Goldman, Homeland Democrats Demand Records from DHS Following Fatal Shootings of Two U.S. Citizens in Minnesota

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, U.S. Representative Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security demanded that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem immediately produce records related to the fatal shootings of two United States citizens by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents in Minnesota earlier this month. The letter also demands that DHS preserve all records associated with the fatal shootings.

The Committee is investigating the January 7, 2026, killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis and the January 24, 2026, killing of VA nurse Alex Pretti by Customs and Border Protection personnel. Both tragedies were widely captured on bystander video. Despite clear footage, DHS and White House officials labeled the victims “domestic terrorists” and have repeatedly failed to provide Congress with substantive information in response to oversight requests.

“In addition to our demand for immediate records production, this letter serves as notice of an ongoing congressional investigation and that you are to preserve, in accordance with all applicable Federal laws, all records relating to the use of deadly force by DHS law enforcement against any U.S. citizen,” the members wrote.

“The Committee intends to closely observe the compliance of the Department—and all its component agencies—with these requirements,” the members concluded.

The Committee is demanding all video footage from both shootings, evidence supporting DHS’s claims that the victims were “domestic terrorists,” information on the officers involved and their use of force histories, clarification of reports that medical aid was denied to Ms. Good, and justification for ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations leading the investigation into Mr. Pretti’s death.

The full letter is available here or below:

Dear Secretary Noem:

As Members of the Committee on Homeland Security with jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), we are investigating the deaths of two United States citizens who were shot and killed by DHS law enforcement this month in Minnesota and the Trump administration’s response to these killings.

On January 7, 2026, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother and U.S. citizen during what DHS says was an immigration enforcement operation. Fewer than three weeks later, a Border Patrol agent and a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer in Minneapolis fired their weapons at Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and ICU nurse for a local VA hospital, who died from gunshot wounds. Bystanders captured both shootings on video, yet DHS and the White House repeatedly issued false or misleading statements about the incidents and labeled the shooting victims “domestic terrorist[s].”

As part of our investigation, this Committee previously requested information related to the shooting of Ms. Good, including the following: body-worn camera footage or other video from the scene, any evidence underlying the conclusion that Ms. Good was a “domestic terrorist,” information on the injuries sustained by the ICE officer who shot Ms. Good, and additional information on the shooting. DHS ignored Congress yet confirmed a leaked cell-phone video filmed by the officer who shot Ms. Good.

The Committee expanded its investigation shortly after a Border Patrol agent and CBP officer discharged their weapons and killed Mr. Pretti, and we requested information to aid in our oversight, including the following: any video of the incident, the employment status of the Shooter and complaints against or use of force incidents by him in the past, and additional information relating to the deployment of CBP and use of force that day. Rather than respond to our inquiries, DHS responded with answers to questions apparently crafted by the Department itself—not the Committee’s inquiries.

Preliminary Demand for Records

We demand that you immediately turn over to the Committee the following information, which we previously requested and which is necessary for the first phase of our investigation:

Renee Good

1. All video footage, including any body-worn camera footage and video footage filmed on a mobile phone by the ICE officer who shot Renee Good, from the scene where a ICE officer shot Renee Good.

2. If there is no body-worn camera footage, an explanation of why such footage was not recorded.

3. Evidence, if any, relied upon by DHS for the conclusion that Renee Good was a

“domestic terrorist.”

4. Information on the current employment status and years of service of the ICE officer who shot Renee Good.

5. Information on whether the ICE officer who shot Renee Good has been the subject of

complaints or significant use of force incidents in the past.

6. Evidence of injuries, if any, to the ICE officer who shot Renee Good.

7. Reasons for ICE’s deployment to the specific scene where Renee Good was shot.

8. Information verifying or debunking reports that a medical professional on the scene when Renee Good was shot offered to assist in her care and was denied by DHS law Enforcement.

Alex Pretti

9. All video footage, including any body-worn camera footage, from the scene where a

Border Patrol agent and CBP officer fired weapons at Alex Pretti, ultimately killing him.

10. If there is no body-worn camera footage, an explanation of why such footage was not recorded.

11. Evidence, if any, relied upon by DHS for the conclusion that Alex Pretti was a “domestic terrorist.”

12. Information on the current employment status and years of service of the Border Patrol agent and CBP officer who fired weapons at Alex Pretti, ultimately killing him.

13. Information on whether either the Border Patrol agent or CBP officer who shot Alex Pretti has been the subject of complaints or significant use of force incidents in the past.

14. Reasons for CBP’s deployment to the specific scene where Alex Pretti was shot.

15. Reasoning for the investigation into Alex Pretti’s death being handled by ICE’s

Homeland Security Investigations.

Document Preservation Mandate

In addition to our demand for immediate records production, this letter serves as notice of an ongoing congressional investigation and that you are to preserve, in accordance with all applicable Federal laws, all records relating to the use of deadly force by DHS law enforcement against any U.S. citizen, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as well as any future incidents in which force is used against a U.S. citizen.

As you are aware, the Federal Records Act (FRA) requires that all departments and agencies in the Executive Branch collect, retain, and preserve records that document “the transaction of public business” or contain “informational value.”11 The Committee writes to remind you and the entire Department of your obligations under the FRA.

Under 44 U.S.C. § 3101, the head of each Federal agency is required to “make and preserve records containing adequate and proper documentation of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, and essential transactions of the agency.” Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. § 3301(a)(2), these protections extend to all types of information, whether stored physically, digitally, or electronically. As such, this requirement encompasses such items as tweets and all other forms of social media posts as well as press releases, among other records.

Federal officials and employees who violate the FRA are subject to criminal penalties. Under 18 U.S.C. § 2071(b), any agency employee who “willfully and unlawfully” conceals, removes, mutilates, obliterates, destroys, or attempts any such action against a Federal record, is subject to fine and/or imprisonment for up to three years. In addition, any Federal office holder convicted of violating the FRA can lose his or her position and can be disqualified from holding future Federal office. Moreover, under 44 U.S.C. § 3106(b), you have a responsibility to notify the Archivist of any actual, impending, or threatened unlawful action against records at your agency.

The Committee intends to closely observe the compliance of the Department—and all its component agencies—with these requirements. As part of the Committee’s oversight, the Committee expects to receive, by February 4, 2026, assurances, in writing, that DHS records, documents, data, and information have not been and will not be destroyed, modified, removed, transferred, or otherwise rendered inaccessible.

Thank you for your attention to these matters. We look forward to your compliance.

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ICE: Harder Demands Accountability from ICE Following Oversight Investigation at Stockton Field Office

Joined by local, city, and state leaders

VIDEO from the press conference is available here

STOCKTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) led a federal oversight investigation at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Stockton and shared his findings with local, city, and state leaders in a press conference outside the facility. Harder and his staff inspected personnel facilities, operations rooms, and processing areas, and they met with ICE agents to demand answers on inexcusable attacks in Stockton.

In October, more than 20 people were abruptly detained at the Stockton ICE field office and ultimately loaded into convoys of vans without any explanation to the public. And just within the last few weeks, federal operations led to the horrifying deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota, the latest escalation in a monthslong campaign of attacks on families.

“My staff and I just came from the ICE center here in Stockton where our neighbors have been unlawfully detained, demonstrators have been brutally attacked, and families have been torn apart,” said Rep. Harder. “We cannot allow this violence to continue, not in Minnesota and not in Stockton – that’s why I demanded that ICE open its doors to federal oversight, and we are here to report back directly to our community. I’m grateful to be joined by so many Stockton leaders – we’re here to make clear that Stockton is united in reining in these out of control attacks.”

Harder vowed to vote against any increased funding for ICE until five key reforms were met:

No more operations without warrants

Mandatory body cameras

No more masked agents

Strict limits on use of force

No deporting U.S. citizens

Harder was joined by Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, Senator Jerry McNerney, Councilmember Mario Enríquez, Supervisor Paul Canepa, Faith in the Valley Program Manager Nora Zaragoza-Yáñez, Victory in Praise Church Senior Pastor Trent Washington, and El Concilio California President and CEO Jose Rodriguez.

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Jayapal Hosts Field Hearing on Corporate Consolidation, Rising Food Prices

SEATTLE, WA — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), co-chair of the Monopoly Busters Caucus, hosted a field hearing with Representatives Kim Schrier (WA-08), Val Hoyle (OR-04), and Emily Randall (WA-06) titled From Farm to Kitchen Table: How Consolidation Spikes Food Prices. They were joined at this hearing by Governor Bob Ferguson and Seattle Deputy Mayor Brian Surratt.

“I was proud to be hosting this hearing to address consolidation in one of the most basic necessities of our lives: food,” said Jayapal. “We have all seen prices of groceries skyrocketing in recent years. For decades, corporations have swallowed up smaller competitors to the point that they can now raise prices and reduce choice without consequence – from the farms where the food is sourced, to the factory where the food is manufactured and distributed, and to the grocery store where the food is sold to American consumers. It is time that we address this consolidation head-on. This hearing is a first step towards understanding and addressing the root cause of why our economy has failed to deliver affordable food for Americans.”

“With 4 large corporations controlling nearly 70% of the grocery market, consumers are at the mercy of a system built to return shareholder profits and not one working in the best interest of consumers, suppliers, farmers, or local economies,” said Rep. Hoyle. “The facts are clear: mergers and lack of competition increase prices for us, lower quality and consumer choice, and reduce the prices that local farmers and manufacturers can charge to cover their costs.”

“When private equity firms control hospitals, nursing homes, emergency room staffing, like when they invest in grocery stores, they use that power to cut care, raise prices, and sacrifice the impact on individuals…to line their own pockets,” said Rep. Randall. “That’s why I fought hospital and health system consolidation here in Washington state. And that’s why I’m excited to be a part of the Monopoly Busters Caucus to work on grocery store consolidation and health care consolidation in the other Washington.”

This hearing was a deep dive into a major root cause of rising food prices for consumers: corporate consolidation. From farms and food production to grocery store shelves, consolidation exists at every level, allowing a handful of corporations immense control over costs to drive out small businesses, farmers, and independent grocers. Testimony was heard at this hearing from Former Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, Mike Callicrate, an Independent Cattle Producer, Cynthia Duran, Founder of Xinca Foods, Melissa Rose, an Employee at Fred Meyer Grocery and a UFCW 3000 Member, and Emily Chase, the Co-Owner of Chase’s Market.

“Monopolies throughout our food supply chain have hollowed out rural communities, pushed family farms to the brink, and forced independent grocers out of business. Many of the tools we need have been on the books for more than a century. Now we just need the will to act,” said Jonathan Kanter.

“Rural America is being crushed by farming and food monopolists. We either control their power and rebuild local/regional food infrastructure or we will be depending on the benevolence of foreign corporations to feed us,” said Mike Callicrate.

“If we care about entrepreneurship, local jobs, food affordability, and consumer choice, then we must care about who is actually able to participate in the market. I urge you to stand with small businesses like mine and help ensure that the American Dream is not something we talk about in the past tense, but something future founders can still realistically pursue,” said Cynthia Duran.

“As a result of consolidation, corporate has been running skeleton crews at our store for years. Running that lean makes it harder to deliver the level of service our customers deserve, and it leads to exhaustion and burnout for workers,” said Melissa Rose.

“When independents lose access or pay more for the same goods, survival becomes harder. When independents are squeezed, food becomes more expensive, choices disappear, and access shrinks,” said Emily Chase.

In conjunction with the hearing, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance released an interactive map showing food deserts, nationally and by congressional district, alongside the location of different types of grocery stores — independent, small chains, large chains, and megachains like Walmart and Kroger. The map was accompanied by a policy brief explaining how failure to enforce federal antitrust laws triggered widespread consolidation in the grocery industry, leading directly to the proliferation of food deserts and persistently high food prices across the United States.


Ranking Member Jayapal, Omar Demand Noem, Bondi End ICE and CBP Enforcement Actions in Minnesota

SEATTLE, WA — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) are demanding that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi end Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations in Minnesota. Jayapal and Omar led a field hearing in Minnesota in the days between the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti to urge accountability and lift the stories of US citizens and immigrants being terrorized in the Twin Cities.

“At our hearing, we heard from incredibly powerful witnesses — members of the community who are standing up for their neighbors, and even those who have been detained and had their rights violated for no reason,” wrote the Members. “Throughout the hearing, it became clear to all of us that the increase in DHS personnel is making the Twin Cities less safe. Unfortunately, it appears the President and your Department are deliberately escalating tensions in Minnesota with a pattern of reckless, unlawful, and inhumane conduct against the people living in the Twin Cities.”

In the hearing, attended by more than two dozen Members from 18 states, participants heard from Mayors Jacob Frey and Kaohly Her, Attorney General Keith Ellison, as well as US citizens who ICE had detained. Outside the hearing, Members met with directly impacted people from across the Twin Cities to hear off-the-record testimony on the terror they had been experiencing.

“We demand you put an end to these lawless actions by your agencies and remove this surge of ICE and CBP from the Twin Cities. The people of Minnesota deserve better,” continued the Members.

In the letter, the Members outline the testimony that they all heard during the hearing, as well as horrific cases that have happened since. The full text of the letter can be read here.

The letter was also signed by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Ted Lieu (CA-36), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Dave Min (CA-47), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Emily Randall (WA-06), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and James Walkinshaw (VA-11).


LEADER JEFFRIES: “DONALD TRUMP AND REPUBLICANS PROMISED TO CUT COSTS IN AMERICA. INSTEAD, THE REPUBLICAN DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS CUTTING DOWN AMERICAN LIVESIN COLD BLOOD.”

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries a held a press conference where he highlighted how Donald Trump and Kristi Noem’s Department of Homeland Security are behaving in an out-of-control manner while Republicans continue to abdicate their responsibility to lower costs and deliver an economy that makes life better for hardworking American taxpayers.

LEADER JEFFRIES: One year into the Trump administration, the situation here in America is a complete and total disaster. Donald Trump and Republicans have failed the American people in every possible way. Cost of living is completely and totally out of control. Housing costs, out of control. Grocery costs, out of control. Electricity bills, out of control. Healthcare costs, out of control. Child care costs, out of control. America is way too expensive and Donald Trump and the Republican Party has done nothing about it. Under Republican policies, costs haven’t gone down in America, costs have gone up, including for reasons that relate directly to Trump’s tariffs, which have increased costs by thousands of dollars per year on everyday Americans.

We have a broken healthcare system and a Republican healthcare crisis. Republicans have enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health clinics have closed because of toxic Republican policies in the One Big Ugly Bill. And Republicans in the Senate refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, which is going to skyrocket healthcare costs for tens of millions of Americans who will be unable to afford to go see a doctor when they need one.

Donald Trump and Republicans promised to cut costs in America. Instead, the Republican Department of Homeland Security is cutting down American lives in cold blood. It’s completely and totally unacceptable. Taxpayer dollars should be used to make life more affordable for the American people, not brutalize everyday Americans or kill American citizens. But that’s exactly what’s happening right now in the United States of America, which is why dramatic change is needed with the Department of Homeland Security before any appropriations bill related to ICE or CBP proceeds. That’s the Democratic position, because that’s the position of the American people.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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LEADER JEFFRIES ON FOX: “EVERYDAY AMERICANS HAVE CONCLUDED THAT ICE HAS GONE TOO FAR”

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on Fox News’ The Story, where he made clear that House and Senate Democrats are aligned on the need to hold DHS and the Trump administration accountable for the extremism they are unleashing on the American people.

MARTHA MACCALLUM: Leader Jeffries, thank you very much for joining us today. How does that potential deal sound to you?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we want to avoid a government shutdown, but it’s necessary to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security dramatically changes the way in which it has been conducting itself. Taxpayer dollars should be used to address the affordability crisis here in the United States of America, which is very real. It’s not a hoax. It’s ongoing, by the way. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to brutalize or kill American citizens or to violently target law-abiding immigrant families. So there are a variety of reforms that need to be put into place that the American people are demanding. Your own poll has shown that everyday Americans have concluded that ICE has gone too far and that behavior needs to be reined in.

MARTHA MACCALLUM: So one of the issues here is that ICE’s funding is already on the books through the Big Beautiful Bill. I know you have another name for it, but that’s already on the books through 2029. So if a shutdown happens, which is sounding more and more likely because the House isn’t in session until Monday or Tuesday, I think at the earliest, so why would you risk potentially allowing FEMA and TSA and the Coast Guard to lose funding over this?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, thank you for bringing up the One Big Ugly Bill because this actually highlights the problems that my Republican colleagues have actually been focused on the wrong issues. In the One Big Ugly Bill, they enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, literally ripping healthcare away from about 14 million Americans. Hospitals, nursing homes, community-based health clinics are closing as a result of what they have done. In that same bill, they cut nutritional assistance to hungry children, families, veterans and seniors by $186 billion—the largest cut to food assistance in the history of the country. And in that very same bill, you’re right, they gave the Department of Homeland Security an additional $191 billion and gave ICE $75 billion. They’re using that money to unleash masked agents on American communities, on law-abiding immigrant families. And in some instances, killing American people—

MARTHA MACCALLUM: With respect, that bill passed. It passed—

LEADER JEFFRIES: That’s right—

MARTHA MACCALLUM: So now then the issue before you is are you going to encourage the House to sign on to this deal, which looks like it’s coming together, to keep the government open, to pass the five bills to allow a CR for Department of Homeland Security? Are you going to encourage your Members to be on board with that? Are you and Senator Schumer on the same page here today?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we have to evaluate what emerges from the Senate, and we’ll do that on the merits. We have said, and we’re in complete lockstep with Senator Schumer—Leader Schumer—and our colleagues in the Senate that we need to pass the five bipartisan bills that strongly emerged with support from Democrats and Republicans originally out of the House of Representatives. And we certainly will be supportive of getting those over the finish line—

MARTHA MACCALLUM: Yeah, but they were also okay with the sixth bill. This—we should remind people that these six bills were signed as part of the hangover from the last shutdown. And they were all agreed to before what happened in Minneapolis, which was very tragic, but Minneapolis is a unique situation. You’re not seeing what we’re seeing in Minneapolis in other places in the country. So why hold up potentially this funding on a bill that everyone agreed to, both sides agreed to, in the first round?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, let me address the statement that you just made because that’s inaccurate. The Homeland Security funding bill was before the House prior to the cold-blooded killing of Alex Pretti, and the overwhelming majority of House Democrats voted against it. And we were very clear why we were voting against it. Because we believe that there should be a prohibition on ICE deporting or detaining American citizens. We believe that ICE should conduct itself like every other law enforcement agency in the country. We believe that ICE shouldn’t run around with masks. We believe they should have body cameras. We believe that judicial warrants should be available before ICE is storming homes or ripping people out of their cars. These are pretty basic demands—

MARTHA MACCALLUM: Let me ask a question, if I may. They are, but these are policy issues. These are not funding appropriations issues. So, because of that, it feels a little bit like the last shutdown when it became about healthcare policy and kind of holding that hostage. Is that the way this is going again? Sort of treating this as if it’s policy, how the agency runs, which is really a different category than the appropriations bill. And I would mention again, this ICE funding, whether—I know you don’t like it—but it’s a done deal till 2029.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Donald Trump and Republicans shut the government down for 43 days in the fall. Democrats were very clear. We’ll find a bipartisan path forward. We just were not going to support continuing efforts to gut the healthcare of the American people. And right now our position is pretty clear—it’s shared by the American people—that ICE should conduct itself like every other law enforcement agency in the country and not brutalize everyday Americans abusing taxpayer dollars. We’ll consider any bill that comes out of the Senate on its merits, and we’ll see what happens when that—

MARTHA MACCALLUM: I mean, you said earlier that you and Schumer are on the same page, Senator Schumer, are on the same page. Here’s Tom Homan, who is now overseeing the operations in Minneapolis. Let’s watch—Minnesota.

RECORDING OF TOM HOMAN: I said in March, if the rhetoric didn’t stop, there’s going to be bloodshed, and there has been. But if people out there don’t like what ICE is doing, if you want certain laws reformed, then take it up with Congress. Again, ICE isn’t making this up. They’re enforcing laws enacted by Congress and signed by the President. The same laws have been on the books for the last six presidents I’ve worked for.

MARTHA MACCALLUM: Your response to that, Leader Jeffries?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, it appears that members of the Trump administration don’t think that the First Amendment applies, the freedom of assembly, the freedom to petition your government to change policies that you don’t believe are in the best interest of the American people. They apparently don’t believe that the Second Amendment applies, as has been demonstrated forcefully by the NRA. Clearly, they don’t believe that the Fourth Amendment applies, the prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Trump administration has said that the Fourth Amendment doesn’t apply to behavior that DHS conducts itself. All I’m saying is that the Department of Homeland Security should be reined in in a manner consistent with American values.

Full interview can be watched here.

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LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

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.


Kean Delivers $1.2 Million to Byram Township for Critical Police Department Headquarters

(January 29, 2026) BYRAM TOWNSHIP, NJ – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) presented $1,237,500 to Byram Township for a critically needed police headquarters renovation, funding he secured through the FY2026 Community Project Funding process to directly support local law enforcement.

For decades, Byram Township’s police officers have served their community out of mobile construction trailers dating back to the 1970s. This federal investment will transform an existing 4,500 square foot office building into a modern, fully equipped police headquarters.

“I am honored to deliver this $1.2 million grant that will finally give Byram’s police the proper headquarters they deserve,” said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. “I have consistently made supporting our law enforcement a top priority. This funding will equip them with the facilities they need to effectively protect and serve every family in the Byram area.”

“On behalf of Byram Township, we are very grateful for Congressman Kean's support and engagement throughout this process,” said Byram Mayor Alex Rubenstein. “This grant will help advance public safety priorities for our community, and we appreciate the partnership with his office in helping secure this funding.”

“This federal grant is not only an investment in public safety, but also a fiscally responsible decision for the taxpayers of Byram,” said Chief Thomas Dellicker, Byram Township Police Department. “By leveraging federal resources, we can provide our officers with the modern, safe, and functional facilities they deserve and help minimize additional financial strain on our residents. We are grateful to Congressman Kean for championing this effort, and to Mayor Rubenstein for proactively requesting this critical funding on behalf of our community.”

"Our local law enforcement throughout Sussex County are on the front lines protecting our communities each and every day,” said Sussex County Sheriff Mike Strada. “Ensuring that Byram Township's finest have an upgraded home base will support their mission to protect and serve the public. I thank Congressman Kean for this critical funding for the Byram Township Police Department, which further demonstrates his strong backing of our law enforcement here in Northwest New Jersey.”

“For far too long, the Byram Police Department has needed and deserved a proper headquarters building. I'm thankful that Congressman Kean's advocacy is finally going to make this happen,” said New Jersey Assemblyman Michael Inganamort. “This is the difference a responsive Congressman makes, and I'm happiest for the people of Byram who will see a real public safety benefit.”

“I am very grateful to Congressman Kean for all the hard work he did to get us this funding,” said Byram Councilwoman Cris Franco. “I have been working on this project since 2018 when I was on the building subcommittee, so we have been pushing hard for this for a long time. We are so happy.”

Since taking office, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. has secured over $12 million for police departments across New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District through the Community Project Funding process, demonstrating a consistent, tangible commitment to backing the blue with real resources. Kean remains steadfast in ensuring local law enforcement officers receive the support and equipment necessary to keep our communities safe.

All 15 projects that Congressman Kean was allotted for the FY2026 Community Project Funding process have now passed the U.S. House of Representatives. View the full list of projects HERE.

Pictured: Sussex County Commissioner David Silverthorne, Sheriff Mike Strada, Sussex County Commissioner Chris Carney, Assemblyman Mike Inganamort, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr., Byram Police Chief Thomas Dellicker, Councilman Richard Proctor, Councilwoman Cris Franco, Mayor Alexander Rubenstein, and Byram Officers.

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Kennedy and WNY Leaders Gather to Send Clear Message: ICE Out of Our Cities

Kennedy Calls for DHS Secretary Noem’s Resignation, Firing, or Impeachment Amid ICE Invasion of American Cities

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Standing alongside a broad coalition at Canisius University, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) today called for the immediate impeachment of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and a complete withdrawal of ICE agents who are spreading fear throughout immigrant communities. Citing the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti as evidence of "state-sponsored violence," Kennedy and community leaders demanded the clawing back of $75 billion in ICE funding recently authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Last week, Kennedy voted against a new funding bill for the DHS as a direct response to the ongoing violence being committed by ICE.

“ICE is not operating as a credible law enforcement agency,” said Congressman Kennedy. “Donald Trump and Kristi Noem are using it as a criminal organization to terrorize our communities. This has to stop. ICE needs to get out of our cities - NOW. If Kristi Noem doesn’t resign, we will impeach her. She is unfit for public office.”

“For far too long, immigration has been used to divide working people against one another. We reject that division. In our union, we are immigrants — and the children and grandchildren of immigrants — and we know our strength comes from standing together,” said Deborah Hayes, RN, CWA District 1 Area Director. “We stand with Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and union member, who — like so many of us — showed up every day to care for his neighbors, our veterans, and their families in their most vulnerable moments. We stand with the immigrants who built this country and who continue to do the work that keeps it running. We stand with the people of Minnesota as they stand united in solidarity.

We stand for democracy. We condemn the use of fear, intimidation, and violence to divide us or to erode our rights. An injury to one is an injury to all."

“NFJC of WNY, Inc. believes that community safety and effective enforcement must be grounded in accountability, transparency, and respect for human dignity,” said Rene Petties-Jones, National Federation for Just Communities.

“The maiming and murdering of American citizens by federal agents is unacceptable. ICE is treating the bill of rights like it doesn’t exist. We have seen violations of the 1st , 2nd , and 4th amendments and who knows where they will stop. It’s our constitutional duty to remove these lawbreakers from power before things get any worse. Cheektowaga doesn’t stand for this and I’m happy to hear the same from Congressman Kennedy,” said Stephen Nowicki, Cheektowaga Councilmember.

“The conflict with Americans vs Americans in our streets is uncalled for. New leadership is needed to stop this unprecedented attack on our democracy,” said Will Schulmeister, Common Council 2nd Ward Aldermen North Tonawanda, NY.

“I stand with Congressman Kennedy in calling for an end to ICE tactics that are spreading fear in communities across our country, including here in Western New York. We need enforcement that is lawful, accountable, and rooted in basic human dignity as well as proper oversight when lines are crossed,” said Bridgette Myles, Niagara Falls Councilmember.

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “The deadly escalation of force by ICE agents in Minneapolis, resulting in the deaths of two U.S. citizens in less than three weeks, is absolutely unacceptable and deeply frightening for families across our state and country. These actions by federal agents have spread fear, eroded trust in law enforcement, and raised profound questions about the protection of civil liberties under our Constitution. The American people deserve transparency and accountability. We must ensure thorough, independent investigations are conducted in the open, that those responsible are held to account, and that systemic reforms are enacted to protect the rights and safety of all communities. Under the current leadership, none of these basic expectations are being met.”

“I support Congressman Kennedy’s call to end ICE’s violent actions and demand accountability for the recent tragedies in Minneapolis. Our communities deserve safety and justice, and I join him in urging new leadership and real change,” said Cindi M. McEachon, North District, Buffalo School Board.

“Our union denounces the cruel and inhumane attacks on immigrant families in cities around the country, and we condemn the brutal murders of Alex Pretti, Renee Good and Keith Porter, Jr. We thank Congressman Kennedy for demanding the removal of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and thank Mayor Ryan for issuing an order restricting cooperation with ICE. It is a grave threat to our democracy to allow ICE to continue with its unlawful, unconstitutional conduct. Our union stands in solidarity with immigrant workers who are valued members of our union and our community and who contribute greatly to our society. Our union was built by immigrants, and we will not stand silently by as this administration terrorizes our neighbors and separates families. In our union it is a core belief that worker rights and immigrant rights are one and the same. Corporations use the broken immigration laws to exploit vulnerable workers, and they use the broken labor laws to bust unions. Never in our country’s history have solidarity, compassion and human decency been more important, and we must all speak up and act boldly and with urgency,” said Gary Bonadonna Jr., Regional President, Workers United.

New York State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “The murders of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good are unconscionable and heartbreaking. The Trump administration has waged a war on our cities, empowering federal agents to prey on the public. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or be impeached, and all those complicit must face the full consequences of our nation’s laws. The actions of federal agents under President Trump and Secretary Noem make clear that no one’s skin color, ethnicity, nationality, or citizenship status offers protection from being targeted - as illustrated by the detention of three members of Oglala Sioux Tribe in Minneapolis. I thank Congressman Tim Kennedy for standing up for Western New York and will work with my colleagues in the state Legislature to limit ICE from attacking New Yorkers.”

“We have a right to feel secure and safe in our cities and states, and not constantly be forced to live-in fear, violence, and chaos,” said Ellen Harris-Harvey, President of the Trinidad Neighborhood Association. “The violence and destruction by ICE have to end. Our Nation Needs Healing and Restoration.”

"The Board of Education values the safety, security, and dignity of all of our students and families,” said the Members of the Buffalo Board of Education. “We stand with Congressman Kennedy in protecting our communities."

“I am appalled and disgusted by Kristie Noem’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics which can only be described as a solution searching for a problem,” said Buffalo Teachers Federation President Rich Nigro. “And the abhorrent violence, lack of restraint, and unprofessionalism displayed by so many ICE agents must be a rally cry for Americans. When our government begins murdering its own citizens exercising their First Amendment right to assemble, then it’s time for ALL of us to stand up in protest. Enough is enough!”

“We stand with our Congressman Tim Kennedy today, in calling for an end to ICE’s reign of terror,” said Bryan Ball, President Stonewall Democrats of WNY. “The violence ICE has caused, and Secretary Noem is responsible for, is reprehensible. She must resign or be impeached. We stand for justice for Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and the countless Americans being terrorized by ICE’s horrific actions.”

Minneapolis is currently facing a public safety crisis driven by the Trump Administration’s militarized “Operation Metro Surge,” which has destabilized neighborhoods and resulted in the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents. This escalation has sparked widespread protests and violent retaliation by ICE. Buffalo has also been the site of aggressive federal enforcement, ranging from dragnet operations targeting commercial drivers on the Thruway to raids on Elmwood Avenue businesses that have terrorized local families. According to tracreports.org, 73.6% of current ICE detainees have no criminal conviction.

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Larson Announces $500,000 in New Federal Funding to Support Survivors and Prevent Gun Violence in the Greater Hartford Area

Mothers United Against Violence works hand-in-hand with local law enforcement to build trust and keep communities same, while also providing supportive services to victims and families impacted by gun violence.


Larson Illegally Denied Entry to ICE Facility in Burlington, Massachusetts

“Today, Kristi Noem’s Department of Homeland Security decided they would rather break federal law than show us what was behind the doors at ICE,” said Larson. “Members of Congress are charged with the duty to carry out oversight – including unannounced visits to ICE facilities and detention centers. As a courtesy, I let the officials in charge of the Burlington facility know yesterday that I was planning to visit. They not only denied me entry but also refused to acknowledge that their office has become a detention facility, despite documented reporting of detainees sleeping on concrete floors with no access to showers. We cannot turn a blind eye to the abuses the Trump Administration is allowing in New England, Minneapolis, and across the country – tear gassing kids, snatching mothers from their children, and executing American citizens on our streets. Kristi Noem needs to be impeached and removed from office for her flagrant obstruction and violations of the public trust, and ICE needs to be torn down and replaced. Congress cannot vote to authorize one more penny to this rogue and unaccountable agency that has become Donald Trump’s secret police force.”

Federal agents cited U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s policy requiring seven-day notice before Members of Congress can conduct oversight visits, in violation of section 527(a) of Public Law 118-47, which allow Members of Congress to conduct unauthorized oversight visits to ICE facilities and detention centers. Following his visit to the detention facility, Larson met with peaceful protesters demonstrating outside.

Last week, Larson voted against a Department of Homeland Security funding bill that provides new funding for ICE but does not include reforms to hold the agency accountable for their abuses of power. He has called for tearing down and replacing ICE - and redirecting their $75 billion ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ slush fund to lowering health care premiums and investing in affordable housing. Earlier this month, he joined his Democratic colleagues to file articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Photos of Rep. Larson’s meeting with demonstrators in Burlington are available HERE.


Latta Introduces Bill to Strengthen Grid Security

On Tuesday, Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of Energy and Commerce, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5), and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-7) introduced the bipartisan Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid Act (SECURE Grid Act), legislation that empowers states to fully assess risks to the electric grid from extreme weather, physical and cyber threats, and other vulnerabilities. Congressman Latta is the co-chair of the Grid Innovation Caucus.

"We must ensure America’s electric grid is secure and resilient for families and businesses across the country.From extreme weather to physical and cyberattacks by adversaries that could disrupt our power supply, protecting the grid is a national priority. That’s why I introduced the SECURE Grid Act, to make sure the right steps are taken to strengthen and safeguard our energy infrastructure. I thank Rep. Matsui for co-leading this bipartisan legislation so, together, we can ensure the American people can rely on a resilient grid and never have to worry about keeping the lights on,” said Congressman Latta.

"Americans depend on reliable, affordable electricity for every aspect of our lives. Californians know all too well the need to be prepared and respond rapidly to wildfire, atmospheric rivers, and other natural disasters. At the same time, the threat of cyber-attacks continues to grow as more and more of our infrastructure becomes digitally interconnected. That's why I'm introducing the SECURE Grid Act to provide State officials with the support and funding they need to anticipate and respond to any and all threats to our electric grid. I’m proud to work with Congressman Latta to modernize our electric grid and keep all Americans safe,” said Congresswoman Matsui.

“Schneider Electric applauds Chairman Latta and Congresswoman Matsui for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the SECURE Grid Act in the U.S. By reauthorizing State Energy Security Plans and expanding them to include local distribution systems, this legislation addresses a critical ‘last‑mile’ gap in the national energy strategy. A reliable, future-proofed grid– bolstered by innovative energy technologies – is essential to the economy and U.S. national security, and these plans will help states identify vulnerabilities and strengthen infrastructure amidst growing energy demand, and sophisticated cyber and physical threats," said Jeannie Salo, Chief Public Policy Officer, Schneider Electric.

“The power grid is the backbone of the U.S. economy, and electrical manufacturers are delivering essential technology solutions to modernize the grid, meet rising energy demand, and manage cyber risk. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is pleased to support theSECURE Grid Act because it requires states to adopt a holistic view of grid security and readiness, including throughout generation, transmission, and local distribution systems. A comprehensive understanding of supply chains for the critical grid components that feed these systems can enhance grid security and reduce risk while encouraging modernization and effectiveness,” said National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Senior Director, Government RelationsPeter Ferrell.

"NASEO strongly endorses the bipartisan SECURE Grid Act and we applaudChairmanLatta and Representative Matsui for introducing this critical legislation. The bill will make our Nation safer by supporting cybersecurity, physical security, local electric distribution systems, and the enhancement and implementation of state energy security plans," said David Terry, President of the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO).

Background on the SECURE Grid Act:

States must submit a State Energy Security Plan (SESP) annually to receive funds from the State Energy Program. State Energy Offices use these funds to implement energy security and resiliency plans, invest in domestic energy resources, reduce energy waste, pilot innovative energy projects, and more. A state's SESP allows it to recognize, respond to, and mitigate weaknesses in its energy infrastructure.

While SESPs are currently required to consider broad vulnerabilities, including physical and cyber-attacks, theSECURE Grid Act adds necessary detailed data to these reports, requiring states to consider:


Rep. Mike Levin Honors John Resnick as January 2026 Constituent of the Month

John Resnick

Carlsbad, CA— Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) recognized John Resnick, leader of four acclaimed restaurants, recipient of two Michelin Stars, and winner of the 2025 North County Steward Award, as his January 2026 Constituent of the Month.

John Resnick has played a pivotal role in putting Carlsbad on the map as a premier fine dining destination, elevating the city’s culinary reputation on both a regional and national stage. His four restaurants—Campfire, Jeune et Jolie, Wildland, and Lilo—are celebrated not only for their exceptional cuisine, but also for their creativity, hospitality, and commitment to quality.

In 2021, Jeune et Jolie earned its first Michelin star, a distinction it proudly continues to hold. Just months later, Resnick opened Lilo, which went on to receive its own Michelin star within two months, an extraordinary achievement that underscores his vision and leadership. Lilo was also named to The New York Times “50 Best American Restaurants” list, while both Lilo and Jeune et Jolie were included on OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in America. Additionally, The New York Times recognized Jeune et Jolie’s Fraise dessert as one of the best restaurant desserts of 2025.

Beyond national accolades, Resnick’s impact extends to the local community. His commitment to sustainability, mentorship, and thoughtful stewardship of the hospitality industry earned him the 2025 North County Steward Award.

Rep. Levin recognized John Resnick for his significant contributions to food and hospitality, his dedication to excellence, and his role in firmly establishing Carlsbad as a standout culinary destination.

See below for Rep. Levin’s statement recognizing John Resnick in the Congressional Record:

“Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize John Resnick as my January 2026 Constituent of the Month.

“John has helped establish Carlsbad as a premier culinary destination through his leadership of four acclaimed restaurants, earning two Michelin Stars and national recognition. His commitment to excellence, sustainability, and community exemplifies the very best of the 49th Congressional District.

“Just as importantly, John’s work brings people together. His restaurants serve as welcoming gathering places where neighbors, families, and visitors connect over memorable meals and shared experiences. Through great food, thoughtful drinks, and warm hospitality, John has helped strengthen the sense of community that makes Carlsbad such a special place.”

“He is immensely deserving of this recognition, and our district is better off because of his work.”

ABOUT THE CONSTITUENT OF THE MONTH PROGRAM:

Rep. Levin’s Constituent of the Month program recognizes outstanding North County San Diego and South Orange County residents who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors, give back to their community, and represent the best of our country. Rep. Levin’s December 2025 Co-Constituents of the Month were Rev. Jason Coker and Rev. Jenell Coker, co-lead pastors of The Oceanside Sanctuary. The November 2025 Constituent of the Month was Mel Vernon, Captain of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians, author, professional musician, and esteemed public speaker and educator.

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Rep. Nancy Mace Issues Statement On Governor McMaster's Final State Of The State Address

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Jan. 29, 2026) – Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) released the following statement after Governor Henry McMaster delivered his ninth and final State of the State address:

"Last night, Governor McMaster delivered his final State of the State address after nearly a decade as South Carolina's longest-serving governor.

"Under his leadership, South Carolina has thrived economically, bringing in over $53.7 billion in new capital investment and nearly 100,000 new jobs, all while protecting what makes our state special and one of the best places to live in America. Real leadership delivers real results, which is exactly what Governor McMaster did for South Carolinians.

"Thank you, Governor, for keeping South Carolina STRONG. We wish you, Peggy, and the rest of your family all the best in your next chapter."

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Mackenzie, Kean Introduce Legislation to Establish Housing Affordability Tax Credit

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), representing the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, and Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced the introduction of the MakeAmericanHousingAffordable (MAHA) Act — legislation that makes the dream of homeownership more attainable by creating a new tax credit for Americans purchasing their primary home.

The bill establishes a new tax credit of $5,000 for individual filers earning under $250,000 when purchasing their primary residence. Joint filers earning under $500,000 would receive up to $10,000. The tax credit phases out proportionally for incomes exceeding the thresholds, with eligibility ending at $300,000 for individual filers and $600,000 for joint filers. A homeowner may claim this credit once every five years.

“Housing affordability is one of the top concerns of families across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos. After enduring years of skyrocketing housing costs, first-time homebuyers deserve relief. That’s why this legislation provides targeted tax relief to help make homeownership a reality for hardworking families,” said Congressman Mackenzie. “I’m grateful to Rep. Kean for leading this commonsense approach to decrease the cost of buying a home.”

“The goal of homeownership is part of the American Dream which has become increasingly difficult for middle-class families to reach,” said Congressman Kean. “Today’s buyers are facing skyrocketing prices, steep down payments, and a shortage of inventory. In New Jersey, where we have some of the nation’s highest housing prices and property taxes, working families are being locked out of the market. I believe this new tax credit will lower the barrier to entry, restore opportunity, and strengthen the path to homeownership for American families.”

The legislation comes as housing affordability reaches a crisis point. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median age of first-time home buyers hit an all-time high of 40 years old in 2025— with their share of the market at a record low of 21%. For all buyers, the median age has also climbed to 59 years old.

A copy of the bill text is available HERE.

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MATSUI AND LATTA INTRODUCE BILL TO PROTECT ELECTRIC GRID, PREVENT BLACKOUTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) introduced the Securing Community Upgrades for a Resilient Grid Act, or SECURE Grid Act, to ensure states are fully prepared to prevent and respond to the risks posed to the electric grid by extreme weather, natural disasters, cyber-attacks, and other threats.

“Americans depend on reliable, affordable electricity for every aspect of our lives,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Californians know all too well the need to be prepared and respond rapidly to wildfire, atmospheric rivers, and other natural disasters. At the same time, the threat of cyber-attacks continues to grow as more and more of our infrastructure becomes digitally interconnected. That’s why I’m introducing the SECURE Grid Act to provide state officials with the support and funding they need to anticipate and respond to any and all threats to our electric grid. I’m proud to work with Congressman Latta to modernize our electric grid and keep Californians safe.”

“We must ensure America’s electric grid is secure and resilient for families and businesses across the country. From extreme weather to physical and cyberattacks by adversaries that could disrupt our power supply, protecting the grid is a national priority. That’s why I introduced the SECURE Grid Act, to make sure the right steps are taken to strengthen and safeguard our energy infrastructure. I thank Rep. Matsui for co-leading this bipartisan legislation so, together, we can ensure the American people can rely on a resilient grid and never have to worry about keeping the lights on,” said Congressman Latta.

“NASEO strongly endorses the bipartisan SECURE Grid Act and we applaud Chairman Latta and Representative Matsui for introducing this critical legislation. The bill will make our Nation safer by supporting cybersecurity, physical security, local electric distribution systems, and the enhancement and implementation of state energy security plans,” said David Terry, President of the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO).

“The power grid is the backbone of the U.S. economy, and electrical manufacturers are delivering essential technology solutions to modernize the grid, meet rising energy demand, and manage cyber risk. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is pleased to support the SECURE Grid Act because it requires states to adopt a holistic view of grid security and readiness, including throughout generation, transmission, and local distribution systems. A comprehensive understanding of supply chains for the critical grid components that feed these systems can enhance grid security and reduce risk while encouraging modernization and effectiveness,” said National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Senior Director for Government Relations, Peter Ferrell.

Background on the SECURE Grid Act:

The SECURE Grid Act would extend and expand a section of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which requires states to develop and annually update State Energy Security Plans that identify, assess, and reduce risks to energy infrastructure and allows states to use federal funding from the State Energy Program to implement these plans.

While State Energy Security Plans are currently required to consider broad vulnerabilities, including physical and cyber-attacks, the SECURE Grid Act gives states like California more control over our emergency plans and adds additional requirements for states to consider, including weather-related threats, cyber-attacks on local distribution systems, and threats to the electric grid equipment supply chain.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

Congresswoman Matsui has long championed efforts in Congress to support grid resiliency and protect Sacramentans from blackouts and wildfires. The Congresswoman co-authored the POWER ON Act, which was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This created the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, which provided $10.5 billion in grant funding for states, local governments, tribes, and utilities to protect the grid against extreme weather and natural disasters. This program has provided $50 million for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), $67 million for the State of California, and $630 million for the California Energy Commission.

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Photo Release: McBride Meets with First Responders Across Sussex and Kent Counties to Press for Stronger Support and Resources

Sussex & Kent County, DE — Congresswoman Sarah McBride spent Wednesday visiting emergency medical, fire, and law enforcement agencies across Sussex and Kent Counties, underscoring her priority to support local first responders, address workforce shortages, and hear directly about growing demands facing public safety agencies and strengthen the resources they rely on to keep Delaware communities safe.

“Our first responders show up for Delawareans on their hardest days,” McBride said. “These visits were about listening, understanding the challenges on the ground, and making sure federal investments are actually helping local departments respond faster, operate more safely, and support the people who do this work every day.”

Starting in Sussex County, McBride visited Lewes Fire Department’s Station 2, where fire and EMS leaders described record-high call volumes and the pressures of recruiting and retaining both career and volunteer staff, the need for sustained federal support for equipment, facilities, and responder wellness.

Following, McBride met with police leaders from Eastern and central Sussex County to discuss priorities for the rapidly growing community, including recruitment and retention, officer wellness, and maintaining strong community trust.

Finally, McBride toured the new Frederica Paramedic Station, a $5 million investment funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. That federal investment expands EMS capacity in southern Kent County and the new paramedic facility will improve response times and strengthen resilience as regional development drives population increase.

Across each stop, McBride emphasized the importance of federal-state-local partnerships that give communities flexibility to meet their specific needs—including new facilities, modernized training, workforce development, or mental health support for first responders.

In Congress, McBride has worked to back these priorities by securing federal investments, including $450,000 for Delaware’s Criminal Justice Council to implement a new statewide police training system that will modernize law enforcement training, improve operational effectiveness, and enhance officer safety across the state’s 50 police agencies. McBride has also supported sustained federal funding for critical public safety programs, including the COPS Hiring Program and the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program, which help local departments hire officers, strengthen community policing, and support initiatives toward rehabilitation. She has supported funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to continue firearms tracing, ballistics analysis and efforts to combat gun trafficking.

“Supporting first responders requires more than one visit or conversation,” McBride said. “It requires sustained follow-through—making sure our policies, funding decisions, and oversight reflect the real needs of our communities and local heroes that are committed to protecting them.”

McBride said she will continue working with local leaders and colleagues in Congress to advance funding and policies that strengthen emergency response systems and support the first responders Delaware depends on every day.

Photos from her visits are available here.

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Statement on the Resumption of Hostilities in Northern Tigray

Washington, D.C. - Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued a statement on renewed armed clashes in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region.

“The recent fighting in Tigray risks embroiling Ethiopia back into a civil war that endangers millions of lives, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis and destabilizing the broader region. No party stands to benefit from a return to violence.

“I call on the parties to immediately cease all hostilities and grant humanitarian organizations unfettered access to civilians in need. Full implementation of the 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement is essential if credible elections are to proceed in June. The political challenges facing Ethiopia cannot be resolved on the battlefield. Diplomacy and free and fair elections are the only viable means of securing a better future for the Ethiopian people.”


Meeks and Meng Held “Protect Our Communities From ICE Brutality” Press Conference with Local Faith Leaders

QUEENS, NY – U.S. Reps. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) and Grace Meng (NY-06) held a press conference Thursday calling on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately cease its operations in Minnesota and stop terrorizing communities nationwide including in Queens and throughout New York.

The Representatives also demanded that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) not obstruct or interfere with Minnesota officials investigating the tragic deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.

Reps. Meeks and Meng were joined by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and local faith leaders at the event which took place at Queens Borough Hall.

“The lawless Trump Administration's immigration enforcement tactics are tearing through our communities with brutal force, putting too many families, friends, and neighbors at risk,” said Rep. Meeks. “Donald Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem must end the madness, rein in their masked ICE agents, and implement serious accountability measures to prevent further loss of American lives. Accountability is not optional, it is a requirement.”

“Renee Good and Alex Pretti should still be alive. Neither deserved to be murdered,” said Rep. Meng. “But it’s not just about them. It is also about the many others in Minneapolis, in New York, in Queens, and across the nation who have been terrorized by the unlawful actions of ICE. I will continue speaking out against ICE’s recklessness and pushing legislation to rein them in. And I will continue to oppose any money for the agency without more guardrails and accountability; not one more taxpayer dollar!”

“No community should ever feel hunted, targeted or traumatized by the very systems that are supposed to keep people safe,” said New York State Senator Leroy Comrie. “What we are seeing from ICE, both in Minnesota and across the country is deeply disturbing and unacceptable. These actions undermine public trust, destabilize families and place lives at risk. I stand with my colleagues, our faith leaders and our neighbors in calling for accountability, transparency and an immediate end to enforcement practices that rely on fear instead of humanity.”

“The escalation of ICE’s tactics that have led to the deaths of two American civilians in Minnesota is horrific,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman. “These operations are terrorizing communities across the nation — from Minneapolis to Queens and throughout New York — and have gone far beyond any reasonable scope of work. We demand that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement immediately cease these activities, and that the Department of Homeland Security stop obstructing transparent investigations into the killings of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. Our communities deserve justice, accountability, and safety — not fear.”

"The Bible and church tradition are clear: we are to treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves,” said Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Courter, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Forest Hills. “We have seen a clear pattern of abusive behavior from DHS agents, not only in Minneapolis, but across the country, both in our streets and in ICE detention centers. Our country's values are at risk from these actions. Scripture is also clear that we reap what we sow. If our government agents sow lawlessness, we will see an increase in lawlessness in our nation. Instead of encouraging citizens to obey laws and civic norms, DHS agents actually encourage violence by their own violent actions. It is time for the disrespect of our common humanity to stop. It is a moral issue. As a Christian minister, I implore the President and his administration to change course and recognize that they are undermining the values we hold dear: respect for others, care for those in need, and yes, empathy. Empathy is a Christian value dating all the way back to the founding of the church. Without it, we as a nation cannot live in peace."

“As an imam, I mourn every innocent life lost and grieve the reported deaths linked to immigration enforcement in our country,” said Imam Muhammad Shahidullah. “No policy should ever cost human lives—justice, due process, and human dignity must be upheld without exception. We call for accountability, transparency, and compassionate reforms that protect life and honor our shared humanity. I pray for Queens, NY and whole nations.”


Rep. Meeks and Meng Hold “Protect Our Communities From ICE Brutality” Press Conference

Meeks and Meng Hold “Protect Our Communities

From ICE Brutality” Press Conference

QUEENS, NY – U.S. Reps. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) and Grace Meng (NY-06) will hold a press conference calling on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately cease its operations in Minnesota and stop terrorizing communities nationwide including in Queens and throughout New York. The Representatives will also demand that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) not obstruct or interfere with Minnesota officials investigating the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. The press conference will take place today, Thursday, January 29, 3 p.m., at Helen Marshall Cultural Center, 120-55 Queens Blvd., Queens, NY 11415.

*Media Must RSVP HERE

WHO: U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards

Local Faith Leaders

WHAT: Protect Our Communities from ICE Brutality Press Conference

WHEN: Thursday, January 29, 3 p.m.

WHERE: Helen Marshall Cultural Center, 120-55 Queens Blvd., Queens, NY 11415

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Reps. Thompson, Huffman, Senator Schiff, Bay Area Members Introduce Bill to Designate National Scenic Trail

Napa, CA – Today, Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) joined Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02), U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), and every member of the Bay Area delegation to introduce legislation to help designate the 550+ mile Bay Area Ridge Trail as a National Scenic Trail. This designation would enhance the trail’s visibility as a world-class recreation opportunity and attract new visitors, in addition to helping connect the different routes within the trail.

“The Bay Area Ridge Trail provides over 400 miles of public trails and counting, opening our beautiful outdoors to walkers, hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders,” said Thompson. “The beauty and ecological diversity of the San Francisco Bay ridge is unparalleled anywhere else in our country and I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting this critical first step toward designating the Bay Area Ridge Trail as a National Scenic Trail.”

“The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a crown jewel of our region, providing millions of people with access to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the country and connecting our communities to the outdoors,” said Huffman. “Designating it as a National Scenic Trail would not only help complete it – it would set it on par with iconic trails like the Appalachian and Pacific Crest and elevate the incredible and diverse Bay Area landscapes. This would be a major boost for the recreation economy, and our bill gets that ball rolling.”

“The Bay Area Ridge Trail gives visitors to the Bay Area and its residents the opportunity to enjoy more than 500 miles of some of California's most incredible outdoor beauty, including parks and preserves. Providing federal recognition to this ridgeline trail will help preserve it for future generations, and I'm proud to partner with Congressman Huffman and our Bay Area delegation in the effort to make it so,” said Schiff.

“This legislation kicks off a quest to add the Bay Area Ridge Trail to an elite group of National Scenic Trails, like the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail. The Ridge Trail traces the ridgelines around San Francisco Bay, offering hikers, equestrians, and cyclists access to stunning views and diverse scenic, historic and cultural landscapes, for both close-to-home jaunts and epic adventures,” said Janet McBride, Executive Director, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. “NST status would raise awareness and expedite completion of this world-class trail, which boasts over 400 completed miles, on the path to a 550-mile fully connected loop. We applaud Congressman Huffman for spearheading this legislation, and the entire Bay Area delegation for signing on as co-authors. We invite everyone to join us on this journey!”

The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a scenic multi-use trail stretching 550 miles along the natural features that surround the San Francisco Bay. With over 415 miles already complete, the trail connects more than 75 parks and open spaces and provides recreational opportunities for hikers, cyclists, tourists, and more across nine Bay Area counties. This bill directs the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study on making this designation, which is currently held by only 11 trails across the country.

The legislation requires the National Park Service to complete the feasibility study within one year, in consultation with the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council and relevant federal and state agencies. The trail meets all the required criteria established in the National Trails System Act of 1968 for National Scenic Trail designation, including:

Extended trail route of more than 100 miles

Provides maximum outdoor recreation potential

Provides for enjoyment of nationally significant scenic, historic, and cultural qualities

Represents desert, marsh, grassland, mountain, canyon, river, and forest

Represents landforms that exhibit significant regional geographic characteristics

Connects with side trails, which provide additional public access


Miller Hosts One, Big, Beautiful Bill Roundtable

January 29, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) was joined by U.S. Chamber of Commerce officials, the Charleston Area Alliance, local manufactures, and business leaders for a roundtable to discuss the significant benefits secured by the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. This legislation makes permanent the successful 2017 Trump Tax Cuts and builds upon them. As a result, the average working family will pay $1,300 less in taxes in 2026. Additional benefits secured by the One, Big, Beautiful Bill include:

Families avoided a $1,700 tax increase and received an additional $600 tax cut.

Workers benefit from no tax on tips, no tax on overtime pay, no tax on Social Security, and no tax on car loan interest.

Tipped workers see pay increases of $1,300, while hourly workers gain $1,400.

Married seniors receive an additional $12,000 tax deduction.

“It was a pleasure to share what we accomplished with the One, Big, Beautiful Bill and how it delivers real tax relief for working West Virginians by making the Trump tax cuts permanent and protecting families and small businesses. I’m committed to continuing this work and delivering results that strengthen our economy and put West Virginia families first. I am grateful to everyone who joined us for this roundtable, including our partners from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Charleston Area Alliance, and our host, Mike McCown and the team at Industrial Bolting,” said Congresswoman Carol Miller.

“We are grateful to Congresswoman Miller for being such a strong and consistent champion for our business community and for helping ensure that the voices of West Virginians are heard in Washington. As a business owner herself, Congresswoman Miller knows what it takes to run a business and that is one of the many reasons she is such a strong advocate for the business community. We also appreciate the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for their partnership in bringing this important conversation to our region. A special thank you to Mike McCown and his team at Industrial Bolting for hosting today’s forum and showcasing the strength of American manufacturing. Opportunities like this allow our business leaders to engage directly in meaningful dialogue and reinforce our shared commitment to economic growth across the Kanawha Valley and beyond,” said Mara Boggs, President & CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance & Chamber of Commerce.

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce thanks Congresswoman Carol Miller for her leadership and support of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Rep. Miller voted to make permanent the 20 percent pass-through deduction for businesses such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations. She also worked to ensure the largest tax increase in history did not take effect, providing businesses with the certainty they need to reinvest, hire more workers, and expand their operations. Her advocacy delivers real results for America’s job creators,” said Stephen McAllister, Vice President of the Eastern Region for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Photos of the event can be found here.

Background:

For two years, Ways and Means Republicans held hearings across the country to understand the benefits of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, also known as the "Trump Tax Cuts."

The first field hearing was held in Petersburg, West Virginia in February 2023, where committee members heard from small business owners.

In April 2024, as part of Ways and Means Republicans' preparation for passage of a tax package, Congresswoman Miller was chosen to lead the Supply Chains Tax Team.

On May 14, 2025, the Ways and Means Committee held an 18-hour-long markup to advance the One Big Beautiful Bill to the floor of the House of Representatives.

On May 22, 2025, the House of Representatives voted to send the One Big Beautiful Bill to the United States Senate.

On July 1, 2025, the United States Senate passed an updated version of the One Big Beautiful Bill and sent it back to the House of Representatives for final passage.

On July 3, 2025, the House of Representatives passed the Senate's updated version of the bill. It was then signed into law by President Donald Trump.

Wins for Southern West Virginia:

Makes permanent the 199A Small Business Deduction, which will benefit the small businesses that make up over 98% of West Virginia’s economy.

Includes Congresswoman Miller’s Saving Gig Economy Taxpayers Act, which reverts the 1099-K reporting threshold to $20,000 and 200 transactions. This will keep gig workers like hair dressers, uber drivers, and craftsmen selling products online from being harassed by the IRS if they don’t owe taxes.

Adds metallurgical coal as a critical mineral within the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (45X), which will bolster coal production.

Extends the Hydrogen Tax Credit (45V) until January 1, 2028, which will help West Virginia’s ARCH2 project and keep investment and jobs in the state.

Creates a $50 billion Rural Hospital Stabilization Fund to ensure rural hospitals are able to provide high-quality care to patients.

Increases the Child Tax Credit by $200 and increases the credit to inflation and expands the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to support parents.

Preserves and boosts the standard deduction by up to $1,500 for working families. In West Virginia, over 97% of filers utilize the standard deduction.

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The Cannon: Don’t Fence Me In: Strength and Struggle in Rural Texas

Nathaniel Moran’s football coach tried to put it gently: As the team’s starting quarterback and captain, it just wasn’t working anymore for Moran to rush off the field at halftime, change into his band uniform and grab his trombone.

“You have a lot of eggs in your basket,” the coach said. “For my starters, I need kids who are focused—who have one egg in their basket.”

Moran, a senior at Whitehouse High School, understood. For his first three years in high school, Moran did both. He played his heart out on the field during the game, and then at halftime, he played his heart out on the field.

As band kids know, the trombone is the backbone of a marching band, with its wide range and visual appeal. Everyone in the stands wonders when the trombone’s long slide is going to whack an innocent trumpet player. Colorado State University’s infamous “Trombone Suicide” routine—in which trombone players stood shoulder-to-shoulder and took turns swinging their horns and ducking—was discontinued in 2016 for safety reasons. Being a trombonist in a marching band simply requires a high level of excellence.

“I loved the lessons I learned in both athletics and band,” said Moran, who now represents Whitehouse and East Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives. “I think that’s something about rural Texas, especially East Texas—we’re fine with our kids having lots of eggs and lots of baskets. We’re on lots of teams and lots of activities.”

At larger schools and in larger cities, Moran said, he likely wouldn’t have been afforded so many opportunities.

Opportunity is a theme Moran comes back to again and again. In rural parts of Texas—including Moran’s Congressional District 1 seat, which includes 17 rural counties—opportunities can seem less abundant, but they do exist.

“I was fortunate enough to have parents who encouraged us, my brothers and I, to go and explore, to try new things,” he said. “And they said when you do something, give it all you have.”

The lessons have been invaluable, he added.

“The mental discipline that it takes, to be sure you’re doing it with excellence as a group, was a lesson I needed to learn,” Moran said.

Moran’s upbringing was fairly typical of both the era and the area, he says. His family came to East Texas in 1976, when his father helped to build a small Bible college. Those weren’t easy times for the family. Moran’s father, Dale, was answering a call, not accepting a high-profile, profitable offer.

“We grew up very poor,” he said. “We lived in a single-wide trailer home. I shared a twin bed with my twin brother till the age of 10 in that little mobile home, and I remember nights when, in the summer, that little vent in the very bottom of that mobile home could barely produce enough cool air to cool down the room. We would get on the floor, as little kids, and try to trap that cool air with a sheet, just so we could be cool enough to go to sleep. I remember months when food was sparse, and you were hoping to make it to payday. But despite all of that, my parents always found a way to be giving and service oriented.”

There was also adventure. It was a very different time, and children were given much more freedom, he added. He could roam as far as his bicycle would take him.

“I had a magical time exploring the woods and the county roads and West Mud Creek,” Moran recounted. “I had a lot of experiences that created a toughness, and independence in me.”

Independence and opportunity—that’s what draws people to rural Texas, and why they keep coming back.

Boom and Bust

Yet other factors draw them away. Even as the population of Texas booms, we’re seeing a hollowing out of rural Texas.

“Modern-day ghost towns are popping up around Texas, communities that still exist, but have lost most of their population and are on the path toward vanishing if they lose any more,” the Texas Tribune reported in 2024. “It’s the result of other losses — a critical industry like a hospital closes, a highway is diverted or the agriculture industry has a few bad years. People move, businesses close, and the local economy dries up.”

And it’s getting worse. Between 2023 and 2024, 65 Texas counties—about 25%—lost residents. According to the Texas Demographic Center, the Lone Star State has 181 counties considered rural; of these, 88 lost population between 2020 and 2024.

Meanwhile, people continue to flock to Texas—just not to the rural areas, at least not in numbers large enough to offset losses. Texas’ population is projected to increase more than 70% from 2020 to 2070, from 29.5 million Texans to more than 50 million.

“The High Plains and West Texas regions are home to billion-dollar industries with agriculture and energy production — lawmakers have long boasted it’s where the nation gets its food, fuel and fiber,” the Texas Tribune continued. “However, the illustrious industries are held together by people living in rural Texas, who are now moving to anchor cities like Lubbock and Amarillo, the resource-rich hubs in the region that can provide the jobs, housing and opportunities that a small town can’t.”

Yet rural Texas is worth saving. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins was adamant about this during her confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate.

“All Americans are important, but the farmer, the worker of the land who feeds all the others is amongst the most notable,” Rollins said. “Thomas Jefferson wrote that agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will, in the end, contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness. And his wisdom holds true today.”

Farming is still a key economic sector in Texas, with an estimated one in every seven Texans working in the field.

“With its diverse climates and land, Texas produces many agricultural commodities to fill seasonal gaps around the world,” according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. “Texas is among the top 10 producers in the U.S. for more than 40 major commodities. The state is 5th in the nation in agricultural exports, ranking 2nd in total animal products exported, and 10th in total plant products exported. Texas exports key commodities, including: Pecans, Peanuts, Citrus (including Grapefruit), Produce, Sorghum, Cotton, Timber, Wheat, Corn, Rice, Livestock and Genetics, Beer, Wine, Spirits, Beef, Dairy and Poultry.”

But it’s not just about farming. In many rural communities, the top employers include retailers such as H-E-B and Walmart, school districts and other local governments, and the health care sector.

Yet filling these jobs with qualified workers is often a challenge.

“Not only do rural Texas communities face geographical distances that make getting people, training, and jobs in the same place more difficult, they also have disproportionately less access to broadband, healthcare, transportation, housing, and childcare options,” the Texas Workforce Commission reports. “Additionally, although the vast majority of rural communities have a community college operating locally, there are fewer local options for rural Texans who are trying to get into the workforce or upskill to a better, more in-demand career.”

Coming Home

But still, Texans endure. For most, it’s about tradition—and values. For Congressman Moran, going off to the big city of Lubbock for college and then law school was something of a shock. But that’s where he met his future wife, Kyna, from Henrietta, Texas—a town in Clay County, population 3,111 in 2020 (down 30 souls from 2010’s population of 3,141).

“That’s something we shared,” Moran said. “She had been in the band, and in FFA growing up. She showed animals. She lived in a little farmhouse built in 1906, and you had to go down a couple of gravel roads to get there.”

Her part of rural Texas looked quite different, he acknowledged.

“She didn’t have a pine tree in sight, while you can’t go two feet without hitting a pine tree in East Texas,” Moran said. “But we knew, as we were building a life together, that we wanted to start a family, raise our kiddos and be a part of a community that was very much like the communities we grew up in.”

They chose the Tyler area, in hopes their children could “share the freedom and the liberty that we enjoyed.”

“When we moved back from Lubbock, we had hardly anything to our names,” he said. “We packed everything up in her little beat-up car and my very old truck, and we drove those 452 miles home.”

Moran practiced in Smith County courts and federal court, focusing on commercial litigation. He looked for ways to serve in the community, and in those early years, he thought often about running for office.

“I had no idea what I was doing,” he said. “But my heart was in the right place.”

In 2005, the Tyler City Council member representing Moran’s neighborhood was term-limited out; it would be an open seat with no incumbent. Moran sought advice from friends and family, then decided to throw his hat into the ring.

He found campaigning to be a very physical activity.

“It’s all about getting out your vote,” he said. “We started walking every chance we had. We spent eight weeks going door-to-door; I think I hit about 1,500 votes myself. What I realized was that it has to be personal relationships, built face-to-face. The conversations you have door-knocking are irreplaceable. Your mailers don’t have the same effect.”

He ran into his former teachers, clients and teammates—including one former band director. And he asked his neighbors about their concerns.

“When you walk neighborhood by neighborhood, you find out who has street issues, who has drainage issues, and garbage and trash issues,” he said—because that’s what they want to talk about.

“Rural politicking is very different from urban politicking because you have the opportunity—and frankly, you must seize it—to engage face-to-face with your constituents,” he said. “It becomes more impersonal the closer you get to the urban areas.”

His first political campaign was a success; Moran won his Tyler City Council seat by a comfortable margin—309 votes to 99. His oldest son was also born that year.

“I felt like I was living the dream,” he said. “I knew I was in the right place, fulfilling my vocational calling.”

But then things seemed to fall apart.

It began when doctors confirmed that Moran’s son had been born deaf.

“We didn’t know what to do about that; we didn’t know how to educate him,” Moran said.

Moran and his family prayed for guidance, for God’s will, but seemed to get no answers. Wasn’t his election a sign that God wanted him to serve on the City Council, and in his community?

But Moran felt his obligation to his family was an even higher calling. The couple decided they wanted their son to be able to speak—a position that’s controversial in this age of identity politics, with “advocates for the deaf” insisting that American Sign Language and the deaf subculture are key to a deaf person’s identity.

“It’s something that you can be proud of because it’s not something that is very common,” one such advocate wrote. “It’s part of you, it’s your identity and maybe identity of a minority group, which means even more proud, you want to preserve it and protect it and you’re just so proud of it. And that’s also really cool as well.”

But the Morans were adamant; they wanted their son to experience and enjoy all of American culture.

“We knew that couldn’t happen here [in East Texas],” Moran said. “There were only two schools in Texas that knew how to teach kids to speak, even though they were fully deaf, and Houston had the best one.”

Moran searched for a job in Houston, but had no offers—until he got a call from his old law school mock trial partner.

“Even though I loved my legal vocation and our calling to public service here, I knew the Lord was calling on me to give that up,” Moran said. “It was the easiest hard decision I’ve ever had to make.”

Moran resigned from his City Council seat, and soon, the family was in Houston, with his son enrolled in the Melinda Webb School at the Texas Hearing Institute.

In hindsight, it’s clear that the move to Houston wasn’t the kind of detour that can derail a political career. Instead, it was a course-correction that led to the halls of Congress.

“Had I not been willing to walk away from that City Council seat at the time, I would never have become a county judge, and I would never have become a member of Congress,” he said.

The Houston sojourn lasted for three years, while his son received the grounding in speech that his parents wanted for him.

“At the end of three years, when his schooling ended, he could speak in full sentences,” Moran said. “We were amazed at the miracle that took place down there. But we were ready to come home.”

Coming Home—Again

The family endured, more than enjoyed Houston.

“I loved the food, and my wife loved the shopping in Houston, but you spend so much time in traffic that the stress level was so much higher, and the connectivity to the community was so much lower,” Moran said. “There was no substitute in our minds for being able to raise our kids in an environment where they could thrive, in a community where they could have the same experiences we had growing up. We wanted that life, built around rural community and rural values.”

So in 2012, Moran resumed his legal practice in Tyler and looked for new ways to serve.

Then in 2016, Smith County Judge Joel Baker was removed from office over violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act. County commissioners were tasked with appointing a replacement, who would serve at least until the next election.

Moran was the obvious choice. Commissioners began reaching out to him individually, asking if he would be interested in serving.

“As they called me, each one said that the reason they wanted me was because they remembered when I walked away from public service—to put my family and my faith first,” Moran recalled. “They said, ‘We want a person like that to come and help restore trust in community government and help us rebuild that connection to the community.’”

Moran helped to not only rebuild that trust, but also to put a courthouse bond proposal before voters in 2022. The county had outgrown the old courthouse by the time construction was completed in 1952, but conservative Smith County voters had long resisted bond proposals for a new one. But Moran’s approach emphasized community outreach—and community buy-in. Voters said yes, and construction on the new, $179 million courthouse began in 2024.

But also in 2022, House District 1 Congressman Louie Gohmert announced he wouldn’t seek re-election to Congress, and instead challenged Attorney General Ken Paxton in the GOP primary (he lost that race). That left his seat in Congress open—and Moran discovered he was ideally placed to go for it. He’d built relationships with other county judges throughout the region, and those relationships translated into the bones of a congressional campaign.

“It was a very short election cycle, over Christmas, and it was a very short window of time to get to know as many people as possible,” Moran said. “I was surprised—pleasantly surprised—that all of a sudden, those prior relationships came to bear, because now people were able to spread the word. That went a long way.”

Moran was elected to Congress in November 2022. He now has a seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

What he finds when he travels the district now, though, is that political divides aren’t the real divides.

“What’s great about rural East Texas—and rural America—are the relationships and the shared principles we have,” Moran said. “You also find out pretty quickly that partisan politics go away, because whether you’re left or right, you’re dealing with somebody face-to-face, and dealing with them on an issue that’s so local, it usually comes down to principles. And those principles are shared.”

Those shared principles—and values—are what give Moran hope that some of the seemingly intractable problems facing rural Texas can be solved. Whether it’s water, health care, physical and social isolation, K-12 education, skills training or higher education, good policies can help lead to better lives.

“Government should provide a system where family institutions and faith institutions and institutions of economy can thrive,” Moran said. “That’s why liberty, I think, is the prime thing we should have as a goal. Because with liberty comes abundance of life, and with abundance of life comes hope.”

By Roy Maynard

The Cannon Reporter