Murphy On Meet The Press: We're Literally Putting Money Into The Pockets Of The Very Nations That We Are Fighting Right Now

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday joined Meet the Press with Kristen Welker and slammed the incompetence of Donald Trump and his administration as the war in Iran is spiraling out of control. Murphy highlighted the insanity of lifting sanctions on Iranian oil, putting money into the pocket of the very country the U.S. is currently fighting. Murphy also called on his Republican colleagues to accept Democrats’ proposals to reopen TSA and other DHS agencies, while negotiations over reforms to ICE and CBP are ongoing.

Responding to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s unhinged calls to intensify the war with Iran, Murphy laid out the reality on the ground: “This administration has totally lost touch with reality. This war is spinning out of control. Prices are spiking for millions of Americans. There's a new war breaking out between Israel and Lebanon. Oil assets of our allies are continuing to be hit in the region. There's no end in sight. The Secretary of Treasury just said we're going to escalate in order to de-escalate. It's like they've never read a history book. That's exactly what our war leaders said in the middle of Vietnam and the 20 years of mismanagement in Afghanistan. We need to end this war. The only way you are going to get prices down here in the United States, the only way that you are going to bring peace to the region is by ending this war. And it may be that the quickest way we can do that is by denying them the funding that they need to perpetuate this war, which is increasingly out of control.”

Murphy slammed the incompetence of the Trump administration and its failure to explain the goals of this war: “What we know is that the minute we stop bombing, this new regime is going to start rebuilding their missile capacity and their drone capacity. The estimates are that it will only take them a handful of months to reconstitute that threat. So what did we get at the end of this war? We're going to waste billions of dollars. We're going to get dozens, if not hundreds, of Americans killed. We're going to start new conflicts in the region. And when it's all said and done, a more provocative regime is going to be in charge with the same military capacities. This is nonsensical. This is what happens when you put real estate developers and talk show hosts in charge of American national security.”

He highlighted the insanity of Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Iranian and Russian oil: “I mean every single day, this war makes less and less sense. We're going to give Iran $14 billion to fund this war with the United States. We're going to give Russia billions of dollars to fund their war with Ukraine. We're literally putting money into the pockets of the very nations that we are fighting right now. Like we've never seen this level of incompetence in war making in this country's history, and frankly, we've had a lot of incompetence in war making.”

Murphy rejected any additional funding or ground troops for Trump’s illegal and disastrous war and called on the president to focus on the urgent needs of the American people: “That would be a mistake of colossal proportions. And the American public doesn't want this war, right? If we're going to spend $200 billion, they want that money to be spent on them. Think of what we could do with $200 billion here at home. We could make sure that none of the 20 million Americans that are getting a health insurance increase because of Trump's policies have their premiums raised. We could rebuild schools in every neighborhood across this country. The fact that this President is so focused on Iran and Venezuela and has no interest in helping people here at home…it's absolutely heartbreaking.”

On funding for the Department of Homeland Security, Murphy said Democrats are ready to reopen TSA and will continue to push for reforms to rein in the lawlessness of ICE and CBP: “Democrats have been clear we are willing tonight to provide the votes to open up every part of the Department of Homeland Security while we resolve our narrow differences on how ICE is terrorizing our communities. So almost every single day last week, Democrats went to the Senate floor and said, ‘Let's open up [TSA]’. Republicans said no. ‘Let's open up the Coast Guard.’ Republicans said no. They want to hold TSA hostage so that they can continue getting Democrats to fund the illegality happening at ICE. Let's just isolate our differences. Let's not hold TSA hostage any longer.”

A full transcript of the interview is below:

Kristen Welker: Now to Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut. Senator Murphy, welcome back to Meet the Press.

Senator Chris Murphy: Good morning.

Welker: Good morning. Thank you for being here. I want to start with Iran. The Pentagon, as I was just discussing with the Treasury Secretary, is planning to ask Congress for more than $200 billion in additional funding for the war. Most Democrats have vowed that they're not going to approve this funding request. But by opposing this request, are you risking potentially leaving American forces vulnerable?

Murphy: I thought that was a really scary appearance by the Treasury Secretary. This administration has totally lost touch with reality. This war is spinning out of control. Prices are spiking for millions of Americans. There's a new war breaking out between Israel and Lebanon. Oil assets of our allies are continuing to be hit in the region. There's no end in sight. The Secretary of Treasury just said we're going to escalate in order to de-escalate. It's like they've never read a history book. That's exactly what our war leaders said in the middle of Vietnam and the 20 years of mismanagement in Afghanistan. We need to end this war. The only way you are going to get prices down here in the United States, the only way that you are going to bring peace to the region is by ending this war. And it may be that the quickest way we can do that is by denying them the funding that they need to perpetuate this war, which is increasingly out of control.

Welker: Well, let me ask you, though, because the war is underway, you have argued, and I'll put this quote, ‘we need to end this war right now.’ If the U.S. ends the war right now, as you're arguing for, could that leave Iran with a more extreme anti-American regime and even lead to a potentially larger conflict for the next administration?

Murphy: But the administration has already said their goal is not regime change. They are perfectly satisfied to leave in charge of Iran a regime that is going to be worse for American interests than the previous regime. What we know is that the minute we stop bombing, this new regime is going to start rebuilding their missile capacity and their drone capacity. The estimates are that it will only take them a handful of months to reconstitute that threat. So what did we get at the end of this war? We're going to waste billions of dollars. We're going to get dozens, if not hundreds, of Americans killed. We're going to start new conflicts in the region. And when it's all said and done, a more provocative regime is going to be in charge with the same military capacities? This is nonsensical. This is what happens when you put real estate developers and talk show hosts in charge of American national security.

Welker: Just to be very clear you are a no on any funding request?

Murphy: I'm absolutely a no on any funding request. I mean, every single day, this war makes less and less sense. We're going to give Iran $14 billion to fund this war with the United States? We're going to give Russia billions of dollars to fund their war with Ukraine? We're literally putting money into the pockets of the very nations that we are fighting right now. Like we've never seen this level of incompetence in warmaking in this country's history, and frankly, we've had a lot of incompetence in warmaking.

Welker: Well, speaking of my conversation with the Treasury Secretary, he said all options are on the table when I asked him about ground troops. Is there any scenario where you would support putting U.S. boots on the ground in Iran?

Murphy: Never. Never. That would be a mistake of colossal proportions. And the American public doesn't want this war, right? If we're going to spend $200 billion they want that money to be spent on them. Think of what we could do with $200 billion here at home. We could make sure that none of the 20 million Americans that are getting a health insurance increase because of Trump's policies have their premiums raised. We could rebuild schools in every neighborhood across this country. The fact that this President is so focused on Iran and Venezuela has no interest in helping people here at home…it's absolutely heartbreaking.

Welker: You heard me ask the Secretary about the decision to loosen oil sanctions on Iran and Russia. He said that money was going to go to China anyway. He argues these are temporary moves that are ultimately going to bring down pressure on the supply of the global oil markets. Are you supportive of those moves if ultimately they do, in fact, lower the cost of oil?

Murphy: The only way to lower energy prices is to end this war. I mean, what he told you is that Iran was getting discounted prices previously from China, and we are now removing sanctions so that they can get premium prices. So we are literally putting billions of dollars into the very regime that we are fighting. Again, no matter how badly we fought the war in Iraq or Afghanistan or Vietnam, I don't think at any point during those wars, we were literally handing the enemy cash with which to fight our troops. We've just never seen anything like this. The quickest way to lower energy prices is to end this war and get this President focused on this country.

Welker: Let me talk to you about the shutdown. President Trump is threatening to put ICE agents in airports as early as Monday as we're seeing these long TSA lines as TSA agents call out sick or don't show up to work because they're not receiving a paycheck amidst this partial government shutdown. Does that threat make you more inclined to end this shutdown?

Murphy: Why don't they just reopen TSA? Why don't we just reopen the Coast Guard and FEMA? Democrats have been clear we are willing tonight to provide the votes to open up every part of the Department of Homeland Security while we resolve our narrow differences on how ICE is terrorizing our communities. So almost every single day last week, Democrats went to the Senate floor and said, ‘Let's open up [TSA]’. Republicans said no. ‘Let's open up the Coast Guard.’ Republicans said no. They want to hold TSA hostage so that they can continue getting Democrats to fund the illegality happening at ICE. Let's just isolate our differences. Let's not hold TSA hostage any longer.

Welker: During the previous shutdown in the fall, you criticized the eight Senate Democrats who broke ranks to negotiate an end to the shutdown with Republicans. You said they capitulated and lost the quote, ‘political advantage.’ Do you see this shutdown ending in the exact same way, with moderates, effectively saying, time to end this time to make a deal with Republicans.


Reed: New $15.38B U.S. Navy Contract for Electric Boat Aims to Spur Production of Next-Gen Submarines

WASHINGTON, DC -- This week, the U.S. Navy awarded submarine manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB) a $15.38-billion contract modification aiming to spur the serial construction of the Columbia-class submarine program and the Virginia-class submarine program. The contract extends through 2035 and covers design work, class lead-yard support, sustainment, integrated enterprise planning, and supplier-base expansion. The contract modifications are financed primarily through the fiscal year 2026 National Sea-Based Deterrence Fund (NSBDF), with additional funding from Maritime Industrial Base and Navy Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) funds.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee and a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and a champion of the Submarine Industrial Base (SIB), has worked for years to procure funding for these submarine programs. Reed helped create the NSBDF so the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) could more effectively finance construction of Columbia-class submarines.

Reed stated: “This contract is good news for national defense and Rhode Island’s economy. It puts submarine production on a clear, sustainable path forward. It provides a major boost to production readiness. These next generation submarines are our strategic undersea force across the globe. Whether it’s protecting economic zones, collecting intelligence, or projecting deterrence, the U.S. submarine fleet provides our forces with overwhelming operational advantages -- which is why building these new boats is the Navy’s top priority.”

Senator Reed recently helped include an additional $1.9 billion for the Virginia-class submarine program in the 2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act to help make up for shortfalls in the Defense Department’s budget request. He also helped successfully steer the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) through Congress, providing contracting authority for the Navy for five more Columbia-class submarines.

EB is heavily investing in facilities in Rhode Island and is planning on hiring approximately 3,500 new employees at their Quonset Point location in the coming year.

Senator Reed was hoping to join state and local leaders, and General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB) President Mark Rayha for EB’s annual legislative breakfast meeting on Monday in Warwick, but due to a weekend session of the U.S. Senate and Monday’s voting schedule, Reed is expected to remain in Washington, DC.

ABOUT COLUMBIA-CLASS

Twelve Columbia-class submarines are planned, pending future appropriations by Congress, to replace fourteen Ohio-class submarines that began entering service in the early 1980s. The Columbia-class boats are projected to remain operational at sea through the mid-2080s.

The new fleet of Columbia-class submarines get their start and some of their modules at specialized facilities in Rhode Island. Other parts of the boats are built in other states, including in partnership with Huntington-Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, and final assembly takes place at EB’s submarine shipyard in Groton, Connecticut.

Measuring at about 560 feet in length, each Columbia-class submarine displaces about 21,000 tons and is about two-and-a-half times the size of a Virginia-class submarine.

Construction is well underway on the first two Columbia-class submarines: the future USS District of Columbia (SSBN 826) and the future USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) and has already begun on the third Columbia-class submarine, the future USS Groton (SSBN 828). The newly awarded contract will support advanced construction and procurement of long-lead items for USS Groton as well as engineering and design work on future boats.


Rosen Votes Against Markwayne Mullin for Secretary of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) voted against a procedural step to confirm Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as the next Secretary of Homeland Security.

“After Kristi Noem’s disastrous time as Secretary of Homeland Security, we need a steady, level-headed leader who will focus on protecting our homeland while ensuring ICE officers follow the same standards as other law enforcement officials,” said Senator Rosen. “We cannot have a Homeland Security Secretary who will continue the cruel immigration enforcement practices that have gone after U.S. citizens and law-abiding immigrants. I voted against Markwayne Mullin for Secretary of Homeland Security because he has made clear his number one priority is pleasing Donald Trump, including by voting against paying TSA agents — who would be his staff if he’s confirmed — during this Republican shutdown.”

Senator Rosen has been outspoken in her opposition to Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda, and support for reforms to rein in ICE. Earlier this year, she called for guardrails to rein in ICE officers following the killings of two Americans in Minneapolis. During the Republican shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, Senator Rosen tried to pass her bill to pay TSA agents but Republicans blocked it.

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Thune: Proof of Citizenship and Voter ID Shouldn’t Be Controversial

Click here to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, it’s rare for the Senate to be in session on a Sunday.

“Needless to say, the fact that we are here today tells you that what we’re doing is important work.

“And that is the SAVE America Act.

“Mr. President, the core of the SAVE America Act is securing American elections.

“And a big way the bill accomplishes that is with two commonsense policies:

“Requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, and requiring a photo ID when you go to cast a ballot.

“Polls show that both of these measures have support from a vast majority of the American public.

“In fact, one poll showed that most Americans think you already – already – have to prove you’re a citizen in order to register to vote.

“Proof of citizenship is a requirement when you apply for government benefits.

“Proof of citizenship or legal status is required when you go to join the military.

“And every job in this country requires new hires to fill out a Form I-9 proving that they are a citizen or otherwise eligible to work in this country.

“Mr. President, if we expect this of Americans in other aspects of their lives, why shouldn’t we expect it when Americans go to register to vote?

“It’s just common sense.

“But under current law, you don’t need to prove you’re actually eligible to vote when you register.

“State efforts to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote have been challenged in court.

“And courts have said that states cannot go beyond the requirements of the standard federal voter registration form created by the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, a form that does not – does not – require voters to prove that they are American citizens.

“The SAVE America Act would fix that by requiring that individuals provide proof of citizenship when they register to vote.

“Mr. President, when it comes to showing photo ID at the polls, not only do most Americans support it, 36 states already require it.

“Red states, blue states, swing states.

“And I suspect that one of the reasons requiring a photo ID seems so commonsense to Americans is because showing a photo ID is something the American people have to do for a whole host of other things in their daily lives.

“If you drive a car, you need to have a license with you.

“If you do an early pick-up at your kid’s school, you need to show a photo ID.

“If you want to get a library card, you need a photo ID.

“And Mr. President, as I pointed out the other day, Washington, D.C., requires a photo ID to use a city recreation center.

“But you can vote – you can vote in D.C. – perhaps even in that same rec center that requires an ID to play basketball – without showing an ID.

“Mr. President, that doesn’t make any sense.

“Republicans aren’t asking for much here.

“We’re just asking to make our elections as secure as the local rec center.

“Mr. President, while Democrats have long acted as if requiring a photo ID is some sort of intolerable burden to place on voters, since the SAVE America Act debate began they’ve spent a lot of time hedging on this issue.

“In fact, on Tuesday, Leader Schumer announced that Democrats now support voter ID.

“And then on Thursday, the junior Republican senator from Ohio – the current presiding officer and a former chief election official in his state – offered a bill to require photo ID to vote.

“That’s all it would’ve done – require a photo ID when you go to the polls.

“Driver’s license. Military ID. Tribal ID. Passport.

“And Democrats, Mr. President?

“Democrats blocked it.

“And they more than blocked it.

“Their response was to offer a bill that included – if you can believe this – a nationwide ban on voter ID for absentee ballots.

“That’s right.

“Democrats – who now claim to support voter ID – proposed a nationwide ban on voter ID requirements.

“Requirements that already exist in a number of states, including my state of South Dakota.

“Well, Mr. President, if that’s Democrats supporting voter ID, I’d hate to see what them opposing it would look like.

“Mr. President, there will be other opportunities in this debate for Democrats to support commonsense voter integrity measures – including voter ID.

“And every Democrat will be put on the record for the American people to see.”


Congressman Allen Visits Bon Air Apartments Following Renovations

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) visited the Bon Air Apartment Complex in Richmond County. Congressman Allen was joined by representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Redwood Housing for a walkthrough of the facility, including several renovated units and floors. After the visit, Congressman Allen issued the following statement:

"Over the last several years, members of my team and I have been in regular communication with HUD and Redwood—consistently demanding that substantial renovations be made at the Bon Air to ensure residents can enjoy a clean and safe living environment. After my visit today, I can confidently say that we have achieved that goal.

"Units and common areas have been updated, security measures are now in place, elevators have been repaired, property management is conducting routine meetings with tenants and representatives from the Richmond County Sheriff's Office and Fire Department, and much more. This has been a long process, and at times challenging, but one thing has been clear from the beginning: we were not taking no for an answer. I am hopeful that with continued communication and accountability, the Bon Air Apartments will remain a modern, safe, and enjoyable atmosphere for all residents and visitors and a place of pride for the surrounding community."


Carbajal Announces Significant Federal Funding for Santa Barbara County Projects

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) announced he secured significant federal funding for a series of public projects in Santa Barbara County. Projects include improvements to local infrastructure, emergency response services, and criminal justice programs.

“Delivering these federal investments is about strengthening the public resources that Santa Barbara County residents rely on every day,” said Rep. Carbajal. “From safer roads and modernized emergency response facilities to compassionate animal care and survivor‑centered support services, this funding will strengthen the essential services and shared spaces that make Santa Barbara County a healthier, safer, and more connected place to live.”

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments has been awarded $1,500,000 to fund the Cabrillo Project. The Cabrillo Project will replace two railroad bridges and improve the U.S. 101 highway underpass in the City of Santa Barbara and as a result improve safety for a number of users that travel through this area to access destinations along the Santa Barbara waterfront while providing a key connection across U.S. 101. The Project will replace bridges at two locations: Cabrillo Boulevard and at Los Patos Way, each of which are over 100-years old and have exceeded their design life. At Cabrillo Boulevard, the existing 29’ span will be widened and lengthened.

“Congressman Carbajal’s support helps keep the City of Santa Barbara’s Cabrillo project on track as construction begins on the final segment of Highway 101 Carpinteria to Santa Barbara corridor,” said SBCAG Executive Director Marjie KIRN. “Improvements at Cabrillo are what will allow residents and visitors to safely and efficiently access the waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods—delivering the full benefit of the highway investments to the public.”

The City of Santa Maria has been awarded $1,200,000 to expand the space at the downtown fire station to accommodate a third fire vehicle and associated fire personnel. The downtown station was built in 2002, at the time serving a population of 79,000. Since then, the population of Santa Maria has grown almost 40 percent to approximately 110,000. The City of Santa Maria anticipates the population to grow by another 30 percent, or an additional 34,000 people by 2050.

“On behalf of the City of Santa Maria and our 110,000 residents, I want to extend our deepest thanks to Representative Carbajal for securing $1.2 million for the Fire Station 1 Expansion Project. This funding brings us significantly closer to completing a project that will strengthen emergency response in our downtown core and serve our community for the next 25 years. We appreciate that we have such a dedicated partner in Washington,” said Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino.

“We are incredibly grateful to Representative Carbajal for securing $1.2 million for the expansion of Fire Station 1. This funding is a critical investment in the safety of our community. Station 1 is our busiest station, and this project will allow us to house a third fire vehicle and additional personnel needed to serve Santa Maria's growing population. Representative Carbajal's commitment to our city is making a real difference,”said Fire Chief Bradley J. Dandridge.

Santa Barbara County has been awarded $850,000 for the rebuilding of the Lompoc Animal Shelter. The shelter needs facility improvements in order to continue to supply the community with quality Animal Services support, and to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the animals in the region.

“This $850,000 secured by Congressman Carabajal is transformational for our shelter. Modernized kennels mean healthier, less stressed animals, improved conditions for our staff and volunteers, and a facility that truly reflects the compassion of the Lompoc community. From families in Lompoc to the service members at Vandenberg Space Force Base, so many people rely on the work of the shelter — and now we have the resources to do it even better,” said Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Third District Santa Barbara County.

The City of Santa Barbara has been awarded $850,000 for the Eastside Library Improvements Project to upgrade interior spaces to better serve community members and to the two outdoor patios with outside reading spaces and play and sensory areas for children.

“The City of Santa Barbara greatly appreciates Congressman Carbajal’s advocacy to help fund a community asset as important as our Eastside Library. The improvements at that facility are critical as it is more than just a branch of our library system, but it is a highly-used educational facility and community meeting location. My colleagues and I use that location frequently for neighborhood gatherings and outreach, as well as community celebrations. The Congressman clearly recognizes the role that the Eastside Library plays in forming and maintaining the social fabric of the Santa Barbara community,” said Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse.

The City of Carpinteria has been awarded $850,000 to establish a community center. Carpinteria is currently the only incorporated city in Santa Barbara County that does not have a dedicated community center to host programming for senior citizens and other community groups.

“The City of Carpinteria is extremely grateful to Congressman Carbajal for helping bring this funding to Carpinteria. These funds will allow us to remain focused on critical infrastructure without sacrificing support for the programs and spaces that serve our residents,” said Michael Ramirez, City Manager for City of Carpinteria.

The Santa Barbara District Attorney has been awarded $236,375 to renovate commercial office space at 235 W. Pueblo Street. This construction project is designed to meet the current needs of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Program/Exam site and more adequately serve sexual assault survivors and child victims of crime in Santa Barbara County.

“The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office is immensely grateful to Congressman Salud Carbajal for his advocacy in securing a $236,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help complete our new Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and Child Advocacy Center (CAC) site in Santa Barbara and update our SART/CAC with advanced forensic and recording technology enhancing the quality of our services and strengthening the pursuit of justice,” said Megan Rheinschild, Victim-Witness Assistance Program Director at the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office.

The funding, which Carbajal championed over the course of the past year’s federal budget negotiations, was signed into law as part of the annual government appropriations process.


Wednesday, April 22nd from 5:00—6:30 PMSmith announces information night for students interested in competing for a U.S. Service Academy nomination

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today announced the date of his United States Service Academy Information Night, which will take place on Wednesday, April 22nd from 5:00—6:30 PM at the Ocean County Resource Center (1005 Hooper Ave., Toms River, NJ 08753).

“Over the years, I’ve had the honor and privilege of nominating many outstanding young men and women for acceptance into our Nation’s Service Academies,” said Smith.

“Many, if not all, of the students I nominated attended one of the Service Academy information sessions hosted by my office. The upcoming Service Academy Information Night offers a comprehensive venue for prospective students to learn more about the nomination process, as well as all the great resources and possibilities that these institutions offer.”

The event will provide important information and resources for high school and college students, who reside in New Jersey’s Fourth Congressional District and are interested in competing for one of Rep. Smith’s congressional nominations to the U.S. Service Academies. Parents and educators are also welcome to attend this valuable information session.

Residents of New Jersey’s Fourth Congressional District between the ages of 17 and 22 (17-25 for the Merchant Marine Academy), who are U.S. citizens and single with no dependents, can seek a nomination to one or more of the Service Academies through Rep. Smith’s office. Interested candidates can start the application process as early as the spring of their junior year of high school.

Nominations are available to those who reside in the Fourth Congressional District, regardless of where they attend[ed] high school or college. The Fourth Congressional District encompasses 21 municipalities in Ocean County and 19 municipalities in Monmouth County, including:

Ocean County:

Bay Head Borough, Beachwood Borough, Berkeley Township (part), Brick Township, Island Heights Borough, Jackson Township, Lacey Township (most), Lakehurst Borough, Lakewood Township, Lavallette Borough, Mantoloking Borough, Manchester Township, Ocean Gate Borough, Pine Beach Borough, Plumsted Township, Point Pleasant Beach, Point Pleasant Borough, Seaside Heights Borough, Seaside Park Borough, South Toms River Borough, Toms River Township.

Monmouth County:

Avon-By-The-Sea Borough, Belmar Borough, Brielle Borough, Colts Neck Township, Eatontown Borough, Farmingdale Borough, Freehold Township (part), Howell Township, Lake Como Borough, Manasquan Borough, Middletown Township (part), Ocean Township, Sea Girt Borough, Shrewsbury Borough, Shrewsbury Township, Spring Lake Borough, Spring Lake Heights Borough, Tinton Falls Borough, Wall Township.

Advance registration is required for this event. Please visit Rep. Smith’s website at ChrisSmith.house.gov and click “Constituent Services” > “Service Academy Nominations,” or call his Constituent Service Center at (732) 504-0567 for the registration form.

The U.S. Service Academies prepare, train, and educate our young men and women to become the best officers and commanders in our Nation’s armed forces. These institutions offer students an incredibly prestigious and high-quality collegiate education experience, completely free-of-charge—provided, of course, that the student graduates and fulfills his or her service obligation.

The U.S. Service Academies are:

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York;

The U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland;

The U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado;

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York; and

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut.*

*The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination. Students may apply directly to the Academy.

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CORREA SECURES $13.3 M+ FOR ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY PROJECTS

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) announced that he secured $13,335,00 million in federal funding for community projects in the Cities of Orange, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Stanton, and Fullerton, which comprise California’s 46th Congressional District.

“While most understand the role of a Congressmember as casting votes on Capitol Hill, there are other ways that we can serve our constituents through our offices. One major way is by securing federal funding for community projects that improve the quality of life and return taxpayer money to the district,” said Rep. Lou Correa. “I sought out projects that would make a lasting impact on Orange County, especially when it came to investing in schools, parks, fire and police stations, as well as senior centers.”

Last year, Rep. Correa worked with community leaders to identify which priorities were most deserving of funding before submitting a list of requests in May 2025. Examples of eligible projects include water infrastructure upgrades, park improvements, public safety projects, and workforce development programs.

Below is the list of Rep. Correa’s community funding requests that have been signed into law:

$1,031,000 to Rancho Santiago Community College District Foundation for Advancing Clean Tech Innovation to accelerate the growth of clean technology startups and help existing businesses transition to more sustainable, efficient operations.

$1,031,000 to Santa Ana College for Santa Ana College Criminal Justice Academies to enhance regional training programs and facilities to meet the current and future demand for correctional and peace officers throughout Orange County and beyond.

$1,031,000 for a Real Time Crime Center to the City of Orange to create a Real Time Crime Center with updated technology that would allow real-time intelligence gathering, predictive crime analytics, and enhanced deployment strategies.

$1,092,000 for PFAS Treatment Projects to the City of Santa Ana to eliminate PFAS contamination from impacted wells. The PFAS Treatment Plants project is necessary to support compliance with California state and federal drinking water health standards and provide a safe, local, drought-proof water supply.

$2,000,000 to City of Santa Ana for Chepa’s Park Reconstruction and Upgrades. Funding would be used to demolish and reconstruct a new community center and other improvements at Chepa’s Park, including a new basketball court, new landscaping, picnic areas, site lighting, new playground equipment and ADA accessible pathways.

$2,000,000 to City of Santa Ana for Euclid Street Multimodal Safety Enhancements. The Euclid Street Multimodal Safety Enhancements Project is a one-and-a-half mile long improvement of a major arterial corridor that incorporates landscaped medians, striped bike lanes, ADA ramps, high visibility crosswalks, and new pavement.

$1,200,000 to City of Anaheim for OC River Walk-Santa Ana River Impoundments Project to transform two miles of the Santa Ana River corridor into an iconic regional destination for recreation and entertainment.

$1,000,000 to City of Anaheim for Boysen Park Improvements Project. Funding will go towards developing an additional 2.5-acres of Boysen Park on an adjacent parcel owned by the City, adding new recreational and support amenities to the existing park, and refreshing existing, outdated amenities to create a multi-generational destination for Anaheim families and visitors.

$850,000 to City of Anaheim for Haskett Branch Library Improvements to complete exterior renovations to preserve the Haskett Branch Library’s structural integrity.

$850,000 to Santa Ana College for Automotive, Diesel-Electric Transportation Technology and Robotic Manufacturing/Welding Program Infrastructure. The project will focus on creating the infrastructure needed to expand these programs by retrofitting a vacant lot and a classroom adjacent to the existing training space for these programs.

$500,000 to City of Orange for OC Riverwalk Upland Habitat Restoration Project. Funding would be used to revitalize the natural landscape, improve biodiversity, and support urban greening in the Orange County Riverwalk area.

$250,000 to City of Fullerton for Independence Park Revitalization to provide inclusive recreational amenities at Independence Park by introducing Fullerton's inaugural adaptive playground and rehabilitating the park’s gym.

$250,000 to City of Fullerton for Fire Stations Rehabilitation Project. This project will make several critical infrastructure upgrades to three Fullerton fire stations within California’s 46th Congressional District.

$250,000 to City of Stanton for Community and Senior Center Complex Enhancements. Funding will go towards making the restrooms ADA compliant and other structural improvements to the Community and Senior Center Complex building.

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Rep. Eli Crane Announces Upcoming Telephone Town Hall

On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) will hold a live telephone town hall from Washington, D.C., at 5:00 p.m. MST.

Constituents will have the opportunity to ask questions, vote in polls, and receive an update from Rep. Crane on the latest developments from Capitol Hill.

With the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025 unanimously passing the House of Representatives last week, Rep. Crane now has four bills that have advanced through the lower chamber. He looks forward to detailing their status in the legislative process, as well as answering questions directly from constituents of Arizona’s Second Congressional District.

Attendees will be given the option to ask their questions aloud or have a moderator relay their message. To join the forum, please call (888) 886-6602 once the town hall begins on Wednesday.


Davids, Vasquez Urge Trump Administration to Reverse Plan to Increase Argentinian Beef Imports

Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) called on the Trump Administration to reverse a new policy that would significantly increase imports of Argentinian beef, warning it would harm American ranchers and fail to lower costs for consumers. The administration received bipartisan backlash over its original beef trade deal last year.

“Your prior policies, including the original bailout and now this expansion of Argentinian beef imports, continue to undermine domestic producers and fail to lower grocery costs for Americans,” the lawmakerswrote.

In a letter to President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Davids and Vasquez raised concerns about a recent executive action allowing up to four times more Argentinian beef imports this year. Argentina made up just two percent of U.S. beef imports in 2024, and economists say increasing imports is unlikely to lower consumer prices — while potentially increasing market volatility and benefiting large corporations over family ranchers.

Farm bankruptcies are also rising, and more imports risk further squeezing struggling operations without delivering meaningful relief at the grocery store. The lawmakers urged the administration to reverse the decision and instead prioritize policies that support American cattle producers and stabilize prices.

“This new Argentinian beef announcement threatens this by increasing market volatility at a time when American producers need support, not sabotage,” the lawmakers continued. “We urge you to reverse the Executive Order on Argentinian beef imports and instead invest in the domestic cattle industry, including smaller, family-owned operations that feed our country.”

Davids and Vasquez have consistently worked to protect American agriculture from harmful trade decisions. Davids previously led efforts urging the administration to reverse its original Argentina bailout and has pushed back against expanded beef imports that undercut Kansas ranchers. She has also supported bipartisan efforts, including an amendment led by Vasquez during Farm Bill negotiations, to strengthen protections for U.S. producers and promote a more resilient domestic food system.

Read the full letter here or below

Dear President Trump and Secretary Rollins,

Following strong bipartisan pushback on last year’s Argentina bailout, we are deeply concerned by your administration’s new announcement to let more foreign beef into the United States. Your recent Executive Order would allow four times as much Argentinian beef to enter the U.S. this year. As members of the House Agriculture Committee representing states with significant cattle sectors, we write to urge you to reverse this decision and prioritize American ranchers and consumers.

Your prior policies, including the original bailout and now this expansion of Argentinian beef imports, continue to undermine domestic producers and fail to lower grocery costs for Americans. Only two percent of imported beef came from Argentina in 2024, and economists indicate higher imports are unlikely to reduce prices meaningfully, though they may boost margins for major food companies.

We understand that factors like the cattle cycle, drought, and other challenges affect beef prices. But instead of supporting American ranchers and helping lower grocery costs, your administration’s policies have created more uncertainty and prioritized bailouts for Argentina and deals with your political allies. Last year, farm bankruptcies rose 46 percent compared with 2024, amid low commodity prices and high input costs, largely driven by your self-inflicted trade war. Ranchers and other producers with diversified operations are one of the few positives in the farm economy.

This new Argentinian beef announcement threatens this by increasing market volatility at a time when American producers need support, not sabotage. Moreover, while your administration has expressed concern about consolidation in meatpacking, no concrete policies have been provided to protect American ranchers and consumers who are paying the price.

We urge you to reverse the Executive Order on Argentinian beef imports and instead invest in the domestic cattle industry, including smaller, family-owned operations that feed our country. We stand ready to work in a bipartisan way to enact policies that strengthen American ranchers and lower grocery prices. Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.

Sincerely,


Congressman Frost Leads Fight Against Wall Street to Defend Affordable Housing Communities

Watch the full press conference HERE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Maxwell Frost has introduced the Promoting Residential Ownership of (PRO) Manufactured Home Communities Act, legislation to promote affordable housing and fight back against profiteering Wall Street investors by helping residents purchase and own their parks.

This introduction follows a press conference, held Friday, in Florida at the former site of Lake Downey Mobile Home Park alongside Florida State Senator LaVon Bracy Davis, Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe, and housing advocates where Rep. Frost highlighted the urgent need to protect manufactured housing residents from greed-driven skyrocketing costs, hostile eviction, and unlivable conditions.

There are over seven million occupied manufactured homes in the United States. Many of the residents who occupy these communities are older than 55, veterans, and on fixed incomes. In recent years, institutional investors have rapidly expanded their ownership of manufactured home parks, 25% of all units in the United States. They are raising rents and fees while reducing maintenance and services. Florida has the most private equity owned parks in the nation.

The PRO Manufactured Home Communities Act incentivizes states like Florida to adopt and strengthen “opportunity to purchase” policies that go beyond existing laws. It increases Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for states and localities that do enough to support resident ownership and helps pay for downpayment assistance.

“Manufactured housing should be an opportunity for affordable homeownership, not a profit center for Wall Street,” said Rep. Frost. “To tackle the housing affordability crisis facing the nation, we must combat institutional investors having the upper hand in bidding for property. This bill gives manufactured home residents a fair shot to own their communities which will prevent eviction and keep costs low.”

“Ensuring residents have a real opportunity to purchase their manufactured housing community is one of the most powerful tools available to protect low-income homeowners and preserve this critical source of affordable housing. We applaud Representative Frost’s leadership in advancing policies that level the playing field, give residents a fair shot at ownership, and strengthen the systems needed to make that ownership possible.” - Emily Thaden, CEO of ROC USA

"During a housing and affordability crisis, this bill would give residents of manufactured housing communities a meaningful opportunity to purchase the communities they call home,” said Alys Cohen, director of federal housing advocacy at the National Consumer Law Center. “Manufactured home owners face high fees, and deficient or unsafe community infrastructure. We thank Representative Frost for introducing legislation that will give these homeowners a fair shake when they try to purchase their communities."

The PRO Manufactured Home Communities Act is endorsed by: ROC USA, National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients), Private Equity Stakeholder Project, MHAction, Americans for Financial Reform, National Manufactured Home Owners Association (NMHOA), National Housing Law Project, National Low Income Housing Coalition


Gluesenkamp Perez Pushes State Leaders To Reopen Skamania Fish Hatchery

WASHINGTON D.C. — Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is encouraging the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to bring the Skamania Hatchery back into operation after its abrupt and unpopular closure at the end of last year.

In a letter to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind, Gluesenkamp Perez argues that the state is failing to put to use federal funds that she helped secure for hatcheries like the Skamania Hatchery. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, the Congresswoman helped secure Mitchell Act funding to help with operations and maintenance of Columbia Basin hatcheries.

“I strongly urge your support in reopening the hatchery and ensuring its continued operation alongside the North Toutle Hatchery,” wrote Gluesenkamp Perez, in a letter to Susewind.

“In Southwest Washington, hatcheries are foundational to our cultural heritage and economic prosperity. The decision to shutter the Skamania Hatchery has reduced steelhead and cutthroat trout production in the Columbia River and nearby tributaries and lakes, disrupting recreational fishing in the area and costing the region a key source of economic and cultural vitality,” added Gluesenkamp Perez.

The full letter to Susewind can be found here.The Congresswoman has brought home funds to dredge the Port of Chinook near the mouth of the Columbia River to support commercial fishing, protecting more than 100 jobs and $50 million in annual catch volume and adding capacity. She has been a leading voice in Congress about exploring new ways to protect the health of fish runs by keeping invasive sea lions populations in check.

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Rep. Grijalva Op-Ed on the ACA’s 16th Anniversary: “Arizonans Want Affordable Healthcare, Not Endless Warfare”

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Adelita S. Grijalva penned an op-ed in The Herald/Review marking the 16th anniversary of when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law, extending healthcare coverage to tens of millions of Americans across the country.

In the op-ed, Rep. Grijalva stresses the urgency of reversing Republican cuts to healthcare programs like Medicaid and Medicare, as well as extending ACA premium assistance, which could have been funded by the money the Trump Administration has spent on the war with Iran.

The full op-ed is copied below:

“Monday marks 16 years since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law. Since its inception, more than 50 million Americans have been able to access healthcare thanks to the ACA, cutting the uninsurance rate in half. 133 million people with pre-existing conditions are now protected against coverage denials and caps on care due to cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.

Make no mistake, our healthcare system is still far from perfect. Millions of Americans are paying too much for their healthcare, are under-insured, or simply do not have coverage. I believe that health care is a human right – not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. That is why I support passing Medicare for All and moving to a universal system that replaces today’s maze of private insurers with a system that puts patients first.

However, gutting the ACA, as Republicans have consistently proposed, is not the solution. Their refusal to extend ACA premium assistance, combined with provisions in Trump’s Big Ugly Law that slash Medicare and Medicaid, is already driving up premiums, shrinking coverage, and putting people’s health at risk. The price tag to extend ACA subsidies for one year would have been about $23 billion. For perspective, we have already spent somewhere between $15 and $40 billion on the war in Iran, with the Trump Administration asking Congress for an additional $200 billion.

Extending the subsidies would have prevented a 30% average increase in marketplace premiums in Arizona, resulting in 70,000 Arizonans choosing to drop their coverage altogether. These premium hikes come on the heels of Republicans passing the Big Ugly Law, which will drastically cut funding for Medicaid and Medicare over the next decade.

The impacts will be devastating for the 1.48 million low-income Arizonans on Medicaid and the 1.19 million Arizona seniors on Medicare. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that the bill will cut $45 billion from Medicare this year alone and $536 billion through 2034. For Medicaid, the cuts are even more dire – with the program losing $1 trillion over the next decade, and a projected 10 million Americans losing coverage by 2034.

These programs were slashed to fund a $1 trillion tax cut for the richest 1% of Americans. Here in Arizona, Medicaid spending could decline by as much as $34 billion over 10 years. The Arizona Chamber Foundation, which advocates for Arizona businesses, found that for every $1 billion the state loses in Medicaid funding, the state will lose 36,000 jobs across multiple sectors, imperiling hospitals and clinics, especially those in rural areas.

The loss of funding aren’t just numbers on paper – they have real world impact. I recently learned about a 29-year-old mother of two in my congressional district who was diagnosed with HIV during her pregnancy. After funding cuts to community health centers led to staff reductions, she lost the medication adherence support that helped her stay on her lifesaving Valley Fever treatment – and as a result, she was hospitalized three times. This problem will be even more acute for rural communities including Bisbee and Nogales, where hospitals are now at risk of closing due to the cuts to Medicaid.

Republican cuts will push more people into already overburdened emergency rooms for uncompensated care, driving up healthcare costs for everyone. No one benefits when patients are forced to seek care only in crisis or receive a late-stage diagnosis because preventive services were out of reach. If we do not reverse these cuts, the consequences will be painful and costly for families across Arizona.

The American people want affordable healthcare, not endless warfare. Quality healthcare is a fundamental right, and we can, and must, do better. I will continue to fight for a system that provides healthcare as a human right for all of us – not just the wealthy few. We can start by immediately reversing Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, and ensure these programs have the funding they need to strengthen care for seniors, people with disabilities, and working families.”


Judiciary, Oversight Democrats Demand DOJ Take 5 Steps Toward Epstein File Transparency

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding that the Department of Justice implement a new process allowing Congress to meaningfully review the unredacted files related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The Department’s current review system violates the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) and has effectively blocked Congress from conducting meaningful oversight of the files.

“Under your leadership, the Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to cover up for Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s co-conspirators and enablers. You are clearly violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) and obstructing Congress’s oversight of your production of the Epstein files. It is now time for a complete reset and a new process aimed at complying with this law, instead of thwarting it, and providing survivors and the American people with the transparency, accountability, and justice to which we are all entitled,” wrote the Members.

Under the EFTA, DOJ was required to release all records related to Epstein subject only to narrow exceptions protecting survivors’ identities, classified information, and active investigations. Instead, DOJ has withheld roughly three million pages of documents and redacted hundreds of thousands more based on privileges Congress expressly rejected in the law.

Journalists, survivors, and members of the public have also continued to identify additional documents that appear to have been improperly withheld or redacted. Survivors reviewing the files have reported that witness interview records known as FD-302s—including documents describing allegations against Epstein’s co-conspirators—appear to be missing from the released materials.

DOJ’s current process for congressional review makes meaningful oversight impossible. Members are only allowed to review documents on four DOJ computers located at a satellite office that is open only during business hours. At that pace, it would take more than seven years for Members to review even the limited set of files DOJ has made available.

The DOJ has further restricted oversight by prohibiting Members from taking notes on their own materials, barring congressional staff from assisting with document review, and monitoring Members’ searches and activities while they review the files.

To remedy these failures, the Members call on DOJ to immediately implement a new review process that would provide Congress full access to the Epstein files, ensure documents available to Members are fully unredacted, establish secure review access on Capitol grounds, allow designated congressional staff to assist with oversight, and end any monitoring of Members’ searches or notes.

The Members demanded that DOJ promptly confirm whether it will adopt these reforms and comply with the transparency requirements Congress enacted into law.


LEADER JEFFRIES: “HOUSE DEMOCRATS WILL CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE HEALTHCARE, NOT WARFARE”

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Rep. Ayanna Pressley for a roundtable and press conference on the Healthcare Not Warfare Day of Action, where they discussed the harmful impacts of prioritizing entering a war of choice in the Middle East over ensuring healthcare is affordable for all Americans.

LEADER JEFFRIES: We gather on the 16th anniversary of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, life-sustaining, life-changing and life-saving legislation. That’s the type of thing that we in Congress should be doing to make life better for the American people. Unfortunately, Republicans, led by President Trump and those Republicans in the House and the Senate, have chosen not to make policy progress but to inflict policy violence on the American people in areas like healthcare and access to healthy food.

In the One Big Ugly Bill, Republicans enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, literally ripping healthcare away from more than 14 million Americans, including our elders. And in that same toxic bill, Republicans enacted the largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history, a $186 billion cut to SNAP, ripping food away from children, from veterans and from hungry seniors in order to give massive tax breaks to their billionaire donors and, at the same period of time, create a $75 billion slush fund to unleash masked and untrained, violent ICE agents to brutalize and kill American citizens, like Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, or violently target law-abiding immigrants families. That’s policy violence and a priority choice that Republicans have made. And now, on top of the One Big Ugly Bill, Republican extremists have chosen to plunge this country into a reckless war of choice and spend billions of dollars to drop bombs in the Middle East without any justification that has been articulated to the American people while cutting healthcare and being unwilling to find a dime to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.

We’re here to make clear, and this roundtable will further equip us as we go back to Washington to emphasize healthcare, not warfare, and to make clear to the American people the types of toxic policy choices that Republicans have chosen to make and our commitment as Democrats to push back aggressively against it. In closing, we believe as Democrats that in this great country of ours, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, access to high-quality healthcare, to primary care, to services at community-based health centers, can’t simply be a privilege available only to the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected. Access to high-quality and affordable healthcare should be a right that is available to everyone, which is why we will continue to emphasize healthcare, not warfare.

Full press availability can be watched here.


San Francisco Congressional Representatives Respond to ICE Incident at SFO

San Francisco, CA – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) and Congressman Kevin Mullin (CA-15) who jointly represent San Francisco in the U.S. House of Representatives, issued the following statement response to reports of ICE agents detaining a woman at the San Francisco International Airport:

“The video of a mother being aggressively detained by ICE agents in front of her daughter at the San Francisco International Airport is yet another heartbreaking example of how Trump’s inhumane immigration enforcement is terrorizing communities across America.

After killing people in our streets and detaining U.S. citizens, ICE has lost all credibility and trust with the public. We demand immediate answers as to the mother’s and her child’s condition and the grounds for their detainment.

The hardworking TSA staff at SFO are contract employees, and we are relieved to hear this incident is not related to Trump’s threat to send ICE agents into airports to perform sensitive airport security for which they are not trained.

Trump and Republicans are failing to keep communities safe and posing risks to families across America.”

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Latta Sends Letter to Secretary Duffy Applauding Administration's Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Leadership

Last week, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy applauding the Department of Transportation (DOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for their recent efforts to advance the safe deployment of AVs across America.

The letter follows NHTSA’s March 10th National AV Safety Forum. At the forum, Administrator Morrison highlighted the safety benefits of AVs, the need for a federal AV framework, and plans for updated AV guidance. This builds on prior Administration action and leadership in automated driving systems.

In his letter, Congressman Latta underscored how AVs can usher in a new era of safety; the need for a federal AV framework; and the stakes of competition with China.

"The Administration has demonstrated unparalleled leadership in safety advancing AV technology. I commend Secretary Duffy and Administrator Morrison for their ongoing efforts to promote this life-saving technology. That said, executive action alone falls short. Congress must act now to ensure durable statutory clarity. This is why I introduced the SELF DRIVE Act, which prioritizes safety, a single federal AV standard, and American competitiveness. If America fails to deliver clear rules, Communist China will scale its technology, influence global standards, and steal manufacturing jobs that must remain in America," said Latta.

Background:

Congressman Latta has been working on autonomous vehicle legislation since 2017. During the 115th Congress, his SELF DRIVE Act passed the House, making it the first Congressional proposal to address autonomous vehicle technology.

Latta introduced the SELF DRIVE Act of 2026 on February 5, 2026. The bill would strengthen safety requirements, clarify NHTSA's authority, improve crash data transparency, and promote U.S. leadership in autonomous vehicles innovation. Last month, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade advanced the bill.

Congressman Latta is the co-chair of the Congressional Autonomous Vehicle Caucus; a bipartisan caucus aimed at educating Congress on how autonomous vehicle technology can improve the safety and accessibility of the nation’s roads.

Read the full letter here and below:

Dear Secretary Duffy:

I write to applaud the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the Administration’s recent efforts to advance the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles (AV) in the United States. Most recently, at NHTSA’s March 10th National AV Safety Forum, Administrator Morrison highlighted the safety benefits of AVs, emphasized the need for a single federal vehicle safety standard, and announced plans for updated AV guidance later this year. This forum builds on the Administration’s broader record of AV leadership. It follows the AV Framework unveiled last spring, the streamlining of the Part 555 exemption process, and the issuance of the first-ever demonstration exemption for American-made AVs.

Safety is at the core of this transformative technology. Nearly 40,000 Americans die on our roads each year, and 94% of crashes are linked to human error. AVs can drastically reduce fatalities caused by distraction, impairment, and fatigue, but to realize that promise, we need clear national rules that prioritize safety and enable responsible deployment. These systems are safe, and we have the data to prove it. Waymo reports over 127 million autonomous miles and substantially lower rates of injury-causing crashes than human drivers, including 85 percent fewer serious injury crashes and 92 percent fewer pedestrian injury crashes.

The forum also reinforced the need for one federal AV framework. More than 35 states have enacted AV laws, resulting in a patchwork that slows deployment and makes it harder for American companies to invest with confidence. The federal government has always overseen the design, construction, and performance of vehicles, and should continue to do so for AVs. As Administrator Morrison argued, “We want to ensure that as AVs cross state lines, the rules remain clear.”

When unveiling the Administration’s AV Framework, you warned that “we’re in a race with China to out-innovate, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.” The United States cannot afford to lose this race. Baidu has already completed over 17 million rides, and Beijing has mandatory AV standards that take effect this year. If America fails to deliver clear national rules, China will scale its technology, influence global standards, and steal manufacturing jobs that should have remained in America.

The AV Safety Forum made clear that the Administration understands the stakes. I appreciate the continued AV leadership NHTSA, the Department, and the Administration have shown. Congress should build on this progress with durable statutory clarity that prioritize safety, a federal standard, and American competitiveness. I look forward to working with you and Administrator Morrison as we advance a responsible federal AV framework.

Thank you for your continued engagement on this issue.


Rep. Mike Levin Announces New Energy Affordability Legislation to Lower Electricity Bills as Iran Conflict Sends Shockwaves Through Global Energy Markets

Encinitas, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) was joined by consumers and local environmental advocates to announce the introduction of the Energy Bills Relief Act, new energy affordability legislation to drive down energy costs amidst global energy market volatility due to the war with Iran.

Over the past 12 months, electricity prices have increased more than twice as fast as inflation — and they are expected to keep rising as the war with Iran continues. Prices will also continue to climb as new data centers and factories connect to the power grid and clean energy credits phase out following their repeal by the Trump Administration. The new Energy Bills Relief Act addresses energy costs in three ways: deploying low-cost clean energy; putting affordability over profits; and modernizing the electric grid.

“Americans are tired of paying more while utilities and fossil fuel companies profit. That's why I'm proud to introduce the Energy Bills Relief Act — a consumer-first plan to lower electricity bills and take on the structural drivers of high energy costs, once and for all. We will deploy affordable clean energy that is good for the planet and your pocketbook, put families over fossil fuel companies, and modernize our grid for the 21st century,” said Rep. Levin. “President Trump promised to cut energy bills in half — instead, he started a war driving up the cost of gas, electricity, and groceries for every American family. We have a plan to lower energy costs and I will fight every single day to make it law.”

The Energy Bills Relief Act prioritizes consumers and ensures access to low-cost energy for our homes, businesses, and economy by:

Reinstating tax credits for home and system-wide energy improvements that were ended by President Trump and congressional Republicans

Incentivizing utility companies to save consumers’ money by rewarding them for making their systems more efficient, thereby lowering bills

Providing financial assistance to American families to make sure their power isn’t shut off

Cracking down on price gouging, so energy companies can’t take advantage of you to boost their profits

Ensuring that facilities like data centers are paying for their own costs because it’s not fair for their expenses to be pushed onto your household if one opens in your area

Giving a voice to the American people so they can benefit from energy projects in their community

“Solana Center for Environmental Innovation is pleased to host Congressman Levin as he introduces important legislation to promote clean, reliable energy sources in the USA,” said Jessica Toth, Executive Director of Solana Center for Environmental Innovation. “Our mission is to prevent the loss of natural resources and limit greenhouse gases emissions. Legislation requires community actors to drive intended outcomes. Solana Center is here to make the possible practical – lowering consumption, decarbonizing, and consuming responsibly.”

“In the middle of an affordability crisis, no one should be forced to cut back on essentials to keep their power on. The Energy Bills Relief Act is a straightforward step to ease that burden and finally deliver the kind of relief people can actually feel without gutting environmental protections and with Tribal consultation,” said Aaron McCall, Federal Advocacy Coordinator, California Environmental Voters. “Lowering these costs isn’t just good policy, it’s necessary to protect families right now. It’s time to stop letting high energy bills drain Californians and start putting money back where it belongs.”

“Two out of five homes in San Diego are behind on their bills, with families forced to choose between putting food on the table, going to the doctor, or keeping the lights on. And this isn’t just a few people here or there, it’s a crisis,” said Serena Pelka, Senior Policy Advocate, Climate Action Campaign. “The Energy Bills Relief Act is an important solution to tackle root causes of high energy costs.”

Text of the legislation can be found here.

A section-by-section can be found here.

A one-page summary can be found here. A three-page summary can be found here.

A list of cosponsors can be found here.

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Messmer Celebrates $200 Million Manufacturing Investment in Indiana’s 8th District

PRINCETON, IN – Today, Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN) issued the following statement in response to Toyota Indiana’s announcement of a $200 million investment in their Gibson County facility:

“Today’s announcement that Toyota will invest $200 million to expand its production capacity at the Gibson County plant is tremendous news for Southwest Indiana and our whole state. Increasing production of the Grand Highlander will further strengthen a facility that already employs more than 7,300 Hoosiers. This welcomed news from Toyota reflects that international businesses recognize a community that is hard working and supports manufacturing. I will continue my efforts in Congress to advance policies that recruit economic investment, promote job creation, and expand opportunities for Hoosier families so the Eighth District remains competitive and prosperous.”

To learn about how Rep. Messmer is working to promote job creation and economic growth in Indiana’s 8th Congressional District, click here.

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ICYMI, Yellowhammer News: U.S. Navy Secretary, Alabama delegation cut ribbon on $2.4 billion submarine factory in Cherokee

Cherokee, AL – Yellowhammer News published the following story detailing the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Hadrian’s new shipbuilding and maritime production facility in Cherokee, AL. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, along with Secretary of the Navy, John C. Phelan, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R, MS), U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04), U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R, AL), U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R, AL), and Hadrian CEO, Chris Power gave remarks at the event.

Read the full story in Yellowhammer News here and below.

U.S. Navy Secretary, Alabama delegation cut ribbon on $2.4 billion submarine factory in Cherokee

Mecca Musick

March 20, 2026

U.S. Federal and state leaders converged Friday in Cherokee, Alabama to mark the opening of a massive new defense manufacturing facility, a project expected to transform Northwest Alabama into a key hub for U.S. naval production.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held at the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park on the site of a former railcar manufacturing facility, drew a crowd of military officials, elected leaders, industry partners and community members.

The 2.2-million-square-foot facility will anchor shipbuilding and maritime production tied to the U.S. Navy.

“This is about that kick-ass Alabama spirit,” said Chris Power, founder and CEO of Hadrian. “We’re betting on the people of this state to step up and deliver when it matters most.”

Hadrian, an advanced manufacturing company focused on precision components for defense and aerospace, is partnering with the U.S. Navy on the project.

The facility, known as Factory 4, will mass-produce critical submarine components supporting both Columbia- and Virginia-class programs, helping address long-standing production bottlenecks in the maritime industrial base.

According to company officials, the facility will utilize Hadrian’s AI-powered manufacturing platform to streamline production, reduce supply chain bottlenecks and operate more efficiently than traditional defense manufacturing systems.

“We are done with free money in the Department of the Navy to the defense primes industry”, said Power. “The president directed us to move faster. Congress has cleared a path, the Navy has set the requirement, and today Hadrian is setting the foundation to deliver that capacity to the workers who will fill this facility. You are not just building parts, you’re building the submarines that underpin our nuclear deterrent and our most survivable nuclear deterrent.”

Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, U.S. Sens. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), Mike Rogers (R-Saks), Dale Strong (R-Huntsville), and Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside state and local leaders.

The project represents a more than $2.4 billion public-private investment, combining over $1.5 billion in private capital with $900 million in federal funding, and is part of a broader effort to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity.

Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan highlighted the project’s role in rebuilding America’s industrial capacity and military readiness.

“This is not just another factory. This is a different model,” Phelan said.

“This is not just an investment in infrastructure. It is an investment in the American worker in Alabama communities and in the future of American security. This is how we begin restoring the industrial base and it returns in service of the American taxpayer and maritime dominance. This is what the Golden Fleet looks like in execution,” he said.

The project revives a long-dormant industrial site, previously home to FreightCar America before its closure in 2021, and positions the Shoals as an emerging center for advanced manufacturing tied to national defense.

Rep. Aderholt, whose district includes the Shoals, called the project a long-awaited milestone after years of effort to redevelop the vacant site.

“We are opening a factory of the future,” Aderholt said. “The Shoals is ready, and this facility shows what’s possible when you invest in communities that are willing to compete and win.”

The facility is expected to create up to 1,000 high-quality jobs and reach full production capacity within about two years. Officials say its highly automated systems will allow workers to be trained and production-ready in as little as 30 days, significantly faster than traditional defense manufacturing.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers warned that the U.S. must rebuild its defense base to meet growing global threats.

“We were at a dangerously low level of defense spending,” Rogers said. “We’re at the beginning of a process to rebuild our defense industrial base, and it’s going to take partners like this to get us where we need to be.”

Sen. Tuberville emphasized both the strategic and economic significance of the project.

“They’re going to be building submarines in Alabama, on a river,” Tuberville said.

“The economy here will boom. It will explode and you will be protecting this country because we’re behind in submarines and ships, behind China,” he said. “China is our number one adversary. And by golly, we’re not going to let them continue to outrun us in anything. And the people here in Muscle Shoals will make sure that that doesn’t happen for years and years to come.”

Senator Britt pointed to the broader impact on American manufacturing and workforce development.

“American manufacturing is the backbone of American strength, and Alabama is going to help revitalize it and make sure that we are ready for whatever the world sends our way,” Britt said.

“Our great state has known this for a long time, and that’s the National Defense means a great deal to Alabama. But what the world continues to find out is that Alabama means a great deal to our National Defense,” she said.

Closing the ceremony, Power had a special message for Northwest Alabama’s workforce.

“I also want to remind everybody that what is the point of having shared responsibility unless you also give the responsibility upside to the workforce,” he said. “So everyone in this building who comes and works for us are also the equity holders in Hadrian, because I cannot ask you to step up unless we also let you share in the rewards and the wealth will be great here.”

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Griffith Announces $7.56 Million USDA Loan Guarantee for Martinsville Sawmill Project

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a loan guarantee of $7,568,000 to Twain Capital. While based in Mississippi, Twain Capital will focus on acquiring and restarting the idle Pine Products Sawmill in Martinsville, Virginia. The funding will support the facility in resuming its operations. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“The USDA is relying on communities like those in Virginia’s Ninth District to support expanded timber production in the United States.

“This USDA loan guarantee for more than $7.5 million helps Twain Capital revive an essential industry in Virginia’s Ninth District.”

BACKGROUND

According to the USDA, this loan guarantee was made possible by the Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program.

This program reflects the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to support the American timber industry.

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Congresswoman Nikema Williams’ Statement on Trump Sending ICE to Hartsfield-Jackson

Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) released the following statement on President Trump’s decision to deploy ICE to Hartsfield-Jackson and airports around the country.

“Under the guise of supporting TSA workers, Donald Trump is deploying ICE agents to Hartsfield-Jackson to intimidate travelers.

TSA officers—the people trained to keep travelers safe—are showing up to work without pay while Trump and Republicans repeatedly block legislation to fund TSA. All because they refuse to accept even basic reforms to keep ICE from terrorizing our communities.

There’s a straightforward solution here, and it doesn’t involve Trump’s ICE standing in for a job they are not trained to do.

It’s time for Republicans to join us and pass legislation to pay TSA workers now. The crisis in our airports right now is manufactured, and we could end it right now if Republicans would come to the table and do their jobs.”


ICYMI: Chairman Pfluger Requests GAO Review of Threats Posed by AI-Enabled Terrorism

WASHINGTON, DC — ICYMI (In Case You Missed It): Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), requesting a comprehensive review of how violent extremists and malicious actors weaponize emerging technologies and applications.

In the letter, Chairman Pfluger raises concerns that adversaries are increasingly exploiting advanced AI tools to generate propaganda, spread misinformation, and accelerate online radicalization at an unprecedented scale and speed. He notes that generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) enables extremists to produce targeted propaganda and recruitment materials at minimal costs, while agentic artificial intelligence (AAI) amplifies these efforts by executing harmful behaviors with minimal human involvement. Read more in Washington Post Intelligence’s AI and Tech Brief.

In the letter, Chairman Pfluger writes, “As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly becomes a part of the everyday lives of Americans, so too do malicious actors seek to exploit emerging AI technologies and applications to pursue harmful, even deadly, agendas… Violent extremists and other illicit actors—including but not limited to insiders who pose threats and malicious cyber actors—will inevitably seek inventive ways to exploit these emerging technologies to support a wide range of terrorist tactics and other criminal activities.”

Chairman Pfluger concludes, “The use of GenAI and AAI by violent extremists and other illicit actors poses a broad and evolving national security threat. The speed, scale, and adaptability these technologies enable will challenge the federal government’s ability to detect, respond to, and deter terrorist activities; however, the nature and scope of the challenges associated with countering these AI-enabled threats are not well understood.”

Read the full letter here.

BACKGROUND

In November 2025, the House of Representatives passed Chairman Pfluger’s “Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act,” which requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct annual assessments of the terrorism threats to the U.S. posed by terrorist organizations that use GenAI applications for terrorist activity.

In March 2025, Chairman Pfluger held a hearing to examine how foreign terrorist organizations use the internet and emerging technology to inspire attacks in the homeland. Witnesses and Members discussed how America can protect the First Amendment while simultaneously preventing potential terrorist attacks, how content moderation should be done on a platform level, and how to best coordinate between federal, state, and local law enforcement.


Stanton Statement on Recent Violence in the West Bank

PHOENIX – Today, U.S. Congressman Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) issued the following statement following this weekend's violence in the West Bank:

"This past weekend, extremist Israeli settlers carried out coordinated, violent attacks against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.

These attacks deserve clear condemnation as acts of terrorism, and I strongly condemn them as such. Those responsible must be held fully accountable, because without real consequences, this pattern of violence will continue.


Rep. Titus Welcomes Senate Companion Bill to Curb Prediction Markets Sports Betting

Congresswoman Dina Titus today applauded the introduction of a companion bill in the Senate to her Fair Markets and Sports Integrity Act to ban prediction markets from offering sports bets outside of state regulation.

“The introduction of this legislation in the Senate is further evidence that awareness of the threats posed by unregulated sports betting is growing,” the Congresswoman said. “I applaud Senator Adam Schiff of California and Senator John Curtis of Utah for this legislation to protect consumers and ensure sports wagering revenues are properly directed to states to support education and other critical public services. So-called prediction markets are exploiting regulatory gaps, undermining state gaming laws, and exposing consumers to unnecessary risk.”

Like the Fair Markets and Sports Integrity Act, the Senate legislation, the Prediction Markets Are Gambling Act, would prohibit entities regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission from listing contracts that closely resemble a sports bet or a casino-style game. Billions are being wagered currently through platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket.


Congressman Van Drew Calls on Governor Sherrill to Act on Soaring Utility Bills Immediately

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew renewed his call for immediate action from Governor Sherrill as utility bills across South Jersey continue to skyrocket, with many families now paying delivery fees that are double or even triple their actual energy usage.

"People in South Jersey are opening their bills and seeing something that just does not make sense," said Congressman Van Drew. "In many cases, the delivery fees are higher than the cost of electricity itself. That is not normal, and it is not acceptable. For years, the state made bad decisions. They shut down reliable energy sources like nuclear, gas, and coal plants, including Beesley's Point coal plant, which was supposed to be converted to natural gas but was instead shut down. They took dependable power off the grid and never replaced it. Instead, they poured billions into offshore wind projects that were never going to deliver affordable, reliable energy. Now we are forced to import energy from other states at a much higher cost, and that failure is being dumped directly onto the backs of our residents through these outrageous delivery fees.

"The Governor and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities have the authority to fix this, and they need to act now. I am once again calling on them to repeal these excessive delivery fees. The root of this problem lies at the state level. My hands are virtually tied here, but I am trying desperately at the federal level to help where I can. I have recently introduced a package of bills aimed at stopping unnecessary charges and protecting families from being forced to pay for costly energy programs. But the reality is that this is not a priority for every state because many states do not have this problem. At the end of the day, this problem was created by the past Governor, and it has to be fixed by this Governor."

Package of Bills:

H.R. 1148, the Stop Misappropriating Ratepayer Tariffs for Excessive Resources (SMARTER) Act- requires states to consider prohibiting utilities from passing the cost of expensive smart grid projects onto ratepayers through Societal Benefit delivery charges.

H.R. 5896, the Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives (GRID) Act- repeals federal standards tied to electric vehicle charging programs that are currently funded through Societal Benefits delivery charges.


Reps. Vasquez, Davids Stand with Ranchers and Urge Administration to Reverse Plan to Increase Argentinian Beef Imports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 23, 2026, U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) sent a letter demanding the Administration reverse its Argentinian beef import policy, condemning it for putting large foreign corporations over American ranchers and consumers. The Administration’s plan to import Argentinian beef has receivedbipartisan backlash due to its failure to lower costs for consumers and the harm it inflicts on American ranchers, who have already been facing headwinds from the New World Screwworm, severe drought, tariffs, wildfire and rising input costs.

“Your prior policies, including the original bailout and now this expansion of Argentinian beef imports, continue to undermine domestic producers and fail to lower grocery costs for Americans,” the lawmakers wrote.

“This new Argentinian beef announcement threatens this by increasing market volatility at a time when American producers need support, not sabotage,” the lawmakers continued. “We urge you to reverse the Executive Order on Argentinian beef imports and instead invest in the domestic cattle industry, including smaller, family-owned operations that feed our country.”

In the letter to President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Vasquez and Davids raised concerns about a recent executive action allowing up to four times more Argentinian beef imports this year compared to years prior. Argentinian beef made up just two percent of U.S. beef imports in 2024, and economists say increasing imports is unlikely to lower consumer prices — while potentially increasing market volatility and benefiting large corporations over family ranchers.

Ranchers across southern New Mexico have raised concerns that increased imports would not bring down prices at the grocery store and could further squeeze domestic producers already struggling with higher costs and environmental challenges.

Rep. Vasquez’s and Rep. Davids’ letter reflects growing bipartisan concern about protecting U.S. cattle growers and ensuring trade policies do not harm domestic agriculture. It also builds on his long record of fighting for American ranchers.

On March 3, 2026, Rep. Vasquez secured unanimous, bipartisan support in the House Agriculture Committee for his Farm Bill amendment condemning the Administration’s push to prioritize Argentinian beef imports at the expense of our American cattle ranchers. In 2024, Vasquez adamantly opposed the Biden administration’s push to import beef from Paraguay. No matter the political party, Rep. Vasquez is fully committed to fighting for American ranchers.

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Rep. Watson Coleman Secures Half a Million in Community Project Funding for Old Bridge Food Bank

Ewing, NJ (March 23, 2026) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced $500,000 in federal funding to support Old Bridge Food Bank for building improvements.

The Old Bridge Food Bank assists families and individuals in the fight against food insecurity and develops partnerships with other organizations and agencies to provide clients with fresh produce, bread, milk, and eggs. Rep. Watson Coleman was joined by Old Bridge Mayor Eleanor “Debbie” Walker, Director of Public Works Kasey Lenning, Business Administrator Anahita Feltz, Director of Parks & Recreation and Social Services Matt Mercurio, Food Bank Manager Kristin Agunbiade, and Food Bank Coordinator Leah Marke.

“As New Jersey’s lone appropriator in Congress, it is my responsibility to ensure that New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District receives its share of government resources,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “Far too many families are struggling to make ends meet. As the cost of groceries continues to rise, keeping food on the table is one of our toughest and most important challenges. I’m proud to work with Old Bridge’s Food Bank to close the gap for families in need.”

In addition to the building improvements at the Old Bridge Food Bank, 14 other organizations and projects in New Jersey’s 12th District will receive federal community project funding to be put towards infrastructure improvements, environmental protections, community safety, recreation, modernization and more. Congresswoman Watson Coleman has secured a total of $16,530,000 for projects in the 12th district.


Rep. Whitesides Announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition

Rep. Whitesides Condemns the President’s Anti-Science Budget Proposal

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Rep. Whitesides Honors Santa Clarita in Annual Congressional Hockey Challenge, Raises Money for Charity

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Rep. Whitesides Leads Robust Funding Effort for Earthquake Safety System

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Rep. George Whitesides Urges Safeguards and Oversight Following Reports of Pentagon AI Ultimatum

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Rep. Whitesides’ Bill to Use Advanced Technology on Wildfire Prevention Passes U.S. House

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Rep. George Whitesides Announces Antelope Valley College President As State of the Union Guest

WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, Rep. George Whitesides (CA-27) announced that he will be joined by Dr....

ICYMI: Rep. Whitesides Announces $1 Million Federal Investment into Local Law Enforcement at Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station

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WATCH HERE: Rep. George Whitesides Honors Santa Clarita Lady Flyers for Championship Win After Tragic Crash

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WATCH HERE: Rep. George Whitesides Testifies in Support of Veteran Housing Bill

View and download the full video here. WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, Rep. George Whitesides testified at the House...

Rep. George Whitesides Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Transparency in Veterans’ Home Loan Program

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Wittman Secures Funding for Powhite Parkway Extension Phase II in Chesterfield County

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) presented Chesterfield County with $8 million for the Powhite Parkway Extension Phase II. This Community Project Funding request was secured in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Act and signed into law on February 3rd.

“Fostering economic growth in the First District is one of my top priorities,” said Rep. Wittman. “That's why I fought for funding for the Powhite Parkway Extension project. My $8 million funding request will provide for the completion of the parkway expansion between Woolridge Road and U.S. Route 360 — connecting Chesterfield county to the Richmond area and expanding economic opportunities for residents.”

The funding will be used by Chesterfield County to support geotechnical exploration, surveys, and preliminary bridge design efforts, including hydraulic modeling, for phase II of the Powhite Parkway Extension project. The project will complete the parkway between Woolridge Road and U.S. Route 360, connecting the Upper Magnolia Green economic development site and the growing western area of Chesterfield County with the greater Richmond region. This connection will foster economic growth and enable the county to attract industries to the Upper Magnolia Green area that will generate economic expansion and provide high-paying jobs for Virginians across the region.

Community Project Funding (CPF) allows Members of Congress to bring tax dollars back home for district-specific priorities. Members have firsthand knowledge of their district’s needs and can prioritize federal funding for the most critical local projects—rather than leaving those decisions to unelected bureaucrats in Washington who lack a direct connection to the community. For Congressman Wittman, these projects address clear and present needs in communities across Virginia and enjoy broad support. The federal dollars designated for CPF projects exist within existing budget limits, reinforcing Congress’s control over the power of the purse. Rather than allowing that money to fund projects in different states, Community Project Funding gives Congressman Wittman the ability to empower Virginians by ensuring they have a critical voice in determining where budgeted funding goes.


Alsobrooks: “Absolute No” on Markwayne Mullin

TRAVEL ALERT: To receive the latest security alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate, we encourage all Maryland constituents abroad to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), follow the U.S. Department of State – Security Updates for U.S. Citizens channel on WhatsApp (click the link) and follow the Department of State on social media at @TravelGov. Constituents can also find alerts at the Embassy’s website and on Travel.State.gov. Marylanders in the Middle East who need to reach the State Department can call Consular Affairs 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad) and +1-888-407-4747 (from the United States and Canada).

March 23, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) issued the following statement after voting against Markwayne Mullin to be Secretary of Homeland Security:

“Both Kristi Noem and Markwayne Mullin share the one qualification that matters to Republicans: complete allegiance to the President and his lawlessness.

“At the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem oversaw masked men killing Americans in our streets in broad daylight. She advanced an agenda focused on separating families, undermining fundamental rights, and making our communities less safe.

“Markwayne Mullin would repeat those same failures. That’s why I voted ‘No.’

“I’ll keep saying: not another penny to ICE until SERIOUS reforms are put in place.”

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