Norcross, Scott, Reed Propose Bill to Rebuild America’s Public Schools

WASHINGTON, DC—Today,Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA-03), and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced the Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026. The legislation invests more than $130 billion in our schools’ physical and digital infrastructure, and the resources are targeted at high-poverty schools with facilities that pose health and safety risks to students and staff.

“Every student should be able to go to school in a building that’s safe, clean, and built to help them succeed,” said Congressman Norcross. “That means rebuilding and repairing the schools they walk into every day, not letting roofs leak, boilers fail, or air quality put their health at risk. That's why I was honored to introduce the Rebuild America's Schools Act with Congressman Scott, to make our schools safer and healthier while creating over 2 million jobs across the country. Our kids are our future, and we have a responsibility to invest in them.”

“Chronic neglect of America’s public schools has forced students and teachers across the country to learn and work in outdated and hazardous school buildings. Moreover, dilapidated and poorly ventilated school facilities pose significant health threats that make it harder for teachers to teach and students to learn," said Ranking Member Scott. “The Rebuild America's Schools Act invests $130 billion in our nation’s physical and digital infrastructure, improves students’ academic recovery efforts, and creates more than 2 million jobs over the next five years. It is far past time to improve public education infrastructure."

“Improving school infrastructure is critical to the health, safety, and well-being of America’s students and our communities. Investing in school infrastructure is a moral and economic imperative. The Rebuild America’s Schools Act would provide dedicated, long-term investments in improving America’s schools and ensuring every student can learn in a safe, healthy, modern classroom. Passing this bill would help improve school facilities, put more people to work, and improve student academic outcomes,” said Senator Reed.

America’s public schools are in dire need of investment to make up for decades of neglect. In June 2020, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that 54 percent of school districts across the country must replace or update critical infrastructure in more than half their buildings. Crumbling school facilities with asbestos, contaminated water, and mold pose significant health and safety threats to more than 50 million students and 3 million teachers in public schools.

The Rebuild America’s Schools Act would: Invest $100 billion in grants and $30 billion in bond authority targeted at high-poverty schools with facilities that pose health and safety risks to students and staff.

Create over 2 million jobs based on an Economic Policy Institute analysis that each $1 billion spent on construction creates 17,785 jobs.

Require states to develop comprehensive state-wide public databases on the condition of public-school facilities. Most states do not track school facility conditions, and this would provide much-needed insight into the condition of our public schools.

Improve broadband and Wi-Fi in public schools.

In the House, Rebuild America’s Schools Act has 80 original cosponsors including: Adam Smith (WA-09), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Donald S. Beyer (VA-08), Stacey E. Plaskett (VI-AL), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Joseph D. Morelle (NY-25), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Sean Casten (IL-06), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), John W. Mannion (NY-22), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Sanford D. Bishop (GA-02), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Daniel S. Goldman (NY-10), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), André Carson (IN-07), Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Bill Foster (IL-11), David Scott (GA-13), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Angie Craig (MN-02), Christopher R. Deluzio (PA-17), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Lois Frankel (FL-22), George Latimer (NY-16), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Melanie A. Stansbury (NM-01), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Mary Kaptur (OH-09), Salud O. Carbajal (CA-24), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), John Garamendi (CA-08), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Greg Casar (TX-35), Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Al Green (TX-09), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Judy Chu (CA-28), Wesley Bell (MO-01), and Dina Titus (NV-01).

In the Senate, Rebuild America’s Schools Act has 17 original cosponsors including: Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-MD), Cory A. Booker (D-NJ), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).

The Rebuild America’s Schools Act is endorsed by: 21st Century School Fund (21CSF), AFT: Education, Healthcare, Public Services, American Library Association (ALA), American Institute of Architects (AIA), American School Superintendents Association (AASA), BlueGreen Alliance (BGA), Build America’s School Infrastructure Coalition (BASIC), Children & Nature Network (C&NN), Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS), Craven County Schools (CCS), Green Schoolyards America, Greenbank Associates, Healthy Schools Campaign, Heart of America (HOA), International Association of Sheet Metal Air Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC), Kentucky School Plant, Management Association (KSPMA), National Council on School Facilities (NCSF), National Education Association (NEA), National School Plant Management Association (NSPMA), North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), Rentokil Terminix, SafeTraces, the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS), UndauntedK12, and U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Read the bill text of the Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026 here.

Read the fact sheet for the Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026 here.

Read the section-by-section for the Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026 here.


Norton Condemns House Passage of Disapproval Resolution, Vows to Fight Passage in the Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After House passage of a disapproval resolution repealing a local D.C. law that recently restored D.C.’s child tax credit, increased an existing earned income tax credit, and decoupled D.C.'s tax code from certain provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) called the measure paternalistic, democracy-denying, deliberate administrative and fiscal sabotage of the nation’s capital.

The resolution was introduced by Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX). The decoupling provisions of the D.C. law are projected to generate approximately $600 million in local revenue over the next four years and decrease child poverty by 20%.

If passed by the House, Senate, and signed into law by the president, the resolution would repeal a local D.C. law that recently restored D.C.’s child tax credit, increased an existing earned income tax credit, and decoupled D.C.'s tax code from certain provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The D.C. law’s decoupling provisions are projected to generate approximately $600 million in local revenue over the next four years.

“This resolution is nothing short of unprecedented and deliberate administrative and fiscal sabotage of D.C.,” Norton said. “D.C. is hardly an outlier in decoupling parts of its local tax code from the federal one. Congress has never overturned a revenue-raising law for D.C., and doing so now threatens D.C.’s credit rating and will inject chaos in the middle of tax filing season. The District’s Chief Financial Officer said it will force the District to halt filings while scrambling to rewrite forms and guidance. This is not governance or oversight, it is sabotage, and the damage will be severe and intentional.

“More than 700,000 residents of Washington, D.C., the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are worthy and capable of governing themselves. If D.C. residents disagree with the decisions of their elected council, D.C. residents can vote them out. That's how democracy works. Members of Congress from distant states, who don’t live or pay taxes in D.C., are not accountable to D.C. voters – and who often don’t even understand how D.C. functions – have no business overriding local laws and stripping District residents of their right to self-government.

“I’ll continue fighting to stop this resolution’s passage by the Senate.”

The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee marked up and passed the Senate version of the bill today. The full Senate could vote on it as early as this week. There have been more attacks on D.C. home rule this Congress than any time since the 1990s.

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Pallone Secures $250,000 in Funding for New South Amboy Park and Playground

SOUTH AMBOY, N.J. — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) secured $250,000 in federal Community Project Funding in Fiscal Year 2026 to support the creation of a new park and playground near South Amboy Middle High School, converting a vacant lot into a safe outdoor play space designed for young children.

“This funding gives South Amboy the ability to turn an underused space into something families can rely on,” said Pallone. “A safe, well-designed playground near the school creates opportunities for kids to be active and for families to spend time together, while strengthening the surrounding community.”

The funding will allow the city to construct a dedicated preschool play area featuring age-appropriate playground equipment, including low swings, slides, a sandbox, and play structures. The project is intended to provide a safe, accessible outdoor environment that encourages physical activity and healthy recreation for South Amboy’s youngest residents.

“On behalf of the City of South Amboy and especially our young citizens, I would like to thank Congressman Frank Pallone for the $250,000 appropriation,” said South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry. “This generous funding will go a long way in helping to relocate our David Street park to the Allie Clark Sports Complex. With the expansion of the park more opportunities will be provided for our city's children to recreate in a healthy and safe environment. Congressman Pallone continues to be a great friend and representative to the City of South Amboy.”

According to city plans, the new play area will span approximately 2,500 square feet and will be designed to meet national childcare standards for outdoor play spaces, accommodating up to 33 children at a time. The project also includes landscaping with shade-providing trees and native plants, as well as improvements to a nearby parking area to enhance safety and accessibility for families.

The South Amboy park and playground project was requested by Pallone through the Fiscal Year 2026 federal appropriations process, which allows members of the U.S. House to direct Community Project Funding toward local priorities that improve public spaces and quality of life.

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Reps. Panetta, Valadao Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill  to Pay Back Garlic Producers

Washington, DC – U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and David Valadao (CA-22) reintroduced the China Trade Cheating Restitution Act, to ensure that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) distributes the remaining anti-dumping duties to U.S. garlic, honey, and crawfish producers that weren't paid by the agencies between 2000 and 2014.

Under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (CDSOA), CBP still owes garlic producers, which both Reps. Panetta and Valadao represent, an additional $10.5 million in retroactive duties. These producers have suffered years of abusive dumping practices by China and are owed that amount in restitution that was wrongly kept from them by CBP.

"The federal government has failed to pay the required restitution to impacted producers from the dumping duties it collected on Chinese garlic imports," said Rep. Panetta. "This bipartisan bill would right that wrong by requiring CBP to pay all collected duties and interest to those in our agricultural sector who deserve it. By passing this legislation, we can push the federal government to fulfill its responsibilities, to not only to prevent dumping by China, but also to provide the proper remedy to our garlic growers and producers."

“Central Valley producers are the backbone of our nation’s domestic garlic supply, but China’s practice of dumping garlic into the U.S. market has unfairly impacted competition,” said Rep. Valadao. “Since 2000, Customs and Border Protection has collected duties on these imports as required by law, yet our growers still haven’t received the payments they’re owed. This bipartisan, bicameral bill ensures domestic producers finally receive those funds and gives them a fair chance to compete in the domestic market.”

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Pappas-Backed Bills Included in Problem Solvers Caucus Bipartisan Affordability Agenda

Legislation led by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) is a part of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus’s Affordability Agenda, a comprehensive proposal to lower the cost of living in the United States. The framework received overwhelming support from members of the caucus, which is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.

“I’m hearing from people across New Hampshire that the cost of living is too high, and they want Congress to do something about it. No party has a monopoly on good ideas, and I will work with anyone if it means getting results for families, seniors, and veterans,” said Congressman Pappas. “As a proud member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, I’m glad that commonsense, bipartisan bills that I lead and back are growing their support and were included in the Affordability Agenda. These bills provide a roadmap to provide immediate relief to Granite Staters and address root causes of high prices to bring down costs. We should vote on them now.”

Included in the Affordability Agenda is legislation Rep. Pappas co-leads or cosponsors, under each of the five key areas of household budgets:

Housing

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, which would support the financing and development of affordable housing by expanding and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.

The Accelerating Home Building Act, which would support local governments in speeding up the permitting and home building process and lower costs.

The VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act, which would improve veterans’s access to VA home loans.

Child Care

The Early Childhood Educator Expense Deduction (SEED) Act, which would provide tax relief to early childhood educators by allowing them to claim the same federal tax deduction currently available to K-12 teachers.

Groceries

The MODERN WIC Act, which would make the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) easier to access by allowing families to complete certifications and receive benefits remotely.

Energy

The LIHEAP Staffing Support Act, which would establish a minimum adequate staffing threshold to administer Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Health Care

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, which would modernize the prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage to ensure seniors can access care without unnecessary delays.

The framework identifies commonsense policies that can deliver immediate relief across five key areas of household budgets: health care, housing, energy, child care, and food. Each recommendation enjoys broad bipartisan support and is capable of passing both chambers of Congress. The framework also identifies the root causes of persistently high prices, making clear that bringing down costs in the long term will require tackling the structural forces pushing prices higher. Read the full framework here.

The Problem Solvers Caucus is a group of Members of Congress — split between Republicans and Democrats — committed to advancing common-sense solutions to key issues facing our nation. Over the coming months, the Problem Solvers Caucus will meet with congressional leadership, Members and Senators across committees of jurisdiction, industry leaders, and stakeholders across the political spectrum to build consensus on the solutions outlined in this agenda. By working across the aisle, the Problem Solvers Caucus aims to deliver immediate cost relief for families while laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient economy for generations to come.


Pelosi Warns First Amendment Under Siege: “Democracy Does Die in Darkness”

Washington, D.C. – Today, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks at the Washington Press Club Foundation’s 80th Annual Congressional Dinner, honoring the contributions of women in journalism and underscoring the essential role of a free press in a democracy.

Pelosi warned that the First Amendment is under siege, citing political intimidation, attacks on journalists and the corporate erosion of newsrooms. She emphasized that efforts to limit press freedom weaken transparency, accountability and American democracy.

Watch Pelosi's remarks here.

Read the transcript of Speaker Emerita Pelosi's remarks below:


The Kennedy Center Belongs to the American People. Trump Thinks It Belongs to Him.

Op-Ed published on MSNOW

President Donald Trump’s decision to close the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for “an approximately two year period of time” — which he announced via Truth Social on Sunday — underscores the profound damage he’s doing to this iconic institution.

Setting aside the sheer financial incompetence that led to this crisis, Trump’s callous disregard for the history, mission and legacy of the Kennedy Center should alarm every American.

And that includes members of the president’s party. I hope my colleagues across the aisle recognize that we must recoup the power the president has usurped from Congress. A good start would be working with Democrats to restore a cultural institution that was created for the benefit of all Americans, and named in honor of one president (not the current one).

The National Cultural Center was established by Congress in 1958, renamed in honor of John F. Kennedy shortly after his death, and opened to the public in 1971. For more than 50 years, it has celebrated artistic excellence, fostered creativity and reflected Kennedy’s steadfast belief that equitable access to the arts is essential to democracy.

Since taking office, President Trump has repeatedly demonstrated utter contempt for that mission and vision, treating the Kennedy Center not as a national trust, but as another institution to be bent to his personal vanity.

One year ago, Trump announced he was firing several members of the Board of Trustees and installing himself as chair. In the weeks and months that followed, the center’s programming was marred by sudden cancellations, behind-the-scenes political interference and growing concerns from artists about ideological litmus tests. By June, the effects of Trump’s hostile takeover were already being felt. According to reporting by The Washington Post, the center faced a 82% decline in theater subscriptions, a 57% drop for ballet packages and a $1.6 million decline in overall ticket sales.

Rather than see these numbers as a clear sign to reverse course, Trump and his loyalists have chosen to double down: attempting to name the center’s opera house after first lady Melania Trump, continuing to politicize its programming, and — most absurd of all — illegally renaming it the “Trump-Kennedy Center.” Now, he wants to close the center for two years while he makes “major renovations” — presumably without any input from Congress.

Considering it took less than 24 hours after the board “vote” for him to plaster his name on the building, and that he demolished the East Wing of the White House in a matter of days without proper approval or regard for historical significance, it’s entirely possible that he could decide to just bulldoze the entire center to remake it in his own, tacky image. Just look at what he’s done to the Rose Garden and the Oval Office.

Let’s be crystal clear: The Kennedy Center is a national cultural institution established by Congress, and is statutorily named the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. No board vote or social media post has the legal authority to change that without an act of Congress.

These are the facts. Any claim to the contrary — whether from Trump himself, or one of his far-too-many Republican enablers — is either a willful lie, or a staggering misreading of the law.

Dr. Charlotte Canning, the Frank C. Erwin Centennial Professor of Drama at the University of Texas at Austin, is one of the country’s foremost experts on the Kennedy Center. For her, Trump’s takeover underscores the stark contrast between what the center represents, and the president’s bizarre obsession with dictating the terms of cultural engagement.

“The Kennedy Center was designed to embody national unity, generosity and connection,” Canning explained. “Even before Kennedy’s assassination, the two parties recognized the Center as a venue for all Americans, reflecting the spirit and soul of the country. Its mission has always been about the common good, not individual aggrandizement.”

Sadly, Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center is part and parcel of a broader effort to politicize our cultural institutions, rewrite our shared history and cast himself as the indispensable centerpiece of the American story.

In just the past few months, Trump has renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace after himself; bulldozed the East Wing of the White House to make room for a $300 million vanity ballroom; draped several federal buildings with banners of his own face; and generally treated the federal government as an extension of his personal publicity machine.

And that’s before we get to the reckless — and often illegal — cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and countless other agencies that support education, art and culture — all because they don’t fit Trump’s narrow and twisted view of what these words mean.

But it’s his takeover of the Kennedy Center — one of our greatest cultural institutions and our only memorial in D.C. dedicated to JFK — that shows how far Trump is willing to go to bend our public institutions to his will.

“The Kennedy Center’s programming and outreach are designed to include all Americans, and represent the country as broadly as possible,” Canning said. “These actions by the President directly undermine that mission.”

Americans — including JFK’s family — are rightfully appalled by Trump’s garish and egomaniacal fixation on the Kennedy Center. They are fed up that he keeps getting away with blatantly illegal actions and disgracing our historical and cultural institutions.

Congress has the power to fight back. We can and we must reassert the statutory protections that safeguard the center’s name and mission, and ensure that federal funding and governance support the institution’s original purpose rather than a partisan agenda. And we need Republicans to step up. Just because he has the unmitigated gall to act without consent of the law — or of the People’s House — doesn’t mean that whatever he says, goes.

The Kennedy Center is a living monument to a man who fervently believed in the emancipatory power of art and culture. It’s a legacy our current president clearly doesn’t understand — and has no right to usurp for himself.

I will do everything in my power to ensure he doesn’t.


Amata Honors President Reagan’s Birthday, and Recalls His Message to American Samoa

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is honoring the February 6th birthday of the late President Ronald Reagan, and recalling his historic video message sent to American Samoa and the South Pacific Conference, which was hosted in American Samoa that year by Uifa’atali Governor Peter Coleman.

Governor Coleman in the Oval Office presenting President Reagan a specialty license plate from American Samoa

“President Reagan sent a special video message to American Samoa for the South Pacific Conference, at the invitation of Governor Coleman. That was a historic moment from a U.S. President, particularly back then in the early 1980’s,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Every head of government from the South Pacific was on hand, so all the titles were there: king, president, prime minister, and governor. The special event was held at the Lee Auditorium for the Conference to hear from President Reagan, using the seats from the Fono to seat the dignitaries.

Amata speaking with President Reagan in 1985 at his inauguration

“Governor Coleman personally invited President Reagan to head the U.S. delegation to the South Pacific Conference he was hosting in our islands as chairman in 1982. While the President couldn’t make the long trip to the South Pacific, he offered to address the opening remotely, which was the first (and probably only) time a U.S. president ever addressed the Conference, and it was a big undertaking in those pre-internet and pre-digital days.

“President Reagan was born 115 years ago, and served as the 40th President of the United States. His great legacy is the eight determined years of public policy that directly preceded and led to the dismantling of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, and his ringing call at Germany’s Brandenburg Gate: ‘Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!’

“He was known for a major U.S. economic turnaround, his optimism and connection with the American people, his enjoyment of telling jokes, along with several appointments to the Supreme Court, including the first woman to serve on the Court, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Among his many finest moments were comforting the American people after the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986, and the Normandy 40th Anniversary of D-Day speech memorializing ‘the boys of Pointe du Hoc.’”

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Amata Welcomes Passage of Five Appropriations Bills to End the Partial Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming House passage of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, with a vote of 217 to 214, sending five full-year FY26 appropriations bills to President Trump's desk to be signed into law, and end the partial government shutdown.

Congresswoman Amata with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on a CODEL flight Jan 24 2026

Notably, this package has the Transportation Appropriations, which contains funding for highways, bridges, airports and ports, including $1 million that Amata requested for American Samoa’s port upgrade efforts. In passing the Defense appropriations, the vote also locks in this year’s congressionally authorized pay raise for the military.

Congress has now completed final passage of 11 of the 12 appropriations bills (the House has passed all 12), but full-year Homeland Security appropriations have not yet reached the necessary bicameral, bipartisan agreement. Instead, Tuesday’s vote secures two weeks of extended funding to continue work on the last remaining appropriations bill.

“I’m pleased to secure this port funding, and recently we secured $900,000 growth in American Samoa’s operations fund in the DOI appropriations,” said Congresswoman Amata. “All of our federal support in grants and formulas for the year will come from this major group of bills, which supports everything from medical research to classrooms. I especially welcome final completion of the pay raise for our very deserving troops.”

“It is imperative that Congress finish appropriating funds for Homeland Security,” she concluded. “This Department includes the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, so we need funds in place and ready to provide services to the American people.”

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Congresswoman Ross, Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Establish Regional Defense Innovation Hubs to Strengthen U.S. National Security and Accelerate Defense Technologies

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Richard Hudson (NC-09), and Mark Messmer (IN-08) introduced the bipartisan Defense Technology Hubs Act of 2026, directing the Department of Defense to create a nationwide network of regional hubs focused on accelerating emerging defense technologies.

These hubs would support talent development, technology transition, and collaboration among universities, defense partners, nonprofits, and local governments. By expanding innovation capacity and strengthening workforce pipelines, the bill reinforces U.S. national security and enables communities nationwide to contribute to the future of American defense.

“The Research Triangle is a world-renowned hub of research and innovation, and our workforce and institutions stand ready to lead the country’s development of emerging defense technologies,” said Congresswoman Ross. “This bill will not only strengthen our national security, but it will also reward American ingenuity and boost North Carolina’s local economy. I’m honored to join my colleagues in introducing legislation that will ensure the United States remains a global leader in technological innovation.”

“At a time when our global adversaries are investing heavily in next-generation technologies, America must not just compete, but lead, in research, development, and innovation. That means building innovation capacity in regions across the country,” said Congressman Bell. “St. Louis has already solidified its vital role in U.S. national security, and this bill ensures our region continues to drive that mission—not get left behind—as the race for technological dominance accelerates. We can strengthen our national defense while creating good-paying jobs, attracting new industry, and developing the strong, expansive workforce needed to keep America at the forefront of technological leadership.”

“As someone who represents one of the nation’s most critical defense innovation regions, I know firsthand how important it is to move new technology from concept to capability as quickly as possible,” said Congressman Messmer. "The Defense Technology Hubs Act creates a clear pathway for the Department of Defense, industry, and research institutions to work together to accelerate emerging technologies that keep our warfighters ahead of threats to our national security. This legislation strengthens our defense industrial base, protects American innovation, and ensures the future of military technology is built right here in the United States.”

“To keep our military ahead of new threats, we need to move technology from the lab to the field faster,” said Congressman Hudson. “The Defense Technology Hubs Act speeds up innovation, strengthens our defense industrial base, and better facilitates the development of critical technologies here in the United States.”

Bill text is available here.

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Ross, Pocan, Cleaver, Sykes Reintroduce Legislation to End Prison Gerrymandering

Washington, D.C. — Today, Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), and Emilia Sykes (OH-13) reintroduced the End Prison Gerrymandering Act. This legislation will help ensure equal representation for all by requiring the Census Bureau to count incarcerated people at their last place of residence rather than the prison in which they are held at the time of the Census.

Many states, including North Carolina, have faced criticism for redistricting processes that use prison gerrymandering to give disproportionate representation to rural, conservative voters at the expense of voters in urban areas and communities of color.

“North Carolina has a long history of manipulating voters’ places of residence to produce maps that benefit the party in power, including through prison gerrymandering,” said Congresswoman Ross. “Across the country, we are witnessing unprecedented attempts to rollback voting rights and dilute voters’ voices, particularly voters of color. Now more than ever, we need maps that are fair and ensure every voter can participate fully in our democracy. I’m proud to lead my colleagues in introducing legislation that will end prison gerrymandering at the federal level.”

“Nearly no one would consider the facility in which they’re incarcerated home,” said Rep. Pocan. “The current Prison Gerrymandering practice is wrong, giving undue power to certain regions of the country and to elected officials who do not value their concerns. We must end this practice and count people from where they came and most likely will return to once their sentences are finished. I thank Congresswoman Ross for her leadership on this issue.”

“The practice of prison gerrymandering puts the interests of partisan politicians above the wishes of our communities, using incarcerated Americans as unwilling pawns in the process,” said Congressman Cleaver. “The American people are sick and tired of partisan trickery that undermines the voice of voters, and I’m proud to join Representatives Ross, Sykes, and Pocan to introduce the End Prison Gerrymandering Act to outlaw this damaging practice once and for all.”

“All Americans have a constitutional right to equal representation in their government. That’s why I am proud to co-sponsor the End Prison Gerrymandering Act, which will ensure incarcerated people are fairly counted in the places they call home, in communities where they have ties, family, and friends,” said Rep. Sykes. “This legislation will allow fair and accurate representation for all communities—rural, urban, and suburban— to create a stronger, more representative democracy.”

Every ten years when the Census is conducted, incarcerated people are counted as residents of the places where they are imprisoned rather than the cities and towns they call home. This practice skews the population count and interferes with equal representation in virtually every state.

Bill text is available here.

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Don Beyer (VA-08), Summer Lee (PA-12), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Chuy García (IL-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), and Madeleine Dean (PA-04).

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Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar Confronts Ortega & Murillo’s War on Faith at Religious Freedom Hearing

Washington, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar led a subcommittee hearing titled “Defending Religious Freedom Around the World,” focused on the global state of religious liberty and the growing persecution of faith communities, particularly in the Western Hemisphere.

In her remarks, Rep. Salazar highlighted Nicaragua as one of the most severe cases of religious repression in the region and condemned the actions of the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.

“In our hemisphere, the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo leads the most brutal assault on faith, jailing pastors, attacking the Church, seizing property, and criminalizing belief. They want to replace God with their regime,” said Rep. Salazar. “That is why I was proud to co-chair today’s House Foreign Affairs hearing to defend religious freedom around the world and send a clear message: the game is over, a new era is beginning in the Western Hemisphere, and religious freedom will prevail.”

Drawing on her experience as a former journalist who lived in Nicaragua, the Congresswoman cited documented abuses against religious communities, including the expulsion of more than 260 religious leaders, attacks on more than 1,000 Catholic churches, and the imprisonment of evangelical pastors for engaging in public worship and ministry.

She also underscored the importance of continued U.S. leadership in advancing religious freedom as a core pillar of human rights and democratic values in our hemisphere.

Watch full remarks here.

Chairwoman Salazar’s Leadership on Religious Freedom and Nicaragua

Representative María Elvira Salazar has been a leading voice in Congress advancing religious freedom and human rights across the Western Hemisphere, with a particular focus on confronting authoritarian regimes that persecute faith communities, including in Nicaragua. She has consistently elevated religious liberty as a core U.S. foreign policy priority in the region.

In Nicaragua, the Ortega-Murillo regime has waged a systematic campaign against the Catholic Church and faith-based institutions, expelling clergy, shutting down religious organizations, seizing Church property, criminalizing religious activity, and jailing or forcing religious leaders into exile. As Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Rep. Salazar has raised these abuses in Congress and pressed for international action.


Rep. Salinas Secures Amendments to Strengthen Wildfire Response and Expand Oregon STEM Jobs in NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026

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Watch Rep. Salinas’ Remarks

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) joined her colleagues on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee to pass the bipartisan NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026, which will ensure continued American leadership in space science and exploration while supporting good jobs in Oregon. She secured unanimous support for two amendments aimed at improving the bill for Oregonians.

The first amendment directed NASA to provide recommendations to improve coordination between government agencies on wildfire response and mitigation. This data-sharing and planning can strengthen wildfire preparedness and response, protecting Oregon communities, farms, and natural resources. The second amendment encourages NASA to partner with the private sector to bring more young people into STEM pathways. If signed into law, Rep. Salinas’ amendment would create more direct pipelines to good-paying, local manufacturing and skilled trade jobs, supporting workforce development and economic opportunity in districts like OR-06.

Additionally, Rep. Salinas spoke about her amendment, which would have required NASA to analyze how President Trump’s immigration enforcement tactics are affecting the STEM workforce and international research collaborations. Losing foreign-born scientists and engineers can weaken U.S. innovation, slow space and science progress, and undermine NASA’s global competitiveness. This amendment was not included in the final bill.

A transcript of Salinas’ remarks is available below:

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Ranking Member Lofgren.

I want to share my appreciation for the strong attention to wildfire response and mitigation in this bipartisan NASA bill.

NASA's FireSense project plays a critical role in developing and deploying technologies that can improve wildfire response and mitigation.

Difficulty coordinating across the many agencies and levels of government involved in wildfire management can make it challenging to maximize the on-the-ground benefits of NASA's work in this area.

As NASA comes across barriers to effective coordination with federal, state, and local partners, my amendment is quite simple.

It just ensures that the agency provides actionable recommendations for improvement.

Thank you, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I yield back.

…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I'm committed to ensuring young people across the country have access to the tools they need to pursue skilled technical careers that support NASA and its commercial partners.

In Oregon, we have a robust ecosystem of small businesses, from machinists to electronics and software companies, that contribute to NASA's work and the space economy more broadly.

My amendment would encourage NASA, through its STEM outreach programs, to partner with the private sector across the supply chain to help bring more young people into these career pathways.

While it may not be obvious from the outside, there are opportunities for workers across America to participate in literal moonshots.

I hope that my amendment can help us make those opportunities more visible for our constituents and tap into the incredible wealth of talent across all of our communities.

For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I yield back.

…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

My amendment would direct NASA to study the impacts that this Administration has had on immigration enforcement tactics and how that has impacted our nation's competitiveness.

In the past year, we've seen the Administration and its agents terrorize people, violate their rights, and, as we just saw in Minnesota, kill American citizens in broad daylight.

We've seen the President's masked agents drag graduate students off the street into unmarked cars.

And we've seen them weaponize the student visa process to punish people for First Amendment protected speech.

A recent report in science indicates that over 10,000 PhDs left the federal government last year.

How many of those were foreign-born workers who took the fork in the road because they were afraid for themselves or their family members?

Immigrants play a critical role in our STEM economy.

They make up over half of PhDs in key STEM fields like engineering.

They make up about a third of U.S. Nobel Prize winners in STEM.

They have filed over a quarter of U.S. patents.

Our job in this Committee is to support the federal research and development that will drive the economy of the future and ensure America's competitiveness on the global stage.

The President's tactics are pushing away talent and undermining the good bipartisan work, like we are seeing today in this NASA bill, that we all work so hard to move forward.

These unhinged and self-defeating tactics need to end.

I am withdrawing this amendment to make sure that we can move forward with our markup today, but I urge my colleagues to stand against the sweeping damage that this Administration is doing to our space research industry.

Thank you, and I yield back.

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My Message to President Trump: Kristi Noem Must Go

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) released the following statement calling on President Trump to remove U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem from her position.

“Mr. President, I want to address you directly. Cabinet officials serve at the pleasure of the President. When they fail to effectively carry out the duties you assign them—especially when lives are at stake—it is your responsibility to act. You cannot wait any longer to remove Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security.

Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the Department of Homeland Security has lost control of its most basic obligation: enforcing the law while protecting human life. Last month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers killed two American citizens. Renee Good, a young mother, and Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, should be alive today. Instead, they were shot by officers acting as agents of their own government. This is not effective enforcement. It is lawlessness and a catastrophic failure of leadership.

As a former Department of Justice attorney who worked on immigration issues at our nation’s top law enforcement agency, I take border security and national safety seriously. I have cast tough, responsible votes to secure our borders and protect our country. I believe the Department of Homeland Security plays a critical role in national security and public safety, and those missions deserve appropriate funding and serious leadership. What we are seeing now reflects neither.

Mr. President, the American people are speaking clearly, including many of your strongest supporters. Polling shows that roughly two-thirds of voters disapprove of ICE’s operations. Your approval numbers are at historic lows. People are not asking for chaos and cruelty on their streets. They are asking for competence, restraint, and the respect for the law that your campaign promised.

Congress should not have to step in to address an executive branch failure. None of us want to spend Congress’ valuable time consumed by impeachment debates, or see the government in another shutdown. The country needs leaders focused on lowering costs and helping families get ahead.

Impeachment is reserved for high crimes and misdemeanors, and those determinations are made in Congress through a serious investigatory process. But as President, the Constitution does not require you to wait for more tragedy before acting. You have the authority—right now—to remove an ineffective leader whose continued service has cost American lives. At this moment, there is no confidence that Secretary Noem is doing the job she has been entrusted to do.

If you refuse to act, then Congress will have a responsibility to pursue oversight and investigation to determine the full scope of this failure. Mr. President, do not let it come to that.”

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On World Cancer Day, Rep. Sewell Celebrates Signing of the Nancy Gardner Sewell Multi-Cancer Early Detection Act

Washington D.C. — Today, on World Cancer Day, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) celebrated the signing of H.R. 842, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act, into law. The legislation—which will expand access to early detection cancer screenings for America's seniors—cleared both chambers of Congress as a part of the revised Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations package and was signed by President Trump Tuesday evening.

Watch Rep. Sewell's video message here.

"It's official! On this World Cancer Day, I'm excited to announce that the Nancy Gardner Sewell Multi-Cancer Early Detection Act has been signed into law," celebrated Rep. Sewell. "I join millions of Americans in celebrating this historic victory which will help transform the way we detect, diagnose, and treat cancer for seniors all across America. We did it, Mommy."

Currently, 70% of cancer deaths occur from cancers with no screening. However, thanks to cutting-edge scientific advancements, new MCED screenings are emerging which hold the potential to detect dozens of forms of cancer with a simple blood test. Before this law was enacted, it could have taken more than a decade for Medicare to cover MCED screenings following FDA approval. The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare MCED Screening Coverage Act creates a pathway for Medicare to cover MCED screenings once FDA approved.

Specifically, this legislation:

Creates the authority for CMS to cover blood-based MCED tests and future test methods once approved by the FDA and shown to have clinical benefit.

Maintains CMS’ authority to use an evidence-based process to determine coverage parameters for these new tests.

Clarifies that (1) these new tools will complement, not replace, existing screenings and coverage and (2) cost sharing will not be impacted.

In the 118th Congress, the bill’s lead Republican sponsor, Rep. Jodey Arrington, surprised Rep. Sewell by naming it after her mother, the late Nancy Gardner Sewell, who lost her battle to pancreatic cancer in June 2021. Prior to its passage, the Nancy Gardner Sewell MCED Screening Coverage Act was the most co-sponsored bill in the 119th Congress, with 339 House co-sponsors and 68 Senate co-sponsors.

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Brown Secures Over $12.5 Million in Federal Funding for 14 Projects Across Northeast Ohio

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) today announced that she has secured over $12.5 million in federal funding for fourteen local projects in Northeast Ohio. The wins include funding for water, road, and rail infrastructure in Midtown Cleveland, the West Side, and University Heights; public safety and crime prevention across Cleveland and Cuyahoga County; local park and building projects in Euclid and Irishtown Bend in Cleveland, and funding for housing in Cleveland.

Importantly, Brown’s funding will help contribute to the ongoing transformation of Cleveland with a stronger connection to the Lakefront, thanks to support for the DREAM 66 Project in Midtown, the Irishtown Bend Stabilization and Rehabilitation Project, and Cleveland Metroparks CHEERS Project on the Cleveland Harbor and Cuyahoga County’s Lakefront Connector project.

“No matter who is in the White House, I am committed to delivering real results for our district. At a time when the Trump Administration is attempting to cut funding for cities like Cleveland, we used every tool available to bring federal funding back home for key projects across Northeast Ohio. For two years, we worked with local partners and fought hard to secure funding for a wide range of projects that will make our communities safer, strengthen our infrastructure, and support opportunity across Cleveland. These are big wins and it’s a credit to our local partners and my staff that we were able to build bipartisan support for these projects,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.

These federal funds are the result of Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests submitted by Congresswoman Brown last year. Brown’s office worked with local governments and stakeholders who submit funding requests and shepherded them through the House Committee on Appropriations.

Congresswoman Brown’s funding requests became law through two funding bills: H.R. 6938 (signed on 1/23/2026) and H.R. 7148 (signed on 2/3/2026). On final passage, Brown voted for H.R. 6938 and against H.R. 7148, a package that included unrelated funding for the Department of Homeland Security opposed by Brown.

Without the efforts of Brown’s office, these CPFs would not have been included in either bill.

Community Project Funding Wins for OH-11 Secured by Congresswoman Brown

$1,850,000 to the City of Cleveland for the DREAM 66 Project and Infrastructure Improvements in Midtown (H.R. 7148)

$1,200,000 to the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority for the Irishtown Bend Stabilization and Rehabilitation Project for New Park Space on the Cuyahoga River (H.R. 7148)

$1,092,000 to the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District for the Big Creek West Branch Culvert Repair Project in Cleveland (H.R. 6938)

$1,092,000 to Cleveland Metroparks for the Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Strategy (CHEERS) Project supporting lakefront parks in Cleveland (H.R. 6938)

$1,092,000 to the City of University Heights for the City’s Manhole Separation Project for water infrastructure (H.R. 6938)

$1,031,000 to the City of Cleveland for Public Safety Radios for first responders in Cleveland (H.R. 6938)

$1,000,000 to the City of Cleveland for the Economic Revitalization Program for Housing for People in Recovery (H.R. 7148)

$900,000 to the May Dugan Center for the Center’s Trauma Recovery Center supporting victims of crime in Northeast Ohio (H.R. 6938)

$850,000 to Cuyahoga County for the Beulah Park-Euclid Beach Lakefront Connector Trail Project to Expand Equitable Access to Lake Erie (H.R. 7148)

$850,000 to the City of Euclid for the Shore Cultural Centre Historic Preservation Project (H.R. 7148)

$500,000 to the Cuyahoga Community College District for the Center for Entrepreneurs Supporting Businesses and Individuals in Cuyahoga County (H.R. 7148)

$500,000 to the Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce supporting technology upgrades to identity offenders and survivors (H.R. 6938)

$300,000 to the Center for Employment Opportunities for the Innovation in Public Safety Project providing workforce training for individuals returning from incarceration (H.R. 6938)

$250,000 to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority for the Light Rail Track Reconstruction Program (H.R. 7148)

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Rep. Simpson Secures Funding for Idaho Falls Regional Airport Terminal Expansion

WASHINGTON—Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson highlighted the inclusion of $12,000,000 in funding for the Idaho Falls Regional Airport Terminal Expansion Project in Idaho Falls, Idaho, at his request through Community Project Funding (CPF) in H.R.7148 - the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.

“As Idaho Falls continues to grow, it is essential that the airport grows with it,” said Rep. Simpson. “Expanding the Idaho Falls Regional Airport will better serve the Idaho Falls community, support local jobs, and enhance the city's status as a top destination for travelers and economic opportunities. I have been a steadfast supporter of our local airports, and I am pleased that this funding will facilitate these necessary improvements.”

“This $12 million in Community Project Funding is a vital investment in the future of the Idaho Falls Regional Airport,” said Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw. “As our city grows, this funding ensures the airport can meet increasing demand, improve efficiency, and provide a better experience for travelers. We are grateful for Representative Simpson’s support in helping IDA remain the regional airport of choice for Eastern Idaho and a gateway for economic growth in our community.”

This funding would be used for Phase 1 of IDA’s terminal expansion. Phase I of this project, baggage expansion, will provide necessary space for outbound baggage operations, as well as additional space for future operations. It will improve safety by providing adequate space to load baggage carts and improve the efficiency of operations with a new conveyor system. This expansion also provides additional ticket queueing and counter space to accommodate additional air service and will provide a second level space for future passenger hold areas. This phase will also provide alterations to existing space to allow for the future expansion of the security screening checkpoint which is the next constrained space in the terminal building.

Despite claims that CPF projects are "wasteful earmarks," Community Project Funding gives Members of Congress like Congressman Simpson the opportunity to bring Idaho tax dollars back home for Idaho priorities. These projects fill a clear and present need in communities across Idaho and enjoy broad community support. The federal dollars designated for CPF projects exist within existing budget limits. Rather than that money going to fund projects in different states, CPF projects give Idahoans a critical voice in determining where budgeted funding goes.

As Idaho’s only appropriator, Rep. Simpson has a unique opportunity to fight for Idaho’s priorities and ensure Idahoans’ hard-earned tax dollars return to Idaho.

The Idaho Falls Regional Airport Terminal Expansion Project is a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026. President Trump has signed this measure into law.


Congressman Eric Sorensen Announces 2026 Service Academy Nominations

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced his nominations for outstanding students from Illinois’ 17th Congressional District to the United States Service Academies as members of the Class of 2030. Service academy nominations are among a Member of Congress’s most honorable responsibilities, opening the door for students to attend institutions that develop future leaders for the U.S. Armed Forces.

“These young men and women represent the very best of our community,” said Congressman Sorensen. “They’ve shown strong leadership, academic excellence, and a deep commitment to service. It’s an honor to nominate them to our nation’s service academies, and I know they will make their families and our district proud.”

2026 Service Academy Nominees:

Alexander Williams (Rock Island, IL) – USNA, USMA, USAFA

Ava Egel (Lynn Center, IL) – USAFA, USNA, USMA

Braeden Bode (Port Byron, IL) – USMA, USAFA, USNA

Johnny Thai (Peoria, IL) – USMA, USNA

Demetrius Williams III (Colona, IL) – USMMA

Several nominees and their families were recognized at Congressman Sorensen’s Service Academy Nominee Reception held on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Nominees Ava Egel, Demetrius Williams III, and Alexander Williams attended and are pictured in photos here. Nominees Johnny Thai and Braeden Bode were unable to attend and are not pictured.

As a member of Congress, Sorensen has the honor of nominating qualified students from Illinois 17th Congressional District for attendance at four service academies: the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.

Final admissions decisions are made by the individual service academies.


Congressman Eric Sorensen Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Conserve and Protect the Driftless Area

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) reintroduced bipartisan legislation with Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) to preserve and restore the Driftless Area between Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. By empowering farmers with voluntary conservation tools, the Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative (DALCI) Act reduces flood risk, improves water quality, and expands recreation and tourism activities in the Driftless Area.

“The Driftless Area is unlike anywhere else in the country, and protecting it requires smart, locally driven solutions,” said Congressman Sorensen. “The DALCI Act puts farmers and landowners in the driver’s seat with the conservation help they need to reduce flooding, protect clean water, and strengthen unique rural lands. By reintroducing this bipartisan legislation, we’re building on a proven program that delivers real results for Northwestern Illinois and the entire region.”

“DALCI was a proven conservation success during its authorization—measurably reducing soil erosion and flood risk, helping wildlife, and enhancing water quality by empowering local farmers and landowners with conservation tools,” said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. “We have an opportunity to build on these successes by reauthorizing this program—at no cost to the taxpayer—and recommitting USDA resources to conservation in the Driftless Area. I’m proud to work across the aisle and across the river with Rep. Eric Sorensen to preserve this natural treasure for years to come."

“The four-state Driftless Area is the Midwest’s most biologically rich landscape, containing the largest continuous fish and wildlife habitat in the region. The Driftless Area has wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities, making it a great place to live and enjoy, and providing significant economic value for the rural, small-town communities. The Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative will deliver significant benefits, including restored prairies and cold-water streams, healthier oak savannas and barrens, improved trout habitat, and reduced flood risk. Protecting the Driftless Area is a bipartisan priority, and we appreciate Rep. Hinson’s (R-IA) and Rep. Sorensen’s (D-IL) co-sponsoring this important legislation.” said Howard Learner, CEO & Executive Director, Environmental Law and Policy Center.

“Trout Unlimited thanks Rep. Hinson & Rep. Sorensen for re-introducing the Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative. Trout Unlimited has been a supporter of the program from its beginning and has stretched the federal investments with millions of dollars in contributions from partners to double or triple the amount of work done on the ground. DALCI supports the unique conservation opportunities of the Driftless that bring private and public investments together to help producers and rural communities both improve farm operations and protect coldwater and habitat. The value of a healthy landscape that supports trout is an enormous benefit to the region, improving local recreation and providing tourism revenue to communities”. said Sara Strassman, Driftless Area Director & Driftless Area Restoration Effort Coordinator, Trout Unlimited.

“The Driftless area contains a plethora of unique habitats and is home to a rich diversity of plants, animals and insects. The area’s beauty and biodiversity is a draw to residents and tourists alike. As an organization dedicated to protecting and restoring habitats in the Upper Midwest, The Prairie Enthusiasts supports the Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative. For over 35 years, we’ve worked with other organizations, government entities and private landowners to improve habitat in this important region. DALCI is an important investment to support landowners’ conservation efforts in the Driftless Area. And those conservation efforts are critical to the future state of the waters and wildlife in Wisconsin.” said Jessica Bizub, Acting Executive Director, The Prairie Enthusiasts.

The Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative (DALCI) was launched by the Department of Agriculture in 2012 to help farmers fight erosion and restore cold water stream corridors in the area. The program ended in 2017. The Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative (DALCI) Act will re-establish the successful DALCI program and provide farmers and landowners with the tools to improve water quality and flood resiliency while preserving the unique ecosystem of the Driftless Area.

The full bill text can be found below.


Congressman Eric Sorensen Supports Farm and Family Relief Act to Protect Family Farmers from Rising Costs

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) joined Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02) and fellow Democratic Members of the House Agriculture Committee in the introduction of the Farm and Family Relief Act. The Farm and Family Relief Act is the first and only bill introduced in the second session of the 119th Congress to provide targeted relief to America’s family farmers and working people being crushed by inflation and higher costs caused by President Trump’s tariffs and Republican cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in H.R. 1 (the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”).

“I’ve been clear from the start: these tariffs are hurting farm country and working families at the same time,” said Congressman Sorensen. “Family farmers are losing markets and paying more to grow their crops, while my neighbors are paying more at the grocery store. The Farm and Family Relief Act is about lowering costs, protecting farmers, and making sure families can afford food again. We should be helping people get ahead, not making it harder for them to get by.”

Family Relief:

Provides a four-year delay in the cost shift of SNAP benefits to states (currently scheduled to begin in October 2027).

Provides a two-year delay in cost shift of SNAP administrative expenses to states (currently scheduled to begin in October 2026).

Estimated cost: $28.2 billion.

Farm Relief:

Provides one-time payments to row crop commodity producers, modeled after the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) payments approved by Congress at the end of 2024, to cover economic losses from the 2025 crop.

Provides one-time payments to specialty crop producers modeled after the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crop (MASC) program established during the Biden Administration to address economic losses.

According to a new report by Joint Economic Committee Democrats, Trump’s inflation cost the average family $1,625 in the past year. Fruits and vegetable prices are up an average of 5.3 percent, while food eaten away from home has increased 4.1 percent. Hardworking Americans paid $310 more for groceries in 2025 than the year before.


Arizona House Democrats Respond to Secretary Noem’s Visit to Nogales

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Representative Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07) and Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) released the following statements in response to Secretary Noem’s press conference in Nogales, Arizona:

Representative Stanton:

“At FEMA, she likely cost American lives by bottlenecking critical disaster aid to consolidate power. Now her attempts at securing the border sit stalled on her desk, as Axios reported today. The pattern is clear: she prioritizes control and photo ops over any real work to keep Americans safe,” Rep Stanton said. “If Donald Trump won’t fire her, Congress must.”

Representative Grijalva:

“Secretary Noem’s visit to Nogales is a publicity stunt, plain and simple. Instead of listening to local leaders, she continues to push for militarization, treating border communities like war zones rather than places where families live, work and thrive. Ambos Nogales is, and always has been, a proud, vibrant community – not a prop for Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda that has sown chaos and cost American lives. Yesterday, I voted against continued funding for DHS because Secretary Noem is enabling violence, racial profiling, and terrorizing our communities. She must stop the fearmongering, end the political theater, and resign immediately – or be impeached.”

Representative Ansari:

“I’m the proud daughter of immigrants – my parents fled Iran and a corrupt, authoritarian regime,” said Ansari. “I won’t sit by and watch as the country they saw as the shining example of democracy becomes an authoritarian regime as well. Under Kristi Noem’s direction, ICE has murdered two U.S. citizens in broad daylight, and dozens have died behind closed doors in detention centers funded by your taxpayer dollars. Krisit Noem must be impeached.”


Stevens, Slotkin, Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Ensure Congress Drives American-Made, Union-Made Cars

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens introduced the Make Congress Drive Union-Made Act to ensure that taxpayer dollars used by Congress support Michigan auto workers and union jobs. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin.

Members of Congress receive an annual budget to carry out official duties, which can be used to lease or acquire vehicles for official use. Currently, there is no requirement for those vehicles to be American-made or assembled by union labor, allowing taxpayer funds to be recklessly spent on foreign-made vehicles or those produced with non-union labor.

“Michigan auto workers put the world on wheels, and they deserve to know their elected leaders have their backs,” said Rep. Haley Stevens. “This bill makes sure we invest in our American auto industry and the union workers that power it.”

“Michigan union autoworkers fuel our economy and are the backbone of this country. I believe as elected officials, we have an obligation to support them any way we can — and that means not using taxpayer dollars to purchase non-American-made, union-made vehicles,” said Senator Slotkin.

The Make Congress Drive Union Made Act is endorsed by the United Auto Workers (UAW).

"In the labor movement we ask one question of our elected officials: which side are you on?” said UAW Legislative Director Rajiv Sicora. “The Make Congress Drive Union-Made Act would ensure that Members of Congress stand up for the union way of life in their choice of vehicle—supporting the generations of autoworkers who build not only cars, but a better economic future based on solidarity."

Stevens and Slotkin’s bill reflects their shared Michigan values – strong manufacturing, good-paying jobs, and respect for the workers that power Michigan.

The full text of the bill can be found here.


Strickland Secures $8 Million for the South Sound

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) announced $8,165,000 in federal funding for 12 South Sound projects that support agricultural communities, improve local pedestrian and traffic safety, boost clean water access, purchase fire engines, and more.

“Despite the challenges we face with the Republican majority in Congress, I am pleased to secure funding for these essential community projects in our district,” said Strickland. “They will boost the local economy, and make the South Sound a cleaner, safer, and more affordable place to live and work.”

The twelve FY26 Community Project Funding (CPF) grants receiving funding are:

City of Edgewood – Interurban Trail Phase III

City of Fircrest – Alameda Ave-Emerson Street to Rosewood Lane

City of Olympia – Armory Redevelopment Project

City of Puyallup – Meeker Street Improvement Project

City of Roy – Water Infrastructure Project

City of Tacoma – Fire Engine Replacement

City of Tenino – Regional Meat Processing Infrastructure

City of University Place – Chambers Bay Access

City of Yelm – Downtown Business Revitalization Strategy

Pierce County Transit – System-Wide ADA Signage Improvements

Tacoma Housing Authority – Salishan-Hillside Phase I

Thurston County Fairgrounds – Emergency Evacuation and Agricultural Center

Despite the Trump Administration’s proposed dramatic cuts to federal funding and grants programs, Strickland and House Democrats were still able to secure funds in the final appropriations bills to support local economies and job creations, keep communities safe, and bring down the cost of living.

Learn more about each of the 12 CPF projects and other Strickland priorities that were included in the FY26 Congress-passed appropriations package here.

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress.

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Two Bipartisan Subramanyam Bills Headed to House Floor

WASHINGTON, DC – The House Committee on Oversight sent two of Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10)’s bipartisan bills to the House floor after a bipartisan vote in the committee. One of the bills is the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) Improvement Act (H.R. 7274), which would strengthen the FASC and make sure it has the necessary support and resources to carry out its mission.

“Protecting federal information technology systems from foreign adversary influence shouldn't be a partisan issue,” said Rep. Subramanyam. “This bill ensures we are not spending taxpayer dollars on technology or vendors tied to foreign adversaries who could compromise our systems. It’s a commonsense step for acquisition security and reducing risk across federal agencies.”

The FASC Improvement Act, introduced with Rep. William Timmons (R-SC), would move the FASC to the Executive Office of the President, establish a Program Office to support their operations, and broaden their authority. It would also increase the role of Congress in securing the supply chain by giving members a direct role in designating sources of concern to be investigated by the FASC.

Rep. Subramanyam’s second bill that passed out of the Oversight Committee is the Federal Improvement in Technology (FIT) Procurement Act (H.R. 4123), introduced with Rep. Eric Burlinson (R-MO). This bill will streamline federal procurement of technology, make it easier for small businesses to participate in federal contracting, and save millions in taxpayer dollars annually.

“The FIT Procurement Act delivers on our goal of improving government efficiency and modernizing federal systems,” said Rep. Subramanyam. “It raises the micro-purchase and simplified acquisition thresholds, which will allow federal agencies to move faster and not be delayed by outdated cost assumptions. By helping small businesses and saving the government money, this commonsense bill is a win-win.”

After passing out of the Oversight Committee, the FASC Improvement Act and the FIT Procurement Act will receive a vote on the House floor in the coming months.


Congresswoman Tenney Leads Bipartisan IRAN Act to Expand Internet Freedom for the Iranian People

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24)and Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14) today introduced the Internet Reach and Access Now (IRAN) Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen U.S. efforts to promote access to the open internet for Iranian civilians and support the Iranian people’s pursuit of basic human rights and democratic freedoms.

According to Freedom House, Iran has the third worst internet freedom score in the world. The Iranian regime routinely uses censorship, surveillance, and internet shutdowns to silence dissent, restrict communication, and isolate its citizens from the global community. Despite these efforts, the Iranian people continue to rely on internet access to organize peacefully, share information, and advocate for freedom.

The IRAN Act establishes, for the first time, a legal requirement that the U.S. government implement and periodically update its comprehensive strategy to promote access to the open internet for Iranian civilians. The legislation builds on existing law while updating U.S. policy to reflect the evolving tactics used by the Iranian regime to restrict access and suppress civil society.

“The Iranian people have shown extraordinary courage in demanding basic freedoms from a regime that fears open communication,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Instead of listening, the regime responds with censorship, surveillance, and internet shutdowns meant to isolate people from one another and from the world. The IRAN Act requires the U.S. government to implement and periodically update its strategy to expand access to the open internet for Iranian civilians. It ensures our sanctions are not unintentionally blocking essential communication tools and directs the State Department to address VPN access and internet blackouts head-on. This legislation is about matching the courage of the Iranian people with real, sustained support.”

Oppressive regimes fall when the illusion of their power breaks, and the people of Iran are ready to break through,” said Congressman Eric Swalwell. “Iranians want freedom, a mission I’ve always supported. That’s why I’m introduced the Internet Reach and Access Now (IRAN) Act, to expand access to free internet for the Iranian people. Open internet access is a powerful tool for change and empowers the people to stand against the regime. Iranians want what people everywhere want: the freedom to choose their own future.”

Read full text here.

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Congressman Tim Moore Urges USPS to Reopen Chimney Rock Post Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14) penned a letter calling on the U.S. Postal Service to immediately reopen the Chimney Rock Village Post Office, which has remained closed since Hurricane Helene devastated the region. Although repairs have been completed and a USPS assessment in October 2025 deemed the facility suitable for operation, the post office has not resumed service.

“Reopening the Chimney Rock Village Post Office would provide much-needed stability and represent meaningful progress in the community’s recovery. I strongly urge the Postal Service to act promptly to restore operations and ensure residents have access to the essential services they rely on,” Congressman Moore wrote in the letter.

The extended closure has placed a significant burden on residents and small businesses, many of whom now travel outside the community for basic mail services — including prescription deliveries, bill payments, and other essential correspondence.


Rep. Tokuda Holds Agriculture Listening Sessions Across Hawaiʻi Ahead of Farm Bill

Hawaiʻi — U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) recently held a series of agriculture listening sessions across Hawaiʻi to hear directly from farmers, ranchers, and producers about the challenges facing local agriculture and food systems in advance of a potential markup of a Farm Bill in the House Committee on Agriculture.

The listening sessions, held in Waimānalo, Waialua, and Kula, came at a time of heightened uncertainty for farmers nationwide, driven by market volatility, trade disruptions, rising input costs, and reduced access to federal programs. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, U.S. farmers have experienced more than $50 billion in losses over the last three crop years, underscoring the pressures facing producers as Farm Bill discussions move forward.

Across the sessions, farmers raised concerns about agricultural land ownership, invasive species control, and the impact of USDA staffing cuts. Participants also discussed tariff impacts, the need for expanded value-added processing capacity, and opportunities to expand local markets.

“Our farmers are navigating higher costs, tighter margins, and increasing uncertainty,” said Rep. Tokuda. “These listening sessions were about hearing directly from the people doing the work and making sure the Farm Bill is grounded in Hawaiʻi’s needs. A strong Farm Bill must support farmers and food security together, because here in Hawaiʻi, the health of our farms and the ability of our families to put food on the table are inseparable.”

Input gathered during the listening sessions will help inform Rep. Tokuda’s advocacy as Farm Bill discussions continue, with a focus on supporting farmers, strengthening local food systems, and ensuring Hawaiʻi’s agricultural priorities are represented. She is planning more sessions on Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island, Molokai, and Lānaʻi. For farmers unable to attend future sessions, please share your Farm Bill mana‘o here or at tokuda.house.gov/services.

Pictures from the Agriculture Listening Sessions can be viewed here.


Trahan’s Lifesaving Children’s Health Bills Signed into Law

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, celebrated the signing of two of her bipartisan children’s health bills into law after they were passed as part of a larger health care package. The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act and the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act represent years of work to break down insurance barriers and ensure children with serious and complex medical needs can access lifesaving care without delay.

“For far too long, children battling rare diseases have been left to fend for themselves in a slow, complex health care system that underinvests in the treatments and cures they need while burying their families in paperwork, delays, and denials,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “These bills change that. The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act cuts through red tape so children can receive lifesaving treatments without delay, and the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act ensures continued investment in therapies for rare pediatric diseases. Together, they give families hope and children a fighting chance.”

First introduced by Trahan in 2023, the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act addresses harmful delays caused by insurance prior authorization requirements for children with complex and chronic conditions. The bill streamlines approval processes for pediatric specialists and treatments, helping ensure that children battling rare diseases can receive timely, often lifesaving care without families facing repeated denials or dangerous treatment delays.

The Creating Hope Reauthorization Act, which Trahan has worked to advance since first introducing the legislation in 2024, renews and improves the Creating Hope Priority Review Voucher program, a highly successful initiative that has helped bring new therapies and treatments to market for children with medical conditions that historically lacked investment. Reauthorizing the program ensures continued progress toward cures for rare childhood diseases that might otherwise be overlooked.

Both bills were developed in close partnership with families, patient advocates, researchers, and pediatric providers, and gained bipartisan support as Trahan worked across multiple Congresses to reintroduce, refine, and advance the legislation.

“Children with cancer have no time to waste when it comes to getting the right treatment. Delays can be dangerous—or even deadly,” said E. Anders Kolb, MD, President and CEO of Blood Cancer United. “That’s why the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act is so crucial: it spares families from needless delays when time is of the essence. We are incredibly grateful to Representative Trahan for her leadership on this life-saving legislation.”

“NORD is grateful to see rare disease priorities, including the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act, signed into law by the President as part of the Labor-HHS spending bill. Reauthorizing the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher program is a vital step to incentivize the development of treatments for children with rare and life-threatening conditions. We thank Rep. Lori Trahan and all the champions of this bill for their leadership on behalf of rare disease families nationwide,” said National Organization for Rare Disorders CEO Pamela Gavin.

“The Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act is a real solution to a real problem faced by children and the providers who care for them. It will make the process easier for children in the Medicaid and CHIP programs with medical complexity who need to cross state lines for care and for their families, who often face barriers in accessing care in a timely manner,” said Boston Children’s Hospital CEO Dr. Kevin Churchwell. “Boston Children’s joined with more than 200 diverse stakeholders, including peer hospitals and patient advocacy groups, in advancing this policy solution. It is heartening to see this thoughtful and bipartisan measure pass through the Congress and be signed into law. This exciting development will help to remove barriers that often lead to worse outcomes for children and higher healthcare costs. I am so grateful to U.S. Congresswomen Trahan and Miller-Meeks for their leadership in the House and U.S. Senators Grassley and Bennet in the Senate.”

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ICYMI: Representatives Tran, Salinas, Senator Merkley Hold Press Conference Introducing Bicameral Bill to Hold ICE, CBP Accountable for Constitutional Rights Abuses

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Derek Tran (CA-45) and Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) held a press conference to introduce bicameral legislation to hold U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) liable for violating American citizens’ constitutional rights.

The lawmakers were joined by Robert Simon and Cynthia Santiago, attorneys representing individuals whose constitutional rights have been violated by ICE, and their clients, one of whom shared his story of violent victimization and trauma at the hands of ICE officers. Jonathan Longoria, a 19-year-old U.S. citizen, delivered an emotional testimony recounting his encounter with ICE agents and the wrongful detention of his father.

WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE HERE.

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H.R. 7297, The ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act, would make the federal government civilly liable when a CBP or ICE officer violates an individual’s constitutional rights, allowing victims to seek punitive damages from the federal government. Read the full text of the bill HERE.

“No one is above the law, especially those who are entrusted with enforcing it. Congress must take action to rein in the troubling abuse of civil rights by ICE and CBP enforcement practices,” said Representative Tran. “The ICE and CBP Accountability Act would give citizens whose Constitutional rights are violated a path for legal recourse and an opportunity to hold bad actors accountable. Community trust in federal law enforcement is broken. The only way to restore that faith is to ensure accountability and impose real consequences when agencies ignore the Constitution. I’m so proud to stand with Representative Salinas to deliver the justice and security our communities deserve.”

“President Trump’s immigration enforcers are violating our Constitutional rights,” said Representative Salinas. “In my district alone, ICE and CBP have arrested and detained American citizens, including a 17-year-old from McMinnville. They have denied immigrants their right to due process, including a wildland firefighter from Keizer who was fighting a wildfire in Washington. And their violent tactics have resulted in the deaths of American citizens. It’s clear the Trump Administration has no intention of holding ICE and CBP accountable for their abuses of power. This bill would force accountability on the Administration by allowing people to sue the federal government when ICE and CBP violate their rights, which deters illegal enforcement practices and prevents ICE and CBP from operating with impunity. No one is above the law, and this bill ensures that.”

“All Americans should be outraged that Trump’s lawless federal agents are trampling on the Constitution and terrorizing our communities,” said Senator Merkley. “ICE and CBP must face consequences if their agents wrongfully violate citizens’ rights to protest and free speech, search people’s homes without a warrant, or deny due process. If we allow Trump to continue using ICE and CBP to stoke fear and even kill innocents, we surrender the values that define us as Americans. I say, ‘HELL NO,’ and my ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act gives Americans the legal tools to hold the federal government accountable when these agents break the law—standing up for the rights of all in the face of Trump’s strongman tactics.”

The ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act mandates that any damages awarded to victims whose constitutional rights are violated by ICE or CBP officers be first drawn from Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This budget bill created an over-$150 billion slush fund for ICE, CBP, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immigration operations, which the Trump Administration has weaponized to indiscriminately target families in a cruel enforcement campaign.

In January 2026, masked federal agents with ICE shot and killed two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, while conducting immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis. Their deaths, and a pattern of violent enforcement actions similar to the story Mr. Longoria shared, have sparked widespread criticism about the repeated use of excessive force by ICE, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and oversight measures for rogue agents. Representative Tran continues to closely monitor ICE activity across California’s 45th district. On January 22, Representative Tran voted against H.R. 7147, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2026, when it first came to the House floor for a vote. Last week, Tran signed onto H.Res.996, a Congressional resolution to impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for high crimes and misdemeanors, and has cosponsored legislation to place checks on ICE’s conduct, including:

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

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

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

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

H.R. 944, The Access to Counsel Act, to ensure that U.S. citizens and individuals with lawful status are able to call an attorney or family member to seek legal assistance when they are detained;

H.R. 5941, The Restoring Access for Detainees Act, to require DHS to allow noncitizens who have been detained to contact their legal counsel and families, and;

H.R. 4456, Stop ICE from Kidnapping U.S. Citizens Act, to prohibit ICE from using federal funds to detain or deport U.S. citizens.

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

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

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


Valadao, Panetta Reintroduce Legislation to Support Central Valley Agricultural Producers

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) to reintroduce the China Trade Cheating Restitution Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation ensures domestic garlic, honey, and crawfish producers are paid the duties already collected by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) for China’s unfair trading practices meant to drive U.S. producers out of the market. CBP still owes garlic producers, 90% of which is grown in California, an additional $10.5 million in retroactive duty payments. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tine Smith (D-MN) introduced the companion bill in the Senate.

“Central Valley producers are the backbone of our nation’s domestic garlic supply, but China’s practice of dumping garlic into the U.S. market has unfairly impacted competition,” said Congressman Valadao. “Since 2000, Customs and Border Protection has collected duties on these imports as required by law, yet our growers still haven’t received the payments they’re owed. This bipartisan, bicameral bill ensures domestic producers finally receive those funds and gives them a fair chance to compete in the domestic market.”

"The federal government has failed to pay the required restitution to impacted producers from the dumping duties it collected on Chinese garlic imports," said Congressman Panetta. "This bipartisan bill would right that wrong by requiring CBP to pay all collected duties and interest to those in our agricultural sector who deserve it. By passing this legislation, we can push the federal government to fulfill its responsibilities, to not only to prevent dumping by China, but also to provide the proper remedy to our garlic growers and producers."

Background:

For years, Chinese agricultural producers have purposely exported products far below the cost of production to drive domestic producers out of the market—a practice commonly known as “dumping.” In 2000, Congress passed the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act, which instructed CBP to pay all collected anti-dumping duties and accrued interest to the U.S. producers impacted by this harmful practice. Due to a range of delays, many producers still haven’t seen the interest they are owed on the anti-dumping duties CBP collected. The China Trade Cheating Restitution Act ensures CBP pays out the remaining anti-dumping duties to producers who haven’t been paid between 2000 – 2014.

Read the full bill here.

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Congressman Van Drew Delivers Additional Major Investments for South Jersey

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew announced that, through the latest federal appropriations packages, South Jersey is set to receive more than $48 million in federal funding for local infrastructure, workforce development, emergency preparedness, and aviation investment.

"I am proud to keep bringing historic funding back to South Jersey to make our communities better and stronger," said Congressman Van Drew. "We are fixing infrastructure that has been neglected for too long and making sure we are preparing people for the next generation of jobs, particularly in healthcare and aviation. The FAA Tech Center especially is a major driver of jobs and innovation here in South Jersey, as well as a key part of our national aviation system, which is why I have made it a priority to keep it strong and competitive. When we invest the right way, we keep New Jersey at the forefront of what matters."

Projects Receiving Funding:

FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Improvements, $43 million- Provides funding for sustainment and infrastructure improvements at the Tech Center, including upgrades to electrical systems and resiliency projects.

Atlantic Cape Community College Capital Fund, $3 million- Supports the creation of a dental hygiene school, expanding access to healthcare education and local career opportunities.

Aviation Maintenance Training Academy, $1 million- Establishes an Aviation Maintenance Training Academy at the Atlantic City International Airport in conjunction with the Atlantic County Economic Alliance, the U.S. Air Force, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the National Aviation Research and Technology Park, and aviation businesses. This will create a pipeline for workers and former military personnel to gain skills and access job opportunities in lucrative private sector aircraft maintenance positions.


Rep. Van Epps Celebrates the Advancement of the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 out of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee

Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07) voted to advance the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 out of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

This legislation reaffirms America’s leadership in space by advancing human exploration of the Moon and Mars, supporting a growing commercial space economy in low-Earth orbit, and investing in next-generation space and aeronautics technologies. The bill also strengthens scientific discovery and workforce development to ensure the United States remains the world’s leading spacefaring nation.

Rep. Van Epps said, “As someone whose childhood dream was to be an astronaut, I feel especially honored and privileged to have worked on this important legislation. Today, we secured America’s future as the world’s preeminent spacefaring nation. This bipartisan bill provides a clear roadmap for NASA at a time when global competition—particularly from China—is fiercer than ever.”

“Whether it’s marshaling this country’s most talented scientists and engineers to advance the Artemis program or fostering a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem for commercial space enterprise, this groundbreaking legislation will ensure the United States remains the global leader in space exploration, scientific discovery, and technological innovation,” he continued.


Rep. Gabe Vasquez’s Bipartisan Bill Passes the House Unanimously, Helping Veterans Secure Jobs in High-Demand Trades

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On February 2, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez’s bipartisan VETS Opportunity Act passed the House and is one step closer to becoming law. This legislation would expand education benefits to ensure veterans can attend skilled trade and vocational schools and find gainful employment in high-demand trades.

“This is a commonsense solution that works for veterans and for our economy,” said Rep. Vasquez, who represents nearly 40,000 veterans. “It opens the door to high-demand careers, helps address workforce shortages, and ensures veterans can use their earned benefits in ways that match today’s job market.”

“This not only improves the way veterans access their benefits, it also sets them up for success and helps tackle the current workforce shortage in skilled trades,” said Rep. Ciscomani (AZ-06) who introduced the legislation alongside Rep. Vasquez.

The VETS Opportunity Act allows the costs of skilled trade, vocational, and hybrid learning programs to be covered under the GI Bill’s educational benefits. Equipping veterans to develop high-demand skills at trade and vocational schools helps prepare them to enter the current civilian workforce after their time in uniform has concluded.

Representative Vasquez is a champion for veterans, pushing for commonsense solutions to ensure they have access to education, work, and housing following their service. This includes:

Sponsoring the Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act to increase the yearly book and supply stipend for student veterans, providing them the financial stability to focus on their futures.

Cosponsoring the Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act to boost the housing allowance veterans receive when taking online classes from 50% to 100%.

Introducing the Honor and Hire Veterans Act, incentivizing employment opportunities for veterans as part of his Affordability Agenda.

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