Congressman Gabe Evans' FIRE Act Passes Through Energy and Commerce Committee, Heads to the House Floor

WASHINGTON — Today, Reps Gabe Evans’ (CO-08) and Adam Gray’s (CA-13) bipartisan Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events (FIRE) Act, H.R. 6387 passed through the Energy and Commerce committee. The bill will ensure that states are not punished for the smoke and emissions they cannot control, while still maintaining strong environmental protections.

The FIRE Act works to provide clarity and predictability for air quality planning, reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on manufacturers and communities, and reward proactive wildfire mitigation that protects public health and improves air quality for future generations.

“A leading reason for the affordability crisis facing Coloradans is red tape around air quality permitting. When the economy is strangled under the weight of costly, poorly designed ozone attainment standards, jobs are lost, prices spike, and financial stress increases negative health outcomes. Clean air is important to everyone, but Colorado jobs should not be penalized for emissions outside of their control — whether it's Canadian wildfires or Chinese pollution.

My bill, the FIRE Act, is a common-sense solution that will drive down costs for working families in Colorado by clarifying that Clean Air Act benchmarks should not be used to punish jobs and hamstring the economy for things like prescribed burns or out-of-state wildfire smoke.” — Congressman Gabe Evans

"This bipartisan bill would protect communities in the Central Valley from strict air quality regulations following prescribed burns or wildfire pollution. I commend the Energy and Commerce Committee for quick passage of the FIRE Act and call on Speaker Johnson to bring this bill to the Floor for a vote." — Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13)

Background:

For years, areas along the Front Range of Colorado have consistently struggled to meet ozone attainment levels set by the federal Clean Air Act.

The resulting red tape around air quality permitting and the regulations that Colorado’s ruling Democrats slap onto the industry, the economy and consumers, are a leading cause of the affordability crisis that working families in Colorado District 8 are facing — and what has marked Colorado the sixth most heavily regulated state in the country. When the economy is strangled under the weight of costly and poorly designed ozone attainment standards, jobs are lost, prices spike, and financial stress increases negative mental and physical health outcomes.

When families and jobs are penalized for emissions outside of their control, it leads to unemployment, higher costs which both fail to promote healthy living standards and instead promotes poverty.

Regulation under the Clean Air Act has resulted in Colorado imposing reformulated gasoline mandates on drivers. In the summertime, commuters across the state are forced to buy reformulated gas that's typically 40 cents more expensive per gallon, despite the so-called “mitigation effort” producing negligible results — less than 1 part-per-billion in actually reducing ozone levels.

In fact, the Democrat appointed chair of the Denver regional air quality council admitted that we could, “ban oil and gas in Colorado and still not meet summertime ozone standards.”

In Colorado only 29% of the ozone and air pollution along the Front Range originates from human activity in Colorado. The other 71% percent of the air pollution is from sources like wildfires, pollution from communist China, and naturally occurring atmospheric events.

The FIRE Act was introduced on December 3, 2025 and passed through the Energy and Commerce, Environment Subcommittee on December 11, 2025.

Watch Congressman Evans speak in favor of the passage of his bipartisan FIRE Act during the Energy and Commerce full committee markup on January 21, 2026.


What They Are Saying... Rep Evans' FIRE Act

Key stakeholder support is flooding in for Congressman Gabe Evans’ Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events (FIRE) Act. The FIRE Act ensures that states are not punished for smoke and emissions they cannot control, while still maintaining strong environmental protections.

This bill works to provide clarity and predictability for air quality planning, reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on manufacturers and communities, and reward proactive wildfire mitigation that protects public health and improves air quality for future generations.

Read the full bill text here.

The FIRE Act has received widespread support from stakeholder organizations;

➡ Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association: “We appreciate the efforts and leadership of Congressman Evans to propose this legislation. We all support clean air, but we need to modernize air quality regulations that do nothing more than to add burden to businesses, add cost and do not result in environmental improvements. Thank you, Congressman Gabe Evans!!”

➡ Colorado Association of Home Builders: “Excluding emissions from prescribed burns from contributing to air quality standards can help provide additional flexibility for Colorado manufacturers seeking Clean Air Act permits and encourage prescribed burns, which is helpful for forest health and, by extension, logging operations – both of which help with construction material costs and supply chains for homebuilders, helping reduce Colorado’s housing affordability challenges.” — Ted Leighty, CEO

➡ Colorado Petroleum Association: “Colorado has long failed to meet the federal air quality standards, with an approach that is costly to consumers, over-regulates businesses of all sizes, and fails to target a primary source of the problem: emissions from wildfires and out-of-state emissions transport. Due to costly and burdensome state air quality regulations, Colorado businesses face significantly higher operating costs than out-of-state competitors, increasing costs for everyone. The FIRE Act is a reasonable approach that will lower costs for Coloradans by clarifying how emissions from wildfires, prescribed burns, and other exceptional events are considered in federal air quality standards. We need more tools to manage air quality, not bureaucratic obstacles.”

➡ Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association: “Colorado fuel marketers and station owners as well as our customers hope that Colorado pays attention to this much needed and important effort to reduce costs on the Colorado economy and working families. For too long Colorado families have taken more out of limited family budgets, to throw money endlessly to solve an ozone problem the majority of which is out of our control and a lot of which is simply naturally occurring and would be here even if no people lived in Colorado.. Expensive and unnecessary mandates like Reformulated Gasoline, which even our Governor tried his best to oppose, are the result of inaction for years by people and groups who use this archaic law as a way to justify and enhance the economic pain families are feeling. Congressman Evans just provided hope with this legislation, and it can and should avoid further cost increases, in this policy area, on Colorado families. We hope this takes away the need for costly mandates like the proposed indirect source rule proposal which will increase the cost of groceries. Colorado businesses are facing 10's of millions of dollars right now in increases all of which get passed down like an avalanche bury Colorado families. Air quality will continue to improve without further cost burdens. This is simply transformative.”

➡ Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Association: “Manufacturers support Clean Air Act reforms as part of critically needed comprehensive permitting reform. CAMA appreciates your actions to address the mounting permitting challenges facing Colorado manufacturers under increasingly stringent air quality standards. Unless addressed, these challenges will essentially block permitting approvals for projects critical to economic growth, manufacturing infrastructure, and jobs. Your efforts will foster our industry’s ongoing efforts to improve air quality while preventing unnecessary burdens that reduce economic growth and tax revenues vital to local communities.”

➡ Club 20: “Club 20 supports the FIRE Act as a practical solution that protects rural communities from being unfairly penalized for wildfire smoke, while encouraging proactive forest management. This bill helps safeguard Western Colorado's economy, regulatory certainty, and commonsense wildfire mitigation efforts.”

➡ Western Governors Association: “Western Governors thank Representatives Evans and Gray for their bipartisan legislation that removes regulatory barriers to wildfire risk reduction. In recent years, Western Governors have developed and advocated for a range of policy recommendations to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration via broader deployment of prescribed fire. The Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events (FIRE) Act streamlines the exceptional events process, minimizing its regulatory burden and promoting the safe use of prescribed fire. Western Governors are eager to continue to work with the Energy and Commerce Committee to support important forest management reforms such as the FIRE Act." — Jack Waldorf, Executive Director

➡ Competitive Enterprise Institute: “Congress needs to take action to ensure that, codified within the CAA, states are not unfairly penalized for prescribed burns. Disincentivizing their use can undermine forest management. And ironically, penalizing the use of prescribed burns can hurt air quality, which undermines the purpose of the CAA.” — Daren Bakst, Director of the Center for Energy and Environment

➡ The American Cement Association: “The below legislation, introduced in this Congress … will balance the need to continue improving air quality while fostering economic growth and innovation.”

➡ Colorado Ready Mix Concrete Association: “The Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete Association wants to thank Representative Gabe Evans for his efforts and fully supports the Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events (FIRE) Act. This bill will help modernize the Clean Air Act and is a step in the right direction for Colorado.”

➡ The Colorado Oil and Gas Association: “The Colorado Oil & Gas Association strongly endorses Congressman Evans’ Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events (FIRE) Act. This Act will make key updates to Section 319(b) of the Clean Air Act to ensure that states are not penalized in ozone attainment determinations for clearly defined exceptional events like wildfires and prescribed burns. By clarifying how these events and state-approved wildfire mitigation activities are treated in federal air quality reviews, the FIRE Act will provide much-needed clarity to EPA in assessing these events, and in turn, greater regulatory certainty for industries affected by Colorado's ozone non-attainment status in the Front Range. The Colorado Regional Air Quality Council's (RAQC) most recent modeling shows the Front Range's ozone challenge is significantly driven by exceptional events as well as natural sources and international transport of ozone rather than by Colorado businesses. COGA appreciates Congressman Evans’ leadership on this issue and looks forward to working with him as this important legislation advances.” — Lynn Granger, President, CEO

➡ U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “Across the country, overreaching regulations have slowed projects that could deliver significant benefits to our economy and environment. By modernizing permitting and clarifying regulatory requirements, Congress can unlock private investment, accelerate job creation, and enhance national security. Importantly, these reforms will allow us to build the modern infrastructure needed to compete in the global race for innovation — supporting advancements in artificial intelligence, strengthening transportation networks, expanding affordable and reliable energy, and ensuring America remains a leader in technology and economic growth.”

➡ Colorado Motor Carriers Association: "Colorado fuel marketers and station owners as well as our customers hope that Colorado pays attention to this much needed and important effort to reduce costs on the Colorado economy and working families. For too long Colorado families have taken more out of limited family budgets, to throw money endlessly to solve an ozone problem the majority of which is out of our control and a lot of which is simply naturally occurring and would be here even if no people lived in Colorado.. Expensive and unnecessary mandates like Reformulated Gasoline, which even our Governor tried his best to oppose, are the result of inaction for years by people and groups who use this archaic law as a way to justify and enhance the economic pain families are feeling.

Congressman Evans just provided hope with this legislation and it can and should avoid further cost increases, in this policy area, on Colorado families. We hope this takes away the need for costly mandates like the proposed indirect source rule proposal which will increase the cost of groceries. Colorado businesses are facing 10's of millions of dollars right now in increases all of which get passed down like an avalanche bury Colorado families. Air quality will continue to improve without further cost burdens. This is simply transformative.”

➡ American Petroleum Institute: “The FIRE Act is a much-needed measure that gives states and businesses the certainty they need to manage exceptional events – like prescribed burns that prevent catastrophic wildfires – while meeting air quality standards and continuing to reduce emissions. We applaud Rep. Gabe Evans for his leadership in advancing practical reforms that protect the environment and strengthen America’s energy advantage.”

➡ Tri-State Generation: “The FIRE Act offers an important step toward balancing clean air protections with proactive wildfire mitigation while also promoting coordination between public and private land managers. By recognizing prescribed burns and other risk-reduction measures as essential tools, this legislation ensures states can protect communities from catastrophic wildfires without being penalized for temporary air quality impacts. In turn, this bill will help Tri-State maintain grid reliability and has the potential to lower costs associated with wildfire damage by reducing wildland fuels in landscapes across our service territory.” — Duane Highley, CEO

➡ National Association of Manufacturers: “On behalf of the National Association of Manufacturers, the largest manufacturing trade association in the United States, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states, we write in strong support of…H.R. 6387, the Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events Act, introduced by Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO), would amend the Clean Air Act to require revisions to regulations governing the review and handling of air quality monitoring data influenced by exceptional events or actions to mitigate wildfire risk.”

➡ American Forest and Paper Association: “Accordingly, we support the Committee’s attention to these critical Clean Air Act implementation and permitting issues. These efforts will foster ongoing air quality improvements while preventing unnecessary burdens that reduce economic growth and tax revenues vital to local communities. Specifically, we support the Committee’s continued efforts on the following implementation and permitting legislation: H.R.6387: To amend the Clean Air Act to require revisions to regulations governing the review and handling of air quality monitoring data influenced by exceptional events or actions to mitigate wildfire risk.”

➡ National Mining Association: “The National Mining Association (NMA) commends the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for scheduling a markup to move legislation to address permitting obstacles to retaining and expanding U.S. energy infrastructure, including reliable and affordable coal-fired electric generation. Specifically, the NMA urges prompt committee passage of: Congressman Gabe Evans’ (R-Colo.) H.R. 6387, the Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events (FIRE) Act.”


Rep. Gillen Secures Over $1 Million for the Village of Hempstead’s Water Treatment System,  Hosts Press Conference with Mayor

HEMPSTEAD, NY — Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) hosted a press conference alongside Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr., Trustee Tanya Carter and local resident Mary Purdie to announce $1,092,000 in federal funding secured for critical upgrades to the Village’s water treatment system.

This much-needed investment was delivered through a bipartisan Fiscal Year 2026 government funding package recently signed into law. In this bout of funding alone, Congresswoman Gillen has secured more than $3.2 million for New York’s Fourth Congressional District.

“The Village of Hempstead relies on a water treatment plant that is more than a century old and has been found to contain alarming levels of toxic, cancer-causing PFAS chemicals,” said Congresswoman Gillen. “For far too long, this issue was ignored, leaving residents without the clean, safe drinking water they deserve. I’m proud to have fought for and secured this funding, which will support critical upgrades to Hempstead’s water infrastructure, improve water quality and ensure a stronger, more reliable system for years to come.”

“This plant is over 100 years old … So we’re rehabbing this whole facility, to not just address one issue when it comes to delivering quality water for the residents of Hempstead, it’s addressing all issues,” said Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr.

“We have wonderful people that we have elected and they have not forgotten about any one of us,” said Hempstead Village Trustee Tanya Carter. “When we turn on our tap water, we want to make sure that everyone is drinking safe water.”

“I want to thank everybody that helped with this project,” said Mary Purdie, Hempstead resident. “It was a hard, long process, but everybody's still on board. I'd like to thank the mayor, who's my friend in good trouble. And I'd also like to thank Congresswoman Gillen for she has been amazing for keeping up with this. A lot of people would drop off, but she never dropped off and I thank her so much because this is so important to all the people in the Village of Hempstead.”

At 74, Ms. Purdie became a passionate advocate for clean water in Hempstead after noticing a rise in cancer among her friends and neighbors, raising concerns about the safety of her own tap water. Determined to take action, she collected thousands of signatures from fellow Hempstead residents and shared her concerns with Rep. Gillen. Rep. Gillen pledged that, if elected to Congress, she would fight to ensure every resident of Hempstead and across Nassau County has access to safe, clean drinking water and later secure the federal investment in Hempstead’s water treatment facility upgrades.


Rep. Gillen's Statement on Voting to Pass the Department of Homeland Security funding package:

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) released the following statement:

Let us be clear: this bill is about funding FEMA disaster relief, about stopping child trafficking and the spread of fentanyl in our communities and strengthening our cybersecurity and law enforcement. I support funding our immigration enforcement and the commonsense guardrails that have been included in this package. I’m shocked my colleagues would vote to cut off national and community security funding while leaving ICE to operate under the status quo. Importantly, this bill also funds security grants that protect houses of worship from violence and funds the Office of Civil Rights. I voted to protect our nation and American lives. I urge the Senate to pass this bill swiftly.


Reps. Gillen and Mann Advance Bipartisan Bill to  Address Aviation Workforce Shortage

Rep. Gillen’s full committee remarks can be found HERE.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) and Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01), members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced the Military Air Traffic Control Transition Actand advanced the bill through the Committee. This bipartisan bill aims to address the shortage of air traffic controllers by making it easier for skilled military controllers to join the civilian workforce, ensuring safer skies and a stronger, more reliable air traffic system.

“Our aviation system is stretched thin, even as highly trained military air traffic controllers stand ready to serve,” said Rep. Gillen. “Today, the FAA employs six percent fewer controllers than it did in 2015 and in 2023, TRACON N90 in Nassau County operated at less than 85 percent of the FAA’s target staffing level. These shortages have led to increased flight delays and cancellations and put the safety of our airspace at risk. This bill addresses these challenges by streamlining the transition process for military controllers, who too often face unnecessary barriers and unclear pathways into civilian roles. I’m proud to lead this effort to ease staffing shortages, strengthen our air traffic system and support our dedicated service members.”

“Civilian military officials work hard to aid our military, and they deserve fair job opportunities when returning to non-defense work,” said Rep. Mann. “Our Military Air Traffic Control Transition Act creates an easier pathway for experienced Military controllers to join the FAA and protect American aviation while honoring their prior experience in service to our nation. This is a commonsense step to alleviate the strain on our Air Traffic Controllers and to ensure accomplished military officials can use their skills to protect our skies. I am grateful the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed our bill, and I look forward to its consideration by the full House of Representatives.”

“As this committee works to modernize the nation's air traffic control system, we have to continue to prioritize growing the FAA's workforce,” said Rep. Rick Larsen, Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “A robust and skilled aviation workforce is critical to ensuring the safety of the flying public and this legislation is an important step to meeting the staffing demands of our evolving airspace. I want to thank Representative Gillen for leading this legislation, as well as the FAA Managers' Association and NATCA for their organizational support.”

"The FAA Managers Association (FAAMA) strongly supports the recently introduced Military Air Traffic Control Transition Act. This important legislation will help ensure much-needed collaboration between the FAA and DOD Civilian authorities on the potential transition of air traffic managers, supervisors and controllers to new career paths,” said Mike Smith, President, FAA Managers Association. “If enacted, this bill would mark a significant step in opening up a new pipeline of experienced managers, supervisors and controllers to help address major staffing shortages across the air traffic spectrum. FAAMA applauds Congresswoman Laura Gillen and Congressman Tracey Mann for their leadership on this vital issue and looks forward to helping them advance this effort forward in the coming months."


Golden statement on Day 3 of increased ICE operations in Maine

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today released the following statement regarding ongoing, increased operations by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers in Maine:

“Federal law enforcement agencies have the right and responsibility to enforce federal laws, including immigration laws, and a targeted law enforcement operation focused on individuals who have engaged in criminal activity serves the public interest. It’s also true that for long-term stability and social cohesion, law enforcement requires public trust. DHS should prioritize its enforcement actions on public safety and must themselves comply with federal laws. Immigrants with legal status should not be targeted, court authorities should be obeyed and due process must be followed.

“Free speech and lawful protest are protected rights, but regardless of how anyone feels about immigration policy or ICE’s tactics, people must not obstruct or impede law enforcement activities. And all of us — including public officials — must resist the urge to amplify tensions or spread unverified reports. That is a recipe for confrontation and escalation that helps no one.”

Golden continues to monitor events on the ground and his district offices remains open to constituents.


Golden statement on the 53rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today released the following statement on the 53rd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s historic Roe v. Wade decision:

“Every American deserves the freedom to choose how and when to start a family, but that right was stolen from countless women when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade,” Golden said. “Roe was a landmark decision with a strong constitutional basis that afforded women the basic right to autonomy over their own bodies. The loss of reproductive freedom put American lives at risk, and I will keep working to restore these rights to every woman in the United States.”

Golden believes the decision to start a family should remain a private matter between women and their doctors. Since he was elected to office, Golden has supported reproductive health care and worked to codify the abortion rights that Roe protected. He also has voted in favor of prohibiting restrictions on traveling out-of-state to receive an abortion and ordering drugs approved for terminating a pregnancy.

Golden is an original cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025, which would codify the Roe decision by confirming an individual’s right to terminate or continue a pregnancy. For women who choose to start a family, Golden last year introduced the Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act, which would require private health insurance companies to fully cover the costs of childbirth and related maternity care.

After Dobbs v. Jackson overturned Roe in 2022, Golden spoke in firm opposition to the decision, calling it a “grave mistake.”

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Golden votes for final funding package necessary to avoid another harmful government shutdown

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today voted for the remaining Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills that, if passed by the Senate, will fund the government and avoid another harmful government shutdown at the end of the month.

A spending “minibus” to fund the departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development passed the House in a bipartisan 341-88 vote.

“Passing a budget is our primary responsibility in Congress and I’m proud to have supported this package of spending bills, which will provide some measure of relief for Americans dealing with a high cost of living by increasing funding for child care and Head Start and by funding important rental assistance programs and initiatives to combat homelessness,” Golden said. “Meanwhile, the Defense appropriation continues our commitment to shipbuilding at Bath Iron Works and to our service members, with nearly $2 billion to support the DDG program and a much-needed 3.8 percent pay increase for military personnel.”

In a separate vote, the House funded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with a bipartisan 220-207 vote. The bill funds the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The bill includes funding to outfit Border Patrol and ICE agents with body cameras and to ensure both agencies provide training in de-escalation tactics.

“Failure to fund DHS would undermine public safety and emergency response services. To me, that was never an option,” Golden said. “By engaging in the process, rather than blocking it, we secured funding for body cameras and de-escalation training — two proven tactics embraced by law enforcement agencies across the country — that I believe will support responsible law enforcement and begin to restore trust.”

Golden noted that the two spending packages rejected roughly $163 billion of cuts proposed by the Trump administration and that, in passing all its appropriations bills rather than enacting another Continuing Resolution, Congress had reasserted its authority over the federal budget.

Among the minibus’s provisions are:

Public Health: $400 million in increased funding for the National Institutes of Health; a $30 million increase for the Office of Research on Women’s Health; and a rejection of proposed cuts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Addressing the Affordability Crisis: Increases funding for child care and Head Start by $170 million; provides $66.6 billion in funding for rental assistance, rejecting the administration’s effort to cut the program by 50 percent; and increases funding for Homeless Assistance Grants by $366 million.

Transportation Infrastructure: Increases funding for the Federal Aviation Administration by $1.6 billion, including funding to hire 2,500 new air traffic controllers; and restores funding for the Amtrak Northeast Corridor plus $850 million in new funds.

Support for Shipbuilding and Servicemembers: Nearly $2 billion in funding for construction, advance procurement and programmatic funding for the DDG family of destroyers, many of which are built at Bath Iron Works; and a 3.8 percent pay raise for all military personnel.

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Rep. Jimmy Gomez Votes to Reject DHS Funding Bill that Would Give Billions to Trump's ICE and CBP

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) voted NO on billions in funding for ICE and CBP, opposing both the DHS appropriations bill and the final spending package.

Watch Rep. Gomez explain his vote here


Rep. Tony Gonzales Secures Over $42 Million in Community Investments for South and West Texas

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed all remaining annual funding bills, keeping the federal government fully operational through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). Through his seat on the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) secured over $42 million in direct funding for communities across South and West Texas.

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I take seriously my responsibility to use taxpayer dollars wisely while delivering results for the communities I represent. This year's funding bills include more than $42 million to service critical needs across our district,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. “The projects I secured in these bills will help our veterans have better access to services, provide law enforcement officers in Texas with more resources, make important school safety upgrades, improve emergency response efforts, and support water infrastructure across Texas’ 23rd Congressional District. These resources will soon be on the way to our communities, and I look forward to seeing these important projects break ground across our district.”

To date, Congressman Gonzales has secured nearly $170 million in community investments for TX-23.

Community Investments Secured by Congressman Tony Gonzales:

$7.5 M for a Veterans’ Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio

$4.2 M for School Security Enhancements for North East ISD in San Antonio

$2.6 M for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Anti-Gang Intelligence Unit

$4.2 M for Medina County Law Enforcement Radio Upgrades

$4.2 M for School Security Enhancements for Uvalde CISD

$3.2 M for West Texas Law Enforcement Communications Upgrades

$4.2 M for Lower Valley Law Enforcement Equipment Upgrades in El Paso County

$1.25 M for Wastewater Infrastructure in Bexar County

$1.25 M for Uvalde County’s Drought Resiliency Project

$2 M for a Community Center in Hudspeth County

$2 M for a Community Center in San Elizario (El Paso County)

$1.9 M for an Emergency Operations Center in Frio County

$2 M for the UAS Drone Workforce Development Center at the University of Texas at El Paso

$2 M for First Responder Housing in Reeves County

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Congressman Vicente Gonzalez Votes YES to Fund Federal Agencies Ahead of Dangerous Winter Storms

Washington D.C.— Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) released the following statement after voting yes to fund federal agencies through the end of September 2026.

“Congress has an obligation to fund federal agencies that provide essential public services and resources to all Americans. We need to prevent a lapse in government funding and fund FEMA assistance programs and U.S. Coast Guard operations as South Texas and nearly half the country braces for a dangerous winter storm.

“Regrettably, this bill does nothing to stop ICE from continuing the shameful operations in South Texas and communities around the country - indiscriminate deportations that are causing businesses to shutter, putting construction at a standstill, and causing a major labor shortage. Congress must act to ensure transparency and accountability surrounding this Administration’s reckless immigration policies, but refusing to pass a Homeland Security funding bill would only create further harm to the American public. Just this week, I asked senior administration officials to let the President know about the negative effects ICE raids are having on our labor force and small business community in South Texas. I urge the President and his Administration to work with me to fix this.”

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Chairman Guthrie Demands Answers from Health Insurance Execs Over Increased Costs of Health Care

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, delivered the following opening statement at today’s Health Subcommittee hearing with top health executives examining health insurance affordability.

Chairman Guthrie’s opening statement as prepared for delivery:

Thank you, Chairman Griffith. And thank you to our panel of CEO witnesses for being here today.

Today’s hearing will the first in a series of hearings focused on health care affordability, and we begin by hearing testimony from our nation’s top health insurance CEOs.

According to CMS, America spent $5.3 trillion dollars on health care in 2024. That represents a staggering 18 percent of our country’s gross domestic product.

Over 200 million people in the U.S. get their health insurance through the private marketplace. Of that total, around 178 million people receive coverage through their employer, and 24 million get their coverage through Obamacare.

Across these markets, health care costs have been increasing at an unprecedented rate. In the Obamacare markets, health care premium increases for 2026 were as high as 40 and 50 percent in some cases. In the employer marketplace, year-over-year cost increases for 2026 are at a 15-year high.

Despite what my Democratic friends would have the American people believe, health care affordability is far from a one-market issue. It also isn’t a new issue–this committee has previously worked in a bipartisan way to pass major reforms across the health care sector to make health care more affordable for all Americans. I hope we can rise above the politics and have a real discussion about the root causes of affordability and how we can help ALL Americans have access to more affordable care.

And that is why we have convened this panel of CEOs today, who can speak authoritatively on the market forces affecting affordability.

The goal of this hearing is to have a conversation about these rising health care costs, and your companies sit at the center of our health care financing system. Nearly every dollar spent on health care in America runs through your companies or one of your competitors. And we as a country are spending a lot on health care.

A core component of your industry’s value proposition is working on behalf of Americans to lower the cost of health care, along with improving access and quality. Yet, health care costs are increasing every year, and more and more Americans have become frustrated by the feeling that their insurance is working against their health, not for it.

I want to be clear in what we expect to hear answers on today:

– As some of the largest companies in our economy and amongst the companies that benefit the most from government subsidies, how do you justify the continued skyrocketing of health care costs for your beneficiaries?

– What are you doing that is working to lower health care costs, what isn’t working, and what are the barriers?

– What should insurance companies be doing better to live up to your promises to the American people?

I thank the witnesses for their participation and look forward to discussing these issues with you all today. I yield back.

Additional information about today’s hearing can be found here.

Chairman Guthrie’s five minutes of questioning can be found here.

Additional highlights from today’s hearing provided by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce can be found here.


Congresswoman Gwen Moore Votes No on Providing Billions More to Immigration Enforcement

Today, Congresswoman Moore voted against the 2026 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill and released the following statement:

“Despite repeated efforts by House and Senate Democrats to push for stronger accountability provisions, this bill fails to rein in a rogue agency that is creating fear in our communities, trampling on due process, detaining U.S. citizens, and using cruel and unnecessary tactics that consistently flout the law.

For instance, this legislation allows DHS to continue immigration operations in sensitive locations, such as schools, places of worship, and hospitals. It fails to require immigration officials to wear identification or to limit the use of masks by those officials unless absolutely necessary. It doesn’t secure strong requirements that ICE comply with use of force guidelines to address too many instances of excessive use of force. The bill also wouldn’t block the detention of American citizens. At the end of the day, this bill fails to implement any meaningful reforms that would protect our communities while still allowing for enforcement of our immigration laws.

Without these and other key reforms that Congress can enact using its power of the purse, I remain concerned that these abuses will only continue in our communities. We owe it to our communities to do more. After Republicans voted for $190 billion in additional funding for immigration enforcement in their so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill without any safeguards, I cannot support a bill that provides more funds to immigration enforcement.”


Congresswoman Hageman Votes for Final FY26 Appropriations Bills

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) voted in favor of H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act. With House passage of these bills, the House of Representatives has now completed all 12 annual appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2026 ahead of the January 30 funding deadline.

“These bills show what responsible governance looks like when Washington focuses on results,” said Rep. Hageman. “Thanks to President Trump’s secure border, we cut billions in wasteful Biden-era border crisis programs and defunded the NGOs who helped carry out this invasion. This legislation also completes every Community Project Funding request I submitted for Wyoming, strengthens highway safety through English Language Proficiency enforcement, and ensures our rural communities and workforce get the support they need.”

Notable wins in these bills include:

Includes Rep. Hageman’s final Community Project Funding request of $2 million for the City of Rock Springs’ Bitter Creek Restoration Project.

Requires the Department of Transportation to update regulations so lack of English Language Proficiency triggers an out-of-service order for commercial drivers, implementing a version of Connor’s Law.

Cuts $1.8 billion from Customs and Border Protection programs that went to NGOs that existed solely to facilitate the Biden border crisis, including $1.7 billion for soft-sided processing facilities and $650 million for migrant transport.

Allocates $513 million to sustain funding for 22,000 Border Patrol agents and increases ICE funding by $371 million.

Repeals the recently passed Arctic Frost provisions, allowing Senators to sue the DOJ for $500,000 or more in damages.

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Congressman Rogers Applauds House Passage of Final Four Federal Funding Bills

Includes Nearly $95 Million More in Rogers’ Requests for Community Project Funding in Eastern Kentucky

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) voted for the final four federal funding bills for fiscal year 2026, including Transportation, Housing and Urban Development; Defense; Labor, Health and Human Services; and Homeland Security. All four bipartisan bills were passed in the House on Thursday and move on to the Senate for consideration before the funding deadline on January 30, 2026. The completion of all 12 federal funding bills brings an end to Biden-era spending and supports President Trump’s America First agenda.

“We are delivering on our promise to strengthen America at our borders and from within our communities. This comprehensive legislation invests in our healthcare and education systems, lowers prescription drug costs, improves our roads and infrastructure, modernizes our military fleet and strengthens our homeland defense on every side,” said Congressman Rogers, a cardinal appropriator. “In Southern and Eastern Kentucky, I’m proud to have secured nearly $95 million in Community Project Funding earmarks to meet critical needs in our region, including roadway expansions and airport renovations, better emergency operations facilities and flood monitoring systems, clean water improvements, and economic development projects.”

Congressman Rogers’ final nine Community Project Funding earmark requests include the next phase of the Somerset Northern Bypass, completion of the Mountain Parkway Extension, construction of a new Wolfe County Search and Rescue Emergency Operations Center, construction of a new Northern McCreary County Firehouse, construction of a new City of Pikeville Industrial Building, terminal renovations at the London-Corbin Regional Airport, Harlan County water system improvements, construction of a new Clay County Livestock Marketplace, and funding for Kentucky Emergency Management to improve flood monitoring systems along the Kentucky River.

The legislation also secures many of Congressman Rogers’ other priorities, including the following highlights:

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) provides $102.883 billion:

$3.3 billion for Community Development Block Grants;

$1.25 billion for the HOME Investment Partnership Program;

Rental assistance for more than 4.6 million households;

Prioritized funding for distressed coal communities;

$4 billion for FAA to upgrade facilities and hire 2,500 new air traffic controllers and 54 safety inspectors, including $45 million for Aviation Workforce Development Grants; and

$30 million for the SUPPORT for Patients and Community Recovery Housing Program.

Defense provides $839.2 billion:

Modernizing our American military fleet, our nuclear triad and strengthening missile defense and space programs;

3.8% pay raise for military servicemembers and improved quality of life for military families;

Nearly $180 million for programs supported through manufacturing and engineering in Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District;

$305 million for the National Guard Counterdrug Program;

$87.4 million for the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program; and

$175 million for the National Guard State Partnership Program.

Homeland Security provides $64.4 billion:

Enhancing resources to detect and counter trafficking of deadly drugs, like fentanyl, that poison our communities;

Ending programs that incentivized illegal immigration;

$18.3 billion for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including $513 million for Border Patrol agents;

$32 billion for FEMA, including $26.3 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund; and $2.85 million for FEMA Continuing Training Grants for Rural Areas; and

Investing in disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts with increased grant funding for firefighters and first responders.

Labor, Health and Human Services provides $221 billion:

Safeguards taxpayer dollars and eliminates weaponization of government;

Invests in rural hospitals and primary health care for strong and healthy families, including $418 million for rural health programs and rural hospitals at risk of closure;

Increases transparency and reporting for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to curb harmful pricing practices, sustain rural pharmacies, and protect seniors’ access to local prescription drug services;

Supports efforts to lower prescription drug costs, including policies that promote greater transparency and rebate pass-through in Medicare Part D;

$775 million for Community Service Block Grants;

$40 million for the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program, a program co-created by Congressman Rogers;

$37.3 million for the National Diabetes Prevention Program;

$1.9 billion for Community Health Centers;

Requires additional Affordable Care Act transparency and accountability; and

Medicaid Administrative Improvements to streamline Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, supporting telehealth and addressing workforce shortages.

The Trump Administration supports passage of the remaining federal funding bills, issuing the following statement:

“The Administration is pleased the Congress is completing the appropriations process in a manner that avoids a bloated omnibus package and adheres to a fiscally responsible topline agreement that decreases overall discretionary spending, while making key investments in Administration priorities.”

For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.

Bill Text

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148)

The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7147)

Bill Summaries

Defense – Bill Summary

Homeland Security – Bill Summary

Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies – Bill Summary

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies – Bill Summary


SCAMS: Harder Announces Sweeping Anti-Scam Legislation to Crack Down on Organized Cybercrime

Californians lost $2.5 billion to online scams in 2024

Bipartisan bill creates government-wide task force led by FBI to crack down on organized cybercrime

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) introduced sweeping, bipartisan legislation to comprehensively crack down on organized cybercrime. Led with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), the Stop Schemes, Cyber-fraud, Abuse, Manipulation, and Swindles (SCAMS) Act creates a first-ever, government-wide task force led by the FBI to prevent and respond to a wide range of scams.

Modern scams are sophisticated crimes that are only getting worse:

Across the country, Americans reported more than $16 billion stolen through scams in 2024, and as much as $2.5 billion in California from a wide range of scams.

These can take the form of robocalls, fake tax collections, phony job ads, card-declined alerts, and cryptocurrency schemes targeting seniors, veterans, and working families.

Severe scams like identity theft are growing rapidly and increasingly targeting previous victims multiple times.

“Scams are more than just an annoying robocall – this is an organized attack on working families that robs them of their hard-earned savings and financial stability,” said Rep. Harder. “This bill is a crackdown on these criminals that brings every level of government together under one mission to end criminal scams. We’re going to see more arrests, fewer robocalls, and less financial theft, and I look forward to working across the aisle to get this bill signed into law.”

How the Stop SCAMS Act cracks down on organized cybercrime:

New Task Force – Directs the FBI to organize a coordinated, government-wide task force to prevent and respond to modern scams.

Better Data – Aligns inter-agency actions, definitions, and data to improve the efficiency of scam-fighting efforts.

Prevention – Measures the effectiveness of scam prevention efforts and improves public education campaigns.

“The first duty of our government is to protect the American public—that includes protecting them from fraud that preys on trust and uncertainty,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “Our Stop SCAMS Act brings long-overdue oversight to a fractured system by aligning the FBI, FTC, and CFPB behind one strategy, one set of definitions, and real accountability. Having led complex, multi-agency investigations as a National Supervisor for the FBI's Public Corruption Unit, I know that fragmented responses invite exploitation, and disciplined coordination is how you protect the public before the damage is done.”

“AARP, which advocates on behalf of 125 million Americans aged 50 and older and their families, is pleased to endorse the bipartisan Stop SCAMS (Schemes, Cyber-fraud, Abuse, Manipulation, and Swindles) Act,” said Jennifer Jones, Vice President, AARP Government Affairs. “This critical legislation is an important step in addressing the growing epidemic of scams that target seniors, veterans, and working families across the country.”

Harder has repeatedly pushed Washington to take organized scams more seriously – in 2024, he sounded the alarm on skyrocketing fraud rates and led a bipartisan letter to congressional leadership calling for new anti-fraud efforts. Harder is also pushing to designate May 9th as National Scam Survivor Day.

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Hayes Votes No On Homeland Security Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) voted NO on the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026. The funding bill provides $64.4 billion for the Department, without doing enough to rein in the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The final vote in the House of Representatives was 220 to 207.

Congresswoman Jahana Hayes released the following statement on her vote.

“I will not vote for a bill that gives ICE more money as public trust in the agency is eroded. This bill does not include broader reforms, including preventing U.S. citizens from being detained, mandating agents to remove masks, wear body cameras or adhere to the constitution, or requiring extensive training of officers. My constituents are horrified by ICE’s well-documented pattern of excessive force, lack of transparency, and disregard for civil and human rights. I join the over 500 civil and human rights organizations in the belief that Congressional funding has enabled DHS to become a dangerous agency operating with impunity.

Protecting our borders and enforcing immigration laws are important to preserving our national security. We can accomplish this while also protecting civil rights and ensuring public safety. The Department of Homeland Security received $150 billion, with $75 billion specifically for ICE, in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enough to fund the agency for almost seven years. We cannot continue to operate without an acknowledgement of the escalating tensions and undermining of community trust in law enforcement. Congress must show that the cruelty and lawlessness of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is unacceptable and this vote is my way of demanding reform.”


Cámara aprueba paquete de asignaciones impulsado por el Comisionado Residente con $7.9 millones para Puerto Rico

$2 millones para el Centro de Investigación de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Mayagüez (UPRM) — Fase I, destinados a la creación de salones, laboratorios y espacios de capacitación de vanguardia para el desarrollo de la fuerza laboral en inteligencia artificial y ciberseguridad.

$2 millones para mejoras a las instalaciones del YMCA de Ponce, ampliando el acceso a programas comunitarios, fortaleciendo la accesibilidad y dotando al centro de capacidad para responder a emergencias.

$1.2 millones para la reconversión de una escuela pública cerrada en el Centro de Innovación Agroempresarial de Isabela, con el fin de apoyar el establecimiento de 15 nuevos agronegocios, generar empleos y revitalizar la economía local.

$1 millón para el desarrollo y construcción de viviendas comunitarias para adultos mayores en Barceloneta, apoyando a residentes de edad avanzada de ingresos bajos y moderados y promoviendo un envejecimiento digno y seguro.

$850,000 para el Proyecto de Desarrollo y Construcción del Centro de Avance de Pequeñas Empresas en Habilidades de Próxima Generación y Emprendimiento (SANSE) de San Sebastián para apoyar el emprendimiento, el desarrollo de habilidades de la fuerza laboral y el crecimiento de las pequeñas empresas que impulsen el desarrollo económico local.

$850,000 para el Proyecto de Revitalización de Vivienda Asequible del Municipio de Manatí para apoyar el desarrollo comunitario y la construcción de viviendas asequibles para familias de bajos ingresos.

$9.2 mil millones para el CDC, $8.9 mil millones para HRSA y $7.4 mil millones para salud mental y prevención del abuso de sustancias (SAMHSA).

$48.7 mil millones para el National Institutes of Health (NIH), incluyendo $6.6 mil millones para el National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). El comisionado impulsó esta asignación mediante carta el 30 de mayo de 2025.

$1.8 mil millones para Job Corps, para crear oportunidades laborales para jóvenes en Puerto Rico. El comisionado impulsó esta asignación mediante carta el 23 de mayo de 2025.

$18.4 mil millones para fondos de Title I que apoyan a escuelas K–12 y $15.5 mil millones para educación especial.

$22.5 mil millones para Pell Grants, manteniendo la ayuda máxima en $7,395 para estudiantes, junto con $1.2 mil millones para TRIO y $2.2 mil millones para educación técnica. El Comisionado Residente ha sido un defensor constante de estos programas y ha abogado firmemente en contra de recortes a TRIO, incluyendo gestiones formales mediante carta enviada el 27 de julio de 2025.

$12.4 mil millones para Head Start y Early Head Start que benefician a miles de familias y niños en la Isla. El comisionado impulsó esta asignación mediante carta el 23 de mayo de 2025.

$4 mil millones para el Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). El comisionado impulsó esta asignación mediante carta el 23 de mayo de 2025.

$12.3 mil millones para el presupuesto operativo de la Administración del Seguro Social (SSA), incluyendo $2.4 mil millones para actividades de integridad del programa para fortalecer la prevención de fraude y la eficiencia del sistema. El comisionado impulsó esta asignación mediante carta el 23 de mayo de 2025.

$292 millones para la Oficina de Servicios de Museos del Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), fortaleciendo a museos comunitarios como infraestructura cultural y educativa. El comisionado impulsó esta asignación mediante carta el 23 de mayo de 2025.

$18.6 mil millones para la Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), fortaleciendo aeropuertos y la seguridad aérea que conecta a Puerto Rico con el resto del mundo.

$64.3 mil millones para el Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) para programas de infraestructura y carreteras.

$3.3 mil millones para Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), apoyando proyectos de vivienda, infraestructura y desarrollo comunitario en municipios de Puerto Rico.

$38.4 mil millones para vales de vivienda (Sección 8) para ayudar a familias y adultos mayores a mantenerse en sus hogares. El comisionado impulsó esta asignación mediante carta el 21 de mayo de 2025.

$4.4 mil millones para asistencia a personas sin hogar, impulsados por gestiones formales del Comisionado Residente mediante carta enviada el 23 de mayo de 2025. El comisionado impulsó esta asignación mediante carta el 21 de mayo de 2025.

$876 millones para infraestructura portuaria de la Federal Maritime Administration, esenciales para la movilidad, y el comercio de Puerto Rico.

Inclusión de lenguaje de informe para evaluar la incorporación de Puerto Rico en el American Housing Survey, reconociendo la necesidad de contar con datos de vivienda más precisos para atender las necesidades habitacionales de la Isla. HUD deberá presentar un informe al Congreso sobre la viabilidad, cuánto tiempo tomaría, y qué recursos serían necesarios para llevar a cabo esta evaluación.


RELEASE: HILL AND MOSKOWITZ INTRODUCE BILL TO COMBAT CAPTAGON AND OTHER NARCOTICS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (AR-02) and Rep. Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) yesterday introduced the Countering Captagon and Narcotics Post-Assad Act. This bipartisan bill updates Rep. Hill’s law, the CAPTAGON Act, to include information on Captagon production shifts and a strategy to disrupt Captagon, methamphetamine, and other amphetamine-type stimulant networks.

Rep. Hill said, “I have been focused on the threat posed by Captagon and other narcotics in the region for years. Following the fall of Assad, Captagon production has shifted, trafficking routes have adapted, and the harm is spreading across the region. It is imperative that we have clear, up-to-date information and a coordinated strategy to disrupt these networks, address the growing methamphetamine problem, and protect regional and global stability.”

Rep. Moskowitz said, “Captagon did not disappear with the Assad regime. It adapted and spread. As drug production and trafficking shift across the Middle East, Congress must update its strategy to meet the reality on the ground. I am proud to co-lead the Countering Captagon and Narcotics Act to track evolving narcotics networks, strengthen cooperation with our partners, and disrupt criminal organizations tied to Hezbollah and Iran-backed proxies.”

Quotes in support of the Countering Captagon and Narcotics Post-Assad Act

"The American Task Force on Lebanon is proud to support the Countering Captagon and Narcotics Act. It is crucial that the U.S. continue to support efforts to dismantle and disrupt Captagon trafficking in the Middle East. Soldiers from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have lost their lives in this mission, and the LAF has proven an excellent and capable strategic U.S. partner in this critical effort. We commend Rep. French Hill for his leadership on this issue."

– Amb. (ret.) Ed Gabriel, President and CEO of the American Task Force on Lebanon

"While the Assad has fallen in Syria, the Captagon trade—a multi-billion dollar industry Assad's regime built in its last five years in power—is far from over in the region. The departure of the regime has lifted the 'anchor' on industrial-scale production in Syria, inducing a spillover effect both within and outside Syria and amongst new, malign non-state actors in Sudan, Yemen, Iraq, and other countries. The potential shortage in Captagon has also encouraged criminal actors to engage in the production and trafficking of methamphetamine, a much more harmful and challenging drug for both public health and law enforcement in the region. While the new Syrian government and its regional partners have made serious strides in disrupting drug operations in the country, its stability remains undermined by regime remnants and new criminal actors that are using Captagon and methamphetamine operations as alternative revenue streams that can help fund malign activities that undermine U.S. interests in the region.

“This legislation enables the U.S. to play a proactive part in addressing these threats, updating an existing mechanism created by the CAPTAGON ACT (2021-2022) to help monitor and disrupt these evolving networks."

– Caroline Rose, Director of the Captagon and Methamphetamines Projects, the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy

“Captagon and methamphetamine trafficking are critical security threats to U.S. allies and partners in the Middle East, and their trade continues fuel regional instability. The Countering Captagon and Narcotics Post-Assad Act includes timely and necessary updates that will enhance U.S. interagency coordination and better focus attention on the evolving nature of these drug networks. FDD Action strongly supports this bipartisan effort to disrupt narcotics production, trafficking, and financing across Syria and the wider region.”

– Matt Zweig, Managing Director for Policy at FDD Action

Supportive Organizations

Citizens for a Safe and Secure America (C4SSA)

FDD Action

New Lines Institute

Multifaith Alliance

Syrian American Council

American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL)

Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF)

Further Background

Captagon is an illicit narcotic that is a stimulant. It has been used by young people and combatants. In post-Assad Syria, Captagon production has shifted to small-scale operations, particularly in the south, following the Assad regime's crackdown. This suppression has pushed Captagon production and trafficking into neighboring countries. Crystal meth (i.e., methamphetamine) use is also growing in the region.

To combat Captagon and other narcotics in the region, Rep. Hill and Rep. Moskowitz want to update the CAPTAGON Act by introducing the Countering Captagon and Narcotics Act.

The bill specifically asks the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with State, Treasury, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), and others as needed, to submit a report to Congress on Captagon, methamphetamine, and other amphetamine-type stimulant production and trafficking.

Rep. Hill’s Previous Captagon-related Laws

H.R. 6265 – Countering Assad’s Proliferation Trafficking And Garnering Of Narcotics (CAPTAGON) Act: This law required the U.S. government to develop an interagency strategy to disrupt and dismantle narcotics production and trafficking and affiliated networks linked to the Assad regime in Syria.

This bill was passed in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and was signed into law in December 2022.


RELEASE: HILL VOTES FOR FINAL APPROPRIATIONS BILLS TO FULLY FUND THE GOVERNMENT FOR FY26

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 by a vote of 341-88, and H.R. 7147, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 by a vote of 220-207:

“By passing these final appropriations bills, House Republicans are demonstrating that regular order can still work in Washington. After years of relying on bloated, last-minute continuing resolutions and stopgap measures, we are moving back to a process where Congress debates and passes spending bills the way it is supposed to. That is how you get better outcomes and more accountability for taxpayers.

“These bills deliver for our troops and their families, strengthen border security, fund important medical research, and invest in critical infrastructure, all while saving taxpayers money. This is another step toward restoring fiscal discipline and responsible governance, and making sure the federal government is working for the people of Arkansas and the country.”

Background:

H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, includes appropriations for the following agencies: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development; and Defense. H.R. 7147, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, funds the Department of Homeland Security.

Here are a few items of note that were included in the four appropriations bills that passed the House today:


Himes to Oppose ICE Funding in Homeland Security Bill

Washington, DC—Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) today released the following statement regarding his intention to vote against the Department of Homeland Security bill that includes funding for ICE.

“I will not facilitate the lawlessness of an agency that is murdering young mothers, threatening peaceful protestors with assault rifles, and kidnapping elderly Americans out of their homes. Trump may think he rules by divine right, but this country is still a democracy and the President is still beholden to the constitution. The Department of Homeland Security should not receive one more cent of government funding until we see accountability for the death of Renee Good and the other atrocities being visited on our communities.

“If my Republican colleagues were genuinely interested in furthering legal and humane immigration efforts, they would have supported meaningful reforms that ensure ICE officers do not threaten the safety or civil liberties of Americans. Instead, we're voting on a bill that enables an indefensible status quo. I will vote no.”


Hinson’s Bipartisan Pregnant Students’ Rights Act Passes House

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of her bipartisan Pregnant Students' Rights Act. This legislation helps ensure young women attending college are given proper information about their rights and available resources on campus. These protections and options available to pregnant students include, and are not limited to, flexible class schedules, excused absences, and child care assistance.

— Remarks as Delivered —

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the chairman for yielding, and his excellent work in shepherding this bill through the Education and Workforce Committee. I rise today to support my bill, the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act.

"This is a commonsense piece of legislation because when Roe v. Wade was rightfully overturned in 2022, the next chapter of the pro-life movement began. We were all given the opportunity to help strengthen our support for unborn babies and for new moms.

"As a mom of two, this issue is personal for me. Because I know that when you’re pregnant, there are about a million questions that are going through your head at any given time.

"You've got the doctors’ appointments. You've got the new financial responsibilities, and pregnant students have so much on their plate as they're working to balance school and have a healthy pregnancy at the same time.

"So I think it's just unacceptable that so often they have to choose between finishing their education and having their baby—despite the Title Nine protections that are already in place.

"Under Title Nine, pregnant students have the right to stay in school, finish their education, and achieve their career goals. However, the academic disparity does exist because of limited resources and, sometimes, support for pregnant students. These women may fear institutional reprisal, loss of an athletic scholarship, or even negative impacts on their academic opportunities and their standing.

"So those fears and anxieties are not only unjust to women, but they're a poor reflection of how our higher education institutes are treating pregnant students.

"Higher education institutions and universities have a responsibility to empower all their students, all of them, to succeed—including pregnant students. They deserve to be treated with respect and surrounded with care and love. That's what this piece of legislation is designed to do.

"I have visited pregnancy resource centers in Iowa and met with so many of those who have dedicated their cause to life—many of whom have traveled right here to Washington, DC for the March for Life this weekend. Maybe a snowy March for Life this weekend.

"And it has been inspiring to me to see all of the pro-life community spring into action to really help our expecting mother and their babies to thrive. Because that is what this movement is all about: it's about recognizing the sanctity of every life and valuing life at every stage.

"It is crucial that pregnant women know that they have people standing behind them, resources available to them, and that they are entitled to these accommodations on campuses. Completing an education as a mother is not only empowering for the student, but this is vital to ensuring a strong future for her child. For our next generation.

"The Pregnant Students’ Rights Act amends the Higher Education Act to require our colleges and universities to clearly distribute information about pregnant students’ rights and available resources through student handbooks, emails, websites, orientations—while promoting accountability when those rights are violated for our students.

"And it’s troubling that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are so dug in on their pro-abortion stances and agenda that they would oppose providing pregnant students with information on their rights and resources available to them to continue their education and have a healthy pregnancy.

"Supporting women who choose life should not be a partisan issue. Every woman who completes her studies while pregnant strengthens our families, our communities, and our workforce.

"I hope that my colleagues across the aisle will help to vote to empower pregnant women and support this vital, life-affirming legislation.

"This bill is a step in the right direction to creating a culture of life in our society, and a step that we must take, as we continue to pursue policies that help our families to grow and thrive, from Iowa and beyond.

"Mr. Speaker, I yield back."

Watch her floor speech here. Read more about Rep. Hinson’s life-affirming legislation here.

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Horsford Discusses Impact of Health Care Cuts with Top Health Care CEOs in the Ways and Means Committee

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) pressed Executives from serval of the nation’s largest health insurance companies for answers during today’s House Ways and Means Committee hearing, highlighting the real-world consequences of recent health care cuts and Republicans’ failure to extend the Affordable Care Act’s Advanced Premium Tax Credits, and the growing need for increased transparency in Medicare Advantage.

Executives testifying before the Committee represented CVS Health, Cigna, Ascendum, Elevance Health, and UnitedHealth Group, alongside a small business owner from Waterloo, Iowa.

“This hearing is nothing more than political theater; an attempt by Congressional Republicans to save face after failing the American people,” said Rep. Horsford. “In their One Big Ugly Law, Congressional Republicans cut more than a billion dollars from health care and refused to extend the Advanced Premium Tax Credit.”

Throughout the hearing, Horsford underscored a clear message: affordable health coverage is essential. Moreover, he pressed insurance executives on Medicare Advantage and called for greater transparency to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used appropriately, questioned how prior authorization practices delay medically necessary care, and examined if supplemental benefits are working as marketed.

“Republicans controlled the White House, the Senate, and the House. They have had every opportunity to protect health care and extend these tax credits – and yet they chose not to. Time and again, they have put the American people at risk. What’s clear from today’s testimony is simple: affordable coverage is not optional” Rep. Horsford underscored.

Rep. Horsford has been a consistent leader in the fight to extend ACA health care tax credits and lower costs for families, including:

On May 14, 2025, Rep. Horsford offered an amendment to the Republican “Big Beautiful” bill during the House Ways and Means Committee markup to make the health care tax credit permanent.

On November 11, 2025, Rep. Horsford offered an amendment in the House Rules Committee to divert President Trump’s Argentina bailout to fund health care tax credits instead.

On January 8, 2026, Rep. Horsford spoke on the House floor in favor of the health care tax credit extension before the extension vote. Those remarks are available here.

To watch Rep. Horsford’s remarks at today’s Ways and Means Committee hearing, click here.

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Horsford To Vote Against ICE Funding Bill: Pledges to Protect Public Safety for All Nevadans

WASHINGTON D.C. - Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) today announced that he will vote against the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, citing serious concerns about the Trump-Vance Administration’s ongoing mass deportation policies and the resulting pattern of violence. The proposal would dramatically expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) footprint, increase new agent hires, and pour billions of dollars into detention capacity, vehicles, bonuses, and enforcement infrastructure. This expansion would effectively double ICE’s size without adequate safeguards or accountability.

“As the Representative of Nevada’s Fourth Congressional District, I have the responsibility to protect national security and the safety of my community that I love and serve,” said Rep. Horsford. “But national security without oversight or abidance to the rule of law and our civil liberties is not real security. You cannot justify massive funding increases without accountability for how that power is exercised. Agencies like ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have historically played an important role in our immigration ecosystem, yet most recently these agencies are putting our neighbors at risk and undermining public trust in law enforcement. Since the start of the Trump-Vance Administration, their actions have increasingly eroded the public trust and safety they claim to uphold. The American people deserve security and justice.”

Rep. Horsford continued: “Masked agents operating without transparency are terrorizing communities throughout the country, escalating confrontations, and putting innocent people at risk. These tactics do not make us safer; they breed fear, chaos, and mistrust in government at every level. No one should live in fear of crossing the street, dropping their children off at school, going to the doctor, or living their daily lives.”

While Congressman Horsford supports the dedicated and hard work of the public servants at the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other agencies throughout the Department, this bill enables a system with too little oversight and too much unchecked power.

"That is why I cannot, in good conscience, support this funding bill. True national security requires accountability—and until these guardrails are put in place, I cannot in good conscience vote yes..” Rep. Horsford added.

Despite the massive expansion of enforcement authority, Republicans refused to include common-sense safeguards, including:

Requiring ICE agents to obtain judicial warrants before making arrests

Mandating the use of body-worn cameras during enforcement operations

Prohibiting masks or face coverings during routine enforcement

Establishing clear, enforceable use-of-force standards

Explicitly banning the detention or deportation of U.S. citizens

Congressman Horsford has consistently called for accountability and oversight of immigration enforcement, including:

Speaking out after fears of ICE activity led to the closure of the Broadacres Swap Meet in his district. Watch the video here.

Attempting to conduct an oversight visit at an ICE detention center last summer, where he was denied entry. Watch the video here.

Returning three weeks later to successfully complete an oversight visit. Read more here.

Horsford introduced an amendment in the House Rules Committee on January 21, 2026, to expand oversight authorities granted to Members of Congress. Click Here.

“Accountability is not optional,” Rep. Horsford concluded. “It is essential to public safety, the rule of law, and our democracy.”

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Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Announce $1.4 Million to Improve Road Safety in Harford, Talbot, Prince George’s Counties, Baltimore City

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD), and U.S. Representatives Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) announced $1,442,360 in federal funding to improve road safety in Harford, Talbot, and Prince George’s Counties and the City of Baltimore.

“We can save lives and prevent injuries by making smart changes that improve road safety. That’s why Federal Team Maryland fought to pass the infrastructure modernization bill, and why we worked to deliver these investments to our local communities. This federal funding will help our local partners better understand where car crashes are happening and take steps to prevent them,” said the lawmakers.

The lawmakers announced the following grants:

$642,360 to the National Study Center for Trauma and Emergency Medical Systems at the University of Maryland-Baltimore to establish a Health Impact Collaborative, analyze traffic safety and public health data, and develop a public health evaluation framework to inform Baltimore City Department of Transportation’s Safety Action Plan

$560,000 to Harford County to conduct engineering analyses and develop safety recommendations on high-crash intersections, sight-distance restrictions, and sidewalk connectivity to inform the Harford County Strategic Highway Safety Plan

$400,000 to the University of Maryland, College Park to conduct a micromobility safety study that gathers community input and video-based behavior data, analyze roadway safety and risks, and deliver findings to inform the Safety Action Plans of the City of College Park and Prince George's County

$240,000 to Talbot County to develop a comprehensive Safety Action Plan, analyze crash data, and produce a prioritized list of evidence-based countermeasures to reduce roadway deaths and serious injuries

The federal funding is provided by the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program, which helps communities develop and implement safety action plans to better ensure the safety of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians on roadways. The SS4A program was established and funded at $5 billion over five years by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, legislation Federal Team Maryland worked to pass to support infrastructure initiatives in Maryland and across the country.


Reps. Hudson, Balderson Introduce “Replacement Parts Availability Act” to Protect Consumers and Keep Vehicles Safe

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Representatives Richard Hudson (NC-09) and Troy Balderson (OH-12) introduced the Replacement Parts Availability Act, which amends the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) to remove unnecessary and burdensome restrictions on automotive manufacturers.

"Americans shouldn't have to deal with unnecessary regulations when it comes to replacing their auto parts,"said Rep. Hudson. "Our bill enables auto manufacturers to continue to produce the parts they need without burdensome, unnecessary Washington regulations."

“For years, EPA’s inconsistent application of TSCA has created unnecessary red tape that raises costs and limits access to replacement parts for products Americans rely on every day. When materials needed for repairs are cut off, consumers are forced to replace entire products rather than repair them, driving up costs. This bill makes common-sense changes to TSCA that cut red tape, keep repair costs affordable, and protect consumers," said Rep. Balderson.

“Warranty law requires automakers to provide factory-made replacement parts for many years after a vehicle is originally sold. But since 2016, EPA has prevented automakers and other manufacturers from using the chemicals needed to make those vehicle replacement parts in a safe and environmentally responsible way. What happens then? Consumers delay or skip routine repairs or buy dangerous knockoff parts from sketchy suppliers in China. That’s not a result anyone wants. Reps. Hudson and Balderson's plan ensures consumers can get those essential replacement parts they need to safely and affordably repair their vehicles.” - John Bozzella, president and CEO, Alliance for Automotive Innovation:

The problem:

TSCA Section 6(c)(2)(D) directs EPA to exempt replacement parts for complex durable goods designed before a TSCA risk management rule is published, unless EPA finds, through a risk evaluation, that the replacement parts significantly contribute to the risk. EPA has applied this provision inconsistently across rulemakings, creating uncertainty for manufacturers and risking shortages of replacement parts.

What the bill does:

Clarifies an exemption for replacement parts for complex durable and complex consumer goods designed before the publication of a TSCA rule.

Limits EPA regulation of replacement parts to cases where EPA makes an express written determination, supported by substantial evidence in a risk evaluation, that the replacement part alone significantly contributes to the risk.

Protects upstream supply by preventing EPA from prohibiting the manufacture, processing, or import of a chemical substance to the extent necessary to manufacture exempt replacement parts, with procedures to ensure activity is limited to replacement-part manufacturing.

Provides a minimum 15-year transition period for any prohibition or restriction on replacement parts if EPA makes the required findings.

Why this matters:

The average vehicle on the road is more than 12 years old, and owners rely on replacement parts to ensure safe operation and to cover warranty repairs.

If EPA bans a chemical upstream, a “use-stage exemption” can be meaningless in practice because the material supply is cut off.

Clear rules help protect consumers, strengthen American manufacturing, and keep safety-critical repairs available for years to come.


Rep. Huffman Votes Against Giving Trump No-Strings-Attached Check

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) voted against the second three-bill minibus. This latest package includes the conference agreements for the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies; Defense; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bills. He also voted against the separate funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security.

“Democrats were able to negotiate some strong wins for the American people in this minibus. But of course, Republicans sabotaged them by attaching their unacceptable Defense bill that they knew would be dead on arrival if it had to stand alone,” said Rep. Huffman. “That bill does nothing to enforce accountability or oversight for Trump's delusional and dangerous moves in Greenland and Venezuela, and it funnels billions of dollars into the Pentagon’s already massive slush fund. It’s just another no-strings-attached check for this lawless administration that would end up compromising our national security and keep enabling Trump.

“I would have voted in favor of the other two bills on their own, but I couldn’t vote for this added defense package. However, I’m proud I was able to negotiate to include funding for some important community projects in the final bill. Those will have direct benefits for the people we represent, which is where our focus should be,” Huffman continued.

“Republicans also added an 11th hour vote on more funding for the Department of Homeland Security. That was the easiest “no” vote I could have taken. I will in no uncertain terms send a single cent Trump’s vigilante agency and ICE thugs that are terrorizing our communities,” Huffman said.

Rep. Huffman successfully secured funding for four community projects in California’s Second District:

$850,000: Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center Safety Upgrades, County of Marin, Fairfax, CA

$2,000,000: Point Reyes Workforce Housing, County of Marin, Point Reyes Station, CA

$250,000: Oak Hill Workforce Housing, Marin County Public Financing Authority, San Quentin, CA

$1,200,000: Spud Point-Bodega Bay Ice-making Plant, County of Sonoma, Bodega Bay, CA

Regarding the Homeland Security bill, Huffman said: “The biggest disappointment in this package is the blank check for ICE. I cannot in good conscience vote to support massive funding without any serious guardrails for an agency that is totally off the rails. Trump has built ICE into a lawless paramilitary force with chilling similarities to what rightwing dictators have done throughout history to destroy democracies and consolidate absolute power. ICE has an absurdly bloated budget and is being deployed not to police our southern border or conduct targeted immigration enforcement, but to terrorize communities and intimidate and punish political opposition. Congress should be intervening to stop these abuses and fundamentally reform ICE, not providing funding and a de facto stamp of approval.”

Text including the Homeland Security funding bill can be found here.

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VIDEO: Huizenga Confirms Funding for Harbor Towers in Benton Harbor, Discusses Homelessness in Kalamazoo with HUD Secretary Turner

Yesterday, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, secured a commitment from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner that Harbor Towers in Benton Harbor is on track to receive much needed federal funding for renovations in March.

In 2024, Huizenga called on the Biden Administration to meet its commitment to residents of Harbor Towers regarding both standard of living as well as overall safety. Huizenga has consistently fought for the residents of Harbor Towers after touring the property with Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Mohammad.

Additionally, Congressman Huizenga thanked Secretary Turner for talking to Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson on challenges facing the community pertaining to homelessness and invited the Secretary to visit Southwest Michigan. Video of Congressman Huizenga and Secretary Turner’s conversation as well as a transcript of the dialogue in available below.

On Securing Funding for Harbor Towers

Congressman Bill Huizenga: Secretary Turner, good to see you again, and I appreciate your attendance here today. And first I want to say thank you for speaking with me last week on the phone and, and about our shared priorities and especially state of low-income housing in my district. And I also appreciate your staff who took the time for a call with the Mayor of Kalamazoo, David Anderson and an organization called Integrated Services of Kalamazoo to discuss homelessness and homeless projects and programs that we have.

Back specifically though, I do also want to highlight a project in Benton Harbor, Michigan in my district, it's called Harbor Towers dating back to 2011. Residents have been complaining about the conditions that they have experienced there, including no heat, hot water, security concerns. In 2024, I visited the property myself with Mayor Marcus Muhammad to bring attention to a housing development that has long been neglected.

We got the ball rolling then and it's my understanding that the funding for this project is set to close in March of this year. And I just want to get your commitment that you are going to work with me and the fine folks there to see that project through.

Secretary Scott Turner: Yes sir, Congressman, thank you. You know, we are more than willing to work with you in your office to make sure that the people that are living there are living in the best conditions possible and that we are stewarding well over taxpayer dollars and carrying out HUD's missions.

Huizenga: And both of those things can happen.

Secretary Turner: Yes.

Huizenga: We can be both a steward and provide proper housing for those folks. And that is, it's an important component of this. So, I appreciate your support and I know the residents of Harbor Towers will be very, very glad to hear that that much needed funding has been secured.

And lastly, I'd love to invite you to the fourth district. It's one of the most beautiful districts that you'll ever see. I don't care what my other colleagues say. But I do highly recommend sometime in the spring, maybe the summer Benton Harbor is right on the shores of Lake Michigan. Love to get you there. Love to get you to Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, Cereal City USA, where we can take a look at a few of those projects that are in the district.

Turner: Sure.

Huizenga: I look forward to working hopefully with your schedule on that. And there's lot of folks that get support in Michigan, but I think it's important that you come to Southwest Michigan to see some of those challenges that we have.

On HUD Oversight of Local Housing Authorities

Huizenga: Something you and I have discussed in the past, and I know you touched on in your testimony, and I believe the Chair brought up in his opening statement. But I wanted to give you an opportunity to expand on your, on the work HUD is doing to hold local housing authorities accountable. So, could you please expand on that work?

Secretary Turner: Sure. Thank you. You know, we came in a lot during the Biden Administration. A blind eye had been turned to transparency and accountability in our public housing authorities. We have 3,800 public housing authorities around our country, urban and rural, and we came in with the idea and the intention to hold public housing authorities accountable for those that live inside of public housing authorities, the living conditions inside of public housing authorities.

And so, we've been working with Department of Homeland Security and other federal agency partners to make sure that those that are living inside of HUD funded properties are indeed American citizens, that they are upholding the living conditions that they're supposed to be upholding for our people that live inside of those public housing should be safe housing.

And so, we have a task force. We announced a new hotline that people can call if there's nefarious activity going on in our public housing authorities. 1-800-347-3735 is a number that people can call to our hotline with the Office of Inspector General. There's drug trafficking, there's sex trafficking, there's domestic violence. There's all kind of things that are going on criminally inside of housing authorities, and I'm not willing to turn the blind eye to that anymore. But we need to protect our women, our children, and our families to be safe in housing authority.

So, I unapologetically want to say we're going to root out crime and come for those who are doing criminal and nefarious activity. Because we will not stand for that any longer, sir.


John James Secures Historic Appropriations Wins for Michigan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative John James (MI-10) announced a number of historic appropriations wins that he secured for Michigan and Michigan’s Tenth Congressional District.

For the first time since the Clinton Administration, the House passed all 12 appropriations bills in order, cutting wasteful spending, delivering on the America First agenda, and bringing critical funding to Michigan.

"For the first time since the Clinton Administration, the House passed all 12 appropriations bills in order," said Rep. James. "House Republicans cut wasteful spending, funded necessary programs, and delivered on President Trump's agenda. I'm thrilled to have secured a number of wins for Michigan and I look forward to continuing to deliver."

Below is a list of funding that Rep. James has secured in the 119th Congress for Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties:

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs

Selfridge Air National Guard Base: $20 million received for runway extension. Signed into law.

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

Oakland County Sheriff’s Office: $2 million received for a Northern Border Patrol Helicopter. Signed into law.

Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development

Macomb County: $8 million received for reconstruction of Mound Road from 8 Mile Road to I-696. Passed the House of Representatives.

From bolstering Selfridge to advance President Trump’s vision of bringing a new F-15EX fighter mission to the base, to giving law enforcement the tools they need to secure our Northern border, to repairing Michigan’s crumbling roads, Rep. James has secured numerous critical wins for Michigan throughout the appropriations process.


Jayapal Statement on Vote Opposing the Consolidated Appropriations Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) released the following statement regarding her vote to oppose the Consolidated Appropriations Act:

“Today, I voted against the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which combines the funding bills for the Department of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development

“As Republicans refuse to address the affordability crisis and state that we don’t have enough money to fund healthcare for Americans, they are handing $838 billion to the Pentagon. That’s $8 billion more than was even requested by the President for a department that has never successfully passed an audit. Even a small portion of these funds could sustain health care subsidies for years, reinstate Medicaid funding for roughly 17 million people, eliminate homelessness, provide universal pre-K, or support proven anti-poverty measures like an expanded Child Tax Credit.

“Thanks to the work of Democratic negotiators, this bill provides critical funding directly to our communities through Community Project Funding and preserves many programs that the Republicans tried to eliminate, including Continuum of Care, the Women’s Bureau, and Title II-A grants. It also expands our air traffic controller workforce by 2,500 personnel and boosts funding for rental assistance programs. However, like previous funding bills this Congress, it still lacks critical guardrails necessary to protect against this Administration’s illegal impoundments – or their refusal to spend money as directed by Congress – and therefore much of this funding may not reach the communities it is intended for.

“Furthermore, it is irresponsible to continue to fund this runaway so-called ‘Department of War’ at a moment when President Trump is seeking out conflict in an egotistical campaign for power and Congressional Republicans refuse to assert their Constitutional power to authorize military force. This year started with Trump kidnapping the leader of Venezuela and since then he has threatened to use military force against Colombia, Mexico, Cuba, and Greenland, which would virtually destroy NATO and unnecessarily risk the safety of our troops.

“I am grateful that Democrat negotiators rejected partisan poison-pill policy riders. However, I was unable to vote for the bill as written.”


Reps. Jayapal and Balint Push Meta and Google to End ICE Ad Partnerships Using White Nationalist Propaganda

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, and Becca Balint (VT-AL), Vice Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, have sent letters demanding answers from Meta and Google after reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is using their platforms to run immigration enforcement recruitment for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) using “self-deportation” and other advertisements that rely on white nationalist imagery and rhetoric.

In letters sent yesterday, the lawmakers warn that these advertising campaigns are part of an effort to massively expand ICE recruitment, including to surge ICE officers to cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, Portland, and New Orleans. To meet these recruitment targets, ICE has lowered hiring standards and turned to paid digital ads across major platforms.

The letter to Meta cites reporting that DHS has spent millions of dollars on paid ads with their platforms, including ads clearly connected to white nationalist themes, using images and slogans historically used by neo-Nazi groups. In one recent example, “DHS posted a recruitment ad on Instagram proclaiming ‘we’ll have our home again’, which is a song popularized in neo-Nazi spaces and used in white nationalist calls for a race war.” The letter to Google also calls out a reported $3 million in ICE advertisements on Google and YouTube that promoted ‘self-deportation,’ a strategy being used by the Trump administration to intimidate immigrants into leaving the country. In total, ICE placed $5.8 million in ads with Meta and Google last year.

Reps. Balint and Jayapal underscored the real-world consequences of expanded and insufficiently vetted immigration enforcement, citing deaths, warrantless arrests, mass raids, and a record number of deaths in ICE custody. “The impact of an unqualified army of ICE agents being unleashed across the country has been severe,” the lawmakers said.

The lawmakers are demanding transparency about the scope of the companies’ agreements with DHS and are calling on Meta and Google to commit to ending their digital advertising partnerships with the agency. They also raised concerns that the advertisements may conflict with the companies’ own content and advertising standards, questioning how this material was permitted to run on their platforms in the first place.

The lawmakers’ letter to Meta can be viewed here.

The lawmakers’ letter to Google can be viewed here.


JOINT LEADERSHIP STATEMENT ON HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING BILL

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.