Senators McCormick and Kim Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Small and Early-Stage Entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 15, 2026 – To reduce the financial barriers for early-stage entrepreneurs using crowdfunding while still maintaining investor confidence and market integrity, Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) today introduced the Amendment for Crowdfunding Capital Enhancement and Small-business Support (ACCESS) Act.

Currently, startups, early-stage companies, or small businesses raising $100,000 are required to have financial statements reviewed by a public accountant before crowdfunding. The average cost per filing is approximately $10,000 so for businesses raising $100,000, accounting fees can immediately consume at least 10% of the total capital raised. This bipartisan bill proposes to raise the crowdfunding limit from $100,000 to $250,000 before companies need to submit financial statements to be reviewed by an independent accountant. This approach modernizes outdated thresholds and focuses compliance where it matters most – ensuring that larger, more sophisticated offerings remain subject to stronger oversight, while smaller and early-stage issuers are not burdened with one-size-fits-all requirements.

“Crowdfunding can be particularly valuable for Pennsylvania entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional financing or want to validate market demand before fully launching. By removing unnecessary barriers while maintaining investor protections, we’re unlocking greater capital for new businesses to take root in Pennsylvania and across the country — proving that smart regulation can mean more opportunity, not less,” said Senator Dave McCormick.

“Too often start-ups and small businesses face red tape and obstacles to capital that is a critical tool to their success, and in turn, their ability to give back to our communities. By modernizing outdated ‘one-size-fits-all’ requirements, we open doors for businesses and investors of all sizes and backgrounds to grow, while still looking after the overall stability and strength of our financial markets,” said Senator Andy Kim.

BACKGROUND:

In 2012, Congress passed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act to help small businesses raise money from everyday investors. Before this law, companies had to complete a long, expensive registration process with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) before selling shares to the public.

The new Regulation Crowdfunding rules let startups raise smaller amounts from regular people through investment websites. Since 2016, these rules have helped over 6,500 businesses raise nearly $2.4 billion across 8,400 investment rounds for early-stage companies.

The Amendment for Crowdfunding Capital Enhancement and Small-business Support (ACCESS) Act will:

Enable small businesses to raise up to $250,000 (instead of the current $100,000) through crowd funding before they’re required to hire an outside accountant to review their financial statements; and

Allow the SEC to raise the threshold to $400,000, if the Advisory Offices recommends the change.

Pennsylvania ranks 5th in the total number of crowdfunding issuers, with more than 330 companies utilizing this funding opportunity since 2016.

Read the full bill text here.

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Merkley Announces Rescheduled Town Halls in Yamhill, Polk, and Marion Counties for Thursday, January 22

Washington, D.C. — Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced today he will hold three town halls for Oregonians in Yamhill, Polk, and Marion counties on Thursday, January 22.

The three rescheduled events continue Merkley’s 2026 town hall tour, where he’s holding a community conversation in each of the state’s 36 counties.

“I’m looking forward to again visiting wonderful communities all over our state. By talking directly to folks in each county my team and I can go to work for the interests and needs most important in each corner of our state,” Merkley said.

Since taking office in 2009, Senator Merkley has kept his promise to hold an open town hall for each of Oregon’s 36 counties every year.

His upcoming town hall conversations are as follows, with additional details to be sent to local media ahead of each event:

Thursday, January 22

Yamhill County Town Hall

Time: 10:30 am PT

Location: National Guard Armory

333 SE Armory Way, McMinnville, OR 97128

Polk County Town Hall

Time: 1:00 pm PT

Location: Colonel Nesmith Readiness Center

12830 Westview Dr. Dallas, OR 97338

Marion County Town Hall

Time: 3:30 pm PT

Location: Chemeketa Community College – Building 6 Auditorium

4000 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem, Oregon 97305

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One Year of Win After Win: President Trump’s Return to the White House

It has now been one year since President Donald J. Trump was inaugurated for a second term, and America began a long overdue course correction. It was a great moment standing in the Capitol Rotunda last year watching President Trump take the oath of office.

In just twelve months, the Trump administration has delivered real results that Americans can see in their daily lives by restoring law and order at our border, reining in a runaway federal government, and reaffirming a simple but essential principle: this nation belongs to its citizens, and its leaders are accountable to them.

Probably the clearest example of that leadership is the southern border. For years, Americans were told by the Biden administration that nothing could be done without Congress passing a new law. That excuse has now been fully exposed. We did not need new laws; we needed a President willing to act.

I saw firsthand the consequences of inaction when I visited the border in January 2024. What I witnessed was a system in collapse. Large stretches were effectively wide open. I could literally see people walking across the shallow areas of the Rio Grande River and into the United States, unimpeded. Border patrol agents were overwhelmed. Communities were strained. The message being sent to the world was unmistakable: come now, and you will likely get in.

Today, that message has been reversed. Under President Trump’s leadership, illegal crossings have plummeted in many sectors. The border is no longer treated as a suggestion, but as a sovereign boundary. The difference is simple. The Biden administration chose to look the other way and then blamed Congress. President Trump chose to enforce the law. The result has been immediate, measurable, and historic.

Border security is not just about stopping illegal entry; it is about protecting our communities. That is why President Trump has directed federal law enforcement to focus on removing criminal illegal aliens. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has increased enforcement actions nationwide, targeting offenders who have already demonstrated contempt for our laws. Here in Alabama, ICE recently worked alongside the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office to detain 14 illegal aliens, 12 of whom had prior criminal offenses for serious crimes. That is exactly the kind of coordinated enforcement effort Americans expect and deserve.

Restoring the rule of law at the border and within our communities is essential to ensuring families can once again feel safe in their neighborhoods. A country that cannot control its borders cannot control its future.

Just as importantly, President Trump and congressional Republicans have renewed their commitment to putting taxpayers first and restoring fiscal discipline. The One Big Beautiful Bill reflects that effort and shows what can happen when the White House and Congress work together to deliver real solutions. I fought to include priorities that directly benefit hardworking families, including a strong child tax credit and support for rural hospitals. Those provisions matter. They help parents keep more of what they earn and ensure that families in rural communities can continue to access care close to home.

America’s renewed strength at home has also restored respect abroad. After years of drift and hesitation, President Trump has reestablished a foreign policy rooted in strength, clarity, and results. When Iran threatened regional and global stability, President Trump acted decisively against its nuclear facilities, making clear that the United States will not tolerate nuclear brinkmanship. That resolve reassured our allies and sent a clear message to adversaries that America means what it says. And likewise, he did not allow Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro to hide in his palace to avoid justice for his crimes against Americans.

That same leadership helped bring an end to the war in Gaza, demonstrating that firm diplomacy backed by credible strength can still produce peace. Beyond the Middle East, President Trump has worked to negotiate peace agreements and security arrangements around the world, prioritizing stability over endless conflict. While the Russia–Ukraine war remains unresolved, he continues pressing all sides toward a negotiated solution that ends bloodshed without drawing the United States into another open-ended foreign entanglement.

I can’t talk about President Trump’s first year in office without also mentioning United States Space Command. As you are well aware, Redstone Arsenal was selected as the permanent home of Space Command based on merit. Its temporary location in Colorado Springs didn’t even finish second, third, or fourth in the evaluation process. Nevertheless, President Biden reversed that decision for purely political reasons. President Trump restored Space Command to where it rightfully belongs, and I was proud to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in December.

The contrast after one year is undeniable. We have moved from excuses to action, from chaos to order, and from a Washington that too often protects itself into a government that is being forced to answer to the American people again.

This anniversary is more than a milestone. It is proof that leadership matters. When a President enforces the law, defends our sovereignty, stands up for taxpayers, and leads with strength on the world stage, America wins. President Trump’s first year back in office has shown what is possible when we put America first, and we are just getting started.


ICYMI: Amo End of Year Report Reflects Wins for Rhode Islanders & Commitment to Fighting for Ocean State in 2026

Washington, DC – ICYMI, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) released his 2025 year-in-review report. The report highlighted Congressman Amo’s work on behalf of Rhode Islanders to lower costs, save health care, and stop Trump’s insanity.

The full report can be found here.

“Representing Rhode Islanders is the privilege of a lifetime,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI-01). “Over 2025, I met with Rhode Islanders from Woonsocket to Newport, Cumberland to Tiverton. Crisscrossing the First Congressional District, Rhode Islanders entrusted me with their stories to take back to Washington to make our government work for them. I will keep fighting in 2026 to fulfill that promise.”

Over the course of the year, Amo met with everyone from preschoolers to senior citizens from across the First Congressional District. On behalf of Rhode Islanders, he helped return over $393,768 in federal funds they were owed. Amo also helped 590 Rhode Islanders navigate issues with the federal government including the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, and more. If you need help with a federal agency, reach out at amo.house.gov.

Amo had three bills that were signed into law, the Promoting Diplomacy with Australia Act, the Australia, United Kingdom, United States (AUKUS) Improvement Act, and the Southern New England Regional Commission Act. He led or co-led 24 pieces of legislation to protect communities, secure international leadership, expand innovation and support families.

Amo demanded accountability from Trump by leading and co-leading 40 letters about fighting for the environment, standing up to his cruelty, strengthening our global leadership and investing in our communities.

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Rep. Ansari Led Bipartisan Press Conference and Candlelit Vigil in Support of Iranian Protestors

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), the first Iranian American Democrat elected to Congress, led a bipartisan candlelight vigil in support of Iranian protestors in front of the United States Capitol.

“We’re gathered here tonight to express unwavering support for the people of Iran, millions of whom bravely took to the streets and risked their lives to demand economic opportunity, human rights, dignity, and freedom,” said Rep. Ansari. “I am humbled to see so many of my colleagues, from different backgrounds, geographical regions, and beliefs, come together to uplift the voices of those living in oppression halfway around the world.”

WATCH

Last week, Ansari led a bipartisan group in introducing a resolution commending the bravery and resolve of the Iranian people in their fight for a free and democratic Iran and opposing the brutality of the Islamic Republic, which uses violent military force to suppress civilian protesters. Ansari is the daughter of Iranian immigrants and the first Iranian American Democrat elected to Congress. The resolution also urges immediate expansion of unrestricted internet access and civilian lines of communication across Iran, which have been severed by the Iranian regime, and demands the regime cease its threats, intimidation, and violence toward peaceful protesters.

The bipartisan measure is cosponsored by Representatives Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jim Himes (D-CT), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Mike Carey (R-OH), Brad Schneider (D-IL), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY).

Read text of the Resolution HERE.

Click HERE to watch a video of Rep. Ansari’s remarks.

See the transcript below:

Hello everyone, and thank you for being with us tonight.

My name is Yassamin Ansari and I’m the proud daughter of Iranian immigrants who fled the theocratic, Islamic Republic regime to seek a better life in America.

We’re gathered here tonight to express unwavering support for the people of Iran, millions of whom bravely took to the streets and risked their lives to demand economic opportunity, human rights, dignity, and freedom.

For nearly five decades, the Iranian people have endured brutal repression under the Islamic Republic: a regime that denies basic human rights, silences dissidents, and responds to peaceful protest with barbaric violence.

In the wake of the recent demonstrations, at least 12,000 protestors have been killed, including children, and thousands of protestors have been arrested by the regime. The few stories, photos and videos coming out of Iran, against the backdrop of an internet shutdown by the regime, are heart wrenching.

The right of the Iranian people to choose their government and peacefully protest the regime must be protected. We must unequivocally condemn the regime’s use of force against civilians whose only fault is wanting a better life for themselves and their children.

Standing with the Iranian people means supporting human rights organizations that are doing critical work to document abuses and protect lives.

I call on the Trump Administration to immediately re-start millions of dollars in funding for organizations that do just that. It also means supporting internet freedom measures so that ordinary Iranians can circumvent their regime’s censorship efforts.

The average American may not know this, but the regime has disabled internet access for its own citizens. That means people cannot reach loved ones, plan and organize, or reach unbiased information.

They are literally being kept in the dark by their own government and it could very well be permanent.

It’s why longstanding bipartisan efforts to ensure internet access in Iran CANNOT be left on the backburner – this access could save lives.

And this is all very personal to me. I am the proud daughter of immigrants from Iran.

I now have the privilege to serve as the first Iranian-American Democrat elected to Congress, representing Phoenix, Glendale, and Guadeloupe.

And this month, I led a bipartisan group of members in introducing a resolution condemning the regime and standing firmly in support of the Iranian people.

I was humbled to see so many of my colleagues, from different backgrounds, geographical regions, and beliefs, come together to uplift the voices of those living in oppression halfway around the world.

I want to thank my co-leads, Representatives Bice, Suozzi, Schneider, Foxx, Fitzpatrick, and Carey.

To the people of Iran: know that you are not alone. Members of Congress in the United States see your incredible courage and resolve.

Your fight for freedom, democracy, and self-determination has inspired millions around the world. The future of Iran belongs to you and no one else.

The United States and the international community must continue to stand with the people of Iran and support a democratic Iran—free from the tyrannical Islamic Republic.

Now, I invite everyone gathered with me here to join us for a moment of silence honoring Iranian protestors who have been killed fighting for their freedom by the illegitimate, barbaric Islamic regime.

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Congressman Baird Statement on Tippecanoe County Judge Steven Meyer

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement on Tippecanoe County Superior Court 2 Judge Steven Meyer and his wife, Kimberly, who were injured after being shot in their home:

“I was horrified to hear that Judge Steven Meyer and his wife were shot. Violence against our judges, their families, or any public servant is unacceptable and must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I have confidence in the Lafayette Police Department and their ability to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrator to justice. I am grateful to hear the Meyers are both in stable condition, and I ask everyone to please join me in praying for their full and swift recovery.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 20, 2026

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Reps. Barragán and Brown Introduce Bill to Open Door for Faith-Based Organizations and Institutions of Higher Education to Build Affordable Housing

Washington, D.C. — Today, Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and Shontel Brown (OH-11) announced the Yes in God’s Backyard Act, legislation designed to address the nation’s housing crisis by empowering faith-based institutions and institutions of higher-education to build affordable housing on underused land they already own.

The bill will unlock new housing opportunities in communities facing severe housing shortages and rising homelessness. Across the country, housing costs continue to climb while the number of available homes falls far short of demand. At the same time, faith-based institutions and institutions of higher education — often among the largest landholders in their communities — are frequently blocked from building affordable housing because of outdated zoning rules, lengthy permitting processes, and limited access to technical expertise.

The growing Yes in God’s Backyard (YIGBY) movement offers a solution rooted in local leadership. By empowering trusted community institutions to use their land for affordable housing, YIGBY helps meet urgent needs while strengthening neighborhoods.

“Across the country, communities are facing unprecedented housing shortages and growing homelessness,” said Congresswoman Barragán. “Faith-based organizations and institutions of higher learning want to step up and help address the housing crisis, but too often they’re held back by outdated rules and unnecessary red tape. We need every possible tool to expand affordable housing—that’s why this bill puts trusted community partners at the center of the solution and gives local governments the tools they need to remove unnecessary barriers and build homes people can afford.”

“We need to use every tool we have and work with every partner we have to lower housing costs. Because the last thing any working family should have to worry about is finding a safe and affordable place for their children to lay their heads at night. The YIGBY Act helps religious institutions address the housing crisis and cut through the red tape so that we can remove the barriers, lower the cost of housing, and expand the options Americans have. I’m proud to partner with Congresswoman Barragan on this legislation to lower housing costs and help religious institutions serve their communities,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.

“The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is grateful for Rep. Barragán’s leadership in introducing the Yes in God’s Backyard Act”, said Nicole Williams, Executive Director, LISC Los Angeles. “We’ve seen firsthand the increasing challenges families are facing with rising housing costs in our communities. At the same time, many faith-based organizations have expressed a desire to mitigate the housing crisis by developing affordable housing on their land. The Yes in God’s Backyard Act would provide flexible resources to support the development and preservation of affordable housing, ultimately increasing housing options in the communities we serve.”

States and cities are already showing what can happen when these barriers are removed. In California, SB 4allows qualifying faith institutions and higher education institutions to build 100 percent affordable housing by right. As a result, at least 80 congregations in Los Angeles alone are now exploring housing development on their property. Similar efforts are underway or being considered in New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, Minnesota, Virginia, Texas, Arizona, and New Jersey, signaling growing national momentum behind this approach.

The Yes in God’s Backyard Act would extend this progress nationwide by:

– Offering technical assistance to faith-based organizations and institutions of higher education seeking to use existing land to expand or preserve affordable rental housing;

– Providing technical support to local governments to share best practices and streamline the development of affordable housing on faith and university property; and

– Establishing challenge grants to reward communities that adopt policies removing barriers to affordable housing on these sites.

The legislation is supported by a broad coalition of national organizations, including NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), United Church of Christ, People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) Los Angeles, LeadingAge, Enterprise Community Partners, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, National Housing Conference, and True Ground Housing Partners.

Original cosponsors of the bill are Reps. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Danny Davis (IL-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03).

The full text of the bill can be found HERE.

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American Families Spent Over $1,600 More Because of Inflation During Trump’s First Year, Per New Report From Congress’ Joint Economic Committee

Today, one year since President Trump began his term, the Joint Economic Committee – Minority released a new report finding that during his first year in office, families spent $1,625 more on average due to inflation.

During his campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged that his administration would “end inflation,” and falsely claimed just recently that “inflation is stopped” and “prices are down.” However, this new Committee analysis shows that in 2025, the average household spent $1,625 more across the board – including over $320 more in housing costs and over $240 more on transportation costs. The Committee also calculated state-by-state data, finding that the average inflation cost per family in 2025 was at least $1,000 more in 47 states and Washington, D.C., with households in some states paying almost $2,400 more.

“President Trump repeatedly promise to lower prices, and he broke that promise,” said Rep. Don Beyer, Senior House Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee. “American families spent over $1,600 more on goods and services on average over the past year than they did the previous year. Health care costs are skyrocketing. Prices for groceries and electricity are shooting up. Housing and transportation costs are rising rapidly. Trump has failed miserably in the fight against inflation, and despite the fact that it is Americans’ biggest concern today, Trump does not even seem interested in doing anything about it. Worse, his policies – from tariffs to health care cuts to bad price-raising energy policies – are making it worse.”

“President Trump has imposed reckless tariffs, driven up health care costs, and created economic uncertainty. And because of these choices that he made, Americans are paying over $1,600 more than when he came into office,” said U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan, Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee. “While the President pledged that he would end inflation and now claims that prices are down, the data reflects what families are experiencing every day: higher costs that make it harder to make ends meet.”


ICYMI: Congressman Biggs Introduces Balanced Budget Amendment to  End Washington’s Culture of Fiscal Irresponsibility

Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) introduced a constitutional amendment requiring the federal government to operate under a balanced budget, restoring fiscal discipline and protecting future generations from Washington’s addiction to spending and debt.

The amendment would permanently prohibit deficit spending by limiting total federal expenditures to the average annual revenue collected over the previous three years, adjusted for population growth and inflation, with limited exceptions for national emergencies and war. Congress could exceed the spending limit only with approval from a two-thirds supermajority in both chambers, ensuring any exceptions are necessary and broadly supported. During a declared war, Congress would retain the ability to exceed the limit to meet national security needs.

The amendment also places a two-thirds supermajority requirement on any bill that creates a new tax or increases an existing tax rate, ensuring that Washington cannot simply tax its way out of its own irresponsibility.

“Washington’s spending addiction is bankrupting our country and mortgaging the future of every American family,” said Congressman Biggs.

“This amendment restores the most basic principle of fiscal responsibility: you cannot spend what you do not have. Families and businesses live by that rule–it is long past time that the federal government does too. Trillion-dollar deficits have become routine, and Washington behaves as if there is no limit to the damage it can impose. This amendment puts guardrails on a system that has run completely off the road.

“We do not need another commission, another study, or another press conference about the debt. We need binding rules, written into the Constitution, that force Congress to live within its means. The American people demand a government that works for them—not one that buries them under debt.”


Bilirakis, Blumenthal, Sheehy, Panetta, & Moylan Introduce New Legislation to Strengthen Health & Safety Standards for Military Housing

Washington, DC: -Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and James Moylan (R-GU), alongside U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), today introduced the Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation to strengthen protections for military families living in privatized housing. An estimated 700,000 servicemembers and their families are affected by hazardous conditions in military-provided housing, including prolonged mold exposure. These conditions are associated with increased risks of respiratory illness, neurological symptoms, developmental delays in children, and other serious health effects. The MOLD Act addresses these issues by establishing enforceable health and safety standards, mandating independent inspections, and requiring greater transparency in the reporting of habitability concerns such as water damage, humidity, and mold.

“Our servicemembers and their families should never have to choose between serving their country and living in safe, healthy homes,” said Representative Gus Bilirakis. “Military families at MacDill and across the country have faced unsafe housing conditions, including mold and other hazards, with far too little accountability. This legislation corrects those failures by setting enforceable standards, requiring independent inspections, and increasing transparency. It’s about accountability, dignity, and keeping our promise to military families-no one who serves our nation should be forced to worry about their family living in unhealthy conditions.”

“This measure will help ensure military families are protected from housing that endangers their health. They deserve the gold standard—nothing less,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “The MOLD Act requires strict health and safety standards, independent inspections, and financial accountability for contractors. This bipartisan, bicameral reform deserves swift passage so servicemembers and their families have a safe place to call home.”

“After volunteering to serve our great nation, America’s military deserves the best—from equipment on the battlefield to housing here at home,” said Senator Tim Sheehy. “As a veteran married to a veteran, it is an honor to serve our community in the Senate. I’m proud to lead this critical legislation to bring accountability to the process and ensure our men and women in uniform and their families have safe housing so they can focus on securing America’s future.”

“In their service, our military members and their families sacrifice a great deal. The last thing they should have to endure is substandard living conditions, including mold, in their military housing,” said Representative Jimmy Panetta. “The MOLD Act will help ensure privatized military housing meets required standards through frequent inspections, proper repairs and remediation, and improved response times by landlords. This legislation reinforces the principle that military readiness starts at home.”

“For too long, military families have been forced to live with mold, moisture, and unresolved health hazards in housing they were promised would be safe,” said Representative James Moylan. “The MOLD Act finally establishes enforceable standards, independent inspections, and real accountability for contractors who fail our servicemembers. Living in the Pacific region, where extreme weather and humidity are constant realities, I know these risks cannot be ignored. I’m proud to work with Congressman Panetta to ensure military families-whether in Guam or across the mainland-have strong protections, clear reporting tools, and a Department of Defense fully accountable to the people it serves.”

“For far too long, thousands of military families living in privatized military housing have suffered the consequences of unsafe and unsanitary living conditions,” said Senator Mazie Hirono. “From widespread mold to rodent infestations, these unacceptable environments have caused serious health concerns and forced families to shoulder repair costs. Ensuring safe, habitable housing is not only our responsibility-it is critical to military readiness and morale. I am proud to introduce the MOLD Act to hold housing contractors accountable and better protect our military families.”

The MOLD Act is endorsed by Change the Air Foundation, Blue Star Families, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Safe Military Housing Initiative, Military Housing Coalition, National Military Families Association, Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), and the National Organization of Remediators and Microbial Inspectors (NORMI).


ICYMI: Boyle Joins Councilmember Lozada, Esperanza Health, NKCDC, and Project HOME to Call Out Federal Grant Cuts Hitting Kensington

PHILADELPHIA, PA — On Tuesday, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, held a press conference at CORE at Esperanza Health Center in Kensington alongside Esperanza Health, the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC), and Project HOME to highlight the harm caused by federal cuts to violence-prevention and housing funding, as well as broader cuts to health care access under HR1 that disproportionately affect neighborhoods like Kensington.

“One year ago today, Donald Trump was inaugurated for a second term,” said Congressman Boyle. “We have seen more cuts nationwide as a result of his presidency than any other. It's very difficult for us to wrap our heads around when I say $5 trillion worth of tax cuts, $1 trillion worth of cuts to health care, hundreds of billions of dollars worth of cuts to nutrition assistance programs, to domestic violence programs. Hearing those numbers, it's really hard to just imagine what exactly the impact is. But for every one of those zeros, for every one of those numbers on a spreadsheet, there is an impact right here in our community, right here in the neighborhood of Kensington. Every single neighborhood in Philadelphia has felt the negative consequences of the cuts from this administration.”

Boyle was joined by Susan Post, Chief Executive Officer of Esperanza Health; Philadelphia City Councilmember Quetcy Lozada; Dr. Bill McKinney, Executive Director of NKCDC; and Donna Bullock, President and CEO of Project HOME. The speakers warned that cuts through federal agencies such as the Department of Justice and the Department of Housing and Urban Development are undermining community-based work that saves lives, stabilizes families, and helps residents access care—at the same time Republicans’ health care cuts and refusal to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits are driving costs higher.

“These aren't just statistics to us. They represent our friends, our neighbors, and our patients whose lives matter very much to us,” said Susan Post, Chief Executive Officer of Esperanza Health. “We're very grateful to you, Congressman Boyle, and other representatives because you have continued to have the voice of advocacy, week in and week out, for our patients.”

“To have someone in Washington advocating and championing for all of our needs and for better quality of life for all of us is extremely important,” said Philadelphia City Councilmember Quetcy Lozada. “Those numbers translate to real people. They translate to real lives. And so it is important for us to join together and ensure that we continue to fight back, that we continue to advocate and show up and ask for the funding that communities like this one and across the city of Philadelphia deserve.”

“Thank you in all honesty for your leadership and your perseverance and your heart for the people of Philadelphia,” said Donna Bullock, President and CEO of Project HOME. “For more than three decades, Project Home has in fact been a leader working to break the cycle of homelessness here in the city of Philadelphia. We know what saves lives, and this is not the time to abandon that.”

“I really want to thank you, Congressman Boyle, for bringing us together, and for putting more light on this subject right now,” said Dr. Bill McKinney, Executive Director of NKCDC. “These federal cuts are just one of many weapons that's a part of a war on cities. As predicted over the last year, we've seen this war on cities and on our most vulnerable community members. This is human beings we're talking about.”

According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, a three-year extension of the enhanced ACA premium tax credits would increase the number of Americans with health insurance by millions — including roughly 3 million in 2027 and 4 million in 2028. CBO has also estimated that Republicans’ reconciliation bill — combined with their failure to extend these tax credits — would increase the number of uninsured Americans by 15 million.

District-by-district data on the consequences of the Republican health care crisis can be found on the House Budget Committee Democrats website here.


Batting 1.000: Trump’s Home-Run Economic Policies Delivered for Georgians in 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After four years of Biden’s poor economic policies that harmed Georgians at every turn, President Trump has spent the first year of his presidency delivering results for hardworking Americans.

From historic tax relief to unleashing American energy, this administration is focused on policies that reduce everyday costs and strengthen Georgia’s economy.

“For Georgia workers, families, and seniors, President Trump’s first year was about results. Together, we cut taxes, unleashed American energy, and rewarded hard work so Georgians could keep more of their paycheck,” said Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA). “Whether you’re a service worker on the coast, a small business owner, or a senior on a fixed income, these policies delivered real savings and bigger paychecks.”

Republican Policies Working for Georgians

This administration is laser-focused on delivering bigger paychecks for Georgia workers. On July 4th, 2025, President Trump signed the Working Families Tax Cuts, delivering the largest tax cut in American history. These pro-worker provisions delivered bigger paychecks – amounting to about a $5,000 increase for the average Georgia family in take-home pay. We doubled the standard deduction, significantly decreasing the amount of taxable income. We reduced taxes on Social Security benefits—providing direct relief for Georgia seniors, and doubled the Child Tax Credit to $2,200, further supporting Georgia families.

Republicans also delivered targeted tax relief to reward work and support families, including eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay, cutting costs on auto loan interest for American-made vehicles, and protecting small businesses through permanent pass-through tax relief. Together, these policies put thousands of dollars back into the pockets of Georgia workers and families.

Trump Accounts: Investing in the Next Generation

Republicans and the Trump administration created Trump Accounts. This one-time federal contribution of $1,000 per eligible child actively invests in the next generation to make the American Dream more achievable. Authorized contributions from individuals and employers are allowed up to $5,000 per year, setting the next generation up for success and making the American Dream more affordable.

Unleashing American Energy

President Trump’s America First energy agenda reversed costly Biden-era regulations and unleashed domestic production. By expanding American energy, streamlining permitting, and cutting red tape, Republicans helped drive down gas prices, lower electricity costs, and reduce the price of goods that rely on affordable transportation and power, saving Georgians money at every turn. Currently, gas in Georgia costs around $2.63 a gallon – that’s an 11% decrease from a year ago.

Fair Trade and Tariffs

President Trump restored fair trade policies to defend American workers and businesses. Billions of dollars have been collected through targeted tariffs on unfair foreign competitors protecting Georgian industries, helping to preserve good-paying jobs and strengthening domestic supply chains that keep prices stable for consumers.

Foreign Investment and Reshoring Manufacturing

Thanks to President Trump’s pro-growth policies, trillions of dollars in private investment flowed back into the United States. Companies reshored operations, expanded facilities, and invested in American workers—creating jobs, growing wages, and strengthening Georgia’s economy for the long term.


52 Weeks of Keeping America Safe

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Trump spent the first year of his presidency laser-focused on addressing Biden’s wide-open southern border, which made every community in America less safe. Under his watch, Georgia’s illegal immigrant population grew to be the 6th largest in the nation, and we paid a real price for his incompetence. Just ask Laken Riley’s family.

“Every American owes President Trump and his Administration a debt of gratitude for his historic immigration enforcement. For years, the Biden-Harris Administration allowed countries to dump their worst criminals into our country, and they didn’t bat an eye,” said Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA). “For Republicans, one is too many, like Laken Riley, who was brutally murdered while jogging around Athens, GA. Thankfully, our communities are safer now than ever with the rule of law enforced.”

Since day one, this administration has been deporting the worst of the worst criminal illegal immigrants, and the results speak for themselves. Below are 52 of the worst of the worst who Trump has successfully kicked out of our country.

Name: Hossei Sharifi

Country of Origin: Iran

Crime: Statutory Rape, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Human Slavery

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Murad Awad

Country of Origin: Kuwait

Crime: Rape, Sexual Assault, DUI, Sodomy, etc.

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Niorge Rodriguez-Reyes

Country of Origin: Cuba

Crime: Robbery, Fraud, Cocaine, Larceny, etc.

Arrested: Marietta, GA

Name: William Gonzalez-Diaz

Country of Origin: Cuba

Crime: Sex Offense Against Child - Fondling, Sexual Exploitation of Minor, etc.

Arrested: Rome, GA

Name: Luong Thai

Country of Origin: Vietnam

Crime: Sexual Assault, Robbery, Dangerous Drugs, etc.

Arrested: Savannah, GA

Name: Juan Melendez-Navarro

Country of Origin: Honduras

Crime: Sexual Assault, Sodomy, Domestic Violence

Arrested: Jonesboro, GA

Name: Javier Rodriguez-Andrade

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Larceny, Theft

Arrested: Gainesville, GA

Name: Latdavanh Phanmixay

Country of Origin: Laos

Crime: Threat Terroristic State Offenses, Dangerous Drugs

Arrested: Jonesboro, GA

Name: Kiumars Taheri

Country of Origin: Iran

Crime: Assault, Cocaine, Larceny

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Andre Etienne

Country of Origin: Jamaica

Crime: Rape, Molestation of a Minor

Arrested: Conyers, GA

Name: Sergey Sandyrev

Country of Origin: Russia

Crime: Sexual Assault, Possession of Stolen Property

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Enrique Lainez-Morales

Country of Origin: Guatemala

Crime: Aggravated Assault, Amphetamine Possession, etc.

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Javier Cordova-Trejo

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Aggravated Assault with a Weapon

Arrested: Jackson, GA

Name: Selvin Leonardo Bautista-Ramirez

Country of Origin: Guatemala

Crime: Molestation of a Minor, Hit and Run

Arrested: Lumpkin, GA

Name: Alex Gutierrez Molino

Country of Origin: Guatemala

Crime: Rape - Strongarm

Arrested: Dalton, GA

Name: Bountheung Vongdasy

Country of Origin: Laos

Crime: Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault with a Gun, etc.

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Mario Perez-Roque

Country of Origin: Cuba

Crime: Kidnapping Minor to Sexually Assault, Sex Assault, Assault, Rape, etc.

Arrested: New Orleans, LA

Name: Leonel Rodriguez-Banda

County of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Hit & Run, DUI, etc.

Arrested: Jesup, GA

Name: Genaro Velazquez-Ovando

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Aggravated Assault

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Omar Carranza

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Aggravated Assault

Arrested: Jackson, GA

Name: Caesar Sallah

Country of Origin: Gambia

Crime: Assault, Robbery, Burglary

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Pascual Sebastian Miguel

Country of Origin: Guatemala

Crime: Terroristic State Offenses, Fraud, etc.

Arrested: Rome, GA

Name: Alan Molina-Garcia

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Aggravated Assault with Weapon

Arrested: Jackson, GA

Name: Anatolii Balesta

Country of Origin: Ukraine

Crime: Cruelty Toward Child, Aggravated Assault

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Jimmy Hoang

Country of Origin: Vietnam

Crime: Homicide

Arrested: Rome, GA

Name: Juan Borja-Cruz

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Aggravated Assault, Amphetamine Possession

Arrested: Marietta, GA

Name: Bounlop Bouakhio

Country of Origin: Laos

Crime: Dangerous Drugs, etc.

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Israel Bautista-Benites

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Assault, Battery, Cruelty Toward Child

Arrested: Gainesville, GA

Name: Abdiel Aizprua

Country of Origin: Panama

Crime: Aggravated Assault with Weapon, Assault, etc.

Arrested: Lumpkin, GA

Name: Khamphan Souvanhnakhot

Country of Origin: Laos

Crime: Homicide, Aggravated Assault – Weapon, etc.

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Orlin Reyes Mercado

Country of Origin: Honduras

Crime: Sexual Assault, Aggravated Assault, Battery

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Blanca Parras

Country of Origin: El Salvador

Crime: Domestic Violence, Intimidation, etc.

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Maely Chilel Morales

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Terroristic State Offenses, Aggravated Assault

Arrested: Covington, GA

Name: Arturo Enriquez Galvan

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Aggravated Assault - Weapon

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Jonathan Aguilar Trujillo

Country of Origin: Guatemala

Crime: Aggravated Assault – Family Strongarm

Arrested: Canton, GA

Name: Cristian Arreola-Granados

Country of Origin: Honduras

Crime: Aggravated Assault – Non-Family Strongarm, etc.

Arrested: Rome, GA

Name: Edgar Gudino Alvarado

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Aggravated Assault – Non-Family-Weapon

Arrested: Marietta, GA

Name: Bernardo Apak Padilla

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Drug Trafficking, Assault

Arrested: Marietta, GA

Name: Lisandro Juarez-Perez

Country of Origin: Guatemala

Crime: Hit and Run

Arrested: Lawrenceville, GA

Name: Rhuan de Barros Etov

Country of Origin: Brazil

Crime: Molestation of Minor, Burglary, etc.

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Maricela Rivera Velasquez

Country of Origin: Guatemala

Crime: Cruelty Toward Child, DUI

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Luis Baena Olivares

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Robbery, etc.

Arrested: Folkston, GA

Name: Fernando Alvarez Castaneda

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Cruelty Toward Child, Larceny

Arrested: Lumpkin, GA

Name: Marlon Enrique Najar-Medina

Country of Origin: Honduras

Crime: Molestation of Minor

Arrested: Norcross, GA

Name: Ricardo Tirado-Pantoja

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Sexual Assault, Molestation of a Minor

Arrested: Jackson, GA

Name: Natan Yusupov

Country of Origin: Russia

Crime: Extortion

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Jiuvel Nunez Diaz

Country of Origin: Cuba

Crime: Domestic Violence, Battery

Arrested: Atlanta, GA

Name: Santos Garcia-Mendez

Country of Origin: Guatemala

Crime: Assault, DUI

Arrested: Folkston, GA

Name: Martin Soreque-Bautista

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Hit and Run

Arrested: Lawrenceville, GA

Name: Miguel Arroyo-Morales

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Carrying Prohibited Weapon, DUI

Arrested: Lumpkin, GA

Name: Abdul Zainuddini

Country of Origin: Iran

Crime: Assault, Aggravated Assault

Arrested: Savannah, GA

Name: Loreto Solorzano Espinoza

Country of Origin: Mexico

Crime: Aggravated Assault - Weapon

Arrested: Atlanta, GA


Carter calls for passage of his PBM provisions in House funding package

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today called for bipartisan support of the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) provisions included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which he has championed in the House of Representatives and will protect patients and pharmacies from harmful and anticompetitive business practices.

“The PBM provisions included in this bill will bring transparency and choice to our health care system, both of which will drive competition and ultimately lower prices for patients at the counter. Since day one, I’ve fought to hold these middlemen accountable for stealing hope, health, and access from Americans who deserve high-quality, affordable, and accessible health care. This bill is an important step toward putting patients before profits, with more progress to come, and I encourage my Democrat colleagues to put aside partisan politics and support these widely popular provisions,” said Rep. Carter.

Included in this funding package are Rep. Carter’s policies to:

Establish new requirements for PBMs under Medicare Part D, including a policy to delink PBM compensation from the cost of medications and increase transparency.

Promote transparency for both employers and patients in their prescription drug plans, with semi-annual reporting on drug spending, rebates, and formulary determinations.

Codify existing requirements that plan sponsors contract with any willing pharmacy that meets their standard contract terms and conditions, which must be reasonable and relevant.


Casten Honors Local Educator as Constituent Spotlight

Willowbrook, IL — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) honored Mrs. Sondra LaPointe, a 7th-grade teacher at Westview Hills Middle School in Willowbrook, as his most recent Constituent Spotlight.

“Educators like Mrs. LaPointe have made such a positive impact on students and families in our community,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “Mrs. LaPointe’s dedication to education is admirable, and her enthusiastic attitude toward learning inspires her students.”

Rep. Casten’s Constituent Spotlight Program seeks to honor constituents who make a difference and give back to the community in IL-06. The program launched in August 2025. Previous honorees include Sister JoAnn Persch, a local nun who devoted her life to supporting Chicago’s immigrant communities, and Hank Anzelone, a dedicated volunteer at the People’s Resource Center.

Mrs. LaPointe’s nomination came from a former student who cited Mrs. LaPointe’s honest conversations about what’s happening in the world and spunky personality as a lasting impact on their educational journey.

During the visit, Rep. Casten presented Mrs. LaPointe with a Congressional letter recognizing her commitment to her students, their education, and her community.

Photos and videos from Rep. Casten’s visit with Mrs. LaPointe at Westview Hills Middle School can be found here.

To nominate someone in IL-06 who makes a difference, visit https://casten.house.gov/constituent-spotlight

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Ciscomani Introduces Legislation to Enhance Quality of Charter Schools

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Juan Ciscomani introduced legislation that aims to solve the issue of charter schools operating in subpar facilities due to a lack of proper funding. Arizona families with children enrolled in a charter school deserve not only to know their students are receiving a top tier education, but that it is occurring in a well

The Equitable Access to School Facilities Act (H.R. 7086) seeks to give charter schools increased access to funding for facilities-related needs, allowing them to operate in spaces better equipped for students’ educational needs. This will be accomplished by expanding the types of programs that qualify for State Facilities Incentive Grant (SFIG) support, improving other SFIG programs to bolster charter school access to adequate facilities, and allowing state entity (SE) funds to be used for more facilities-related needs than currently permitted.

Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District is home to not only the highest ranked charter school in the nation, but it is also the highest ranked high school overall. Sadly, access to appropriate and affordable school buildings for charter schools continues to be one of the biggest barriers to growth. Unlike district schools, charter schools aren’t guaranteed access to school buildings or traditional access to facilities funding sources like local property tax dollars.

Often, this will force charter schools to operate in places like church basements, vacant storefronts, or other abandoned buildings that lack important amenities such as gymnasiums, libraries, and science labs.

Arizona is a leader in school choice policies, evidenced by having multiple schools in the national rankings, and the state has around 580 charter schools.

“I’m proud to introduce this piece of legislation to show my support for school choice, and to help Arizona continue to excel in education. As a father of six young children, I know firsthand the importance of proper school amenities and access to often slim resources,” Congressman Ciscomani said. “Arizona is a pioneer in school choice, and we strive to make all education options good options.”

“BASIS Educational Ventures strongly supports the Improving Access to School Facilities Act as a practical path to creating more equitable opportunities for charter school access of affordable, high-quality facilities. By reducing facility-related expenses and expanding financing options, this legislation ensures that more school resources can be directed to what matters most — strengthening teacher and staff compensation and sustaining the academic excellence that students deserve,” Lorenzo Romero, President, BASIS Educational Ventures said. “This effort represents a smart, bipartisan approach to strengthening public education by establishing funding structures that ease the burden of facilities costs and allow charter schools to direct more resources toward students and educators.”

“Congressman Ciscomani has a strong record of supporting Arizona’s public schools, including public charter schools, and we’re grateful for his leadership in sponsoring the Equitable Access to School Facilities Act,” Jake Logan, CEO of the Arizona Charter Schools Association said. “We look forward to working with Congressman Ciscomani, and the entire Arizona Congressional Delegation, to support this legislation so all Arizona students can have access to high quality public schools that meet their family’s needs.”

You can find a summary and the full text of it here.


Ciscomani Part of Bipartisan Effort to Cut Red Tape for Residential Solar, Other Home Energy Systems

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani is part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers who want to make it easier for homeowners to get residential solar project permits.

Representatives Susie Lee (NV-03), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Mike Lawler (NY-17) have introduced the Streamlining Home Installation of New Energies (SHINE) Act, which would make local permitting for residential solar and other home energy systems better, cheaper, and faster.

The legislation directs the Department of Energy to support state, local, and Tribal governments in automating and expediting their permitting and inspection process for qualifying distributed energy systems, including residential solar, wind, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging and refueling systems.

“The SHINE Act represents a commonsense approach to harnessing Arizona’s most abundant natural resource,” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani. “My state is blessed with an average 300 days of sunshine per year and our challenge is to figure out how to use it in the most efficient, cost-effective way possible. This legislation helps us achieve that goal. It cuts bureaucratic red tape and streamlines the permitting process to make it easier for homeowners who want to capture the power of the sun. The SHINE Act will break down barriers, reduce costs and create exciting new opportunities for residential solar energy.”

“Here in Nevada, where the sun shines more than 300 days a year, solar is one of the most abundant and cost-effective sources of energy we have. Our clean energy transition is well underway. Nationwide, permitting delays for rooftop solar and other residential energy systems are making this transition more costly and time-consuming for homeowners, businesses, and local governments alike,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “The SHINE Act is a bipartisan, common-sense solution that will cut delays, save homeowners money, boost our small businesses, and maximize government efficiency.”

“More and more Americans across the nation are capitalizing on the tremendous opportunities and savings rooftop solar offers; however, permitting barriers and other obstacles are delaying homeowners from receiving these benefits,” said Congressman Paul Tonko. “We’re introducing the SHINE Act to break down these barriers and ensure more efficient, cost-effective solar deployment. I’m proud to join my colleagues in pushing to advance this bipartisan, commonsense legislation.”

“Energy systems are an important part of how many American families power their homes and cars. By directing the Department of Energy to create a streamlined permitting and inspection process, this legislation cuts unnecessary red tape while maintaining safety standards,” said Congressman Mike Lawler. “Simplifying these approvals will help homeowners adopt new energy technologies faster and modernize our energy infrastructures for future generations.”

The SHINE Act authorizes $20 million annually for four years to enable the Department of Energy to provide technical assistance, training, and adoption grants to state, local, and Tribal governments for the implementation of a streamlined permitting and inspection process for home-based distributed energy systems. The leading solution, called Solar Automated Permit Processing Plus (SolarAPP+), is a free, online permitting platform originally developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to provide instant permits for code-compliant residential solar and battery storage systems.

Of the more than 20,000 local permitting jurisdictions across the country, only about 400 have adopted automated permitting solutions to date. Local governments are struggling to keep pace with the number of applications they are receiving for rooftop solar and other residential distributed energy systems. When these permits take weeks, or even months, to process, it results in higher prices, fewer local jobs, and a frustrating experience for homeowners.

The SHINE Act was initially introduced in 2023. It is endorsed by the Arizona Solar Energy Industry Association, the Solar Energy Industries Association, Advanced Energy United, Permit Power, Solar United Neighbors Action and Sunrun.

“For many Arizona homeowners, the freedom to harness solar energy from their own rooftops is essential for combatting rising household costs. By passing the SHINE Act, Americans will be able to take advantage of a streamlined solar permitting process that is fast and affordable both for homeowners and local governments. AriSEIA applauds Representative Ciscomani and his colleagues on both sides of the aisle for taking concrete actions to cut red tape and keep household utility bills down,” said Autumn Johnson, Executive Director of the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA).

“As a Tucson-owned, family-operated, state-licensed, and veteran-owned Arizona contractor—and an active member of our local Tucson, Marana and Oro Valley Chambers of Commerce—Signature Heating & Cooling, Plumbing, and Solar strongly supports the SHINE Act of 2026. Streamlining permitting reduces unnecessary delays and costs, allowing experienced local contractors to better serve the communities we live in while keeping jobs and investment rooted locally. As a renewable energy pioneer with over 30 years of industry experience and thousands of projects completed across jurisdictions nationwide, I applaud this bipartisan effort by Congressman Ciscomani and his colleagues to make safe, affordable clean energy more accessible for homeowners,” said Cory Vaughan, Signature Heating & Cooling, Plumbing & Solar.

“At a time when we need more affordable solar energy on the grid than ever to meet rising demand, this legislation makes it faster, cheaper and easier for homeowners to go solar. The SHINE Act will help more Americans benefit from streamlined, efficient rooftop solar permitting and ensure local governments have the tools they need to handle the increase in solar permit applications. We commend Representatives Lee, Ciscomani, Tonko, and Lawler for championing this legislation,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, President and CEO, Solar Energy Industries Association.

“The Department of Energy has created a great tool in SolarAPP+ to help streamline local permitting to make it easier for homeowners to install solar, storage, and more. United strongly supports the SHINE Act so that more localities can adopt this important tool, expedite permitting, and build a reliable, affordable, and clean electric system,” said Harry Godfrey, Managing Director, Advanced Energy United.

“At a time of rising electricity prices, the SHINE Act will slash red tape to lower costs for American families, local contractors, and cities and counties across the country,” said Nick Josefowitz, CEO, Permit Power.

“In too many places around the country, inefficient permitting processes and red tape drive up the cost of going solar. The SHINE Act would encourage and support municipalities to adopt a streamlined permitting process for reviewing and approving rooftop solar systems, making it less expensive for homeowners and small businesses to control and reduce their energy costs,” said Glen Brand, Vice President of Policy, Solar United Neighbors Action.

“Online, streamlined permitting is a proven tool for local governments to efficiently process permits as families increasingly turn to battery storage and home solar to gain energy independence. We thank Congresswoman Lee and Congressmen Ciscomani, Tonko, and Lawler for supporting this commonsense solution to bring more energy to American consumers,” said Amy Heart, Senior Vice President of Policy, Sunrun.

The full text of the bill can be found here.


Rep. Clyde Celebrates One Year of President Trump’s Second Term

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) released the following statement celebrating the one year anniversary of President Donald J. Trump’s second term:

“365 days ago, President Trump returned to Washington after accomplishing the greatest political comeback in American history,” said Clyde. “While he inherited Joe Biden’s runaway inflation, open borders, and chaos on the world stage, President Trump has worked at lightning speed to get our country back on track. From sealing our borders and achieving negative net migration to securing historic working family tax cuts, President Trump’s first year back is marked by monumental America First victories. There’s certainly more to accomplish, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Trump Administration to deliver additional transformative results for folks throughout the Ninth District.”

In honor of the anniversary of President Trump’s return, the White House released 365 Wins in 365 Days. Some key highlights include:

Achieved negative net migration in 2025, reversing a 50-year trend and restoring U.S. control over immigration flows for the first time in a generation.

Carried out over 650,000 arrests, detentions, and deportations of illegal aliens — including the worst of the worst criminal illegal alien killers, rapists, gang members, and repeat offenders.

Drove gas prices to their lowest level in nearly five years, with prices below $3 per gallon in 43 states and below $2 per gallon in 19 states.

Created 654,000 private-sector jobs following deregulation, tax relief, and restored investment confidence.

Tamed inflation, running at just 2.4% since President Trump took office — down 70% from its Biden-era peak.

Achieved the lowest mortgage rates in three years by stabilizing mortgage-backed securities markets and expanding liquidity — driving monthly housing payments to their most affordable levels in over two years.

Signed the Working Families Tax Cut, delivering the largest middle-class tax relief package in modern U.S. history and saving 5.9 million jobs.

Reduced the trade deficit to its lowest since 2009.

Met or exceeded military recruitment goals across all branches by restoring pride, pay, and mission clarity as the Armed Forces returns to its warfighting standards of excellence.

Ended the Israel–Hamas war by imposing a ceasefire framework, securing the release of hostages, and enacting a landmark Gaza Peace Plan to unleash total security and prosperity for all in the region.


Comer in Herald-Leader: It’s Time to Finally Balance America’s Budget

WASHINGTON – In an op-ed published today in The Lexington Herald-Leader, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) warned that Washington’s fiscal dysfunction is fueling a growing debt crisis and called for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He argued that chronic budget standoffs are largely unique to Washington because nearly every state constitution requires a balanced budget—a safeguard missing from the U.S. Constitution. Without it, he writes, the federal government remains vulnerable to repeated shutdowns and long-term economic instability.

Acknowledging that Congress is unlikely to act on its own, Congressman Comer points to an Article V convention of the states as a viable constitutional path forward. He notes that 27 states have already applied to propose a Balanced Budget Amendment and urges the Kentucky legislature to pass a convention application in 2026, calling it the most effective way to prevent future shutdowns, rein in federal spending, and begin paying down the national debt.

Nearly every generation in American history has lived through a moment of intense political turmoil. A time when it seemed the nation had never been so divided. Many would argue we are living through such a moment right now.

The partisan budget bickering in Washington, and the resulting failure to keep the federal government open, is exhibit one. Strangely, this dysfunction almost never occurs at the state level. The reason is simple: 49 of the 50 state constitutions include a balanced budget mandate that, among other things, requires the passage of a yearly or biyearly budget.

The U.S. Constitution’s lack of such a provision leaves Washington perpetually vulnerable to shutdowns whenever Democrats and Republicans cannot agree on spending priorities. But the absence of a balanced budget requirement has produced a threat far more dangerous than just temporary shutdowns.

The federal debt — now roughly $38 trillion — is seven times greater than annual federal revenue of about $5.5 trillion. This imbalance places the country on a path toward an economically catastrophic default on its interest payments if nothing changes.

The first clear warning sign arrived last year, when — for the first time in American history — the United States spent more servicing its national debt than it did funding national defense. That sobering milestone is just one of many troubling financial indicators flashing red.

This danger was foreseen long ago. In a 1798 letter to John Taylor, Thomas Jefferson advocated for what we now call a Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA), warning against the very debt spiral we face today. “I wish it were possible,” he wrote, “to obtain a single amendment … taking from the federal government the power of borrowing.”

Amending the U.S. Constitution is intentionally difficult. It requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers of Congress to propose an amendment, followed by ratification from three-quarters of the states. The last serious congressional effort to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment occurred in 1995, when it passed the House but failed in the Senate by a single vote.

Given today’s polarization, Congress is unlikely to pass a BBA anytime soon. Fortunately, the Constitution provides another path. Under Article V, the states may bypass Congress entirely by calling a convention to propose amendments. This requires applications from two-thirds of state legislatures (34 states), with ratification still required from 38 states.

So far, 27 states have applied for a convention to propose a Balanced Budget Amendment. Leaders of the BBA movement, including former Republican governors and U.S. senators, believe that reaching 33 states may be enough to pressure Congress into acting on its own.

President Ronald Reagan supported this strategy, knowing that the threat of an Article V convention is what compelled Congress to propose the 17th Amendment. The same dynamic could work again.

For that reason, I urge the Kentucky legislature to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment convention application in 2026.

Adopting a Balanced Budget Amendment is the only reliable way to prevent future government shutdowns while forcing Congress to live within its means and begin paying down the national debt. In doing so, we would honor Thomas Jefferson’s enduring warning that we are “unauthorized to saddle posterity with our debts, and morally bound to pay them ourselves.”


Costa Celebrates California's Return to Drought-Free Conditions, Calls for Strong Water Allocations for Valley Agriculture

FRESNO, CA — Following a report from the U.S. Drought Monitor confirming that California is no longer experiencing drought conditions statewide for the first time since 2000, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement:

"While I am pleased to hear that California is currently alleviated of drought conditions, this marks a crucial moment to ensure that our farmers, ranchers, and dairymen and women receive a strong allocation in the coming weeks," said Rep. Costa. "Agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley heavily depends on an early and robust water allocation to not only secure financing for the year, but determine whether certain row crops and permanent crops can be planted. Due to recent atmospheric rivers, California’s reservoirs are nearly at capacity and precipitation has far exceeded previous averages. Such conditions must be reflected in the coming water allocation from the Bureau of Reclamation.

I will continue to work with State and Federal officials to ensure that the Central Valley Project and State Water Project are operated utilizing real-time adaptive management practices, not outdated assumptions. We have continually invested in expanding and improving upon California’s water storage and conveyance infrastructure. Operations of such infrastructure must reflect these favorable conditions."


Rep. Craig Reintroduces Bill to Up Penalties for Fraud in Federal Programs, Hold Perpetrators Accountable

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig reintroduced her legislation to crack down on fraud in federal programs.

Rep. Craig’s Stop Fraud in Federal Programs Act would increase the penalty for Federal Programs Bribery to 20 years in prison and require sponsors to have third-party auditors. For example, this would ensure that sponsors, like Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future, whose leadership was involved in a more than $250 million pandemic-era fraud scheme, cannot self-certify that they have delivered meals, adding an extra layer of accountability.

“The fraud that has been uncovered in Minnesota is not only a gross misuse of Minnesotans’ tax dollars, it’s a serious threat to public trust in our government,” said Rep. Craig. "We have to work to restore that trust and ensure fraud schemes like the one executed by Feeding Our Future can never happen again. That starts with prosecuting perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law, and this bill will help us do that.”

Rep. Craig has carried legislation to end fraud in federal programs since 2023. You can read the full text of the bill here.

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Rep. Crane Works with FEMA as They Consider Appeal for Gila County Disaster Declaration

On Thursday, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump and FEMA Region IX Administrator Robert Fenton supporting Arizona’s appeal of FEMA’s December 20, 2025, decision denying a major disaster declaration after the severe flooding in Gila County last September.

Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and David Schweikert (R-AZ) joined Rep. Crane in signing the letter.

Following the flooding, Arizona requested federal assistance under Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, seeking Public Assistance for Gila and Mohave Counties and statewide Hazard Mitigation assistance. The state’s initial damage estimate totaled $33,579,081; however, the request was denied.

After the decision, state and local officials conducted a second review of residential land impacts, public infrastructure damage, debris removal, and emergency response costs. The updated assessment is far more accurate, placing total damages at more than $100,000,000, representing a substantially stronger case than the initial submission. Rep. Crane is also working directly with FEMA to highlight the uniqueness of rural Arizona and the challenges these communities face as a result of being surrounded by federal land.

The letter highlights ongoing risks, including unstable slopes and sediment-laden waterways that continue to threaten public safety, critical infrastructure, and the surrounding environment. With Federal Hazard Mitigation assistance, state and local governments could proactively address these hazards and bolster long-term resilience.

Rep. Crane met directly with FEMA officials in D.C. last week and invited them to visit Gila County to speak directly with local leaders, impacted residents, and the individuals who prepared the appeal.


Davids Marks One Year of Trump’s Second Term, Highlights Bipartisan Wins and Standing Up Against Extremism

On the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s second term as president, Representative Sharice Davids reflected on her work delivering bipartisan results for Kansans while continuing to push back against policies that threaten families, farmers, workers, and vulnerable communities.

“My job isn’t to play politics — it’s to deliver results for Kansans,” said Davids. “I’ve always said I’ll work with anyone, including President Trump, when it’s good for Kansas, and over the past year that approach has delivered real results — from helping bring a passport agency to Kansas City to supporting farmers and helping people get back to work. And when extreme policies raise costs for families, threaten Social Security, or put communities at risk, I won’t stay silent. I’ll keep showing up, telling the truth, and fighting for Kansans.”

Over the past year, Davids has worked with the Trump Administration where it benefited Kansas families and the Kansas City region, including:

Advancing the new Kansas City Passport Agency, now under construction, which will save families hours of travel when they need passports quickly.

Passing the CAREER Act, signed into law by Trump, to help people recovering from substance use disorder reenter the workforce.

Securing federal aid for Kansas farmers while continuing to push for long-term trade stability instead of short-term fixes.

Leading the bipartisanCongressional FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus and coordinating with the White House Task Force to support Kansas City as a host city.

Joining the President’s aviation leadership celebrating the continued implementation of her bipartisan next-generation aviation law, shaping the future of American air mobility.

Pressing the administration to act on National Weather Service staffing, resulting in NOAA beginning to hire hundreds of critical employees in Kansas after dangerous cuts.

Davids has also forcefully opposed actions that would raise costs for Kansas families, all while giving huge tax giveaways to billionaires, including:

Fighting reckless tariff policies that raise costs for farmers and families — with estimates showing households paying thousands more each year.

Pushing back on attempts to cutMedicaid, threaten rural hospitals, restrict reproductive health care, and reduce food assistance to fund billionaire tax breaks.

Opposing DOGE’s federal funding freezes and mass firings impacting Tribal programs, Head Start, cancer research, domestic manufacturing, and fire departments.

Speaking out against threats to Social Security, meeting directly with seniors concerned about service cuts and access.

Defending Kansas manufacturing jobs after Trump-era cuts — and successfully pushing for temporary funding restoration.

Condemning the shutdown of the bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ crisis support line and urging its immediate reversal.

Pressing the administration to put Kansas farmers first, opposing foreign agricultural bailouts and pushing for direct support for producers in the Kansas Third.

Whether working across the aisle to secure investments and create jobs or pushing back against policies that raise costs and threaten basic protections, Davids continues to center her work on what helps Kansas families succeed — not partisan politics. She has made clear that she will keep showing up, working with anyone when it benefits Kansas, and speaking out when it does not.


De La Cruz's Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act Becomes Law

Today, Congresswoman De La Cruz's (TX-15) bipartisan legislation, the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act, was signed into law by President Trump.

The legislation ensures VA service-connected disability income is excluded from income calculations when determining eligibility under the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

"Today, marking one year since his return to the White House, President Trump signed my bipartisan legislation into law to help Veterans access critical housing support. While we can never fully repay our heroes for their service and sacrifice, we can show our gratitude by removing the bureaucratic obstacles that stand in the way. This is just the beginning, and I will continue to deliver wins for Texas Veterans." – Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz


WA Families Spent Over $2,000 More Because of Inflation During Trump’s First Year

WASHINGTON, DC – Today marks one year since President Trump began this term, and in that time, he has made life more expensive for American families. The Joint Economic Committee Minority released a new report today showing that Washington families spent an average of $2,008 more on everyday goods due to inflation under President Trump.

This new analysis shows that in 2025, the average Washington household spent $411 more on housing and over $496 more on transportation. Washington’s price hikes were higher than the national average increase of $1,625.

“Trump repeatedly pledged that his administration would lower prices ‘on Day One,’ but this new data clearly shows that was one big broken promise. Trump’s tariffs and congressional Republicans’ economic policies mean families are paying more for essentials like food, housing, health care, transportation, and utilities, while the ultra-wealthy got a massive tax cut. Instead of sheepishly standing on the sidelines, Republicans should work with Democrats to solve this affordability crisis,” said DelBene.


Downing’s AI-WISE Act Passes House

Today, Congressman Troy Downing’s (MT-02) H.R. 5784, the AI-WISE Act, passed out of the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. The bill, sponsored by Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03), now awaits consideration in the Senate, taking a critical step toward becoming law.

“The small businesses in rural communities that I represent often lack the resources and information needed to facilitate technology adoption,” said Congressman Downing. “My AI-WISE Act will help Main Street Montana stay competitive and thrive in the AI era. I’m proud to be leading this legislation with Congresswoman Scholten and urge the Senate to take it up immediately.”

Read bill text of H.R. 5784 here.

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Click here or on the image above to watch Congressman Downing’s remarks in support of H.R. 5784.

H.R. 5784 received the following statements of support from OpenAI and Intuit:

OpenAI

“OpenAI also strongly supports H.R. 5784, the Artificial Intelligence Wisdom for Innovative Small Enterprises (AI WISE) Act. This bill would require the Small Business Administration to develop and maintain clear educational resources and online learning modules that explain how AI tools work, their limitations and risks, how to identify AI-generated outputs, and how to stay current as this technology rapidly evolves. We are encouraged that the bill directs SBA to consult with NIST and an expert advisory working group, to engage resource partners such as SBDCs and Women’s Business Centers, and to ensure that materials are actionable, accessible, and model neutral rather than favoring any one AI provider. We thank Representatives Troy Downing and Hillary Scholten for recognizing that improving AI literacy is essential if small businesses are to harness AI’s benefits while avoiding its pitfalls.”

Intuit

“We write today to express our support of H.R. 5784, the Artificial Intelligence Wisdom for Innovative Small Enterprises Act or the ‘AI-WISE Act’.

“Intuit's mission is to power prosperity around the world and we believe that artificial intelligence (AI) represents the most transformative technology of our generation, offering unparalleled opportunities for small businesses to save time, increase productivity, and achieve financial success.

“However, the effective adoption of AI, especially complex ‘agentic AI’ now being integrated into financial and marketing solutions requires a foundational level of education and trust. The AI-WISE Act addresses this critical need by directing the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish high-quality, actionable, and neutral educational resources for small business concerns.”

Background:

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 1 in 4 businesses do not know whether they will or will not use AI in production during the next six months.

The AI-WISE Act requires the Small Business Administration to develop AI literacy resources on its existing e-learning platform.

This bill would help small business owners considering adopting AI tools to critically evaluate and assess their capabilities and help remedy any related drawbacks.

Additional cosponsors of the legislation include Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02).

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ICYMI: Emmer pens new op-ed highlighting President Trump’s first-year wins for Minnesotans

In a new op-ed in Alpha News, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) touted how President Trump’s first year back in office has benefitted Minnesotans — particularly when it comes to rooting out the waste, fraud, and abuse that has occurred on Governor Tim Walz’s watch.

In case you missed it…

Tom Emmer: President Trump’s first year and the war on government fraud

Alpha News

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer

January 20, 2026

One year ago, President Donald J. Trump and his administration took office with a resounding promise to remove waste, fraud, and abuse from our government. That mindset has driven a whole-of-government effort across every agency to restore basic accountability to our government. Instead of looking the other way, the Trump administration has put a spotlight on some of the massively mismanaged and abused funding streams at the taxpayers’ expense.

At President Trump’s direction, his all-star cabinet is zeroing in on Minnesota, taking dramatic and measurable actions to root out the fraud in our government. At least 10 federal agencies are investigating the state of Minnesota, and the Trump administration created a new Department of Justice division for national fraud enforcement. This new division will be responsible for leading a nationwide effort to investigate, prosecute, and remedy fraud affecting the federal government, federally funded programs, and private citizens.

For years, Minnesota’s taxpayers have been taken advantage of by Somali criminals who have no respect for our laws, our culture, or our way of life. The result has been devastating — strained welfare programs, higher housing costs, lower wages for working Americans, and communities put at risk.

Who is to blame? Look no further than Tim Walz, Keith Ellison, Jacob Frey, and the failed DFL that has controlled our state for decades.

Thankfully, President Trump is cleaning up Walz’s mess and ending this insanity. He is restoring law and order, securing the border, cracking down on fraud, and putting American citizens first — because our generosity should never come at the expense of our safety, sovereignty, or hardworking taxpayers. In his relentless effort to dismantle the massive fraud empires, he has exposed an epicenter of fraud, aided and abetted in Minnesota. Somali criminals in Minnesota have defrauded the government of nearly $9 BILLION in taxpayer-funded benefits under failed Gov. Walz’s leadership.

To date, the DOJ has charged 98 defendants in Minnesota fraud-related cases — 85 of whom are of Somali descent. Sixty-four defendants have already been convicted while the DOJ has already issued over 1,750 subpoenas, executed over 130 search warrants, and conducted over 1,000 witness interviews as part of its ongoing investigation.

The FBI is also conducting investigations into dozens of Minnesota’s health care and home care providers accused of fraud, while the Department of Homeland Security has sent roughly 2,000 agents to Minnesota and is conducting targeted, door-to-door investigations at locations suspected of fraud.

But this recent effort is just the latest in a long line of work the Trump administration has taken to root out fraud in our federal government over the past 365 days. Earlier this month, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that up to 10% of the United States budget is stolen each year due to waste, fraud, and abuse.

The Trump administration is fighting back against the swamp and the status quo. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) located 20 billion in tax dollars within the agency that the Biden administration reportedly “knew they were wasting.” The Department of Agriculture has exposed rampant fraud in the SNAP program, announcing the department found 186,000 deceased individuals receiving benefits and 500,000 people receiving SNAP benefits in more than one state. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) found that more than 2.8 million people were double-enrolled in two or more Medicaid or ACA exchange plans — with the potential to save taxpayers approximately $14 billion annually. These stories and findings are not outliers; they have been the status quo for Washington, D.C. for far too long, but we now have an administration that’s willing to confront this mismanagement head-on.

Republicans in Congress are working in lock step with President Trump. We passed the Working Families Tax Cut Act to restore integrity to SNAP and Medicaid and to prohibit future fraud and abuse of these programs. Together, we signed two multi-billion-dollar rescission packages that defunded the leftist propaganda of NPR and PBS as well as $400 million per year for global climate grift projects, $60,000 for listening tours on local development in Timor-Leste, and $13.4 million for civic engagement in Zimbabwe — to name just a few examples.

Instead of endless press conferences and strongly-worded statements that never materialize, this administration and Republicans in Congress have taken strong, measurable actions to prevent improper payments, recover taxpayer dollars, and prosecute those who abuse the system.

Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar stolen from working families, veterans, workers, seniors, job creators, and the most vulnerable in our society who truly depend on these programs.

As we celebrate the first anniversary of the return of the Trump administration, every American, especially those in the great state of Minnesota, can be grateful that we have an administration actively working to defend taxpayer dollars against waste, fraud, and abuse.


Whip Emmer introduces SCAM Act to denaturalize fraudsters, terrorists, felons

WASHINGTON – As first reported by Fox News, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) today introduced the Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation (SCAM) Act to clarify what evidence the government can use when proving an individual did not meet the lawful requirements at the time of their naturalization. The bill creates a path to denaturalize anyone who, within 10 years of their naturalization, is convicted of fraud against the government, found to have joined or affiliated with a foreign terrorist organization, or is convicted of an aggravated felony or espionage. Read the bill text here.

Whip Emmer: “If you came to this country to harm and take advantage of the American people, I’ve got news for you: You’re going home. Anyone who commits fraud against American taxpayers, affiliates with a terrorist organization, or commits an aggravated felony or espionage after becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen never met the requirements for naturalization in the first place and should be denaturalized and deported. It’s common sense and the SCAM Act will make it law. This legislation not only holds Somali fraudsters in Minnesota accountable, but it restores long-overdue integrity to America’s entire naturalization process. It’s time to send them home."

Original cosponsors of the bill include Representatives Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), Brandon Gill (R-Texas), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Mark Alford (R-Mo.), Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Lance Gooden (R-Texas), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Jim Baird (R-Ind.), John McGuire (R-Va.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Mike Collins (R-Ga.), Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), Gary Palmer (R-Ala.), Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas), Roger Williams (R-Texas), Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Mike Kennedy (R-Utah), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), Jimmy Patronis (R-Fla.), Brian Jack (R-Ga.), Addison McDowell (R-N.C.), Tim Moore (R-N.C.), John Rose (R-Tenn.), Keith Self (R-Texas), Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Austin Scott (R-Ga.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Jefferson Shreve (R-Ind.), Craig Goldman (R-Texas), and William Timmons (R-S.C.).

Groups supporting the bill include the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), Immigration Accountability Project, National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE), and AMAC Action, an affiliate of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC).

Here’s what they are saying about the SCAM Act:

Joe Chatham, Director of Government Relations, Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR): "The Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation Act would take bold steps to safeguard the American public from criminal exploitation, defend against national security threats, and ensure that the virtues of U.S. citizenship continue to be protected and preserved. Engaging in serious criminal conduct, fraud, or terrorist activity undermines those principles and warrants immediate, decisive action. FAIR commends Congressman Emmer for introducing this crucial legislation and urges its swift passage in the House.”

Grant Newman, Director of Government Relations, Immigration Accountability Project: "The SCAM Act is a critical step toward restoring the integrity of the naturalization process. American citizenship is a privilege, yet for too long, bad actors have exploited it as a shield for criminal activity. This bill provides the tools needed to revoke that privilege from those who join transnational organized crime groups, defraud the government, or commit an aggravated felony within 10 years of their naturalization. Those actions prove they lacked the 'good moral character' and 'attachment to the Constitution' required of all new citizens. The Immigration Accountability Project applauds Whip Emmer and Senator Schmitt for introducing this important legislation.”

RJ Hauman, President of the National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE): “The National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE) proudly supports the Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation (SCAM) Act as a necessary measure to restore integrity to American citizenship. Naturalization is a sacred commitment to the United States—not an administrative loophole to exploit for personal gain. This bill correctly recognizes that committing substantial welfare fraud, joining drug cartels or terrorist organizations, or committing aggravated felonies shortly after naturalization is prima facie evidence that the statutory requirements of good moral character, attachment to constitutional principles, and being well disposed to the good order of the United States were never truly met. As scandals like the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud demonstrate, a recalcitrant minority treats citizenship as a shield for criminal exploitation rather than a bond of allegiance. The SCAM Act ensures consequences for that abuse. We commend Senator Schmitt and Congressman Emmer for introducing this crucial legislation and urge its swift passage.”


Congresswoman Escobar Statement on Additional ICE Detention Facilities in El Paso

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement in response to the latest news from ICE confirming additional detention facilities in El Paso County:

“A private corporation received nearly $30 million through a no-bid federal contract to help design more detention space, including another facility in El Paso. Donald Trump and Republicans have been using American taxpayer funds to enrich these private corporations that are responsible for Trump’s mass deportation efforts, including the corporation operating Camp East Montana that limits adequate oversight, has become increasingly fatal, and does not meet minimum standards for detaining human beings.

"The existing facilities need to be shut down - not proliferated.

“The $170 billion in funding for these corporate-run tent cities comes from the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’ This Republican law cut healthcare and nutrition programs for hard-working Americans in order to give the wealthiest Americans massive tax breaks and fund these tent cities and the gestapo-like tactics we are seeing across the country that target U.S. citizens and legal residents."

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Feenstra Introduces Legislation to Ban Welfare Recipients from Sending Money to Foreign Nations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) introduced the No American Benefits Abroad Act, which would codify a Trump administration announcement to ban recipients of welfare from initiating international wire transfers or sending money abroad.

This bill would also require that those who wish to wire funds certify that they do not receive public assistance.

“The $9-billion fraud scandal in Minnesota is a stark warning to the country that waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars remains a serious and rampant issue. It’s especially concerning that the American safety net continues to be susceptible to criminals taking these resources away from those in need. This is why I have worked with President Trump to pass laws that ensure these programs are going only to those who are eligible. We cannot tolerate even a single taxpayer dollar being wasted due to fraudulent activity at the hands of criminals,” said Rep. Feenstra. “This scandal requires further action, and it is why I introduced legislation to codify an announcement by the Trump administration to ban welfare recipients from sending money abroad. These programs are supposed to be a temporary hand-up for our most vulnerable neighbors, but if someone has enough money to send to foreign countries, they should not be on welfare in the first place. My bill codifies President Trump’s work to combat fraud while protecting Iowa taxpayers from footing the cost of foreign money transfers.”

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