McBath, New Dems Unveil Affordability Agenda to Address the Cost of Living Crisis

Washington, DC – Today, Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), in collaboration with the New Democrat Coalition, is releasing the Affordability Agenda, a policy roadmap to help make life more affordable for Georgia residents by focusing on lowering the five care costs that are too high for hardworking people: health care, housing, energy, family care, and household essentials like groceries.

“Across Georgia, families are working hard and still struggling as the costs of living continue to rise faster than paychecks,” said Rep. McBath. “Too many people are forced to choose between groceries, health care, housing, and keeping the lights on. This Affordability Agenda is about delivering real solutions that lower everyday costs and put working families first. Every family deserves a fair shot at the American dream.”

Despite promising to lower prices “on day one” and to “end inflation,” President Trump and Republicans in Congress have failed to lower the cost of living as their billionaire-first agenda makes life more expensive for hardworking Americans.

With the Affordability Agenda, Representative McBath and her colleagues are offering a better path forward to lower everyday costs in the short-and long-term by rolling back harmful policies pushed by Republicans in Washington, promoting competition and supporting small businesses to boost consumer choice, and breaking down regulatory barriers across the government to meet the needs of everyday Americans.

Affordability Agenda Highlights

Groceries & Household Essentials

Restore certainty by rolling back Trump’s tariffs and advancing smarter, durable trade policies.

Support small producers and crack down on corporate bad actors to increase competition and lower prices in the food marketplace.

Lower internet bills by restarting the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Increase the minimum wage and ensure workers have a seat at the table.

Health Care

Reduce monthly costs by extending ACA tax credits and expanding access to prescription price caps.

Protect patients from surprise medical bills and aggressive debt collection.

Expand access to care by fully funding Medicaid and strengthening Medicare’s guaranteed benefits.

Increase competition and transparency while cracking down on fraud and abuse.

Housing

Cut red tape and update permitting and zoning to build four million homes in the next decade.

Convert vacant and underutilized properties into housing units.

Utilize innovative construction technologies to accelerate home production.

Build more affordable homes by increasing Low-Income Housing Tax Credit allocations and community benefits.

Energy

Reform permitting rules to make it faster and cheaper to build energy transmission and generation infrastructure.

Ensure energy is available and abundant by establishing a level playing field for all forms of energy.

Reallocate electric grid costs to protect consumers from price hikes due to manufacturing and data center development.

Invest in energy efficiency and home heating and cooling to lower residential energy costs.

Families

Create a national paid family and medical leave program that covers all Americans.

Support working families with expanded access to tax cuts and universal pre-K.

Leverage federal resources and foster public-private partnerships to enhance care options and paid leave access.

Invest in the home health and long-term care workforce to care for aging Americans.


Rep. McBride, Rep. Luna Introduce Bipartisan Flexible Leave Act to Modernize Family and Medical Leave

Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Sarah McBride (DE-At-Large) and Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL-14) introduced the Flexible Leave Act, bipartisan legislation to update the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) so it reflects how working families actually manage caregiving and welcoming a new child.

Under current law, FMLA places unnecessary restrictions on how new parents can use their leave. While workers are entitled to job-protected leave after the birth of a child, parents may only take that leave intermittently if their employer agrees — meaning families can’t take leave in shorter blocks of time. As a result, many families are forced into an all-or-nothing choice that doesn’t match how they actually care for a newborn.

For most families, bonding with a new child doesn’t happen in a single uninterrupted stretch. Parents may want to spend the first few weeks home together, then stagger their remaining leave — with one parent returning to work while the other stays home, and later switching — so their child can remain cared for longer without either parent losing their job. Current law often prevents families from making those choices.

The Flexible Leave Act removes those barriers by allowing workers to take FMLA leave intermittently or on a reduced schedule for any qualifying reason, including bonding with a new child, without needing approval from a doctor or employer. The bill simply allows workers to use the leave they already earn in ways that make sense for their families.

“Families don’t experience caregiving or health needs in neat, one-size-fits-all blocks of time — and our laws shouldn’t pretend they do,” said Rep. McBride. “This bill is about dignity and trust. It says that workers know what their families need, and they shouldn’t have to jump through unnecessary hoops just to take care of a newborn or the people they love. I’m grateful to my colleague Rep. Luna for her partnership on this common sense legislation.”

“Workers should not have to choose between keeping their jobs and caring for their families,” said Rep. Luna. “The Flexible Leave Act makes a commonsense update to the Family and Medical Leave Act by allowing workers to use the leave they are already entitled to in a way that reflects real life, not rigid bureaucracy. I have consistently fought to modernize workplace policies to meet families where they are, including my previous efforts to force action on proxy voting so new parents in Congress were not penalized for starting a family. This bill follows that same principle: flexibility, accountability, and trust in working families to make the right decisions for themselves.”

“The FMLA is a true success story – working people have used FMLA leave an estimated 566 million times over the 33 years since it was enacted. But there is more work to do to ensure that workers have the control and flexibility they need to determine how and when they take leave,” said Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families. “We are thrilled that Representatives Sarah McBride and Anna Paulina Luna are introducing this important bill to make FMLA more accessible by allowing more workers to take leave intermittently – or in shorter blocks of time. Whether it’s to help share care responsibilities for a child recovering from surgery or to attend doctor’s appointments while battling a chronic illness, workers need more say on how they can take their leave in a way that better supports their needs.”

Nearly one-third of workers who use FMLA already take leave intermittently — most often to manage chronic health conditions or ongoing caregiving responsibilities. Research shows that the vast majority of employers report no negative impact on productivity, morale, or profitability from intermittent leave, while workers benefit from staying attached to the workforce and avoiding unnecessary job loss.

Because FMLA leave is unpaid, flexibility is especially critical for low- and middle-income families who cannot afford to take weeks off all at once. Greater scheduling flexibility allows parents and caregivers to share responsibilities, maintain income, and remain engaged in their careers.

The Flexible Leave Act preserves existing employer protections while ensuring FMLA works as Congress intended — as a practical tool that supports family stability, economic security, and a stronger workforce.

Rep. McBride has a long record of working to expand access to family and medical leave. In 2022, she passed the Healthy Delaware Families Act with bipartisan support in the Delaware General Assembly, providing paid family and medical leave to workers across the state. In Congress, she has continued to lead on strengthening FMLA and expanding paid leave nationwide, In Congress, she has continued to lead on strengthening FMLA and expanding paid leave nationwide, where she has introduced bipartisan legislation to modernize FMLA so it works fairly for all workers and cosponsored the FAMILY Act, which would finally guarantee paid family and medical leave for every American.

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McCaul Discusses Concerns About the Future of Syria at Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs — discussed his concerns about the future of Syria at a full committee hearing, titled "Syria at a CrossRoads: U.S. Policy Challenges Post-Assad." McCaul directed his questions to Nadine Maenza, the former chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

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Click to watch

Remarks as delivered:

McCaul: Thank you, Mr. Chairman; thanks for holding this important hearing. We're focused on a lot of other areas of the world right now, but we can't let our eyes off the ball on Syria.

I remember when I chaired the Homeland Security Committee, watching the rise of ISIS and the caliphate was one of the most terrifying things I've seen in my career and my lifetime, and the threat it posed to the United States and our national security interests was real, as we saw foreign fighters entering Europe and the United States.

So here we are back in Syria again. All roads lead to Damascus. ...

[The] March 10th agreement was done in part to satisfy conditions made by the Congress to lift the Caesar Act sanctions. Unfortunately, that document was not fully enforced. We saw an upscale in violence.

I was in Israel and I talked to the Druze Sheikhs there. They showed me videos of decapitations similar to what I saw when I chaired Homeland a decade ago when ISIS controlled Syria.

The SDF who was an ally of ours — we worked with the SDF to defeat ISIS — has been under advancement and attack by Syrian forces as well.

Most disturbingly, we saw prisoners from the prison in Eastern Syria being released to go God knows where. Thank God CENTCOM stepped in and removed 7,000 remaining ISIS detainees to Iraq, but we do not have a full accounting of what happened to those who actually got out. That is a nightmare scenario from a national security perspective.

I am pleased that there is a new agreement [signed on] January 30th in response to this uptick in violence against ethnic minorities, including Christians, in response to the attacks on the Kurds and SDF.

When the March 10th [agreement] called for integration and normalization, that was not happening. So now we have this new agreement, January 30th, an attempt to get back to normalization and integration between the ethnic minorities, SDF forces, and the new Syrian government.

Ms. Nadine Maenza, can I ask you: What is the status now of the implementation of the January 30th agreement?

Maenza: Thanks so much, congressman. I did get an update this morning from northeast Syria, and of course there's great hope that this agreement will be successful. But currently, the Syrian government has not withdrawn troops, and they need to by the end of the day. While the governor of Hasakah was appointed and chosen, he's assumed his responsibility, but the government hasn't officially appointed him yet. You know, they also apparently are appointing people to different positions without consultation from the SDF. We also, of course, continue to see the siege of Kobani, which is dangerous at this point. And there's supposed to be an exchange of detainees, and that isn't also being facilitated, and there continues to be hate speech and rumors that are just adding a lot of tension to it.

... I think that we have not seen the Syrian government keep any of their deals with the SDF so far. But there is hope. I tell you what: they want this to work in the northeast. But ... I fear that unless the international community and the U.S. in particular, is really strong on it, that might not happen.

McCaul. Well, my biggest concern is a return to the Islamic State. I am supportive of this new president. I want him to succeed. But I do not want a return to an Islamic State again in Syria.

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McCaul Questions Acting ICE Director Lyons at Homeland Security Committee Hearing on DHS Oversight

WASHINGTON – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus and current vice chair of the House Committee on HomelandSecurity — questioned Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons at a committee hearing, entitled "Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security: ICE, CBP, and USCIS.”

Click to watch

Full Exchange:

McCaul: A decade ago, when I chaired this committee, Mr. Thompson and I passed a bill to authorize ICE into law. It was a bipartisan effort. It passed the House overwhelmingly — both Republican and Democrat.

A decade later, here we are. The [Democrats] have called to abolish ICE; now they’re trying to shut it down. So what has happened in that ten years?

Let’s go back to the last four to five years. What happened in this country and at the border? As someone who lives in a border state, Texas, we saw the most dangerous wide-open border that I’ve seen in my 22 years in Congress.

Ten to twelve million people — and that’s what we know about, [but] I think it’s far greater — came into this country, many of them dangerous, violent criminals [and] some known or suspected terrorists, which I find extremely dangerous.

That’s why I served as an impeachment manager for Mayorkas because he violated federal law. The federal statute says — as a former federal prosecutor I know this — “shall” detain aggravated felons. What did Mayorkas do? He told his agents, “that’s discretionary; you can release them.”

As a result, we had tens of thousands of aggravated felons left on the streets of America to roam freely — not to mention the human sex trafficking of children, Mr. Lyons, as you pointed out.

So what is the administration trying to do? They’re trying to remove a public safety threat from the United States of America.

That is their job. Restoring public safety should be the number one priority.

And one of the problems here, as I examined it, is that Minnesota — Minneapolis in particular is a sanctuary city. What does that mean? That means it’s a magnet. … They’re protected under the current situation because state and locals will not cooperate with federal law enforcement.

In fact, Mr. Lyons, is it not true that they were not honoring ICE detainers that were put on dangerous felons in prison so that you could remove them from the United States?

Lyons: That is correct sir. The detainers were not honored at the local level in Minneapolis.

McCaul: This is the number one violation. In addition, the rhetoric on the Left led to [an] over 1,000% increase in assaults on ICE officers, an increase of over 8,000 [percent on] death threats to them.

All this created a perfect storm for our officers being thrown into this situation. And then Agent Bovino came into the picture, and I would argue, in fairness, that he escalated the situation by the way that was handled.

Your officers are not trained to effectuate crowd control; they are trained to move in surgically, [to] go in and remove these dangerous, violent criminals from the United States of America.

I’ve called for de-escalation after the two deaths, the two shootings that took place. I believe these roving patrols should be done at the border, rather than in the major cities of the United States.

So when the president decided to remove Agent Bovino and put in Tom Homan, whom I’ve known for years, a consummate law enforcement professional, I commended the president. And what has been done since Mr. Homan came into the job?

We now have targeted law enforcement operations. He is returning to the original mission of ICE. He is working with state and locals to do the crowd control. He is getting them to honor the ICE detainers. He is also getting the body cameras put on them. And the roving patrols, in his words to me, should be done at the border, not in major cities.

My question to you, Mr. Lyons: [Are Mr. Homan’s] operations in Minneapolis now bringing the situation under control?

Lyons: We’ve seen de-escalation in the fact that the protests — while they still go on — have subsided, and ICE has been allowed to do their targeted, intelligence-driven enforcement operation.

Just the other night, local authorities arrested 54 protestors at the local level, where ICE officers did not have to be engaged in that.

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McCaul Returns from Mexico with Bipartisan Delegation

WASHINGTON – Over the weekend, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul — chairman of the Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group (IPG) — led a bipartisan congressional delegation (CODEL) to Mexico. While there, the delegation met with Mexican lawmakers and other government officials to identify ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation on pressing topics including regional security, counternarcotics, immigration, trade, and agriculture.

The bipartisan delegation included IPG Ranking Member Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Michael Cloud (R-Texas), Dan Meuser (R-Penn.), and Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas).

“I’m proud to have led this delegation to Mexico to collaborate with many crucial partners, including our counterparts in Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies,” said Chairman McCaul. “With robust bipartisan representation from both the U.S. and Mexico, it's clear that strengthening our bilateral relationship is a nonpartisan issue. Much progress has already been made under the Trump and Sheinbaum administrations on mutual priorities like security, trade, and immigration, and I look forward to deepening our collaboration for the benefit of both of our nations and the broader region."

“I greatly appreciate Chairman McCaul’s partnership in leading this delegation, which underscored how vital sustained, bipartisan engagement with Mexico is to advancing priorities that affect border communities,” said Ranking Member Cuellar. “We had constructive discussions with Mexican lawmakers and senior officials on regional security, counternarcotics, immigration, trade, agriculture, and border infrastructure. These conversations are essential to strengthening border security, stopping the deadly flow of fentanyl, protecting American agriculture, ensuring USMCA delivers for U.S. workers, supporting cross-border trade, and holding Mexico accountable to its water treaty obligations. For South Texas, these issues have direct consequences for our economy, our security, and our communities, making continued coordination with Mexico a necessity, not a choice.”

In Mexico City, the delegation first stopped at the U.S. Embassy to receive a full briefing on U.S.-Mexico relations from Ambassador Ronald Johnson and his team. While there, they met and thanked several U.S. Marines who are serving in the country.

Next, the delegation met with Mexican Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente to discuss the importance of our bilateral relationship, regional security, and countering China's influence in the Western Hemisphere.

Before leaving Mexico City, the delegation held a meeting with members of Mexico's Chamber of Deputies, including Chamber President Kenia López Rabadán. The meeting featured representation from both chambers and six of Mexico's political parties, including the ruling and opposition coalitions. Topics of discussion included security, trade, water, screwworm, and regional relationships.

The delegation also visited San Miguel de Allende, where they met with Mayor Mauricio Trejo Pureco and Governor Libia Dennise García Muñoz Ledo to discuss trade, tourism, opportunities in the upcoming USMCA renegotiation, and more.

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Congresswoman April McClain Delaney Condemns SAVE Act as Threat to Voting Rights

Today, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (D-MD) released the following statement against the SAVE Act:

“Once again, Republicans are prioritizing their own political survival over the people they represent and the democracy they’re sworn to protect. I voted against the SAVE Act because it strikes at free and fair elections.

“The SAVE Act is not about election integrity. Let’s be clear: non-citizen voting is already illegal in federal elections. Republicans know that. At a time when the cost of living is already too high, Republicans are raising the cost of voting—forcing millions to pay $130 for documents and navigate more red tape.When voting becomes more expensive in money and time, that’s not security—it’s suppression.

“The SAVE Act would impact millions of eligible votes. It would bury women and rural voters under unnecessary paperwork, disenfranchise millions whose legal names don’t match their birth certificates, and create new barriers for people who already struggle to access the ballot box. It also dangerously funnels voter data to Kristi Noem’s DHS with no guardrails or accountability.

“This is a solution in search of a problem. This is voter suppression, plain and simple. I will continue fighting in Congress and in our communities to protect the right to vote—because in a democracy, politicians don’t get to pick their voters.”

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For updates, follow Rep. McClain Delaney at @RepAprilDelaney.

Congresswoman April McClain Delaney was elected in 2024 to serve Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. In Congress, McClain Delaney is focused on improving US competitiveness and innovation, protecting our natural environment and championing policies that represent the values and priorities of Maryland’s 6th District.


Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces New Bill Calling for GAO Study on the State and Local Impacts of Federal Firings

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (D-MD) was joined by Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) and U.S. Senator for Maryland Angela Alsobrooks to introduce the Fiscal Harms of Federal Firings Act, which would direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive study of the financial impacts of the Trump Administration’s mass firings on state and local governments.

This bill comes a year after the first waves of large-scale federal firings–many of which have been contested in court–sent state-administered programs in a scramble, such as unemployment insurance, Medicaid, workforce retraining, housing assistance, and other social services scrambling. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management reported that the federal workforce lost more than 317,000 employees in 2025. It also follows, by just one week, Trump’s latest assault on the federal workforce to implement a ‘Schedule Policy/Career’ category that could result in the stripping of protections and at-will firings of more than 50,000 federal employees.

The legislation would:

Direct the GAO to conduct a comprehensive study of the fiscal impacts of federal reduction in forces (RIFs) on state budgets;

Evaluate increased state expenditures for unemployment insurance, health care, workforce development, and housing assistance;

Assess impacts on state and local tax revenues and regional economic activity;

Identify states most affected by federal workforce reductions; and

Direct the Comptroller General to submit recommendations to Congress with policy options and best practices to mitigate negative fiscal and economic effects.

“These firings were reckless and cruel, upending the lives of dedicated public servants, disrupting critical services the American people rely on, and leaving state and community budgets, such as those in Maryland, in deficit,” said Rep. McClain Delaney. “The fight isn’t over. As Congresswoman for a district home to more than 35,000 government workers and active-duty service members, I will continue to push legislation to understand the full impact of these cuts so we can do right by these workers and the state and local governments that stepped up to help.”

"One year after the administration’s sweeping removal of more than 317,000 federal workers, the resulting widespread disruption to our state and local economies continues to be felt, especially in Virginia," said Rep. Subramanyam. "We need to understand the true impact of these layoffs on our communities and budgets in order to fully recover and build a future where the contributions of federal workers and contractors to our economy are valued and protected."

“This Administration has spent its first year driving up costs of goods, increasing health care costs, and spending our taxpayer dollars on a goon squad of masked men who are killing American citizens. But what’s the real threat in their eyes? Our patriotic civil servants. It’s a cruel lie meant to cause division and distract the American people from the awful things Republicans are doing. That’s why I’m proud to work with Rep. McClain Delaney on the Fiscal Harms of Federal Firings Act. Our legislation will force the Administration to come clean about the financial impacts of this Administration’s mass firings on state and local governments,” said Senator Alsobrooks.

The bill was also endorsed by the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE).

“The Trump Administration has led a widespread crusade against the federal workforce that has been devastating not only for government employees, but also the states they service and reside in,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. “More than 80 percent of federal employees live outside of the Washington, DC area, and reckless job cuts have caused significant financial harm to communities across the country. It is critical that Congress understands the negative consequences of mass terminations at the federal level, which is why NFFE supports the Fiscal Harms of Federal Firings Act. Thank you to Representatives McClain Delaney and Subramanyam, and Senator Alsobrooks for supporting federal workers and protecting public services.”

"AFGE strongly supports Rep. McClain Delaney's Fiscal Harms of Federal Firings Act, a common-sense step toward transparency and accountability, ensuring Congress and the American people have real data on the economic damage federal job cuts cause,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley. “Federal workers are not line items on a spreadsheet — they are the backbone of our communities and our economy, and when reductions in force are justified as cost-saving measures, the broader fiscal consequences on states and local governments are too often ignored."

"Federal workers know well that this Administration’s efforts to dismantle the federal workforce have been costly and resulted in the loss of highly capable and dedicated civil servants. The impacts stretch beyond the damage to services, programs, and innovation, and affect communities and local economies throughout the United States,” said IFPTE President Matthew Biggs. “Congress must work to repair the damage, rebuild, and strengthen the civil service, and a necessary step towards that effort is to measure the economic harm created by the Administration's reckless mass firings of federal workers. We thank Congresswoman McClain Delaney for introducing the Fiscal Harms of Federal Firings Act and ask Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to cosponsor this legislation.”

House cosponsors include: Elfreth (D-MD), Ivey (D-MD), Moulton (D-MA), Norton (D-DC), Olszewski (D-MD), Subramanyam (D-VA), Vindman (D-VA), and Walkinshaw (D-VA).

Senate cosponsors include: Van Hollen (D-MD), Warner (D-VA), and Padilla (D-CA).

View the House bill text. View the Senate bill text.

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For updates, follow Rep. McClain Delaney at @RepAprilDelaney.

Congresswoman April McClain Delaney was elected in 2024 to serve Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. In Congress, McClain Delaney is focused on improving US competitiveness and innovation, protecting our natural environment and championing policies that represent the values and priorities of Maryland’s 6th District.


McClellan Advances Bill to Maintain and Strengthen FirstNet Emergency Response Communications

Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it: Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Congressman Neal Dunn (FL-02) advanced H.R. 7386, the First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act, out of the Energy & Commerce Committee to be voted on and passed by Congress. Their bill strengthens accountability measures and extends current funding levels for FirstNet, a wireless broadband network that helps ensure our nation’s first responders can effectively communicate and save lives in an emergency.

On September 11, 2001, bifurcated public safety communications systems and congested cellular networks prevented first responders from communicating across jurisdictions, putting lives in further peril. Following this tragedy, the 9/11 Commission recommended that Congress establish a nationwide, interoperable public safety communications network that prioritizes first responders. The product of that mandate, FirstNet supports public safety under the direction of the First Responder Network Authority (FNA), an independent entity created in 2012 that manages and administers the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). Under current law and without Congressional action, FNA’s legal authority is set to expire in February 2027.

“Born out of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, FirstNet plays a critical role in helping first responders stay connected during emergencies. With increasingly frequent extreme weather events like the recent winter storm that swept through much of the East Coast and the South and cost three lives here in Virginia, this could easily mean the difference between life and death,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “Congressman Dunn and I are working across the aisle to not only extend FirstNet’s current authorization, but strengthen the program’s governance, transparency and accountability measures. We have a responsibility to those we serve to not only ensure FirstNet continues to fulfill its core mission, but also to improve it for years to come.”

“When Congress created the First Responder Network Authority, there was a clear mandate to have a public safety, preemptive network that would be used exclusively for first responders on the ground. Our nation’s heroes and public servants who are the first to respond and the first people to put their lives on the line to protect Americans need robust communications,” said Congressman Dunn. “Congresswoman McClellan and I are working on a very clear mandate to give our local communities the resources they need to respond to tragedies, and what we’ve seen since 2017, when the contract was awarded, has been a tremendous success story. We’ve also learned some lessons. Our job in Congress of enforcement and oversight of the program is critical and that includes contract transparency and maintaining accountability at all levels. FirstNet is imperative to Florida’s Panhandle before, during, and after a disaster.”

The First Responder Network Authority Reauthorization Act aims to address the FirstNet sunset, increase transparency and accountability, and ensure Congress retains appropriate visibility into how NPSBN operates. Specifically, the draft legislation would:

Extend the FNA’s statutory authorization through September 2037;

Remove the FNA’s “independent” entity status and provide the NTIA with clear authority to manage and oversee FirstNet’s management, operations, and investment decisions;

Increase public safety’s representation on the FirstNet Board from three to five members (out of 15 total);

Provide the NTIA with authority to stagger FirstNet Board terms to ensure that vacancies are evenly distributed over time and not simultaneously;

Establish the position of NTIA Associate Administrator to oversee the FNA;

Expand the scope of allowable network reinvestments to keep up with wireless innovation;

Require detailed reporting on the performance of the FirstNet contractor (currently AT&T), including annual reports on cybersecurity and service adoption rates;

Require the FirstNet contractor to submit its Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan to the NTIA for approval;

Require the FirstNet contractor to notify the FNA of a network outage within 30 minutes of discovery, and require the FirstNet contractor to maintain a network status tool, accessible to subscriber agencies, with up-to-date information on network outages; and

Require the FNA to submit the FNA-AT&T contract to Congress at the written request of the House or Senate commerce committees.


McClellan Statement on Passage of the SAVE America Act – A Modern-Day Poll Tax and an Attack on our Right to Vote

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) opposed and issued the following statement on House passage of H.R. 7296, the SAVE America Act, a rewrite of the SAVE Act that would further restrict access to the ballot for millions of American citizens and undermine Americans’ fundamental right to vote:

“Voting rights are sacred. Many members of my family fought tooth and nail to be able to exercise that sacred right. And history may not repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme.

“My great grandfather, in the name of election integrity, had to take a literacy test and find three white men to vouch for his character in order to vote. My father and my grandfather had to pay poll taxes to be able to vote in Tennessee. All of this was done to make sure that local election officials could deny people their right to participate in our democracy.

“The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans know their policies are unpopular with the American people. Rather than fix what is failing, they seek to rewrite the rules in the middle of the game and attempt a federal takeover of our elections. They care more about winning than holding a free and fair election.

“Today, nine percent of voting age citizens and 21.3 million people nationwide do not have access to documentary proof of their citizenship, with the greatest impact on people of color. Every document this bill demands costs money — and whether it’s the $2.12 poll tax my father paid in 1947, a $130 passport or a $1,385 certificate of citizenship, even a cent is too much. The SAVE America Act is a modern-day poll tax that exploits that reality by requiring voters to navigate a costly and time-consuming process just to exercise their constitutional right.

“I kept my father’s poll tax receipt in the Bible I used to take my oath of office to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Watching Congress erode the freedom to vote is an insult to the legacy of those who came before me and a betrayal of our Constitution.”


U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum Opposes Republican Voter Suppression Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 1383, the SAVE America Act. Congresswoman Betty McCollum voted no on the legislation. After the vote, Congresswoman McCollum issued the following statement:

“Under the United States constitution, states are responsible for conducting elections. To date, American elections are safe, secure, and fair. As we celebrate 250 years of American democracy, Congress should be following Minnesota’s lead and working to encourage more Americans to vote rather than putting up roadblocks to the ballot box.

“Republicans’ so-called SAVE America Act would disenfranchise millions of Americans – especially women – through a federal takeover of state election administration that makes it more difficult to vote. Under the guise of election integrity, this bill would require every American to provide burdensome ‘documentary proof of citizenship,’ similar to what Minnesotans already rejected, in order to participate in federal elections. REAL IDs, Tribal IDs, and military IDs alone do not meet this bill’s extreme criteria. This creates an indirect poll tax, because nearly half of Minnesotans don’t have a passport. Almost seventy million American women – one out of four Americans – would face an additional burden to register to vote simply because they changed their last name after marriage. Simply put, this Republican bill is about voter suppression.”


Congressman Morgan McGarvey Votes to Terminate Trump’s Tariffs on Canada

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 11, 2026) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey released the following statement on his vote in support of HJ Res 72 to terminate Trump’s tariffs on Canada:

“Trump swore other countries would foot the bill for his ‘America first’ trade war, but Kentucky families paid the price when prices skyrocketed.

“And after the president picked a fight with our largest trading partner, Kentucky families paid for it again when our signature bourbon got wiped clean off Canadian shelves.

“Kentuckians are done picking up the check for this President’s petty grievances, and we will no longer be pawns in this White House’s trade war.”

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Congressman Morgan McGarvey represents Kentucky’s Third Congressional District, including Louisville and Jefferson County. He serves on the House Veterans Affairs, Small Business, and Budget Committees.


House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Delivers Remarks for Shadow Hearing on Trump’s Abandonment of Afghan Allies

Washington, D.C. — Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today delivered the following remarks, as prepared, during a shadow hearing titled: “Trump’s Betrayal of America’s Afghan Allies."

The Democratic shadow hearing exposed the moral and strategic consequences of the Trump administration’s decision to close all remaining relocation pathways for Afghan allies into the United States and to suspend the adjudication of legal status for Afghans already here.

“Thank you, Ranking Member Kamlager-Dove, for your leadership in convening this timely shadow hearing. I welcome our witnesses and thank them for taking the time to brief us on this critical issue.

“I find it unconscionable that Democrats were forced to hold this hearing unofficially. Republicans should have held this as an official hearing, or at the very least accepted our invitation to join us and hear what these witnesses have to say. After all, Republicans held numerous hearings and events on Afghanistan in the last Congress, which regularly departed from honest fact-finding into pure political theater to blast then-President Biden.

“Yet since then, as President Trump has abruptly ended all Afghan relocation efforts and upended bipartisan policy meant to help our Afghan allies who risked their lives to support our 20-year war, our Republican colleagues’ silence has been deafening.

“And while I appreciate Assistant Secretary Kapur appearing earlier today, Afghanistan was only one of many topics in his remit, and we still have many unanswered questions.

“We hope that we will have dedicated hearings on Afghanistan soon—Ranking Member Kamlager-Dove and I wrote to Chairman Mast and Subcommittee Chairman Huizenga last July urging them to act. They have so far failed to do so.

“Until Donald Trump took office, supporting the relocation of our Afghan allies to safety had been a bipartisan goal. We worked across the aisle to advance Ranking Member Kamlager-Dove's reforms to strengthen the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts—or CARE. But despite support from both sides of the committee, Republican leadership pulled it from last year's NDAA. It appears as though our Republican colleagues will abandon their convictions, and even their own bills, rather than risk going against Donald Trump. And the victims of their retreat include our Afghan allies—who are now stuck in limbo, separated from their families, or even being sent back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

“We have convened this shadow hearing to better understand the human impact of the Trump Administration’s policy changes on Afghanistan, and where to go from here. Changes that some may claim are just administrative—an exception for SIVs that wasn’t kept in the latest travel ban, a closure of a State Department office, or a federal register notice ending temporary protected status—have had massive impacts on the lives of thousands of people, including U.S. veterans and their loved ones. Congress has a responsibility to review these policies and develop appropriate legislative responses.

“I’ve repeatedly said—during this and prior Administrations—that this topic should not be a matter of politics. We want this shadow hearing and these policies to be bipartisan. But we refuse to let this issue go away just because Republicans wish to avoid crossing Donald Trump. And we won’t abandon our values or our friends.

“I still believe Republicans and Democrats alike want to do right by our Afghan allies, and there is an opportunity to reverse some of the disastrous decisions that have put their lives and livelihoods in jeopardy. I look forward to your testimony today to help us do so.”


House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Releases Statement on Israel’s Decision to Deepen Control over the West Bank

Washington, D.C. - Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet decision to deepen control over the West Bank:

“The decision by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet to deepen Israeli control over the West Bank and advance de facto annexation is deeply troubling. By making it easier to expand settlements, weakening the Palestinian Authority, and fundamentally alter the facts on the ground, these actions deliberately and potentially irreversibly erode the possibility of a negotiated two-state solution. Policies that make the two-state solution less attainable only make peace harder to achieve, weaken U.S. leverage, and risk undoing progress to de-escalate conflict throughout the region.”


House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks’ Resolution Terminating Trump Tariffs on Canada Passes House

Washington, D.C. - Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement after successfully forcing and winning a House vote to terminate Trump’s national emergency declaration and tariffs on Canada.

“Last year, American families paid nearly $1,700 more as a direct result of Trump’s tariffs. The price of goods from Canada rose by as much as 35%, while U.S. exports to Canada fell by 21%, further harming U.S. small businesses and farmers. The American people sent us to Congress to lower their cost of living, not drive it up.

“For months, Republicans blocked a vote on Trump’s illegal tariffs, choosing procedural games over their responsibility to the people they represent. Today, Democrats, joined by several Republicans, were able to force that vote and put Republicans on record. The question was simple: stand with working families and lower costs, or keep prices high out of loyalty to Donald Trump? House Democrats will continue fighting to lower costs, even if most Republicans won’t.”


House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Urges Republicans to join Democrats in Lowering Costs on American Families by Terminating Trump’s Canada Tariffs

Washington, D.C. — Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today delivered the following remarks, as prepared, during a debate on the House Floor in support of his Resolution terminating Trump’s national emergency used to impose tariffs on Canada:

“This debate is a year overdue.

"In the last year, tariffs cost American families nearly 1,700 dollars, and that cost is expected to increase in 2026. Since these tariffs were imposed, U.S. exports to Canada have fallen by more than 21 percent.

"When I go home, my constituents aren’t telling me they have an extra $1,700 to spare. They’re asking me to lower grocery prices, lower the price of healthcare, and make life more affordable.

"Today’s vote is simple: will you vote to lower the cost of living for American families, or will you keep prices high out of loyalty to Donald Trump?

"And let’s be clear about the so-called “emergency” Donald Trump declared on Canada and so many other countries, where no emergency exists.

"For over 50 years, emergency authorities have been declared for civil wars, pandemics, or massive human rights crises. Canada is none of those things

"Canada isn’t a threat, it’s our ally. Canadians have fought alongside Americans, whether in World War II or the war in Afghanistan, where 165 Canadians gave their lives after OUR country was attacked.

"There is no national emergency. No national security threat underpinning these tariffs. In an interview, just last night, Donald Trump admitted he placed tariffs on Switzerland simply because he didn’t like the way its leader spoke to him. That’s not strategy. That’s impulse.

"And who is paying the price for Trump’s impulse? American families.

"Your morning coffee. Your kid’s chocolate. Life-saving medical devices. Those are the Canadian goods being hit with 35% tariffs. Americans are paying more for health care and their daily essentials during an affordability crisis, all because of a manufactured emergency and one man’s ego.

"And the damage doesn’t stop there. American products? They are being boycotted across Canada. Don’t believe me: just look at the President’s social media post from two days ago where he said, quote, “Ontario won’t even put U.S. spirits, beverages, and other alcoholic products on their shelves.”

"Tourism from Canada is down 30%. People in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas, New York, and Florida are losing their jobs because Canadians don’t want to come here.

"And what are the American people getting in return?

"Higher electricity costs during one of the coldest winters in modern history.

"Higher food prices.

"Higher costs for industrial goods and health care.

"This is heads we lose, tails we lose.

"These tariffs are bad for American workers, bad for businesses, and bad for working families. Instead of addressing the affordability crisis, which the President has called a hoax, Republicans have spent a year blocking this vote to protect Trump rather than doing the job the American people sent us here to do: lower costs.

"That ends today.

"Every Member now has to go on the record. Do you stand with a disastrous trade war, or with your constituents who are demanding relief.


Congressman Meuser Secures $1.4 Million for Northumberland County Wastewater Infrastructure Upgrades

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) announced the award of $1.4 million in federal funding for the Shamokin–Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority. The funding was included in the FY26 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, recently signed into law.

The funding will support critical wastewater infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving operational efficiency, protecting water quality, and helping keep sewer rates affordable for residents. Planned improvements include replacing aging equipment in the Primary and Secondary Settling Tanks and installing a Headworks Grit Chamber to prevent system damage caused by debris.

Congressman Meuser said, “While wastewater infrastructure often goes unseen, it is critical to public health and environmental protection. Working in cooperation with the Authority’s General Manager, Paul Petrovich, I was pleased to secure this $1.4 million federal investment to strengthen Northumberland County’s wastewater system. This funding will help keep costs manageable for local families, ensure reliable sewage treatment, and further protect our environment. I look forward to seeing this project move forward and the positive impact it will have for the Shamokin-Coal Township community.”

Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority’s General Manager, Paul A. Petrovich, said, “We are extremely grateful to Congressman Meuser for securing our Authority $1.4 million in grant funding to make vital improvements to the treatment facility. When I heard the news directly from the Congressman, I was ecstatic. Grants are very competitive, and we know funding is tight for everyone. These grants not only allow us to keep our plant within DEP (PA Department of Environmental Protection) guidelines, but they also allow us to keep our sewer rates in check, which allows people to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pocket.”

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Meuser Supports Passage of SAVE America Act to Protect Election Integrity

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) voted in favor of the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, commonsense legislation that strengthens election integrity by requiring government-issued photo identification to vote and documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.

Americans are already required to show valid identification to drive a car, open a bank account, buy cold medicine, rent a hotel room, purchase alcohol, board a flight, donate blood, or access government benefits. Voting in a federal election should meet at least the same basic standard.

The House has previously passed the SAVE Act twice to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The SAVE America Act builds on that effort by establishing a nationwide requirement for valid photo ID at the ballot box, while preserving strong proof-of-citizenship safeguards.

Congressman Meuser said, “Every fraudulent vote cancels out a legitimate vote cast by a law-abiding citizen. With 84 percent of Americans supporting photo ID for voting, the SAVE America Act delivers the accountability and transparency voters expect and deserve. At a time when more than 15 million illegal immigrants have entered the country under the Biden-Harris Administration, Congress must act to protect the integrity of federal elections and restore trust in our democratic system. I applaud the House passage of the SAVE America Act, and I strongly encourage the Senate to bring this bill to the floor for an open debate. This way, Senate Republicans can clearly lay out its importance, and Senate Democrats can explain to the American people why they oppose requiring a photo ID to vote.”

The SAVE America Act passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 218-213 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

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THOMPSON ISSUES STATEMENT ON VOTING TO END THE PRESIDENT'S "EMERGENCY" TARIFFS ON CANADA

Read my statement on voting to end President Trump's "emergency" tariffs on Canada:

"Tonight, I voted to end this president’s so-called ‘emergency’ tariffs on Canada, and the House successfully passed the bill.

"These tariffs have hurt our agricultural producers and small businesses, driven up costs for consumers, and damaged our country's important relationship with our closest neighbor and ally. At a time when families are already facing higher prices, we should be lowering costs and strengthening partnerships, not fighting with our allies.

"Today’s vote is an important step toward restoring stability, reclaiming Congress’ authority over tariffs, and reinforcing the strong economic ties that benefit both of our nations."


Miller-Meeks Joins Legislation Honoring Fallen Iowa National Guardsmen

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), a 24-year veteran, has joined legislation to rename two Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities in honor of two National guardsmen, Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar and Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard who gave their lives serving our country.

The Iowa National Guard Heroes Commemoration Act would designate the VA clinic in Des Moines, as the ‘‘Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar VA Clinic’’ and the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department in Marshalltown will be named the ‘‘Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard VA Clinic.”

“As a 24-year Army veteran, I’m honored to join the Iowa Delegation in paying tribute to Staff Sgt Nathaniel Howard and Staff Sgt Edgar Torres-Tovar,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “These brave Iowans made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Renaming these VA facilities in their honor ensures their legacy lives on, a lasting reminder of their courage, commitment, and the deep gratitude of a nation they served with distinction.”

“We owe Staff Sgts. Torres-Tovar and Howard a debt we can never repay,” said Sen. Ernst. “These brave Iowans paid the ultimate price while defending our nation’s freedoms, and now, it is our duty to ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten. I’m honored to lead this effort and tell the stories of their service by designating places in their hometowns that will serve generations of Iowa veterans. The legacy of Iowa’s heroes will continue to live on.”

“We are forever indebted to Staff Sergeant Howard and Staff Sergeant Torres-Tovar for their dedication and service, both to the people of Iowa and to the United States. They represent the best of us, and that’s why the entire Iowa congressional delegation supports this important measure. Placing their names on these two facilities will ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten, especially by their hometowns,” said Sen. Grassley.

“Iowa lost two of its own when Staff Sgts. Edgar Torres-Tovar and William Howard gave their lives in defense of our country,” said Rep. Nunn. “They wore the uniform with honor, stood for something bigger than themselves, and represented the very best of the Iowa National Guard. Renaming these VA facilities in their honor will ensure their legacy endures as a permanent tribute to two Guardsmen who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

“Iowa and our nation mourn the loss of Staff Sergeant Nate Howard and Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar— real Iowa heroes who were killed by terrorists as they defended their fellow servicemembers from an attack in Syria,” said Rep. Feenstra. “I’m grateful to help introduce this legislation with the Iowa Delegation to rename two VA facilities in their honor to ensure their legacy of service endures, and their sacrifice is never forgotten. My thoughts remain with the Gold Star Families of Staff Sergeant Howard and Staff Sergeant Torres-Tovar and the men, women, and families of the Iowa National Guard, who exemplify the very best of our state.”

"Staff Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Staff Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar paid the ultimate sacrifice for our precious freedoms, and it’s an honor to help ensure these VA facilities carry the names of Nate and Edgar, who gave everything for our country,” said Rep. Hinson. “This is a tribute to not just their service, but their families who stood beside them, and every veteran who receives care here will do so in a place that honors their sacrifices for generations to come."

"Staff Sergeants William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Torres-Tovar devoted their lives to serving our state and nation. Naming these VA clinics in their memory is a lasting tribute to their ultimate sacrifice,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Located in their home communities, these clinics serve veterans with compassion, dignity, and respect—and they will now stand as a reminder of the legacy our heroes left behind."

“Every day, brave men and women from communities across the State of Iowa heed the call to serve and protect our country,” said Connie Bosen, Mayor of the City of Des Moines.“The act of naming central Iowa VAs after two Iowa guardsmen we were unfortunate to lose is just one way to recognize their sacrifice. I look forward to the renaming of Des Moines’ south side VA clinic in memory of SSG Edgar Torres-Tovar.”

“It is entirely proper and fitting to name the new VA Clinic in Marshalltown for our fallen hero, SST Nathaniel Howard of Marshall County,” said Mike Ladehoff, Mayor of the City of Marshalltown. “By taking this step, it will be a constant reminder for decades to come, that freedom is not free and the ultimate sacrifices that some have paid to protect and serve our great nation.”

“SSGT William Nathan (Nate) Howard served with distinction in the Army National Guard, demonstrating unwavering dedication, courage, and compassion both in uniform and in civilian life. Their commitment to fellow service members and the community left a lasting impact that continues to inspire all who knew them,” said Kevin Huseboe, Executive Director of Marshall County Veteran Affairs. “Renaming the clinic in his honor would not only preserve the memory of SSGT Howard but also serve as a daily reminder to patients, staff, and visitors of the values they stood for—service, integrity, and selflessness. It would be a fitting tribute to a life devoted to the well-being of others and a meaningful way to ensure their legacy endures.”

“Staff Sergeant Nate Howard exemplified the highest ideals of service, sacrifice, and commitment to country. His loss is deeply felt across Marshalltown and throughout Iowa, as reflected in the many stories shared in his remembrance,” said John Hall, President & CEO of Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce. “Naming the Marshalltown VA Clinic in his honor provides a permanent and meaningful tribute that will stand as a reminder to all who enter its doors of the cost of freedom and the courage of those who serve.”

“Polk County Veteran Affairs, support the ‘Iowa National Guard Heroes Commemoration Act’ that would name the South Des Moines V.A. Medical Clinic after Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar and the Marshalltown V.A. Medical Clinic after Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard,” said Pat Sweeney, Executive Director of Polk County Veterans Affairs.


Miller-Meeks Votes to Pass SAVE America Act to Secure Federal Elections

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tonight, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) voted to pass the SAVE America Act, legislation that would strengthen the integrity of federal elections by requiring proof of citizenship and government-issued identification in order to register to vote in federal elections.

“Requiring proof of citizenship and valid ID to vote in federal elections has overwhelming support from the American people, with polls showing roughly 83% of Americans backing these common-sense measures,” said Miller-Meeks. “I was proud to vote to pass the SAVE America Act in the House to strengthen election integrity and protect the fundamental principle that only American citizens should decide the future of our nation.”

Background:

Miller-Meeks previously voted to pass the SAVE Act twice in consecutive Congresses to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.

VOTER ID HAS OVERWHELMING NATIONAL SUPPORT

National polling shows Americans strongly support voter ID requirements.

Pew Research Center:

83% of Americans support requiring government-issued photo ID.

Notably, 71% of Democrats favor voter ID requirements.

Gallup:

84% of Americans support requiring photo identification to vote.

83% support requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote for the first time.

Support includes:

98% of Republicans

84% of independents

67% of Democrats

Few issues in American politics command that level of bipartisan agreement.


Rep. Dave Min And Sen. Schiff Introduce Bill to Increase Financial Disclosure Transparency of Trump White House, Government Officials

Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Dave Min (D-CA-47) and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the Financial Disclosure Modernization Act to increase transparency around government officials’ financial disclosures. This commonsense bill would update and expand the monetary values that elected and senior government officials are required to disclose in order to provide the American people with a better understanding of the financial holdings and interests of their leaders.

“The American people deserve to know who their leaders are working for. When disclosure laws are so outdated that they can’t even capture the scale of wealth held by senior officials, transparency becomes a fiction. Our Financial Disclosure Modernization Act is a simple, commonsense reform to strengthen public trust and make clear that no one, no matter how powerful or wealthy, is above accountability,” said Representative Min.

“Elected officials should be serving the public interest, not their own personal financial interest, and greater transparency is needed for both members of congress and the president and vice president. I’m proud to partner with Congressman Min to introduce this important improvement to financial disclosures that will increase transparency and accountability behind the financial holdings of government officials. The American people deserve no less,” said Senator Schiff.

Under the Ethics in Government Act, senior government officials are required to disclose their financial holdings and income using reporting value categories established in statute. However, the law is outdated. Currently, the highest value categories in disclosure forms for income is capped at “greater than $5 million,” while the highest value category for other reportable holdings – including interests, liabilities, transactions, and qualified blind trusts – is limited to “greater than $50 million.” President Trump, senior administration officials, and other individuals subject to disclosure requirements hold assets that far exceed the statute’s existing reporting thresholds.

This legislation would expand all reporting value categories to a new upper tier of “greater than $1 billion” to capture more precise and transparent disclosures by officials with substantial assets.

The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). In the U.S. House of Representatives, this bill is cosponsored by Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.-20), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).

This legislation is endorsed by Democracy Defenders Action, Public Citizen, CREW, POGO, American Oversight, Common Cause, People for the American Way (PFAW), and Take On Wall Street.

"Financial disclosure requirements for senior government officials are critical for the public to understand whether officials are acting in the public’s best interest, or in their own financial interests,” said Debra Perlin, Vice President for Policy at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). “But as President Trump continues to appoint ultra-wealthy allies to key government positions, it has become increasingly clear that meaningful transparency can only be achieved by updating existing disclosure requirements to account for the staggering wealth that senior officials may possess. We thank Senator Schiff for introducing this commonsense legislation and urge Congress to pass it swiftly.”

"The Ethics in Government Act was meant to give the public a clear view of public officials’ assets, income, and financial interests,” said Virginia Canter, chief counsel and director for ethics and anticorruption at Democracy Defenders Action. “But as written, it lets the ultra-wealthy report only broad ranges for high-value transactions, assets, and income, which reveals less than what everyone else must normally disclose. Senator Schiff’s Financial Disclosure Modernization Act would stop this. It would give Americans a transparent picture of how much money the richest officials are receiving from outside sources. We appreciate Senator Schiff’s leadership and urge Congress to pass the bill quickly."

"The public cannot guard against illegal enrichment if they don't even know how much their politicians are earning while in office,” said Abigail Bellows, Common Cause’s Senior Policy Director for Anti-Corruption and Accountability. “In an administration packed with multimillionaires and billionaires, our current financial disclosure requirements just aren’t robust enough to shed light on the vast wealth of those in power. The Financial Disclosure Modernization Act would strengthen these requirements, improving transparency and public accountability.”

"The once-excellent personal financial disclosure requirement for public officials under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 is beginning to show its age. The law mandated that officials disclose their income and assets in large categories, with the highest being "greater than $5 million" for income and "greater than $50 million" for assets. The problem is that more and more mega-millionaires and billionaires are now involved in public life with income and assets far above those ceilings. The Financial Disclosure Modernization Act raises those ceilings up to $1 billion to more accurately capture the real wealth of many public officials today,” said Craig Holman, Ph.D., Public Citizen.

"Sunlight is essential to government that serves the people, not just the powerful. This bill provides a much-needed update to current financial disclosure requirements. It helps us meet the moment in this time of government by the billionaires for the billionaires,” said Svante Myrick, President, People For the American Way.

Full text of the bill available here.

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WATCH: Rep. Min on CNN: “This All Reeks of a Cover-up Right Now and We Need to Release the Entire Epstein Files.”

Washington, D.C. — On CNN News Central, Representative Dave Min (CA-47), a member of the House Oversight Committee, pressed the Department of Justice over what he described as a “cover-up” in the handling of the Epstein files, criticizing widespread and “unnecessary” redactions, the withholding of roughly half of the documents, and what he called a pattern of efforts by the Trump White House and DOJ to shield powerful individuals from scrutiny.

Rep. Min also addressed the prospect of reading unredacted names on the House floor, Ghislaine Maxwell’s bid for clemency, and what the disclosures to date suggest about the equal application of the rule of law.

WATCH HERE

On Redactions in the Epstein Files:

“I am going in later this week, probably Thursday, maybe Friday, to review the unredacted Epstein files. And what we've seen so far, from the ones I've reviewed, is a lot of unnecessary redactions of names, including Donald Trump's name quite a lot. We've also seen them not redact the identities or faces of a lot of girls and young women. So there's a real problem here. And the other problem is that 50% of the Epstein files have not been released to us. We don't have any good reason for that. I'll take Representative Massie on his word that he saw some documents, and that it fits in with a larger narrative, that they're covering this up.”

On an Alleged DOJ and White House Cover-Up:

“I would really go back to last year, because around this time last year, you had Kash Patel and Pam Bondi, saying repeatedly that they would do everything in their power to release the Epstein files, to get to the bottom of this sex trafficking ring. And yet, sometime in May, reportedly, Pam Bondi told President Trump he was in the Epstein files. That launched this whole cover-up. We saw them then deny that the Epstein files existed. Ghislaine Maxwell had a weird visit, a private visit from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche who used to be Donald Trump's personal attorney. No line attorneys were present, and then a few weeks, a few days later, Ghislaine Maxwell got transferred to a minimum-security prison. Now, we had that subpoena, that deposition earlier this week, she took the 5th Amendment and said that she would not say anything unless she was given a full pardon by President Trump. So this all reeks of a cover-up right now and we need to release the entire Epstein files. The DOJ needs to explain why they seem to be redacting certain names of people who are implicated in the Epstein files.”

On Reading Unredacted Names of Those Implicated on the House Floor:

“If the DOJ is not willing to produce them, then—assuming it's legal and there's no national security or other reasons to withhold them—absolutely. The survivors deserve justice. I don't understand why we don't have transparency right now, and I don't know what the DOJ is trying to cover up.”

On Ghislaine Maxwell Seeking Clemency:

“I will just say that Ghislaine Maxwell was charged with—and was going to be convicted of—perjury, except she got convicted of a higher charge. Obviously, nothing she says is relevant. That is why we've been seeking the Epstein files for months and months now, because the person at the heart of this is a known liar. And the fact that she's basically saying, ‘Donald Trump, I will tell you exactly what you want to hear if you grant me a pardon’. That's not a deal that I think anyone wants right now. We want to get to the bottom of this and get the truth.”

On the Equal Application of the Rule of Law:

“This tells me that Donald Trump was caught lying, because he said that he did not know about Epstein until 2019, and that he quit affiliations with Epstein at some point. So the fact that as early as 2005, 2006, Donald Trump clearly knew something about what was going on with Epstein, and that he was continuing to send girls from Mara Lago to Epstein's appointments, tells us a lot about what Donald Trump knew and when, and I think that's a smoking gun, honestly.

I think the problem right now is that Americans are seeing this all happen, and they're seeing what looks like a cover up, what looks like an attempt to rig the judicial system in favor of some of the richest and most powerful people in the world. What we've seen so far, with the 50% partial production of the Epstein files, is a lot of the most famous, richest people in the world, including a lot of people in Donald Trump's orbit—Howard Lutnick, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk—named over and over in the Epstein files. Donald Trump is named 13,000 times in the Epstein files. And again, they're trying to protect him at this point, it looks like.

So what else is in there, and why don't we have justice? Why does it seem like the justice system is being rigged right now to protect the rich and powerful? America has a chance right now to show the world that there is one rule of law here. There is not an Epstein elite that's gonna get away with literally committing maybe murder, child rape, human trafficking—that we are gonna apply the rule of law to everybody, no matter who you are in this country.”

On White House Claims About the Files:

“They also said it was a hoax over and over and over, and that there were no Epstein files to be produced. Obviously, that is not true. So a lot of what the White House has said in the past year about Epstein is clearly lies.”


Bloomberg: US Company Ties to Foreign Adversaries Targeted in GOP Tax Bill

Businesses that use technology controlled by the Chinese government and other adversary nations would lose lucrative tax breaks under legislation proposed by a House Republican tax-writer.

Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas) is filing legislation obtained by Bloomberg Tax that would prevent businesses from claiming bonus depreciation, research and development expensing and credits, or business interest deductions if they use technology controlled by foreign adversaries.

Moran crafted the bill to pressure US companies in the energy and utility infrastructure sectors from using foreign-owned software that collects data on Americans or matters of national security, he said in an interview.

“It’s drafted broadly in an attempt at the outset to, frankly, smoke out some of the relationships and the dependencies that a lot of our companies in the United States have with foreign adversaries,” Moran said. “Shining a light in this area will change the behavior.”

The bill is among a growing collection of legislative maneuvers to pressure businesses to sever ties with China and other rival powers or otherwise starve them of taxpayer subsidies.

Republicans in their mega tax cut law last year restricted certain foreign-influenced entities from accessing clean-energy tax credits. Moran’s bill would add businesses that use technology sponsored by those countries to that blacklist.

Moran sits on both the Ways and Means Committee and Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

By Zach C. Cohen

Reporter Bloomberg Tax


Moran Introduces Legislation to Prevent Federal Tax Incentives from Supporting Foreign Adversary-Controlled Technology

U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) today introduced the Deterring Adversarial Access to Americans’ Data Act, legislation to disincentivize the use of foreign adversary-controlled technology by denying key tax incentives to companies that use such technology.

The legislation closes a gap in current law by amending the Internal Revenue Code to extend Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) restrictions to major business tax incentives. FEOC restrictions currently apply to certain energy incentives but do not extend to major business tax provisions. The bill would require companies to sever ties with foreign adversary-controlled technology in order to remain eligible for provisions such as bonus depreciation, research and development expenses, research tax credits, and interest deductibility.

“Taxpayer dollars should not subsidize business decisions that expose American data and supply chains to foreign adversaries,” Moran said. “Companies remain free to choose the technology they use, but eligibility for federal tax incentives is a privilege that should come with a responsibility to protect our economic and national security.”

Background:

Congressman Nathaniel Moran serves on both the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, giving him direct jurisdiction over U.S. tax policy and congressional efforts to confront foreign adversaries.


Moulton, Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Urge HHS to Restore 988 Crisis Lifeline Services for LGBTQ+ Youth

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in urging the Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Department of Health and Human Services to immediately restart specialized 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline services for LGBTQ+ youth. These services have already been funded by Congress and directed to be operational by the end of this month.

In the letter, the Members stressed that Congress appropriated $33.1 million in FY26 specifically to support the 988 Lifeline’s “Press 3” services for LGBTQ+ youth, recognizing the heightened suicide risk facing young people in the community and the lifesaving importance of specialized crisis support.

The letter was signed by Reps. Moulton, Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).

“Every day these lines stay offline, young people are left without the support they need, when they need it most,” said Congressman Moulton. “Congress has provided the funding for these services. To not use those funds as appropriated is dangerous and short-sighted. HHS needs to honor congressional intent and restore these services without further delay.”

Since its launch, the LGBTQ+ youth component of the 988 Lifeline has handled nearly 1.6 million calls, texts, and chats—an average of more than 2,000 contacts per day— underscoring the scale of the need and how critical this lifeline is.

The lawmakers emphasized that specialized services for high-risk populations, including LGBTQ+ youth and veterans, were a core part of the 988 Lifeline when it was signed into law, and that allowing these services to remain offline contradicts both congressional direction and established best practices in suicide prevention.

The Members called on HHS to ensure LGBTQ+ youth services within 988 are fully restored no later than February 28, 2026.

The full letter can be read here.

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Moulton Joins As An Original Cosponsor Of The Transgender Bill of Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) today joined as an original cosponsor of the Transgender Bill of Rights, a resolution offered by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) that provides a comprehensive framework for protecting the rights of transgender and non-binary people.

Congressman Moulton has been a proud co-sponsor of this resolution since its original introduction in the 117th Congress. This year’s resolution increases focus on President Trump’s discriminatory anti-trans executive orders and the need to prevent harm to transgender service members and immigrants.

“In a time when Trump and his Republican enablers act purely out of hatred that further marginalizes and discriminates against transgender Americans, it is more important than ever to reaffirm that transgender Americans deserve the same basic rights and liberties as everyone else,” said Congressman Moulton “This resolution is about affirming those basic rights and pushing back against the fear and hatred espoused by the Trump Administration that have no place in our democracy”

The Transgender Bill of Rights is a non-binding resolution that calls for government action to:

Ban discrimination based on gender identity and sex characteristics in services and public accommodations.

Protect bodily autonomy and expand access to gender affirming health care, abortion, and contraception while banning forced surgery on intersex children.

Improve safety by investing in violence prevention, survivor services, mental health care, and banning conversion therapy.

Strengthen civil rights enforcement through a dedicated Justice Department liaison focused on transgender civil rights.

The full resolution can be read here.

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Moulton Votes No On SAVE America Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) issued the following statement regarding his decision to vote No on the SAVE America Act.

“The ‘SAVE America Act’ is not a voter ID bill. It does not make our elections safer. In fact, it would make it harder for millions of American citizens to vote. For those reasons, I am voting No, just as I have proudly voted against every previous version of this misguided legislation.

“The SAVE America Act is an attempt by the Republican party to save their jobs. They know that the American people are noticing their agenda and turning on it, so they are trying to change the rules, instead of changing their record. This bill would effectively wipe out the ways that more than 90% of Americans register to vote, whether that be online, by mail, or at their local DMV. It would require registration with a form of ID that only 45-50% of Americans currently possess. Seniors who no longer have original birth certificates, students voting away from home, veterans and their spouses voting overseas, and married women and transgender people whose names have changed would all face even higher burdens to voting. Putting up barriers like this that prevent American citizens from voting is completely anti-democratic.

“We also need to acknowledge the broader context of this vote. Donald Trump is openly calling for nationalized elections, which would take power away from state and local election officials and put it in the hands of a federal government under his control. At a moment like this, Democrats must not help Republicans centralize power and tilt elections in their favor.

“Election security is vitally important. But our elections are already secure, and there is zero evidence of widespread non-citizen voting. Even the states that have gone looking for it can’t find it.

“We need to strengthen our democracy and ensure that every citizen is able to vote and make their voice heard. The SAVE America Act would deny the right to vote to millions of Americans, and that is why I am voting No.”

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Neal Blasts the Trump Administration for Improper Disclosure of Confidential Taxpayer Data

WASHINGTON, DC—Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) blasted the failures and lawlessness of the Trump Administration after it was reported that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) improperly disclosed confidential taxpayer information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

“The Trump Administration just committed a grave crime against taxpayers, clearly showing why data sharing among agencies is not something to be undertaken lightly. Privacy is next to liberty in American values, and while the Trump Administration wants to claim this was an accident, we know this was their goal. They have no intent of following our laws, and they have made it clear that they don’t respect the humanity of their neighbors—it’s the hallmark of their agenda.

“If the president can sue the IRS for $10 billion over the disclosure of his information, these victims should too. I would expect to see my Republican counterparts approach the wrongdoing of those at the IRS or DHS who were involved in these illegal disclosures with the same vigor that they applied to those responsible for the illegal disclosure of President Trump’s tax returns. We will see if we hear anything but the familiar sound of crickets chirping out of their corner.

“Acting Commissioner Bessent sure has a lot of explaining to do, and Chairman Smith must immediately bring him before the Committee, as well as join Ways and Means Democrats in not only referring this matter to TIGTA but also opening a committee investigation.”

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Neal Statement on Democrats Stopping Trump’s Reckless Tariffs with Canada

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Neal Statement on January 2026 Jobs Report

WASHINGTON, DC— Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the delayed January 2026 jobs report:

“Beating expectations once doesn’t absolve the pain of the meager monthly average of 15,000 jobs created last year. The fine print of this report, which shows significant downward revisions of Trump’s first year in office, cast strong doubt that people can rely on this Administration to deliver for them.

“Republicans oversaw the worst year for jobs outside of a recession in more than two decades, and now the cracks are deepening. The American people have caught on to the President’s unsteady economy, and Republicans know it. As more rebuke his tariff regime, Democrats will continue putting them on the record to own the failures and the squeeze families are feeling.”

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Newhouse Votes to Eliminate Tariffs on Canada

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement upon House passage of H.J. Res. 72 to end the emergency declaration and tariffs on Canada from Executive Order 14193. The resolution passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 219-211.

"Over the last few years, I have been a staunch advocate in the fight to end the fentanyl crisis. The reality is the overwhelming majority of illicit drugs have come through the Southern Border, which thanks to the Trump Administration, is effectively closed. Washington State’s economy is heavily intertwined with that of our neighbors to the North. Canada is our state’s second largest export market with billions of dollars in Washington commodities being sold there every year. Our agricultural producers’ input and equipment prices have continued to climb, and Canada’s reciprocal tariffs and actions have harmed our state’s beer, wine, and spirits industry.

Equally important is the fact that Congress should not tie its own hands on our Constitutional authority to levy tariffs. While I understand the President’s approach to utilize tariffs as leverage to secure more trade deals, the fact of the matter remains the tariffs on Canada have harmed Washingtonians. Congress must play a strong role in the upcoming USMCA review to strengthening the trade deal to the benefits of American farmers, businesses, and consumers."

President Trump signed Executive Order 14193 on February 1, 2025, declaring an emergency over the flow of fentanyl through the Northern Border. Concurrently, the President placed ad valorem tariffs on Canadian products, alleging the country had not adequately contributed to Northern Border security. Canada has since placed reciprocal tariffs on U.S. products.

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Rep. Norcross Announces 19 Nominees to U.S. Military Academies

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Donald Norcross, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and father of a veteran, announced and congratulated his 2026 congressional nominees for the United States service academies.

“Every year, I’m inspired by the young people in New Jersey who step forward ready to serve our nation,” said Congressman Norcross. “Our nominees have demonstrated the character, discipline, and leadership our nation’s service academies demand. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the father of a veteran, I do not take this responsibility lightly. To our nominees’ parents, thank you for raising leaders ready to answer the call to serve.”

Students wishing to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy must receive a nomination from the Vice President or their U.S. Senator or Representative. This year, 19 students were selected by Congressman Norcross and a committee comprised of community leaders, veterans, and service academy alumni to receive nominations to the service academies.

Students interested in attending a service academy can learn more on Congressman Norcross’s website.

Students Nominated by Congressman Norcross in 2026 (alphabetically ordered):

Zachary Bader, Waterford Township, St. Augustine Preparatory School, nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.

Casey Birdwell, Haddon Township, Haddon Township High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy.

Alexander Bovio, Williamstown, Williamstown High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy.

Abigail Caraballo, Haddon Heights, Haddon Heights High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy.

Jullian Checchia, Gloucester Township, Camden County College, nominated to the United States Air Force Academy.

Andrew Coyne, Harrington Park, Bergen Catholic High School, nominated to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Andrew Dozier, Southampton, Dwight Global Online High School, nominated to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Salvatore Fife, Westville, West Deptford High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Michael Gasiorowski, Haddon Township, Haddon Township High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy.

Julian Hollis, Sicklerville, Camden County Technical School, nominated to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Isaac Kim, Voorhees, Eastern Regional High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Tyler Le, Pennsauken, Pennsauken High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy.

Maximo Maletta, Washington Township, Washington Township High School, nominated to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Jack Olivo, Turnersville, St. Augustine Preparatory School, nominated to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Ethan Poplawski, Franklin, Pope John XXIII High School, nominated to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Samuel Spaulding, Runnemede, Camden Catholic High School, nominated to the United States Naval Academy.

Michael Stanwood, Pitman, Gloucester County Institute of Technology, nominated to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Madison Ver Hage, Paramus, Paramus High School, nominated to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Isaac Wadusky, Woodbury, Gloucester County Institute of Technology, nominated to the United States Naval Academy.

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House Passes Congressman Norman Bill to Strengthen Rural Community Banks

WASHINGTON — This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Ralph Norman’s (R-SC) bill, H.R. 6536, which supports rural financial institutions while improving access to credit in communities across America.

The legislation advanced as part of the House Financial Services Committee’s broader Housing for the 21st Century Act, a comprehensive housing package focused on expanding housing supply, modernizing federal housing programs, and strengthening community-based lending to improve housing affordability.

The Rural Depositories Revitalization Study Act directs federal banking regulators to study ways to strengthen rural banks and credit unions, and ensure families, farmers, and small businesses in rural communities continue to have reliable access to credit.

“I am proud to see Congress take action to protect rural communities across our nation,” said Congressman Norman. “Community banks are the backbone of rural America, supporting small businesses, family farms, and hardworking families every single day. My bill helps ensure these local institutions have the tools they need to keep serving their communities and supporting economic growth.”

This legislation directs the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the National Credit Union Administration to examine ways to improve the growth, capital adequacy, and profitability of rural depository institutions and credit unions, as well as identify regulatory barriers to these goals.

The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.


Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Adopts Norton Amendment Including D.C. in “State” Definition

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In today’s Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Full Committee markup, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) offered an amendment to a the Smart Space Act, which the Committee adopted, to define the term “State” to include the District of Columbia. The bill directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to convene consultation meetings with State real estate experts to identify alternative financing solutions that will reduce costs to the federal government for the construction of new public buildings.

“The amendment in the nature of a substitute to the Smart Space Act of 2026 did not define the term ‘State,’ which could have been interpreted to exclude the District of Columbia,” Norton said. “D.C. has the highest concentration of federal buildings of any large city in the nation. D.C. real estate experts should be included in the consultation meetings GSA is required to convene to identify alternative financing for the disposal, construction or renovation of federal buildings. I’m pleased the Committee adopted my amendment, which fixed the issue by defining ‘State’ to include D.C.”

Failing to include D.C. in the definition of “State” creates ambiguity and can lead to disputes over the interpretation of enacted laws.

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Nunn, Iowa Delegation Introduce Legislation to Rename VA Facilities After Fallen Guardsmen

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03), a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, today joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and the Iowa delegation to introduce legislation to rename two Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities in honor of Iowa National Guard Staff Sergeants Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and William Nathaniel Howard who were killed in an ISIS-affiliated terrorist attack in Syria on December 13, 2025.

Once enacted, Rep. Nunn’s Iowa National Guard Heroes Commemoration Act would rename the VA clinic in Des Moines as the “Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar Clinic” and redesignate the VA’s community-based outpatient clinic in Marshalltown as the “Staff Sergeant William Nathanial Howard VA clinic”.

“Iowa lost two of its own when Staff Sgts. Edgar Torres-Tovar and William Howard gave their lives in defense of our country,” said Rep. Nunn. “They wore the uniform with honor, stood for something bigger than themselves, and represented the very best of the Iowa National Guard. Renaming these VA facilities in their honor will ensure their legacy endures as a permanent tribute to two Guardsmen who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

“We owe Staff Sgts. Torres-Tovar and Howard a debt we can never repay,” said Sen. Ernst. “These brave Iowans paid the ultimate price while defending our nation’s freedoms, and now, it is our duty to ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten. I’m honored to lead this effort and tell the stories of their service by designating places in their hometowns that will serve generations of Iowa veterans. The legacy of Iowa’s heroes will continue to live on.”

“We are forever indebted to Staff Sergeant Howard and Staff Sergeant Torres-Tovar for their dedication and service, both to the people of Iowa and to the United States,” said Sen. Grassley. “They represent the best of us, and that’s why the entire Iowa congressional delegation supports this important measure. Placing their names on these two facilities will ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten, especially by their hometowns.”

“Staff Sergeants William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Torres-Tovar devoted their lives to serving our state and nation. Naming these VA clinics in their memory is a lasting tribute to their ultimate sacrifice,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Located in their home communities, these clinics serve veterans with compassion, dignity, and respect—and they will now stand as a reminder of the legacy our heroes left behind.”

“Iowa and our nation mourn the loss of Staff Sergeant Nate Howard and Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar—real Iowa heroes who were killed by terrorists as they defended their fellow servicemembers from an attack in Syria,” said Rep. Feenstra. “I’m grateful to help introduce this legislation with the Iowa Delegation to rename two VA facilities in their honor to ensure their legacy of service endures, and their sacrifice is never forgotten. My thoughts remain with the Gold Star Families of Staff Sergeant Howard and Staff Sergeant Torres-Tovar and the men, women, and families of the Iowa National Guard, who exemplify the very best of our state.”

“Staff Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Staff Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar paid the ultimate sacrifice for our precious freedoms, and it’s an honor to help ensure these VA facilities carry the names of Nate and Edgar, who gave everything for our country,” said Rep. Hinson. “This is a tribute to not just their service, but their families who stood beside them, and every veteran who receives care here will do so in a place that honors their sacrifices for generations to come.”

“As a 24-year Army veteran, I’m honored to join the Iowa Delegation in paying tribute to Staff Sgt Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Howard and Staff Sgt Edgar Torres-Tovar,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “These brave Iowans made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Renaming these VA facilities in their honor ensures their legacy lives on, a lasting reminder of their courage, commitment, and the deep gratitude of a nation they served with distinction.”

“Every day, brave men and women from communities across the State of Iowa heed the call to serve and protect our country,” said Connie Bosen, Mayor of the City of Des Moines. “The act of naming central Iowa VAs after two Iowa Guardsmen we were unfortunate to lose is just one way to recognize their sacrifice. I look forward to the renaming of Des Moines’ south side VA clinic in memory of SSG Edgar Torres-Tovar.”

“It is entirely proper and fitting to name the new VA Clinic in Marshalltown for our fallen hero, SST Nathaniel Howard of Marshall County,” said Mike Ladehoff, Mayor of the City of Marshalltown. “By taking this step, it will be a constant reminder for decades to come that freedom is not free and the ultimate sacrifices that some have paid to protect and serve our great nation.”

“SSGT William Nathan (Nate) Howard served with distinction in the Army National Guard, demonstrating unwavering dedication, courage, and compassion both in uniform and in civilian life. Their commitment to fellow service members and the community left a lasting impact that continues to inspire all who knew them,” said Kevin Huseboe, Executive Director of Marshall County Veteran Affairs. “Renaming the clinic in his honor would not only preserve the memory of SSGT Howard but also serve as a daily reminder to patients, staff, and visitors of the values they stood for—service, integrity, and selflessness. It would be a fitting tribute to a life devoted to the well-being of others and a meaningful way to ensure their legacy endures.”

“Staff Sergeant Nate Howard exemplified the highest ideals of service, sacrifice, and commitment to country. His loss is deeply felt across Marshalltown and throughout Iowa, as reflected in the many stories shared in his remembrance,” said John Hall, President & CEO of Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce. “Naming the Marshalltown VA Clinic in his honor provides a permanent and meaningful tribute that will stand as a reminder to all who enter its doors of the cost of freedom and the courage of those who serve.”

“Polk County Veteran Affairs supports the ‘Iowa National Guard Heroes Commemoration Act’ that would name the South Des Moines V.A. Medical Clinic after Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar and the Marshalltown V.A. Medical Clinic after Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard,” said Pat Sweeney, Executive Director of Polk County Veterans Affairs.

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