Fitzpatrick Secures Major ICU Expansion at Lower Bucks Hospital, Expanding Critical Care Capacity for the Region

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP–Yesterday, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) joined hospital leadership, physicians, nurses, and frontline medical professionals to mark the completion of a major expansion of the Intensive Care Unit at Lower Bucks Hospital—a critical investment made possible by $1.2 million in Community Project Funding secured by Fitzpatrick.

The expansion more than doubles ICU capacity, increasing beds from 10 to 22, and significantly enhances the hospital’s ability to care for high-acuity patients close to home. The project also modernizes core ICU infrastructure, including a new patient monitoring system, upgraded call and security systems, and the addition of specialized cardiac ICU beds—ensuring the hospital is equipped to respond to complex and life-threatening medical emergencies with speed and precision.

"We are deeply grateful to Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick for joining us at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new ICU at Lower Bucks Hospital. His dedicated support and advocacy were crucial in securing the funding necessary for this project. With this new unit, we are better equipped to provide high-quality care to our patients and enhance the health of our community. Congressman Fitzpatrick's commitment to our hospital and the residents we serve is truly commendable,” said Michael Motte, CEO, Lower Bucks Hospital.

Fitzpatrick, a certified EMT, emphasized that strengthening healthcare infrastructure means ensuring frontline professionals have the capacity and systems required to perform when it matters most.

“The doctors, nurses, and staff here already deliver exceptional care,” said Fitzpatrick. “My priority is to ensure their expertise is matched by capacity, modern systems, and the ability to respond when circumstances are at their most serious. This expansion does exactly that—strengthening readiness and ensuring more patients can receive the care they need, close to home.”

The importance of that readiness was underscored during the recent response to the Silver Lake Nursing Home explosion, when Lower Bucks Hospital operated under extraordinary conditions to care for victims.

“I was on site in the immediate aftermath and walked the command post with Governor Shapiro,” said Fitzpatrick. “What I witnessed was professionalism, skill, and compassion at the highest level. This expansion ensures that such care is supported by the infrastructure required to deliver it—every day, and in every circumstance.”

Fitzpatrick has been a longstanding advocate for Lower Bucks Hospital, working to secure federal investments that strengthen healthcare infrastructure, expand access to high-quality care, and ensure hospitals across Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District are prepared to meet both everyday medical needs and extraordinary emergencies.


Rep. Frankel Reflects on the Five-Year Anniversary of the January 6th Insurrection

Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement marking five years since the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

“Five years ago, a violent group attacked our Capitol, attempting to stop the peaceful transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden,” said Rep. Frankel. “It was one of the darkest days in our history, and one of the most horrifying days of my life as I hid from the mob. I remain deeply grateful for the heroism of our Capitol Police officers who kept our democracy standing. Five years later, we must all recommit to protecting our democracy from those who seek to undermine it.”


Rep. Frankel Provides Update on Secret Service Meeting, Work to Address Flight Restrictions Around Mar-a-Lago

Today, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22) released a memo updating the community on her recent meeting with the U.S. Secret Service and her ongoing efforts with both the Secret Service and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address the 24/7 flight restrictions surrounding Mar-a-Lago. The memo explains how the restrictions were implemented and details their significant impact on nearby neighborhoods, including increased noise and air pollution, and concerns about safety, property values, and quality of life.

“Keeping the President and our country safe is essential, and our community wants security measures that are fair, reasonable, and minimize harm to the tens of thousands of people affected,” said Rep. Frankel.

While some portions of the briefing remain classified, Rep. Frankel outlines next steps in the memo, including continued engagement with the Secret Service, the FAA, airport leadership, and affected communities. The full memo to the community is included below.

For questions or to share concerns related to the flight restrictions, residents are encouraged to contact Rep. Frankel’s office through her website.

MEMO TO THE COMMUNITY

From: Congresswoman Frankel

Re: Update on Mar-a-Lago Airspace Restrictions

Date: January 06, 2026

Recently, I met in a classified setting with five members of the U.S. Secret Service to discuss the ongoing 24/7 flight restrictions over Mar-a-Lago and the significant impact on surrounding neighborhoods. While some portions of the briefing remain classified, most of our discussion was not, and I want to share what I can with you directly.

My goal is to facilitate a solution that keeps the President and our country safe, using flight restrictions that impact the least number of people in the safest, fairest way possible.

Background: On October 20, at the request of the Secret Service, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a one-nautical mile no-fly zone around Mar-a-Lago, regardless of whether or not President Trump is in Florida. Under these new restrictions, aircraft taking off and landing at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) must fly over neighborhoods northeast of the airport instead of a previous more direct route out of PBI that had been established after an extensive environmental review. When the President is at Mar-a-Lago, the FAA implements regular procedures for when the President travels, which requires varying levels of restrictions up to 30 nautical miles around PBI.

Impact of New Restrictions: The previous flight paths impacted about 2,200 homes and 5,000 people. The new route, northeast of the airport, impacts over 11,000 homes and 21,000 residents and at least five schools and many businesses. Planes are taking off and landing as frequently as every 90 seconds.

In the two months since these restrictions were put in place, the Palm Beach County Department of Airports has received hundreds of complaints. Community concerns include increased noise and air pollution, lower property values, and potential flight delays.

Key Takeaways From the Meeting with the Secret Service:

1. The Secret Service has requested 24/7 flight restrictions for two of President Trump’s properties: Mar-a-Lago (Palm Beach, FL) and Trump Tower (New York, NY). These residences are the President’s formal “non-governmental residences” which require them to be fully secured by the Secret Service at all times. No such request for 24/7 flight restrictions has been made for Bedminster, NJ, or any other residence, which are not the President’s designated non-governmental residences. In the past, the Palm Beach County restrictions were temporary and tied to the President’s presence at Mar-a-Lago.

2. The FAA Makes the Final Determination: The Secret Service makes security requests to the FAA, which has the authority to determine the exact airspace restrictions to meet the requests.

In this situation, the FAA imposed a 1-nautical-mile, 24/7 no-fly zone around Mar-a-Lago. I have formally requested a meeting with the FAA to address these decisions and advocate for solutions that reduce the community impact.

3. I Raised the Community Impact — Loud and Clear: I expressed to the Secret Service that the community understands that security is essential for the President, but the community does not understand why the new restrictions must be in place when the President is not in Palm Beach County.

I told the Secret Service that community complaints include increased noise and air pollution affecting quality of life, lowering of property values, potential flight safety issues, and delays.

4. I Requested Further Community Engagement: While they did not commit to specific changes, the Secret Service expressed openness to further engagement with:

Local elected officials

County and airport leadership

Community groups

Concerned residents

Other affected parties

This is an important step toward transparency and ensuring community concerns are part of the federal decision-making process.

Next Steps:

I am pursuing a direct meeting with the FAA and PBI staff to discuss the possibility of alternate or scaled-back restrictions.

I am requesting another classified briefing with the Secret Service to get more details of the reasons that have led to severe flight path restrictions.

I am pursuing a meeting among the Secret Service, FAA, and community and local officials.

I will keep the community updated as new information becomes available.


Rep. Garamendi Statement on the Passing of Rep. Doug LaMalfa

VALLEJO, CA — Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08), issued the following statement after the passing of Rep. Doug LaMalfa:

“Douglas LaMalfa was a close friend and colleague who cared deeply about the farmers in his district, as well as the extraordinary natural resources of Northern California.

“Together for a decade, we represented the great Sacramento Valley, where I was proud to work with him on several bipartisan pieces of legislation in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to secure critical water infrastructure investments, advocate for California farmers, and safeguard the Sacramento River Watershed.

“I’m certainly going to miss him as a friend and colleague. We traveled together every week, back and forth on the same plane for nearly fifteen years, and our friendship deepened as did our work for the betterment of the Sacramento Valley.

“My prayers are with the entire LaMalfa family as they mourn his loss.”

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U.S. Representative Dan Goldman Conducts Oversight of Facilities at 26 Federal Plaza, Vows to Return Weekly

Goldman Gained Access to ICE Facilities at 26 Federal Plaza for First Time in December After Suing Trump Administration

Goldman Vows to Return to 26 Federal Plaza Weekly to Conduct Oversight

Goldman Describes Visit in New Video

NEW YORK, NY - Today U.S. Representative Dan Goldman (NY-10) visited the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities at 26 Federal Plaza to conduct his congressional oversight duties. He released a new video detailing his visit.

“During my unannounced visit to the ICE detention facility at 26 Federal Plaza today, I saw detainees sleeping on thin mats under foil blankets and learned DHS is now reconsidering deportations of Venezuelans back to a lawless, chaotic regime,” said Rep. Goldman. “This is simply unacceptable. I’ll be returning weekly to conduct oversight and monitor conditions here.”

The oversight visit marks the second time under the Trump Administration that Rep. Goldman has been allowed access to these facilities in order to exercise his lawful congressional duties of inspecting immigration detention facilities to ensure the safety of detained individuals and compliance with federal law. Rep. Goldman was previously denied access to the ICE facilities at 26 Federal Plaza and the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York Field Office at the same location. However, on December 17, a U.S. District Court ruled in favor of twelve members of Congress, including Rep. Goldman, who sued the Trump Administration in an effort to halt ICE’s policy of blocking Members of Congress from conducting unannounced oversight visits to ICE facilities, including field offices. The District Court’s opinion temporarily restored the Members’ lawful duties of inspecting immigration detention facilities to oversee compliance with federal law.

Federal law (Sec. 527, FY2024 DHS Appropriations Act) allows Members of Congress to visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sites where noncitizens are detained without having to provide prior notice. But over the course of this year, many Members of Congress have been stopped from their attempts to conduct oversight at these facilities. In response to questions about this, ICE officials announced a new policy requiring a seven-day waiting period and preventing entry to ICE field offices.

On July 30, 2025, Rep. Goldman and eleven other individual Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sued the Trump–Vance administration, challenging the policy as an unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight. The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, by counsel Democracy Forward and American Oversight, demanded that the administration comply with a federal law that guarantees Members of Congress the right to conduct oversight visits to any Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities - including field offices - where noncitizens are detained, without prior notice. The U.S. District Court opinion issued on December 17 temporarily halted ICE’s unlawful policy of blocking members of Congress from conducting unannounced oversight visits to ICE facilities, including field offices.

In December, Representatives Dan Goldman, Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Nydia Velazquez (NY-7) and House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia (CA-42), introduced the Immigration Court Due Process Protection Act, new legislation that aims to protect immigrants who are pursuing lawful pathways to migrate to the United States and attending their court-ordered appearances from being targeted for arrests by the Trump Administration. The legislation would prohibit U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers or agents from arresting or detaining an individual that is physically present at an Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) immigration court facility for the purpose of attending or participating in a hearing, except pursuant to a judicial warrant. These protections would extend to individuals whose immigration case is still active and has not resulted in a final order of removal.

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U.S. Representative Dan Goldman Statement on Corporation for Public Broadcasting Board Voting to Dissolve Organization

New York, NY - Today, U.S. Representative Dan Goldman (NY-10), Co-Chair of the Public Broadcasting Caucus, released the following statement after the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced today that its Board of Directors had voted to dissolve the organization after 58 years of service. The vote formalized plans made last year after Congressional Republicans voted to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for the organization.

“It is absolutely shameful that Congressional Republicans voted to strip all funding from independent media last year, once again caving to Donald Trump’s fragile ego and authoritarian attacks on the free press and the First Amendment,” said Rep. Goldman. "For nearly six decades, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has supported essential independent media, children’s educational programs, and emergency alert systems. The loss of this vital organization will make us all less informed and less connected. I will keep fighting to support the public broadcasting and the essential programs and services that so many Americans have come to rely on.”

In 2025, Rep. Goldman led over 100 House Democrats in writing to the House Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Aderholt and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro to request the federal government’s budget for the 2026 Fiscal Year fully fund public programming, including $535 million for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s (CPB) two-year advance, level funding of $31 million for the Department of Education’s Ready To Learn grant program, and level funding of $60 million for public broadcasting Interconnection system.

Rep. Goldman also led the House effort to try to halt the proposed cuts to funding CPB, an effort co-sponsored by 34 of his Democratic colleagues. House Republicans rejected his amendment to save funding for the CPB, voting instead to gut critical support for public media that millions of Americans relied on for educational, cultural, and emergency programming.

Before losing funding, CPB-funded public media reached nearly 99.7% percent of the American population, and its funding financed over 1,500 public television and radio stations across the country, supporting approximately 20,000 local jobs.

In addition to emergency response systems and local journalism, federal funding for CPB enabled public broadcasting to support educational content that parents nationwide relied on to help their children learn, averaging 16 million monthly users and more than 350 million monthly streams across digital platforms, allowing people at all income levels and from all parts of the country to access consistent, high-quality, educational content for free.

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Congressman Johnson’s Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the January 6th Capitol Insurrection

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence and the Internet, delivered the following remarks at House Democrats’ hearing marking five years since the January 6 attack on the Capitol, featuring testimony from former law enforcement, state officials, Members who were present at the Capitol on that day, and a Jan. 6 participant who rejected Trump’s pardon, amid an ongoing effort by Republicans to whitewash the truth.

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Capitol has been a building permanently etched in my mind from an early age. It regularly came into my view as daily life took my family and I around the District of Columbia. To me, the Capitol was always citadel -- a beacon of freedom, democracy and justice. At the age of ten I developed the vision that one day I would serve there as a legislator.

I was always so proud even today I'm still in awe of the U.S. Capitol, what it stands for, and the fact that it is my workplace, and has been for 19 years!

On January 6, 2021, amidst social distancing in response to the COVID pandemic then still ongoing, I was so proud to be one of a limited number of members of the House to be in the chamber to witness the certification of the 2020 elections. Though somewhat envious of those who were seated on the floor, I nonetheless savored the honor of having a seat in the House gallery from which I could observe the solemn proceeding.

As the peaceful transfer of power was taking place in the chamber, the proceedings were rudely, then violently interrupted. The disorder became louder and louder as the insurrectionists got nearer and nearer. The cacophony shut down the Speaker and caused the business of the House to stop. From the gallery, I watched as the Speaker was extracted from the Chair, and my colleagues evacuated from the floor. What would happen to us in the gallery?

The situation became scary, dire, and dangerous. I felt like a sitting duck. In those moments while in self-preservation mode I thought of jumping from the Gallery onto the floor so that I could be evacuated. My thoughts then turned to my colleagues also in the Gallery, and my thoughts turned to my moral responsibility to them. I would never leave them to save myself.

As we were being spirited out of the chamber into the hallway, I saw dozens of violent insurrectionists lying spread eagle on the marble floor, under gunpoint of the Capitol Hill Police.

I later learned that all those insurrectionists had been released without charges because there was not enough law enforcement manpower to take them into custody. They all walked. They came into the U.S. Capitol, disrupted our work and desecrated this citadel of democracy. They all walked.

Needless to say, I was gratified later when more than 1,500 perpetrators were prosecuted, some of the worst offenders receiving 20-year sentences. There was a sense that people had been held accountable for their crimes.

Then on January 20, 2025, Donald J. Trump shot Lady Justice on 5th Avenue in broad daylight by pardoning each and every January 6 insurrectionist. It was a blow to justice and the Rule of Law in America. And my sense of anger at injustice has intensified as Donald Trump and lapdog Republicans in Congress do everything in their power in an unholy and futile attempt to whitewash and rewrite the history of what happened on January 6.

While Donald J. Trump and MAGA Republicans continue their systematic assault on truth and justice, I will proudly stand in the breech with House Democrats and all people of goodwill, to defend the concepts of truth, freedom, liberty, and justice for all, which IS Democracy in America.

I want to thank the Capitol Hill and Metropolitan Police for protecting us on January 6, I want to thank Leader Jeffries and Chairman Thompson for holding this hearing to commemorate the 5 year anniversary of this fateful day, and I want to thank Speaker Emerita Pelosi for her leadership during those difficult times.

For hi-res video, click HERE.

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Comisionado Residente anuncia $2 millones para proyecto de inteligencia artificial en Atenas University Dr. María Luisa Hernández

WASHINGTON, DC - El Comisionado Residente de Puerto Rico, Pablo José Hernández, anunció $2,018,800 en fondos federales para Atenas University Dr. María Luisa Hernández, como parte del programa Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education – Special Projects (FIPSE-SP).

“Insertar a Puerto Rico en la vanguardia de la inteligencia artificial es una de mis prioridades. Como exempleado de la industria de tecnología reconozco su potencial. Estos fondos federales son una inversión en el futuro de nuestros estudiantes, asegurando que la innovación tecnológica amplíe oportunidades educativas y prepare a nuestra fuerza laboral para la economía del mañana,” dijo el Comisionado Residente.

ANTECEDENTES

El programa Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education – Special Projects (FIPSE-SP) del Departamento de Educación federal apoya iniciativas innovadoras que fortalecen la calidad académica, el acceso y el éxito estudiantil en instituciones de educación post secundaria.

Los fondos apoyarán el proyecto, AI-IMPACT, un proyecto institucional que busca integrar la inteligencia artificial de forma responsable, ética y práctica en la educación postsecundaria, con un enfoque claro en mejorar la enseñanza, fortalecer la preparación docente y ampliar oportunidades para estudiantes de bajos ingresos y comunidades rurales de Puerto Rico.

La iniciativa permitirá a la universidad modernizar sus métodos de enseñanza mediante tutorías inteligentes, herramientas de aprendizaje adaptativo y asesoría académica apoyada por IA, al tiempo que prepara a estudiantes y educadores con destrezas esenciales en alfabetización digital, detección de desinformación y uso ético de nuevas tecnologías.

El proyecto también ayudará establecer un marco institucional de gobernanza de inteligencia artificial y creará micro credenciales y certificaciones en IA y ciencias de computación, sentando las bases para un modelo sostenible y replicable que pueda servir a otras instituciones educativas en la isla.

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Horsford Statement on 5-Year Anniversary of January 6th Attack

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) released the following statement today marking the fifth anniversary of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“Today marks five years since the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol and American democracy,” Rep. Horsford said. “As we remember that day, we honor the U.S. Capitol Police and law enforcement officers who courageously defended the peaceful transfer of power on January 6th, 2021. More than 140 officers were injured protecting our democracy and several lost their lives in the aftermath. Attempts to rewrite or minimize what happened dishonor the service and sacrifice of those who stood up for democracy, and they will not stand. We will never forget January 6th, and we will continue to stand for the rule of law and honor those who protected our democracy.”

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Hoyer: Let Us Remember January 6th, Lest it be Repeated

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) joined the Congressional Black Caucus on the House Floor to deliver remarks to mark five years since the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Below is a full video and transcript of his remarks:

Click here to watch a full video of his remarks.


Hoyer Statement Marking Five Years After the Attack on the U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement to mark five years after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021:

“On January 6, 2021, Donald Trump revealed himself for who he is: a demagogue, a wannabe dictator, a man with no loyalty to our democracy and our Constitution. He told a mob of his supporters to ‘stop the steal’ and ‘fight like hell.’ There was no steal. But they did fight like hell.

“In an effort to overturn the outcome of a free and fair election, the insurrectionists wounded some 140 of our brave U.S. Capitol Police, two of whom were killed. They paraded the Confederate flag through the Capitol – something the Confederacy itself never achieved even in the most dire hours of the Civil War. They hunted for Vice President Pence and Speaker Pelosi, hoping to hang them from gallows they erected on the National Mall. Trump did nothing to stop the violence.

“I am deeply grateful to law enforcement and the National Guard for their efforts to protect the Capitol and restore order that day. But the struggle for our democracy did not end that night. It continues five years later, as Trump attempts to distort our memory of January 6. He has granted clemency to all who assaulted the Capitol – some 1,600 insurrectionists, including 600 charged with assaulting or obstructing law enforcement. He has called January 6 a ‘day of love,’ while the GOP has defined it as ‘legitimate political discourse.’

“If we fail to remember January 6 for what it was – a day of treason, sedition, and violence – then we invite further attacks on our democracy and on our people.”


ICYMI: Rep. Ronny Jackson Praises Trump Administration for Operation Absolute Resolve

WASHINGTON — Yesterday, Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) praised President Trump for taking action in Venezuela to “keep the Western Hemisphere secure for the American people.”

In case you missed it…

White House to Address Congress’ Venezuela Questions

The Daily Signal

George Caldwell

January 5, 2026

https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/01/05/white-house-to-address-congress-venezuela-questions/

Lawmakers returned to Washington, D.C. on Monday with a new item on their agenda—getting clarity on the administration’s policy in Venezuela after the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife by U.S. forces.

The White House hastily scheduled a briefing for Monday evening with congressional leaders. Punchbowl News reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe, and Attorney General Pam Bondi would all brief members.

Punchbowl reported that the briefing would “include top lawmakers on the House and Senate Armed Services, Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs panels, as well as the ‘Gang of Eight,’ the bipartisan party leaders from both chambers and top members of the House and Senate Intelligence committees.”

Some members publicly objected to the administration not informing leadership of the attack in advance. On Saturday, Rubio addressed the lack of prior notice, saying, “This is not the kind of mission you can pre-notify.”

Trump said Congress’ “tendency to leak” information contributed to the decision not to give advance notice.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, was an early Republican to criticize the lack of notice to Congress, writing on X after the operation, “Congress should have been informed about the operation earlier and needs to be involved as this situation evolves.”

Democrats also drew their own battle lines, accusing the administration of having usurped Congress’ power to declare war.

Maduro’s capture “was a military action, and pursuant to the Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.

“And we’ve got to make sure when we return to Washington, D.C., that legislative action is taken to ensure that no further military steps occur absent explicit congressional approval,” Jeffries added.

Rubio has maintained that the United States has not embarked on a war against a state but rather is conducting a law enforcement operation to bring Maduro to justice as a leader of a drug trafficking cartel.

Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have been indicted for various drug trafficking and firearm possession charges, to which they pleaded “not guilty” on Monday in a New York federal district court. Maduro also pleaded “not guilty” to charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who chairs the Senate intelligence committee, expressed his satisfaction with the White House on CBS’ Face The Nation on Sunday, and supported its authority to use force.

“They keep me apprised of what their plans are and what’s going on. I mean, I spoke in the last 24 hours not just with the President, but with his senior team,” said Cotton.

“Congress has acted to provide the president the resources and authority that he needs to protect the vital interests of the United States… he has the inherent authority under the constitution to protect these American national interests,” he added.

Democrats had a different perspective ahead of Monday’s briefing.

“I was delighted to hear that Tom Cotton, chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, has been in regular contact with the administration,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, in a sarcastic tone on Face the Nation.

“I’ve had zero outreach and no Democrat that I’m aware of has had any outreach whatsoever,” Himes continued, “So apparently we’re now in a world where the legal obligation to keep Congress informed only applies to your party.”

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires that the president notify bicameral Congressional leadership, as well as the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees, within 48 hours of deploying military force.

Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee, told The Daily Signal in a statement that he shares the administration’s view of the strike as a law enforcement operation and not an act of war.

“President Trump is demonstrating that peace through strength means acting decisively in the best interest of America while making clear this is not a war against the nation of Venezuela, but a commitment to keeping the Western Hemisphere secure for the American people,” Jackson said in a statement.

Jackson added that America’s priority is to “protect our homeland by dismantling drug trafficking networks, expel anti-American influence from our hemisphere, and prevent Venezuela’s resources from funding hostile regimes.”

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., in a Monday morning interview with an Oklahoma television station, said he knew an operation was in the works but was unaware of the logistical details.

“We knew a lot of the operation was being planned. We didn’t know the day. We didn’t know exactly how they were going to actually do that. That is something they held very close to the vest, obviously,” said Lankford.

Lankford also responded to Democrat claims that the operation constituted an act of war without notice to Congress.

“There are reasonable questions to ask about congressional notification,” he said.

“This was not a military operation in the sense of going and taking over… This is not initiating a war. This is an arrest that’s happening, again, similar to what we did with [Mexican drug cartel leader] El Chapo and others on this.”


LEADER JEFFRIES ON MS NOW: “THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT BEEN FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF EVERYDAY AMERICANS”

Last night, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MS NOW’s The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell where he pointed out how House Democrats are fighting for everyday Americans, while Donald Trump and sycophantic House Republicans continue to focus on schemes that reward the wealthy, the well off and the well connected.

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Leading off our discussion tonight is House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Thank you very much for joining us, Mr. Leader, really appreciate it. You were one who got to be in the briefing today to find out what this is really all about. What did you learn from Marco Rubio and the other members of the Cabinet who were in that briefing?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I think many of us on the Democratic side certainly left with more questions than answers. We pressed Secretary Rubio and others about the plan moving forward and what exactly Donald Trump meant when he said that we, meaning the Trump administration, presumably, were running Venezuela, when what’s clear is that Donald Trump and the administration can’t even run the United States of America and keep the promises that they made to American people, including promising to lower the high cost of living on day one, when we know that’s been a disaster. Costs aren’t going down, they’re going up. Life is more expensive under Donald Trump and his policies and his Trump tariffs. Now, the American people, we made clear, are not interested in seeing American boots on the ground, our men and women in uniform put in harm’s way as part of whatever scheme Donald Trump and his administration are executing relative to Venezuela or any other place. And so, one of the things that we’re going to have to do, Lawrence, here in the Congress, is to act immediately to make clear that no further military action can take place without explicit congressional approval.

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: So Marco Rubio has said publicly that he thought this is the kind of operation where you just can’t give—you just can’t follow the rules. You just can’t give any prior notice, no matter how secretly, to anyone in Congress.

LEADER JEFFRIES: We pressed them on that, and, in fact, the administration, though they’ve said that their concern is that if they communicate anything to Congress, even a subset of congressional leaders, the problem is that information is going to leak. But I explicitly asked them to give us a single example of them communicating with Members of the Gang of Eight or other high-level Members of congressional leadership and that information then becoming public, and the response was crickets, Lawrence. They had no answer because there’s no example of it. And we’re going to continue to make the case, of course, that the Constitution is not a mere inconvenience in the United States of America. It needs to be followed. And Congress explicitly was given the sole authority to declare war and, therefore, to authorize acts of military aggression that have all of the indicia of an act of war.

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: What did you hear from Marco Rubio or anyone else from the administration in that briefing that they have not said publicly?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, you know, we’re not at liberty, of course, to reveal many of the details that were discussed because it was a highly classified briefing. But suffice is to say that many of us, I don’t think, were persuaded that the justification that has been articulated publicly by the administration, that this was a law enforcement operation that had anything to do with keeping the American people safe. We weren’t persuaded by that argument because they can’t explain in clear terms how this helps the national security of the American people in any way, shape or form. You broke down the indictment. I know others are going to talk about it. This is the same administration that, of course, just pardoned Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former President of Honduras, who’s one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world, who was sentenced after being found guilty of narco-trafficking of epic proportions, flooding the country with more than 400 tons of cocaine, then sentenced to 45 years of hard time in a federal prison. Donald Trump pardons him just a few weeks ago, and they now want the country to believe that this unprecedented military action in Venezuela is about narco-trafficking. Of course it’s not. It does appear to be about oil, and I can tell you that there was a lot of conversation, we’ve heard this publicly as well, about oil and American access to that oil and being able to control it, but still nothing that was discussed as it relates to how the life of everyday Americans is going to be made any better.

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: What—did you come out of it with an understanding of what the administration’s next step is in Venezuela?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we pressed the administration on this very point, and there’s a lack of clarity as it relates to the situation. Of course, the Chavez regime remains in place, in many ways. And the Maduro folks who’ve taken over over the last several years, they remain in place, including the Vice President, who’s now apparently at least the titular head of the regime at this moment, and how that makes life better for the Venezuelan people is unclear. The one thing that we’ll continue to point out is that the future of Venezuela should be determined by the people of Venezuela, not by Stephen Miller, God forbid, or any other member of the Trump administration, notwithstanding what Donald Trump is talking about. But there’s no real plan that we’ve heard from the Trump administration as to how to ensure that the Venezuelan people will actually get self-determination, the self-determination that they certainly deserve.

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Was there any form of confusion between, say, the Defense Secretary, the Secretary of State, CIA Director, people in the room? Was there an indication that they, as a group, didn’t know what was happening next?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, you know, most of the jurisdiction, in terms of what comes next does fall within the portfolio of the Secretary of State. And so, when we pressed him repeatedly on what comes next, there was just a lack of clarity because, of course, there’s a great deal of uncertainty, there’s chaos that could be unleashed in Venezuela. There are competing forces who are battling for power in the vacuum that was left as a result of, you know, Maduro now being apprehended. And look, Maduro’s a bad guy, and he oppressed the Venezuelan people. He was not legitimately elected. That election in 2024, we know, was stolen. But when it comes to actually having a plan to put the people of Venezuela in the best possible position moving forward, it doesn’t exist, and that’s problematic. And that’s why, when you take these type of military actions, but you’re not thinking through what comes next, we’ve seen this turn into a disaster. That certainly was the case in Iraq, and the American people don’t want to see that type of foreign policy disaster happen ever again.

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Donald Trump has succeeded in pushing aside stories he really doesn’t want covered, at least temporarily. Epstein files, Jack Smith’s testimony and January 6th anniversary tomorrow, less than a year after Donald Trump pardoned everyone who attacked you at the Capitol that day.

LEADER JEFFRIES: That’s exactly right. And the irony is that Donald Trump promises to lower costs on day one, but instead, on day one of his presidency, he pardons hundreds of violent felons who brutally assaulted the Capitol, beat police officers, seriously injured more than 140 brave law enforcement men and women. Some subsequently lost their lives. Many were injured in ways both physically and psychologically in terms of damage that is now permanent, and yet Donald Trump pardons these individuals and then unleashes them to go back to communities all across the country, where many of them have committed violent crimes and have reoffended. And we’ve got to make sure that that story is told, and we also have to make that there’s value to free and fair elections in the United States of America. There’s value to the peaceful transfer of power. There’s value to ensuring that the rule of law remains central to who we are as a country. All of those things were threatened, of course, by what took place five years ago on January 6, which is why it’s important that we never forget and that we learn the lessons of January 6, so that we never allow it to happen again.

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Leader Jeffries, I hope you can join us on this program on this exact date a year from now, because you may be Speaker of the House by that time, one year from now. Just one year from now. As we sit here in January drowning in Trumpian abuse of power and this swirl of stories, what do you think will be the issue in the first week of November when voters are deciding who will run the House of Representatives next year.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I think central to what the American people decide is going to be who’s actually committed to making their life better. That’s our fight as Democrats. We want to lower the high cost of living. We want to make life more affordable. We want to fix our broken healthcare system. And, of course, we want to clean up corruption so we can deliver a country that actually works for working class Americans. And I think the failure of the Trump administration has been they’re focused on so many other things, most recently, what took place in Venezuela, but not focused on improving the quality of life of everyday Americans because they’d rather spend their time trying to engage in this scheme or that scheme to subsidize the lifestyles of the rich and shameless and reward their billionaire donors, which is exactly what they did in their One Big Ugly Bill while cutting Medicaid by the largest amount in American history and ripping healthcare away from more than 14 million Americans. The whole thing has been a failure. The American people are rejecting Republican extremism, and they’re embracing the Democratic vision for making their life better and dealing with the affordability crisis that exists here in our great country.

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Thank you very much for joining us tonight. Thank you in advance for joining as one year from tonight and many times in between. Thank you very much.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you so much.

Full interview can be watched here.

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LEADER JEFFRIES ON THE CAPITOL STEPS: “WE WILL NEVER ALLOW A VIOLENT INSURRECTION TO TAKE PLACE ON AMERICAN SOIL AGAIN”

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press event with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House and Senate Members, where they marked five years since the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 and honored those whose lives were lost.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Good evening. Thank you, Leader Schumer, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, to the Sicknick and Smith family and to all of my colleagues who are present.

Today, we gather here on the steps of the United States Congress, the citadel of our democracy, to commemorate the solemn five-year anniversary of the violent insurrection incited by Donald Trump to overturn the results of a free and fair election. On that fateful day, hundreds of brave, courageous and dedicated Capitol Police and DC officers stood on these very steps and across the Capitol grounds to defend the Congress, the country and the Constitution. They were outnumbered by a violent mob, but never overwhelmed by the seriousness of the moment.

For more than five hours, they were forced to engage in hand-to-hand combat, confronting thousands of bloodthirsty rioters who were unleashed by Donald Trump. They were beaten with pipes, whipped, assaulted by bear spray and pummeled by Confederate flagpoles. They were bloodied but unbowed. We owe these heroes an eternal debt of gratitude and will never forget their service and their sacrifice.

Had it not been for their bravery on that fateful day, many of us would not be alive right now standing on these Capitol steps, continuing to serve our nation. And I have a simple message for the violent mob of insurrectionists: Donald Trump may have pardoned your crimes, but only God can pardon your sin. James Baldwin once made the observation that history ‘is not merely something to be read and it does not refer merely or even principally to the past. On the contrary, the great force of history comes from the fact that we carry it within us, are unconsciously controlled by it…and history is literally present in all that we do…it is to history that we owe our frames of reference, our identities and our aspirations.’

We gather here today because we are still living the history of January 6th and we will never allow it to be whitewashed. We thank the heroes of January 6th. We remember those whose lives were lost, aspire to be a better nation and make clear to the election deniers that we will never allow a violent insurrection to take place on American soil again.

Today we are joined by the families of officers Brian Sicknick and Jeffrey Smith. Gladys, Ken and Aaron, thank you so much for your presence here today and for your continued strength and patriotism.

Now I ask everyone to join us in a moment of silence, to remember those whose lives were lost as a result of the tragic and horrific events of January 6, 2021.

[…]

May God bless those whose lives have been lost, their families, Capitol police, members of law enforcement and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Full event can be watched here.

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LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF DOUG LaMALFA

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.


LEADER JEFFRIES: “THE JANUARY 6 VIOLENT ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL WILL BE SHAMEFUL ALWAYS AND FOREVER”

Today, on the five-year anniversary of January 6, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered remarks setting the record straight about the Trump-incited January 6 insurrection:

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you all for your presence here today on this solemn anniversary. Five years ago today, a violent mob incited by Donald Trump attacked the Capitol as part of a concerted effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and halt the peaceful transfer of power for the first time in American history. This bloodthirsty, treacherous mob brutally assaulted police officers and seriously injured more than 140 brave men and women of law enforcement. Many have suffered lasting physical and psychological damage. Several tragically lost their lives. Because of the extraordinary bravery of the U.S. Capitol Police, other law enforcement officials and the resolve of the Congress to return that night, this unprecedented attack on our country and on our democracy failed.

Over the last five years, instead of holding those responsible for the attack accountable, Donald Trump and far-right extremists in Congress have repeatedly attempted to rewrite history and whitewash the horrific events of January 6. We will not let that happen. On the first day in office of his second term, instead of fulfilling his promise to lower the high cost of living on day one, Donald Trump pardoned hundreds of violent felons who brutally beat police officers while storming the United States Capitol. The criminals and thugs that Donald Trump pardoned have flooded communities across the country, unleashing violence and mayhem.

The crimes committed by those rioters before and after the violent insurrection include child sexual assault, production of child pornography, possession of child pornography, rape, conspiracy to murder FBI agents, kidnapping, sexual assault, aggravated robbery, reckless homicide, driving under the influence causing death, illegal possession of firearms, domestic violence by strangulation, burglary, vandalism, grand theft, stalking, violation of protection orders, threatening public officials and drug trafficking. It’s been a Trump-inspired crime spree.

Why won’t Republicans in Congress condemn this dangerous behavior, an ongoing threat to public safety? They refuse to serve as a check and balance on an increasingly out-of-control executive branch, preferring to be nothing more than a reckless rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s extreme agenda. The January 6 violent attack on the Capitol that took place five years ago today was shameful then, it is shameful now and it will be shameful always and forever.

We must continue to learn from what happened on January 6 in order to make sure that it never happens again. We must protect our free and fair elections. We must protect the peaceful transfer of power. We must protect the preeminence of the rule of law. And we must protect the eternal commitment to a democratic America which remains the last, best hope on Earth.

Ongoing hearing can be viewed here.

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Kamlager-Dove, Meeks, Huizenga Lead Letter to Bangladeshi Interim Government on the Importance of Inclusive, Free and Fair Elections

Washington, DC – Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Bill Huizenga, Chair of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, today sent a letter to Dr. Mohammed Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, expressing concern over the total ban of a political party ahead of elections in February. Cosigners of the letter include Rep. Julie Johnson and Tom Suozzi.

“We welcome your willingness to step forward at a moment of national crisis in Bangladesh to lead an interim government ahead of elections in February of next year. It is vital that the interim government work with parties across the political spectrum to create the conditions for free and fair elections that allow the voice of the Bangladeshi people to be expressed peacefully through the ballot box, as well as reforms that restore confidence in the integrity and nonpartisanship of state institutions. We are concerned that this cannot happen if the government suspends activities of political parties or again restarts the flawed International Crimes Tribunal.

“Freedom of association, as well as the principle of individual rather than collective criminal responsibility, are fundamental human rights. We are concerned that the decision to fully suspend the activity of any one political party, rather than focus on persons determined to have committed crimes or gross violations of human rights through the due process of law, is inconsistent with those principles.”


Kaptur Announces $75,000 USDA Investment to Repair and Rehabilitate Rural Homes in Erie County

Sandusky, OH – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) highlighted a $75,000 federal investment awarded to the Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities through the US Department of Agriculture’s Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program, bringing critical resources to help repair and rehabilitate rural housing in the Sandusky area.

“This investment is about dignity, safety, and opportunity for our neighbors here in Erie County,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “Every Ohioan deserves a safe place to call home. These funds will help ensure that families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities can remain in their homes with the security and accessibility they need to live full, independent lives. Strong communities are quite literally built from the ground up.”

The USDA Housing Preservation Grant program supports repairs for low- and very low-income rural residents, including fixes to roofs, foundations, electrical systems, heating, and water disposal systems, as well as accessibility upgrades for individuals with disabilities. The $75,000 award will help preserve existing housing stock while supporting local trades and jobs across the region.

The Erie County award is part of nearly $1 Million in Housing Preservation Grants announced statewide, funding 12 projects across Ohio. Nationwide, USDA Rural Development awarded $13.1 Million in HPG funding in the previous fiscal year to support rural housing repairs.

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Whip Clark Statement Marking 5 Years Since the January 6th Insurrection

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) released the following statement marking five years since the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol:

“Five years ago, a mob incited by Donald Trump attempted to use violence and terror to keep him in power.

"Since the insurrection, Trump has continued to mislead the American people and belittle the law enforcement officers who bravely defended our Capitol. He has pardoned the rioters, empowering many of them to commit more crimes, and lied about his assault on democracy.

"Yet America remains strong. As we mark 250 years of independence, our democratic experiment endures. The American people deserve better than the failures and broken promises of this administration. Democrats will continue to abide by our oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

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Kennedy Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Investment in America’s Port Infrastructure

Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act Would Ensure Fair, Federal Funding for Inland and Great Lakes Ports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) joined Representatives Dave Joyce (OH-14), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Randy Weber (TX-14), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Erin Houchin (IN-09), and Robin Kelly (IL-02) to introduce the Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act. This legislation ensures federal port infrastructure funding is distributed more equitably across all regions of the country, including inland Great Lakes ports that have historically been underfunded. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate.

“Our ports are the backbone of our regional economy and serve as a critical link in keeping America’s supply chains moving,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “In the Great Lakes region, these ports support good-paying jobs and strengthen our national security. The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act ensures that federal infrastructure dollars are distributed fairly, so inland ports and surrounding communities can reap the economic benefits from modernized and resilient infrastructure.”

“Inland ports are the backbone of the nation’s supply chain. When they fall behind, America falls behind, and our economic security and national security are put at risk,” said Congressman Joyce. “Federal port infrastructure dollars can’t just flow to major coastal hubs. The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act guarantees that ports across the Great Lakes, Gulf Coast, and inland waterways can compete for critical upgrades that keep goods moving, reduce bottlenecks, and strengthen America’s strategic and economic competitiveness. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Kennedy and grateful for his continued advocacy on behalf of the Great Lakes.”

“The Port of Buffalo is proud to endorse the Securing Smart Investments in Our Ports Act,” said Jamie M. Hypnarowski, VP & GM of Gateway Trade Center and the Port of Buffalo. “Ports—and the industries we serve—are economic engines for our communities and the Great Lakes Ports deserve our fair share of Port Infrastructure Development Program funding. We applaud Congressmembers Kennedy and Joyce for standing up for the Port of Buffalo.”

The bill updates the Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) by directing the agency to consider geographic distribution when awarding grants. By explicitly including inland ports, such as those on the Great Lakes, inland waterways, and other interior terminals, the legislation ensures ports of all sizes and locations have a fair opportunity to compete for federal investment. While PIDP provides critical funding for port modernization, the majority of resources have historically flowed to large coastal ports. Since Fiscal Year 2019, only two percent of PIDP funding has gone to the Great Lakes region, compared to 38 percent for West Coast ports and 34 percent for East Coast ports. This imbalance has left inland and smaller ports at a disadvantage, despite their central role in national supply chains and regional economies.

Inland ports support manufacturing, serve millions of Americans, and are essential to transporting bulk materials such as iron ore, cement, and aggregates. They also contribute to national security by offering resilient, secure alternatives to exposed coastal shipping routes. By ensuring more balanced investment, the Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act would strengthen supply chains, reduce congestion on roads and rail, lower emissions, and improve the overall efficiency and resilience of freight movement. Modernizing inland and coastal ports alike through dredging, dock upgrades, and improved intermodal connections will help accommodate larger vessels, manage seasonal surges, and keep goods moving on time.

The legislation is endorsed by the Great Lakes Commission and the American Great Lakes Ports Association, underscoring broad regional and industry support for a more inclusive, strategic approach to port infrastructure investment.

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Congressman Krishnamoorthi Demands Answers from DHS on Operation Midway Blitz Conduct and Death in Custody

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi today sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem raising serious concerns about how DHS conducted Operation Midway Blitz in Illinois, including in his district, warning that the operation appears to have swept up large numbers of individuals without criminal convictions and produced deadly consequences.

The Congressman writes:

“DHS has said this operation focused on dangerous criminals, but the facts suggest that many people with no criminal convictions were arrested instead. During my oversight visit, I learned that individuals were targeted and held not because they had been convicted of a crime, but merely because they had been charged with an offense in the past.”

He further notes that public reporting contradicts DHS’s stated priorities:

“While DHS has stated that roughly 4,500 people were detained during Operation Midway Blitz, reports show that only about 15 percent of those detained had prior criminal convictions. When enforcement actions primarily affect people without criminal convictions, it undermines DHS’s stated focus on targeting the most dangerous individuals.”

The letter also highlights the death of Nenko Gantchev, who died in DHS custody after being arrested when he voluntarily appeared for a scheduled immigration interview.

“He was not detained because of a criminal conviction,” Krishnamoorthi writes, “but because of enforcement practices that prioritized increasing the number of immigrants detained rather than focusing on genuine public safety threats. His case underscores the human cost of enforcement actions that do not center on individuals with criminal convictions.”

To ensure accountability, Congressman Krishnamoorthi requests written responses from DHS by January 15, 2026, to the following questions:

How many people detained during Operation Midway Blitz had criminal convictions?

How many detainees with no prior criminal convictions were charged with a crime by DHS at the time of their arrest?

Please provide body-camera footage for any arrests of individuals without prior convictions or active charges.

To which facilities were individuals detained in Illinois transferred, and how many of those transferred experienced serious health deterioration while in DHS custody?

How will DHS ensure that future enforcement actions target individuals with serious criminal convictions or active warrants?

The Congressman concludes:

“Immigration enforcement should focus on individuals who pose real public safety risks, not on families, workers, or bystanders caught in a dragnet. Until DHS can provide transparency and assurance that these operations are conducted lawfully and effectively, similar enforcement actions should be suspended.”


Krishnamoorthi Responds to Reports of a Trump Administration Blanket Freeze of Child Care and Family Support Funding for Illinois

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement in response to reports that the Trump administration is moving to freeze billions of dollars in federal funding for child care and family assistance programs in Illinois, California, Colorado, Minnesota, and New York:

“Reports that the Trump Administration may impose a blanket freeze on child care and family assistance funding for states, including Illinois, are deeply disturbing. Such a move wouldn’t punish bad actors — it would harm working parents and children who rely on these programs. As someone who grew up on essential social programs when my family got knocked down, I know firsthand how life-changing that support can be. At a time when Illinois families are already facing an affordability crisis, the Trump Administration should not undermine support that helps parents remain in the workforce or play petty politics with the well-being of America’s families.”


Larson Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the January 6th Insurrection at the United States Capitol

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the fifth anniversary of the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, resulting in the death of five police officers and injuring more than 140 others.

“It’s been five years since the brutal attack on our democracy and the freedoms we hold dear,” said Larson. “From the window in my office, I watched the mob overtake our Capitol. Today, we remember the five police officers who died as a result of this violence. Our hearts are with their families, and we pledge to honor their memory today and every day. If you don’t reflect on history, it becomes forgotten, and while that may be the hope of President Trump and Speaker Johnson, I will never forget the truth and neither will the American people.”

On his first day in office, President Trump pardoned the January 6th insurrectionists, including leaders of white supremacist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. He later fired the federal prosecutors at the Department of Justice who investigated the insurrection. Additionally, under Speaker Johnson, the House of Representatives continues to refuse to display a plaque honoring the law enforcement officers who responded to January 6th.


REP LIEU HONORS 5 YEARS SINCE JANUARY 6

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) released the following statement to honor the five-year anniversary of the January 6 insurrection:

“Today marks five years since Donald Trump incited the deadly attack on our Capitol and our democracy. For weeks leading up to January 6, 2021, Trump fueled lies about the election he lost – lies that culminated in a violent mob scaling walls, smashing windows, and brutally assaulting law enforcement officers in an attempt to overturn the will of the American people.

“January 6 was one of the most shameful days in our nation’s history, and no amount of revisionism or whitewashing by Trump or his allies in Congress will ever change that. Trump continues to minimize the violence, lie about what happened, and he even pardoned rioters who assaulted police officers and desecrated our Capitol. Unlike Trump and Republicans who refuse to recognize the law enforcement officers on that day, many of whom still live with the physical and emotional scars from the attack, I want to sincerely thank them for their bravery.

“On January 6, I was evacuated from my office and sheltered with my friend and then-colleague, Congressman David Cicilline, as we watched the horrific events of that day unfold in real time. In the immediate aftermath, David and I – along with Representative Jamie Raskin – drafted the single article of impeachment charging Donald Trump with incitement of insurrection. That article passed the House, and I later served as an Impeachment Manager during the Senate trial where 57 Senators voted to convict on a bipartisan basis.

“It was a solemn responsibility to help lead the effort to hold Donald Trump accountable for his actions. While not enough Senate Republicans summoned the courage to convict, our work ensured that the truth was placed permanently in the historical record. No pardon, no lie, and no act of political cowardice can erase what happened on that dark day.”

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Lofgren Reflects on 5 Years Since January 6th Insurrection

"Five years ago was one of our country's darkest days. We saw law enforcement officers beaten, we saw gallows constructed to hang elected officials, and worst of all, we saw a lawless President cheer it on. The pain of January 6th hasn't faded over these past five years. Every year is a somber reminder of how fragile American democracy is and how close we came to losing it."

"No matter how much President Trump and his allies seek to rewrite the past and cover up this stain on our history, the American people remember. With over a million documents and hundreds of hours of footage from the January 6th Select Committee investigation, it is one of the most-documented crimes in American history. And there is no doubt about who was most culpable for that terrible tragedy," Rep. Lofgren said.


Statement on the Passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa from Rep. Zoe Lofgren

"Congressman Doug LaMalfa loved rural California and the communities he represented in Congress. Doug was a fourth-generation rice farmer and he cared deeply about American farm country. We worked closely together in crafting the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act. While we disagreed on many things, I considered him my friend. As Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, I offer condolences to Doug's family and friends during this difficult time."


Rep. Nancy Mace Applauds President Trump’s Vaccine Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 6, 2026) – Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) released the following statement in support of President Trump's updated Childhood Vaccination Schedule announced today:

"President Trump is putting American children first by aligning our childhood vaccine schedule with international standards used across Europe. For too long, our children have been subjected to 72 jabs, far more than any other developed nation, and parents have had legitimate concerns that have, for years, been dismissed.”

This new schedule focuses on the 11 most serious and dangerous diseases while restoring parental rights and medical freedom. European countries have thrived with similar schedules, and there's no reason American children need to be treated differently.

Parents, not bureaucrats or pharmaceutical companies, should have the final say in their children's healthcare decisions. This reform empowers families to work with their doctors to make informed choices without government mandates.

The previous system was excessive, and many parents felt bullied into compliance. President Trump is returning sanity and science-based policy to childhood healthcare.

“As the mom of a child who had a vaccine reaction at 18 months, and who has had one herself from the COVID jab, our family welcomes this modification, for all children,” added Rep. Mace.


Magaziner Statement on Five-Year Anniversary of the January 6 Attack on the Capitol

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Ranking Member of the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee on the House Homeland Security Committee, released the following statement on the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol:

“Five years ago today, more than 2,000 insurrectionists violently attacked the United States Capitol and the law enforcement officers sworn to protect it.

On this solemn anniversary, we must not allow anyone to rewrite the history of what happened. January 6 was a violent attempt to overturn the peaceful transfer of power and deny the American people the right to choose our own leaders. President Trump fanned the flames of the riot by lying about the outcome of the election.

Our country can only survive as a democracy as long as our leaders put the will of the voters ahead of their own electoral self interest.

We must never forget the severity of the January 6th attack and the courage of the police officers who stood their ground to defend democracy that day.”


ICYMI-Díaz-Balart Leads House Appropriators to Examine Security Threats and Religious Persecution in Nigeria

Washington, D.C – Following President Trump’s call-to-action and redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) recently led a bipartisan delegation to Nigeria for an on-the-ground fact-finding mission to examine alarming anti-Christian violence and religious persecution. Members of the Committee – including Republican Representatives Scott Franklin (R-FL), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Riley Moore (R-WV) – heard directly from Nigerian victims of violence, the government, and from faith and local organizations, which informed the formation of congressional recommendations to the White House. These recommendations will focus on protecting innocent lives, supporting security and economic stability, safeguarding religious liberty, and destroying jihadist terrorist networks.

U.S. Ambassador Country Briefing: The delegation received a country team briefing from the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, which included an overview of the escalating religious violence and threats in the Middle Belt. The U.S. embassy noted how President Trump’s recent impactful designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern has renewed attention and created urgency to press the Nigerian government to take tangible steps to reduce violence, especially threats and attacks against Christians, and better safeguard religious freedom; address insecurity and improve the recruitment and deployment of trained police; enhance counterterrorism efforts and security operations targeting radical Islamic terrorist groups, a crucial component to U.S. security; and further enhance the U.S.-Nigerian partnership on security, diplomatic, and economic issues.

Governor of Benue State: Members traveled to Benue State, in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria, where Christians are vulnerable to record-breaking violence and killings, leading to a surge in the number of internally displaced people (IDP) – those who’ve been forced to flee their homes by conflict, violence, persecution, or disasters. There, they met with Reverend Father Dr. Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State, and local officials to discuss the escalating attacks against Christians. The lawmakers expressed deep concern with the numerous mass casualty events, the rising threats against Christians and farming communities, and the increasing displacement of people from their homes. Members discussed their ideas to curb violence and hold perpetrators accountable, including early warning systems, improved prosecutorial capacities, and security sector reforms. The group also heard how ongoing instability has opened the door to hostile foreign exploitation. Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-backed mining networks – aided by local collaborators and armed terrorists – are violently clearing Christian farming communities and villages to steal oil and rare earth minerals. Terror is fueling predatory extraction that enriches the CCP while everyday Nigerians suffer.

Director General of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation: Benue State remains the most dangerous state in which to be a Christian. Rampant attacks have deprived thousands of people of their rights to life, religious liberty, and the pursuit of livelihoods. In a session with Josephine Habba, the Director General of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, Members learned about efforts to build bridges among community members, government, and security forces, and prevent conflict. Members directed further discussion on how the United States can help Nigeria build the capacity to stop violence specifically targeting Christian communities and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. The government’s accountability failures and poor response to communities facing rising violence have eroded public trust as well as emboldened even more attacks. The resulting humanitarian fallout has driven the displacement of more than 500,000 people since 2024 alone, with families pushed into overcrowded, under-resourced IDP camps.

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop Isaac Dugu, and His Royal Highness James Ayatse: Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop Isaac Dugu, and His Royal Highness James Ayatse reiterated what the violence and massacres have shown: Nigeria is the most dangerous nation on Earth to follow Christ. For simply practicing their faith, Christians are kidnapped, attacked, and slaughtered. These religious leaders underscored how Fulani militants lead killings against Christians. They target churches, clergy, children and families, religious minorities, and land resources. The Fulani militants drive innocent people out of their homes and villages, and they surveil these areas – attacking anyone who dares come back and committing untold atrocities. Fulani militant and bandit groups are seizing land and resources and obstructing religious freedom to exert control and coerce conversion to Islam. Fulani militants have destroyed entire communities and displaced thousands, sowing fear and terror among Christians in the Middle Belt. The consensus remains that government has failed to confront both the scale and the intent of these atrocities.

Faith Leaders Roundtable: Bishop Anagbe also assembled faith leaders and academics from across Benue State to offer candid, firsthand perspectives on current conditions. Participants underscored the most meaningful changes in years have come from President Trump’s CPC announcement. The designation renewed the Nigerian government’s attention and generated meaningful political will to take action. They emphasized the White House’s action came at a critical time. Participants affirmed U.S. attention is critical to reaching a durable end to the violence to secure the lives and livelihoods of the Nigerian people. Nigerians emphasized they want sustained American diplomatic pressure to encourage their government to act to stop deliberate killings and kidnappings, confront jihadist threats from ISIS-WA and Boko Haram, and ensure displaced people can safely return to their homes and worship freely. The congressional delegation emphasized that religious freedom and liberty are core American values and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening security coordination to dismantle radical extremist groups such as ISIS-WA and Boko Haram. Members stressed that confronting these threats is essential not only to Nigeria’s stability, but to the regional security of West Africa and the safety of the U.S. homeland. The delegation also noted that the United States maintains a trade surplus with Nigeria, and that greater stability would further expand economic ties and shared prosperity.

Victims of Violence, Internally Displaced People: In what was the most heart-wrenching and emotional visit of the trip, victims of the violence shared their harrowing stories. One woman was forced to watch as her husband and five children were killed. As she spoke, she held the baby she was carrying when she fled and miraculously survived. Tragically, stories of massacred families and murdered children are not isolated incidents. Survivor after survivor recounted similar experiences, bearing both visible wounds and deep trauma. Forced from their homes, they now live in overcrowded IDP camps. The fear of generational eradication is real, and the loss of ancestral villages and homes represents the deliberate unraveling of families, faith, and future generations. Defending religious liberty worldwide is both a moral duty and a vital American interest. The Members emphasized that humanity guided this trip, informed the Trump Administration’s actions, and will remain at the core of the recommendations that follow.

Humanitarian Relief, Crisis Response: Religious persecution and violence in Nigeria are fueling a severe humanitarian crisis. The Members met with UNHCR, Caritas, and World Food Program personnel to discuss mounting displacement and rapidly escalating humanitarian needs. Insecurity across the country is decimating productivity and destroying livelihoods – villages are empty, Fulani militants are seizing farmland, and the government’s failure to protect its people has eroded public trust. While humanitarian assistance and targeted interventions are saving lives, IDP camps are increasingly permanent settlements rather than temporary refuge. The broad consensus is that the Nigerian government must do more to confront the drivers of violence, restore security, and ensure displaced families can safely return home and rebuild their lives. Participants underscored the generosity of the United States and emphasized that President Trump’s CPC designation elevated international attention, applied meaningful pressure, and catalyzed overdue action by Nigerian authorities.

National Security Advisor: Radical Islamic terrorist organizations such as ISIS-West Africa, Boko Haram, and Fulani militant groups are driving instability and violence across Nigeria. Their activities threaten civilian populations, suppress religious freedom, and sustain extremist networks that pose broader regional and U.S. security risks. Nigerian National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu stressed that added action to protect vulnerable Christians and communities is a priority. President Trump’s CPC designation spurred concrete government action, including President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency, the planned recruitment of 50,000 additional police officers, and the reassignment of officers from VIP protection to frontline duties to strengthen on-the-ground capabilities. The United States is also providing Nigerian forces with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support to counter insurgent and terrorist threats. Addressing the horrific and escalating violence against Christians and vulnerable communities in Nigeria will support stability in the region and counter violent extremism, a threat to Nigeria and the United States.

This fact-finding mission builds on sustained oversight by the House Appropriations Committee and reinforces a clear conclusion: defending humanity, protecting religious freedom, and confronting violent extremism are inseparable from U.S. national security interests. The delegation’s findings will inform a formal set of recommendations to the White House focused on strengthening the U.S.–Nigerian partnership in ways that deliver greater security and stability, safeguard freedom and religious liberty, promote economic growth, and dismantle terrorist networks.

While returning to the United States, Members learned that 100 kidnapped girls had been released – an encouraging development that highlights both the human stakes of this crisis and the impact of enduring American engagement and leadership. Furthermore, the mission underscored the urgent need to enact full-year funding bills to restore responsive and good governance and appropriately address these emergent national security crises. Appropriators will ensure the FY26 bill reinforces President Trump’s Country of Particular Concern designation, prioritizes religious freedom and atrocity response initiatives, and advances core national security priorities.

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MATSUI STATEMENT MARKING FIVE YEARS AFTER JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION AT U.S. CAPITOL

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) issued the following statement marking five years after the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol complex.

“Five years ago, our democracy faced a direct and dangerous assault when Donald Trump fomented a violent mob that stormed the Capitol in an effort to overturn the will of the American people,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “January 6, 2021, was not a spontaneous act of violent chaos. It was the consequence of sustained lies and incendiary rhetoric aimed at undermining our most fundamental principles. That abuse of power did not end that day. We continue to see efforts to excuse, minimize, and repeat it. The Trump administration continues to undermine the rule of law and concentrate authority in the hands of the few rather than the many.”

“January 6 reminded us of a fundamental truth,” Matsui continued. “In America, power does not belong to any one person. It belongs to all of us. It survives when people stand together, insist on the truth, and refuse to be silenced by fear. On this fifth anniversary, we recommit to that responsibility. To protect the vote. To uphold the Constitution. And to stand firm in the belief that power flows from the people and our democracy endures because we choose to defend it together.”

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MATSUI STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF CONGRESSMAN DOUG LAMALFA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01).

“Doug LaMalfa was a force for Northern California—in his work ethic, in his deep commitment to the region, and in his steadfast belief in public service,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “He brought expertise to some of the most important issues facing our communities, especially forestry and water, and he never stopped pushing for solutions. While we often disagreed, we never disagreed on the core principle that we are here to serve our constituents. He was genuine, straightforward, and always himself. I will miss him as a colleague and a friend. My loving sympathies go out to his wife Jill and family.”

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Chairwoman McClain’s Statement on the Passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa

WASHINGTON—House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) released the following statement today on the passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa:

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Doug was not only a valued colleague and friend, but a devoted public servant who poured his heart into serving the people of Northern California. He cared deeply about his constituents and worked tirelessly to represent their voices, values, and livelihoods in Congress. His love for his district and commitment to public service were evident in everything he did. My prayers are with his wife, Jill, their family, his staff, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. Doug’s legacy of service, integrity, and dedication will never be forgotten.”


U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum Statement on Fifth Anniversary of January 6 Insurrection

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D, MN-04), Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, issued the following statement on Tuesday in honor of the brave police officers who defended our nation’s Capitol on January 6, 2021:

“Today, I join Americans in solemn reflection five years after Donald Trump incited a violent insurrection on the U.S. Capitol to halt the peaceful transfer of power. Thanks to the remarkable courage of Capitol Police, D.C. Metropolitan Police, and nearly 20 other federal law enforcement agencies who responded to assist outnumbered officers, Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election failed.

“I will never forget the extraordinary sacrifices that law enforcement officers made to protect me, my staff, my colleagues, and our democracy. More than 140 police officers were seriously injured, and several lost their lives.

“Despite Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans’ repeated efforts to whitewash and rewrite history, Americans have not forgotten the attacks that Donald Trump unleashed on our democracy five years ago. We are reminded of the violence that took place that day when Americans read headlines about the new crimes that have been committed by many of the nearly 1,600 insurrectionists whose sentences were commuted or pardoned on the first day of his second term. Many of these criminals have gone on to commit more heinous crimes including child molestation, kidnapping, and sexual assault.

“In the weeks after January 6, 2021, a bipartisan Congress created a plaque as an official tribute to the courageous law enforcement professionals who protected our democracy. However, the actual plaque is hidden away somewhere within the Capitol complex, because Majority Republicans refuse to install it. I keep a photograph of a plaque posted outside my Washington, D.C. office as a daily reminder of the honor and bravery of those law enforcement officers who defended our nation on January 6. We will never forget the courageous law enforcement officers who carry scars – both physically and mentally – for the rest of their lives because of their heroism that day.”

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Statement Following Venezuela Briefing

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement following yesterday’s briefing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and other officials on the Trump administration’s military action in Venezuela:

“I heard nothing yesterday to dispel my very serious concerns about the Trump administration’s attempted regime-change and nation-building exercise in Venezuela, nor leads me to trust that Trump and his administration are truly operating in the best interests of the American people.

“Donald Trump used U.S. military force to invade a sovereign nation without authorization from Congress. He did so not to address an imminent threat to the United States, nor to advance a democratic transition in Venezuela. Instead, the administration is embracing a dangerous worldview in which the United States can run roughshod over our hemisphere, mirroring the same logic Vladimir Putin uses to justify domination over his neighbors.

“Nicolas Maduro is an illegitimate leader. But we are a country of laws, and this president’s blatant disregard for both domestic and international law is reckless and dangerous. Rather than addressing the Republican health care crisis and lowering costs for the American people, this administration is committing billions in taxpayer dollars to an open-ended foreign conflict.

“Critical questions remain on what happens next. Congress is not a spectator in matters of war. I will continue pressing for public hearings, transparency and meaningful oversight to reassert Congress’s constitutional role and prevent further escalation and instability.”


CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE SPEAKS ON THE HORRIFIC EVENTS OF JANUARY 6, 2021

(Washington, D.C.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle marked the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by participating in a hearing featuring testimony from former law enforcement, state officials, and Americans who witnessed the insurrection.

“January 6, 2021, was one of the darkest days in our nation’s history, and it demands honesty—not political revisionism. Efforts to whitewash the attack dishonor the truth, the victims, and the brave officers who defended our democracy,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “Those who summoned the mob, including President Trump, bear responsibility—but so do those who stood by, excused the violence, or helped rewrite its history. Protecting the guilty while attacking the police who saved lives is cowardice, and it cannot be allowed to stand.”

Congressman Morelle was present in the Capitol Complex during the January 6 Insurrection and was forced to shelter in place while the violent mob infiltrated the citadel of our Republic. On January 7, 2021, Congressman Morelle called for the impeachment of then-President Donald Trump, citing the need for an investigation into “crimes of sedition and treason.”

In the five years since January 6, 2021, Congressman Morelle has remained an ardent support of efforts to honor the brave men and women who risked their lives defending the Capitol, and he has continually called out the hypocrisy of his Republican colleagues. As Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, Congressman Morelle has continually called on Speaker Johnson and House Republicans to display a plaque honoring the law enforcement who were present on January 6, 2021, which was required by law to be hung in the United States Capitol.

Congressman Morelle has also used his position as the Top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration to work in a bipartisan manner to secure additional security funding for Members of Congress, their families, and their staff.

Video footage of Congressman Morelle’s remarks from today’s hearing can be found here. Footage of the full hearing can also be found here.

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Rep. Troy E. Nehls Statement on Five-Year Anniversary of January 6th

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22), a member of the Select Subcommittee on January 6th, released the following statement on the five-year anniversary of January 6th:

“As a member of the Select Subcommittee on January 6th, I am committed to following the facts to deliver the truth to the American people,” said Congressman Nehls. “Nancy Pelosi, Bennie Thompson, Liz Cheney, and Adam Kinzinger, along with the other members of the partisan January 6 Select Committee, did everything in their power to destroy President Trump, and they failed. Their Select Committee wasn’t about transparency or the truth; it was political theatre. My colleagues and I are focused on uncovering the truth and following the facts wherever they lead. I look forward to continue working with my colleagues to deliver long-deserved answers to the American people, and to setting the record straight about what truly happened on January 6th, the days leading up to January 6th, and the days following."


Newhouse Statement on Passing of Rep. Doug LaMalfa

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement upon the passing of U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa (CA-01).

"I am devasted to hear about the passing of my good friend and fellow farmer, Rep. Doug LaMalfa. Doug spent over a decade serving the good people of California’s First Congressional District, fighting to protect the rural way of life in his communities, and across our Nation. At the end of last Congress, he was unanimously elected Chairman of the Western Caucus, which is a testament to his dedication in defending the western way of life. I send my most sincere condolences to his family, friends, and staff during this incredibly difficult time."

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Pallone Commemorates Anniversary of January 6 Insurrection, Demands an End to Republicans’ Efforts to Rewrite History

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today remembered the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the United States Capitol, and urged President Trump and Speaker Johnson to end their campaign of historical revisionism.

Pallone has long condemned efforts by Trump and House Republicans to misrepresent or diminish the significance of the attacks, arguing such efforts show flagrant disrespect for democracy, the rule of law, and the law enforcement officers who uphold them.

"Five years ago today, violent domestic terrorists attempted to silence the voice of the American people and prevent the representatives they elected to Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 election. The attacks on our rule of law have only continued,” said Pallone. “President Trump has subverted and ignored Congress time and time again. His attempts to rewrite the history of this shameful day—by downplaying its significance and pardoning its perpetrators—are an insult to the nearly 250 years of continuous representative democracy that this Administration claims to celebrate.”

“Lying about what happened and setting violent criminals free is an insult to the brave law enforcement officers who were injured or killed on that day,” Pallone continued. “This includes Officer Brian Sicknick, a son of Middlesex County, who laid down his life to protect democracy. Republicans claim to support 'law and order,' but they continue to betray law enforcement officers by handing out get-out-of-jail-free cards to the terrorists who assaulted them.”

Pallone has led his New Jersey and Democratic colleagues in condemning Speaker Johnson and President Trump for their efforts to stifle remembrance of the January 6 insurrection. He unequivocally condemned President Trump’s release of Julian Khater—the insurrectionist who assaulted Officer Sicknick—as well as the mass pardoning and release of over 1,500 rioters convicted for their role in the attacks.

At the same time, Pallone has also demanded Speaker Johnson follow the law and display a memorial plaque honoring Sicknick and other law enforcement personnel who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6. The official plaque specifically names the New Jersey State Police alongside the U.S. Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department of D.C. and others.

Despite overwhelming bipartisan votes in both chambers of Congress, and a law signed by President Biden in 2022, Speaker Johnson continues to defy it by blocking the installation of the plaque on the western front of the Capitol. A replica of the plaque continues to hang outside Pallone’s office.

“This half-decade of denial and hypocrisy must end now,” Pallone concluded. “Today, I stand with the families of the injured and deceased law enforcement heroes, and all Americans who seek to preserve our democracy, and call on Trump and Republicans to end their crusade against remembrance of the January 6th insurrection.”

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Pappas Statement on January 6th Anniversary

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) released the following statement on the five year anniversary of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol:

“Five years ago violent insurrectionists stormed the United States Capitol in an attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power and overturn the results of a free and fair election. They assaulted over 140 law enforcement officers, resulting in the deaths of five and seriously injuring many more. I remain incredibly grateful for our courageous U.S. Capitol Police and their partners who took action that day to ensure our democracy and our institutions held strong.

“I remain vehemently opposed to President Trump’s pardoning of nearly 1,500 individuals who had been convicted or charged for their roles on this day, including assaulting police. History will not be rewritten, and this dark day must always be remembered for what it was: a direct assault on our democracy. Together, we fight to ensure that rule of law and the truth always prevail.”