Rep. Haley Stevens Introduces Bill to Tackle Intergenerational Student Debt Crisis

Washington, D.C. – Today, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens introduced the Alleviating Intergenerational Debt (AID) Act to fix a glaring financial aid issue and make the dream of college achievable for all students.

The nation’s broken financial aid system faces a growing reality: parents across the country are still paying off their own student loans while simultaneously trying to send their kids to college. Right now, federal financial aid formulas fail to account for outstanding parental student loan debt, leading to unfair denials of federal aid to students from families that are already stretched thin. The AID Act updates the Student Aid Index formula to include outstanding parental student loan debt, giving financial aid administrators a clearer, more honest picture of family finances and unlocking critical aid for students across Michigan.

“Student debt shouldn’t follow Michigan families from one generation to the next,” said Rep. Stevens. “The AID Act modernizes financial aid to match today’s economy so more students can afford college without inheriting the same debt their parents are still paying off.”

The AID Act will:

Expand access to federal student aid by creating a new allowance in the SAI formula for parents of dependent students who are paying student loans, similar to existing allowances for taxes.

Increase transparency and accountability by requiring the Department of Education to report annually on how many students benefit from this allowance, how much students receive on average, and how impacts differ for Pell Grant recipients.

Rep. Stevens serves on the House Education and Workforce Committee and continues to champion policies that expand opportunity and make higher education more affordable for Michiganders.


Ahead of DHS Funding Vote, Reps. Lee, Ramirez, Clarke Unveil Legislation to End ICE Detentions, Redirect Funding

Text of Bill (PDF)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – JANUARY 22, 2026 — Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12), joined Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) in introducing the Melt ICE Act to end the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) funding to detain or monitor immigrants, crippling DHS’s immigration enforcement. At a time when working families are facing a crushing affordability crisis, the legislation would also redirect funding toward wrap-around services, including housing and healthcare, for communities affected by immigration enforcement.

Congress announced an appropriations bill to fund DHS that includes $3.84 billion for ICE custody operations and boosts Enforcement and Removal Operations funding to $5.45 billion. The House is scheduled to vote on this funding today.

“ICE continues to move with impunity—terrorizing communities, kidnapping children, and murdering our neighbors. This cruelty is fueled by run of the mill American racism and the Trump administration’s abuse of power. It must not be enabled by our tax dollars, and our country’s financial priorities should be the wellbeing of our people,” said Rep. Lee. “The Melt ICE Act is a step towards abolishing an agency designed to brutalize immigrants and people of color. I am proud to support this effort to end this reign of terror.”

“After handing more than $150B to DHS immigration enforcement, there are those in Congress who would further expand DHS’s budget and ICE’s capacity to enact Trump’s mass deportation agenda. But we have seen what DHS can do with its unlimited resources and unchecked power. And we are saying enough,” said Rep. Ramirez. “Our tax dollars must not be used to terrorize our communities and violate our rights. The Melt ICE Act is a line in the sand and a declaration that we will not fuel human suffering. I am proud to join Congresswoman Clarke and advocates to send a message that we do not consent, nor will we enable DHS and ICE’s lawlessness.”

“Any realistic effort to rein in ICE and DHS’s lawlessness should start with the blank check they have enjoyed since Donald Trump retook power. For one painful year now, these rogue entities have engaged in an unrestrained crusade of cruelty against our migrant neighbors and the places they call home. This unacceptable status quo cannot continue,” said Rep. Yvette D. Clarke. “The Melt ICE Act is a bold solution that will inhibit this administration’s ability to conduct its sadistic immigration enforcement strategy, while also giving back to our most vulnerable communities using the very funds once used to brutalize them. Congress has a moral and ethical responsibility to stop the taxpayer-funded chaos running rampant through our districts, and that why I am privileged to stand with Congresswoman Ramirez against the unlimited terror of DHS and ICE, and for the rights, freedom, and futures of immigrant Americans.”

The key provisions of the Melt ICE Act would:

Strikes all references to/authority for immigration detention in the INA: Sections 236(a), 236(c), 235(b), 241(a)

Terminates all existing contracts for immigration detention within 2 years of enactment, including but not limited to contracts with public entities, private entities, and any other entities that own or operate a program or facility that provides for non-residential detention-related activities for immigrants who are subject to monitoring by DHS.

Prevents DHS from entering into any new contracts with any entity for facilities to detain immigrants.

Requires DHS to submit a plan to get immigrants off ankle monitors within 6 months of enactment.

Redirects ICE funding to community-based organizations to provide wrap-around services to communities around the country.

The legislation was written in collaboration and is endorsed by United We Dream and Detention Watch Network.

“Now more than ever, we need real leaders to act courageously for the rights and dignity of everyone. We applaud Congresswoman Ramirez for her introduction of the Melt ICE Act, a critical piece of legislation to rein in ICE terror by restricting the agency’s authorities and fully ending the ICE detention once and for all. Make no mistake, as a nation, we are at a critical inflection point. ICE is now the largest police force in the country, operating with never-before-seen funding to maintain and expand the largest immigration detention system in the world. People are dying in detention, ICE agents are tearing families apart and shooting people on the streets, deteriorating community safety, and causing chaos wherever they go. Decades of evidence illustrate that no one is safe in ICE custody. We welcome Congresswoman Ramirez’s leadership in introducing the Melt ICE Act to say no more. No more endless funding for ICE, no more abuse and death at the hands of ICE, no more cruel detention when people can and should be able to navigate their immigration case from their home, and no more chaos,” said Setareh Ghandehari, Advocacy Director at Detention Watch Network.

“The American people are overwhelmingly against using their tax dollars to fund continued death, destruction and terror in our cities, all while the actual dire needs of our communities are neglected. Millions of working families are struggling to afford groceries. Health care premiums are skyrocketing. People are working two, sometimes three, jobs just to keep a roof over their heads. Our communities are fed up! We demand policies that meet our needs, not those who seek to profit off the mass detention of our immigrant neighbors, the separation of families, and the deaths of allies like Renee. That work starts with the Melt ICE Act. We urge Members of Congress to follow the leadership of their colleagues, Congresswomen Ramirez and Clarke, and pass the Melt ICE Act now!” said United We Dream.

A copy of the bill text can be found here.


Rep. Summer Lee Introduces COINTELPRO Full Disclosure Act During MLK Records Hearing

Bill Text (PDF) | Video (Dropbox)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – JANUARY 22, 2026 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) and Congressman Jonathan Jackson (IL-01) introduced the COINTELPRO Full Disclosure Act, legislation that would require the full public disclosure of government records related to the FBI’s covert and unlawful COINTELPRO operations. Rep. Lee introduced the bill during a House Oversight Committee Task Force hearing titled, “Declassified MLK Records: What They Reveal and Why They Matter.”

“COINTELPRO represents one of the most serious violations of constitutional rights in modern U.S. history,” said Rep Lee. “Community leaders, civil rights organizers, and everyday people were targeted simply for demanding dignity and equal treatment, and our government has a responsibility to disclose its unlawful operations to the American public. At a time when federal power is being abused, accountability is more important than ever. We cannot allow surveillance to become a tool that silences people fighting for their communities. This bill is about protecting our civil liberties and ensuring these abuses never become acceptable again.”

Rep. Jackson said, “The COINTELPRO Full Disclosure Act is about truth, transparency, and healing. For decades, COINTELPRO targeted civil rights leaders, community organizers, and voices for justice, including my father, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. The full truth must be part of our national record, so future generations understand how government power was used against movements for equality. I am proud to join Congresswoman Summer Lee in this effort to ensure that no democracy can thrive in secrecy and fear.”

COINTELPRO, short for Counter Intelligence Program, was created by the FBI in the 1950s during the Cold War to disrupt the Communist Party. By the 1960s, its scope expanded to target other domestic political and civil rights organizations, including the Black Panther Party and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which were deemed threats to the internal security of the United States. The program used covert and illegal methods to surveil, infiltrate, discredit, and disrupt lawful political activity—often without the knowledge of the President, Congress, or the American public. COINTELPRO has been linked to acts of extreme violence, including the assassination of Fred Hampton, Chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party. .

The COINTELPRO Full Disclosure Act would:

Require government agencies, including the FBI and Department of Justice, to release all records related to COINTELPRO so the public can fully understand the scope of surveillance and violations of constitutional rights.

Mandate that six months after enactment, all COINTELPRO-related files must be released and made fully public. If an agency claims release would cause demonstrable harm, it must still release redacted versions, substitutes, or summaries conveying essential information.

Establish an independent COINTELPRO Records Review Board composed of outside experts in history and law to review and challenge agency decisions to withhold records.

Empower the Review Board to make recommendations to the President regarding whether partially disclosed files should be fully released.

Require that after 25 years, any continued withholding of records must be justified in writing under narrow national security exemptions, with final review authority by senior government officials and the Archivist of the United States.

For full bill text click here.

Footage of the Congresswoman’s remarks introducing the bill can be found here.


Congresswoman Lee Secures Over $6.6 Million for Nevada in Federal Funding Bills

January 22, 2026

Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) helped secure over $6.6 million in federal investments for community projects throughout southern Nevada as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) funding process. In total, Congresswoman Lee brought nearly $12 million in federal funding back home to southern Nevada from FY26 funding packages.

“Like all Nevadans, I’m tired of sending money to D.C. so it can go to other states instead of right here in our community. That’s why I’m working every day from my seat on the House Appropriations Committee to make sure Nevada gets its fair share of federal funding,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “I was proud to secure over $6.6 million to make our roads safer, make life easier for our neighbors with disabilities, and give our first responders the tools they need to keep our community safe.”

Highlights of the Investments Secured by Rep. Lee include:

$2,000,000 to make safety improvements to a 15-mile section of SR 159, a roadway heavily utilized by visitors of the Red Rock National Conservation Area, including vulnerable road users like joggers and cyclists.

$1,200,000 to build trail bridges to the CC-215 Beltway Trail over Sunset Run Drive and Sky Vista Drive, which will increase multimodal mobility, improve safety, and enhance quality of life for residents.

$1,100,000 to improve the safety of 281 school zones, where many face traffic fatalities and serious injuries, by installing new visual alert systems, signs, and pavement markings to warn drivers and keep children safe.

$1,034,487 to make critical upgrades to the emergency notification, communication, and information management systems at the South Site Emergency Operations Center, which serves as the central command hub for Clark County during emergencies.

$850,000 for Opportunity Village, a non-profit organization that serves people in the Las Vegas community with intellectual disabilities, to build a new Northwest Campus. This new campus will significantly enhance accessibility to vital services for people with disabilities living in southern Nevada.

$250,000 to bring the Airfield Rescue and Fire Fighting facilities at Harry Reid International Airport up to current Federal Aviation Administration safety, operational, and environmental standards, which will ensure the continuation of safe and efficient airport operations for years to come.

$250,000 to install bus shelters within the existing public transit service area to offer increased shade and cooling to combat the extreme heat facing southern Nevada's bus passengers, improving both safety and comfort for transit users.

More information on each of these projects can be found here.

In addition to securing funding for those community projects, Congresswoman Lee also used her seat on the House Appropriations Committee, the committee in charge of federal spending, to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in additional resources to improve national security. Some of the programs that Congresswoman Lee advanced include:

$98,000,000 to fund the development of advanced, efficient, long-range drones which are designed to operate in dangerous environments to gather intelligence and respond to threats more safely, quickly, and effectively without risking the lives of U.S. troops.

$30,000,000 to support the final development and installation of visual technologies for helicopters which provides capability to execute missions in near-zero visibility.

$18,000,000 for an Adaptive Threat Modeling Lab, a facility that continuously studies how adversaries could exploit U.S. systems and defenses as conditions change, helping national security professionals anticipate attacks, reduce vulnerabilities, and stay ahead of emerging threats.

$15,000,000 for the continued development of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) and Counter Cruise Missile (C-CM) High-Energy Lasers (HEL) Atmospheric Study and Prototype Systems, systems designed to detect and destroy incoming cruise missiles to provide a fast, precise, and cost-effective way to protect U.S. forces, ships, and critical infrastructure from modern missile threats.

$10,000,000 to construct an organic U.S. chloralkali plant to recycle waste from rare earth element processing and reuse that waste to make essential chemicals like chlorine and caustic soda, reducing the United States’ dependence on foreign supply chains for materials critical to defense, energy, and advanced manufacturing.

$7,500,000 for a collaborative sensor network under the Space Force’s Space Situation Awareness Operations. A collaborative sensor network for satellites is a system where multiple satellites share and combine their sensor data in real time to better detect, track, and respond to threats in space, improving early warning, resilience, and decision-making against adversaries.

$5,000,000 to research, develop, test, and evaluate Low Cost Carbon-Carbon-Ceramic Brake Rotors as a critical component for improving contested logistics. New advances in US-based carbon sourcing and manufacturing processes allow for carbon-carbon and carbon ceramic materials to be produced in faster, streamlined manners. Defense entities and fleet vehicle applications will realize increased durability, lighter weight, and reduced maintenance costs.

$4,000,000 to integrate Mobile Communications capability with Submarine Interior Communications Systems and the CANES Secure Network, delivering mobile hardware devices and optimizing communication networks on submarines to improve flexibility, mobility, and interoperability while adhering to rigid cybersecurity standards.

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Issues: Appropriations Infrastructure


Congresswoman Lee Statement on Voting Against Funding Lawless ICE Activities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) released the following statement on her decision to vote against writing a blank check to fund unlawful and unconstitutional Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices:

“I support law enforcement and the critical role that ICE should play in enforcing our nation's immigration laws. Violent criminals who are in this country illegally should be deported, and we have due process and laws that dictate how we enforce that.

“However, under this Administration, ICE has shown blatant disregard for the rule of law and gone well beyond its purpose, engaging in unconstitutional activities. Earlier this month, our country watched in horror as ICE agents shot a young mother point blank, and just yesterday we received appalling reports that a 5-year-old had been arrested and sent to a detention facility 1,000 miles away from his home. American citizens are being grabbed off the streets and out of their homes without warrants and mistakenly deported.

“As such, I will be voting against providing over $10 billion extra in taxpayer money to fund an agency that is blatantly violating Americans’ constitutional rights and terrorizing our communities. This is not law enforcement.

“Had this DHS appropriations bill included appropriate reforms and accountability measures, I would have likely supported it. However, Republicans rejected several opportunities to ensure such guardrails were included, such as requiring ICE to obtain warrants, mandating officers wear body cameras and proper identification, enforcing use of force standards, and prohibiting arresting U.S. citizens.

“This vote is about sending a clear message: in America, we have laws that apply to everyone – including law enforcement. Over the summer, Republicans in Congress forced through a $150 billion blank check for ICE, funding these unconstitutional operations without guardrails or oversight. We must restore checks and balances to ensure ICE abides by the Constitution. Until then, I cannot support sending them billions in extra funding.”

This week, Congresswoman Lee introduced the PUBLIC SAFETY Act, redirecting $75 billion of the extra ICE funding to local law enforcement departments to help hire and train 200,000 local cops nationwide. Yesterday, she led nearly two dozen battleground House Democrats in a letter calling for an immediate, impartial, and transparent investigation into the horrific killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.

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Congresswomen Lee, McDonald Rivet Lead Battleground Colleagues to Call for Transparent Investigation into Minnesota ICE Shooting

Today, Congresswomen Susie Lee (NV-03) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) led 23 of their House Democratic colleagues in a letter calling for an immediate, impartial, and transparent investigation into the tragic shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In their letter, the Members wrote, “The widely circulated footage of Ms. Good’s killing is deeply troubling. Her family and the American public deserve clear answers and accountability. Law enforcement officers are routinely entrusted with making split-second decisions under challenging conditions. That trust depends on sound judgment, appropriate deployment, and accountability when standards are not met. When the government’s duty to protect life and uphold the rule of law is in question, we must have rigorous oversight to understand what went wrong, ensure accountability, and prevent future tragedies, making an immediate, unbiased investigation is essential.”

The Members also requested Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons respond to the following questions:

Please provide a full accounting of personnel and resources diverted to ICE operations since January 20, 2025, and any assessments of the resulting impacts on counter-terrorism, child sex trafficking, drug trafficking, disaster response, public safety, and other federal law enforcement missions.

In light of Ms. Good’s tragic death, what steps is the Department of Homeland Security taking to ensure transparency, accountability, and oversight of ICE operations moving forward?

What training standards and requirements govern ICE officers, including initial training, continuing education, and instruction on use of force and de-escalation?

How does ICE ensure consistent adherence to use-of-force policies, and what accountability mechanisms are triggered following a serious injury or fatal incident?

How many ICE personnel are currently assigned to or deployed within each undersigned Member’s congressional district?

How many individuals are currently in ICE custody from each undersigned Member’s congressional district?

The full text of the letter is available here.

Along with Congresswomen Lee and McDonald Rivet, the letter was also signed by Representatives Sharice Davids, Eugene Vindman, Val Hoyle, April McClain Delaney, Josh Riley, Jahana Hayes, John Mannion, Frank Mrvan, Andrea Salinas, Derek Tran, Marcy Kaptur, George Whitesides, Emilia Sykes, Eric Sorensen, Hillary Scholten, Greg Landsman, Adam Gray, Dave Min, Kim Schrier, Gabe Vasquez, Dina Titus, Chris Pappas, and Angie Craig.

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Rep. Sykes Reaffirms Fight for Reproductive Freedom on Roe v. Wade Anniversary

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Sykes (OH-13) released the following statement on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, highlighting ongoing threats to reproductive rights in Ohio and across the nation:

“Roe v. Wade protected generations of women's right to make personal medical decisions for nearly 50 years. When it was overturned in 2022, fundamental rights were stripped away, and nearly four years later, women in Ohio and across the country are still under attack.

Even after Ohio voters enshrined reproductive freedom in our state constitution in 2023, legal uncertainty remains. A six-week abortion ban is still blocked, but lawmakers are pushing new restrictions, regulating medication abortion, imposing waiting periods, and creating barriers that make it harder for women to access care.

I have spent my career expanding access to reproductive health care, advancing equity, and strengthening communities. As Vice Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus and Chair of the Reproductive Justice Task Force, I fight to protect a woman’s right to choose and ensure abortion care is available to everyone who needs it.


Rep. Sykes Stands Against Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) spoke out today after voting to direct the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Venezuela that have not been approved by Congress.

“Today’s vote makes it clear what I have been saying all along. The president does not have the authority to send Americans into harm’s way. That power lies solely with Congress. Until the House takes decisive action against Venezuela, any strikes that are not authorized must stop immediately,” Rep. Sykes said.

Since September, U.S. forces have carried out multiple strikes on vessels linked to Venezuela. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have raised concerns about the lack of a formal declaration of war or congressional authorization for these actions.

Rep. Sykes emphasized that the War Powers Resolution requires U.S. forces to be withdrawn if Congress has not approved the operation. She also stressed the importance of pursuing diplomatic and humanitarian solutions that help the Venezuelan people without escalating military conflict.


Rep. Sykes Votes for Bipartisan Spending Package to Support Families, Workers, and Public Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) voted in favor of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies; Defense; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, a bipartisan spending package that invests in public services, infrastructure, and health while rejecting harmful policy riders pushed by former President Trump and congressional Republicans.

The package provides robust funding for affordable housing, early childhood education, transportation, public health, and military personnel, while protecting reproductive health care, tenant protections, worker rights, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Key provisions include:

Stopping Harmful Policies: Democrats eliminated dozens of extreme “poison pill” riders that would have blocked access to reproductive health care, undermined gun violence research, stripped student loan protections, weakened worker rights, rolled back LGBTQ+ protections, and limited public housing and energy efficiency improvements.

Housing & Homelessness: $66.6 billion for rental assistance programs, $366 million for Homeless Assistance Grants, and funding to protect Continuum of Care (CoC) programs, which support over 2,600 beds in Stark and Summit Counties for veterans, families, and youth.

Public Health & Research: $400 million increase for the National Institutes of Health, $30 million boost for the Office of Research on Women’s Health, and expanded SAMHSA funding, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Childcare & Education: $170 million for Child Care and Head Start programs.

Transportation: $18.6 billion for the FAA, restored Amtrak funding, and investments in highways, roads, and bridges.

Military Support: $1.7 billion for medical research, including service-related injuries, and full funding for a 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers.

"This bipartisan package shows that Congress can put people over politics,” said Rep. Sykes. “By protecting Continuum of Care funding, investing in health, housing, and transportation, and supporting our servicemembers, we are keeping families safe, workers employed, and communities resilient. These investments directly address the challenges my district faces and help ensure no one is left behind."

The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.


Rep. Sykes Votes No on DHS Bill, Slams House Republicans for Funding ICE Abuse Without Accountability

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) voted no on the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill, saying Congress cannot continue to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without real accountability or basic protections against abuse, harassment, and deaths in custody.

“Taxpayer dollars should never be used to terrorize families, endanger U.S. citizens, or shield lawless conduct from consequences,” Rep. Sykes said. “What we are seeing from ICE under Kristi Noem and the Trump Administration is a failure of leadership that puts lives at risk and undermines the rule of law.”

For weeks, Democrats pushed House Republicans to adopt strong guardrails and accountability measures to ensure ICE operates like every other law enforcement agency in America. These common-sense reforms included a judicial warrant requirement, a prohibition on the detention and deportation of American citizens, restrictions on the use of excessive force, enhanced training requirements, a body camera mandate, and a ban on masks during enforcement actions. House Republicans rejected these protections.

ICE has already received massive funding in prior legislation, including the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” while the Trump Administration has signaled that the agency should operate with near-total immunity. Under this approach, ICE has aggressively targeted American citizens and law-abiding families, including cases that have resulted in serious injury and death, such as the killing of Renee Nicole Good. The Fiscal Year 2026 DHS bill does little to increase transparency into ICE’s operations or to protect U.S. citizens from wrongful detention or deportation.

Rep. Sykes has long supported law enforcement and public safety, but she made clear that funding enforcement practices without accountability undermines civil rights and human dignity.

The bill passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration.


Congresswoman Tenney Applauds the House Passage of Four Appropriations Bills Delivering Key Investments for NY-24

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today applauded the House passage of four appropriations bills to fund the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. This package delivers major investments for national security, public safety, infrastructure, and critical priorities across NY-24.

Together, these bills fund essential federal responsibilities that protect the homeland, strengthen military readiness, modernize transportation and water infrastructure, support housing and workforce programs, and ensure vital education and public safety initiatives remain available to communities across Upstate New York. The legislation prioritizes core government functions while maintaining fiscal discipline and targeting resources where they are most needed.

“These appropriations bills focus on what matters most: strengthening our national defense, supporting first responders, investing in infrastructure, and delivering real results for our communities,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Our office worked with local leaders across NY-24 to ensure these bills included critical investments for local employers, military readiness, public safety, and workforce and education programs that families in our region rely on. In this package, I secured critical funding that benefits NY-24, such as $200 million to recapitalize the New York National Guard’s LC-130 fleet and $5 million for five Community Project Funding projects. I also secured robust funding for key programs like Job Corps, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Impact Aid, AFG and SAFER Grants, and the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. This funding helps protect our country, strengthen our economy, and support the communities we represent.”

“While this package has many great provisions, I am greatly disappointed that the Susan Muffley Act, which would restore the Delphi retirees’ pensions and benefits, was not included in this package, and I was disappointed that my amendment to add this provision was not ruled in order. I will continue working to get this legislation signed into law to right the egregious injustice the Delphi retirees are still suffering from.”

Community Project Funding Included for NY-24

City of Lockport — $1,000,000 for Phase III of the Erie Canal Flight of Five Locks Rehabilitation Project

Jefferson County — $1,000,000 for the Installation of Omni-Directional Approach Lights for Runway 10 at Watertown International Airport

Wyoming County — $1,000,000 for the Silver Lake Dredging Project

Town of Lyons — $2,000,000 for Canal Street District Improvements

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Congresswoman Tenney Joins Effort to Advance the DEFIANCE Act

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today attended a press conference in support of the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits (DEFIANCE) Act, joining colleagues and advocates to highlight the urgent need to protect victims of non-consensual digital exploitation.

Congresswoman Tenney is a cosponsor of H.R. 3562, the bipartisan DEFIANCE Act, which would strengthen legal protections for victims by allowing them to pursue civil action against individuals who knowingly create, possess, or distribute non-consensual, sexually explicit digital forgeries. The legislation also provides meaningful remedies, including damages and injunctive relief, while safeguarding victims’ privacy.

“Non-consensual digital exploitation destroys lives, reputations, and livelihoods, and too often victims are left without meaningful recourse,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The DEFIANCE Act gives victims the ability to fight back by holding perpetrators accountable and restoring control over their own likeness and identity. Our laws must keep pace with emerging technology and make clear that exploitation and abuse, whether online or offline, will not be tolerated.”

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Rep. Tokuda Delivers for Hawaiʻi Housing Projects and Public Education, Rejects ICE Spending

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) voted in favor of a minibus package that includes funding for the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Transportation. However, Rep. Tokuda voted against a separate funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, which contained funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The two-bill minibus package passed the House by a vote of 341-88 and 220-207, respectively, and now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

“Access to affordable housing keeps local families in Hawaiʻi. That’s why I fought for nearly $7 million in housing and infrastructure projects statewide that are included in this bill,” said Rep. Tokuda. “This measure also included things I’ve been proud to fight for, from strengthening access to health care, education, and job training opportunities across our islands.”

“I was especially proud to secure a five-year reauthorization of the Lifespan Respite Care program, which I co-led with my colleague Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY). The program offers temporary relief to unpaid caregivers of kūpuna, keiki, and those living with disabilities or chronic conditions. This makes the difference between a caregiver reaching their breaking point or a family staying together.”

“Homeland Security received a windfall from the Big Ugly Bill, and they’ve shown little regard for the law and human rights as they’ve targeted and created chaos and violence in communities across the country. I could not in good conscience vote to give them a blank check only to use it against Americans and our values.”

Video of Rep. Tokuda on the floor discussing the Lifespan Respite Care Program can be found here.

The legislation includes nearly $7 million in Community Project Funding secured by Rep. Tokuda:

$3.15 million to complete the final two phases of the 75-acre, 600-unit Lima Ola affordable housing subdivision in 'Ele'ele, Kaua‘i.

$2 million for the Kilauea Town Expansion Project to fund critical Phase 1 site preparation for an affordable housing division on Kauaʻi’s North Shore.

$1.2 million for the Lānaʻi Affordable Housing Project to support development of water and sewer systems and other infrastructure to support a new 372-unit subdivision.

$250,000 for the Tropical AgTech Center Project to help Hawai‘i’s agricultural producers scale production, boost profitability, and support innovation.

$250,000 for the Maluaka Affordable Rental Housing Project, which includes the construction and development of 150 rental units in South Maui.

Additionally, the bill advances Rep. Tokuda’s priorities for Hawaiʻi including the following provisions:

$5 million for INDOPACOM Advanced Manufacturing to support initiatives and capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region that enhance defense readiness and industrial resilience.

$5 million for Pacific Intelligence and Innovation Initiative, which funds projects focused on strengthening regional security and strategic partnerships in the Pacific.

$5 million for the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Health Research Office at the National Institutes of Health.

$5 million for the Pacific Disaster Center, which supports disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and resilience-building programs across the Pacific.

Federal funding that will directly benefit Hawaiʻi organizations and programs includes:


Tonko Votes NO on Funding for DHS and ICE

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), released the following statement opposing the appropriations funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

“Just this month, ICE shot and killed a U.S. citizen and mother of three, and multiple people have been found dead in DHS custody. Agents have arrested legal and peaceful observers, and detained minors on their way to and from school, including a 5-year-old boy. This administration claimed they would go after “the worst of the worst,” but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that ICE has terrorized and brutalized our communities, and I will not vote to deliver another cent of taxpayer dollars to bankroll these horrific acts.


Rep. Norma Torres Introduces Amendments to Deliver Disaster Relief, Protect Children and Veterans, and Demand Accountability in Homeland Security Funding

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Norma Torres introduced a package of amendments to the fiscal year 2026 Homeland Security funding bill to deliver urgent disaster relief, protect children and veterans, increase public safety, and ensure accountability and transparency in how taxpayer dollars are spent. The House Rules Committee rejected all of Congresswoman Torres’s proposed amendments.

“As Congress debates homeland security funding, we have a responsibility to protect people, stop ICE and CBP’s abuses of the law and our Constitution, and to spend taxpayer dollars wisely, transparently, and lawfully,” said Congresswoman Torres. “These amendments prioritize disaster recovery, children’s safety, veterans’ rights, constitutional protections, and public safety while demanding real accountability for where this money goes.”

Representative Torres Amendments include:

Amendment #1 would provide $16.8 billion in emergency FEMA funding to help communities recover from major disasters in 2025, including wildfires, floods, storms, and tornadoes across at least 20 states, ensuring FEMA has the resources to respond quickly and effectively when families need help most.

Amendment #2 would block any funding from being used to dismantle or undermine the Flores Settlement Agreement, which sets basic, court-ordered protections for children in immigration custody such as safe conditions and limits on detention time.

Amendment #3 would prohibit the deportation of non-citizen U.S. military veterans unless they are provided legal counsel and a full, fair hearing, and requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report to Congress on veteran deportation cases.

Amendment #4 would require ICE to notify local law enforcement of operations within their jurisdictions, improving safety for officers and communities and preventing dangerous confusion during enforcement actions.

Amendment #5 would introduce the Fairness to Freedom Act, which would provide funding to ensure legal representation for all immigration detainees, protecting constitutional rights and due process while promoting fairness and efficiency in the system.

These amendments underscore Rep. Torres' broader concern with the annual funding proposal that would provide $64.4 billion to DHS, on top of money previously provided in the Big, Ugly bill last year.

“We should not be writing a blank check,” Torres said. “Funding decisions should be made with transparency and rigorous oversight, and should prioritize programs that actually keep people safe like disaster response, TSA, and community-focused security. We should not be handing out more money to ICE when they have too often terrorized communities without delivering real security.”


Trahan Secures Passage of Additional $7.5 Million for Third District Projects

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation including more than $7.5 million in federal funding she secured for critical community projects across Massachusetts’ Third Congressional District.

“Families across our district deserve safe roads, dependable infrastructure, and real opportunities to build a better life for themselves and their children,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “This funding will make everyday life better for residents in communities large and small by improving safety, strengthening local infrastructure, and creating pathways to economic opportunity. My team and I remain focused on cutting through the noise in Washington to deliver results like these investments that will make a tangible difference across the Third District.”

The funding will support infrastructure upgrades, public safety improvements, workforce training, and community development initiatives in cities and towns throughout the district. This new round of investments builds on the $5 million in federal funding Congresswoman Trahan secured passage of earlier this month, which was passed in the Senate and signed into law last week.

The projects funded through this legislation include:

City of Lowell’s Priority Intersection Project: $2,000,000

City of Lawrence’s Bridge Restoration Project: $1,200,000

City of Haverhill’s Merrimack Downtown Redevelopment Project: $1,000,000

City of Fitchburg’s Water Street Gateway Corridor Sidewalk and Lighting Replacement Project: $850,000

City of Methuen’s Intersection Safety Improvement Projects: $850,000

UMass Lowell’s Strategic Property Acquisition in Support of the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC): $850,000

Mount Wachusett Community College’s North Central Massachusetts Automotive Technician Training Center Expansion Project: $850,000

City of Marlborough’s Bolton Street (Route 85) and Union Street Intersection Improvement Project: $250,000

City of Gardner’s Community Center Project: $250,000

Town of Boxborough’s Sheltered Bus Stops for Boxborough/Acton Inter-Town Bus Service: $250,000

The investments passed today now move to the Senate for further consideration.

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Representative Tran Advances $11 Million to Improve Infrastructure, Public Safety Across Orange and LA Counties

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) advanced nearly $11 million in federal funding for critical infrastructure projects, affordable housing construction, and improved emergency and disaster response throughout Orange and LA Counties.

In a bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives passed government spending bills that included $10,950,000 in federal dollars for local projects requested by Representative Tran. The funding was included as part of H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, which would provide full-year funding for several major government departments through the end of Fiscal Year 2026, including programs at the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Defense.

“I’m so proud to have secured nearly $11 million in federal funding through the House to make everyday life in Southern California easier and safer – putting our hard-earned tax dollars at work for our community,” said Representative Tran. “We’re a step closer to securing tens of millions of dollars to repair our streets, bring down housing costs, and make our neighborhoods safer. This is a huge achievement for our community, and I’ll keep fighting to deliver the federal resources our families deserve.”

Once approved by the Senate and signed into law by the President, the following projects will receive funding:

$3,150,000 for the City of Cerritos to renovate the Del Amo Boulevard Bridge, a major thoroughfare serving thousands of LA and Orange County residents, to reduce traffic jams and improve pedestrian and bicycle access.

$2,000,000 for the City of Fountain Valley to construct a new fire station that can provide safer, faster response times to more Fountain Valley residents experiencing emergencies.

$1,000,000 for the City of Garden Grove to upgrade Orange County Fire Authority Station 84 with specialty firetruck capabilities and ensure that fire truck operations are readily available, and provide additional lifesaving resources to the surrounding community during emergencies.

$1,000,000 for the City of Westminster to revitalize the Westminster Community Service and Senior Center, to ensure this public space is safe, accessible, and secure for community enjoyment.

$850,000 for the City of La Palma to modernize existing infrastructure used by both the La Palma Police Department and the La Palma Fire Department to improve public safety with better resources like security cameras and sensors, ensuring that law enforcement is well-equipped to address the evolving needs of the community.

$850,000 for the City of Brea to update traffic signals at school crossings and separate pedestrian routes from high-speed traffic, providing Brea families with safer commutes.

$850,000 for the Buena Park Library District to upgrade key infrastructure in libraries, including electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems, creating a better work environment for library staff and patrons.

$500,000 for the Orange County Mosquito & Vector Control District to equip their Biosafety Lab space with the technology and infrastructure necessary to better address future disease outbreaks, and protect public health.

$250,000 for the City of Fullerton to make local streets safer and more accessible by repairing damaged roadways, sidewalks, and curb ramps.

$250,000 for the Orange County Housing Finance Trust to help construct 2,700 permanent affordable housing units and directly address the housing cost crisis facing Southern California residents.

$250,000 for the City of Placentia to improve sidewalks and other pedestrian-friendly infrastructure in Old Town Placentia to keep residents safe and draw economic activity to the area.

The Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act—included within H.R. 7148—provides funds for 11 of Tran’s 15 community project funding requests. Two of Tran’s requests previously passed the House on January 8, 2026. Tran’s two remaining projects have been approved for funding by the House Appropriations Committee and are pending a vote on the House floor. If passed by the House and the Senate and signed into law by the President, 15 community projects in California’s 45th district will receive funding.

Community Project Funding is subject to strict public transparency and accountability requirements, only available to nonprofit and government entities (for-profit grantees are not eligible), and must demonstrate evidence of compelling community support. In addition, each Member of Congress must certify in writing that there is no financial interest in the project for them and their immediate family. All projects will be audited by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to ensure sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

For more information on Representative Tran’s FY 2026 Community Project Funding requests, click here.

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Congressman Derek Tran represents California’s 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.


Representative Tran Passes Bipartisan Reform to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

Washington, DC – Today, key provisions of bipartisan legislation to bring down prescription drug prices, the PBM Reform Act, co-led by U.S. Representative Derek Tran (D-CA-45), alongside Representatives Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA-01) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), passed the House in a bipartisan vote.

In a vote of 341-88, the House passed H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, a government funding package that included language from Tran’s bill. This bipartisan bill lowers drug costs by reforming pharmacy benefit managers' (PBMs) practices and increasing transparency and accountability of PBM operations. H.R. 7148 will now head to the Senate for consideration.

“I owned a community pharmacy in Orange County with my wife. I’ve seen firsthand how patients are priced out of staying healthy by high drug costs,” said Representative Tran. “As prices continue to skyrocket, I’m focused on the bipartisan, common-sense solutions that bring down the cost of essential care for the American people. I’m proud to work across the aisle to pass these much-needed reforms that bring more transparency and accountability to the PBM industry, encourage the competitive practices that bring prices down, and prevent price gouging for life-saving medication.”

The provisions of Tran’s PBM Reform Act that passed in today’s government funding package will:

Remove financial incentives that lead to price gouging, prohibiting financial compensation from Medicare from being tied to a drug’s sticker price.

Authorize independent auditing and enforcement measures of PBM’s drug pricing practices to improve transparency and accountability in PBM operations.

Encourage more competition and transparency by mandating that PBMs comply with annual reporting requirements, such as information related to drug costs and pricing, rebates, potential conflicts of interest, and formulary determinations.

“For independent community and long-term care pharmacies, the PBM reforms included in this package are as welcomed as they are long overdue,” said Anne Cassity, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, National Community Pharmacists Association. “We’re grateful for the doggedness of pharmacy champions like Rep. Tran in advancing them through the House, and look forward to getting this through the Senate and to the president’s desk as quickly as possible. Independent pharmacies and the patients they treat need relief from PBM manipulations, and they need it soon.”

“This must pass legislation is a bipartisan victory for patients and the community pharmacies that serve them. Lawmakers from both parties came together to fix a system that has been failing for far too long and their collaboration delivers real, meaningful relief for pharmacies and the people who depend on them,” said Mark Kinney, Executive Vice President of Government Relations, Independent Pharmacy Cooperative.

Pharmacy benefit managers were initially created as middlemen to reduce administrative costs for insurers, validate a patient’s eligibility, administer plan benefits, and negotiate costs between pharmacies and health plans. Over time, PBMs have consolidated to comprise three companies that control 80% of the prescription drug market. Industry consolidation and lack of transparency have led to local pharmacy closures, limited access, and higher medication costs for patients across the country.

Representative Tran remains committed to lowering health care costs and preserving vital access to health care for families in CA-45. Tran signed a letter to House Leadership urging the permanent extension of premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, and cosponsored H.R. 4849, the Protecting Healthcare and Lowering Costs Act, to codify those tax credits in law. Tran voted against dismantling access to affordable health care and signed a discharge petition in the House to bring H.R. 2753, the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act, to the House floor for a vote. Tran co-leads H.R. 4641, the Keep Kids Covered Act, with Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14), which would reduce the cost of healthcare for parents by ensuring continuous healthcare coverage for all children enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

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Congressman Derek Tran represents California’s 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.


Representative Tran Rejects Spending Bill that Fails to Ensure Safety for Communities, Local Law Enforcement

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) issued a statement today following his vote against the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2026, which provides funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without necessary oversight reforms to ensure the agency operates according to common-sense legal boundaries, including preventing U.S. citizens from being detained or deported.

“I am deeply disappointed that Congress missed a critical opportunity to keep our neighbors and our local law enforcement safe. While I support immigration enforcement actions that truly focus on apprehending violent criminals, I cannot support the dangerous chaos created by the Trump Administration, which has instead weaponized ICE to terrorize law-abiding families. I cannot reconcile what this legislation purports to call national security when American citizens are seeing tyranny on their own streets,” said Representative Tran. “People are scared to show up for school and work in fear of being indiscriminately targeted. Local businesses are struggling to protect the employees they rely on. Law enforcement is diverting precious resources responding to haphazard ICE raids that could be better spent elsewhere. It is past time for Congress to exercise our oversight authority over ICE’s disturbing pattern of excessive force and rein this rogue agency in.”

In response to the killing of Renee Good, an unarmed U.S. citizen, by masked ICE agents in Minneapolis, the House Appropriations Committee reopened negotiations regarding ICE funding levels included in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. However, the legislation failed to provide a strong framework to conduct oversight for ICE.

Representative Tran continues to closely monitor ICE activity across California’s 45th district and has cosponsored legislation to place checks on ICE’s conduct, including:

H.R. 4176, the No Secret Police Act, to prohibit ICE agents from wearing non-tactical face coverings while on duty;

H.R. 5973, The Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, to scale back the level of force permissible in immigration operations, and;

H.R. 3172, The ICE Visibility Act, to require agents to clearly identify themselves as such when interacting with the public.

H.R. 5653, the Trust Through Transparency Act, to require all ICE officials to wear body cameras when interacting with the public in immigration enforcement operations.

On June 12, 2025, Representative Tran, alongside Representatives Gil Cisneros (CA-31) and George Whitesides (CA-27), sent a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding answers regarding the deployment of armed forces to Los Angeles. During a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing, Tran pressed Secretary Hegseth on the militarized response to domestic protests and lack of coordination with state and local law enforcement to keep those community members who are exercising their First Amendment rights safe. Tran, joined by Representatives Cisneros and Judy Chu (CA-28), alsoled a letter to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons condemning the agencies for unlawfully denying their entry to the Adelanto ICE Processing Facility during a statutorily-protected oversight visit conducted on June 8, 2025.

Since taking office in January 2025, Tran’s office has opened over 230 cases to assist constituents related to the adjudication of their immigration status with federal agencies.

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Congressman Derek Tran represents California’s 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.


Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. Secures Key Funding for New Orleans, Passes Bipartisan Funding Bill for Sickle Cell Research

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) highlighted his support of bipartisan funding bills, H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act and H.R. 7148, the Department of Defense; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act. Congressman Carter voted in favor of both measures, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I am incredibly pleased to vote for the Community Project Funding in these bills that I know will have a lasting impact on LA-02,” said Rep. Carter. “These investments will grow our economy, making a real difference in the lives of so many. I am proud to have fought for funding that will make our community healthier, safer, and stronger.”

Additionally, H.R. 1796 the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act passed as a part of the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Act. Congressman Carter championed this bill that reauthorizes the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program for five years, which was last reauthorized in 2018. The program provides research funding for prevention and treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD).

“Sickle cell disease is a painful and often debilitating condition,” said Rep. Carter. “I’m proud that this bill passed in the House, which marks a critical step toward ensuring that patients with this inherited blood disorder receive the comprehensive, coordinated care they urgently need. It’s past time that we prioritize the health and well-being of those impacted by sickle cell disease, especially Black Americans who are disproportionately affected. I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law.”

SCD is a blood disorder predominantly affecting African Americans, Latinos, and other minority groups. Individuals with SCD have a significantly lower life expectancy than the overall population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sickle cell affects approximately 100,000 individuals in the United States.

You can read H.R. 1796 the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act here.

Key investments secured by Congressman Carter in FY26 Appropriations include:

Commerce, Justice, Science

$1,031,000 for the Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation Coastal and Fisheries Restoration Research and Equipment Initiative to fund research and equipment for Louisiana coastal erosion and fisheries restoration.

$1,031,000 for the Engaged Learning Strategies for the "School-within-a-School" project to re-engage at-risk and disengaged middle school students through a turnkey, customizable, and comprehensive STEM-based curriculum. The project will help divert at-risk youth from the justice system.

$1,031,000 for the First 72+ and Operation Restoration Comprehensive Reentry Program to provide reentry services for the populations served by the First 72+ and Operation Restoration, including access to mental health care, housing navigation, financial literacy, childcare, and workforce development.

$1,031,000 for the Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office Coroner Advanced Forensic Center Equipment Project to purchase state-of-the-art forensic equipment for a new Advanced Forensic Center that Jefferson Parish and neighboring criminal justice organizations will use in southeast Louisiana.

$1,031,000 for the Jefferson Manning Family Center Morgan Rae Center for Hope Child Abuse Program to provide support services for child victims of abuse and witnesses to violence.

$1,031,000 for United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Safe Children Initiative Firearm Storage Program to distribute free biometric gun safes to gun owners across seven parishes in Southeast Louisiana.

Interior and Environment

$1,092,000 for the City of Kenner’s Sewer/Wastewater Treatment Plant and Stabilization and Improvement Project to upgrade the city’s sewer system to improve stormwater drainage and reliability in the area near MSY Airport.

$1,092,000 for the City of Westwego’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Modernization to make critical upgrades to the city’s existing wastewater treatment facilities to extend their useful life, reduce operational costs, and support economic development.

$1,092,000 for St. Bernard Parish’s St. Claude Avenue Culvert Drainage Improvements Project to make drainage improvements to mitigate flooding for residents and industry in the Arab community.

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development

$3,700,000 for Biodistrict New Orleans Medical Education project to fund infrastructure for the Xavier University of Louisiana and Oschner Health's joint College of Medicine (XOCOM), which will help fill a critical gap in the Louisiana physician pipeline and support broader public health measures.

$2,550,000 for the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission and City of New Orleans Hayne Blvd Improvements Project which will enhance safety by implementing traffic calming measures designed to slow traffic that has been documented to be at extremely high and unsafe speeds. The project will also support the reopening of Lincoln Beach, which is located along this road.

$1,200,000 for the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad and Port of New Orleans Bywater Rail Relocation Project to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the Bywater neighborhood while also creating a safer section of the railroad for the public and shippers.

$150,000 for Ascension Parish’s Intersection Improvements Project to improve traffic flow and safety at the existing intersection (LA73-LA429).

You can read H.R. 6938 here.

You can read H.R. 7148 here.

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Congressman Valadao Reintroduces Legislation to Fight Back Against Human Trafficking

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) and Congressman Troy Carter (LA-02) reintroduced the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act. This bipartisan legislation establishes an annual certification program under the Blue Campaign at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to incentivize employers in covered industries to complete human trafficking awareness training.

“California leads the nation in reported human trafficking cases, and sadly, the Central Valley is no stranger to this epidemic,” said Congressman Valadao. “Workers in the entertainment, hospitality, and transportation industries are often the first to spot the warning signs, which is why proper training and awareness is so critical. Close coordination at the federal, state, and local levels is essential to catching and prosecuting human trafficking cases, and I remain committed to working with my colleagues to bring an end to this growing and disturbing crime.”

"Human trafficking is a horrific crime hiding in plain sight, and far too often it goes unreported. This bill strengthens our nation’s response by empowering the people who are most likely to spot the warning signs first, employees in industries like hospitality, transportation, and entertainment sectors. By expanding the Blue Campaign to recognize businesses that train their workforce to recognize and respond to trafficking, we are incentivizing vigilance, strengthening public-private partnerships, and making it clear that combating human trafficking is a shared responsibility. I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan effort to protect victims, hold traffickers accountable, and help save lives," said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr.

“The AGA endorses the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act and thanks Representatives Valadao and Carter for their leadership on this important issue. Training that helps frontline employees recognize the signs of human trafficking is critical. This legislation will encourage more companies to take that step, strengthen public-private collaboration, and reinforce that combating human trafficking is a shared priority," said Alex Costello, Vice President of Government Relations, American Gaming Association.

“The hotel industry is committed to human trafficking prevention and leading on training efforts and that’s why we’re proud to share that the free training available to hotel employees has been completed more than 2.5 million times. The ‘Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act’ provides important third-party validation for hotels’ training and prevention initiatives. The re-introduction of this legislation couldn’t come at a better time, during National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. We are grateful to Representatives Valadao and Carter for re-introducing this important bill and look forward to helping them pass it into law," said Rosanna Maietta, President & CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association.

The Human Trafficking Awareness and Recognition Act would:

Require the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a Blue Campaign Certification Program to incentivize employers in covered industries to encourage employees to complete human trafficking awareness training. The Blue Campaign would provide eligible employers with a certificate of completion to display for one year.

Requires a report to be submitted to the appropriate committees within two years after the enactment of this legislation.

Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 by requiring the Blue Campaign to increase coordination with experts from the private sector, academic institutions, and other covered industries

Background:

In 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) arrested more than 2,500 individuals for human trafficking-related offenses and assisted over 700 human trafficking victims. While these numbers are significant, they likely only represent a fraction of all instances of human trafficking, as many cases go unreported. The Blue Campaign, housed within the DHS’ Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT), aims to equip the public, law enforcement, and the private sector with awareness trainings and resources to reduce human trafficking crimes nationwide. While the Blue Campaign offers tools to help combat trafficking, it currently lacks an initiative for recognizing businesses that have trained their employees to recognize and respond to suspected human trafficking.

Read the full bill here.

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Congressman Valadao Secures Funding for Vital Infrastructure Projects Across the Central Valley

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) voted in support of the Consolidated Appropriations Act and Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The Consolidated Appropriations Act includes the Defense Appropriations Act; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Congressman Valadao, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, also secured several key wins for the Central Valley, including over $29.9 million in direct funding for community improvement projects. This marks the advancement of all 12 full-year funding bills for Fiscal Year 2026 in the House of Representatives.

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I was proud to vote to advance the final full-year government funding bills,” said Congressman Valadao. “This bipartisan package strengthens our national security, improves public safety, supports rural and underserved health centers, and invests in critical infrastructure like our nation’s highways. I’m especially proud to have secured more than $29.9 million for seven infrastructure projects across California’s 22nd Congressional District. From improving local roadways and farm-to-market corridors to expanding senior housing and increasing water supplies, these investments will deliver lasting benefits for our communities. I commend Chairman Cole for his leadership in advancing all 12 appropriations bills and look forward to the President signing them into law.”

Key investments secured by Congressman Valadao in the FY26 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act include:

$8.1 million for the City of Delano’s Water Plant No. 6 Blending Tank Project to construct a 2-million-gallon concrete blending tank and booster pump station, increasing potable water production by approximately 1.5 million gallons per day and strengthening water reliability for Delano residents.

$7.57 million for the Housing Authority of the County of Kern’s Bakersfield Senior Center Housing Project to construct 36 units of affordable senior housing.

$5 million for the City of Wasco’s Downtown Revitalization Project to reconstruct roads and alleys, improve sidewalks and gutters, expand ADA accessibility, enhance lighting, and upgrade water mains, increasing safety, supporting active transportation, and investing in small businesses in a rural, underserved community.

$2.5 million for the Tulare County Resource Management Agency’s Avenue 192 and Road 192 Project to rehabilitate key farm-to-market corridors through targeted repairs and a full-width pavement overlay, revitalizing a primary transportation route serving the unincorporated communities of Plainview, Woodville, and Poplar.

$3 million for the City of Bakersfield’s Monitor Street Safe Route to Schools Project to improve a 1.3-mile segment of Monitor Street from Merrimac Avenue near South High School to Fairview Road, enhancing pedestrian safety and improving quality of life in surrounding disadvantaged neighborhoods.

$1.25 million for the City of Arvin’s 4th Street Project to make critical roadway and streetscape improvements between Campus Drive and Walnut Street, improving access and safety while supporting future housing and economic development in a rural, farmworker community.

$2.5 million for the Kern Council of Governments’ State Route 43/7th Standard Road Roundabout Project to replace a rural four-way stop with a safer, trucking-enabled roundabout at the intersection of State Route 43 and 7th Standard Road, improving traffic safety and strengthening a critical goods movement corridor connecting the Cities of Bakersfield and Shafter with access to I-5.

Read the full Consolidated Appropriations Act here.

Read the full Homeland Security Appropriations Act here.


Rep. Vasquez Introduces Bipartisan Waste Heat to Wattage Act to Lower Utility Bills for New Mexican Families and Businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On January 22, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) introduced the Waste Heat to Wattage Act to lower utility costs for New Mexicans, especially in rural areas where energy costs are high and resources are limited.

“Utility bills have skyrocketed to an unacceptable level, and we need creative solutions to bring them back down for New Mexicans,” said Rep. Vasquez. “This bipartisan bill is a smart, commonsense step forward to boost energy efficiency, lower costs, and support businesses, especially in rural New Mexico.”

Every year, American industries produce large amounts of energy in the form of excess heat and pressure. Factories, power plants, and other facilities vent this wasted energy into the air, despite the fact that this energy can be captured and converted into electricity.

Rep. Vasquez’s Waste Heat to Wattage Act facilitates waste energy recovery as a commonsense opportunity to:

Lower costs for businesses by improving energy efficiency.

Create new revenue streams for rural manufacturers and agricultural processors.

Boost rural communities by expanding access to federal energy programs without requiring new fuel inputs.

Cut pollution by turning waste byproducts into usable power.

The bipartisan bill — which amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to recognize waste energy recovery as renewable energy under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) — is co-led by U.S. Representative Jim Baird (IN-04) and endorsed by the Heat is Power Association and Kanin Energy. By unlocking this technology for REAP and other USDA programs, the bill strengthens rural economies, reduces business’ energy costs, limits pollution, and enhances America’s energy security.

“I am proud to join Rep. Vasquez in introducing this important legislation to help lower costs for businesses while improving energy efficiency,” said Congressman Baird. "Every day, businesses and industries release excess heat into the air, wasting energy that could instead be converted into electricity. This legislation allows businesses to harness this energy and reduce waste. It will also benefit rural communities by improving energy use, expanding access to federal energy programs, and lowering energy costs.”

“The Waste Heat to Wattage Act will help rural communities turn wasted energy into affordable electricity,” said Jennifer Schafer, Executive Director, Heat is Power Association. “By making waste energy recovery eligible under USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program, this bill will provide farmers and industries with funding to deploy proven technologies that generate 24/7, emission-free electricity – lowering energy costs and improving reliability. We thank Representatives Vasquez and Baird for their leadership and support of the waste heat to power industry.”

“We applaud Representatives Vasquez and Baird for introducing the Waste Heat to Wattage Act. This bipartisan legislation recognizes waste heat to power as a proven, reliable energy solution that strengthens rural economies and lowers energy costs,” said Janice Tran, CEO of Kanin Energy. “By capturing energy that would otherwise be wasted, manufacturers and small businesses can generate clean, 24/7 baseload power — improving efficiency and helping U.S. industry stay globally competitive.”

Rep. Vasquez’s work to lower utility bills for New Mexicans is a core component of his Affordability Agenda — a concrete plan to make life more affordable for working class New Mexicans. He has also stood up against the Administration’s reckless policies that are raising utility bills, including the Department of Energy’s decision to cut$135 million for next-generation energy projects in New Mexico and the Republican tax law that cut incentives for energy projects in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.

In December 2025, as New Mexicans braced for the coldest winter months, Rep. Vasquez successfully fought the Administration’s withholding of critical Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds, ensuring seniors, veterans, working parents, and families in rural and Tribal communities were able to afford to stay safe and warm this winter.

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Vindman Stands Up for Safety & Security, Votes Against Bill That Could Fund Stafford ICE Mega Detention Center

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) released the following statement after voting against the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill.

“My family and I came to this country as a refugee fleeing Soviet Ukraine with just $800 in our pockets, and sadly, my story is no longer possible in Trump’s America. We are a country of immigrants and let me be clear: we can have secure borders without being cruel.

“After conversations with the Stafford community about a proposed ICE mega detention center that could house up to 10,000 detainees, it is clear that this would be cruel to the core and unacceptable in our community.

“I am also particularly concerned about the life, health, and safety in and around these detention centers. To date, I have received zero guarantees from ICE that this facility would avoid potential locations near hospitals, schools, or daycare centers. I will always fight for the health, safety, and security of my neighbors and could not support this appropriations bill as written.”

BACKGROUND

Last year in July 2025, DHS received $150 billion under H.R. 1, which is now being used to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with zero accountability or oversight from the Republican-held Congress.

In early January, Vindman secured more than $2.75 million in federal funding for law enforcement and public safety projects in Virginia’s Seventh District as part of a U.S. House-passed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bill.

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Democrats Demand Documents from Kristi Noem After Record 53 Deaths in ICE & CBP Custody on Her Watch

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Rep. James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, led Committee Democrats in sending a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem demanding that she ensure Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) avoid preventable deaths of people in their custody after 53 people have tragically died in ICE or CBP custody on her watch.

Letter excerpt:

“It is obvious yet tragic that ICE is unwilling or unable to provide basic care for detainees. ICE

stopped paying its third-party medical providers for detainee care in October of last year. At the same time, DHS has not demonstrated that its attempts to hire more medical personnel to fill critical shortages have been fruitful,” the Members wrote.

“Despite the fact that a lack of medical personnel at detention facilities “may increase the risk of inadequate medical care” and evidence that low medical staffing levels lead to preventable deaths, the Trump administration has spent the year terrorizing American communities by conducting indiscriminate roundups of immigrants who will be sent to facilities that are incapable of providing proper medical care. DHS also has gutted its internal detention oversight offices, and ICE is evading congressional oversight by barring Members of Congress from conducting unannounced inspections of detention facilities.”

Link to letter


Rep. Wasserman Schultz Debate on H.Con.Res.68

Watch here.

TRANSCRIPT [ENGLISH]

I rise in support of this resolution because I simply do not trust this President to truly prioritize democracy and the will of the Venezuelan people.

I represent one of the largest Venezuelan communities in the country. Many of my constituents fled brutal repression under Chavez and Maduro.

Most of them were glad to see Maduro captured and face justice.

And so was I.

Maduro is a murderous criminal who tortured, imprisoned, impoverished and oppressed his people.

He stole elections, jailed his opponents, drained his nation’s wealth, and unleashed the largest peacetime refugee crisis in history.

Eight million Venezuelans driven into exile.

I was glad to see Maduro held accountable, and this resolution wouldn’t preclude operations like the one that arrested him.

Especially if the Administration finally does what they should have already done:

Come up with a day-after plan for democracy, present a coherent strategy to Congress, and make a case to the American people.

But arresting Maduro does not fix Venezuela, because Maduro did not destroy Venezuela by himself.

He relied on criminal affiliates who helped him cling to power.

Delcy Rodriguez. Jorge Rodriguez. Diosdado Cabello. Vladimir Padrino Lopez.

All of them share Maduro’s guilt, but instead of being thrown in jail, they were left in charge.

The machinery of repression was left in place, and the democratic hopes of Venezuelans are being left behind.

My constituents who celebrated Maduro’s capture are horrified to see President Trump normalize relations with the same regime that forced them to flee.

This President must not make the U.S. complicit in the brutal repression of Venezuelans, which continues today.

Yet Trump continues to jeopardize the lives of lawful Venezuelan immigrants by forcing them back into this chaos after he terminated their TPS.

Trump has lavished praise on Maduro’s hand-picked replacement, Delcy Rodriguez, who ran the regime’s torture dungeons.

Meanwhile, he’s dismissed and demeaned Venezuela’s democratic leaders, like María Corina Machado and president-elect Edmundo Gonzalez.

In fact, President Trump hasn’t said one word about seeking democracy or human rights in Venezuela.

If Congress backs military action, then democracy, stability, and safety for Venezuelans should be the objective.

But those aren’t President Trump’s goals.

He only speaks about getting a cut of the regime’s oil sales and ignores their ongoing oppression.

I have no illusions about the dangers this regime poses.

I’m open to the idea that military action may be needed to achieve democracy.

And if Trump truly cared about Venezuelan democracy, he has tools at his disposal. He has broad authority to defend our national security interests.

He could employ covert action, enforce vigorous sanctions, support civil society groups on democracy’s front lines, and take action, as he does, against cartels and narco-terrorists.

And he could use his, quote, “tremendous leverage,” to push for elections and human rights.

Because this resolution doesn’t block any of that.

Instead, Trump is just seeking profits for the same Big Oil companies who have propped up Maduro for years.

He moved on his own, with no plan for democracy, and he swapped out one dictator for another and declared “Mission Accomplished.”

My vote today isn’t about the means that this President used to capture Maduro. Presidents should use the power they have to be tough on dictators who abuse their own people.

But given his utter disdain for democracy, and his callous disregard for the chaos and violence to which law-abiding Venezuelans are being deported, I simply cannot give this President a blank check to put troops on the ground.

For all we know, Trump plans to deploy troops to protect the regime’s oil facilities – not to liberate Venezuelans.

I’ve known Maria Corina Machado for years, but this week I was finally able to meet her in person for the first time.

She’s remarkable, inspiring, and I have total faith in her selfless dedication to bring Venezuela out of darkness. More importantly, Venezuelans have faith in her.

When we spoke, she discussed the “essential momentum” the democracy movement needs, and the danger of allowing this lingering dictatorship to reinforce its grip on power.

She told us conditions on the ground are dire, that we cannot allow the regime and the militias to strengthen their hold on power.

Maria Corina has a vision to resurrect Venezuela, and there is a U.S. role to see it through.

That’s why it’s so disturbing that her White House meeting ended with no firm commitments, no timeline for elections, and no guarantees from President Trump.

Instead of opening a pathway to democracy, this President is focused on opening offshore accounts to hoard Venezuelan oil money.

So, I support this resolution because of my faith in Maria Corina Machado, not in spite of it.

It is rooted in my ongoing commitment to standing resolutely with Venezuelans to demand an end to this illegal regime.

It is aligned with my belief that a transition to democracy, led by Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez, must take place.

I hope I’m wrong about the President’s motivations, and he brings Congress a real strategy to transition Venezuela to democracy.

I hope he was moved by Maria Corina Machado’s vision, and not just her Nobel prize.

But I’m a show-me person, not a tell-me person. And so far, President Trump has shown that he’s more concerned with seizing Venezuela’s oil than freeing Venezuelans from dictatorship.

¡Hasta el final!

Thank you, and I yield back.

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TRANSCRIPT [SPANISH]

Me levanto en apoyo de esta resolución porque simplemente no confío en que este presidente priorice verdaderamente la democracia y la voluntad del pueblo venezolano.

Represento a una de las comunidades venezolanas más grandes del país. Muchos de mis electores huyeron de la represión brutal bajo Chávez y Maduro.

La mayoría se alegró de ver a Maduro capturado y de que se enfrente a la justicia.

Y yo también.

Maduro es un criminal asesino que torturó, encarceló, empobreció y oprimió a su pueblo.

Robó elecciones, encarceló a sus oponentes, agotó la riqueza de su país y desató la mayor crisis de refugiados en tiempos de paz a lo largo de la historia.

Ocho millones de venezolanos expulsados al exilio.

Me alegró ver que Maduro haya sido responsabilizado, y esta resolución no impediría operaciones como la que lo arrestó.

Especialmente si la Administración finalmente hace lo que ya debería de haber hecho:

Elaborar un plan para la democracia al día siguiente, presentar una estrategia coherente al Congreso y presentar un caso ante el pueblo estadounidense.

Pero arrestar a Maduro no arregla a Venezuela, porque Maduro no destruyó Venezuela el solo.

Dependía de socios criminales que lo ayudaron a mantener el poder.

Delcy Rodríguez. Jorge Rodríguez. Diosdado Cabello. Vladimir Padrino López.

Todos comparten la culpa de Maduro, pero en vez de ser encarcelados, se les dejó a cargo.

La máquina de represión quedó en su lugar, y las esperanzas democráticas de los venezolanos se están quedando atrás.

Mis electores que celebraron la captura de Maduro están horrorizados al ver al presidente Trump normalizar relaciones con el mismo régimen que los obligó a huir.

Este presidente no debe dejar que Estados Unidos sea cómplice de la represión brutal de los venezolanos, que continúa hoy en día.

Sin embargo, Trump sigue poniendo en peligro la vida de los inmigrantes venezolanos legales al obligarlos a volver a este caos tras terminar su TPS.

Trump ha elogiado al sustituto elegido personalmente por Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez, que dirigía las operaciones de tortura del régimen.

Mientras tanto, ha descartado y degradado a los líderes democráticos venezolanos, como María Corina Machado y el presidente electo Edmundo González.

De hecho, el presidente Trump no ha dicho ni una palabra sobre la democracia o los derechos humanos en Venezuela.

Si el Congreso apoya la acción militar, entonces la democracia, la estabilidad y la seguridad para los venezolanos deberían ser el objetivo.

Pero esos no son los objetivos del presidente Trump.

Solo habla de recibir una parte de las ventas de petróleo del régimen e ignora la opresión que continua.

No tengo ilusiones sobre los peligros que este régimen representa.

Estoy abierta a la idea de que una acción militar pueda ser necesaria para lograr la democracia.

Y si a Trump realmente le importa la democracia venezolana, tiene herramientas a su disposición.

Tiene la autoridad para defender nuestros intereses de seguridad nacional.

Podría emplear acciones encubiertas, imponer sanciones agresivas, apoyar a grupos de la sociedad civil en primera línea de la democracia y actuar, como hace contra los cárteles y los narcoterroristas.

Y podría usar su, cito, "enorme influencia" para impulsar elecciones y derechos humanos.

Porque esta resolución no bloquea nada de eso.

En cambio, Trump solo busca beneficios para las mismas petroleras que han sostenido a Maduro durante años.

Se movió por su cuenta, sin un plan democrático, y cambió a un dictador por otro y declaró "Misión cumplida".

Mi voto de hoy no trata sobre los medios que este presidente usó para capturar a Maduro. Los presidentes deberían usar el poder que tienen para ser duros con dictadores que abusan a su propio pueblo.

Pero dado su desprecio absoluto por la democracia y su insensible desprecio por el caos y la violencia a los que están deportando a los venezolanos que respetan la ley, simplemente no puedo darle a este presidente un cheque en blanco para que envíe tropas sobre el país.

Por lo que sabemos, Trump planea desplegar tropas para proteger las instalaciones petroleras del régimen, no para liberar a los venezolanos.

Conozco a María Corina Machado desde hace años, pero esta semana por fin pude conocerla en persona por primera vez.

Es extraordinaria, inspiradora, y tengo total fe en su dedicación para sacar a Venezuela de la oscuridad. Aún más importante, los venezolanos confían en ella.

Cuando hablamos, habló del "impulso esencial" que necesita el movimiento democrático y del peligro de permitir que esta dictadura persistente refuerce su control del poder.

Nos dijo que las condiciones en el país son alarmantes, que no podemos permitir que el régimen y las milicias refuercen su control del poder.

María Corina tiene la visión de resucitar Venezuela, y existe un papel de Estados Unidos para llevarla a cabo.

Por eso resulta tan preocupante que su reunión en la Casa Blanca terminara sin compromisos firmes, sin un calendario electoral y sin garantías por parte del presidente Trump.

En lugar de abrir un camino hacia la democracia, este presidente se centra en abrir cuentas offshore para acumular dinero del petróleo venezolano.

Así que apoyo esta resolución por mi fe en María Corina Machado, no a pesar de ella.

Está arraigado en mi compromiso de apoyar firmemente a los venezolanos para exigir el fin de este régimen ilegal.

Está alineado con mi creencia de que debe producirse una transición hacia la democracia, liderada por María Corina Machado y Edmundo González.

Espero equivocarme sobre las motivaciones del presidente, y que él aporte al Congreso una estrategia real para la transición de Venezuela a la democracia.

Espero que se haya conmovido con la visión de María Corina Machado, y no solo con su premio Nobel.

Pero soy de una persona de demostrarme, no de decirme. Y hasta ahora, el presidente Trump ha demostrado que le importa más apoderarse del petróleo venezolano que liberar a los venezolanos de la dictadura.


Rep. Watson Coleman Votes to Pass Fiscal Year 2026 Minibus, Rejects DHS Funding Bill

Minibus includes funding covered by Labor Health and Human Services; Transportation and Housing and Urban Development; and Defense subcommittees.

Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), New Jersey’s sole member of the Appropriations Committee, voted for the FY26 Minibus covering Labor Health and Human Services (LHHS); Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD); and Defense subcommittees.

The Minibus stabilizes funding for the Office of Minority Health, maternal and child health programs, critical investments in our highways, roads, and bridges, and rules to protect renters and prevent the evictions of over 4 million households.

In addition, Congresswoman Watson Coleman helped include safeguards to prevent arbitrary cuts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants like those seen last week.

“This minibus spending package restores much of the vital programs and services that Republicans had sought to deprive our communities,” said Watson Coleman. “While the Defense Department’s budget is far too large and in need of an audit there is far more good in this bill than bad.”

Congresswoman Watson Coleman voted against the Department of Homeland Security funding bill, citing a lack of necessary reforms to curb abuses by ICE and DHS leadership.

“The DHS funding bill failed to address the very real problem of an out-of-control Immigration and Customs Enforcement that has made meeting arbitrary quotas and filling detention hall beds its priorities over the safety and civil rights of law-abiding residents,” said Watson Coleman. “Until real reforms are made that respect the safety and security of our communities, I cannot vote to provide further funding toward a seemingly lawless agency.”

The minibus also includes over $13 million in funding for 11 important projects in the 12th District:

$450,000 for infrastructure upgrades along Route 522 in South Brunswick

$2,000,000 for a recreational development project - the Assunpink Greenway in Trenton - to transform former industrial sites into an active recreation site

$850,000 for critical ADA renovations to the Bound Brook Memorial Library to increase accessibility

$1,000,000 for the North Brunswick Community Resilience Hub to provide immediate shelter to residents during extreme weather events and other emergencies

$1,200,000 for design and construction of a roadway and pedestrian bridge at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield

$500,000 for necessary improvements to the building housing the Old Bridge Food Bank

$3,150,000 for a community center in Plainfield to be utilized for educational outreach, workforce development, and health monitoring

$850,000 for HVAC replacement and infrastructure improvements at the Otto Kaufman Community Center in Montgomery

$1,000,000 for a Recreation Center in Hillsborough

$2,000,000 for the Coalport Neighborhood Revitalization and Facility Redevelopment program to renovate an existing vacant city-owned building in Trenton and establish a mixed-use facility that will advance economic opportunities by supporting workforce and small business development

These projects are in addition to four other projects funded in the minibus passed on January 8th.

This funding bill now heads to the Senate.


Rep. Webster: Congress Finally Embracing Member-Driven Appropriations Process

Washington, D.C. — Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, delivered remarks on the House Floor this morning in support of the House of Representative’s work to restore regular order and pass 12 appropriations bills.

Watch Congressman Webster’s remarks here.

“We are on the brink of a historic moment. This is a day I have worked toward for a long time.

“Throughout my time here, I have fought for legislative reforms that would restore a member driven process. This is the most member-driven, principled process in Congress, in my time here.

“I ran for office pledging to restore fiscal responsibility, and Congress is finally embracing it.

“For years, I have urged my colleagues to reject the Washington presumption that nothing can be cut from the budget in order to fund priorities without increasing the deficit.

“By the end of this week, Congress will have passed 12 individual appropriation bills that both fund critical priorities while also reducing spending.

“This is a great moment.”

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Rep. Webster Votes to Complete FY26 Funding

Washington, D.C. — Today, Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, voted to pass H.R. 7147, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 and H.R. 7148, which funds the Department of Defense and Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. These bills mark the passage of the final four appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2026, delivering fiscal responsibility.

“Today, I voted to pass the final set of Fiscal Year 2026 funding bills,” said Rep. Webster. “With the passage of these bills, my Republican colleagues and I are rejecting a bloated omnibus bill and taking meaningful action to undo the damage caused by the Biden Administration and Democrats’ reckless policies. These bills advance President Trump’s America First agenda – restoring law and order at the border, rebuilding our military readiness, and refocusing federal spending on priorities that actually benefit American families.”

Together, these bills restore fiscal discipline and accountability. Each bill reflects House Republicans’ commitment to border security, military strength, infrastructure investment, and eliminating wasteful spending.

Key provisions of H.R. 7148 – Department of Defense and Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development:

Delivers a 3.8% pay raise for service members and funds training, readiness, and munitions production.

Bans radical DEI and CRT programs in the military and restores focus on warfighting.

Codifies DOGE cuts, defunding NPR and PBS.

Cuts Biden-era IRS funding that targeted hardworking Americans.

Invests in roads, bridges, air traffic control staffing and critical infrastructure projects.

Funding secured by Rep. Webster for his district including

City of Winter Garden for Lake Apopka Shoreline Restoration

Great Orlando Aviation Authority to improve roadways and signage

Town of Montverde for CR455 street completion

Key provisions of H.R. 7147 – Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act:

Ends Biden-era catch-and-release policies and increases resources to detain and deport illegal aliens.

Provides $116 million to counter China by increasing the Coast Guard’s Indo-Pacific footprint while also funding a military pay raise for Coast Guard servicemembers.

Increases ICE funding by nearly $485 million compared to FY24 levels and strengthens efforts to stop trafficking of fentanyl and illicit drugs.

Blocks illegal aliens from taxpayer-funded housing and defunds programs that encourage illegal immigration.

Improves safety by requiring English proficiency for commercial truck drivers.

Webster added, “For years, I have called on my colleagues to reject the Washington presumption that nothing can be cut from the budget in order to fund conservative priorities without increasing the deficit. Today, we have returned to common sense and responsible governance by completing the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process, without a bloated omnibus bill or continuing resolution.”

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