Military.com interview with Rep. Smith'Sister, Daughter of CCP Political Prisoner Share Hope For Trump-Xi Meeting'

By Nick Mordowanec

Published March 16, 2026 at 5:00 AM EDT

Dr. Gulshan Abbas, 63, a retired physician and ethnic Uyghur, was disappeared by Chinese authorities in September 2018 in China’s western region of Xinjiang, after her sister, Rushan Abbas, publicly spoke out against the Chinese Communist Party’s oppression of Uyghurs. Gulshan’s family was unaware of her whereabouts until December 2020, when it was learned that a secret trial had taken place in March 2019 declaring Gulshan guilty for “taking part in organized terrorism, aiding terrorist activities and seriously disrupting social order.”

Now, Gulshan is entering her eighth year of imprisonment. Her daughter, Ziba Murat, and Rushan told Military.com that her health and morale are both deteriorating. Efforts to make Gulshan’s story an international one have succeeded, with both Rushan and Ziba invited as guests at multiple presidential State of the Union addresses. They have been in rooms with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.

Rushan Abbas (left) and Gulshan Abbas pose for a photo. Gulshan has been imprisoned in China for more than 7 years, drawing stark criticism from U.S. officials. (Rushan Abbas)

Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet within three weeks’ time, with economics and specifically trade anticipated to encapsulate much of the leaders’ meeting. Americans being held as political prisoners remains another major priority, according to the Trump administration.

“President Trump is always concerned about Americans detained abroad, which is why he has brought over 100 individuals—a record number—home from around the world,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Military.com.

A Speech, Followed by a Disappearance

The timing of Gulshan’s disappearance is directly correlated to the stature of her sister, Rushan, and one particular speech that years later continues to cause agony.

Rushan has long been one of the outspoken voices of dissent against the Chinese for its treatment of Uyghurs. She’s the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Campaign for Uyghurs, instituted in 2017 and publicly referencing the CCP’s actions as “genocide.” In October 2024 she was elected chairperson of the executive committee of World Uyghur Congress.

A few short months later, on Sept. 5, 2018, Rushan and a panel convened at the Hudson Institute to discuss the PRC’s “war on terrorism.” and discuss the impacts on the most heavily garrisoned and surveilled region of Xinjiang, known to Uyghurs as “East Turkestan.”

Five days later, Gulshan disappeared. Rushan said it’s no coincidence.

“That was my first public speech ever,” Rushan told Military.com. “I spoke about mass detention and China's genocidal policies, outlining the fate of my in-laws. My husband's entire family went missing. That was televised on YouTube, it's still on there.”

Rushan Abbas holds a photo of her sister, Gulshan. (Rushan Abbas)

It wasn’t just Gulshan who was taken by the PRC. The aunt of both Gulshan and Rushan—the only other living relative in China following the deaths of the Abbas sisters’ parents—was also detained the same exact day, some 900 miles (1,400 kilometers) away.

“At that time, China's mass detention was targeting thought leaders, educators, people who ever traveled to Muslim-majority countries, saying that they are infected by ideological Islamic extremists,” Rushan said.

She referenced how those individuals who were subject to detention were those who cover their hair, give off any kind of optics that show that they are religious or people who go to a mosque.

But “none of these criteria covers my sister,” she added, saying that Gulshan’s never traveled to Muslim-majority countries, worn headscarves, or put herself on the frontlines of the ideological debate.

“There's no way that she should be targeted other than that speech that I gave,” Rushan said.

'Not Free Yet'

Ziba Murat told Military.com that her mother had been traveling back and forth from China to the United States before her detainment to see her two daughters and three siblings (two brothers, one sister) who all reside in the states.

In 2016, Murat's sister had a baby and Gulshan met the child at 3 months old. That was the last time Murat, a Tampa, Fla., resident who in 2018 had an infant, had contact with her mother.

[My baby] was 3 months old. Being a new mom and trying to find out what happened to my mom, trying to advocate at the same time while working—it's just been very, very difficult. - Ziba Murat

“Of course, my aunt has been very vocal, but I have to say both administrations have been very supportive of the case, both parties, Republican or Democrat, but we're going on the eighth year of her detention," Murat added.

Even with the advocacy on behalf of the government and human rights groups, Murat said it remains a cold reality.

“I'm grateful for all the support I'm getting from everybody, but [my mother’s] still in jail. She's not free yet. That just makes me sad that we have so much support, but we still can't get her out.”

Forging Relationships in Washington

Countless efforts have been made in the United States by Rushan, Murat and the broader family that includes Rushan’s two older brothers who also reside in the U.S.

That has included direct conversations with some of Washington’s most powerful brokers, notably now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

“Secretary Rubio was my senator then, so he is actually the first very few persons that publicly spoke about this case,” Murat said. “And since [Gulshan’s] detention, he's been vocal at all platforms about the case, calling for her release consistently.”

Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., left, speaks with Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., co-chair of the Congressional Executive Commission on China (CECC), during a hearing to examine developments in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Johnson had Murat as a guest at this year’s State of the Union, with photos showing the pair together.

In an X post prior to the event, Johnson publicly referenced Gulshan being “forcibly detained and arrested by the Chinese Communist Party” for “speaking out about the CCP’s heinous treatment of Uyghur Muslims.”

Ziba Murat joins House Speaker Mike Johnson as a guest at the 2026 State of the Union.

Rushan has been a frequent guest to the State of the Union herself.

In 2020 she was hosted by Rubio. In 2023, she was hosted by Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), ranking member of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party. And then in 2024, she was a guest of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC).

Rushan and Murat met individuals ranging from former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (during Trump’s first term), to President Joe Biden.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chair of the CECC, hosted Claire Lai at this year’s State of the Union address. She is the daughter of Jimmy Lai, a businessman who in February was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Hong Kong High Court.

Smith told Military.com that Gulshan’s “completely bogus ‘terrorism’ and ‘social disruption’ charges” are meant as retaliation against Rushan’s activism.

Rushan was described by Smith as “an excellent witness” at a CECC hearing two years ago, titled, ‘The PRC's Universal Periodic Review and the Real State of Human Rights in China,’ where she testified about the human rights abuses occurring in the XUAR, as well as how her sister’s arrest is a form of transnational kin punishment and repression.

Unfortunately, Dr. Abbas’ case is not an anomaly—it is a microcosm of a much larger issue. - Rep. Smith

“China wrongfully detains and imprisons more Americans—and the family members of U.S. nationals—than any other country in the world," Smith added.

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., speaks at a rally before the March for Life in Washington, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Smith previously introduced legislation, the Nelson Wells Jr. and Dawn Michelle Hunt Unjustly Detained in Communist China Act (HR 5491), that would mandate the U.S. government to use multiple diplomatic, legal and economic levers to obtain the release of Americans and their family members from CCP imprisonment.

"This legislation will help to make the long-awaited release of Dr. Abbas, who is specifically named in the bill—and the countless other Americans and relatives of Americans wrongly imprisoned in China—an achievable reality," Smith said, urging his House colleagues to swiftly take up the legislation for a vote.

Returning to the Scene

As efforts to release her forge on, Gulshan’s health and mental state are deteriorating.

Murat described how Gulshan already had a list of health issues including high blood pressure and back pain that when it onsets effectively paralyzes her.

“She couldn't move. And then both of her eyes went through multiple surgeries and need to get checked up every year,” Murat said. “She needs to follow a medical procedure.”

Ziba Murat, left, stands with her mother, Gulshan, and sister. (Ziba Murat)

But Murat said that whenever congressional offices reach out to the embassy and ask for any updates, all the answers are redundant and provide no real insight to her mother’s current condition.

“What worries me is that I don't know if anybody was allowed to go see her because all of us are here,” she added, fighting through tears. “All her immediate family members are in the United States. So when they tell me those things, I just keep wondering, has anybody gone see her physically? Does anybody know how she looks, you know, how she's doing?”

On March 16, Murat is speaking about the CCP’s political prisoners at the Hudson Institute—the very place where Rushan spoke almost eight years ago.

Years of Guilt

The Trump-Xi meeting may show promise for political dissidents and prisoners everywhere.

“This is a great chance for President Trump,” said Rushan, who remains close with Murat and her sister and recently visited her in Florida. “He always says Xi Jinping's his friend, maybe he should utilize that friendship or relationship to bring Gulshan to the United States to her family.”

Gulshan’s imprisonment is personal for Rushan for more reasons than one. She takes responsibility for her advocacy leading to the family’s unfathomable hardship, as that obviously of her sister.

It’s been difficult, it completely changed my life.

“Before my sister's detention, I had a successful career in business development and I was advocating at the site for Uyghur people's rights as an American citizen, practicing my freedom of speech under my constitution," she added.

"But imagine being the cost of your dear sister's detention lasting 7.5 years, waking up every day with that and going to bed every night with that feeling."

Gulshan was never a political person or even an outspoken one, Rushan said.

“I'm the youngest in my family and I was the one who was always outspoken or advocating for human rights,” she added. “But [Gulshan] was not. She retired at an early age due to health reasons.


Rep. Crane’s Bill to Accelerate Grand Canyon Recovery Unanimously Passes U.S. House

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025, legislation introduced by Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) to expedite the rebuild of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The bill would streamline the federal contracting process in order to speed up recovery efforts.

Last July, a lightning strike sparked the Dragon Bravo Fire, which devastated the North Rim and surrounding communities. More than 100 structures were destroyed, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, leading to decreased tourism, reduced revenue, and significant hardship for park staff, small businesses, and gateway communities.

In the aftermath of the fire, Rep. Crane visited the region to meet with small business owners, park staff, and local officials to hear their ideas for an appropriate federal response. Stakeholders consistently emphasized that granting the National Park Service (NPS) emergency contracting authority would be one of the most effective ways to accelerate recovery efforts and avoid unnecessary delays.

On October 9, 2025, Rep. Crane formally introduced the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025. The legislation grants the NPS emergency contracting authority, eliminating bureaucratic hurdles that have historically slowed federal rebuilds. The bill covers all fire-related efforts, including forest management, maintenance, rebuilding, and infrastructure improvements. It also requires the NPS to submit a comprehensive report to Congress every 180 days to ensure transparency and accountability.

The legislation has earned broad bipartisan support throughout the legislative process, including endorsements from the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, the Chairwoman of the Congressional Western Caucus, and key members of the Arizona delegation. The House Committee on Natural Resources unanimously advanced the bill on January 22, 2026, following testimony from John Dillon, a constituent, small business owner, and lifelong advocate for the Grand Canyon. Mr. Dillon briefed members on the scale of the destruction and urged swift passage on behalf of rural Arizonans who have dealt with tremendous uncertainty and financial loss from the disaster.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Rep. Crane believes this legislation sends a strong message that our nation treasures its iconic landmarks and protects rural communities. With the House delivering a resounding vote of approval, he is calling on the Senate to finish the job as soon as possible.

To read the legislation, please click here.

“Coconino County supports the North Rim Restoration Act, which gives the National Park Service the ability to respond swiftly and thoughtfully, not only to rebuild the physical structures, but to restore the enduring spirit of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. We are deeply grateful to Representative Crane for championing this legislation and recognizing the devastation caused by the Dragon Bravo Fire and the heartbreaking loss for everyone who treasures this extraordinary place,” said the Coconino County Board of Supervisors.

“Federal bureaucracy should not stand in the way of vital rebuilding efforts at the Grand Canyon, which is critical to restore tourism and support rural, gateway economies. H.R. 5729 will help expedite the recovery of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon from the devastating impacts of the Dragon Bravo Fire by giving the National Park Service targeted emergency acquisition flexibilities. This commonsense legislation will support on-the-ground recovery work and conserve this iconic landscape for future generations. I thank Representative Crane for introducing this bill on behalf of Arizonans and the millions of Americans who cherish the Grand Canyon,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman.


Congresswoman Escobar Joins House Democrats in Pushing FIFA to Lower World Cup Ticket Prices

Last week, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) joined 69 other Members of Congress led by Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) in urging the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to reduce the cost of tickets for the 2026 World Cup, which have soared in part due to the use of dynamic pricing.

The full letter, sent to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, can be found here or below:

As the United States prepares to welcome international visitors for the rapidly approaching 2026 FIFA World Cup (FWC), we write with great concern regarding the decisions made by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) that have led to rising costs for fans and host cities. Both American fans and international visitors should have access to tickets at affordable prices. The extreme high demand for World Cup tickets should not be a green light for price gouging at the expense of the people who make the World Cup the most-watched sporting event in the world.

When the tri-nation model for the 2026 World Cup was announced and confirmed in 2018, FIFA emphasized an inclusive tournament experience, including the availability of hundreds of thousands of low-cost tickets, some projected at approximately $21, to allow fans to follow their teams across all host cities in North America. That vision of an accessible, global celebration, welcoming 48 national teams and their supporters from every corner of the world, has been undermined by a dynamic priced ticketing model that is financially exclusionary and stands in stark contrast to the vision presented. This pricing structure has made tickets for all stages of FWC games unaffordable for many fans who have already confirmed travel for this monumental international sporting event.

It is our understanding that in response to widespread international opposition to the extremely high prices of World Cup tickets, FIFA made a limited number available to national football federations for independent distribution at approximately $60 each. However, these tickets represent only 1-2 percent of the total tickets available for the 2026 FWC, and only a few hundred will be available per game. Beyond this small portion of affordable tickets, the overwhelming majority of fans traveling from across the globe will only have access to substantially inflated ticket prices through a limited lottery system and resale platforms. Current pricing indicates that the least expensive group-stage tickets average over $200, while the lowest-priced tickets for the final match exceed $4,000.

The employment of dynamic ticket pricing for the 2026 FWC starkly contrasts with FIFA’s core mission to promote the accessible and inclusive promotion and development of soccer globally. This widely-criticized decision to abandon the traditional static pricing model prioritizes revenue maximization over accessibility for fans and host community residents. Despite host cities’ cooperation in bringing the vision of the largest, most global World Cup in history to fruition, the consequences of dynamic pricing will make the 2026 FWC the most financially exclusionary and inaccessible to date.

The use of dynamic pricing on FIFA-operated ticketing and resale platforms allows FIFA to capture inflated revenues while placing the burden on fans and host-city residents, many of whom are already contributing to the tournament through state and local level public funding for security, transportation, and infrastructure. In the United States, taxpayers at the federal, state, and local levels are bearing substantial costs to host the World Cup. Although Congress has appropriated approximately $625 million to reimburse local law enforcement expenditures, local governments have had to garner additional funding of up to $150 million per city for infrastructure improvements, transportation, and security preparations.

The high cost of hosting these games, without FIFA’s financial support, has forced some cities to scale back or privatize the acclaimed fan festivals. Fan festivals have historically ensured that World Cups are affordable for visitors and residents alike to participate in the World Cup celebrations, serving as a partial alleviation to the negative consequences of unaffordable tickets on the fan experience. Without public access to these celebrations, the affordability of World Cup tickets becomes even more pertinent. However, Host Committees are collectively $250 million short of needed funding due to FIFA’s commercial contracts that restrict their cities’ ability to accept additional local sponsorship. These funding constraints have created significant obstacles for host cities to host public fan events.7 As a result, for the first time in World Cup history, certain cities are taking unprecedented measures,8 such as charging admission for fan festivals or reducing them due to difficulty attracting visitors.

Taken together, these financial challenges reveal a structural imbalance in the FWC 2026 model that contradicts the core principles of the largest international sporting event in the world: FIFA maintains control over the tournament’s most lucrative revenue streams, while host cities and their residents are left to shoulder the substantial costs of accommodating millions of visitors, often without meaningful access to the matches themselves.

With the 2026 tournament looming, we urgently request that FIFA review and reconsider the tournament policies that have created insurmountable challenges to fans and host cities, and provide answers to the following questions:

Will FIFA redistribute the unallocated bands of tickets to be dedicated to affordable tickets for fans?

What measures will FIFA take to ensure that tickets remain affordable as teams advance in the tournament, particularly given that many later-round tickets have already been sold at dynamically- inflated prices?

Will FIFA commit to returning to a static pricing model in future tournaments in light of the accessibility concerns raised by the 2026 World Cup?

Will FIFA implement changes to support host cities with fan festivals, or adjust sponsorship limitations so host city committees can fundraise and host public tournament events for fans unable to attend the actual games?

We appreciate your prompt attention to these issues and look forward to your response. We urge FIFA to take immediate corrective action to address the harms caused by its use of dynamic pricing, which has transformed the world’s largest sporting event into an exclusionary, profit-driven enterprise at the direct expense of fans, host communities, and public taxpayers.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.


Leger Fernández’s Small Cemetery Conveyance Act Passes in the House

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House unanimously passed Congresswoman Leger Fernández’s (NM-03) bill, H.R. 4284, the Small Cemetery Conveyance Act. The bill would remove long-standing federal obstacles for rural, Tribal, and land-grant communities to care for ancestral cemeteries located on National Forest lands.

For generations, families laid their loved ones to rest on lands consecrated long before those lands were claimed by the federal government. Too many communities must navigate costly, time-consuming bureaucratic processes simply to maintain the cemeteries where their ancestors are buried. The Small Cemetery Conveyance Act addresses this by allowing the U.S. Forest Service to transfer small parcels of land containing historic cemeteries directly to states, local governments, federally recognized Tribes, and land-grant Mercedes without requiring a purchase or land exchange. The bill also authorizes the Forest Service to waive expensive survey and appraisal fees for communities that cannot afford them.

“No community should have to pay to pay their respects at their ancestors’ graves,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “This law helps return stewardship of these cemeteries to the communities who have prayed at and cared for them for centuries. But the beneficiaries of this bill will go far beyond New Mexico. The Forest Service estimates 129 cemeteries across the National Forest System could be eligible for transfer under this bill. It is a respectful solution that honors our culture, our history, and our herencia."

In New Mexico alone, at least eight cemeteries across four land-grant communities are potentially eligible for transfer under the legislation, with many more historic cemeteries throughout the National Forest System expected to benefit.

Watch the Congresswoman’s testimony on the bill HERE and the full hearing HERE.

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House Passes Goodlander-Backed Bill to Help Holocaust Survivors and Families Reclaim Stolen Art

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander helped pass the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act Improvements of 2025, bipartisan legislation to help Holocaust survivors and their families reclaim artwork stolen by the Nazis. The bill removes the upcoming 2026 expiration date from the original HEAR Act, passed in 2016, and makes key updates to ensure that survivors’ claims are heard fairly in court. The bipartisan bill, which has already passed the Senate, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“I truly believe we are what we remember — and that includes the artwork and artifacts we preserve,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “By passing the HEAR Act Improvements of 2025, the House has taken an important step to help Holocaust survivors and their families reclaim artwork stolen by the Nazis. Returning these pieces is essential to preserving the Jewish identity and culture that the Nazi regime tried so brutally to erase. We must never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust, and this bipartisan legislation reaffirms our responsibility to deliver justice for families and remove barriers that have stood in the way of recovering what was wrongfully taken from them.”

The original HEAR Act was passed in 2016 to provide families with a fair opportunity to recover art looted by the Nazis during World War II. It created a six-year window for legal claims, starting from the time a family discovers where their stolen art is located. The law was meant to ensure that cases are decided based on facts, not thrown out due to complicated legal deadlines. However, in recent years, some courts have dismissed these claims using time-based technical defenses, which go against the original purpose of the law.

The new bill eliminates the 2026 “sunset clause,” which would have ended the protections offered by the HEAR Act. It also makes clear that as long as a family files within six years of discovering their artwork’s location, their case cannot be dismissed simply because of how much time has passed. This change is especially important as the number of living Holocaust survivors continues to decline.

The bill also responds to a 2021 Supreme Court ruling (Federal Republic of Germany v. Philipp) that made it harder to sue foreign governments involved in looting or holding art stolen during the Holocaust. Under this legislation, families will be able to bring claims in U.S. courts as long as the foreign government or museum has ties to the United States. The bill also blocks other legal defenses that could be used to avoid facing the facts in court and allows families to sue foreign defendants if they have any significant contact with the U.S., not just in one state.

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Rep. Grijalva Statement on Ninth Circuit Ruling on Oak Flat

“I am deeply disappointed by this decision which will allow drilling to immediately begin at Oak Flat — a sacred and irreplaceable place for the Apache people. Oak Flat is not just a piece of land: it is a place of prayer, ceremony, and identity for the Apache people. This site should never have been traded away to foreign mining giants in a backroom deal that ignored Tribal sovereignty, shut the public out of the process, and will destroy vital environmental and critical water resources.”

“That is why my first bill in Congress, the Save Oak Flat From Foreign Mining Act, would have repealed this indefensible land swap and protect Oak Flat for future generations. I will continue standing with the San Carlos Apache Tribe, Apache Stronghold, and advocates across Arizona to protect the sacred ancestral lands of Chi’chil Biłdagoteel while exploring every possible avenue to rectify this injustice.

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Grothman, Pocan Introduce SAFE Pathways Act to Protect Aquatic Fisheries and Local Economies

Today, Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) and Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI) introduced the Safeguarding Aquatic Fisheries and Ecosystem (SAFE) Pathways Act, legislation designed to protect Wisconsin’s rivers and lakes from the spread of invasive species, like Asian Carp.

Fishways are a key tool for supporting native fish populations, but when poorly planned, they can inadvertently allow harmful species to move into new waterways, disrupting ecosystems and costing taxpayers billions. The SAFE Pathways Act ensures federal agencies assess these risks and incorporate proven safeguards before constructing new fishways, protecting both our environment and local economies.

The legislation is supported by the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

“Wisconsin’s rivers and lakes are some of our state’s greatest resources, and we have a responsibility to protect them,” said Rep. Grothman. “Fishways are an important tool to help native species thrive, but if they’re poorly designed or located, they can unintentionally create highways for invasive species that devastate our waters, harm wildlife, and cost taxpayers billions in damage and cleanup.

“The SAFE Pathways Act makes sure federal agencies take a hard look at these risks, plan responsibly, and use proven tools to prevent problems before they start. This is smart, proactive policy that keeps our fisheries healthy, safeguards local economies, and protects our nation’s natural resources for generations to come.”

“Invasive species pose a tremendous threat to the $5.1 billion Great Lakes fishery,” said Dr. Marc Gaden, Executive Secretary of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. “This legislation will help stop the spread of these harmful species, many of which have caused billions of dollars of damage to our highly valued lakes and tributaries.”

“The SAFE Pathways Act is a smart, forward‑looking investment in protecting our native fisheries and the communities that depend on them,” said Christie Trifone Millhouse, Executive Director of NAISMA. “By requiring agencies to assess invasive species risks before new fishways are built, this legislation strengthens ecological resilience, safeguards local economies, and helps prevent the costly impacts of invasive species before they take hold.”

Background Information

Fishways allow native fish to navigate around dams and other barriers, supporting population growth and preserving species. However, improperly planned fishways can create pathways for invasive species, which disrupt aquatic ecosystems through predation, habitat destruction, and competition for resources. In 2021, invasive species caused an estimated $26 billion in lost economic activity across North America.

The SAFE Pathways Act requires federal agencies to evaluate the risk of invasive species before constructing new fishways and incorporate mitigation strategies like biological controls, physical barriers, and targeted design standards. By addressing these risks early, the legislation helps safeguard Wisconsin’s fisheries, protect local economies, and reduce costly environmental damage before it happens.

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RELEASE: REP. HILL HOSTS 2026 ARKANSAS HBCU SUMMIT AT ARKANSAS BAPTIST COLLEGE

LITTLE ROCK, AR – Rep. French Hill (AR-02) yesterday hosted his 2026 HBCU Summit at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock. The summit's theme was "Building Resilient Futures for HBCUs: Infrastructure, Innovation, and Economic Mobility."

Rep. Hill was joined by several distinguished guests, including:

Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), founder and co-chair of the HBCU Caucus

Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr.

Asahi Pompey, President of the Goldman Sachs Foundation and President of Goldman Sachs Gives

Kelly Mitchell, Executive Director, White House Initiative on HBCUs

Dr. Terrence Tarver, Director, Public Policy, Legislative and Government Affairs, United Negro College Fund (UNCF)

Dr. Harry L. Williams, President, Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including the four we are blessed to have here in central Arkansas, have played a vital role in expanding access to higher education for generations of Americans,” said Rep. Hill, co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral HBCU Caucus. “Today’s summit was an opportunity to bring together leaders from government, philanthropy, business, and higher education to discuss how we ensure these institutions remain strong and continue fulfilling that mission for generations to come.”

“I’m grateful to my friend and HBCU Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) for her partnership and unwavering support for HBCUs, and for making the trip to Little Rock, as well as to Governor Sanders and our keynote speaker, Goldman Sachs executive, Asahi Pompey. I also want to thank the presidents, panelists, and participants whose leadership and insights made today’s summit such a valuable conversation for our institutions and the students they serve.”

“It was a pleasure to join my colleague Congressman French Hill at the HBCU Summit this week,” said Congresswoman Alma Adams, co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral HBCU Caucus. “HBCUs have long been a cornerstone of opportunity in this country, educating generations of leaders and driving economic mobility in communities across America. I appreciated the chance to bring together leaders from across the HBCU community to talk about the real challenges our institutions face, especially aging campus infrastructure. Through the HBCU Caucus, Congressman Hill and I have worked to secure federal investments to support our campuses, and I look forward to continuing that bipartisan work while advancing efforts like the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act to strengthen HBCUs for the future.”

“Congressman French Hill has been a strong advocate for Historically Black Colleges and Universities through his leadership as co-chair of the Congressional HBCU Caucus,” said Governor Sanders. “Arkansas’ four HBCUs have expanded opportunity for generations, and my administration is proud to support them through investments like increased funding for UAPB and workforce programs that help students turn education into careers.”

“As we celebrate our country's 250th anniversary, we honor the institutions that have produced generation after generation of this country’s leaders, doctors, engineers, and judges,” said Asahi Pompey, Global Head of Corporate Engagement and Chair of the Urban Investment Group, Goldman Sachs. “Strengthening these institutions is an investment in the promise of America. We thank Congressman Hill for his partnership and leadership."

“For nearly 190 years, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have served as the beacon of life-changing opportunity for millions of Americans,” Thurgood Marshall College Fund President & CEO Dr. Harry L. Williams said. “The HBCU Summit, being hosted by Bipartisan HBCU Caucus Co-Chair Congressman French Hill, is a tremendous opportunity to not only highlight the tremendous work being done at these institutions but also connect their leaders directly with other business leaders and change-makers in Arkansas.”

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HBCU Summit Speakers:

Rep. French Hill (AR-02), Co-Chair of the HBCU Caucus

Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), Founder and Co-Chair of the HBCU Caucus

Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr.

Asahi Pompey, Partner, Global Head of Corporate Engagement & President of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, Goldman Sachs

Video remarks from Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04)

Panel Topics and Panelists:

Campus Infrastructure and Long-Term Sustainability

Rep. French Hill (R-AR), Co-Chair HBCU Caucus

Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC), Co-Chair HBCU Caucus

Dr. Maurice Gipson, President, Philander Smith University

Dr. Harry L. Williams, President, Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)

Dr. Terrence Tarver, Director, Public Policy, Legislative and Government Affairs, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF)

Private Capital, Innovation, and Public-Private Partnerships

Mr. Charles King, Southeast Arkansas College (Moderator)

Dr. Bruce McGowan, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Mr. Ventrell Thompson, Vice President of Customer Service, Entergy

Dr. Christopher B. Davis, President of LeMoyne-Owen College

Mr. Curtis Howse, CEO, Synchrony

Mr. Andy Goodman, President, Arkansas's Independent Colleges and Universities

From Classroom to Career: Connecting HBCU Talent to the Economy


Huffman Statement on Trump Handing Sacred Apache Land to Foreign Mining Giants in $150 Billion Giveaway

Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) issued the following statement after President Trump transferred Oak Flat, a National Historic Site sacred to multiple Apache tribes, to multinational mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP:

“Foreign mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP got exactly what they paid for with this administration. President Trump handed them a sacred Apache site to destroy, greenlighted a deal that sends American copper to China, and the American people won’t see a single cent in royalties because our mining laws don’t require it.

“Apache families who have held sacred ceremonies at Oak Flat since time immemorial lost these sacred lands today. Their loss is foreign shareholders’ gain. The publicly owned copper just given to Resolution Copper could be worth more than $150 billion, based on the Forest Service's own appraisal of the copper deposit.

“This is a human rights violation, an environmental disaster in the making, and a multibillion-dollar giveaway to foreign mining companies.

“Congress needs to reform our antiquated mining laws now. Americans deserve a better deal than this. Tribes must have a seat at the table over the fate of their sacred lands. The American people have had enough of watching Trump and Republicans give away billions of dollars’ worth of our nation’s natural resources to foreign mining companies for free.”

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Dear Colleague on Republican Shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security

Dear Colleague:

I write with respect to the upcoming legislative work week in Washington. The Department of Homeland Security has been shut down for more than 30 days because Donald Trump and Republican extremists refuse to get ICE under control.

Meanwhile, hardworking employees of the TSA, CISA, Coast Guard and FEMA have been forced to work without pay. Republicans continue to spend taxpayer dollars to fund ICE brutality against American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families. At the same time, Donald Trump and his sycophants in Congress are spending billions to drop bombs in the Middle East, instead of restoring their cuts to Medicaid and nutritional assistance for millions of children, veterans, seniors and everyday Americans.

Republicans have been in complete control of the federal government for 15 months and have done nothing to make life more affordable. Rather, grocery bills are out of control, housing costs have risen, health insurance premiums are skyrocketing and gas prices are through the roof. Instead of addressing the affordability crisis, Republicans claim that it is a hoax. The toxic GOP agenda includes endless war, regime change, ICE brutality, reckless Trump tariffs and peddling Islamophobia. The American people deserve better.

Upon our return, House Democrats will discharge legislation put forth by Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro that funds the TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard, CISA and the parts of the Department of Homeland Security that do not include ICE and the Trump mass deportation machine. We will launch the discharge petition effort on Wednesday, March 18 — the first day it ripens — on the Capitol Steps at 12:00 p.m. I urge all members to join us as we press Republicans for an up-or-down vote on legislation to protect our hardworking federal civil servants.

At the same time, House Democrats will continue to demand changes to ICE that are bold, meaningful and transformational. Immigration enforcement in this country should be fair, just and humane. That is not what is happening right now.

The extreme Republican policy of mass deportation has resulted in the cold-blooded killing of two American citizens and the wasting of billions of taxpayer dollars to brutalize communities throughout the country. This must end. We have succeeded in our effort to rid the country of Kristi Noem at the helm of DHS. However, a change in personnel is not sufficient, particularly with the malignant Stephen Miller at the White House. The American people deserve a dramatic change in policy.

Thank you for your continued leadership as we fight to lower the high cost of living, fix our broken healthcare system, get ICE under control and stop the reckless war of choice that Republicans have launched in the Middle East.

Sincerely,

Hakeem Jeffries

Democratic Leader


LEADER JEFFRIES: “REPUBLICANS HAVE MADE LIFE MORE EXPENSIVE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE”

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference, where he emphasized that Donald Trump and House Republicans are spending billions in taxpayer dollars on a war of choice in the Middle East, while doing nothing to make the lives of the American people more affordable.

LEADER JEFFRIES: This is a very challenging moment for the United States of America as we deal with a President, Donald Trump, and Republicans whose policies have done nothing but damage the quality of life of the American people. It was Republicans who, in their One Big Ugly Bill, enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health centers are closing throughout America because of Republican policies, and, at the same period of time, these extremists refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, causing health insurance premiums to skyrocket for more than 20 million working class Americans. Republicans have done great damage to the American people, made life more expensive for everyday Americans on healthcare, on gas prices, on housing costs, on child care, on groceries. They’ve made life more expensive for the American people, and it’s affirmatively being done by toxic and extreme Republican policies.

And to make matters worse, at the same period of time, they’ve now gotten us into a reckless war of choice against Iran and are spending billions of dollars to drop bombs in the Middle East, but can’t find a dime to make life more affordable for the American people. There’s a better way. And Democrats are committed to fighting hard to relentlessly focus on driving down the high cost of living, fixing our broken healthcare system, making sure that immigration enforcement in this country is fair, just and humane and at the same time, ensuring that our taxpayer dollars aren’t spent on another endless war in the Middle East, but are spent to lower the high cost of living, to make sure that every single American in this country can live an affordable life, a comfortable life and live the good life.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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Congressman Kennedy Honors WNY Veteran with Multiple Combat Medals

William Martin Miller Receives the Purple Heart and Additional Military Honors in Long-Overdue Recognition of His Sacrifice During the Vietnam War

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) presented military honors to Buffalo veteran William Martin Miller during a ceremony held in Buffalo, NY. Surrounded by family and loved ones, Miller, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, received the Purple Heart along with several additional service medals, a commemorative certificate, and an American flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol in recognition of his sacrifice and service to our nation.

“As Americans, we owe our veterans a debt that can never truly be repaid, only honored through our gratitude, respect, and commitment to never forget the sacrifices they made for our country,” said Congressman Kennedy. “One of the greatest privileges of serving in Congress is having the opportunity to recognize the brave men and women who answered the call to defend our nation. On behalf of a grateful community and nation, thank you, William M. Miller, for your service to the United States of America.”

A native of Buffalo, Miller was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967 and deployed to Vietnam with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade of the 23rd “Americal” Division. While serving near Chu Lai and Da Nang, he first drove supply trucks along the dangerous Highway 1 before transferring to an artillery unit. During an enemy attack on his unit’s bunker, Miller sustained five severe combat wounds and was medically evacuated to Walter Reed Hospital, where he endured a grueling nine-month recovery. Miller still carries shrapnel in his back today. Despite the extent of his injuries and sacrifice, he had never formally received the Purple Heart until now.

In addition to the Purple Heart, Congressman Kennedy presented Miller with the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960), and the Expert Badge with Rifle Bar. Miller was also formally entered into the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, ensuring his bravery and sacrifice will be remembered for generations to come.

Veterans and their families who are seeking the military medals they have earned are urged to contact Congressman Kennedy’s office at 716-852-3501.

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Rep. Kiggans Presents $1,000,000 Check for Community Project Funding for Bow Creek Stormwater Park in Virginia Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) joined local leaders at Bow Creek Recreation Center in Virginia Beach to recognize $1,000,000 in Community Project Funding (CPF) secured for the Bow Creek Stormwater Park project. The funding will support design, property acquisition, and construction planning for a major flood mitigation and resilience initiative in the Princess Anne Plaza neighborhood.

During the event, Rep. Kiggans joined Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer, city leadership, and local stakeholders to highlight the importance of the project and the collaborative effort that made the funding possible. The Congresswoman presented a ceremonial check to City leadership recognizing the federal investment and the City’s ongoing work to strengthen flood protection infrastructure across the region.

“Flooding remains one of the most significant challenges facing families, businesses, and infrastructure across Hampton Roads,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “Investments like the Bow Creek Stormwater Park project represent practical, forward-looking solutions that will help protect neighborhoods while strengthening regional resilience. I was proud to advocate for this funding because it will improve quality of life for residents and help safeguard communities from future storm events.”

The Bow Creek Stormwater Park project is part of the City of Virginia Beach’s broader Princess Anne Plaza, The Lakes, and Windsor Woods Flood Protection Program Master Project, which aims to improve flood resilience and stormwater management in vulnerable areas of the city.

“This project received the full support and direction of our City Council, and we are grateful to Congresswoman Kiggans for her hard work in securing federal funding,” said Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer. “She has been a great partner to the City of Virginia Beach, and her leadership in Congress continues to help strengthen our community and improve quality of life for our residents.”

The project will convert the 100-acre, City-owned former Bow Creek Golf Course into a multi-purpose stormwater park capable of providing approximately 300 acre-feet of additional flood storage. Planned infrastructure improvements include stormwater pump stations, tide gates, flood barriers, storm drains, and excavated lakes designed to enhance regional flood protection and prevent backflow during major storm events.

In addition to improving flood resilience, the park will incorporate recreational amenities such as trails, shared-use paths, wildlife viewing areas, and other community spaces designed to function as dual-purpose flood storage during extreme weather events. The project will be constructed in phases and supports the City’s long-term resilience planning, with completion anticipated by 2030.

The funding was included in H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, which passed the House of Representatives on January 8, 2026, and provides $1,000,000 in Community Project Funding for the Bow Creek Stormwater Park project in the City of Virginia Beach.

As the representative for Virginia’s Second District, Rep. Kiggans continues to champion investments that strengthen infrastructure, support local communities, and improve long-term resilience across Hampton Roads.


Rep. Kiggans Presents $1,000,000 Check for Community Project Funding for Chesapeake Career Technical Education Center

CHESAPEAKE, VA – Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) joined local education leaders, city officials, and students at the Chesapeake Career Center to recognize $1,000,000 in Community Project Funding (CPF) secured for the Chesapeake Career Technical Education (CTE) Center Project. The funding will support the development of expanded career and technical education programming designed to strengthen workforce readiness and provide students with valuable career pathways.

During the event, Rep. Kiggans joined Chesapeake Public Schools leadership, members of the Chesapeake School Board, and students to highlight the importance of workforce development and career education across Hampton Roads. The Congresswoman presented a ceremonial check to school leadership recognizing the federal investment in the project.

“I’m grateful to be here in Chesapeake with students, educators, and community leaders to highlight federal support for this important workforce development initiative,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “Investments like this help ensure students graduate with the skills, experience, and credentials needed to succeed in high-demand industries that are critical to the Hampton Roads economy. I was proud to advocate for this funding because strengthening career readiness is an investment in both our students and our region’s future.”

The funding was included in H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which passed the House of Representatives on January 22, 2026, and provides $1,000,000 in Community Project Funding for the Career Academies of Chesapeake in the City of Chesapeake.

This investment will support the Career Academies of Chesapeake, an initiative designed to modernize career and technical education by aligning academic programming with the needs of local and regional employers. The project includes plans for a new, state-of-the-art facility that will expand current programming and introduce six new career pathways to better prepare students for careers in high-demand industries.

“This federal investment is an important step forward for our students and our community,” said Dr. Jared A. Cotton, Superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools. “Chesapeake has long recognized the value of career and technical education in preparing students for high-demand careers. Support through this Community Project Funding grant will help us strengthen and modernize our facilities so more students can gain the hands-on skills and industry experience needed to succeed in today’s workforce and contribute to our region’s economic growth.”

The Career Academies of Chesapeake project is expected to cost approximately $101.5 million, with Chesapeake Public Schools continuing to secure funding through state, local, and federal partnerships. The school system previously received a $20 million grant from the Virginia Department of Education through the Commonwealth’s School Construction Assistance Program to support the initiative.

As the representative for Virginia’s Second District, Rep. Kiggans continues to champion investments that expand educational opportunities, strengthen workforce development, and support long-term economic growth across Hampton Roads.


Chairman Lawler’s Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act Passes House

Washington, D.C. – 3/16/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) released the following statement after his Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act passed the House. This critical legislation aims to strengthen the U.S. sanctions regime on foreign entities enabling Iran’s illicit oil trade.

“The United States will not allow the Iranian regime to evade sanctions and bankroll terrorism through illicit oil sales. For too long, Iran has relied on a network of foreign banks, insurers, and logistics providers to move sanctioned oil. This legislation targets that entire network and ensures those financing the largest state sponsor of terrorism face real consequences.

After decades of chanting ‘Death to America,’ funding terrorist proxies, pursuing nuclear weapon and ballistic missile capabilities, and brutally repressing their own people, this evil regime is now being dismantled, opening the door for lasting peace in the Middle East and freedom for the Iranian people.

As Chair of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, holding the Iranian regime accountable is a top priority. Strengthening enforcement of our sanctions regime is critical to countering Iran’s destabilizing activities across the region and protecting our allies,” said Chairman Lawler.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act was passed by voice vote on the House floor.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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Reps. Lofgren, Swalwell, Simon, Mullin, Barragán & Sens. Padilla, Schiff Demand Answers from State Department and DHS After Deaf Six-Year-Old Deported Without Hearing Devices

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Zoe Lofgren, alongside Reps. Eric Swalwell, Lateefah Simon, Kevin Mullin, and Nanette Barragán and Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State demanding urgent answers following the deportation of a Hayward mother and her two young children, including her six-year-old son, Joseph, who was removed from the country without his assistive hearing devices.

The letter outlines serious humanitarian and due-process concerns surrounding the deportation of Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez and her children after they appeared for a routine immigration check-in in San Francisco. According to the family’s attorney, Rodriguez Gutierrez complied with the law and presented herself for the required check-in, where she and her children were detained and deported to Colombia Joseph had been learning American Sign Language and attending school in the United States before the deportation. According to the family, his removal from his community and support system has led to severe isolation and distress. The family has filed applications for humanitarian parole that would allow them to return to the United States while Joseph’s medical and educational needs are addressed and the circumstances of the deportation are investigated.

“It's really unconscionable to deport a deaf six-year-old without his hearing devices. This administration claimed that they were targeting the worst of the worst with their immigration policies, and yet they're going after disabled children. The Gutierrez family was trying to follow the law, and they need to be returned to their home in Hayward,” said Congresswoman Lofgren.

“What did this family do wrong?” said Rep. Swalwell. “The deportation of a young deaf child without the assistive hearing devices he needs is dangerous. Sadly, there appears to be no line this administration won’t cross. I’m past frustration. I’m outraged. We will not allow this treatment to continue. My colleagues and I are demanding answers, and we demand them now.”

“The Administration's treatment of the Rodriguez Gutierrez family and their deaf 6-year-old son is cruel, unnecessary, and sickening. As the first congenitally blind Member to serve in Congress, I join my California colleagues in demanding answers and holding the Department of Homeland Security accountable for their disturbing treatment of minors with disabilities -- so this never happens again,” said Congresswoman Simon. “No government that calls itself humane would treat people like this, and we will keep pushing until this deportation machine that is terrorizing families is stopped.”

“Deporting a six-year-old deaf child while refusing to let him retrieve his hearing aids is a truly shameful example of the Trump Administration’s utterly inhumane and chaotic approach to immigration. I am hard of hearing and know firsthand how essential hearing aids are, yet I can still only imagine the terror and unnecessary trauma this poor child endured under DHS. I have also visited the California School for the Deaf where this young child attended, and my heart breaks for his family and the entire community. I join my colleagues in demanding DHS immediately answer why they failed to follow disability protections and explain the legal basis for ICE’s ridiculously cruel actions in this case,” said Congressman Mullin.

“There is no excuse for ICE to have taken away 6-year-old Joseph’s hearing aids. None. To take away a young child’s tools that help him to hear is a cruelty that is both disgusting and pointless. Shame on DHS and ICE. They must work to bring the family back to the US and get Joseph the care he needs and deserves,” said Congresswoman Barragán.

“The deportation of six-year-old Joseph Londono Rodriguez and his family is inhumane and inexcusable. Donald Trump’s out-of-control ICE and CBP continue terrorizing California communities through indiscriminate immigration enforcement, going as far as disappearing a deaf first-grader without his hearing aids during a routine immigration check in,” said Senator Padilla. “The cruelty and lawlessness have to end. We’re demanding the Trump Administration bring Ms. Rodriguez Gutierrez and her sons back immediately to a safe community away from isolation where Joseph can receive the specialized accommodations and continuity of care he needs.”

“The deportation of a deaf child seeking asylum and his family from the Bay Area is yet another tragic example of how Donald Trump’s indiscriminate immigration raids are targeting the most vulnerable among us,” said Senator Schiff. “Joseph Londono Rodriguez should be at home in California, and we will do all we can to reverse this.”

The letter calls on DHS and the State Department to work immediately with the family’s legal representatives to facilitate the family’s return to the United States through humanitarian parole, allowing Joseph to regain access to the specialized care, services, and stability he needs while the circumstances of the deportation are reviewed.

The letter requests detailed information from the administration, including:

The legal basis for detaining and deporting Rodriguez Gutierrez and her children after appearing for a scheduled immigration check-in.

Evidence supporting claims that she “agreed” to deportation and whether she had access to legal counsel before any such agreement.

What assessment, if any, was conducted regarding Joseph’s disability and his need for assistive hearing devices.

Why immigration officials withheld the child’s hearing devices during the deportation process.

Whether DHS complied with federal disability protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, which require reasonable accommodations and continuity of care.


McBath, Meng, Chu, Williams Lead Resolution Marking Five Years Since Atlanta Spa Shootings

Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Representatives Lucy McBath (GA-06), Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Judy Chu (CA-28), CAPAC Chair Emerita, and Nikema Williams (GA-05) introduced a resolution commemorating the five-year remembrance of the Atlanta spa shootings.

On March 16, 2021, a gunman senselessly murdered eight people, including six Asian women, and injured a ninth person at two spas and a massage parlor in Atlanta, Georgia. These shootings occurred amid an alarming surge in anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents nationwide fueled by the use of anti-Asian rhetoric that scapegoated Asian Americans for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Five years after the Atlanta spa shootings, our city still carries the grief of the eight lives stolen in an act of anti-Asian hate,” said Rep. McBath. “That tragedy shook our community and left lasting pain for the families, loved ones, and neighbors who continue to mourn. As someone who has dedicated my work in Congress to preventing gun violence, I know remembrance must also be matched with action to protect people from the hatred and violence which devastates communities across America. We must reject the hateful and harmful rhetoric that continues to fuel division and put lives at risk. On this anniversary, we honor the memories of those we lost and recommit ourselves to our responsibility to champion solutions that will prevent violence and save lives.”

“It is hard to believe that five years have passed since the horrific Atlanta spa shootings that took eight lives, six of whom were Asian women. For many in the Asian American community, it was our worst nightmare realized and the inevitable result of racist slurs like ‘kung flu’ that painted a target on our backs. While my COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act that passed into law marked real progress in addressing anti-Asian hate, more must be done to protect our communities,” said Rep. Grace Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. “As CAPAC Chair, I will never stop fighting against anti-Asian hate and for a future where every American can live with safety and dignity. Our caucus extends our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones as we mark this solemn anniversary. May the memories of those we lost forever be a blessing.”

“Five years after the Atlanta spa shootings, we remember the eight lives taken, six of them Asian women, in a heinous act of anti-Asian hate,” said Rep. Chu. “Their families and communities continue to carry this profound loss. Their memory reminds us of the painful surge in anti-Asian hate that scarred our nation during the pandemic and the responsibility we all share to confront it. While progress has been made, our work is far from finished. On this anniversary, we recommit ourselves to standing with AANHPI communities, rejecting xenophobia in all its forms, and building a country where no one lives in fear because of who they are.”

“Five years after the violent Atlanta spa shootings, we remember the eight lives stolen, the families still grieving, and the communities still carrying deep scars. Remembrance must also move us to action. The work to protect Asian American communities and confront anti-Asian hate is as urgent as it was five years ago. Part of the promise of America is freedom from fear or violence because of who you are, and we will keep fighting until that promise is realized. We honor the lives lost by standing shoulder to shoulder with Asian American communities in the ongoing fight for safety for all,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05).

In the five years since this horrific tragedy, Asian American communities have continued to grapple with the grief, trauma, and long-term mental health impacts of anti-Asian hate. The resolution not only marks the five-year remembrance of the Atlanta spa shootings, but also recognizes how anti-Asian hate has evolved—from misplaced blame and vitriol during the COVID-19 pandemic to enduring suspicions of dual loyalty, reflected in discriminatory policies such as alien land laws and initiatives like the so-called China Initiative that have targeted Asian communities.

The latest federal hate crime statistics show that anti-Asian hate crimes are nearly three times higher than pre-pandemic levels, and that anti-Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander hate crimes are at the highest number ever recorded since the Federal Bureau of Investigation began disaggregating this category in 2013. In a 2025 survey, 63 percent of Asian Americans reported feeling unsafe in day-to-day spaces, and 63 percent feared they will be victims of discrimination in the next five years.


House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks, Warren Release Statement on Trump Administration’s Approval of Advanced AI Chip Sales to China

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, released the following statement following the Trump administration’s decision to greenlight AI chip sales to China, which NVIDIA made public on February 25:

“In December, we called on the Department of Commerce to follow the law and provide us information about the Trump administration’s approval of any sale of advanced AI chips to China. We’ve finally received information about the administration’s first license approval and are now more concerned than ever that the Trump administration is undercutting U.S. national security by approving this sale. Congress must pass bipartisan legislation to prevent China from obtaining our advanced technology in order to protect U.S. economic and national security.”

Last December, Ranking Members Meeks and Warren invoked the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA), demanding that the Department of Commerce turn over information related to the administration’s plan to approve the sale of advanced AI chips to China despite the significant military application potential of this technology.

Under ECRA, the Department of Commerce is required to provide any information obtained in administering the Export Administration Regulations, including license applications, upon the request of the ranking minority member of the appropriate committee. The administration was nearly two months late in providing the requested license information. The public disclosure of the details of those license applications is prohibited under ECRA, unless our committees “determine that the withholding of that information is contrary to the national interest.”


Menendez, Matsui, Barragán, and Carter Introduce Legislation Compelling FCC to Re-Establish Communications Equity and Diversity Council

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmembers Rob Menendez, Doris Matsui (CA-07), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), and Troy Carter, Sr. (LA-02) introduced the Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act, which would compel the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to re-establish the Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC). Iterations of the CEDC operated under Democratic and Republican Administrations since 2003, worked to make the communications sector more equitable and reduce digital discrimination until Trump FCC Chair Brendan Carr arbitrarily disbanded it in January 2025.

“The termination of the Communications Equity and Diversity Council is one of the most damaging and ill-advised decisions made by Chairman Carr,” said Congressman Menendez. “Ensuring equal access and the inclusion of all Americans in shaping our digital future remains more essential than ever. The legislation we are introducing today will compel the Trump Administration and Chairman Carr to re-establish the CEDC so it can continue its important work of ensuring all communities thrive in our growing digital economy.”

“The FCC should be focused on closing the digital divide, not shutting out the voices that help guide its mission,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “For years, under both Democratic and Republican leadership, the Communications Equity and Diversity Council helped the Commission identify ways to expand access to broadband and media services for everyone. Chairman Carr’s decision to dismantle the Council was a step backward. That's why I am proud to co-lead this bill to codify the CEDC and make clear that communities too often left out of these decisions deserve a seat at the table.”

“Communications policies and emerging technologies should bring people together and expand opportunities—not leave people behind,” said Congresswoman Barragán. “The Communications Equity and Diversity Council ensured that the FCC heard directly from civil rights leaders, industry experts, and community advocates working to close the digital divide. I’m proud to join Representatives Menendez, Matsui, and Carter in introducing legislation that will restore and protect this council after the Trump Administration made the misguided decision to dismantle it. If we want communications policies that work for everyone, the communities most affected by the digital divide must have a seat at the table.”

“As communications services become ever more central to how Americans work, learn, and connect with one another, we must ensure that opportunity in the digital age reaches every community,” said Congressman Carter, Sr. “By elevating diverse voices and expanding opportunities for historically underserved communities, this bill will help strengthen competition, support small businesses, and promote a communications landscape that truly serves the public interest. I’m proud to support this effort to make our communications ecosystem more inclusive, innovative, and accessible for everyone.”

“Representative Menendez’s Communications Equity and Diversity Council Acthelps right one of the wrongs of Federal Communications Commission Chair Carr’s attacks on programs that even mention diversity and equity,” said Alejandra Montoya-Boyer, Vice President, The Leadership Conference Center for Civil Rights and Technology. “Before Chair Carr cut the Communications Diversity Council, the body helped level the playing field for everyday essentials—everything from getting people connected to the internet to training individuals how to use emerging technology to their benefit. At a time when our everyday lives are increasingly intertwined with technology, our leaders must ensure that these tools expand opportunity for all of us, no matter who we are, where we’re from, or how much money we have.”

“Public Knowledge supports the efforts of the Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act, which would restore the important work of the CEDC at the Federal Communications Commission after it was dismantled in response to President Trump and FCC Chair Carr’s broad efforts to invert the meaning and purpose of diversity, equity, and inclusion work in our communications ecosystem,” said Alisa Valentin, Broadband Policy Director, Public Knowledge. “This legislation would help advance the FCC’s mission of making communications available to all the people of the United States, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. It is particularly urgent as broadband remains unaffordable for millions of households, media continues to consolidate, and consumer protections are steadily eroded at the Commission.”

“Innovation thrives when diverse voices and perspectives are part of the conversation. Hispanic Technology & Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP) supports the Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act because communications policy is strongest when it reflects the voices and needs of all communities,” said JudeAnne Heath, Executive Director, Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership. “When people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, including across communities and the political spectrum, are part of the conversation, our policies and our nation move forward together. Establishing the Council will create a constructive space for stakeholders to work together on expanding opportunity, encouraging small business participation, and strengthening the marketplace. By codifying the Communications Equity and Diversity Council, Congress would help institutionalize stakeholder input and ensure that FCC policy reflects the needs of all communities.”

“Good governance depends on policymakers hearing from the people impacted by the policies. Reinstating and codifying the recently disbanded Communications Equity and Diversity Council at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is essential to good governance,” said Angela Seifer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance. “The Council is an effective and proven structure for ensuring the FCC hears from the broad range of people and communities in our nation. NDIA supports the Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act and applauds Representative Menendez for introducing this bill to keep people at the center of the FCC’s policies.”

“The record of the CEDC is one of substantive, bipartisan policy work. Over its tenure, the Council delivered recommendations on preventing digital discrimination, reducing barriers to broadband deployment in underserved communities, accelerating entry of minority-owned businesses into the communications industries, and promoting digital workforce upskilling — work that reflected collaboration among telecommunications leaders, consumer advocates, civil rights organizations, and local government officials,” said Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council CEO Robert E. Branson. “Establishing the CEDC by statute is sound institutional design, consistent with the approach Representative Menendez successfully advanced for the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council. Statutory codification is not a partisan position — it ensures that advisory bodies capable of producing durable policy recommendations are not subject to elimination by a single administrative decision. MMTC urges Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation and restore a forum that serves all Americans by ensuring underserved communities have a meaningful voice at the FCC.”

“The CEDC Act will help to ensure that all people are able to benefit from access to essential communication services,” said Olivia Wein, Senior Attorney, National Consumer Law Center. “The Act provides the FCC with recommendations from underrepresented voices on a range of important communications topics including, deployment, affordability, digital discrimination, access to capital, small business mentoring, employment upskilling, ownership diversity and procurement opportunities.”

“At a time when the digital landscape is advancing daily, we must make sure that technological advancements do not leave our communities behind and that they are fully equipped to share those changes," said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation. "Hispanic Federation commends legislation to restore the Communications Equity and Diversity Council, a critical step for making sure that Latino communities and other historically underserved populations are consulted and heard in the decisions that shape America’s communications governance. By having a seat at the decision-making table, we can make sure culturally competent outreach, and approaches are included at the beginning rather than only being considered as an afterthought."

The mission of the FCC’s CEDC was to make recommendations to the FCC on advancing equity in the provision of and access to digital communication services and products for all people of the United States, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability. In carrying out this mission, the CEDC researched and made recommendations to the Commission on how to accelerate the deployment of high-speed Internet access in all communities by reducing and/or removing regulatory barriers to infrastructure and investment, and by making recommendations on how to strengthen existing broadband networks and develop new ones. The CEDC further aimed to provide recommendations to the Commission on how to ensure that disadvantaged communities are not denied the wide range of opportunities made possible by next-generation networks.

CEDC members consisted of representatives from public interest organizations, consumer protection groups, telecommunications industry, government agencies, and academic institutions.

The Communications Equity and Diversity Council Act would compel the FCC to restore and codify the CEDC to protect it from future harmful political interference. The CEDC – consisting of not fewer than 30 members – will make recommendations to the FCC, including:

Advancing equity in access to communication services;

Assisting historically underserved individuals to benefit from communication services;

Accelerating the deployment to all communities of affordable and reliable communication services; and

Helping small businesses, including those owned by historically underserved individuals, into industries relating to communication services; and promoting; a diversity of voices, localism, economic competition, technological advancement, and the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

This legislation is supported by the Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP), Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC), the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), Public Knowledge, the National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients), and the Hispanic Federation.

As a member of House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Congressman Menendez has been a leader on digital equity, previously leading efforts to restore funding from the Digital Equity Act, and has worked to hold the Trump FCC accountable for actions detrimental to the American public.


Menendez, Matsui, Barragán y Carter presentan una legislación que obliga al  FCC a restablecer el Consejo de Equidad y Diversidad en Comunicación

Legislación apoyada por siete organizaciones lideres en la defensa de derechos civiles

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hoy, los congresistas Rob Menendez, Doris Matsui (CA-07), Nanette Barragán (CA-44) y Troy Carter, Sr. (LA-02) presentaron la Ley del Consejo de Equidad y Diversidad en Comunicaciones, que obligaría a la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones (FCC) a restablecer el Consejo de Equidad y Diversidad en Comunicaciones (CEDC). Versiones de la CEDC operaron bajo administraciones demócratas y republicanas desde 2003, trabajaron para hacer el sector de las comunicaciones más equitativo y reducir la discriminación digital hasta que el presidente de la FCC de Trump, Brendan Carr, la disolvió arbitrariamente en enero de 2025.

"La destitución del Consejo de Equidad y Diversidad en Comunicación es una de las decisiones más dañinas y poco acertadas que ha tomado el presidente Carr", dijo el congresista Menendez. "Garantizar el acceso igualitario y la inclusión de todos los estadounidenses en la configuración de nuestro futuro digital sigue siendo más esencial que nunca. La legislación que presentamos hoy obligará a la Administración Trump y al presidente Carr a restablecer la CEDC para que pueda continuar su importante labor de garantizar que todas las comunidades prosperen en nuestra creciente economía digital."

"La FCC debería centrarse en cerrar la brecha digital, no en cerrar las voces que guían su misión", dijo la congresista Matsui. "Durante años, bajo liderazgo tanto demócrata como republicano, el Consejo de Equidad y Diversidad en Comunicaciones ayudó a la Comisión a identificar formas de ampliar el acceso a servicios de banda ancha y medios para todos. La decisión del presidente Carr de desmantelar el Consejo fue un retroceso. Por eso me enorgullece coliderar este proyecto de ley para codificar la CEDC y dejar claro que las comunidades que, con demasiada frecuencia, quedan fuera de estas decisiones, merecen un asiento en la mesa."

"Las políticas de comunicación y las tecnologías emergentes deberían unir a las personas y ampliar las oportunidades, no dejar atrás a la gente", dijo la congresista Barragán. "El Consejo de Equidad y Diversidad en Comunicaciones se aseguró de que la FCC escuchara directamente a líderes de derechos civiles, expertos del sector y defensores comunitarios que trabajan para cerrar la brecha digital. Me enorgullece unirme a los representantes Menendez, Matsui y Carter para presentar una legislación que restaurará y protegerá este consejo después de que la Administración Trump tomara la equivocada decisión de desmantelarlo. Si queremos políticas de comunicación que funcionen para todos, las comunidades más afectadas por la brecha digital deben tener un asiento en la mesa."

"A medida que los servicios de comunicación se vuelven cada vez más centrales en cómo los estadounidenses trabajan, aprenden y se conectan entre sí, debemos garantizar que la oportunidad en la era digital llegue a todas las comunidades", dijo el congresista Carter, Sr. "Al elevar voces diversas y ampliar las oportunidades para comunidades históricamente desatendidas, este proyecto de ley ayudará a fortalecer la competencia, apoyar a las pequeñas empresas y promover un panorama comunicativo que realmente sirva al interés público. Me enorgullece apoyar este esfuerzo para hacer nuestro ecosistema de comunicaciones más inclusivo, innovador y accesible para todos."

“La Ley del Consejo de Equidad y Diversidad en las Comunicaciones del Representante Menéndez ayuda a corregir uno de los errores derivados de los ataques del presidente de la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones (FCC), Carr, contra programas que siquiera mencionan la diversidad y la equidad,” dijo Alejandra Montoya-Boyer, vicepresidenta del Leadership Conference Center for Civil Rights and Technology. “Antes de que el presidente Carr eliminara el Consejo de Diversidad en las Comunicaciones, este organismo ayudaba a nivelar las oportunidades en aspectos esenciales de la vida cotidiana — desde facilitar el acceso de las personas a internet hasta capacitar a individuos para que pudieran aprovechar las tecnologías emergentes en su propio beneficio. En un momento en que nuestra vida diaria está cada vez más entrelazada con la tecnología, nuestros líderes deben garantizar que estas herramientas amplíen las oportunidades para todos, sin importar quiénes somos, de dónde venimos o cuánto dinero tenemos.”

"Public Knowledge apoya los esfuerzos de la Ley del Consejo de Equidad y Diversidad en las Comunicaciones, que restauraría el importante trabajo de la CEDC en la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones tras su desmantelamiento en respuesta a los amplios esfuerzos del presidente Trump y del presidente de la FCC, Carr, para invertir el significado y propósito del trabajo de diversidad, equidad e inclusión en nuestro ecosistema de comunicaciones, dijo Alisa Valentin, directora de políticas de banda ancha de Conocimiento Público. "Esta legislación ayudaría a avanzar en la misión de la FCC de hacer que las comunicaciones estén disponibles para toda la población de Estados Unidos, sin discriminación por motivos de raza, color, religión, origen nacional o sexo. Es especialmente urgente dado que la banda ancha sigue siendo inasequible para millones de hogares, los medios siguen consolidándose y las protecciones al consumidor se van erosionando progresivamente en la Comisión."

"La innovación prospera cuando voces y perspectivas diversas forman parte de la conversación. La Asociación Hispana de Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones (HTTP) apoya la Ley del Consejo de Equidad y Diversidad en las Comunicaciones porque la política de comunicaciones es más sólida cuando refleja las voces y necesidades de todas las comunidades", dijo Jude Anne Heath, directora ejecutiva de la Asociación Hispana de Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones. "Cuando personas de diversos orígenes y perspectivas, incluso entre comunidades y el espectro político, forman parte de la conversación, nuestras políticas y nuestra nación avanzan juntos. La creación del Consejo creará un espacio constructivo para que las partes interesadas trabajen juntas en la ampliación de oportunidades, fomentando la participación de las pequeñas empresas y fortaleciendo el mercado. Al codificar el Consejo de Equidad y Diversidad en Comunicaciones, el Congreso ayudaría a institucionalizar la participación de las partes interesadas y garantizaría que la política de la FCC refleje las necesidades de todas las comunidades."

"La buena gobernanza depende de que los responsables políticos escuchen a las personas afectadas por las políticas. Restablecer y codificar el recientemente disuelto Consejo de Equidad y Diversidad en las Comunicaciones en la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones (FCC) es esencial para una buena gobernanza", dijo Angela Seifer, directora ejecutiva de la National Digital Inclusion Alliance. "El Consejo es una estructura eficaz y probada para garantizar que la FCC escuche a la amplia variedad de personas y comunidades de nuestra nación. La NDIA apoya la Ley del Consejo de Equidad y Diversidad en Comunicaciones y aplaude al representante Menendez por presentar este proyecto de ley para mantener a las personas en el centro de las políticas de la FCC."

"El historial de la CEDC es de trabajo sustantivo y bipartidista de política. Durante su mandato, el Consejo presentó recomendaciones para prevenir la discriminación digital, reducir las barreras al despliegue de banda ancha en comunidades desfavorecidas, acelerar la entrada de empresas propiedad de minorías en las industrias de las comunicaciones y promover la mejora de las habilidades de la fuerza laboral digital — trabajos que reflejaron la colaboración entre líderes de telecomunicaciones, defensores de los consumidores, organizaciones de derechos civiles y funcionarios del gobierno local." dijo Robert E. Branson, CEO de Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council. "Establecer la CEDC por ley es un diseño institucional sólido, coherente con el enfoque que el representante Menendez promovió con éxito para el Consejo de Seguridad, Fiabilidad e Interoperabilidad de las Comunicaciones de la FCC. La codificación legal no es una postura partidista: garantiza que los órganos asesores capaces de elaborar recomendaciones políticas duraderas no estén sujetos a eliminación por una sola decisión administrativa. MMTC insta a los miembros del Congreso de ambos partidos a apoyar esta legislación y a restaurar un foro que sirva a todos los estadounidenses, asegurando que las comunidades desfavorecidas tengan una voz significativa en la FCC."

"La Ley CEDC ayudará a garantizar que todas las personas puedan beneficiarse del acceso a servicios esenciales de comunicación", dijo Olivia Wein, abogada principal del Centro Nacional de Derecho del Consumidor. "La Ley proporciona a la FCC recomendaciones de voces subrepresentadas sobre una variedad de temas importantes de comunicación, incluyendo el despliegue, la asequibilidad, la discriminación digital, el acceso al capital, la mentoría para pequeñas empresas, la mejora de las habilidades laborales, la diversidad de la propiedad y las oportunidades de contratación."

La misión de la CEDC de la FCC era hacer recomendaciones a la FCC sobre la equidad en la provisión y acceso a servicios y productos de comunicación digital para todas las personas de Estados Unidos, sin discriminación por motivos de raza, color, religión, origen nacional, sexo o discapacidad. En la realización de esta misión, la CEDC investigó y formuló recomendaciones a la Comisión sobre cómo acelerar el despliegue del acceso a Internet de alta velocidad en todas las comunidades reduciendo y/o eliminando barreras regulatorias a la infraestructura y la inversión, y haciendo recomendaciones sobre cómo fortalecer las redes de banda ancha existentes y desarrollar nuevas. La CEDC también pretendía proporcionar recomendaciones a la Comisión sobre cómo garantizar que las comunidades desfavorecidas no se vean privadas de la amplia gama de oportunidades que hacen posibles las redes de próxima generación.

Los miembros de la CEDC estaban formados por representantes de organizaciones de interés público, grupos de protección al consumidor, la industria de telecomunicaciones, agencias gubernamentales e instituciones académicas.

La Ley del Consejo de Equidad y Diversidad en las Comunicaciones obligaría a la FCC a restaurar y codificar la CEDC para protegerla de futuras interferencias políticas dañinas. La CEDC – compuesta por no menos de 30 miembros – hará recomendaciones a la FCC, incluyendo:


REP. MIKE THOMPSON APPLAUDS NAPA RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS PROJECT POWERED BY INFLATION REDUCTION ACT TAX CREDITS

Napa, CA — Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) applauded the City of Napa’s new anaerobic digestion system, a transformative clean energy project that will convert organic waste into renewable natural gas to power the city’s garbage and recycling trucks. The project is utilizing federal clean energy tax incentives secured by Congressman Thompson under the Inflation Reduction Act, including the 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and an additional 10% Domestic Content Bonus Credit.

“This is a major win for Napa and for our climate,” said Thompson. “Instead of sending food scraps and organic waste to landfills where they produce harmful methane emissions, this system will capture that gas and turn it into clean, renewable fuel to power our city’s fleet. I'm proud to see the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits I secured are helping communities like Napa take real action on climate change while creating local jobs and strengthening American manufacturing.”

“This project has been over 15 years in the making and will further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Napa City Councilmember Beth Painter. “It is a model for how a small city like Napa can take big steps to address climate change. Congressman Thompson’s tax credits made this project possible. I could not be more proud of all who have contributed to this project.”

"We are excited to be partnering with the City of Napa, and Napa Recycling on this important carbon reducing project,” said Zero Waste Energy President Eric Herbert. “Not only will this project eliminate methane emissions from organic waste being disposed of currently from the service area, we will also be replacing the fossil fuel derived gas used by the trucking fleet with Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) generated from organic waste converted onsite. A truly circular solution. We appreciate the support that the ITC provides to this project. As an American manufacturing company, we are able to realize the full value of available credits offered through that program. Job creation, cleaner communities, and decarbonization is the result."

The $30 million project will be constructed at the Napa Materials Diversion Facility, operated by Napa Recycling & Waste Services, and is expected to be operational by mid-2027.

Once complete, the system will:

Process between 32,000 and 44,000 tons of organic waste annually

Generate approximately 350,000 diesel gallon equivalents of renewable natural gas each year — enough to fuel 36 waste collection trucks

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing approximately 21,000 passenger vehicles from the road over 10 years

In addition to producing renewable natural gas, the system will generate compost and liquid fertilizer as byproducts, further advancing Napa’s sustainability goals and helping the city meet state climate requirements.


Moran Signs Letter Urging Trump Administration to Combat Illegal Chinese Vapes

U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) joined 70 of his House colleagues in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging the Trump Administration to address the flood of illegal Chinese e-cigarettes entering American markets without FDA approval.

Led by Rep. Mike Carey (OH-15), the letter calls on the administration to make curbing illicit Chinese vape imports a priority in any future trade negotiations with China.

"These illegal Chinesevapes are a threat on every front. They contain toxic levels of lead and carcinogens, and are deliberately marketed to target our kids with candy flavors and social media influencers. They are sold near schools and military bases by foreign nationals, and their 'smart' technology risks funneling sensitive data directly to the Chinese Communist Party," said Moran. "This is not an accident—it is a deliberate strategy by Beijing. Meanwhile, Mexican drug cartels have seized on this trade as a revenue stream, with federal authorities tracing these sales to cartel operations and fentanyl proceeds. The United States cannot stand idle. Any trade deal with China must include a binding commitment to stop this—full stop."

The letter highlights that Chinese vape exports to the U.S. surpassed $10 billion in 2025, that so-called "smart vapes" pose cybersecurity risks to military personnel, and that illicit e-cigarette sales have become a revenue stream for Mexican drug cartels with ties to fentanyl operations.

Full text of the letter can be found here or below:

Dear Secretary Bessent and Ambassador Greer:

As trade discussions with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) advance, it is critical that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Department of the Treasury confront the ongoing exploitation of our trade system. Any new trade agreement with China should require the Chinese government, through its oversight of e-cigarette exports, to take decisive action to curb the influx of illegal, youth-oriented e-cigarettes that openly flout U.S. and Chinese law.

The Administration has made clear that stopping the flow of dangerous and plainly illegal Chinese e-cigarettes is a national priority. We commend the important work of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, who continue to intercept illicit, often misdeclared, shipments. Despite these efforts, Chinese e-cigarette exports to the United States continued to rise during the final quarter of 2025, surpassing $10 billion in that year.

These devices are a threat to national security. The Department of Justice has reported that unauthorized vapes are frequently smuggled from China and sold near schools and military bases, putting minors and service members at risk. The Drug Enforcement Administration has investigated vape shops in proximity to military installations and found that many are owned or operated by foreign nationals suspected of deliberately targeting military personnel. One joint operation led to 20 arrests, including three Chinese nationals.

The emergence of Chinese “smart vapes”—which connect to smartphones—poses an additional cybersecurity threat. These devices may enable unauthorized access to personal data, cameras, microphones, geolocations, and networks. If used by military personnel, sensitive information could flow directly to the Chinese Communist Party under China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law, which requires companies to cooperate with state intelligence services.

Given the threat these devices pose, the U.S. government should aggressively counter the source of these products. It is far more efficient to prevent these products from entering the United States from China than it is to intercept such products once they have entered the U.S. domestic supply chain. Chinese law bans manufacturers from shipping e-cigarettes to a country where those products are illegal.8 Although the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) exerts extensive control over the e-cigarette- industry in China, including the export of such products, the STMA has allowed massive quantities of illegal e-cigarettes shipments to the United States. This is not an administrative lapse; it appears to be a deliberate strategy on the part of the STMA that capitalizes on gaps in U.S. enforcement. Any forthcoming agreement with the PRC must ensure that the STMA enforces its existing rules on these illegal exports.

The need for action is urgent. Illicit Chinese e-cigarette makers and their U.S. distributors intentionally design and market products to appeal to young people—using candy flavored cartridges, toy-like designs, and packaging styled after fashion accessories. They rely on influencer marketing on youth-heavy platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. These illegal products often contain carcinogens, toxic additives, and high levels of heavy metals like lead, along with other unknown substances.

Moreover, the illicit e-cigarette- trade has become an attractive revenue stream for Mexican drug cartels. Associated Press reporting indicates that cartels have secured a dominant share of the illegal market in Mexico and are continuing to expand their operations in the United States. E-cigarette sales are illegal in Mexico, but demand for these products still exists which has likely led to the rise of cartel involvement in the sale of these devices. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (a bureau of the Department of the Treasury) has identified these products as a vehicle for trade-based money laundering schemes tied to fentanyl proceeds, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms has similarly traced funds from illicit Chinese e-cigarette sales to foreign adversaries and cartel operations inside the United States.

For these reasons, we strongly urge the USTR to elevate this matter in ongoing trade negotiations with China and to pursue a binding commitment requiring the Chinese government to stop all e-cigarette exports that fail to comply with U.S. and Chinese law. U.S. national security and public health require nothing less.

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Nadler Praises Passage of the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025

Today, the House of Representatives passed the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act of 2025 unanimously. Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) the lead House Democratic sponsor of the legislation released the following statement:

“More than 100,000 works of art that were looted by the Nazis from Jewish families during the Holocaust remain unrecovered. We must confront this unacceptable and repugnant reality, which continues to allow entities and individuals to profit off the Jewish people’s pain.

“I was proud to lead efforts to pass the original HEAR Act in 2016 that fought back and began to bring justice to victim’s families, and I am honored to continue the fight as the lead House Democratic sponsor of the updated legislation that passed the House unanimously today.

“Today the House of Representatives affirmed that in the United States, every victim and family member with a credible claim deserves to have their day in court, with their case heard on the merits alone. Justice must no longer be denied due to procedural technicalities and legislative sunset provisions.

“While we cannot reverse the horrors of the Holocaust, we can ensure that in an American courtroom, the truth of a family’s legacy carries more weight than a legal loophole.”

Upon House passage, this bipartisan bill now heads to the President’s desk.