relies on.

They also argued the move fits a broader pattern: President Trump has repeatedly threatened to withhold federal support from Democratic led states and cities in moments of crisis, from social services to disaster relief. Now, they write, the Administration is again pulling back congressionally approved funds for political reasons, not public health needs.

The members demanded the following:

• A full list of terminated grants and grants under consideration to be cut in the coming weeks
• A rationale for why impacted grants are “inconsistent with agency priorities.”
• What the Department’s justification is for targeting grants only in California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota
• Whether the Department planning to rescind public health funding in additional states

“It is within your power to end this cycle of alarming actions to erode public health,” the Members concluded. “We strongly urge you to reverse these terminations, as the real-world consequences for the health and safety of all Americans is at stake.”

Representatives Robin Kelly (IL-02), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Sean Casten (IL-06), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), and Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) co-led the letter. 

Full text of the letter is available HERE.

Congresswoman Matsui has long fought to strengthen the nation’s public health system, expand access to prevention and care, and ensure communities have the resources needed to respond quickly to outbreaks and emerging threats. Most recently, the Congresswoman reintroduced the Public Health Funding Restoration Act to restore funding to the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF), which is the nation’s first mandatory funding stream dedicated to improving our public health system. More information on the Congresswoman’s record on a broad range of health care issues can be found HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Representatives Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) and Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) led 14 of their Ways and Means Democratic colleagues in calling on the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to investigate the leak of 47,000 taxpayers’ confidential information by the Internal Revenue Service to the Department of Homeland Security. 

Despite strict privacy laws protecting taxpayers, the IRS agreed last April to share sensitive information, including names and addresses, of individuals who were being targeted for immigration enforcement. This agreement is just another example of the Trump administration recklessly and unlawfully violating the rights of immigrants and working families. Federal courts have since held that sharing this private data violates taxpayers’ rights.

“When agencies take advantage of public trust by illegally sharing taxpayer data, it creates an environment wherein undocumented individuals are not comfortable complying with tax law,” the members wrote. “Undocumented immigrants have paid taxes for years with assurances that they can safely do so – this illegal action has pulled the rug out from under working individuals who are trying to comply with the law.”

In addition to Sánchez, Thompson, Gomez, and Sewell, the letter was signed by Representatives Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), John Larson (D-Conn.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Suzan K. DelBene (D-Wash.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Stacey Plaskett (D-V.I.) and Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.).

Full text of the letter is available HERE and follows:

Ms. Heather M. Hill
Acting Inspector General for Tax Administration
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
901 D St SW, Suite 600 
Washington, DC 20024

Dear Acting Inspector General Hill:

As members of the Committee on Ways and Means, we ask the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to immediately investigate the leak of confidential taxpayer information of 47,000 individuals reported today by the Washington Post in this morning’s article entitled IRS improperly disclosed confidential immigrant tax data to DHS.

Not only does this action endanger working, tax paying individuals who contribute to our economy, but it disincentivizes tax compliance for everyone. When agencies take advantage of public trust by illegally sharing taxpayer data, it creates an environment wherein undocumented individuals are not comfortable complying with tax law. Undocumented immigrants have paid taxes for years with assurances that they can safely do so – this illegal action has pulled the rug out from under working individuals who are trying to comply with the law. We are seeing an increasing rise of violence and illegality in President Trump’s immigration enforcement; it is highly unprecedented and completely inappropriate that the Department of the Treasury should take part in such efforts.

Since February 2025, we have been deeply concerned that confidential taxpayer information protected by Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code was being unlawfully and unjustly disclosed to or accessed by other government agencies. In fact, just last week, the Department of the Treasury responded to a letter from many members of this committee, alongside other Members of Congress, stating that they “share[d] our commitment to taxpayer privacy.” 

On February 16, 2023, Chairman Jason Smith wrote to the Department of [the] Treasury regarding a previous disclosure of private information, which has now resulted in the President suing the Internal Revenue Service for $10 billion. We similarly ask the following:

“Therefore, I request that TIGTA commit in writing that it will complete the following actions:

1. Conduct a comprehensive and timely investigation.
2. Produce a report that summarizes TIGTA’s investigation with findings and recommendations.
3. Provide these Members with a full copy of TIGTA’s unredacted report.
4. Make as much of that report public as possible, consistent with 26 U.S.C. § 6103.”

Thank you in advance for your attention to this request. We look forward to learning the results of your investigation.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – This week, Representative Tom Cole (R-OK), along with Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), introduced H.R. 7490, the Tribal Warrant Fairness Act, to grant the United States Marshal Service (USMS) the authority to both execute arrest warrants on behalf of Tribal law enforcement and assist in searching for missing children.

After introducing the legislation, the Representatives released the following statements:

“For far too long, predators have preyed on vulnerable children in Indian Country at alarming rates. Yet, Tribal law enforcement still faces obstacles and limitations when it comes to holding these predators accountable,” said Representative Cole. “By improving coordination and strengthening the partnership between USMS and Tribal law enforcement, the Tribal Warrant Fairness Act will make Native American communities safer and ultimately bring more criminals to justice. I would like to thank Representatives Issa, Larsen, and Leger Fernandez for their coordination on this legislation, as it is critical that Tribal governments have the resources they need to protect their children.”

“I’m proud to join my colleagues as we introduce the Tribal Warrant Fairness Act and reaffirm our shared commitment to the rule of law across all jurisdictions. This much-needed legislation will specifically strengthen public safety in these communities by improving coordination between Tribal and federal authorities and ensuring law enforcement is empowered to act swiftly in urgent cases, especially involving missing children,” said Representative Issa.

“Tribal warrants should be enforced to the fullest extent of the law, just like all other warrants,” said Representative Larsen. “I thank Chair Cole for his work to uphold Tribal sovereignty in Congress. I will continue working with him to better support Tribal law enforcement through this bill and other efforts to keep Tribes and communities across Northwest Washington safe.”

“For too long, jurisdictional gaps have made it harder to protect Native children,” said Representative Leger Fernandez. “When a Native American child goes missing, tribes should be able to utilize every tool to find them. Our bipartisan Tribal Warrant Fairness Act strengthens coordination between tribal and federal authorities, respects tribal sovereignty, and helps keep children safe.”

Background:

In 2023, the Not Invisible Act Commission found that federal law has set limitations on Tribal law enforcement, one of which is the inability and lack of authority for the United States Marshal Service (USMS) to assist Tribal law enforcement with warrants for arrest and searching for missing children, as the USMS would normally do with state, federal, and local agencies. Ultimately, this limits the USMS’ ability to execute Tribal arrest warrants.

The Tribal Warrant Fairness Act would grant the USMS the authority to execute arrest warrants on behalf of Tribal law enforcement and allow the USMS to assist Tribal law enforcement in searching for missing children. Additionally, this legislation would allow for a more rapid apprehension of violent suspects, grant the authority to the USMS to act on an individual who has a violent felony arrest warrant from Tribal courts and poses a threat to public safety outside of Tribal lands, and allow the participation of Tribal law enforcement in the Fugitive Apprehension Task Forces.

Overall, the Tribal Warrant Fairness Act will improve public safety, enhance interagency cooperation, and close jurisdictional gaps that often hinder law enforcement efforts on Tribal lands.

H.R. 7490 is a bicameral, bipartisan bill, as it was also introduced by Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) in the Senate. The legislation has also been endorsed by the United States Marshal Service (USMS), the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET), the National Native American Law Enforcement Association (NNALEA), and the Coalition of Large Tribes (COLT).

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