Congresswoman Hageman Introduces SAFE Act to Combat Chameleon Carriers

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) introduced the Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement (SAFE) Act to combat chameleon carriers.

These high-risk trucking companies operate by shutting down and reopening under different identities, rotating through names, ownership structures, or Department of Transportation (DOT) registration numbers, to avoid penalties, enforcement actions, insurance consequences, and public scrutiny. They often continue using the same trucks, the same managers, drivers, and addresses while pretending to be a brand-new company.

The SAFE Act establishes the mechanism to accurately detect chameleon carriers in the registration process, ensuring they are subject to enforcement for violations under the law.

“These companies game the system, ignore the law, and put American families at risk, all while punishing hardworking truckers who follow the rules,” said Rep. Hageman. “If a trucking company racks up violations or loses its license, it should not get to slap on a new name and get back on the road. My bill closes dangerous loopholes and holds bad actors accountable.”

“Wyoming trucking companies play by the rules, invest in safety, and carry the cost when bad actors dodge accountability. The SAFE Act is a common sense step to stop chameleon carriers from reappearing under new identities after serious safety failures or enforcement actions. By strengthening screening at registration, protecting due process through a clear appeals process, and improving data sharing, this bill helps level the playing field for responsible carriers and makes our roads safer for everyone,” said Wyoming Trucking Association President and CEO Kevin Hawley.

"Chameleon carriers are a plague on our nation's highways, putting all motorists at risk and undercutting the vast majority of trucking companies that are responsible and follow the rules,” said American Trucking Associations SVP of Legislative Affairs Alex Rosen. “Safety is a priority for our members, which is why we are grateful for Rep. Hageman’s leadership to strengthen federal safety requirements and oversight. Alongside USDOT, we have closed loopholes and removed bad actors from our roads, and we look forward to building on this progress by working with Rep. Hageman and her colleagues to attach this commonsense policy to the next Highway Bill.”

“Chameleon carriers have undermined America’s highway safety and damaged the professionalism of the trucking industry by evading enforcement, dodging penalties, and reopening under new identities. Representative Hageman’s SAFE Act takes decisive action to detect and crack down on these bad actors at the registration stage. OOIDA and truckers across America commend Representative Hageman’s leadership in restoring accountability to the system and standing up for law-abiding small-business truckers and the safety of the motoring public," stated Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

“The SAFE Act takes an important step toward identifying chameleon carriers operating on our roads today. The enactment of this language will aid the enforcement community at FMCSA in stopping businesses that continually refuse to prioritize safety and act as market disruptors in the industry. By effectively targeting chameleon carriers, this legislation will reinforce the strengths of our industry, supporting those who prioritize safe operations and uphold exemplary business practices. We commend Representative Hageman for her leadership on this important issue and urge Congress to advance the SAFE Act,” stated Truckload Carriers Association President Jim Ward.

"I lost three generations of family in a preventable truck crash caused by a chameleon carrier. It's not a question of if, but when, these bad faith carriers will kill more people on our roads. The SAFE Act will save lives, and I am grateful for Representative Hageman's commitment to truck safety," said Abby Godines, Truck Safety Coalition volunteer.

Background:

On February 3, 2026, an illegal alien truck driver crashed into a van, killing four people in Indiana. The truck involved is part of a larger network of carriers operating under multiple identities, with the network, according to recent reporting, comprising more than 2,993 inspections, 1,552 violations, 439 out-of-service orders, and 91 crashes.

The SAFE Act takes direct action by:

Requiring a nationwide study on the scope and impact of chameleon carriers.

Supports the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts by directing the Federal Motor Safety Administration (FMCSA) to develop and implement an advanced automation tool to flag suspicious registration applications before unsafe operators receive new DOT numbers.

Strengthening coordination between federal and state agencies to identify shared ownership, recycled equipment, and other red flags.

Preserving due process by requiring human review and creating a clear appeals process.


Congressman Rogers Joins Local & State Officials to Break Ground on Ashland’s Largest Wastewater Treatment Project

ASHLAND, KY (February 18, 2026) – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) joined local and state officials in Ashland on Wednesday to break ground on the city’s largest wastewater treatment project to date. The nearly $100 million project is critical to support economic development in the area and is essential to meet federal EPA compliance standards.

“We are strengthening the infrastructure in Ashland to meet the growing industrial needs in our region,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “When Ashland became part of Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District in 2022, local leaders quickly let me know that this project was among their top priorities, and I was proud to help move this new treatment plant forward with a federal earmark.”

Congressman Rogers secured $4 million in Community Project Funding for the project, which was awarded through an EPA State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) to the City of Ashland.

“This is the largest wastewater treatment project in the history of our city. It is an investment that we can’t afford not to make, as our economy and industrial development needs continue to climb and increase demand on our infrastructure,” said Chuck Charles, Mayor of Ashland. “We appreciate Congressman Rogers for meeting with us from day one and diligently working with us to support the project with federal funding.”

The new treatment plant will double peak hourly flow treatable capacity limitations, provide 2.25 million gallons of excess flow storage, and allow the Water Resource Recovery Facility to increase storage and necessary biological treatment.

“Congressman Rogers didn’t hesitate to offer his support for this project from the very beginning. This is a great example of how we can bring together local, state and federal efforts to help our economy thrive in Boyd County,” said Eric Chaney, Boyd County Judge Executive.

The historic project is expected to take nearly four years to be completed.

For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.


Comisionado Residente anuncia $558,750 para investigación científica en la UPR Río Piedras

WASHINGTON, DC — El Comisionado Residente de Puerto Rico, Pablo José Hernández, anunció una subvención federal de $558,750, administrada por el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los Estados Unidos (HHS), para la University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, destinada a apoyar investigación en farmacología, fisiología y química biológica.

“La UPR Río Piedras es un pilar del ecosistema científico de Puerto Rico. Esta inversión reconoce su capacidad y refuerza su rol como centro de investigación de excelencia,” expresó el Comisionado Residente.

Los fondos apoyarán proyectos de investigación y el desarrollo de talento científico en el Recinto de Río Piedras, con beneficios directos para la salud y la educación en la Isla.

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ICYMI: Rep. Hinson in The Telegraph Herald: Extending 529 Plans to Child Care Would Help Iowa Families

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

The Telegraph Herald

Family is at the heart of everything I do — and we should keep working to make it easier and more affordable to raise one. In Washington, I am laser-focused on bipartisan solutions that make life simpler and more affordable for working parents. One area where we can make a meaningful difference is child care, which has become one of the largest household expenses for families in Iowa and across the country.

Parents often spend a significant portion of their income on early childhood programs. For some, the cost is so high they are forced to choose between remaining in the workforce or staying home with their children. As a mom who has always worked, I don’t think families should have to make that choice.

That is why I helped introduce bipartisan legislation to allow parents to use 529 education savings accounts for licensed child care and early learning expenses for children under 5. Currently, families can use 529 plans to save for higher education and K-12 education expenses. But we all know the crunch doesn’t start when their child enters elementary school or turns 18 — it starts in the early years when costs of child care and early learning options start to add up. This bill doesn’t cap how much families can use or save in their 529 account, so parents can plan in ways that match their budgets and real-time needs. Providing this flexibility will empower parents to invest in their children’s education from the early formative years to college.

More help is also on the way from the Working Families Tax Cuts bill, which expands the Child Tax Credit to allow working families to keep more of their paychecks. Paired together, these policies will improve child care access and affordability for families.

Expanding the use of 529s for child care is just one piece of our larger affordability effort, but it’s a common sense, bipartisan place to start. I’ll continue working across the aisle to break down barriers and make child care more accessible to Iowa families. Together, we can give families the financial security they need and every child the strong start they deserve.

This piece was originally published in The Telegraph Herald on February 18, 2026. Read more about the bipartisan legislation Rep. Hinson helped introduce here.

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Horsford Unveils TIP Improvement Act: Legislation Crafted by Workers, for Workers

LAS VEGAS – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) joined members of Culinary Union Local 226 and tipped workers from across Southern Nevada today to announce the introduction of the Tipped Income Protection and Improvement (TIP Improvement) Act. The legislation was crafted with direct input from workers to raise wages, strengthen protections for tipped employees, safeguard fair pay, and create a fairer tax system for working families.

Congressman Horsford emphasized that the day-to-day reality faced by tipped workers reflects the true state of today’s economy for millions of working families.

“Too often, politicians measure the economy by stock prices or corporate profits,” said Rep. Horsford. “But the true state of the economy is reflected in the paychecks of working families. When tips drop, paychecks shrink and families feel it immediately. Tipped workers are the first to experience economic downturns and the last to recover, yet too many are still forced to survive on unpredictable income under outdated wage laws like the subminimum wage. The TIP Improvement Act was written with workers – not lobbyists or special interests – at the table. It protects tips, strengthens wage standards, and ensures tax relief goes directly to the servers, bartenders, hotel staff, and service workers who show up every day to keep our economy moving.”

The TIP Improvement Act was crafted in direct response to a letter from Culinary Union Local 226. Congressman Horsford worked alongside tipped workers and labor leaders to ensure the legislation reflects real-world workplace conditions and delivers meaningful relief to working families – not corporations or business owners looking to exploit loopholes.

“Culinary Union members are living what we call the ‘Trump Slump’ - fewer visitors, less hours, and smaller paychecks, and no one feels that more than the servers, bartenders, and hospitality workers who keep this city running. Workers need real relief admits all this economic chaos,” said Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union. “Tips aren’t charity and they’re not guaranteed. They’re earned through late shifts and time away from family, and when tips go down, rent, groceries, childcare, and the power bill don’t. When ‘No Taxes on Tips’ was announced, workers were skeptical and they were right to be. The tax credit that passed in the Big Ugly Bill was temporary and full of loopholes. It didn’t fully address automatic gratuities, it had a marriage penalty, and it left too many workers unsure if they could even use it. Laws that are supposed to help workers shouldn’t be so complicated or limited that working families are left out. That’s why we’re backing Congressman Steven Horsford and the TIP Improvement Act. This bill came from workers, Culinary and Bartenders Union members, not from lobbyists. It makes tax relief permanent, ends the outdated sub-minimum tipped wage, fixes the marriage penalty, and makes sure automatic gratuities count as tips. Congressman Horsford has been on our picket lines, in negotiations with companies and the IRS, and we know he’s fighting for workers, not billionaires. The TIP Improvement Act is how we turn the promise of ‘No Tax on Tips’ into real, lasting relief that working families can feel in their paychecks and we urge Congress to pass it into law.”

The TIP Improvement Act represents the next step in Congressman Horsford’s effort to modernize federal tipped wage policy and ensure that any federal tax changes meaningfully benefit working people. It would:

Eliminate the federal subminimum tipped minimum wage.

Fix the marriage penalty by raising the deduction cap from $25,000 to $50,000 for joint filers, recognizing households where both spouses earn tipped income and ensuring working families are treated fairly.

Allow workers to use a verified Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to claim the deduction.

Add safeguards to prevent misuse, including prohibiting business owners or related parties from claiming deductions meant for employees.

Treat automatic gratuities as qualified tips when fully passed on to workers or lawfully distributed through tip pools.

Make the deduction permanent by removing the current 2028 expiration date.

Apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Congressman Horsford emphasized that economic policy must be grounded in the lived realities of working people. He noted that this legislation builds on his landmark Tipped Income Protection and Support (TIPS) Act by incorporating direct feedback from tipped workers to strengthen income protections, reinforce fair wage standards, and close loopholes left in previous proposals.

To watch the full press conference, click here.

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Hoyer, Van Hollen, Maryland and Virginia Members of Congress Urge Public Transparency, Long-term Response Plan from DC Water

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and 9 additional members of Congress who represent Maryland and Virginia wrote to DC Water CEO and General Manager David Gadis, expressing serious concern over the public health and environmental impacts of the disastrous sewage spill into the Potomac River following the collapse of a major sewer line last month – and called for the utility to take a series of actions and increase public transparency as the response and recovery efforts continue.

Joining Congressman Hoyer and Senator Van Hollen on this letter are Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and U.S. Representatives Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), and James Walkinshaw (VA-11).

“We write to express our serious concern around the collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sanitary sewer line that was discovered on January 19 along Clara Barton Parkway and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal National Historical Park in Montgomery County, Maryland. The failure of this 72-inch diameter pipe, which conveys approximately 60 million gallons of wastewater per day from communities in Maryland and Virginia to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Washington, D.C., resulted in a massive discharge of raw, untreated sewage into the Potomac River,” the lawmakers began. “This is one of the largest sewage spills in our country’s history, and its consequences for public health, the environment, and our communities demand a comprehensive and sustained response as well as clear communication with the public.”

They thanked DC water employees and contractors for braving difficult conditions to conduct critical containment and repair work, but also underscored the ongoing risks to the public and the environment in the wake of this disaster, writing, “while we appreciate the ongoing emergency response, we remain deeply concerned about the near-term public health and environmental impacts of this spill. Independent testing conducted by University of Maryland researchers and the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, as well as DC Water’s own testing, have revealed alarming contamination levels in the river, and the full scope of the environmental damage is still not fully understood.”

The lawmakers went on to urge DC Water to commit to the following actions as the repair and recovery work continues:

Frequent and transparent public communication;

Develop a comprehensive environmental impact assessment and remediation plan;

Regular public briefings with opportunities for direct community engagement with DC Water;

Continued water quality monitoring through spring and summer; and

Ongoing communication with the regional Congressional delegation.

“We are closely monitoring this situation and stand ready to assist in any way we can. Our offices will continue to relay the concerns of our constituents to DC Water and work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure a full and effective response to this crisis. Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your response,” the lawmakers concluded.

Text of the letter can be viewed here and below.

Dear Mr. Gadis:

We write to express our serious concern around the collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sanitary sewer line that was discovered on January 19 along Clara Barton Parkway and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal National Historical Park in Montgomery County, Maryland. The failure of this 72-inch diameter pipe, which conveys approximately 60 million gallons of wastewater per day from communities in Maryland and Virginia to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Washington, D.C., resulted in a massive discharge of raw, untreated sewage into the Potomac River.

Before DC Water was able to activate a bypass system on January 24, an estimated 40 million gallons of wastewater per day overflowed from the collapse site, with approximately 243 million gallons of untreated sewage reaching the river in total according to DC Water’s estimates. The Potomac River is a vital natural resource that provides drinking water to five million people, supports a rich and diverse ecosystem, and serves as a source of recreation, livelihood, and pride for communities across our region. This is one of the largest sewage spills in our country’s history, and its consequences for public health, the environment, and our communities demand a comprehensive and sustained response as well as clear communication with the public.

We want to first acknowledge and thank the DC Water employees and contractors who have been working around the clock in extremely challenging winter conditions to contain the spill, install and maintain bypass pumping systems, and begin the complex work of cleaning and repairing the damaged pipe. The dedication of these workers, who have persevered through freezing temperatures and heavy snow, reflects the highest standards of public service and deserves our recognition and gratitude.

While we appreciate the ongoing emergency response, we remain deeply concerned about the near-term public health and environmental impacts of this spill. Independent testing conducted by University of Maryland researchers and the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, as well as DC Water’s own testing, have revealed alarming contamination levels in the river, and the full scope of the environmental damage is still not fully understood.

Water samples collected at the spill site have shown E. coli bacteria concentrations more than 10,000 times above Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recreational water quality standards, and elevated contamination levels above EPA standards have been detected at downstream locations as well. University of Maryland’s testing also detected S. aureus, the bacteria responsible for staph infections, at one-third of sampling sites. And MRSA, a highly dangerous antibiotic-resistant strain of S. aureus, was detected at the sewage overflow site. As of February 16, E. coli levels near the Lock 10 drainage channel remained severely elevated, and DC Water has acknowledged a significant reporting error in which actual E. coli concentrations on February 6 at this location were approximately 100 times higher than initially disclosed.

We are also concerned about the potential ecological impacts of this spill on fish, wildlife, and their habitats. The Potomac Gorge, the section of the river where this spill occurred, is one of the most significant biodiversity hotspots on the East Coast and home to over 1,500 species, including nearly 200 that are listed as rare, threatened, or endangered. The introduction of hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage into this ecosystem risks cascading harm to fish populations, aquatic invertebrates, and the wildlife that depend on them. There have already been credible reports of fish kills downstream of the spill and the Maryland Department of the Environment took the precautionary step of closing shellfish harvesting areas along part of the lower Potomac River, demonstrating that a full accounting of these impacts is essential.

Furthermore, recent cold weather conditions are compounding these risks. Cold water temperatures near the spill site will slow bacterial die-off and allow harmful pathogens to survive longer and travel farther downstream. Additionally, ice cover on portions of the river reflects sunlight that would otherwise help sterilize the water, and the river’s current drought conditions have reduced the natural dilution of contaminants. There is also significant concern that frozen sewage in the water column and along shorelines may trigger delayed contamination events and additional harm to the river and public health when temperatures rise.

Given the severity and ongoing impacts of this incident, we request that DC Water commit to the following actions:

Frequent and Transparent Public Communication: We ask that DC Water continue to provide frequent, accurate, and transparent updates to the public regarding the status of repair work at the collapse site, bacteria levels in the river associated with the sewer line collapse and the corresponding public health risks, and any other developments related to this incident. The recent discovery of a significant rock blockage in the sewer line that will add four to six weeks to the timeline for repairs and overflows that continue to occur at the break site demonstrate the importance of these updates. It is imperative that the information DC Water provides to the public be rigorously verified, clearly communicated, and transmitted in a timely fashion.

Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment and Remediation Plan: We ask that DC Water partner closely with federal, state, and local officials, as well as environmental organizations and research institutions working on the ground, to develop and publicly release a thorough assessment of the spill’s environmental impacts alongside a comprehensive timeline for environmental remediation at all impacted sites. This rigorous study and plan should include:

An assessment of the spill’s impact on fish, wildlife, and the ecologically sensitive habitats within and near the Potomac River.

An assessment of any impact on the C&O Canal National Historical Park, a treasured site for recreation which is currently serving as the temporary bypass venue for diverted sewage and may have sustained environmental harm as a result.

An assessment of potential downstream impacts to water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, given that the Potomac River is one of the Bay’s largest tributaries and that contamination has already been detected miles downstream of the spill site.

A clear and detailed plan for the environmental remediation needed to address the ecological damage caused by this spill, including timelines, responsible parties, and coordination with relevant regulatory agencies.

Public Briefings: We ask that DC Water hold regular public briefings on the incident and its ongoing impacts to inform members of the local community and provide them with opportunities to ask questions and share their concerns directly with DC Water leadership. The residents, businesses, and recreational users who depend on the Potomac River and the C&O Canal deserve direct forums to engage with DC Water on the response, the remediation plan, and what steps are being taken to prevent a disaster of this magnitude from occurring again. We appreciate that you are working toward providing opportunities for the community to directly engage with DC Water, as you stated in your recent Open Letter, and that you are planning an in-person community meeting with regional leaders and public health agencies for the week of February 23.

Continued Water Quality Monitoring Through Spring and Summer: We ask that DC Water commit to sustained water quality monitoring well into the spring and summer months to ensure that bacteria levels return to safe standards before the recreational season and to detect any delayed contamination from frozen sewage and sediment-trapped pollutants. Testing results should continue to be released to the public on a regular basis.

Ongoing Communication with the Congressional Delegation: We ask that DC Water continue to keep Members of Congress representing the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia closely informed as repair work progresses and as you pursue the necessary infrastructure upgrades and environmental remediation. We are prepared to support efforts to secure the federal resources and technical assistance needed to address both this incident and the broader challenge of aging wastewater infrastructure in our region.

We are closely monitoring this situation and stand ready to assist in any way we can. Our offices will continue to relay the concerns of our constituents to DC Water and work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure a full and effective response to this crisis. Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your response.


Ranking Members Huffman, Heinrich, Klobuchar, Merkley, Pingree, and Colleagues Call on Secretary Burgum to Halt Creation of Unified Wildfire Agency, Citing Dramatic Cuts at the Interior and Concerns with Fire Mismanagement

WASHINGTON – U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, and U.S. House of Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ranking Member of U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, led their colleagues in sending a letter calling on U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum to halt efforts to create the Department’s new U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS), citing potential life-or-death consequences that could come as a result of decoupling wildfire management from land management agencies, and emphasizing a number of concerns related to recent reductions in staffing, combined with improperly severing wildfire management from land stewardship.

The Trump administration has restructured firefighting efforts in the DOI without transparency and the necessary congressional approval and funds to create the new program.

“We are concerned that the DOI is advancing a rapid and consequential restructuring of wildfire management without adequate analysis, transparency, or planning to prevent disruption during what is expected to be a significant fire season or to safeguard long-term wildfire preparedness,” the lawmakers began.

The lawmakers continued, “While consolidation could be an effective strategy to improve efficiency and coordination, the administration’s approach risks diverting critical resources and funding away from land management agencies without any public plan to replace those capabilities. Equally troubling, the Department has not provided Congress with any information detailing how decoupling wildfire management from land management agencies is expected to improve the health of public lands, enhance communication and coordination, or better protect lives and private property from catastrophic wildfire.”

“The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) relies on an integrated workforce of land managers, scientists, fuels specialists, and field staff to plan and implement vegetation management, hazardous fuels reduction, grazing programs, habitat conservation, and post-fire recovery,” the lawmakers underscored. “Further reductions in staffing, combined with improperly severing wildfire management from land stewardship, will undermine the agency’s capacity to manage landscapes proactively.

The lawmakers concluded by urging the DOI to halt the creation of the USWFS and demanding answers to the lawmakers’ questions.

Alongside Ranking Members Huffman, Heinrich, Klobuchar, Merkley, and Pingree, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Mark Kelly (D- Ariz.), and U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.).

Read the full letter here and below.

Dear Secretary Burgum:


Smith Praises Boeing for Returning Defense HQ to St. Louis, Highlights Incentives from One, Big, Beautiful Bill

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Today, Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) released the following statement praising Boeing’s decision to return the Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) headquarters to St. Louis, bringing the division’s leadership back to Missouri after nearly a decade. Smith joined Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at Boeing’s St. Louis facility for the Secretary’s Arsenal of Freedom Tour, during which the announcement was made.

Congressman Smith said, “Boeing’s decision to redesignate St. Louis as the headquarters of its Defense, Space & Security business is a major win for Missouri workers, our regional economy, and our nation’s defense. With more than 18,000 employees in the St. Louis region, Boeing is a cornerstone of our manufacturing economy and a driving force behind the advanced defense systems that keep our nation secure.

“This move sends a strong message: the future of America’s defense capabilities is being built right here in the heartland. I look forward to continuing to work with Boeing, state leaders, and our federal partners to ensure Missouri remains a leader in the aerospace and defense manufacturing industry for decades to come.”

Background:


Smith Visits Brockmiller Construction Inc.

FARMINGTON, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) met with Brockmiller Construction Inc. in St. Francois County today where he received an update from Brockmiller Construction President Collin Rogers on the company’s policy priorities and broader issues facing the construction sector.

Congressman Smith said, “It was great to join Mr. Rogers and his team for a productive conversation about what Congress can do to ensure companies like Brockmiller Construction continue to grow and thrive. Brockmiller has been a pivotal part of the Farmington and St. Francois County community since its founding 100 years ago, and as an employee-owned company, Brockmiller is an outstanding example of the success a company can achieve when it always puts its employees first. Republicans in Congress delivered economic certainty for businesses like Brockmiller in the Working Families Tax Cuts, and I look forward to building on that success by continuing to support legislation that benefits employee-owned businesses and the broader construction industry.”

As part of his visit to Farmington, Congressman Smith toured the 8,400-square-foot Farmington Public Works building that Brockmiller is building for the city. The company employs roughly 80 workers and operates under an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which Congressman Smith has long supported through legislation he authored to strengthen ESOPs nationwide. Roughly 75%–80% of Brockmiller’s work is contracted by Farmington Public Works, alongside its partnership with 9 different counties across the region.

During his visit, Mr. Rogers, along with Farmington Mayor Chris Morrison and City Administrator Gregg Beavers, discussed ongoing challenges with Congressman Smith, including federal red tape surrounding reverse mortgages and federally backed properties. Congressman Smith deeply appreciated his conversation, and looks forward to continuing his efforts to secure our supply chains, promote economic certainty and growth, and cut bureaucratic red tape that only hurts businesses like Brockmiller Construction.


Jayapal Demands ICE Review Rodney Taylor’s Request for Release

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) is leading 20 Members of Congress in calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to look into the detention of Rodney Taylor, who has been detained at a for-profit detention facility in Lumpkin, Georgia.

“Mr. Taylor is a double amputee with only one functional hand who has been detained for over a year in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for-profit detention facility. He has experienced extreme hardship in detention and his health is continuing to deteriorate,” wrote the Members.

Since entering ICE detention, Mr. Taylor has experienced numerous issues with his prosthetic legs and has been refused medical care multiple times. The detention facility has failed to properly accommodate his disability, forcing him to crawl through unsafe conditions on his hands and amputation sites to shower and get his meals. He also suffers from bone spurs and high blood pressure, which could be life-threatening.

“We are deeply concerned about Mr. Taylor’s treatment in detention, including the denial of medical care and now the denial of accommodations to ensure he is fed. We urge you to immediately give full and fair consideration to his request to be released from detention and his contention that he is neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community,” continued the Members.

The full letter can be read here.

The letter was signed by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (GA-02), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Jes?s G. “Chuy” Garc?a (IL-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Lucy McBath (GA-06), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).


LEADER JEFFRIES: “ICE NEEDS TO BE REFORMED IN A DRAMATIC, BOLD, MEANINGFUL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL MANNER”

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference, where he emphasized that the DHS funding bill should not move forward without dramatic reforms to stop ICE from brutalizing the American people.

LEADER JEFFRIES: This is day five of the Trump-Republican shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Why are we in this moment? It’s because Republicans have decided that they would rather shut down FEMA, shut down TSA and shut down the Coast Guard than get ICE under control.

The American people know that ICE needs to be reined in. We believe that taxpayer dollars should be used to make your life more affordable, not to brutalize or kill American citizens in cold blood, like Renee Nicole Good or Alex Pretti, or to violently target law-abiding immigrant families, which we know is taking place all across America. The American people are horrified at what they have seen. But instead of fixing the problem, which Democrats have given our Republican colleagues an opportunity to do, they’ve shut down crucial parts of the Department of Homeland Security.

It is our view that immigration enforcement in this country should be fair, it should be just and it should be humane. That’s not what’s happening right now in the United States of America. And that’s why ICE needs to be reformed in a dramatic, bold, meaningful and transformational manner. And if that doesn’t happen, the DHS funding bill will not move forward.

Full press conference can be watched here.


Kaptur Statement on President Trump’s Pressure on Ukraine

Toledo, OH – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus released the following statement on negotiations to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“I am alarmed by reports that the Trump Administration is pressuring Ukraine into ceding its sovereign territory and the people who live on it to Russia as part of ongoing negotiations to end Russia’s war on Ukraine.

“Russia is not winning this war—it is losing more soldiers every month than during its entire 10-year war in Afghanistan. Dictator Vladimir Putin’s strategy is to win at the negotiating table what his soldiers cannot win on the battlefield. It’s a sign that Russia isn’t serious about peace and it’s a strategy the United States must not go along with.

“As we approach the fourth anniversary of this terrible and illegal full-scale invasion, we as Americans must remember that it is in our interest for a fellow democracy like Ukraine to prevail.

“It is in our interest to get Ukrainians the tools they need to defend their homes from Russian invaders. Under President Trump, US aid to Ukraine plummeted by 99%, emboldening Putin and making the war even deadlier as Russia escalates its terror attacks on civilians.

“Because President Trump ended support for Ukraine, Americans are missing out on the benefits of an alliance with Ukraine. Kyiv has announced it will open 10 offices across Europe to start exporting its cutting-edge drones and technology—but not in the United States. American manufacturers and our armed forces should be at the forefront of innovation, not left out because President Trump is pressuring our friends while giving Putin a free pass.

“We must act swiftly in Congress to pass mandatory sanctions on Russia and restore support for our partners in Ukraine. Pressuring Putin is the only path to a just and lasting peace, rather than a weak deal that paves the way to another Russian invasion.”


Congressman Kean Accepting Applications for Summer 2026 Internship Program

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February 18, 2026

(February 18, 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced that his offices in Washington, D.C. and Lebanon Borough, NJ are now accepting applications for the Summer 2026 Internship Program. This competitive program offers college students the chance to gain firsthand experience in the fast-paced environment of a congressional office.

Interns play an essential role in the daily operations of the office, working closely with staff members on a range of responsibilities, including legislative research, constituent services, communications, and more. Participating students will also gain valuable insight into the legislative process and the ways in which a Member of Congress serves the residents of their district.

“I am pleased to offer this internship program to motivated students who are passionate about public service,” said Congressman Kean. “Our interns play a vital role in in the day-to-day operations of the office and take an active role in serving the people of New Jersey. This is a meaningful opportunity to develop real-world skills and experience, and I encourage all eligible students to apply.”

Interested students must be currently enrolled in college and should complete the online application form at kean.house.gov/services/internships. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Positions are available in both the Washington, D.C. and District offices.

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Kean Delivers $560,000 to Washington Township for Police Department Renovations

(February 18, 2026) WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ – Yesterday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) presented $560,000 in federal funding to Washington Township in Morris County to support long-overdue renovations for the police department headquarters. Kean secured this funding through the FY2026 Community Project Funding process to directly support local law enforcement and modernize critical public safety infrastructure.

Constructed in 1996, the police department building now requires significant upgrades to remain fully operational for officers and the public. Due to the building's age and wear, renovations are needed for the roof, HFAC system, and parking lot.

The police headquarters serves as a hub for public safety operations, including educational programs, licensing services, and Office of Emergency Management services. In addition to serving Washington Township, the department also provides full-service police coverage to Califon Borough. These improvements will enhance working conditions for officers and ensure the building can continue meeting the surrounding community's public safety needs.

“Our police officers make incredible sacrifices every day to protect our communities. I secured $560,000 for Washington Township to ensure their police force has a workplace that is both safe and up to modern standards,” said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. “This investment will strengthen public safety infrastructure and support the department for decades to come. I remain steadfast in my commitment to the safety and security of our families, our neighborhoods, and the dedicated men and women of law enforcement.”

“We are very fortunate to have strong working relationships with our elected leaders, and Congressman Kean has worked hard advocating for our residents,” said Washington Township Mayor Michael Marino. “This funding will go a long way towards repairing and improving our police department. As an agricultural community, it can be challenging to manage our budget, especially as one of the largest municipalities in Morris County. Because of that, every extra dollar truly makes a difference for our residents. We are incredibly appreciative of the time and effort Congressman Kean put into helping us secure this grant.”

“One of the most important things for our constituents is having good working relationships at every level of government — from the municipality all the way up to the federal level,” said Washington Township Vice-Mayor Matthew Murello. “We had the opportunity to apply for a grant to address a critical need that never quite makes it into our local budget. This funding is tremendous. It will bring our police department's building up to the same quality as the officers who serve in it, and we could not have done it without the Congressman - so thank you.”

“I want to thank Congressman Kean, Mayor Marino, and Vice-Mayor Murello for bringing this together — it truly means a great deal to our department,” said Washington Township Chief of Police Jeffrey Almer. “Our building is nearly 30 years old and we are facing some structural issues, so this funding is incredibly significant for us.”

“We appreciate Congressman Kean securing $560,000 in Community Project Funding to address necessary repairs and improvements at the Washington Township Police Department,” said Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw. “This funding will support critical renovations to the roof, HVAC system and parking lot, helping ensure the department can continue supporting Morris County and its residents at a high level through policing, emergency management and other essential services residents rely on every day. Morris County is home to some of the safest communities in the state, thanks to the dedication and professionalism our law enforcement officers and first responders demonstrate around the clock.”

“Through the efforts of Congressman Kean and Washington Township, this $560,000 federal grant was made possible. We are very appreciative and thank Congressman Kean for supporting our police," said Morris County Sheriff James Gannon. “The Washington Township Police Department is exceptional, and these renovations will allow them to provide even better services to the public.”

“Once again, Congressman Kean has delivered for our district,” said New Jersey Assemblyman Michael Inganamort (LD-24). “By bringing more of our federal tax dollars back home, we can ensure the Washington Township Police Department has the modern equipment and upgraded facilities to continue protecting and serving residents. I'm grateful for this strong partnership and our shared commitment to public safety throughout Northwest New Jersey.”

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

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

Pictured: Washington Township Committeeman Bill Roehrich Committeeman Walter Curioni, Morris County Commissioner Deborah Smith, County Clerk Ann Grossi, Esq., Assemblyman Michael Inganamort, County Surrogate Heather Darling, Washington Township Vice-Mayor Matthew Murello, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr., Mayor Michael Marino, Chief Jeffrey Almer, County Sheriff James Gannon, Washington Township Police Officers

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Kennedy Announces $1,092,000 in Federal Funding to Remove Lead Water Lines in Buffalo

Kennedy Was Joined by Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan and Fellow Elected Leaders

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced $1,092,000 in federal funding he secured to support the replacement of lead service lines in the City of Buffalo. The funding, awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s State and Tribal Assistance Grants program under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, will help accelerate Buffalo’s ongoing efforts to remove lead from its water system and protect public health.

“Every family in Buffalo deserves the basic guarantee that when they turn on the tap, their water is safe,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “This transformative federal funding will help remove dangerous lead lines from our neighborhoods, protect our children’s health, and ensure working families in Western New York are not forced to shoulder the cost of replacing aging infrastructure on their own.”

“After a brutal winter that has put real strain on our aging infrastructure, it is clearer than ever why we need to invest in modernizing our systems,” said Mayor Sean M. Ryan. “This funding will help us protect public health, reduce risks from lead exposure, and ensure Buffalo families can rely on safe and dependable water service. I’m grateful to Congressman Kennedy for his partnership and continued commitment to delivering resources that help strengthen our city’s future.”

“I want to thank Congressman Tim Kennedy for securing this critical $1,092,000 federal investment and Mayor Sean Ryan for continuing to prioritize lead line replacement in Buffalo,” said Senator April N.M. Baskin. “With an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 lead service lines still in our system, this work is urgent. In my 63rd Senate District alone, roughly 30 percent of service lines contain lead. Lead poisoning disproportionately impacts Black and low-income neighborhoods, where aging infrastructure and historic disinvestment have compounded risk. This funding will accelerate replacements in disadvantaged communities and protect families who should never have to question whether their water is safe. Combating lead exposure remains a top priority, and I will continue fighting for the resources needed to eliminate this public health crisis.”

“Removing lead service lines is a critical investment in the health and future of Buffalo’s children,” said Council President Joel Feroleto. “No parent should have to worry that the water coming from their tap could harm their child, and no taxpayer should be left to shoulder the full cost of replacing infrastructure that has been in the ground for generations. This funding helps protect our kids, ease the burden on residents, and ensure we’re making responsible investments that strengthen our city for the long term.”

“Access to clean drinking water is a basic right. For too long, Buffalo families have lived with aging lead infrastructure in their neighborhoods. Replacing these service lines is essential to protecting public health and restoring confidence in our drinking water,” said Senator Jeremy Zellner. “I commend Congressman Tim Kennedy for securing this funding and Mayor Sean Ryan for his partnership in moving this work forward. I’m proud to stand with them to ensure these investments reach the neighborhoods that need them most.”

“This significant federal investment is about delivering something fundamental: safe, reliable drinking water for every family in Western New York,” said Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera. “In 2024, Erie County was found to have more than 12,000 lead service lines still in the ground. With a sizable portion of this funding directed to Erie County and the Erie County Water Authority prioritizing vulnerable households through its Lead Service Replacement Program, we are taking decisive action to remove toxic lead pipes, modernize critical water and wastewater infrastructure, and ensure that no child’s health is compromised by the water that comes from their tap.”

This targeted federal investment will directly support the City of Buffalo’s Replacing Our Lead Lines (ROLL) initiative and focus on neighborhoods identified as disadvantaged communities. These areas have some of the highest rates of childhood blood levels and aging infrastructure that poses ongoing public health risks. Buffalo is estimated to have between 40,000 and 60,000 lead service lines remaining in its system. While the City maintains a strong corrosion control program and has remained in compliance with current and proposed regulations, full lead service line replacement remains the ultimate goal to eliminate risk entirely.

Congressman Kennedy will continue fighting to secure federal resources that modernize Western New York’s infrastructure, strengthen public health protections, and deliver meaningful relief to working families. By investing in clean drinking water infrastructure, the project not only protects children and families but also supports long-term economic stability and neighborhood revitalization.

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Larson Announces $1 Million in New Federal Funding to Expand Harriott Community Healthcare Academy in Blue Hills, Bloomfield, and Across Connecticut

Hartford, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) announced $1 million in new federal funding to expand the Harriott Community Healthcare Academy, supporting efforts to train new care workers as Connecticut faces a severe healthcare worker shortage.

View the full press conference here.

“We are facing a nationwide nursing shortage and should be doing everything we can to support health care providers and the next generation of nursing assistants,” said Larson. “Sasa Harriott has created a model for the nation, equipping students with the skills they need to enter the nursing field and provide the care patients deserve. This new federal funding will broaden the program’s reach into our rural communities, ensuring individuals have the job training opportunities and access to care they need. I have been proud to support this groundbreaking work and will work with Sasa and our state and local partners to deliver federal funding and continue to expand this amazing program across the state.”

The Academy is a STEM simulation lab and educational facility that offers Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training and certification. In less than five weeks, students can become licensed CNAs. The program provides mentorship, career counseling, and wrap-around support. With this new federal investment, Harriott will expand into Bloomfield and rural areas of Northwestern Connecticut.

“This investment is about people, opportunity, and healthier communities. We are grateful to Congressman John Larson for making it possible to expand access to care and create meaningful pathways into the healthcare workforce,” said Sasa Harriott, President of the Harriott Community Health Initiative.


Larson, Bysiewicz, Zoppo-Sassu Announce $3.15 Million in Federal Funding to Construct First Active Shooter Training Facility for First Responders in New England

Bristol, CT – Last night, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) announced $3.15 million in new federal funding for the Bristol Fire and Police Department, to construct the first active shooter training facility for first responders in New England. He joined Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Bristol Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu, and State Rep. Mary Fortier at Bristol City Hall to announce this landmark investment in training and support for police officers and firefighters from across the Northeast.

View the full press conference here.

“Nobody should have to respond to an active shooter situation, but it’s a devastating reality that our first responders have to grapple with in today’s world,” said Larson. “I know that first responder safety is an issue close to all our hearts after we lost two members of the Bristol Police Department to horrific violence only four years ago. I was proud to work with our state and local partners to secure this new federal funding, to build the first-of-its-kind active shooter training facility in New England. In Congress, I will continue to advocate for our dedicated firefighters and police officers, support local projects that boost public safety, and fight to end the gun violence epidemic plaguing our nation.”

"This investment is about protecting lives and strengthening our communities," said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. "By building the first active shooter training facility in New England, we are giving our first responders the tools and training they need to act swiftly and effectively in the most critical moments. Connecticut is proud to lead the way in ensuring that when emergencies happen, law enforcement is trained and ready."

The $3.15 million approved by Congress will support the construction of a two-story active shooter training facility along with a 50-yard indoor police firing range, and a Candidate Physical Agility Test Center (CPAT) to offer training and mentoring for firefighters from across the Northeast.

“The City of Bristol officials appreciate Congressman Larson’s initiative to get these earmark funds to start off the process of planning for this regional, joint police and fire training facility,” said Bristol Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu. “From here, we will begin our due diligence on locating an appropriate site and site plan, and building an expense and revenue profile. We have asked State Rep. Fortier and Hoxha to champion this in Hartford, and hope that state officials see the benefit of having a facility such as this in central Connecticut.”

Once complete, the facility in Bristol will be the first-such active shooter training center for police officers in New England, as well as Connecticut’s first indoor CPAT center open to firefighters around-the-clock or during inclement weather.


Lofgren Delivers $500K to Turn Salinas Regional Soccer Complex into Largest Sports Facility Between San Francisco and L.A.

SALINAS, CA — Today, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) visited the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex to deliver a $500,000 check as one of her 13 community projects she submitted for the Fiscal Year 2026 congressional appropriations cycle. This funding will help support the next phase of expansion for the Complex, a critical investment that advances what is poised to become the largest sports facility between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

"I was proud to have submitted the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex as one of my community project requests this year, and I'm glad to see this funding coming to Monterey County," Rep. Lofgren said. "This is a big investment in Salinas' future as a regional cultural hub, and I am thrilled that Californians of all ages will get to enjoy this complex for generations to come.”

“This $500,000 investment is a major win for the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and for the families and youth we serve across Monterey County,” said Jonathan De Anda, Executive Director of the Salinas Regional Sports Authority. “We’re grateful to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and the County of Monterey for their leadership and partnership in securing these funds. This support helps us continue building out high-quality, accessible natural grass fields that promote health, community connection, and opportunity for thousands of residents each week.”

“This federal funding represents a powerful investment in the health, well-being, and future of our young people,” said Monterey County District 1 Supervisor Luis Alejo. “The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex will expand access to safe, high-quality recreational space for thousands of youths and families in Salinas, while also generating economic activity and strengthening regional pride. I’m proud to continue supporting a project that transforms underutilized county land into a lasting community asset for generations to come.”

Once completed, the Complex has the potential to serve up to 18,000 + children and youth weekly, along with their families. The expansion project, developed in partnership with the Salinas Regional Sports Authority, includes:

Eight new turf soccer fields

A 2,000-seat, lighted outdoor stadium with two synthetic soccer fields

A 35,000-square-foot indoor soccer arena featuring concessions, classrooms, and maintenance facilities

An outdoor sports court

An outdoor restroom facility

421 new parking spaces and pedestrian walkways

An on-site irrigation well to serve both proposed and adjacent existing fields

Stormwater control facilities, including Low Impact Development (LID) features and infiltration basins

Environmental protections, including setbacks from Gabilan Creek and adjacent wetlands, as well as minor compensatory wetland restoration

Although the project site is owned by the County of Monterey, the Soccer Complex has been a partnership between the City of Salinas and the nonprofit organization, the Salinas Regional Sports Authority, which will construct and operate the next phases of the facility. Beyond expanding recreational opportunities, the project reflects a strong commitment to sustainable land use and environmental stewardship. By revitalizing land once considered unusable and incorporating thoughtful stormwater management and habitat protections, the Complex demonstrates how community development and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

Rep. Lofgren will continue to deliver checks to community project funding recipients in the near future, including a total of $750,000 for Salinas projects alone and nearly $3.2 million for projects in Monterey County.

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Magaziner Announces Funding for Warwick Police

WARWICK, R.I. — Today, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) joined Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi, Major Robert Hart of the Warwick Police Department, and other local leaders to announce $800,000 in federal funding he secured to help the Warwick Police Department purchase new portable radios and radio scanners.

View or download photos from the event here.

“When Rhode Islanders are in danger, they deserve a swift response. I am pleased to deliver federal funding for the Warwick Police Department to help improve emergency response times and keep Warwick residents safe,” said Magaziner. “I will continue working to bring federal dollars home so our police officers have the tools they need to do their jobs effectively and protect our hometowns.”

“Public safety is my top priority as Mayor, and ensuring our officers have reliable, up-to-date equipment is critical to protecting our residents,” said Mayor Frank Picozzi. “These new radios and scanners will significantly enhance communication in emergency situations. I want to thank Congressman Magaziner for his partnership and for delivering this important federal funding to the City of Warwick.”

"This $800,000 federal investment, championed by Rep. Seth Magaziner, represents a significant step forward in upgrading our aging police communications infrastructure. It will directly improve officer safety, coordination, and service to the people of Warwick. Our ongoing partnership with Congressman Magaziner has delivered meaningful benefits in the past, and we anticipate many more opportunities to collaborate for the good of Warwick in the future,” said Colonel Michael Lima, Chief of Police at the Warwick Police Department.

The funding will support the purchase of modern police radio technology, including 800MHz portable radios, tri-band portable radios, and mobile scanners for the Warwick Police Department. This equipment will replace aging devices and help officers improve emergency response for Warwick residents.

Magaziner worked closely with the Warwick Police Department and local leaders to secure the funding as part of the Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill, which passed the House of Representatives on January 8, 2026, and was later signed into law.


Representatives John W. Mannion (NY-22) and Elise Stefanik (NY-21) Lead Bipartisan Effort to Build Domestic Gallium Supply Chain in the Mohawk Valley

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives John W. Mannion (NY-22) and Elise Stefanik (NY-21) today led a bipartisan letter with their colleagues from across Upstate New York calling on the federal government to partner with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RI) in Rome, NY and regional stakeholders to establish a secure, domestic gallium supply chain headquartered in the Mohawk Valley. The letter is also signed Representatives Joe Morelle (NY-25), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and Claudia Tenney (NY-24).

Gallium is a critical mineral used in advanced radar systems, semiconductors, high-frequency chips, GPS navigation, and other technologies essential to U.S. military readiness and economic competitiveness. China controls approximately 98 percent of the global gallium supply and has imposed export restrictions to the United States — creating a serious national security and supply chain vulnerability. The lawmakers urge the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, Michael Cadenazzi, to work closely with partners in the region to establish a secure and resilient supply chain here in the U.S. to address the need for this critical mineral and protect U.S. national security.

“Central New York and the Mohawk Valley are home to some of our country’s top military and civilian technology talent, as well as public and private research institutions capable of supporting the workforce necessary to advance U.S. refining capabilities and establish a domestic gallium supply chain. The existing infrastructure and manufacturing base in the region, as well as advanced work with specialty materials like gallium, makes Central New York and the Mohawk Valley the perfect place to establish a large-scale alumina refinery that could support a resilient domestic gallium supply chain," wrote the lawmakers.

Central New York and the Mohawk Valley are already home to advanced manufacturing assets, world-class research institutions, and a skilled workforce pipeline capable of supporting domestic refining operations. Proximity to AFRL/RI — one of the nation’s premier defense research laboratories — positions the region as a strategic hub for advanced materials science and semiconductor innovation.

In this year’s bipartisan Defense Appropriations Bill, Congress included a $10 million increase in funding for critical mineral extraction. The New York delegation fought to secure this investment as a federal complement to existing private-sector and state efforts to support a state-of-the-art gallium processing facility in the Mohawk Valley.

Read the letter here.


MEDIA ADVISORY: Díaz-Balart, Salazar, and Giménez Mark 30 Years Since Brothers to the Rescue Shootdown, Make the Case for Indicting Raúl Castro

Hialeah Gardens, FL – U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), and Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28) will be joined by family members of the victims and leaders of the Cuban American exile community to mark the 30th year since the 1996 shootdown of two Brothers to the Rescue aircraft, honoring the memory of Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos A. Costa, Mario M. de la Peña, and Pablo Morales and to make the case for indicting Raúl Castro.

Last week, U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump asking that his administration consider indicting Raul Castro for his involvement in the 1996 shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft which resulted in four murders in cold blood.

Read the full letter here.

WHO:

Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Congressional Delegation and Chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee on House Appropriations

Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere

Congressman Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security

Family members of the victims

Cuban American community leaders

WHAT:

Press Conference Marking 30 Years Since the Brothers to the Rescue Shootdown

WHEN:

Thursday, February 19, 2026

9:00 a.m. ET

WHERE:

Assault Brigade 2506 Museum

13651 NW 107th Avenue

Hialeah Gardens, FL 33018

**Spaces are limited***

All interested credentialed media may RSVP to Andrea.Morales@mail.house.gov


Photo Release: Rep. McBride Highlights Climate Action, Workforce Development, and Economic Growth in New Castle County

Wilmington, DE — Congresswoman Sarah McBride (DE-AL) was recently in New Castle County meeting with community leaders, students, and business leaders—underscoring her commitment to building a more resilient, inclusive, and economically competitive Delaware. Rep. McBride makes it a priority to bring the voices of everyday Delawareans with her to Washington and hearing these Delawareans’ perspectives help shape her work in Congress.

Rep. McBride began the morning delivering keynote remarks at the Opening Ceremony of Climate Week Delaware at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. Addressing leaders from government, business, nonprofits, and academia, she connected Delaware’s local climate leadership to broader federal efforts to strengthen infrastructure, lower energy costs, and build a clean energy future.

“Climate change is not abstract for Delaware, it’s real and it’s existential,” said Rep. McBride. “As the lowest-lying state in the nation, we understand that it is not just some moral responsibility—but an immediate need. It is not too late for us to meet this moment and turn this crisis into opportunity. If we invest in energy here at home, we not only save lives and the planet, but we create jobs right now. ”

In the afternoon, Rep. McBride visited Dawn Career Institute in Newark for a guided tour with Campus President Shaun Carney and to meet with students preparing for careers in health care, wellness, and skilled trades. The visit highlighted her focus on expanding workforce pathways and strengthening Delaware’s talent pipeline.

“Programs like Dawn Career Institute are opening the doors to sustaining, in-demand careers,” McBride said. “Investing in workforce training like theirs means investing in people—and in Delaware’s future. Every Delawarean deserves a fair shot at building a stable career and supporting their family.”

Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. McBride has prioritized workforce development, including securing federal funding to expand adult education and job training programs in New Castle County and supporting bipartisan legislation to modernize workforce training and credentialing opportunities.

Rep. McBride secured $1 million in Community Project Funding for the Delaware Skills Center and the New Castle County Vo-Tech Adult Education Division. This funding will support the purchase of a permanent facility to bring these workforce development programs under one roof, expanding access to high-quality workforce training and creating more opportunities for Delawareans.

Rep. McBride concluded the evening at the Committee of 100 Membership Dinner in Wilmington, where she delivered remarks and connected with Delawareans on some of the most pressing issues facing the First State, from infrastructure investment and energy reliability to Delaware’s role in emerging industries such as AI and advanced manufacturing.

“Delaware has always punched above its weight,” McBride said. “From financial services to biopharma to advanced manufacturing, we have the talent and the ingenuity to lead. My focus in Washington is straightforward: cut costs for families, support local businesses, invest in innovation, and make sure federal policy strengthens Delaware’s economic competitiveness.”

“My day in New Castle County was all about partnership,” McBride added. “From climate resilience to workforce development to economic growth, progress happens when people come together around shared goals. That’s how we build a future where every Delaware family can thrive.”

Photos from her visits can be accessed for use here.

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McIver Joins New Jersey Democratic Delegation in Statewide Initiative to Stop Proposed ICE Warehouse in Roxbury

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) joined Congressman Rob Menendez's statewide initiative to oppose the proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) warehouse facility in Roxbury Township, New Jersey. Menendez’s effort is joined by Senator Andy Kim and Congressmembers Herb Conaway Jr., MD (NJ-3), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Donald Norcross (NJ-1), Frank Pallone (NJ-6), Nellie Pou (NJ-9), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

“After his Administration bragged about wanting to treat immigrants like ‘Amazon Prime,’ the latest development in Trump’s cruel anti-immigrant agenda is using massive warehouses for immigrant detention,” said Congressman Menendez. “I have personally witnessed abhorrent conditions at Delaney Hall, and the idea that this Administration wants to replicate them at an even bigger scale at warehouses not meant for human occupancy is horrific. By adding your voice to our initiative, we will send a clear message to the Trump Administration that New Jersey will not stand for this dehumanizing and cruel treatment of our neighbors in any community in our state.”

“We want ICE out of New Jersey, not another massive detention center in our community. From Delaney Hall to facilities all across the country, ICE proven that they have no regard for due process or human dignity,” said Congresswoman McIver. “They skirt oversight and accountability, trying to hide brutal conditions of detention because they are unacceptable. Our community will reject this latest move by the Trump administration.”

“From Roxbury to Newark, Private Detention Centers have no place in New Jersey,” said Senator Kim. “These companies have shown they'd rather put their own profits over the care they're supposed to provide. We can’t risk more injuries, accidents, and chaos that puts our communities at risk. You deserve to have your voice heard as we hold these companies and the Trump Administration accountable, which is why I stand with my colleagues as we take action to protect those who call New Jersey home.”

“Converting an industrial facility in Roxbury Township into an ICE detention center is inhumane and deeply wrong. I strongly oppose this proposal, and I will fight any effort to turn our communities into sites of mass detention,” said Congressman Conaway Jr., MD “Similarly, I raised the alarm when there were proposals to use Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as a migrant detention facility because our communities should not suffer from the administration’s blatant disregard for human life. The same principle applies in Roxbury. I will not stand by while federal officials attempt to expand a system that has already led to unsafe conditions, chaos, and harm.”

“Immigration enforcement must be carried out professionally, lawfully, and with fact-driven accountability — because no individual and no government agency is above the Constitution,” said Congressman Gottheimer. “We need clear, commonsense, enforceable guardrails for immigration enforcement — led with professionalism, the rule of law, and respect for human life.”

“From Minnesota to New Jersey, we’ve seen what happens when ICE comes into our communities. Just last week, there was an ICE raid in Lindenwold, and video online shows children running away in terror after learning ICE agents were nearby,” said Congressman Norcross. “Now there’s a proposal to turn a warehouse in Roxbury Township into another ICE detention center. It’s more of the same from Donald Trump, and his administration continues to set policies that fail to uphold the Constitution and lack transparency. We deserve honesty from our leaders, not operations carried out in the shadows that leave communities shaken. Today, I join my congressional colleagues in urging New Jerseyans to make their voices heard and respond to our survey. It’s going to take all of us speaking out to hold this administration accountable.”

“Our initiative is about giving New Jerseyans a voice before Trump turns a warehouse in Roxbury into a mass detention site for up to 1,500 people,” said Congressman Pallone. “Our communities should not wake up one day to find that human beings are being held in conditions designed for storage. We’ve seen the harm these facilities cause in New Jersey and across the country. If the Trump administration is moving forward with their plan to treat people like cargo, then the people of New Jersey deserve the chance to speak loudly and clearly before it happens.”

“The country has witnessed the Trump Administration’s efforts to target, detain, and deport members of our immigrant communities—and the chaos these actions have inflicted on our neighborhoods continues to grow each day,” said Congresswoman Pou. “That the Trump Administration is seeking to expand these failed and harmful policies by increasing immigrant detention facilities in New Jersey is unconscionable. Another ICE detention center is not welcome in our community. This initiative can amplify the voices of our constituents, many of whom have felt unheard and voiceless during this administration.”

“ICE, in its actions around the country, has displayed an increasing dismissal of human rights. New Jersey at large, including the community of Roxbury, has rejected this as antithetical to the values of our great state,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “The Trump administration's commitment to rewarding the private prison industry, the first megadonor to max out to the President's political campaigns, has been made apparent. They value degradation, corruption, and absolute loyalty to Trump above all else. A concentration camp in Roxbury would be a symbol of this immorality. The people of New Jersey have said loud and clear, 'ICE is not welcome here.' This initiative will shout that declaration from New Jersey to the White House.”

The proposed facility has generated widespread opposition, including a resolution opposing the conversion of this warehouse into an ICE facility by the all-Republican Roxbury Township Council. The site is also reported to have no water or sewer capacity for ICE’s proposed usage.

New Jersey is home to more than two million immigrants who are essential to the state’s economy, workforce, and small businesses. Since President Trump took office, large federal detention contracts in New Jersey have produced unsafe conditions, unrest, and even deaths in custody. Rather than learning from these failures, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) now appears poised to escalate them by detaining people in warehouses, which are facilities designed for storage, not human safety.


Menendez Leads New Jersey Democratic Delegation in Statewide Initiative to Stop Proposed ICE Warehouse in Roxbury

Senator Kim and Congressmembers Conaway, Gottheimer, McIver, Norcross, Pallone, Pou, and Watson Coleman Join Initiative

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Rob Menendez launched a statewide initiative to oppose the proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) warehouse facility in Roxbury Township, New Jersey. Menendez’s effort is joined by Senator Andy Kim and Congressmembers Herb Conaway Jr., MD (NJ-3), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Donald Norcross (NJ-1), Frank Pallone (NJ-6), Nellie Pou (NJ-9), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

“After his Administration bragged about wanting to treat immigrants like ‘Amazon Prime,’ the latest development in Trump’s cruel anti-immigrant agenda is using massive warehouses for immigrant detention,” said Congressman Menendez. “I have personally witnessed abhorrent conditions at Delaney Hall, and the idea that this Administration wants to replicate them at an even bigger scale at warehouses not meant for human occupancy is horrific. By adding your voice to our initiative, we will send a clear message to the Trump Administration that New Jersey will not stand for this dehumanizing and cruel treatment of our neighbors in any community in our state.”

“From Roxbury to Newark, Private Detention Centers have no place in New Jersey,” said Senator Kim. “These companies have shown they'd rather put their own profits over the care they're supposed to provide. We can’t risk more injuries, accidents, and chaos that puts our communities at risk. You deserve to have your voice heard as we hold these companies and the Trump Administration accountable, which is why I stand with my colleagues as we take action to protect those who call New Jersey home.”

“Converting an industrial facility in Roxbury Township into an ICE detention center is inhumane and deeply wrong. I strongly oppose this proposal, and I will fight any effort to turn our communities into sites of mass detention,” said Congressman Conaway Jr., MD “Similarly, I raised the alarm when there were proposals to use Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as a migrant detention facility because our communities should not suffer from the administration’s blatant disregard for human life. The same principle applies in Roxbury. I will not stand by while federal officials attempt to expand a system that has already led to unsafe conditions, chaos, and harm.”

“Immigration enforcement must be carried out professionally, lawfully, and with fact-driven accountability — because no individual and no government agency is above the Constitution,” said Congressman Gottheimer. “We need clear, commonsense, enforceable guardrails for immigration enforcement — led with professionalism, the rule of law, and respect for human life.”

“We want ICE out of New Jersey, not another massive detention center in our community. From Delaney Hall to facilities all across the country, ICE proven that they have no regard for due process or human dignity,” said Congresswoman McIver. “They skirt oversight and accountability, trying to hide brutal conditions of detention because they are unacceptable. Our community will reject this latest move by the Trump administration.”

“From Minnesota to New Jersey, we’ve seen what happens when ICE comes into our communities. Just last week, there was an ICE raid in Lindenwold, and video online shows children running away in terror after learning ICE agents were nearby,” said Congressman Norcross. “Now there’s a proposal to turn a warehouse in Roxbury Township into another ICE detention center. It’s more of the same from Donald Trump, and his administration continues to set policies that fail to uphold the Constitution and lack transparency. We deserve honesty from our leaders, not operations carried out in the shadows that leave communities shaken. Today, I join my congressional colleagues in urging New Jerseyans to make their voices heard and respond to our survey. It’s going to take all of us speaking out to hold this administration accountable.”

“Our initiative is about giving New Jerseyans a voice before Trump turns a warehouse in Roxbury into a mass detention site for up to 1,500 people,” said Congressman Pallone. “Our communities should not wake up one day to find that human beings are being held in conditions designed for storage. We’ve seen the harm these facilities cause in New Jersey and across the country. If the Trump administration is moving forward with their plan to treat people like cargo, then the people of New Jersey deserve the chance to speak loudly and clearly before it happens.”

“The country has witnessed the Trump Administration’s efforts to target, detain, and deport members of our immigrant communities—and the chaos these actions have inflicted on our neighborhoods continues to grow each day,” said Congresswoman Pou. “That the Trump Administration is seeking to expand these failed and harmful policies by increasing immigrant detention facilities in New Jersey is unconscionable. Another ICE detention center is not welcome in our community. This initiative can amplify the voices of our constituents, many of whom have felt unheard and voiceless during this administration.”

“ICE, in its actions around the country, has displayed an increasing dismissal of human rights. New Jersey at large, including the community of Roxbury, has rejected this as antithetical to the values of our great state,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “The Trump administration's commitment to rewarding the private prison industry, the first megadonor to max out to the President's political campaigns, has been made apparent. They value degradation, corruption, and absolute loyalty to Trump above all else. A concentration camp in Roxbury would be a symbol of this immorality. The people of New Jersey have said loud and clear, 'ICE is not welcome here.' This initiative will shout that declaration from New Jersey to the White House.”

The proposed facility has generated widespread opposition, including a resolution opposing the conversion of this warehouse into an ICE facility by the all-Republican Roxbury Township Council. The site is also reported to have no water or sewer capacity for ICE’s proposed usage.

New Jersey is home to more than two million immigrants who are essential to the state’s economy, workforce, and small businesses. Since President Trump took office, large federal detention contracts in New Jersey have produced unsafe conditions, unrest, and even deaths in custody. Rather than learning from these failures, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) now appears poised to escalate them by detaining people in warehouses, which are facilities designed for storage, not human safety.

This effort follows a New Jersey Democratic delegation letter led by Menendez demanding that DHS halt ICE’s warehouse detention plan in Roxbury.

Congressman Rob Menendez has been a leader in the House of Representatives on oversight of immigrant detention centers. He has worked to ban private immigrant detention centers and led his colleagues in fighting the Trump Administration’s illegal restrictions on oversight of these facilities, including efforts to close Delaney Hall and the Elizabeth Detention Center.

Last year, in response to reports that the Trump Administration was planning to expand immigration detention in New Jersey, Menendez led bicameral members of the New Jersey congressional delegation in opposing this expansion and demanding transparency. Since being sworn into to Congress in 2023, he has repeatedly calledfor the closure of all immigrant detention centers in New Jersey and has conducted several unannounced visits of Delaney Hall and the Elizabeth Detention Center. He has long advocated for the humane and dignified treatment of individuals in detention.


Rep. Rogers Invites Local High Schoolers to Participate in 2026 Congressional Art Competition

OXFORD, AL – U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03), today invited local high schoolers to participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition. Every year, this nationwide competition offers high schoolers in Alabama’s Third congressional District and across the country the opportunity to showcase their talent and have their artwork displayed in the Capitol Building for one year. This year’s theme for the artwork is “ America’s 250th Birthday.” Artwork can be submitted between April 14th and April 17th. Additional guidelines can be found here.

“I am excited to invite local high schoolers in Alabama’s Third District to participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition,” said Rep. Rogers. “This competition is a tremendous opportunity for students to have their artwork hung in the U.S. Capitol for visitors from around the world to see. Every year, the talent exhibited by our students is incredibly impressive, and I’m sure this year will be especially competitive with our country celebrating its 250th year. Interested students should visit my website or call my Oxford office to receive more details.”

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Moran Delivers $2 Million Federal Investment for Marshall Relief Route

U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) announced $2 million in federal funding has been secured for the Marshall Relief Route in Harrison County. The investment, included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, will support construction of a critical new roadway connecting Loop 390 at U.S. 80 to Interstate 20 in East Texas.

This project will enhance vehicle mobility, reduce travel times, and improve safety of residents and commercial traffic traveling through the region. The relief route will support continued growth in Harrison County and position Marshall as a critical transportation hub in expanding the I-369 corridor.

“The Marshall Relief Route represents a transformational investment in East Texas infrastructure and will ensure people and goods can move efficiently,” said Congressman Moran. “Marshall has dealt with aging infrastructure for years and this will help our community build a modern, interstate-standard roadway that reduces congestion, improves safety, and strengthens our regional economy.”

Stakeholder Quotes:

The Honorable Chad Sims, Harrison County Judge, said, “We extend our sincere gratitude to Congressman Nathaniel Moran for his leadership and commitment in securing $2 million in federal funding for the Marshall Relief Route as part of the FY 2026 appropriations process. This critical investment will allow TxDOT to advance construction on the Interstate 369 section through Marshall. We are especially thankful for his efforts to ensure our federal tax dollars are coming right back home to benefit our community. Congressman Moran’s work will help move this transformative project forward, improving connectivity and fostering economic growth for our region. This is what true partnership looks like—the city, county, state, and federal government working hand in hand. Thank you, Congressman, for bringing it all together!”

Jennifer Shepard, Executive Director of the Alliance for I-69 Texas, said, “The Marshall Relief Route will be a primary building block in the development of Interstate 369 in northeast Texas. The phased development will start with a new $266 million freeway segment connecting I-20 to US 80. This congressional appropriation provides partial funding for pre-construction activities, helping ensure that construction can start as scheduled next year. This timely funding is the result of thoughtful leadership by Congressman Moran and of persistent support from community leaders in the region including members of the I-69 Alliance.”

Rush Harris, Executive Director of the Marshall Economic Development Corporation, said, “I have had numerous working interactions with Congressman Moran, and I can't say enough about the attention he gives to the City of Marshall and our Economic Development Corporation. He has been hands-on in his approach, even spurring local "rival" communities in his district to work together and bring in new investment across District 1. It's this type of leadership that can effect change in our local and regional economy. He shows up, and he works for us. I am thankful for Congressman Moran's efforts and continued dedication to Marshall and Harrison County, Texas.”

Background:

Marshall, Texas serves as a key commercial and industrial center in East Texas. The city's current roadway network channels significant through-traffic in the downtown area, creating congestion and safety concerns. The Marshall Relief Route project will construct a new roadway on the east side of the city, providing an alternative route for regional traffic and interstate commerce. The roadway is being designed to interstate standards in anticipation of future designation as Interstate 369, which would create a continuous interstate corridor connecting Texas to the broader national highway system.


CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE ANNOUNCES NEW FEDERAL FUNDING FOR MISS JULIE’S SCHOOL OF BEAUTY

(Rochester, N.Y.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle announced $477,000 in new federal funding he secured to support Miss Julie’s School of Beauty, a Rochester-based organization dedicated to combatting human trafficking, breaking cycles of exploitation and abuse, and empowering survivors with the skills and tools they need to live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

“Miss Julie’s School of Beauty provides a space for people to feel safe, build skills, and take real steps toward a better future,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “They provide essential job training—but even more than that, they provide survivors with the tools and support to find stability, pursue meaningful work, and feel part of a community that believes in them. Government should help facilitate those opportunities, and I’m proud to have secured funding to make that happen.”

Miss Julie Chapus, Executive Director and Founder of Miss Julie’s School of Beauty, said: “Thank you Representative Morelle for initiating the appropriations on behalf of Miss Julie's School of Beauty. I greatly appreciate your efforts to secure us this funding, which I am sure will help many students for years to come.”

Miss Julie’s School of Beauty has long served as a cornerstone of cosmetology education in Rochester, preparing students for state licensure and successful careers in the beauty industry. Through comprehensive, hands-on training, the school equips aspiring cosmetologists with the technical skills, professionalism, and business knowledge needed to thrive in today’s workforce. Its programs emphasize not only mastery of cosmetology fundamentals, but also entrepreneurship and career readiness—empowering graduates to secure employment, open their own businesses, and strengthen the local economy.

Rep. Morelle secured nearly half a million dollars which will support the school’s cosmetology licensing program designed to help survivors of sex trafficking build stable, independent futures. Grant dollars will cover personnel costs, staff training, and the purchase of essential supplies and equipment to ensure high-quality instruction. In addition to technical cosmetology training, participants will receive education in business development, team building, and independent living skills—creating a clear pathway to licensure, employment, and long-term economic security.

Congressman Morelle, Vice Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, worked to secure this funding as a part of the Community Project Funding process in the Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Package. Read the full project proposal here.

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