DelBene, Hobbs Host Live Conversation about Efforts to Restrict Voting Nationwide, Mail-in Ballots in WA

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs hosted an Instagram Live conversation about Republican efforts to make it difficult to vote and how they will impact voters in Washington state.

President Trump and Republicans in Congress are trying to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require Americans to provide a passport or birth certificate to vote, documents that are expensive and time-consuming to get. In Washington, voters would have to submit a copy of these documents when they return their ballots. Women who are married or have changed their names would be disproportionately impacted and need to provide additional documentation to vote. The bill also would share sensitive voter roll information with the Department of Homeland Security. DelBene voted against the bill when Republicans in the House passed it recently.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case brought by Republican campaign operatives that would severely limit mail-in voting. The case, Watson v. Republican National Committee, could prohibit ballots postmarked by Election Day but received after from being counted. One-in-three ballots in Washington were mailed in the 2024 election. 127,000 of them were postmarked but received after Election Day. This is just one of several cases that conservatives have brought to make it harder for Americans to vote.

“The SAVE America Act would make it harder for legal voters to cast their ballots. Conservative groups have also launched multiple court battles, including one to severely limit vote-by-mail. These are all attempts to silence millions of voices across our state and the country,” said DelBene.

“The bill would be very devastating…everyone has to have a copy of their ID, and that has to be included in the ballot as you send it in,” said Hobbs.

Hobbs mentioned several barriers voters would face in obtaining the appropriate documentation in order to be registered, which could disproportionately affect rural communities and seniors.

“That’s the thing that people are not thinking about, these added barriers that the Republicans are putting up,” Hobbs added.


Congresswoman Escobar Calls on Meta to Hold Public Listening Sessions on El Paso Data Center

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) sent a letter to Meta calling on the company to hold public listening sessions and provide clear answers to El Pasoans about the impacts of its new data center.

As Meta expands its footprint in El Paso, questions from the community about rising electricity costs, water usage, and environmental impacts remain unanswered. The Congresswoman emphasized that El Pasoans deserve transparency and a meaningful role in decisions that will directly affect their daily lives.

"As the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) takes hold, tech giants, like Meta, are expected to invest more than $364 billion to accelerate the construction of data centers across the country. These data centers use an exorbitant amount of energy, and when energy usage increases without increased energy production, rates go up for consumers. In fact, in Virginia, electricity costs for areas near data centers have increased by 267% over the last five years.2 In El Paso, Meta has engaged with El Paso Electric (EPE) to rapidly and significantly expand EPE’s capacity to meet Meta’s needs. El Pasoans are interested in knowing more about that.

"In addition to the potential financial implications of this data center on El Pasoans, there are also significant environmental impacts to consider. Despite a public commitment that Meta made regarding using renewable energy for the El Paso data center, Meta has walked this back and has mentioned to me that there are renewable projects they are committed to outside of El Paso It’s our understanding that your energy needs will be met through gas powered turbines, which are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and have a significant carbon footprint.

"Similarly, the water consumption of this data center and how that need will be restored to the community requires clarification. Large data centers like this one can use up to five million gallons per day, which is equivalent to a town of 50,000.3 Meta has committed to restoring its water usage by returning 200% of its water consumption to local watersheds. Despite my repeated requests for information about this, how Meta will do this remains unclear. My constituents would also like to learn more.

"As Meta enters our community, it is my hope that you are interested in building community trust, which can only be obtained through a transparent process. Our community will live with the consequences of Meta’s data center, and we deserve robust community engagement. I respectfully request timely public listening sessions with our community, and would like you to participate in a town hall meeting with me and members of our local utility companies. They have agreed to participate, and we await your response to begin planning it.

"Thank you for your consideration."


Fitzpatrick, Suozzi Announce Bipartisan Effort to Fund TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, and Other DHS Departments, While Advancing ICE Reform

Proposal Would Fix Chaos at American Airports, Mandate ICE Standards Consistent with Other Federal Agencies, Target Enforcement on “Worst of the Worst”

Washington, D.C.— Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) have announced they are working on bipartisan legislation to immediately re-open the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while advancing commonsense reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

At a moment when Washington remains deadlocked, the Suozzi-Fitzpatrick effort offers a serious bipartisan path to restore full DHS operations while pairing that action with targeted reforms to improve public trust and strengthen accountability within ICE.

“Protecting the American people is among the first obligations of government, and that means ensuring the Department of Homeland Security is fully funded and fully operational. It also means ensuring that those entrusted with enforcing the law operate under clear, consistent standards that preserve public trust. I have long believed that, at its core, law enforcement is a social contract built on trust on both ends. This effort would restore DHS operations, reinforce clear and uniform standards across federal law enforcement, and keep enforcement focused on the most serious threats to public safety. That is how we restore the mission, strengthen enforcement, and renew public confidence in the institutions charged with protecting the American people,” said Fitzpatrick.

“People are standing in long lines at our airports, TSA agents are not getting paid, FEMA is going unfunded, and Americans are becoming increasingly frustrated that instead of solving problems, politicians in Washington are pointing fingers. Congressman Fitzpatrick and I are trying to cut through the dysfunction, isolate the problem areas where negotiations have stalled, and work together to get things done,” said Suozzi. “Ultimately, ICE is a law enforcement agency that needs to be held to the same professional standards as every other law enforcement agency in the United States. Unfortunately, ICE has been operating in a fashion I believe is illegal and immoral. It’s not a radical idea to ask them to answer to the same safety and transparency requirements as every other police officer and federal agent in the country.

The proposed reforms are being developed to fully restore DHS operations while establishing ICE standards consistent with those of other law enforcement agencies. In shaping this effort, the Congressmen have engaged directly with federal law enforcement officials, while drawing on Congressman Fitzpatrick’s more than 15 years as an FBI Agent and Congressman Suozzi’s experience overseeing the nation’s 11th largest police department as Nassau County Executive.

The legislation would require that all federal law enforcement agencies, including ICE, are held to the same high standards and policies as it pertains to training requirements, the use of body cameras, independent investigation of use-of-force at scenes, clear outer identification of the agency engaged in the enforcement action, cooperation with local law enforcement, and a prohibition of masks during enforcement actions coupled with tougher penalties for doxxing. It would also lay out stronger warrant requirements and rules governing activity in sensitive locations to ensure enforcement resources are focused on the “worst of the worst.”

Last week, the Senate failed to advance DHS funding for the fifth time, extending a stalemate that has left the Department unfunded since February 13 and is taking a serious toll on TSA staffing, airport operations, and DHS’s ability to fully carry out its mission. At the same time, the deadlock has made clear that any durable solution must


Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher’s Legislation To Expand Texans’ Access to Emergency Alerts Passes Committee, Moves Forward in House

Today, the House Energy & Commerce Committee unanimously passed the Mystic Alerts Act, H.R. 7022, which Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) introduced with Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), and Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01) to improve Americans’ access to wireless emergency alerts. This bipartisan legislation requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to encourage mobile service providers to adopt satellite alerting capabilities—technology that allows more people to receive life-saving alerts even if they lack cellular service. The bipartisan effort follows the devastating floods in Central Texas last summer and seeks to address communication gaps to prepare communities.

“In Houston and across the state of Texas, we are still heartbroken and grieving the loss of 135 people and the destruction of communities along the Guadalupe River last summer, a disaster made worse by communication gaps and failures,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “This bill is a small but important way to provide a meaningful response to the devastating floods and learn from the tragedy so that communities across the country do not have to experience the same pain and loss that Texans did last year. Nothing can bring back those that we lost in the flood, but we owe it to their survivors and to everyone we represent to do everything we can to try to prevent another tragedy like the one that we saw last summer. I am glad to partner with Congressman Pfluger, Congressman Veasey, and Congressman Carter in this effort and the work to get this legislation signed into law.”

Speaker Johnson will now determine whether the House will vote on H.R. 7022.

To view the full text of the bill, click here.


ICYMI: Rep. Foushee Supports Introduction of Articles of Impeachment Against Attorney General Pam Bondi

WASHINGTON, DC (March 25, 2026) — Last week, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) helped introduce articles of impeachment against Attorney General Pam Bondi. The articles of impeachment outline several alleged offenses, including defiance of the Oversight’s Committee’s subpoena to release the full, unredacted Epstein files, defiance of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, abuse of investigatory and prosecutorial authority, defiance of federal court orders, and perjury in congressional testimony.

The articles of impeachment were introduced by Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) with Representatives Foushee (NC-04), Ansari (AZ-03), Min (CA-47), Tlaib (MI-12), and Dexter (OR-03) joining as original cosponsors.

“The Attorney General of the United States is entrusted with one of the most solemn responsibilities in our democracy: to enforce the law fairly, impartially, and without political influence. Instead, Pam Bondi is breaking the law to protect pedophiles and prosecute Trump’s political opponents,” said Rep. Summer Lee. “This is about accountability, transparency, and justice. We deserve a justice system that serves the people, not one that is weaponized for political gain.”

“The duty of an Attorney General is to uphold the Constitution, protect civil and human rights, and ensure equal justice under the law—not shield the powerful, evade accountability, or misuse the Department of Justice for political ends,” said Rep. Valerie Foushee. “Under the corrupt leadership of Attorney General Bondi, the Department of Justice has lost the trust of the American people. Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse––as well as Renée Nicole Good, Alex Pretti, and their families––deserve justice, and the American people deserve better. Congress must fulfill its constitutional obligation and remove Bondi from her position immediately.”

The articles also detail actions that constitute the politicization of the Department of Justice. These include the firing of career public servants in the Department of Justice and the FBI, ordering and carrying out politically motivated investigations into the president’s alleged political opponents, closing investigations and dismissing lawsuits involving President Trump and his allies, and targeting journalists and protestors.

The articles of impeachment were drafted in collaboration with Free Speech For People, a non-profit legal advocacy organization.

A copy of the bill text can be found here.


Ranking Member Foushee's Opening Statement at Future of ISS Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC (March 25, 2026) — Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology is holding a Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Hearing on The Future of Low Earth Orbit: From the ISS to Commercial Platforms.

Ranking Member Valerie Foushee (D-NC) opening statement as prepared for the record is below:

Good morning and thank you Chairman Haridopolos for holding today’s hearing on the future of low Earth orbit, or LEO. I want to welcome our witnesses and thank you for being here.

When John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962, we could not have imagined that the United States would one day build an orbiting laboratory, or support continuous human presence there for 25 years, a milestone reached last November.

Today, the International Space Station (ISS) is one of NASA’s greatest achievements. It remains the largest orbiting research laboratory in space––a shining example of international collaboration––advancing science, strengthening partnerships, and enabling the next era of exploration. It has deepened our understanding of living and working in space and served as a proving ground for technologies needed beyond LEO.

But the ISS is aging. Technical risks are increasing, including cracks, leaks, and growing maintenance needs, and the long-term safety of its operations is not guaranteed.

NASA plans to transition to commercial platforms by 2030, yet we still lack a clear and credible plan to get there.

This is not a new concept. We have known the ISS is a perishable asset that has long exceeded its 15-year design life. Despite multiple hearings on the transition as well as statutory direction, today, key questions we have been asking about our future in low Earth orbit remain unanswered, including on: How we will acquire commercial platforms, NASA’s requirements for the platforms, the timeline for their availability, what resources NASA will need to support them, and the risk of a potential gap in U.S. presence in LEO.

That uncertainty is not acceptable for a global leader in space. A gap in U.S. presence in LEO is not just a technical risk, it is a strategic failure.

Leadership requires a clear strategy, sustained investment, and a realistic transition plan.

We must also recognize that LEO is becoming an arena of strategic competition. If we fail to lead and shape this future, others––particularly our adversaries––will.

At the same time, LEO offers real opportunity. LEO is also a testbed for AI-enabled science and advanced computing that will shape both our economy and national security.

From leveraging microgravity to advance quantum technologies—such as the Space Entanglement and Annealing Quantum Experiment led by a university team on the ISS—to advancing pharmaceutical research, and mitigating space radiation risks, LEO is a powerful platform for discovery and innovation.

Realizing that opportunity requires investing in people. We need a strong workforce pipeline, expanded access for HBCUs and MSIs, and continued support for student research and training programs that connect education to equitable pathways into high-quality aerospace jobs.

These opportunities help students and young professionals gain the skills to turn ideas into innovation, economic impact, and benefits that can serve all Americans.

As Ranking Member, I remain focused on ensuring NASA has the resources, workforce, and direction it needs to lead the future of LEO, while ensuring the benefits we derive from our efforts in LEO and beyond are equitably deployed to all Americans.

We cannot afford to get this transition wrong. The future of U.S. leadership in space depends on it.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that just yesterday the NASA Administrator publicly announced the potential for significant changes to NASA’s approach to the ISS transition. I look forward to hearing the details of those potential changes from our NASA witness this morning.

Thank you, and I yield back.


Rep. Foushee Demands Answers Regarding Civilian Detainments at Military Installations in North Carolina

WASHINGTON, DC (March 25, 2026) — Yesterday, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding answers on the reports of eleven individuals who were detained after inadvertently entering military-controlled areas in or near North Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District and surrounding region, including areas connected to Fort Liberty, Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Marine Corps Air Station New River, and the Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point.

Many of these incidents involve individuals traveling to work or completing delivering routes and had entered restricted areas unintentionally due to GPS misdirection. They are being detained despite some of these individuals having pending immigration proceedings, and others having valid work authorizations. Families of the detained individuals report that many had no prior criminal convictions.

“These incidents have been brought to my attention by constituents of North Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District, and raise serious questions about the policies and protocols governing civilian contact with military-controlled areas in my district,” wrote Congresswoman Foushee. “The circumstances described above raise significant questions about current military policy and inter-agency coordination.”

“My office has been contacted by the family of an active-duty service member whose relative is currently in immigration proceedings arising from one of the incidents described above,” continued Congresswoman Valerie Foushee. “I believe it is my obligation as a Member of Congress to ensure that federal policies are applied consistently, equitable, and with appropriate protections for individuals who pose no security threat. The incidents described in this letter warrant serious attention.”

The letter includes a set of questions regarding the coordination between ICE and the Department of Defense, and the safeguards in place to distinguish between individuals deliberately attempting to unlawfully enter an installation and those who enter accidentally due to navigation error.


PHOTO RELEASE: Gottheimer Tours Atlantic Health’s Newton Medical Center

Above: Congressman Gottheimer Tours Newton Medical Center

NEWTON, NJ — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) toured Atlantic Health System’s Newton Medical Center and met with hospital leadership to discuss improving access to health care, supporting our health care workers, and ensuring New Jersey families continue to receive the high-quality care they deserve.

During the visit, Gottheimer toured the Newton facility and sat down with Atlantic Health System President and CEO Saad Ehtisham to discuss the challenges facing our local hospitals, including strengthening workforce recruitment and retention, the impact of new technologies like artificial intelligence in health care, and opportunities for Congress to better support hospitals and patients across New Jersey.

Atlantic Health System is a nonprofit health care network made up of seven hospitals and more than 20,000 team members and 5,440 affiliated physicians, serving more than half of New Jersey across 14 counties and 7.5 million residents.

“I’m grateful to President and CEO Saad Ehtisham and the entire Atlantic Health team for welcoming me to Newton Medical Center today,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Our hospitals and health care workers are the backbone of our communities, caring for Jersey families every single day. I’ll keep fighting in Congress to lower costs, expand access to care, and support our health care providers so they can continue delivering world-class care here in Jersey.”

Gottheimer was joined by Atlantic Health President and CEO Saad Ehtisham, Hackettstown and Newton Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Geralda Xavier, Hackettstown and Newton Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer Danielle Giovanniello, nurses, and Doctors.

Below: Congressman Gottheimer Tours Newton Medical Center


Rep. Grijalva to Launch First-Ever Congressional Environmental Justice Caucus

Washington, D.C. - On Thursday, March 26th, Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) will launch the People’s Environmental Justice Caucus, the first of its kind in Congress. This caucus will build on the work started by Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva and A. Donald McEachin alongside community partners who introduced the Environmental Justice For All Act – sweeping legislation that puts communities that have been disproportionately affected by climate change and environmental injustices at the forefront of shaping and drafting environmental policy.

The new congressional caucus will be focused on advancing policies that center community leadership and address environmental harms disproportionately impacting frontline communities across the United States—all in collaboration with advocates and community organizers. Grassroots coalitions include Climate Justice Alliance (CJA), the Environmental Justice Leadership Forum (EJLF) hosted by WE ACT for Environmental Justice, and the Platform for a Just Climate (formerly known as the Equitable & Just National Climate Platform).

The lawmakers will host a panel on Capitol Hill to launch the caucus and will convene community leaders and members. Panelists will include Mar Zepeda Salazar, Legislative Director at Climate Justice Alliance and Dr. Ana Baptista, Ph.D., Director of the Tishman Environment and Design Center. The panel will be moderated by Vernice Miller-Travis from WE ACT for Environmental Justice.

WHO:

Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07)

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12)

Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12)

Vernice Miller-Travis, Co-Founder and board member, WE ACT for Environment

Justice, Executive VP at Metropolitan Group

Mar Zepeda Salazar, Legislative Director, Climate Justice Alliance

Dr. Ana Baptista, Ph.D., Director of the Tishman Environment and Design Center

Community partners and advocates

WHEN:

Thursday, March 26, 2026

10:00AM - 11:00AM EST

WHERE:

Cannon House Office Building

Room 240


Congresswoman Gwen Moore Celebrates Committee Passage of Her Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act

Today, the Ways and Means Committee marked up several bills, including Representatives Moore and Smucker’s legislation, the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act (H.R. 2347). This legislation would amend the federal tax code to ensure survivors of sexual abuse and unwanted sexual contact do not have to pay taxes on settlement income when they prevail legally against their abuser.

Under current law and practice of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), payments for damages awarded on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness are exempt from gross income for federal income tax purposes. For purposes of establishing a “physical injury,” the IRS has required that survivors show physical manifestations such as bruising, cuts, or bleeding for the settlement to qualify for tax-free treatment. Providing evidence of observable harm can be especially difficult and unfair to prove in circumstances of sexual acts or sexual contact, not least because these physical injuries may not be visible or have healed.

“Every time a survivor comes forward it takes extraordinary courage in the face of personal risk, scrutiny, and cost. Sexual abuse survivors shouldn’t be saddled with a tax bill or have to fight the IRS to qualify for a tax exemption. Our bipartisan legislation secures a critical fix in our tax code. I am so thrilled that the Ways and Means Committee passed this legislation, bringing us closer to obtaining parity to these survivors,” said Rep. Moore.

Several organizations supported the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act, including:

“The AASC is thrilled to have major progress on HR 2347. We know we still have much work ahead of us to get this bill over the finish line,” said AASC President Brian Schachter. “We are thankful to the bill co-sponsors, Congressman Lloyd Smucker and Congresswoman Gwen Moore for their leadership on this critical issue as well as Chairman Jason Smith for making the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act a top priority.”

“This is another positive development towards making the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act the law of the land,” said Louis Masry, Immediate Past President and AASC Co-Founder. “When passed, HR 2347 will benefit injured persons across the country. This has been the primary legislative goal of the AASC since its inception, and we are motivated by this momentum.”

“Sexual assault upends a person’s life in profound and enduring ways, yet survivors continue to face significant barriers when seeking justice. This bill directly addresses one of those barriers by affirming that the trauma a survivor endured is no less real simply because it may not leave a visible injury. We applaud the effort to close the gap in the tax code and to give sexual assault survivors the clarity and peace of mind they need to heal and move forward,” said Amanda Walsh and the Victim Rights Law Center.

“Legal Momentum, The Women’s Legal Defense and Education Fund, strongly endorses the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act, because no survivor of sexual abuse should face a second injustice from the tax code after enduring profound trauma. It is unacceptable that survivors are taxed on settlement awards, funds intended to acknowledge harm and support recovery.”

“The Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act is a common-sense reform that would help ensure healing does not come with a financial penalty. By ensuring that settlement awards are not taxed, this legislation affirms that our systems support, not further harm, the brave survivors who come forward.”

“The Athlete Survivors’ Assist, or The Assist—an athlete survivor-led organization working to prevent abuse and strengthen systems of accountability within sports - strongly supports the Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act, which ensures survivors of sexual abuse are not taxed on the justice they rightfully receive, said Julie Ann Rivers -Cochran, MSW, Executive Director. Survivors should not face a second burden from the tax code after enduring trauma—this commonsense, bipartisan fix removes an unfair barrier to healing and recovery. We urge swift passage of this important legislation.”


Himes Statement on FISA 702 Reauthorization

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is our nation’s most important and most rigorously overseen foreign intelligence collection tool. It is used every single day to thwart terrorist attacks, to stop fentanyl traffickers and to identify foreign spies. While I have always championed reform, including the many reforms put into place two years ago, allowing this authority to expire would put the American people at severe risk. In 2024, Congress instituted 56 reforms to enhance oversight of this program, and since then we have seen zero evidence of intentional abuse.

I am open to making further reforms to Section 702, and a short-term reauthorization will enable Congress to thoroughly debate the pros and cons of these suggested reforms—and to determine if compromise is possible—without placing our national security in peril by allowing the program to expire.


Natural Resources Democrats Force Vote to Subpoena Donald Trump Jr. Over $670 Million Taxpayer-Funded Deal

Washington, D.C. – At today's Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on the critical minerals supply chain, Subcommittee Ranking Member Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.) forced a vote to subpoena Donald Trump Jr. to testify under oath about his financial stake in Vulcan Elements and how he potentially benefited from insider influence after his father, President Trump, funneled over $670 million taxpayer dollars into the company. Vulcan Elements, a rare earth startup, received a $620 million Pentagon loan three months after Trump Jr.'s firm invested in the company. It got another $50 million deal when the federal government bought partial ownership in the company. Full Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) backed the motion.

Republicans voted to block the subpoena, shielding the President's son from scrutiny about the largest loan the Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital has ever issued. Every Republican who voted is now on the record refusing to apply the oversight standard they spent two years and millions of taxpayer dollars in their investigation of Hunter Biden. Republicans then immediately shut down their hearing to prevent debate.

Ranking Member Huffman: "I want to also ask about Vulcan. Donald Trump Jr., name partner in 1789 Capital. In August of 2025, they took an equity stake in Vulcan. Three months later, the administration commits $620 million, the largest loan that the Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital has ever made. And it went out without competitive bids, with the tech, without the technical disclosures that are used to verify whether a project is even viable before public money goes in. That was waived. Should the American people be concerned that the President's son has a financial stake in a company that just received this huge windfall from the Pentagon?"

After the Republicans moved to adjourn the subcommittee hearing, Ranking Member Huffman asked: "What are you so afraid of? It’s a parliamentary inquiry. Taking this extraordinary move, to shut down debate and prevent a vote on this motion that is so squarely within the purpose of this committee."

Ranking Member Dexter: “The Department of Commerce committed over $1 billion to USA Rare Earth before the company even completed its foundational feasibility study to raise the private funding the deal required. USA Rare Earth hired Cantor Fitzgerald, a firm now run by Commerce Secretary Lutnick's own son. Secretary Lutnick approved federal investment in a company that was simultaneously paying his son's firm to raise money for that same deal. Donald Trump Jr. is a named partner at 1789 Capital. He told reporters he is personally involved in deciding where that firm invests. In August 2025, 1789 Capital took an equity stake in Vulcan Elements. Three months later, the administration committed $620 million to that same company, the largest Pentagon loan of its kind, with no competitive process, no independent verification, and no conflict-of-interest review anywhere to be found. [N]ot long ago, House Republicans spent two years and millions of dollars investigating Hunter Biden on the theory that a president's son profiting from his father's office requires congressional investigation. We are done waiting for Republicans to fulfill their responsibility to conduct oversight. Donald Trump Jr. must be made to answer whether the president's son illegally profited from his father's presidency. Pursuant to Clause 2(k)(6) of Rule XI, I move the Committee subpoena Donald Trump Jr."

Background

In August 2025, 1789 Capital, the venture capital firm where Donald Trump Jr. serves as a named partner, purchased an equity stake in Vulcan Elements as part of a $65 million fundraising round. Trump Jr. told the Financial Times he was "very involved in the strategic decisions regarding where to invest our resources" at the firm.

Three months later, the Trump administration committed $620 million in federal loans and $50 million in equity to that same company, without competitive procurement and without the independent technical review required to verify a mineral project's viability before public money goes out the door. President Trump's executive order on minerals, EO 14241, had waived that requirement. The loan was worth more than twice Vulcan's entire valuation at the time.

No public record exists of any conflict-of-interest review, recusal, or financial disclosure related to Trump Jr.'s stake. At least four companies in 1789 Capital's portfolio received federal contracts or awards from the Trump administration in 2025, totaling more than $735 million. The administration has not responded to a February 2 letter from Ranking Members Huffman, Garcia, and Heinrich demanding documents and a briefing on equity deals across the critical minerals program. Democrats forced today's vote because the administration and the Republicans in Congress have refused to seek answers.

Special Treatment for the President's Son

House Republicans spent two years and millions of taxpayer dollars demanding accountability for a president's son profiting from his father's office. They subpoenaed Hunter Biden. They voted to hold him in criminal contempt. They said the standard applied to everyone:

Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer: A president enriching his family through public office is "abuse of the highest order."

Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith: "No one should be shielded from legal scrutiny based on their last name."

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), who chairs the Natural Resources Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee: "[T]he president should be held accountable for abusing public office for his family's financial gain."

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Vice Chair of this Subcommittee, called the Bidens "the most corrupt political family in American history" and co-led impeachment articles against President Biden.

Today, those same Republicans voted to give Donald Trump Jr. the special treatment they swore no president's son would receive. They blocked a subpoena seeking his testimony on the same question they spent two years asking about Hunter Biden: whether a president used public office to enrich his family.

The facts in this case are stronger. The official government action is a $620 million DOD loan and $50 million in equity; the clear beneficiary is the President's son. Both are matters of public record. Chairman Comer said no one gets special treatment because of their last name. Today, the Trump name got exactly that.

Corruption Breaks Supply Chains and Drives Up Costs for Americans

Critical minerals are essential to defense systems, energy infrastructure, and the supply chains that keep Americans’ costs stable. When federal contracts go to politically connected investors instead of qualified companies, those supply chains break down.

Research across 30 countries has documented how corruption in minerals contracting leads to litigation, shutdowns, and production delays lasting years. Companies that win contracts through political connections rather than technical merit frequently lack the expertise to produce at scale. The result is less supply, higher costs, and deeper dependence on China for the minerals that power American energy and national defense.

The Trump administration has waived competitive bidding, eliminated independent technical verification for taxpayer-funded mineral projects, and steered billions to companies with direct financial ties to the President's family and political donors. Democrats will continue pressing for answers.

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VIDEO AND TRANSCRIPT: LEADER JEFFRIES REMARKS AT JANUARY 6 PLAQUE COMMEMORATION

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined colleagues for a ceremony to commemorate the installation of the plaque honoring the bravery of the law enforcement officers who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

LEADER JEFFRIES: We are here to recognize the heroism of the hundreds of dedicated Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department and other law enforcement officers who stood in this building and across these Capitol grounds to defend the Congress, defend the country and defend the Constitution on January 6, five years ago, in 2021, from thousands of bloodthirsty rioters.

Their heroism will never be forgotten. January 6 is a day that should forever live in infamy. A violent mob incited by Donald Trump attacked the Capitol as part of an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Because of the extraordinary bravery of heroic officers who put their lives on the line, this unprecedented attack on our country and on our democracy failed. But it did come at a heavy price.

More than 140 brave men and women of law enforcement were seriously injured as a result of being violently assaulted. Officers were forced to engage in hours of unprecedented hand-to-hand combat. Many were whipped, beaten with pipes and assaulted by bear spray. Some were even pummeled by Confederate flagpoles.

They were outnumbered by a violent mob, but never overwhelmed. Many, of course, have suffered lasting physical and psychological damage. Some tragically lost their lives.

Despite this, on his first day in office, the current President pardoned hundreds of violent felons who brutally assaulted our police officers while storming the Capitol. He unleashed these criminals into our communities and many now pose an ongoing threat to public safety to everyday Americans and to this very Capitol itself.

Yet our brave and heroic officers continue to show up each and every day in this moment of extreme political violence to keep us all safe. That’s why we’re so grateful that this tribute to our heroes will now reside in the same location where they so bravely and heroically defended the Capitol, the citadel of our democracy.

It will now forever stand as a timeless and permanent testament to their incredible courage and incredible patriotism. And we will never let their service and their sacrifice be whitewashed.

May God bless the dedicated men and women of law enforcement, the Capitol Police, the DC Police Department and all those who heroically served this country on that fateful day of January 6 and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Full remarks can be watched here.

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Joyce Holds Hearing with Office of Personnel Management Director Kupor

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Subcommittee Chairman Dave Joyce (OH-14) questioned Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Scott Kupor on the Administration’s spending plan for the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and its priorities for FY 2027. The hearing also covered the role OPM plays with respect to federal human resource policy, employee healthcare and retirement benefits, hiring standards across the civil service, and technology modernization, among other issues.

Watch the full hearing here.

“In 1979, Congress passed the Civil Service Reform Act, which disbanded the United States Civil Service Commission and reassigned most of its functions to three newly established agencies, including OPM. Over the last year, OPM has played a central role in implementing this Administration’s workforce modernization initiatives,” said Congressman Joyce in his opening remarks. “I have no doubt that many of my colleagues will have questions about policies implemented by OPM and how those decisions have impacted their constituents. I look forward to discussing OPM’s work over the last year and their expectations for FY 2027.”

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Brownley Statement on Senate Vote to Overturn VA’s Near-Total Abortion Ban

Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26), Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement denouncing Senate Republicans’ votes to block a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which would have overturned the Trump administration’s near-total ban on abortion care and counseling for veterans who receive healthcare from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The resolution (S. J. Res. 103) is led by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT); Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a former chair and senior member of SVAC, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA); Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), and all SVAC Democrats.

Congresswoman Brownley led a companion measure (H. J. Res. 144) in the House. She was joined by Ranking Member Mark Takano, all House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Democrats, and Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández, and Reproductive Freedom Caucus Co-Chairs Diana DeGette and Ayanna Pressley in the effort. So far, 111 additional House Democrats have cosponsored the joint resolution of disapproval.

“Restricting access to medically necessary reproductive health care for women veterans is dangerous, inequitable, and fundamentally inconsistent with the VA’s mission,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “This rule is a cruel and extreme overreach that would force women veterans to carry pregnancies resulting from rape or incest and withhold care even in life-threatening circumstances, putting them at risk of severe harm or even death, while silencing the very providers entrusted with their care. These restrictions are part of a broader effort to advance a nationwide abortion ban through incremental policies that erode access to care. Today’s vote represents a profound failure to stand with women veterans and protect their health.”

“Today, my Republican colleagues in the Senate failed our nation’s veterans yet again. As a country, we honor veterans’ service by ensuring they receive the healthcare they earned. Veterans deserve access to the full range of reproductive healthcare that they need at VA. But Republicans put politics before that promise today, by refusing to overturn the Trump administration’s near-total ban on abortion care and counseling at VA,” said Ranking Member Takano. “This decision blatantly ignores veterans’ unique and complex healthcare needs and their higher risk of pregnancy complications and mortality. With their votes, Senate Republicans decided that the government should be in charge of making veterans’ healthcare decisions, even in matters of life and death. My Democratic colleagues and I will continue to advocate for veterans’ reproductive freedoms. Veterans fought for our rights. We remain committed to fighting for theirs.”

This Senate CRA vote is the latest effort by Democrats to push for veterans’ comprehensive access to reproductive healthcare.

On December 31, 2025—despite thousands of public comments and a letter from more than 230 Congressional Democrats—the Trump administration finalized a rule in the Federal Register, effectively ending abortion access at VA, except in very limited life-threatening circumstances. The rule, first proposed in August of 2025, rescinds a Biden-era VA reproductive healthcare regulation that provided veterans access to abortion care in instances of rape, incest, and threat to life or health, and that allowed VA providers to discuss abortion with patients who were experiencing unwanted or high-risk pregnancies and pregnancy complications. With this rulemaking, VA now has the most restrictive abortion policy of any federal healthcare program.

The Congressional Review Act is a law that enables Congress to overturn agency regulations. If a joint resolution of disapproval is approved by both chambers of Congress and signed into law by the president (or if Congress overrides a presidential veto), the rule covered by the legislation cannot go into effect or continue to be in effect.

The joint resolutions of disapproval that have been introduced in the House and Senate to overturn VA’s abortion rule have been endorsed by: Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Minority Veterans of America, the Vet Voice Foundation, Common Defense, Modern Military Association of America, Service Women’s Action Network, the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Guttmacher Institute, the National Council of Jewish Women, the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Power to Decide, Reproductive Freedom for All, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the National Partnership for Women & Families.

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Whip Clark on CNN: "Republicans Are Hell Bent on Holding TSA Workers Hostage"

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined CNN's The Situation Room, slamming Republicans for holding travelers and TSA officers hostage in their attempts to block ICE reforms and force passage of voter suppression legislation. Below are excerpts from the conversation:

On Republicans' Refusal to Rein in ICE:

“Chaos is the defining word of this administration and Republicans in Congress. There is an easy fix here: we have offered, as Democrats, let’s reopen all of DHS if you will agree to commonsense ways of operating ICE that every police department across this country implements and uses.

“If they are unwilling to do that, we have said for weeks, let’s continue to negotiate around ICE and Border Patrol and reopen every other part.

“The president has decided to take us into a war of his choice. And more than ever, we need to make sure TSA workers are being paid — the Coast Guard, FEMA, our cybersecurity experts.

“They can take one of two paths, and the answer coming from the President and Republicans is we take neither: 'We would like not to pay TSA. We would like not to rein in ICE and have them conduct themselves without a reign of terror in communities. We are just going to use them as collateral to get a voter suppression bill.'

“This isn’t an answer the American people can tolerate or put up with. And they deserve better than that.”

On the GOP Agenda’s Consequences for Working Americans:

“Every single time it comes down to a choice, this administration says, ‘We choose to hurt workers, to put the American people last.’

“When oil prices go up, they say, ‘Oh, that doesn't matter. Our economy will be fine.’

“They take away health care for millions of people. They say, ‘It's okay because we got tax cuts for billionaires.’

“And now they're saying, ‘TSA workers should continue to show up, work without pay … That's what we're going to do until we can pass a bill that makes it very difficult for people to vote in this country.’ That is insanity.

“We are so clear: let's reopen every part of DHS if you refuse to negotiate in good faith. And if we can get to a deal around putting those commonsense reforms at ICE, then we'll reopen that too.

“The choice is theirs. They're choosing to put it all on workers.”

On Trump’s Refusal to Pay TSA Agents:

“We have heard public comments from Senator Kennedy, from Senator Thune, from more conservative members of their caucus saying, ‘We would be open to opening up all the other critical parts of DHS while negotiations continue.’ But the president won't allow it. We know where the problem is.

“And over in the House, they're not going to make a move without the White House.

“Who is the one who bears the brunt of all of this? It's Americans at home. It's TSA workers.”

On Democrats’ Efforts to Reopen Every Part of DHS Except ICE:

“The American people are very clear [about] what's going on here.

“We have said it repeatedly. We're up to nine times that we have said, ‘Let's open up every other part of this until ICE is willing to act like every other police department. Let's not wait to make sure that TSA workers get what they need, get the paycheck they deserve — and the Coast Guard and FEMA.’

…

“We have been crystal clear, and it keeps being rejected. Open up the other parts of DHS if you refuse to do the right thing at ICE, and let us continue to negotiate that.

“But the Republicans are hell bent on holding TSA workers hostage and creating hardship for them and creating chaos and a lack of safety at our airports and in our skies.”

To watch the full interview, click HERE.

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Kiggans Advocates for Coastal Resilience and Eastern Shore Infrastructure in Appropriations Hearing at Energy and Water Member Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02) spoke before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water during Member Day, highlighting two important issues directly impacting Virginia’s Second District: advancing the Chincoteague Inlet feasibility study to address erosion challenges on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, and strengthening federal support and cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers for beach nourishment and Coastal Storm Risk Management to protect homes and businesses across Coastal Virginia.

Watch Rep. Kiggans’ remarks here.

Read Rep. Kiggans’ speech as prepared for delivery:

Thank you, Chairman Fleischmann and Ranking Member Kaptur for the opportunity to participate in this Member Day.

I want to begin with an issue that is long overdue for action and critically important to my district, the erosion of the Chincoteague Inlet.

The Chincoteague Inlet is a dynamic and rapidly shifting coastal inlet on Virginia’s Eastern Shore that serves as a critical navigation channel and harbor of refuge for mariners, while also supporting ecosystem health, and coastal protection. Over time, increasing erosion and sediment movement have destabilized the inlet, threatening the Town of Chincoteague’s working waterfront, local homes and businesses, and the surrounding barrier island system. Without a comprehensive feasibility study, we lack the data needed to evaluate long-term stabilization strategies, protect the shoreline, and ensure safe navigation.

This study was authorized under the 2016 Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, and the Town formally requested it as far back as 2015. Since then, the community has done everything right, they have secured the required non-federal cost share, received support from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and built strong regional and congressional backing. I have personally pushed for this study at every level, including submitting requests to the Office of Management and Budget for inclusion in the President’s FY27 budget, and to the Army Corps of Engineers for inclusion in the FY26 Work Plan. Yet, despite being authorized for nearly a decade and fully ready to move forward, the study has still not been funded or initiated.

This is not just a local issue, it is a federal responsibility. Stabilizing the inlet is essential to protecting major federal assets, including NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, and nearby Navy installations that depend on stable coastal conditions for operational access and mission continuity. As a Member of both the Natural Resources and Armed Services Committees, I see clearly how coastal erosion is not just an environmental challenge, but a direct threat to national security and federal infrastructure. We cannot continue to delay a study that is authorized, has a committed state covered cost-share, and critical to protecting both communities and federal investments. I urge the Committee to prioritize funding for the Chincoteague Inlet feasibility study.

Second, I want to highlight the importance of continued, robust funding for beach nourishment.

Federally authorized beach nourishment projects are one of the most effective investments we make in coastal resilience. These projects protect communities from storm damage while sustaining local economies that depend on tourism, recreation, and coastal access.

The return on investment is extraordinary. Studies show for every $1 spent on beach nourishment, beach tourism generates approximately $3,000 in economic output, $1,400 in direct spending, and $200 in tax revenue. That is a level of economic return that far exceeds most federal programs. In my district, beaches are not just places where people vacation—they are critical infrastructure. They protect homes, businesses, and military installations, and they support an economy that generates billions in activity each year. Without continued federal partnership, these communities are left exposed to increasing storm risks and long-term erosion.

Finally, I want to address the glaring gap in Coastal Storm Risk Management studies and the need to ensure they are truly comprehensive.

Communities like those in Hampton Roads rely on the Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate flood risk and identify mitigation strategies. However, current funding limitations and authorities often prevent the Corps from fully accounting for federal infrastructure, particularly military installations, within these studies.

In a region that is home to Naval Station Norfolk and some of the most critical defense assets in the country, this creates a serious gap. Our local and federal infrastructure are interconnected, and planning for one without the other undermines the effectiveness of both.

In addition, I believe we should explore whether the Department of Defense should have the ability to partner more directly with the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure military installations are fully incorporated into Coastal Storm Risk Management studies. In many cases, our most critical national security assets sit alongside vulnerable coastal communities, yet current funding structures do not always allow those federal assets to be fully analyzed within Corps studies.

Providing a mechanism, such as a dedicated fund or transfer authority, for DoD to support these studies would ensure we are protecting military readiness, strengthening coastal resilience, and making smarter, more coordinated federal investments.

Congress should ensure the Corps has the resources and authority to conduct fully comprehensive, region-wide studies that include all at-risk areas, federal and non-federal alike. Doing so will strengthen national security, improve flood protection outcomes, and ensure we are making the most effective use of taxpayer dollars.

Thank you again for the opportunity to highlight these priorities. I look forward to working with the Committee to ensure our coastal communities and critical federal assets are protected for the long term.

Background:

In March 2026, Rep. Kiggans and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) sent two letters to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding the feasibility study on managing erosion of the Chincoteague Inlet on the Eastern Shore. One letter requested that the USACE include funding for a feasibility study in the FY26 work plan, and the second asked that the FY27 President’s Budget Request include funding for the study if it’s excluded from the FY26 work plan. Read her press release here.

In February 2026, Rep. Kiggans requested that language leveraging funding for the Chincoteague Inlet Feasibility Study be included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2026.

Rep. Kiggans has been a long-time advocate for infrastructure improvements on Chincoteague Island, including the request for federal funds to build the Mariner’s Point Bulkhead through the FY25 Appropriations process.

In February 2025, Rep. Kiggans’ Contaminated Wells Relocation Act was signed into law. This legislation ensures the residents of Chincoteague, Virginia have access to safe drinking water by authorizing NASA to reimburse the town of Chincoteague for the costs associated with the removal of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminated wells, as well as the relocation of these wells to a safe location free from groundwater contamination. Read her press release here.


Larson Blasts House Republican Vote Blocking Inquiries into ‘DOGE’ Data Theft at Social Security from Moving Forward

“We are calling again for ‘DOGE,’ Elon Musk, and the whistleblowers to come before us for hearings. Today, Republicans voted to block us from bringing our Resolutions of Inquiry to the floor – an oversight tool the minority party in Congress has had since 1879,” said Larson. “When Democrats are in the majority, holding ‘DOGE’ and this administration accountable for these serious data privacy violation allegations and subpoenaing them to come before the committee under oath will be my first order of business. From allegations of uploading the records of every single American to an unapproved server to scheming to use your private data to try and overturn elections with an outside group, and copying your confidential information onto a thumb drive for personal use in the private sector, ‘DOGE’ has been combing through 300 million Americans’ records without transparency or explanation. Even Trump’s own Department of Justice has admitted to wrongdoing by ‘DOGE.’ Over the last year, Ranking Member Neal and I have tried to launch inquiries to get to the bottom of these criminal schemes. Rather than joining with us to get answers for the American people, Republicans have stayed silent – running cover for President Trump, Elon Musk, and ‘DOGE’ at every turn. Congress is a co-equal branch of government that answers to the people, not Trump or his cronies. While Republicans have abdicated their responsibility, Democrats will continue to fight to hold ‘DOGE’ accountable for these alleged privacy violations and get the truth the American people deserve.”


Ways and Means Committee Advances Larson-backed Bill to Expand Tax Relief for Early Childhood Educators

The SEED Act is the first provision of the American Affordability Act to advance out of the Ways and Means Committee, a comprehensive bill Larson introduced with Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (MA-01) to take on the cost-of-living crisis squeezing families nationwide, with real solutions to expand affordable housing, lower energy bills, cut taxes for working families, help student loan borrowers, and protect households from skyrocketing healthcare premiums.

View Rep. Larson’s full remarks on the SEED Act.

“Rather than passing tax breaks for the wealthy, we should be offering relief to the middle-class workers trying to make ends meet,” said Larson. “I was pleased to advance this bipartisan bill to support our early childhood educators, who deserve the same recognition and tax fairness as other teachers. While this is a step forward, we need to ensure that every child in America can have a strong start. I urge my colleagues to take up our American Affordability Act, which not only includes this common-sense proposal but also cuts taxes to help working families afford childcare costs and keep up with rising household expenses.”

After unanimously passing out of the Ways and Means Committee, the SEED Act, which expands the $300 teacher expense tax deduction to include early childhood educator, will advance to the House floor for a vote. In addition to this provision, Larson, Thompson, and Neal’s American Affordability Actalso restores the expanded Child Tax Credit for working parents, providing monthly payments of $300 for each child over the age of six and $360 for each child under the age of six, creates a new $5,000 refundable tax credit to cover startup costs needed to open family childcare centers, creates a new tax credit to support working family caregivers, and increases the maximum dependent care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contribution from $7,500 to $10,000.

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, let me commend, Representative Fitzpatrick and Representative Panetta for this legislation. It's outstanding. And I want to associate myself with the remarks of Mr. Kelly.

“Early on in my career, I had the great opportunity to work with Dr. Edward Zigler. Dr. Zigler founded and was part of the Yale Center for Child Development and Social Policy. He is commonly referred to as the ‘Father of Head Start.’ And what Dr. Zigler’s work helped do is bring attention to what happens to children between birth and going to kindergarten and the developmental stages that they go through.

“So, it kind of aligns itself in what Mr. Kelly was talking about earlier as, as well. And it makes this work, especially not only for the teachers in our system, but also for the parents that are struggling while they have to work one and two jobs and to find childcare for their children. Zigler's concept was, ‘Why don't we utilize existing public schools on bus routes that are safe, can already been constructed, and a way in which parents would have the notion that their kids were being taken care of... and with studies, and also with the appropriate academic focus. And I say academic, even for a one-year-old, is vitally important.

“So, I want to commend both Mr. Panetta and Mr. Fitzpatrick for their efforts. And also add that, I think it would be important for this committee as well to take up Mr. Thompson's Affordability Act because the SEED Act is preserved in that. And as several of you have noted on both sides, it needs to be enhanced. We need to make sure that teachers who are reaching into their own pockets to pay for things that will only help and assist future generations, is something we should grasp together. So, I want to commend Jimmy Panetta, and I want to commend our colleagues, Mr. Fitzpatrick and Kelly and Mr. Thompson, and hopefully we can all work together to get this done. I yield back.”


ICYMI: Díaz-Balart and Appropriators Demand America First Accountability at the United Nations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Subcommittee on House Appropriations, chaired a bipartisan field hearing at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York City. Chairman Díaz-Balart and members of the subcommittee heard from the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Waltz.

The hearing focused on new legislative requirements for the UN in the recently enacted FY26 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Act, as well as the Trump Administration's reforms to the UN and oversight of the way federal tax dollars are spent. Republicans reiterated the role appropriations plays in exercising the power of the purse to support America First leadership on the world stage: investments must support U.S. policy objectives, security, and values.

Thanks to President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Ambassador Waltz, the United States continues to push for accountability and transparency at the UN. Appropriators – in the FY26 law – required the Secretary of State to determine whether or not accountability and anti-bias measures are in place before funding can flow from the federal government to the UN.

Allocations must follow results – not blind expectations – and the UN should welcome strong oversight from its highest-paying member nation. Ambassador Waltz made it clear during this field hearing that the Trump Administration is taking accountability measures seriously, not only regarding the UN, but in every place where taxpayer dollars are spent. For too long, Washington allowed business as usual – which enabled waste, weakened scrutiny, and failed to deliver results – and the United States will not bankroll that model any longer. Through enacted NSRP measures and renewed leadership by the Executive Branch, we are using all levers to restore discipline, enforce consequences, and promote freedom.

President Trump has expressed that the United Nations has great potential and that one day it will eventually live up to that promise. It's long overdue, and we are driving that reset into motion.

In his opening remarks, Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) said, "Too often, the UN is directly at odds with America’s interests and makes a mockery of the very things it claims to support. From the Human Rights Council with many of the world’s worst offenders, to the World Health Organization’s pandering to communist China during COVID-19 while shutting out Taiwan, to Iran winning a seat on the Commission on the Status of Women while its regime brutalized women in the streets. Luckily, President Trump and Secretary Rubio are ushering in a new era of international accountability. One that demonstrates the glaring inadequacies of the UN. The central problem is not the Member States but the UN structure itself. It is embedded in the UN bureaucracy, its reporting practices, its discretionary funding pipelines, and its weak culture of oversight."

Read Chairman Díaz-Balart's full remarks here.

Vice Chair of the NSRP Subcommittee Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) said, "It is gratifying to hear that America is finally getting focused with the dollars that we send overseas and that we're insisting that the American taxpayer, the American citizen, really gets something from the funds that we've been sending abroad for years."

Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) said, "This committee, more than any other, has the utmost responsibility to ensure that every single dollar is going to a program that supports our citizens' national security, and also opens up economic opportunity for our country. It's not just wealthy American taxpayer dollars that are going out the door – it's also our farmers' and our factory workers'. That's their money as well, so I stand firm on this responsibility."

Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) said, "This past week, I had the opportunity to meet with three amazing individuals, and what they all had in common is that they were daughters whose loved one was imprisoned by the People's Republic of China. Claire Lai, her father is Jimmy Lai. He's in Hong Kong, [where he] spoke out for freedom, democracy, and has been [imprisoned] for five years. [He is] 80 years old, declining rapidly in prison. The other is Grace Jin,and Grace's father, pastor Ezra Jin, [who] is in China. He recently was put in prison for teaching the Bible, preaching, [and] being the leader of a church there. And the [third] is Ziba, and her mother is Dr. Gulshan Abbas. She has also been in prison; she's Uyghur. And the reason she was imprisoned is because her sister here in the United States was speaking out against the genocide occurring against the Uyghurs in China... I would just ask for [Ambassador Waltz's] help as you speak with others here at the United Nations and as you're preparing the discussions that will take place. I would ask you to advocate for those families who are suffering because their loved one has been unjustly imprisoned now."

As FY27 funding discussions continue, we remain committed to robust oversight of how federal money is spent. American taxpayers deserve to know their tax dollars are going to support American ideals and goals – whether it's in their local community or on the other side of the world. Bipartisan achievements in the FY26 NSRP bill have provided Ambassador Waltz with the resources necessary to supply strong accountability and transparency at the UN, and House Appropriators will continue to prioritize those efforts in the FY27 funding process.

The full event is available on the House Appropriations Committee’s YouTube channel.


McBath, Senator Alsobrooks Introduce Legislation to Support Families and Infants

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06) has re-introduced the Extending WIC for New Moms Act, a bicameral bill to expand eligibility and support mothers and infants into the postpartum and breastfeeding periods through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs. This legislation extends WIC eligibility in the postpartum period from 6 months to 24 months and in the breastfeeding period from 12 months to 24 months. Companion legislation is led by Senator Angela Alsobrooks (MD). The bill is part of the "Momnibus," a legislative package addressing maternal health across the country. McBath and Black Maternal Health Caucus Co-Chair Lauren Underwood (IL-14) have been leading voices for the package since they came to Congress.

“I had always wanted to start a family and my son, Jordan, was a blessing for me and for my family. I remember how special it was to care for my infant son, and I also remember the challenges that come with bringing a newborn into our family. The peace of mind that comes with knowing you and your child have what you need makes a world of difference,” said Rep. McBath. “Without WIC, mothers, infants, and families across this country wouldn’t have access to the resources, education, and support that are so needed—especially during the first few years of a child’s life. By expanding eligibility for WIC programs, we are taking an important step in supporting our moms and setting this nation’s children up for future success.”

“WIC is a critical lifeline for families that makes pregnancies healthier and safer – but currently, moms can be cut off just months after birth,” said Rep. Underwood. “The Extending WIC for New Moms Act will extend access to essential nutrition and health care through the full postpartum and breastfeeding periods, giving moms and kids the strong start they deserve and improving health outcomes for the whole family.”

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a critical federal program to provide supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum people, as well as infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. The Trump Administration attempted a brief funding freeze on federal assistance programs including WIC in early 2025, which was blocked by a federal court. The proposed FY2026 budget also includes cuts to WIC funding and would roll back benefits that allowed participants to receive more money for fruits and vegetables.

Data on WIC’s effectiveness show the benefits of the program for moms and babies: pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding WIC participants have lower likelihoods of pregnancy-related risk factors, lower risk of preterm birth, and lower risk of low-birthweight infants. Maternal WIC participation is also associated with reductions in infant mortality and improved nutrition and health outcomes for infants and children. By extending eligibility for WIC in the postpartum and breastfeeding periods, the Extending WIC for New Moms Act will make sure the nutritional needs of moms and babies are met, improving maternal and child health outcomes and advancing birth equity across the United States.


McIver, Hirono, Blunt Rochester Lead Colleagues in Introducing Working Women’s Bill of Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), along with Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), and U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) led 16 of their colleagues in introducing a Working Women’s Bill of Rights. The resolution recognizes the duty of Congress to meet the needs of working women. Women comprise nearly half of the nation’s workforce, serving as leaders in vital industries like education, health care, public service, and caregiving. The resolution, introduced during Women’s History Month and the week of Equal Pay Day, recognizes Congress’s obligation to address recent executive and administrative actions that have caused disproportionate harm to women’s workplace rights, freedoms, and protections, by safeguarding workers from unequal treatment.

“It's no surprise that working women are being forced to bear the burden of Trump's disastrous economic policies—he has shown us over and over again that he doesn’t care about us,” said Representative McIver. “We are seeing bleak statistics: an increasing wage gap and a sharp rise in unemployment. And there’s a real human cost to those numbers. Women are shouldering that cost, as this president so often forces them to do. I introduced this resolution to sound the alarm because no one should be able to bully women out of their rightful place in the economy. As much as this administration wants to ignore us, we’re demanding Trump and Republicans' attention to the damage they are doing to women.”

“From unequal pay to a lack of professional advancement, gender inequity and discrimination in the workplace are still far too common in our country despite the critical work women do,” said Senator Hirono. “Now, as Trump and Republicans continue attacking workplace rights, freedoms, and protections, I am proud to introduce this resolution recognizing the important work women do across our country and reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding gender equity in the workplace.”

“Trump and Republicans have failed working women at every turn. More than 450,000 women left the workplace last year because of rising child care costs, job loss, and Trump’s attacks on federal employees. Our women workers—many who balance the demands of work and caretaking—deserve far better,” said Representative Leger Fernandez (D-NM), Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus. “Women workers deserve a better future with fair pay, protections from discrimination, support when we’re pregnant or caring for loved ones, and an affordable life. The Democratic Women’s Caucus reaffirms our commitment to fighting for that better future today and every single day.”

“Women across America are bearing the brunt of wealth inequality, discrimination in the workplace, and stifled professional advancement – and the Trump administration’s harmful policies are making things worse,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “I’m proud to be introducing a Working Women’s Bill of Rights alongside Senator Hirono and Congresswoman McIver because these disparities – which are heightened for women of color – are simply unacceptable. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle stand up for economic justice.”

The resolution is endorsed by A Better Balance, Advocates for Trans Equality, American Association of University Women, Arise Chicago, Asset Building Strategies, Black Labor Week Project Inc., Center for Economic and Policy Research, Center for Law and Social Policy, Chicago Women in Trades, Clearinghouse on Women's Issues, Community Change Action, Economic Policy Institute, Equal Rights Advocates, Family Values @ Work, Family Values @ Work Action, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Feminist Majority, Institute for Women's Policy Research, Jobs with Justice, Justice for Migrant Women, Maine Women's Lobby, MANA, A National Latina Organization, Mississippi Black Women's Roundtable, MomsRising, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, National Association of Letter Carriers, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation/Black Women’s Roundtable, National Council of Jewish Women, National Employment Law Project, National Immigration Law Center, National Organization for Women, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Urban League, National Women's Law Center, Oxfam America, Paid Leave for All Action, PHI, Raise The Floor Alliance, Reproductive Freedom for All, Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, The Restaurant Opportunities Center of Pennsylvania, United for Respect, Women Employed, and YWCA USA.

“When women have what they need to not only survive, but thrive, it benefits everyone,” said Emily Martin, Chief Program Officer at the National Women’s Law Center. “But today baseline protections for women in the workplace are under attack, as the Trump administration seeks to coerce employers into rejecting the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion that open doors to opportunity. This puts the 75 million working women in this country at risk—especially women of color, mothers, and low-wage workers. At a time when women’s rights and protections are being targeted, lawmakers must urgently address the economic challenges facing women across the country by showing up for safety, dignity, and equality at work.”

“Too many women are still being forced to make impossible choices between caring for themselves and their families or risking losing their paychecks and jobs,” said Jocelyn Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women and Families. “When women lack access to fair pay, safe workplaces, and other essential support they need, the impact is felt at every level, from the financial stability of our households to the strength of our economy as a whole.”

"Women’s economic security drives progress. But at every turn, that progress is under threat. From the disproportionate number of Black women who've faced job loss, to policies that have eroded access to affordable education, reproductive health care, and quality child care,” said Dr. Jamila K. Taylor, President and CEO of the Institute for Women's Policy Research. “As the leading national think tank committed to promoting research that improves the lives and economic well-being of all women, the Institute for Women's Policy Research is proud to support this important resolution that calls on Congress to implement the evidence-informed solutions to addressing the needs of working women to help them, their families, and communities thrive and the nation prosper."

In addition to Representatives McIver, DeLauro, and Leger Fernandez, the resolution was also cosponsored by Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Sarah McBride (D-DE), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

In addition to Senators Hirono and Blunt Rochester, the resolution was cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Alex Padilla (D-CA).

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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Ahead of Black Maternal Health Week, Menendez Joins Underwood, Adams, and Booker to Reintroduce Momnibus Bills to End America’s Maternal Health Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rob Menendez joined Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) in reintroducing the Momnibus, 14 bills that address drivers of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in maternal health in the United States.

“I am proud to help reintroduce this life-saving legislation that makes sure doctors listen to moms, provides support for new parents, and ensures every mother and baby makes it home from the hospital safe and healthy,” said Congressman Menendez. “We need to stop talking about preventable tragedies and instead start doing what it takes to save lives.”

“80% of maternal deaths in America are preventable, and the Momnibus is designed to stop them. I’m proud to introduce this historic package with Representative Alma Adams and Senator Cory Booker to build on the progress we have made and secure the investments we need to end this crisis,”?said Congresswoman Lauren Underwood.?“This bill has the tools we need to make America a safer place to give birth, especially for the Black moms who are at the highest risk. The Momnibus will save moms’ lives, and Congress must act urgently to pass it.”

“The Momnibus Act is the most comprehensive piece of legislation ever drafted to address the maternal health crisis,”?said Congresswoman Alma Adams.?“The maternal mortality rate in the United States is worse today than it was 20 years ago. With all the advances of modern science, that speaks to a serious lack of investment in our research and health care systems that care for our moms. Not only that, the rate of mortality for Black women is disproportionately higher and that gap has not shrunk in decades. This is an unacceptable reality, and we must act urgently and?boldly?to address this crisis. The Momnibus is the solution. Congress must make the safety and health of our moms a priority and get this bill passed into law.”

“Access to high quality health care has always been a top priority for me, and it is unacceptable that the United States has the worst maternal health mortality rates among its peer countries, especially when so many of these deaths are preventable,”?said Senator Cory Booker.?“I am proud to reintroduce this historic legislation, which will take meaningful steps to address the maternal health crisis and ultimately save lives. Through the Momnibus we are investing in better care, strengthening support for families, and confronting the racial disparities facing Black mothers, who are disproportionately more likely to experience serious health complications or die from pregnancy-related causes. Congress must pass this legislation immediately to protect our nation’s mothers and end this crisis.”

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country, a trend that continues to get worse, and Black women are three times more likely to die. But there is hope: More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.

The Momnibus is designed to end preventable maternal death in America by ending maternal health disparities, growing and diversifying the perinatal health workforce, expanding access to maternal mental health and substance use care, lowering healthcare costs, investing in technological solutions, closing research gaps, improving data collection, and providing direct federal funding for local community-based organizations that improve maternal health outcomes.

The Momnibus is made up of 14 bills. The legislation will:

Make critical investments in social determinants of health that influence maternal health outcomes, like housing, transportation, and nutrition.

Extend WIC eligibility in the postpartum and breastfeeding periods.

Provide funding to community-based organizations that are working to improve maternal health outcomes and promote equity.

Increase funding for programs to improve maternal healthcare for veterans.

Grow and diversify the perinatal workforce to ensure that every mom in America receives maternal health care and support from people they trust.

Improve data collection processes and quality measures to better understand the causes of the maternal health crisis in the United States and inform solutions to address it.

Support moms with maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

Improve maternal healthcare and support for incarcerated moms.

Invest in digital tools to improve maternal health outcomes in underserved areas.

Promote innovative payment models to incentivize high-quality maternity care and non-clinical support during and after pregnancy.

Invest in federal programs to address maternal and infant health risks during public health emergencies.

Invest in community-based initiatives to reduce levels of and exposure to climate change-related risks for moms and babies.

Invest in research to reduce preventable causes of maternal deaths, end disparities, and improve health for women before, during, and after pregnancy.

Promote maternal vaccinations to protect the health of moms and babies.

Congressman Menendez joined nearly 200 House Democrats in co-sponsoring the legislation. The father of two young kids, Menendez has proudly represented New Jersey’s Eighth Congressional District since 2023. He is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is a co-founder of the Congressional Dads Caucus. To learn more about his work, click here.

To read a one-page summary of the Momnibus, please click here.


Menendez Applauds New Immigrant Protection Laws in New Jersey

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rob Menendez released the following statement after Governor Mikie Sherrill signed three immigrant protection bills into law:

“Today, families across New Jersey can feel safer and more secure because the Immigrant Trust Directive is now law, Trump’s untrained paramilitary forces are banned from hiding behind masks, and sensitive data is not being shared with the federal government.

“I am grateful for Governor Sherrill’s leadership for making this victory a reality, and to the legislators and advocates who never gave up in this critical fight. There is more work to do and I will always fight alongside our partners at all levels to protect our communities just as I did for the critical protections signed into law today.”


Antes de la Semana de la Salud Materna Negra, Menéndez se une a Underwood, Adams y Booker para reintroducir proyectos de ley Momnibus que pongan fin a la crisis de salud materna en Estados Unidos

WASHINGTON, D.C. – El congresista Rob Menéndez se unió a la congresista Lauren Underwood (IL-14), a la congresista Alma Adams (NC-12) y al senador Cory Booker (D-NJ) para reintroducir el Momnibus, 14 proyectos de ley que abordan los factores que causan mortalidad materna, morbilidad y disparidades en la salud materna en Estados Unidos.

"Me enorgullece ayudar a reintroducir esta legislación que salva vidas y que garantiza que los médicos escuchen a las madres, brinden apoyo a los nuevos padres y sus recién nacidos, además a que cada madre y bebé regresen a casa sanos y salvos del hospital". El congresista Menéndez dijo: "Tenemos que dejar de hablar de tragedias evitables y en su lugar, empezar a hacer lo que sea necesario para salvar vidas."

"El 80% de las muertes maternas en Estados Unidos son prevenibles, y el Momnibus está diseñado para detenerlas. “Me enorgullece presentar este paquete histórico junto con la representante Alma Adams y el senador Cory Booker para aprovechar los avances logrados y asegurar las inversiones necesarias para acabar con esta crisis”, comentó la congresista Lauren Underwood. Este proyecto de ley tiene las herramientas que necesitamos para hacer de Estados Unidos un lugar más seguro para dar a luz, especialmente para las madres afroamericanas que están en mayor riesgo. El Momnibus salvará la vida de muchas madres, y el Congreso debe actuar con urgencia para aprobarlo."

"La Ley Momnibus es la legislación más completa jamás redactada para abordar la crisis de salud materna", dijo la congresista Alma Adams. La tasa de mortalidad materna en Estados Unidos es hoy peor que hace 20 años. Con todos los avances de la ciencia moderna, eso demuestra una grave falta de inversión en nuestra investigación y en los sistemas sanitarios que cuidan a nuestras madres. No solo eso, la tasa de mortalidad de las mujeres afroamericanas es desproporcionadamente mayor y esa brecha no se ha reducido en décadas. Esta es una realidad inaceptable y debemos actuar con urgencia y valentía para abordar esta crisis; El Momnibus es la solución. El Congreso debe hacer de la seguridad y la salud de nuestras madres una prioridad y lograr que este proyecto de ley se apruebe."

"El acceso a una atención sanitaria de alta calidad siempre ha sido una prioridad para mí, y es inaceptable que Estados Unidos tenga las peores tasas de mortalidad materna entre sus países homólogos, especialmente cuando tantas de estas muertes son evitables", expresó el senador Cory Booker. Me enorgullece volver a presentar esta legislación histórica, que dará pasos significativos para abordar la crisis de salud materna y, en última instancia, salvar vidas. A través del Momnibus estamos invirtiendo en una mejor atención, reforzando el apoyo a las familias y enfrentando las disparidades raciales que enfrentan las madres afroamericanas, que tienen una desproporcionada probabilidad de sufrir complicaciones graves de salud o de morir por causas relacionadas con el embarazo. El Congreso debe aprobar esta legislación de inmediato para proteger a las madres de nuestra nación y poner fin a esta crisis."

Estados Unidos tiene la tasa de mortalidad materna más alta entre los países de altos ingresos, una tendencia que sigue empeorando, y las mujeres afroamericanas tienen tres veces más probabilidades de morir. Pero hay esperanza: más del 80% de las muertes relacionadas con el embarazo son prevenibles.

El Momnibus está diseñado para acabar con la muerte materna prevenible en Estados Unidos, poniendo fin a las disparidades, ampliando y diversificando la fuerza laboral en salud perinatal, ampliando el acceso a la atención materna en salud mental y consumo de sustancias, reduciendo los costes sanitarios, invirtiendo en soluciones tecnológicas, cerrando brechas en investigación, mejorando la recopilación de datos y proporcionando financiación federal directa a organizaciones comunitarias locales que mejoren los resultados con respecto a la salud materna.

El Momnibus está compuesto por 14 artículos. La legislación será:

Realizar inversiones críticas en determinantes sociales de la salud que influyen en los resultados de la salud materna, como la vivienda, el transporte y la nutrición.

Amplía la elegibilidad para el WIC durante los periodos posparto y de lactancia materna.

Proporcionar financiación a organizaciones comunitarias que trabajen para mejorar los resultados en salud materna y promover la equidad.

Aumentar la financiación de programas para mejorar la atención sanitaria materna de los veteranos.

Hacer crecer y diversificar la fuerza laboral perinatal para garantizar que cada madre en Estados Unidos reciba atención y apoyo en salud materna por personas de confianza.

Mejorar los procesos de recopilación de datos y medidas de calidad para comprender mejor las causas de la crisis de salud materna en Estados Unidos e informar soluciones para abordarlas.

Apoyar a madres con trastornos de salud mental materna y por consumo de sustancias.

Mejorar la atención sanitaria materna y el apoyo a las madres encarceladas.

Invertir en herramientas digitales para mejorar los resultados de salud materna en zonas desfavorecidas.

Promover modelos de pago innovadores para incentivar una atención materna de alta calidad y apoyo no clínico durante y después del embarazo.

Invertir en programas federales para abordar los riesgos para la salud materna e infantil durante emergencias de salud pública.

Invertir en iniciativas comunitarias para reducir los niveles y la exposición a riesgos relacionados con el cambio climático para madres y bebés.

Invertir en investigación para reducir las causas evitables de muertes maternas, acabar con las disparidades y mejorar la salud de las mujeres antes, durante y después del embarazo.

Promover la vacunación materna para proteger la salud de madres y bebés.

El congresista Menéndez se unió a casi 200 demócratas de la Cámara para copatrocinar la legislación. Padre de dos niños pequeños, Menéndez representa con orgullo el Octavo Distrito Congresional de Nueva Jersey desde 2023. Es miembro del Comité de Energía y Comercio de la Cámara y cofundador del Caucus de Padres del Congreso. Para saber más sobre su trabajo, haz clic aquí.

Para leer un resumen de una página del Momnibus, por favor haga clic aquí.


Menéndez aplaude las nuevas leyes de protección de inmigrantes en Nueva Jersey

WASHINGTON, D.C. – El congresista Rob Menéndez emitió la siguiente declaración después de que la gobernadora Mikie Sherrill firmará tres leyes de protección de inmigrantes:

"Hoy, las familias de todo Nueva Jersey pueden sentirse más seguras y protegidas porque la “Directiva de Confianza” para Inmigrantes es ahora ley, las fuerzas paramilitares sin entrenamiento de Trump tienen prohibido esconderse tras mascarillas y los datos sensibles no se compartirán con el gobierno federal.

"Estoy agradecido con el liderazgo del gobernador Sherrill por hacer realidad esta victoria, y con los legisladores y defensores que nunca se rindieron en esta lucha crucial. Nos queda trabajo por hacer y siempre lucharé junto a nuestros socios en todos los niveles para proteger a nuestras comunidades, tal como hice con las protecciones críticas firmadas hoy."


Speaker Johnson: The System Did Not Fail Sheridan Gorman, It Worked Exactly as Democrats Intended

WASHINGTON — This morning, at the weekly House GOP Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson highlighted the tragic murder of 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman at the hands of a criminal illegal alien in Chicago who was detained and released back into the public by the Biden Administration. Speaker Johnson also addressed Democrats refusing to reopen the Department of Homeland Security despite record-long airport wait times, TSA agents working without pay, and increased threats to our homeland, in their effort to reopen the southern border and protect criminal illegal aliens like Sheridan Gorman’s killer.

“You don't have to take our word for it. Look at [Democrats] actions and you're going to see it yet again. It's with their word, their actions, their legislation, they tell you what they prioritize, and it is the welfare of criminal illegal aliens over American citizens,” Speaker Johnson said.

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

On the tragic murder of Sheridan Gorman:

Sheridan Gorman was beautiful 18-year-old. A freshman, as has been noted, at Loyola University, enjoying time with her friends out on the pier looking at the Northern Lights. And now her family is mourning her tragic and totally unnecessary loss. It was a life tragically cut short. The masked assailant approached Sheridan while she was walking with her friends, she ran away and as you know, shot her from the back. The monster who did this, Jose Medina-Medina, was an illegal alien with a criminal record. Why is that so relevant to us? Because it's Democrat policies that made this tragedy possible. He had no legal right to be in this country. And we know that Medina entered the United States illegally on May 9th, 2023, under the Biden Administration with a wide-open border policy. We also know he was caught by border patrol and released into the country, like millions of others. And thanks to the Democrats’ open border policy. Those are indisputable facts. Medina was arrested in a major American city, again only to be released on the streets of Chicago. Why? Because of crazy Democrat policies. He would later take the life of Sheridan Gorman.

The irony of all this is that the system did not fail Sheridan. That worked exactly as the Democrats intended. You had Democrats in charge of the White House and in charge in the city of Chicago. Open borders policies, sanctuary cities policies. They coddled criminal illegal aliens, they empowered and they allowed this to happen. And that's why we're so angry about it. He was in the custody of law enforcement twice and there were two chances to stop him. But Democrats’ open borders guaranteed the release and their soft-on-crime, sanctuary policies ensured his impunity. And that's why this happened. Sheridan Gorman should still be with us and her entire life still ahead of her. But it's the same fate that befell Laken Riley too, and so many others. How many more times this story have to be repeated? Everybody needs to be asking that question.

On the Democrat DHS shutdown:

We're 40 days into this shutdown. It's the second-longest in history. It's partial, but it's a big one. Because they shut down the third-largest department of the federal government, it has 10 agencies underneath it, 260,000+ employees. And each of those agencies have one common denominator, as the name implies. They're to keep the homeland secure. This is not a game, but Democrats have shut down the exact law enforcement agencies that are responsible for apprehending criminal illegal aliens just like this criminal here who killed Sheridan Gorman. Congressional Democrats have held our airports, TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, so many critical functions of our government, we're talking about anti-bioterrorism matters and issues. You're talking about cybersecurity, all these things. They’re holding the government hostage, and why? What is their demand? At the root of all, they want to reopen the border, and they want to protect criminal illegal aliens just like this murderer here. That is the modern Democratic Party, and they verify it of course with their actions. These aren't political talking points. These are the facts.

On Democrats fighting to reopen American borders and protect criminal illegal aliens:

Democrats in the House are demanding a DHS bill that would eliminate funding for the exact agencies that are tasked with preventing a tragedy like this. Just last week, 190 Democrats voted against two bills. What were those bills? Common sense. Expedite the deportation of illegal aliens who abuse service animals. They voted no. And those who commit fraud in our country, they voted no. You don't have to take our word for it. Look at their actions and you're going to see it yet again. It's with their word, their actions, their legislation. They tell you what they prioritize. And it is the welfare of criminal illegal aliens over American citizens. We ought to believe what they say, the words in action.

Sadly, there will be no Democrats marching in the streets for Sheridan Gorman. They won't even talk about her. I promise you, they won't even bring it up. No one holding signs demanding justice for her killer. It's among the most shameful episodes we have ever seen. They cannot even bring themselves to say that this shouldn't happen. We hope that someday Democrats finally come to their senses again and put the safety of American citizens first, but we're not holding our breath. Until then, here's what Republicans are going to do, we're going to pray obviously for Sheridan's family and every American citizen victimized for these senseless, avoidable crimes. We will continue to fight for the rule of law and call out the madness when we see it. And here's what we will not do. We'll not allow Democrats to hold our airports and our country hostage so they can reimplement their catastrophic deadly open borders policies and threaten the lives of our children. This is common sense versus crazy.

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