MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

Elden Irish, recent graduate of Rangeley High School, won for a photograph of his grandfather, which will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for the next year

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21) and David Valadao (CA-22), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Portuguese Caucus, reintroduced a resolution recognizing June as Portuguese National Heritage Month. This resolution highlights the countless contributions that millions of Portuguese Americans have made to our nation.
“I’m honored to represent a community with deep Portuguese roots. As the grandson of Portuguese immigrants, I have seen firsthand the values of hard work, family, and perseverance that have shaped generations of Portuguese Americans,” said Rep. Costa. “As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we recognize the lasting contributions Portuguese Americans have made to the San Joaquin Valley and our nation, as well as the enduring friendship between the United States and Portugal.”
“Like many Portuguese Americans, my parents came to the United States from the Azores Islands of Portugal in pursuit of the American Dream and greater opportunities for their children,” said Congressman Valadao. “That same determination has inspired generations of Portuguese Americans to make lasting contributions to our communities here in the Central Valley and across the nation. As co-chair of the Congressional Portuguese Caucus, I’m honored to recognize the impact of the Portuguese American community by formally designating June as Portuguese National Heritage Month.”
Read the full resolution HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the office of Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) hosted Bryan Santizo, a sophomore from Hialeah attending Florida’s iMater Charter Middle and High School, who is this year’s winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Florida’s 26th Congressional District. Bryan, joined by his mother, toured the U.S. Capitol, where he viewed his piece “Horse,” which now hangs in the halls of the U.S. Capitol.

Bryan’s artwork, titled “Horse,” was selected from among 139 entries submitted by students from 21 participating schools. His piece will be displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Student: Bryan Santizo, 10th Grade, iMater Charter Middle and High School

Art Teacher: Jen Medina

Medium: Acrylic paint on canvas

Description: “Horse”

Background

Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, including in Florida’s 26th Congressional District.

The Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all high school students in our District. The winning artwork of our district’s competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will include the winning artwork from all participating districts from around the country. The winning artwork is also featured onHouse.gov‘s Congressional Art Competition page.

For more information about the Congressional Art Competition, please visit: https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/youth-and-kids/art-competition

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) led 25 Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to the Home Depot Inc. and Lowe’s Home Improvement executive leadership requesting information regarding the growing number of federal immigration enforcement operations occurring at or near Home Depot and Lowe’s store locations nationwide. 

These operations have increased significantly since President Trump took office, particularly after White House Advisor Stephen Miller directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to target these stores in order to meet detention and deportation quotas. As a result, there have been numerous troubling incidents at or near these locations that have endangered workers, customers, day laborers, vendors, and surrounding communities. These incidents have included the arrests of U.S. citizens, physical altercations, dangerous vehicle pursuits, medical emergencies, injuries, and the detention of individuals attempting to document enforcement activity. 

Some of these incidents have been fatal. In August 2025, Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez, a 52-year-old laborer, was fatally struck by a vehicle on a nearby freeway after fleeing federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation at a Home Depot in Monrovia, California. In another incident outside of a Home Depot in Los Angeles, federal agents arrested a U.S. citizen, entered the individual’s vehicle, and drove away while the individual’s one-year-old daughter was strapped to the back seat of the car.

The Members wrote:

“While we recognize that your companies do not control federal immigration enforcement operations and may not receive advance notice of such activity, these operations have occurred repeatedly at or near your stores across the country. As Members of Congress, we believe it is important to understand what information your companies possess regarding these incidents and what steps are being taken to protect the safety of workers, customers, bystanders, and surrounding communities.”

“Doing nothing, while there is a human rights crisis happening in your community or at your stores is not an option.  And basic transparency is a modest and critical first step,” said Salvador G. Sarmiento, staff attorney and campaign director at the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON). “Everyone is doing what we can, and we need these stores to show up, and do something.  Because right now, these stores are doing nothing, while their own neighbors and customers are in the cross-hairs.”  

The letter was signed by Representatives Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Norma J. Torres (D-Calif.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), J. Luis Correa (D-Calif.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Luz M. Rivas (D-Calif.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Raúl Ruiz (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr. (D-Calif.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Jesús G. “Chuy” Garcia (D-Ill.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Adelita S. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), and Scott H. Peters (D-Calif.), and is endorsed by the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON).

Read the full letter HERE and below. 

June 24, 2026

Ted Decker
Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer
The Home Depot, Inc.
2455 Paces Ferry Road NW
Atlanta, GA 30339

Marvin Ellison
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
Lowe’s Home Improvement
1000 Lowe’s Blvd
Mooresville, NC 28117

Dear Mr. Decker and Mr. Ellison:

We write to express our serious concern regarding the federal immigration enforcement activity that has occurred at Home Depot and Lowe’s store locations since January 2025. While we recognize that your companies do not control federal immigration enforcement operations and may not receive advance notice of such activity, these operations have occurred repeatedly at or near your stores across the country. As Members of Congress, we believe it is important to understand what information your companies possess regarding these incidents and what steps are being taken to protect the safety of workers, customers, bystanders, and surrounding communities.

Since January 2025, there have been numerous instances of federal immigration enforcement activity occurring on or adjacent to your stores’ properties nationwide, with a significant number occurring in Southern California.  This surge in enforcement was specifically catalyzed by the orders of Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor, who specifically directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to target stores like Home Depot to drive up detention and deportation quotas. These operations have raised serious safety concerns for workers, customers, vendors, day laborers, and surrounding community members, including U.S. citizens. Individuals seeking opportunities to earn a living, conduct business, or simply make purchases at your stores have found themselves unexpectedly caught up in enforcement activity occurring in and around commercial spaces frequented by the public.

For example, in June of 2025, several individuals were detained by immigration enforcement agents outside a Home Depot in Hollywood, California. When a U.S. citizen bystander attempted to document the activity with his phone, he was tackled to the ground and detained for 24 hours.¹ 

Outside a Lowe’s store in Pacoima, California that same month, a tamale vendor who ran her business adjacent to this store for more than a decade was violently detained during an enforcement operation. Despite pleas that she couldn’t breathe, federal agents continued to use force until she eventually suffered a heart attack. She was rushed to the hospital where she remained for five days until her eventual release.²

In August 2025, federal immigration agents conducted a raid at a Home Depot store in Monrovia, California. Subsequently, Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez, a 52-year-old day laborer, fled federal agents and was fatally struck by a vehicle on a nearby freeway.³ In another incident that month, a man in a rental truck wearing plain clothes with no identification approached several laborers outside of a Home Depot in Westlake, California.⁴ Moments later, masked immigration agents jumped out of the back of the truck and conducted a raid that resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals. In November 2025, federal immigration agents arrested a U.S. citizen outside of a Home Depot in Los Angeles, California. Afterwards, agents entered into the individual’s vehicle and drove away with the individual’s one-year-old daughter strapped to a car seat in the back. The child was later picked up by another family member at a federal office in Los Angeles. 

These are just a few examples of the numerous, troubling incidents that have occurred at or directly surrounding your stores since January 2025. Additionally, these incidents do not affect only the individuals targeted by enforcement actions. They also affect store employees, customers, vendors, contractors, neighboring businesses, and members of the public who happen to be present when enforcement activity occurs. When heavily armed federal agents conduct enforcement operations in busy commercial areas, the potential consequences extend far beyond those being detained. Incidents have reportedly involved physical altercations, vehicle pursuits, medical emergencies, injuries, and the detention of individuals attempting to document enforcement activity. 

Further, at the beginning of this year, Home Depot investors asked the company to undergo a review of its contract with Flock Safety, a third-party surveillance vendor, to determine potential civil rights and privacy violations after it was reported that the surveillance data was shared with ICE.⁵ Additionally, the AFL-CIO Reserve Fund submitted a similar request for Lowe’s to identify risks associated with the collection of sensitive information by Flock cameras.⁶

These incidents and developments raise important questions regarding what your companies know about these operations, whether any coordination or communication has occurred with federal agencies, and what steps are being taken to ensure the safety of individuals present at or near your properties.

To better understand the scope of these incidents and your companies’ response to them, we respectfully request your written responses to the following questions no later than June 29, 2026. 

1. Since January 2025, how many federal enforcement operations have occurred at, on, or immediately adjacent to Home Depot and Lowe’s store properties? 
   1. Please provide a state-by-state breakdown. 
   2. Please identify the number of stores that have experienced one or more such operations.
   3. To the extent known, please identify the federal agencies involved in these operations.

2. What information do Home Depot and Lowe’s maintain regarding immigration enforcement activity occurring at or near store locations?

   1. Do either company maintain records, incident reports, internal communications, or databases tracking such activity?

   2. How and when are corporate leadership, regional management, or store leadership informed that an enforcement operation has occurred?

3. Have Home Depot or Lowe’s received advance notice of immigration enforcement operations from any federal agency since January 2025?

   1. If so, under what circumstances was notice provided?

   2. Which federal agencies provided such notice?

4. Have Home Depot or Lowe’s communicated with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol, or any other federal agency regarding immigration enforcement activity occurring at or near store locations?

   1. Please describe the nature and frequency of any such communications.

   2. Have either company raised concerns regarding employee, customer, vendor, contractor, or community safety arising from these operations?

   3. Have either company requested that federal agencies alter, limit, relocate, or refrain from conducting enforcement operations on company property?

5. What policies, procedures, or guidance are provided to employees, supervisors, managers, and security personnel regarding immigration enforcement operations occurring at or near store locations?

   1. Have these policies changed since January 2025?

   2. What training, if any, has been provided to employees regarding these situations?

6. What steps have Home Depot and Lowe’s taken to protect the safety of employees, customers, vendors, contractors, day laborers, and surrounding community members during or following immigration enforcement operations occurring at or near store locations?

   1. Have either company conducted internal reviews, assessments, or investigations regarding safety risks associated with these incidents?

   2. If so, please summarize any findings and resulting policy changes.

7. Have Home Depot or Lowe’s received complaints from employees, customers, vendors, contractors, or community members regarding immigration enforcement activity occurring at or near store locations since January 2025?

   1. Please describe the nature and volume of such complaints.

   2. What actions, if any, were taken in response?

8. Have Home Depot or Lowe’s evaluated whether immigration enforcement operations occurring at or near store locations have affected customer safety, employee safety, store operations, traffic flow, or access to surrounding businesses? If so, please describe any findings.

9. Since January 2025, have federal agencies requested information, records, access, or assistance from Home Depot or Lowe’s in connection with immigration enforcement operations? This includes, but is not limited to:

   1. Surveillance footage or security camera recordings;

   2. License plate information;

   3. Employee records:

   4. Customer records;

   5. Contractor or vendor information; and

   6. Access to company property.

For each category of request, please identify the information requested; the requesting agency; whether the request was complied with; and whether the request was accompanied by a warrant, subpoena, court order, or other legal process.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response. 
 

1. U.S. citizen says his arrest by federal agents at Hollywood Home Depot was worth it if others got away – ABC7 Los Angeles
2. Border Patrol arrested her selling tamales. Then she suffered a heart attack. ‘I told them: I can’t breathe’ – Los Angeles Times

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health passed the Medicare Advantage Cost Transparency Act, a bill introduced by Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Congressman John Joyce (PA-13). The bill will now go to the full committee for further action. 

This bill would require Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations to incorporate additional data, including cost information, in encounter data submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to facilitate Medicare payment validation and to identify improper MA practices. 

“Understanding what Medicare Advantage plans actually pay for care and what they force patients to pay out of their own pockets is critical to ensuring those plans are working for Americans,” said Congresswoman DeGette. “If we want to make sure these plans are working for the seniors who rely on them, we have to see how they operate. This bill shines a light on their business practices so we can hold them accountable and protect the people Medicare is supposed to serve.” 

Under this legislation, plans would be required to include the following in encounter data: 

• What the plan paid for an item or service furnished;
• The cost sharing amount (deductibles, copay, and coinsurance) imposed for each item or service;
• Information about whether an MA plan facilitated a health risk assessment for the beneficiary.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has identified instances of MA plans using at-home risk assessments to add questionable enrollee diagnoses that ultimately increase risk-adjusted payment from CMS without providing services related to the additional diagnoses. 

Medicare Advantage plans have been criticized for their high out-of-pocket cost for patients and the shifting provider networks. 

Read the full bill text here. 

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

WASHINGTON D.C. — On Wednesday, June 25, bipartisan legislation designed to prevent fentanyl overdoses in the United States was included in a Health Subcommittee markup. Introduced by Congressman Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles County, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH), and Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Tyler’s Law requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to complete a study on how frequently hospitals test for fentanyl when a patient is experiencing an overdose. Based on these results, the bill instructs the HHS to issue guidance to hospitals on implementing fentanyl testing in emergency rooms.  

Still to this day, many emergency rooms do not include fentanyl in their drug screenings. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that does not show up on most rapid drug testing, which typically only includes marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP). According to the HHS, fentanyl-related deaths have skyrocketed 103-fold in the United States from 1999–2023. Adding fentanyl testing to emergency room drug screenings could save countless lives.  

Tyler’s Law is named in memory of Tyler Shamash, a 19-year-old boy who died following a fentanyl ingestion in 2018. He was not tested for fentanyl after being brought to the hospital with a suspected overdose. His mother, Juli, is an advocate for this legislation and is sharing Tyler’s story to prevent others from experiencing the same tragedy.

“When Tyler died from fentanyl poisoning at age 19, our family learned that standard hospital toxicology screens often do not test for fentanyl. No family should lose a loved one because this dangerous substance goes undetected. The advancement of Tyler’s Law is an important step toward improving awareness of fentanyl testing practices and saving lives. I am deeply grateful to Congressman Ted Lieu and the bipartisan supporters of this legislation for helping turn our family’s tragedy into meaningful change,” said Tyler’s mother, Juli.

“Fentanyl is the leading cause of drug overdoses in the United States. Tyler’s Law could help change that,” said Congressman Lieu. “That’s why I am pleased that this essential and commonsense legislation is advancing through the House. It is an honor and privilege to work with Tyler’s mom, Juli, to help better equip our doctors and hospitals to prevent fentanyl-related deaths. Tyler’s Law is an important step to ensuring no other family experiences such devastating loss.”

Tyler’s Law is supported by American College of Emergency Physicians, Emergency Nurses Association, AIDS United, The National Drug & Alcohol Screening Association, The Partnership for a Healthy Iowa, Facing Fentanyl, Voices for Awareness, Project Eli, Song for Charlie, End Overdose, High Truths on Drugs and Addiction, Sun Shine on You Foundation, Drug Awareness Foundation, VOID, Crime Stoppers of Houston, Victoria’s Voice, and Stop Drug Homicide.

READ THE FULL BILL TEXT HERE 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter votes to revive American Dream of owning a home

Carter votes to revive American Dream of owning a home

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter-supported funding strengthens emergency services in Chatham County

WASHINGTON, DC – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced federal grants to strengthen emergency protective measures serving Chatham County, Georgia. Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) voted in favor of this funding as part of the Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026.

FEMA will release $656,764.06 to implement emergency protective measures in Chatham County following damage sustained from Hurricane Helene. This grant reimburses emergency response costs incurred due to Hurricane Helene, including life-safety measures, public safety operations, emergency access, temporary protective work, and other actions taken to prevent further damage.

“As a result of Hurricane Helene, Southeast Georgians experienced devastating damage, prompting a significant emergency response to address serious risks to public health and safety,” said Rep. Carter. “Through these grants, emergency services will be reimbursed and restored to full capacity, preparing and strengthening our district for future disasters.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter vote helps secure Southeast Georgia electrical grid

WASHINGTON, DC – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) this week announced federal grants to repair power infrastructure and strengthen emergency protective measures serving Georgia’s Appling, Bacon, Brantley, Pierce, Ware, and Wayne Counties. Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) voted in favor of this funding as part of the Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026.

FEMA will release $14.63 million to the Satilla Rural Electric Membership Corporation in Appling County to restore the power distribution system to its pre-disaster design, function, and capacity, and to implement emergency protective measures throughout Georgia’s First Congressional District following damage sustained from Hurricane Helene. The grant announcement includes funding to replace power poles, guy wires, primary conductors, secondary conductors, transformers, service wires, ground wires, and wire assemblies.

“As a result of Hurricane Helene, Southeast Georgians experienced significant damage to power and electrical infrastructure, posing serious risks to public health and safety,” said Rep. Carter. “By restoring these systems to full capacity and bolstering emergency protective measures, we will prepare and strengthen our district against future disasters.”

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