NEWS: Senator Blunt Rochester Releases Statement on Fire at Mother African Union Church

U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) today released a statement in response to the devastating fire at Mother African Union Church in Wilmington, DE.

“Very sad news for Delawareans to wake up to this Sunday morning. Mother African Union church is a historic landmark and present-day conscience within our community. It is also a powerful symbol of liberation for Black Americans nationwide. The Mother Church has a rich history as a safe haven for African Americans to worship and build community, dating back to 1814. Its August Quarterly has brought people of African descent together in freedom and solidarity annually for centuries.

While I’m grateful that no one was physically hurt, I am mourning with Rev. Dr. Whitaker and the entire Mother African congregation, and pray that the God uplifts them in this difficult time and remind them that weeping may endure for a season, but joy is coming in the morning.”


Heinrich Leads Effort in Successfully Striking GOP’s First Attempt to Fund $1 Billion for Trump’s Ballroom in Republican’s Budget Bill

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, U. S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, after winning an initial challenge before the Senate Parliamentarian, who advised that the current language in Republicans' budget bill providing funding for Trump’s gilded ballroom would be subject to a 60-vote Byrd Rule point of order:

“Throwing a billion taxpayer dollars at Trump’s gold-plated ballroom is the last thing Congress should be doing while hardworking Americans are getting crushed at the gas pump, at the grocery store, and by higher housing, health care, and home energy costs. That's why Senate Democrats are fighting tooth and nail to strip the funding for Trump’s gold-plated ballroom from this Republican funding bill.

“Republicans’ only focus has been funding Trump’s ballroom and throwing tens of billions more taxpayer dollars at ICE and Border Patrol without any reforms or accountability – all while providing $0 in cost relief to American families. Senate Democrats are focused on bringing down costs, and throughout this process, Democrats will continue to show the American people that we are fighting to make it easier for families to get ahead and build an economy where families thrive and billionaires pay their fair share.”

BACKGROUND:

Under Senate rules, provisions included in a budget reconciliation bill must have a direct impact on federal spending or revenue and cannot be considered “extraneous” to the budget process. The Senate Parliamentarian is the nonpartisan official responsible for interpreting those rules, including the Byrd Rule — a Senate rule designed to prevent unrelated policy provisions from being jammed into reconciliation bills that can pass with a simple majority instead of the usual 60-vote threshold. In this case, the Parliamentarian advised that Republicans’ proposal to spend taxpayer dollars on Trump’s ballroom would be subject to a Byrd Rule challenge, meaning Democrats can force a vote requiring 60 senators to keep the provision in the bill — a threshold Republicans are unlikely to meet.

Heinrich and his colleagues are prepared to challenge any future language the Republicans try to pass to use taxpayer dollars to fund Trump’s ballroom.

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Representatives Moore, Carbajal Lead Bipartisan Effort to Support Transit Infrastructure in Mid-Sized Cities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to provide more federal support for transportation infrastructure in medium-sized cities.

The Medium Transit Intensive Cities (MTIC) Authorization Act creates a new Medium Transit Intensive Cities category within the Section 5307 transit-funding program. The program would be modeled on the successful Small Transit Intensive Cities (STIC) formula but designed for medium-sized urban areas with 200,000 to 999,999 residents.

While medium-sized urban areas often provide transit service comparable in quality and intensity to large metropolitan systems, the current federal funding formula for infrastructure projects does not adequately recognize or reward their performance.

"Existing transit programs often favor either small or large cities, overlooking medium-sized cities such as Ogden and Layton in Northern Utah. By creating a federal set-aside to reward high-performing transit agencies operating in medium-sized cities, we can ensure that transit agencies are able to meet citizens' needs and make the long-term investments necessary to support growing populations. I’m excited to work with Representative Carbajal to introduce the Medium Transit Intensive Cities Authorization Act to support medium-sized communities that are providing high-quality transit options,” Rep. Moore said.

“Many medium-sized cities on the Central Coast and across the country have strong transit systems that people depend on to get to work, school, and to stay connected with their communities,” Rep. Carbajal said. “But the current federal transit funding framework isn’t adequate for these communities, leaving too many of them without the support they need. My bipartisan bill closes that gap by ensuring we invest in transit systems that serve their riders effectively, no matter the community’s size.”

“Utah Transit Authority (UTA) strongly supports the Medium Transit Cities Authorization Act and applauds Rep. Salud Carbajal and Rep. Blake Moore for their leadership in advancing this important bipartisan legislation,” UTA Executive Director Jay Fox said. “Mid-sized regions like Utah’s are experiencing rapid growth and increasing transit demand, yet too often face challenges competing for limited federal transit resources. This legislation will help ensure communities that are meeting or exceeding performance benchmarks receive the fair share of federal transit funding to improve mobility, reduce congestion, and strengthen regional economies. UTA is especially grateful to Congressman Moore for championing this issue and advocating for transit systems in Utah that are delivering real results for the communities they serve.”

Under current law, transit agencies in medium-sized regions are effectively measured against—and must compete with—large urban areas with populations over one million, which benefit from scale, density, and significantly greater resources. As a result, even high-performing medium-sized transit systems are at a structural disadvantage and are less able to access performance-based funding opportunities available within the existing framework.

The MTIC program would dedicate 1.5 percent of Section 5307 funding to reward transit agencies in these mid-sized regions that meet or exceed performance benchmarks. Metrics such as ridership, service frequency, and service provided per capita would be used to ensure that funding is directed toward systems delivering strong results for their communities.

By aligning incentives with performance, this proposal would:

Reward high-performing transit agencies in medium-sized regions that are often overlooked in the current formula

Encourage improved service delivery and efficiency, strengthening transit systems nationwide

Promote equity across urbanized areas by recognizing that strong transit outcomes are not limited to the largest cities

Support economic growth and mobility in communities that rely on robust transit but lack proportional federal support


Buchanan Announces 2026 Service Academy Appointments

16 FL-16 Students Appointed to Service Academies

Photograph L to R: Micah Pubillones, Jack Crosbie, Caine Cokkinias, Hunter Wilk, Dax Morgan, Caitlin Nguyen, John Wheaton

Riverview, Fla. — Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan announced that 16 of the students he nominated have received an appointment to a U.S. Service Academy.

“I would like to congratulate these exceptional young men and women on earning appointments to our nation’s prestigious U.S. Service Academies,” said Buchanan. “This achievement reflects their hard work, leadership, character and commitment to serving our country. It is a tremendous honor for these students, their families, their mentors and our entire community. I wish them continued success as they begin this important journey in service to our nation.”

Each year, members of the U.S. House and Senate nominate high school seniors in their districts and states for admission to the U.S. Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military and Naval Academies. Applicants who meet strict qualifications are interviewed and recommended by a non-partisan Service Academy Board appointed by the congressman. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination to be accepted.

The following students nominated by Buchanan received an academy appointment for the fall:

Manatee County

Jack Crosbie, Lakewood Ranch High School, appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy

Erik Geiger Thompson, Culver Academy, appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy

Makayla Berlin, Farragut Academy, appointed to the U.S. Military Academy

Etienne Gaillard, Acellus Academy, appointed to the U.S. Military Academy

Dax Morgan, IMG Academy, appointed to the U.S. Merchant Marines Academy

Aidan Peters, Georgia Military College, appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy

Hillsborough County

Caine Cokkinias, Newsome High School, appointed to the U.S. Military Academy

Reid Freda, Lakeland Christian High School, appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy

Tyler Stargardt, Newsome High School, appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy

Hunter Wilk, Newsome High School, appointed to the U.S. Military Academy

Caitlin Nguyen, Riverview High School, appointed to the U.S. Merchant Marines Academy

Micah Pubillones, home schooled, appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy

John Wheaton, Newsome High School, appointed to the U.S. Merchant Marines Academy

Rory Jones, Newsome High School, appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy

Lazariyah Rashae Aranda, Naval Academy Prep School, appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy

Levi Ward, Georgia Military College, appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy

The U.S. Service Academies are four-year post-secondary institutions that combine educational excellence with military officer training. Students accepted to the academies receive a free four-year education in return for a commitment to serve five-years in the active-duty military after graduation.

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Dingell, Joyce, McCaul Introduce Resolution Raising Awareness of Pediatric Cancer

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), David Joyce (R-OH-14), and Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), introduced a resolution honoring May 17 as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) Awareness Day to support expanded research for treatments and care for DIPG, a deadly form of pediatric cancer. DIPG is the leading cause of childhood death due to brain tumors; less than one percent of its victims live more than five years after diagnosis.

“It is impossible to express the heartbreak and devastation a family faces when their child receives a cancer diagnosis. Every cancer battle is grueling, but for a child with a whole life ahead of them, it is a uniquely devastating journey,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “DIPG remains one of the deadliest pediatric brain tumor diagnoses, and its low survival rates make clear we must do more. We must work together to continue the fight against childhood cancer by driving awareness, supporting research endeavours, and pursuing the treatments these children deserve. No family should ever face this fight alone, and together, we can make sure they never do.”

"Every child deserves to live a happy and healthy life, but unfortunately, those diagnosed with DIPG have to deal with an incredibly difficult and uncertain future," said Congressman Joyce. "The children and families dealing with this terrible disease merit support from all levels, including Congress. I want to thank Representatives Dingell and McCaul for their unwavering support and commitment to fighting this cancer and working towards a cure."

"With a heartbreaking survival rate of less than one percent, DIPG is considered the most lethal form of childhood cancer. We must do everything in our power to change that and give these children the futures they deserve. As founder of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, I'm proud to join Reps. Dingell and Joyce in raising awareness of DIPG as we work toward a cure. For the precious young lives diagnosed with this disease, there’s no time to waste," said Congressman McCaul.

"It’s a challenge to adequately express my gratitude for Representative Dingell's steadfast commitment to raise awareness of the urgent, unmet medical needs of children with DIPG with the DIPG Awareness Resolution. Most people don’t know that brain cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in children in our country, and that for decades nothing has significantly changed in DIPG’s terminal diagnosis. Representatives Dingell, Joyce, and McCaul all merit our gratitude for ensuring that this voiceless community of suffering is recognized, and that outcomes for children with DIPG are improved," said Janet Demeter, President of Jack's Angels.

This resolution raises awareness and supports efforts by the Carr family, who launched the Chad Tough Foundation in 2015 in honor of five-year-old Chad Carr of Ann Arbor, who lost his battle with DIPG in 2015; Jack's Angels Foundation that was launched in honor of three-year-old Jack Demeter who lost his battle with DIPG in 2012; and every family impacted by DIPG.

View the full text of the resolution HERE.


Dingell Secures More Than $72 Million in Healthcare Funding for the University of Michigan

Today, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) announced she secured $72,215,728 in federal grant funding for the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor to support a wide range of research initiatives, including aging, nursing, neurological disorders, cancer, and more. The funding comes from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and was made possible by Congresswoman Dingell’s advocacy.

“This funding will bolster the University of Michigan’s leadership in research and innovation,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “These federal grants are a powerful investment in the health, safety, and well-being of our communities, and I am proud to have secured this money. I will never stop working to deliver federal resources to Michigan that secure better treatments and improve patient outcomes.”

Projects receiving funding include:

$5,357,600 for Aging Research

$1,291,669 for Alcohol Research Programs

$4,926,655 for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research

$172,720 for Arthritis Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research

$1,728,000 for B - Cooperative Agreements

$6,052,192 for Biomedical Research and Research Training

$3,933,654 for Blood Diseases and Resources Research

$2,504,638 for Cancer Biology Research

$1,056,331 for Cancer Cause and Prevention Research

$361,475 for Cancer Research Manpower

$3,035,105 for Cancer Treatment Research

$5,366,789 for Cardiovascular Diseases Research

$5,272,226 for Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research

$399,999 for D33 - Preventive Medicine Residencies

$3,084,398 for Diabetes Digestive and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research

$2,649,914 for Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health

$3,163,758 for Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs

$1,611,738 for Environmental Health

$2,940,414 for Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders

$500,000 for H30 - Hemophilia Treatment Centers (SPRANS)

$1,005,852 for Lung Diseases Research

$1,715,793 for Medical Library Assistance

$4,662,752 for Mental Health Research Grants

$137,160 for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research

$5,031,047 for Oral Diseases and Disorders Research

$191,582 for Research Infrastructure Programs

$750,707 for Research on Healthcare Costs Quality and Outcomes

$1,570,188 for Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders

$67,117 for RFA-CE-22-003 Rigorously Evaluating Programs and Policies to Pre

$366,572 for T76 - Maternal and Child Health Public Health Training Program

$1,287,683 for Vision Research

A full list of projects receiving grant funding can be found HERE.


Whip Emmer: Tim Walz, DFL Block Life-Changing Tax Cuts for Minnesotans

WASHINGTON – House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) released a statement following the conclusion of the 2026 Minnesota legislative session, during which Tim Walz and Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party officials blocked key provisions of the Working Families Tax Cuts from going into effect for hardworking Minnesota families.

“Tim Walz and the DFL just blocked historic tax relief for hardworking Minnesotans for one reason and one reason only: they are sick with Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Whip Emmer. “Tens of thousands of tipped and overtime workers in Minnesota stood to keep their hard-earned pay thanks to the Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts, but out-of-touch Leftists hate to see the American people win under President Trump’s leadership. Make no mistake, Tim Walz and the DFL just sacrificed the freedom, prosperity, and success of Minnesotans on the altar of their radical, far-left base.”

Background:

President Trump signed the Working Families Tax Cuts into law on July 4, 2025. The Minnesota legislature and Governor Tim Walz failed to conform the state tax code to match that of the new federal law, denying massive wins for Minnesotans.

Minnesota families and workers were estimated to win big thanks to provisions within the Working Families Tax Cuts:

A typical family with two children in Minnesota could have seen a higher take-home pay of about $7,700 to $11,100, thanks to the bill.

Around 4% of the labor force in Minnesota is employed in occupations that would likely benefit from the no taxes on tips provision of the bill.

Around 24% of all employees in Minnesota regularly work overtime and could benefit from the no tax on overtime provision of the bill. An even larger 62% of workers in Minnesota are in occupations that are likely eligible for overtime and could also benefit.

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RELEASE: Gottheimer Announces New Bipartisan Legislation to Ban AI Surveillance Pricing at Grocery Stores & Delivery Services

Above: Gottheimer announces No Rigged Grocery Prices Act.

FORT LEE, NJ — Today, May 18, 2026, at Cafasso’s Fairway Market in Fort Lee, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the Democratic AI Commission, announced the No Rigged Grocery Prices Act, new bipartisan legislation to protect consumers from AI-powered surveillance pricing at grocery stores and third-party grocery delivery platforms. Gottheimer is introducing the bill with Republican co-lead Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).

“Two people standing in the same store, buying the exact same item, at the exact same time could be paying two different prices based on what they’ve told their chatbot. Why? Because an algorithm decided one of them could afford more,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).

Gottheimer continued, “Imagine a mom whose kids love oranges. She buys them every single week. The algorithm sees that, knows she’ll pay whatever it charges, and quietly jacks up her price. That’s not innovation. That’s not efficient. That’s just downright wrong. That’s why my new legislation is so important, to help protect hard-working families.”

Watch Gottheimer’s Full Remarks Here.

Groceries are up more than 18 percent since January 2022, with beef, coffee, and tomatoes all up by double digits in the past year alone.

The bill comes after Instacart was caught changing prices on products customers ordered online, charging some shoppers up to 23 percent more for the exact same item, at the exact same store, at the exact same moment. For a family of four, that amounts to roughly $1,200 more per year. The Federal Trade Commission opened a formal investigation, state attorneys general in New York and California launched their own probes, and, in a separate case for other deceptive practices, Instacart was hit with a $60 million fine.

As families across North Jersey continue to feel the squeeze of rising costs, Gottheimer warned that AI surveillance pricing threatens to make things even worse. Using vast amounts of personal data, companies can deploy AI systems to identify the highest price each individual shopper will pay and charge them accordingly, meaning two people standing in the same store, buying the exact same item, at the exact same time, could pay two very different prices. That’s why Gottheimer is introducing his new bipartisan bill to stop grocers from being able to target families and increase prices.

The bipartisan “No Rigged Grocery Prices” Act would:

Prohibit grocery retailers and third-party delivery platforms from using consumers’ personal data to charge different prices for the same items;

Require clear disclosures when prices legitimately change — such as for items sold by weight or when supply runs short; and

Strengthen protections around grocery substitutions, so consumers remain in control of what ends up in their cart and what they pay for it.

The legislation still allows AI to be used for discounts, promotions, loyalty programs, and rewards programs that help consumers save money.

Gottheimer’s Other Actions to Protect Jersey Families:

Sending letters to Amazon, Albertsons, Costco, Kroger, Walmart, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Instacart, demanding to know how they are using AI to set prices and whether they will commit to avoiding individualized pricing based on personal data.

Calling on the Department of Labor to investigate the impact of electronic shelf labels and other AI-driven technologies on grocery workers, examine existing workforce training and displacement programs, and report back to Congress on whether additional legislative action is needed to protect workers.

The “No Rigged Grocery Prices” Act builds on momentum at the state level. Maryland recently passed the Protection From Predatory Pricing Act, the first state law to ban companies from using personal data to raise prices. In New Jersey, State Senator Joe Lagana is advancing the Fair Price Protection Act in Trenton.

Gottheimer was joined at today’s announcement by Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, Fort Lee Councilman Harvey Sohmer, and David and Maria Cafasso of Cafasso’s Fairway Market, whose family has served the Fort Lee community for nearly a century since Umberto and Marianna Cafasso founded the store in 1927.

“Republicans, Democrats, and everyone in between understand that the price on the shelf should be the same regardless of who is standing in front of it, ”said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).

Below: Gottheimer announces No Rigged Grocery Prices Act.

Read Gottheimer’s Full Remarks Below:

Good morning, everybody, and thank you all for being here. And thank you to Cafasso’s for welcoming us today, and for everything you do to serve families here in Fort Lee.

Cafasso’s Fairway Market was founded almost one hundred years ago by Umberto and Marianna Cafasso . What started as a “mom and pop” business has become a staple of North Jersey. But, it still does what it always has, serve neighbors and families. Like so many small businesses across North Jersey, and most families, they’re working harder than ever just to keep costs down and stay afloat under ever-rising costs. They feel the pressure every single week.

Look around. You can see why. It’s at every grocery store. Grocery prices are up more than eighteen percent since January 2022. Beef, coffee, tomatoes — all up by double digits in just the last year.

Now more than ever, families are trying to stretch every dollar they can. Seniors on fixed incomes are carefully counting every nickel. Working parents are balancing record utility and grocery bills, gas prices, and child care costs, rent, and taxes. So, the last thing families need right now is a new technology, driven by AI, that figures out a way to stick it to them when they walk into the grocery store, or order food online, and send those prices even higher.

That’s not some sci-fi, Jetsons far away idea. It’s actually happened, and we need to do everything we can to stop what’s called surveillance pricing.

Let me give you a real-world scenario. You walk into a grocery store after spending the night searching for recipes on ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, or Gemini. They know you need brown sugar for the cake you’re baking. Here comes the problem. If your grocery store recently installed electronic pricing tags on their shelves, and knows from your AI searches that you just walked in looking for that key ingredient, it could then charge you $2 more than the next person walking down the aisle who is casually shopping. In essence, the grocery store starts surveilling you and charges you what it thinks it can get from you. That’s not good.

Now, I’m not talking about coupons and discounts. They can do that all day long. I’m talking about knowing it’s you from AI and then using that technology to have some sort of surge pricing, to charge you more, like what Uber does to you when it’s raining. Think about what that actually means. Two people, standing in the same store, buying the exact same item, at the exact same moment — paying two different prices based on what they’ve told their chatbot. Why? Because an algorithm decided one of them could afford more.

Imagine a mom whose kids love oranges. She buys them every single week. The algorithm sees that, knows she’ll pay whatever it charges, and quietly jacks up her price. That’s not innovation. That’s not efficient. That’s just downright wrong.

Surveillance pricing, powered by AI, could also charge you more when you get your groceries delivered from Amazon, Walmart, Albertsons, and FreshDirect, like lots of families do every week. Thanks to your chatbots, they know lots about you, from what you can afford to your schedule to what your neighbors are willing to pay for food.

You might be saying – no way. Just recently, Instacart got caught red-handed doing exactly this. They were changing prices on the products customers were ordering online — charging some shoppers up to twenty-three percent more for the very same item, at the very same store, at the very same moment. For a family of four, that’s about twelve hundred dollars a year — straight out of their pocket.

And, when they got busted, caught red-handed, the response was loud and bipartisan: members of Congress on both sides of the aisle demanded answers. The Federal Trade Commission opened a formal investigation. State attorneys general in New York and California launched probes of their own. And, in a separate case for other deceptive practices, Instacart was hit with a sixty-million-dollar fine.

The idea is simple: companies collect huge amounts of personal data about all of us. They’re tracking what we buy, where we shop, what we search for online, where we travel, the financial and medical questions we ask, and even major life events. Then they have AI systems analyze that information to determine the highest price they think each person will pay.

And that’s what brings us here today. We need to ensure that as AI becomes a bigger part of our economy and our everyday lives, it actually helps us – it can’t be used to hurt families and consumers.

That’s why I’m proudly introducing new bipartisan legislation, the No Rigged Grocery Prices Act, so that AI isn’t allowed to jack up the prices you pay for groceries when you go to the store or have them delivered at home. No more surveillance pricing.

Our bipartisan bill that I’m leading with New York Republican Congressman Mike Lawler will do three things.

First, it will prevent grocery stores and grocery delivery apps from using your AI-driven personal data to charge you more than the person standing next to you or your next-door neighbor. No electronic shelf pricing suddenly changes when you walk up to it. Second, it will require clear disclosures whenever prices legitimately change — for items sold by weight, for example, or when supply runs short. No random surges or changes just because you can pay more. It will also still allow for discounts and promotional pricing. That’s not a problem. It’s when they try to screw you with higher prices because they can.

And third, the No Rigged Grocery Prices Act will stop AI chatbots from randomly substituting something you ordered with something you didn’t order – think switching in generic store-branded frosted Mini Wheats instead of the real thing, without getting your permission. I hate that.

Importantly, again, my bipartisan legislation will allow AI to help with discounts, promotions, loyalty programs, and rewards programs that genuinely help consumers save money. But it will stop surveillance pricing.

Don’t get me wrong — with the appropriate protections, AI has enormous potential. It can transform health care by finding new cures to cancer and help government operate more efficiently, like helping you avoid the DMV. But like every powerful new technology before it, AI needs common sense guardrails and worker protections to make sure it’s being used to lift families up, not squeeze them dry. Technology should support workers and consumers alike, not leave them behind.

That’s why I’m also sending a letter to the Department of Labor, calling on them to investigate the impact that electronic shelf labels could have on American jobs. We must protect workers who might be affected by any emerging AI technologies.

We’re also asking tough questions about the next generation of AI shopping tools. I’m sending a letter to the major grocers and food delivery apps: Amazon, Albertsons, Costco, Kroger, Walmart, Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Instacart, asking them how they are using AI to set prices and whether they will commit to staying away from setting higher prices based on personal data.

As more people rely on AI to help make purchases and compare prices, families deserve to know how companies are using their personal and sensitive data to raise their bottom line.

I want to be clear. This legislation is not about stopping innovation or preventing businesses from operating efficiently. It’s about making sure innovation works for families instead of exploiting them. Consumers shouldn’t have to wonder whether an AI system is quietly charging them more because of what it knows about their lives.

And at the end of the day, this is a common sense issue. Republicans, Democrats, and everyone in between understand that the price on the shelf should be the same regardless of who is standing in front of it. The good news is that states across the country are already taking steps to address this. Maryland led the way with the Protection From Predatory Pricing Act, the first state law to ban companies from using personal data to jack up prices. Our bill builds on that foundation.

Here in Jersey, my good friend State Senator Joe Lagana is leading the same fight in Trenton with his Fair Price Protection Act, and other members of Congress like Frank Pallone are asking the right questions.

We all know people in Jersey are smart. They understand sales, coupons, and discounts. What they don’t support is a possible secretive AI system deciding that one family should pay more simply because an algorithm thinks it can get away with it.

The goal here is simple: we want AI to help people, not exploit them. We want technology that lowers costs, improves service, and creates opportunity. But we also want strong guardrails that keep Jersey Families from getting screwed over.

Companies developing these technologies need to put consumers first.

Because Jersey families work too hard to be charged more simply because an algorithm thinks they can afford it.

Not on our watch.

In the greatest country in the world, I know that if we work together, our best days will always be ahead of us.

Thank you, and God bless.

Credentialed media with questions should contact Haraden@mail.house.gov and Yael.Velvel@mail.house.gov.


RELEASE: Gottheimer Praises Anthropic for Taking Action After Addressing His Concerns

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the House Democratic Commission on AI and the Innovation Economy, applauded Anthropic for taking action to address concerns raised about “Project Glasswing” and the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that had prevented participating organizations from sharing information about critical cyber vulnerabilities identified through the program.

Following Gottheimer’s letter calling on Anthropic to change course, Anthropic announced carve-outs to the program that will allow organizations to responsibly share information about urgent cyber threats with trusted partners and relevant stakeholders. Gottheimer called on all platforms to follow suit.

“I’m glad that Anthropic has done the right thing here and made these critical changes,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Responsible information sharing is a cornerstone of cybersecurity. No entity should be contractually restricted from warning others, coordinating mitigations, or informing relevant and trusted stakeholders about urgent cyber risks — and Anthropic stepped up.”

“I encourage all other platforms to quickly follow suit,” Gottheimer continued. “As AI systems become more advanced, we need strong safeguards and rapid information sharing to protect against cyber threats and keep Americans safe.”

Gottheimer had previously called on Anthropic to nullify the portions of its NDA that prohibited responsible sharing of cyber vulnerability information with trusted organizations, and urged all frontier AI developers — including OpenAI and others operating similar programs — to ensure organizations can share critical cyber risk information with trusted industry partners and government agencies.

Find the full letter here and below:

Mr. Dario Amodei

CEO

Anthropic

548 Market Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

Dear Mr. Amodei:

Project Glasswing is an important step toward securing critical physical and digital infrastructure

from the cyber risks posed by your frontier AI model, Mythos. It is essential that any frontier AI

model developer building these systems acts with the utmost caution when credible

vulnerabilities are identified. My understanding is that you decided to limit Project Glasswing to

approximately forty companies, which, of course, excluded many organizations — small,

medium, and large — in a cross section of industries with vulnerabilities.

It has also come to my attention that Anthropic required the limited organizations allowed to

participate in Project Glasswing to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that prevents any

information sharing with other organizations about critical cyber vulnerabilities they identified

through this process.

Given the serious risk models including Mythos pose to critical systems, I urge Anthropic to

nullify that part of its NDA and immediately allow the companies participating in Project

Glasswing to share their findings with other trusted industry partners. Doing so will help ensure

that as many entities as possible are protected against these types of cyber threats. I’m sure that

you would agree that they would all benefit from the learnings of those that have access to

Mythos to help protect their organizations from the vulnerabilities it can expose. All

foundational model developers should do everything they can to prevent malicious exploitation

and ensure that this information is shared responsibly and used to strengthen defenses.

No entity should be contractually restricted from warning others, coordinating mitigations, or

informing relevant and trusted stakeholders about urgent cyber risks. For example, a large utility

or hospital that has access to Mythos should be able to let smaller organizations in their industry

relying on similar software systems know what vulnerabilities Mythos exposed, so that they can

secure their systems, too. Of course, there should be an appropriate vetting process, but the

NDA should not be a bottleneck to these organizations being able to share with other known,

trusted organizations.

Responsible information sharing is a cornerstone of cybersecurity — one organization’s data on an attack can help others detect the same tactic earlier, reduce damage, and respond faster. As frontier AI models gain increasing cyber capabilities, the need for rapid and protected information sharing about potential vulnerabilities becomes more urgent. Any insights on the vulnerabilities that Mythos found in one company’s system can help a significant number of others that may never get access to it, or don’t have the resources to, either technologically or financially, to utilize it.

I also urge all of the leading platforms to adopt the same approach, including OpenAI for entities

involved in its Trusted Access for Cyber program. If trusted organizations participating in that

program identify serious vulnerabilities, exploit paths, or misuse risks, they must be free to share

that information responsibly, so threats can be contained before they are used by malicious

actors. No company operating at the frontier of AI should use contractual restrictions to impede

disclosure of critical cyber risk information, including, of course, with the Department of

Homeland Security and the Intelligence Community.

I look forward to your response and to continuing to work with you on this critical national

security issue. Thank you.

Sincerely, Josh Gottheimer Member of Congress

CC: The Honorable Scott Bessent, United States Secretary of the Treasury The Honorable Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security The Honorable Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence The Honorable John Ratcliffe, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency The Honorable General Joshua Rudd, Director of the National Security Agency The Honorable Nick Andersen, Acting Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google Mark Zuckerberg, CEO, Meta Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI

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Chairman Guthrie Op-Ed – Fraud in Federal Health Programs

Bowling Green, KY – In a new op-ed in the Bowling Green Daily News, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Brett Guthrie (KY-02), outlined how he and his Committee have led the charge to expose fraud being committed in federal health programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

Chairman Guthrie: Fraud in Federal Health Programs

Bowling Green Daily News

Chairman Brett Guthrie

May 16, 2026

“In November 2024, the American people sent President Trump and a Republican trifecta to Washington to restore common sense and, importantly, take action to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. Over the past 16 months, government agencies, special task forces, and even independent reporters have exposed a pervasive and nearly institutionalized level of fraud in programs across the federal government.

“Like so many Americans, I have been outraged by the fraud that has come to light.

“In Congress, I serve as the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which has a broad jurisdiction of health care policy, including Medicaid and parts of Medicare. Last year, Republicans in Congress took action to close loopholes in these programs that enabled fraud and abuse as a part of the work we did in H.R. 1, the Working Families Tax Cuts. Early this year, my Committee continued this work, conducting a series of hearings to examine fraud that has occurred in these programs.

“During a recent hearing, I asked Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the most shocking examples of fraud he has seen uncovered since he took office.

“Secretary Kennedy highlighted the ways that, while in office, the Biden-Harris Administration enabled fraud to snowball in our government health programs. Some examples he gave included the establishment of a program that knowingly paid out fraudulent claims, the significant reduction in the staff of the program integrity office, the way in which the Biden-Harris Administration prevented the government from validating eligibility for benefits more than once a year, and more.

“Unfortunately, this isn’t a surprise. In our first hearing in this series, we heard from witnesses who work in various roles that identify and work to eliminate fraud in health systems across the country. For nearly three hours, these witnesses explained common schemes that they see which negatively impact Medicaid and Medicare. Examples included:

People’s identities being stolen, and benefits being used to pay scammers, which often results in a denial of care when the patient actually needs it.

Scammers, including foreign entities, setting up fake Medicare and Medicaid accounts to receive illegitimate benefits.

Bad-faith health providers and fraudsters billing the taxpayer for services they never provided to patients.

“We also conducted a hearing with Kimberly Brandt, who serves as the Deputy Administrator at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). During this hearing, Deputy Administrator Brandt discussed the work CMS is actively doing to combat fraud in the system.

“For example, CMS has uncovered schemes in which scammers will fraudulently bill Medicare for durable medical equipment, genetic testing, and clinical laboratory testing that are either medically unnecessary or were never provided. They have also shockingly uncovered schemes in which Medicare beneficiaries without terminal illnesses are being unknowingly signed up for hospice care. Bad actors are undermining Americans’ trust in these programs and risking the integrity of Medicaid and Medicare; it cannot be allowed to continue.

“The fact is, billions of taxpayer dollars are being scammed from federal health programs annually, and it is negatively affecting the Medicare and Medicaid programs for those who need it most: seniors, expectant mothers, children, and people with disabilities.

“Rather than seeing this as an opportunity to work across the aisle and find bipartisan ways to end fraud, my Democrat colleagues have spent the past months fighting against transparent investigations, undermining the important work carried out by this Committee… even wasting time debating the definition of 'fraud.' This is sadly all an attempt to cover up the fact that the policies of the Biden-Harris Administration enabled fraud to run rampant for years. Some things you just can’t make up.

“From California, to Minnesota, to New York, fraud in federal health care programs have created real consequences for the most vulnerable Americans who rely on Medicaid and Medicare. To preserve the integrity of these important programs, we must close loopholes, prosecute bad actors, and safeguard the most vulnerable in our communities.

“I am grateful for the work the Trump Administration has already undertaken to combat the rampant fraud in federal health programs, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with my colleagues in Congress to end this concerning trend to guarantee that benefits are available to those who need them most.

“Congressman Brett Guthrie serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which has a broad health care jurisdiction, including Medicaid and some Medicare policy.”


Congressman Guthrie Op-Ed – Supporting Much-Needed Certainty and Relief for Kentucky Farmers

Bowling Green, KY – In a new op-ed in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) outlined the ways that, in passing the 2026 Farm Bill, the House of Representatives has delivered much-needed certainty and relief for Kentucky farmers.

Congressman Guthrie: Supporting Much-Needed Certainty and Relief for Kentucky Farmers

Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

Congressman Brett Guthrie

May 15, 2026

“For hundreds of years, Kentucky agriculture has been at the core of the Commonwealth’s culture and economic prosperity.

“In Kentucky’s Second District alone, nearly 20,000 farms help feed and clothe our nation while supporting the rural communities that so many Kentuckians call home.

“Unfortunately, since the last Farm Bill was authorized in 2018, farmers have faced rising input costs, market uncertainty, workforce shortages, and severe weather that have made it hard to do business.

“Since the beginning of the 119th Congress, Republicans have been working to enact solutions and provide agriculture producers the certainty and support they deserve.

“Last summer, Republicans in Congress took our first step, passing H.R. 1, the Working Families Tax Cuts. This bill notably strengthened the farm safety net by making a $56 billion investment in commodity programs, including raising reference prices and increasing Marketing Assistance Loan rates. It also invested $6 billion in crop insurance, making stronger coverage more affordable for producers facing unpredictable conditions.

“Additionally, the Working Families Tax Cuts provided additional certainty for farmers by establishing a standing framework for providing support for specialty crop producers in times of economic peril, creating a standing block grant authority for future disaster payments, and ensuring producers are able to repay their marketing loans in the event of a government shutdown.

“While H.R. 1 delivered critical, much-needed relief, particularly in commodity pricing, we still had more work to do. That’s why, recently, the House took action, passing H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, also known as the 2026 Farm Bill.

“This historic legislation, along with H.R. 1, is the largest investment for American farmers in a generation. Once enacted, the Farm Bill will strengthen our rural economy, increase affordability throughout the food supply chain, and bolster the competitiveness of American producers on the global market.

“The 2026 Farm Bill improves access to precision agriculture technologies and services, helping producers increase efficiency and productivity while conserving resources. It also supports rural development by encouraging private capital investment in rural communities through the renewal of existing business and cooperative development programs, and investing in programs that address workforce shortages that continue to impact rural areas across the country.

“Additionally, the bill reauthorizes programs that strengthen rural communities by helping bridge the digital divide through expanded broadband connectivity and increased access to telehealth services through programs such as the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program.

“Kentucky farmers know that healthy, sustainable farmland is necessary for farmers to be able to efficiently carry out their work. For generations, they have been at the forefront of responsible farming, and I am proud to report that our bill enacts important conservation efforts to support soil health, water quality, and prevent future erosion.

“Importantly, the Farm Bill also builds upon efforts in the Working Families Tax Cuts to improve nutrition outcomes and bolster the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). By enacting reforms that increase state partnerships and improve individual accountability, the Farm Bill closes loopholes that have enabled fraud so that the program remains viable for those it is intended to serve well into the future. It also takes action to improve nutrition by codifying updated dietary guidelines that emphasize nutrient-dense foods.

“Finally, this Farm Bill includes Congressman Andy Barr’s White Oak Resilience Act, which I was proud to help lead as an original co-sponsor. This bill will help to promote the long-term health of the American white oak — a keystone species essential to forest ecosystems and a critical component of Kentucky’s economy.

“The House passage of the 2026 Farm Bill is an important step toward providing long-term stability and certainty for America’s farmers and rural communities. Our agricultural producers work tirelessly every day to keep our nation fed and clothed. They deserve policies that support their success, strengthen rural economies, and ensure American agriculture remains the strongest in the world.

“This Farm Bill delivers on that mission.

“Congressman Brett Guthrie has served the people of Kentucky’s Second District in Congress since 2009. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.”


ICYMI: Moore, Sanders, Omar, McGovern Lead More Than 100 Colleagues in Helping End Child Hunger Through Universal School Meals

Rep. Gwen Moore, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. McGovern introduced legislation to end child hunger in the United States. The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 would offer free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack to every student in America — regardless of income — and eliminate school meal debt while incentivizing local food in schools.

“Millions of families already face hunger in this country. But with Republicans cutting SNAP and families struggling with the high cost of living, it is even more urgent that we pass the Universal School Meals Program Act,” said Rep. Gwen Moore. Congress can and should help end child hunger, and I implore my colleagues to support this legislation.”

“It is outrageous that, while the billionaire class has never had it so good, one in five children will go hungry in America this year,” Sanders said. “The United States is the richest country in the history of the world. Nobody should be going hungry. And what we learned during the pandemic is that a universal approach to school meals works and helps kids do better in school. States across the country continue to prove this every day. It is time for Congress to reinstate universal school meals at the national level to finally ensure no student goes hungry.”

“No child should have to sit in a classroom hungry or worried about where their next meal will come from,” Omar said. “As a former nutrition educator and someone who experienced hunger firsthand, this fight is deeply personal to me. I have always believed you must feed kids’ bellies before you can feed their brains. That is why I am proud to partner again with Bernie Sanders to introduce the Universal School Meals Program Act, which would provide free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks to students year-round. Universal school meals are not a luxury—they are a necessity.”

"School meals improve food security, health outcomes, and academic performance—simply put, they help kids succeed. Several states—including my home state of Massachusetts—have permanently implemented free universal school meals, helping expand access to breakfasts and lunches for all students. It has been hugely successful in increasing participation, reducing stigma, and making life a little easier and more affordable for families,” said Rep. James P. McGovern, Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee. “It is long past time we permanently implement universal school meals nationwide and increase reimbursement rates to ensure every student can go to school knowing they have two healthy meals to fuel their learning.”

The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 comes at a critical moment: the Trump administration and congressional Republicans have enacted the deepest cuts to federal nutrition programs in history, slashing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $186 billion, imposing harsh new bureaucratic requirements that have stripped food assistance from millions of Americans, and refusing to fund SNAP during the federal government shutdown in fall 2025.

Congress funded universal school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, proving that the model increases school meal participation, reduces the stigma for students from low-income households and removes stress on families to secure healthy meals for their kids. While Congress let the universal model expire at the end of the 2021–2022 school year, nine states — Vermont, Minnesota, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico and New York — have passed laws to provide universal school meals. This legislation builds on this progress to return the model nationwide.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s most recent food security report — which the Trump administration has now ended — 48 million Americans, including over 14 million children, are food insecure. Nearly 40% of SNAP recipients are 18 or younger. It is time to permanently make school meals free to all students, regardless of income, and finally address this crisis. Studies show time and again that students with free access to breakfast have improved attendance and better performance in school, and that free meals reduce financial stress for both students and families. Moreover, free and accessible school meals improve health outcomes, relieve the stigma associated with school meals and reduce behavioral incidents. Parents will not be forced to deal with paperwork or subjected to threats to have their children taken away.

The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 provides the most cost-effective and inclusive model for students, families, teachers, public schools, childcare providers and communities by:

Providing free breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack to every student — regardless of income.

Eliminating school meal debt for every public school student in America by reimbursing schools and ending harassment of parents and students over unpaid bills. In a 2025 survey, the School Nutrition Association found that nearly 1,400 school districts across the country hold a median of $6,000 in unpaid meal debt.

Increasing the reimbursement rate for schools to get closer to the actual cost of producing meals.

Incentivizing schools to buy from local farms, bringing food from nearby farms into schools while supporting local economies.

Providing summer meals to all children and increased SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) to lower-income children. Currently, only communities where 50% of children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch may operate a summer meals program. This bill makes all communities eligible, regardless of income.

Strengthening and expanding the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to allow three meals and a snack each day, eliminate the two-tiered reimbursement rate for CACFP, and allow childcare providers to receive the highest reimbursement rate regardless of income.

Joining Moore, Sanders and Omar as cosponsors on this legislation are Reps. Jim McGovern, Pete Aguilar, Gabe Amo, Yassamin Ansari, Jake Auchincloss, Becca Balint, Nanette Barragan, Joyce Beatty, Wesley Bell, Suzanne Bonamici, Julia Brownley, Nikki Budzinski, André Carson, Troy Carter, Greg Casar, Sean Casten, Kathy Castor, Judy Chu, Steve Cohen, Angie Craig, Suzan DelBene, Mark DeSaulnier, Maxine Dexter, Debbie Dingell, Dwight Evans, Laura Friedman, Maxwell Frost, John Garamendi, Sylvia Garcia, Jesús “Chuy” García, Dan Goldman, Jimmy Gomez, Josh Gotteimer, Adelita Grijalva, Jared Huffman, Jonathan Jackson, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Robin Kelly, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, John Larson, Summer Lee, Stephen F. Lynch, Seth Magaziner, Doris Matsui, Lucy McBath, Betty McCollum, Morgan McGarvey, LaMonica McIver, Christian Menefee, Grace Meng, Joseph Morelle, Seth Moulton, Kevin Mullin, Jerry Nadler, Richard Neal, Donald Norcross, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Frank Pallone, Jr., Brittany Pettersen, Chellie Pingree, Stacey Plaskett, Mark Pocan, Ayanna Pressley, Mike Quigley, Delia Ramirez, Jamie Raskin, Andrea Salinas, Linda Sanchez, Jan Schakowsky, Lateefah Simon, Adam Smith, Marilyn Strickland, Shri Thanedar, Rashida Tlaib, Paul Tonko, Juan Vargas, Nydia Velazquez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Frederica Wilson and 19 Senators.

The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 is endorsed by nearly 100 organizations, including the American Heart Association, Food Research & Action Center, Hunger Free America, Hunger Free Vermont, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, National Education Association (NEA), National Family Farm Coalition, Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, Vermont Afterschool, Vermont Foodbank, Washington Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition, and Washington School Nutrition Association.


Hayes, Pettersen Introduce Bill to Bolster Child Education Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) introduced the Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act of 2026, legislation to strengthen teacher preparation programs and better equip educators working with young children.

The bill would require training in early childhood development, including child social and emotional growth, age-appropriate behavioral supports, and effective instructional practices. The legislation recognizes that the earliest years of the life of a child are critical to long-term learning and development and ensures educators have the tools to support children during these formative years.

The first five years of a child’s life are critical for development. Leaders working with young children must be equipped with evidence-based strategies that promote social and emotional growth,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “By investing in teacher development, the Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act lays a strong foundation for student success.”

“As a mom of two young kids, I know how critical those early years are and that early childhood lays the groundwork for lifelong learning,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “As Trump continues to dismantle the services that support our families, it’s getting even harder – and more expensive – for regular people to access high-quality child care. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this legislation to bolster our child care workforce and put our kids on the path to thrive long-term.”

Specifically, the Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act would modify Title II of the Higher Education Act by mandating that school leadership programs receiving federal Teacher Quality Partnership grants incorporate training on early childhood development and effective instructional leadership for children from birth to age eight. Companion legislation has been introduced in the United States Senate by Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM). Bill text is availablehere.

The legislation has the endorsement of the Association of Educational Services Agencies (AESA), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), School Superintendents Association, The Early Care & Education Consortium, The Education Trust, and ZERO TO THREE.

Congresswoman Hayes continues to be a strong proponent of early childhood initiatives. The Congresswoman led 188 Members of Congress in requesting $14.27 billion for the Head Start Program. Additionally, Congresswoman Hayes introduced the Preparing and Resourcing Our Student Parents and Early Childhood Teachers (PROSPECT) Act. This legislation aims to improve access to affordable, quality infant and toddler child care for student parents.


ICYMI: Rep. Ronny Jackson Calls for Stronger Investment in America’s Special Operations Forces in New Op-ed

WASHINGTON — In an opinion editorial published by RealClear Defense, Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) highlighted the urgent need to properly fund America’s Special Operations Forces as growing global threats continue to increase the demands placed on these elite servicemembers.

In case you missed it…

The Growing Gap Between SOF Missions and SOF Resources

RealClear Defense

Ronny Jackson

May 18, 2026

As Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, I have the privilege of overseeing some of the most capable, disciplined, and courageous warriors our nation has ever produced. The men and women of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) represent the very best of America’s armed forces–oftentimes undertaking the most dangerous missions in defense of our national security and our way of life.

Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, our nation fundamentally shifted the way it viewed Special Operations Forces (SOF). No longer considered a niche capability reserved for limited missions, SOF became central to America’s counterterrorism strategy and broader national defense posture. Over the last two decades, these operators have carried an extraordinary burden, serving as the tip of the spear in nearly every major conflict and high-risk operation across the globe.

And yet, the USSOCOM budget has remained relatively flat over the last decade, failing to keep pace with inflation. This stagnant budget has not only created critical modernization gaps but has actually eroded buying power for the Combatant Command, resulting in a 14% reduction in purchasing power since 2019. As of the most recent Fiscal Year 2027 President’s Budget Request, USSOCOM now accounts for just above 1% of the total Department of War Budget, while global demand for SOF has surged to meet the evolving landscape of great power competition.

The operational tempo for SOF has, and will continue to, put significant demands on the force. From operations in the Middle East and Africa, to narcoterrorists in our own hemisphere, SOF remains heavily engaged across multiple theaters. At the same time, we are asking our most agile, precise, and strategically valuable forces to do more with less, while simultaneously expecting the same results.

Last month’s high-risk rescue operation of two downed airmen deep inside Iran demonstrated the extraordinary reach and capability of American special operators. In a mission described as one of the most complex in U.S. history, hundreds of personnel and dozens of aircraft were mobilized for the recovery under hostile conditions, ultimately bringing both home safely. That operation was not just a tactical success. It reaffirmed a foundational American principle: we leave no man behind.

In another notable success earlier this year, U.S. special operations forces executed a precision mission operation targeting Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. Following months of intelligence preparation, joint-force coordination, and operational rehearsal, that mission showcased the unique ability of SOF to operate in politically sensitive and operationally complex environments where conventional forces are neither designed nor intended to lead.

These missions are not outliers. They are emblematic of what SOF does every day. They keep us safe, often out of public view, and increasingly at the forefront of strategic competition.

As global risks from our foreign adversaries continue to rise, America can no longer afford to remain on peacetime footing.

China is rapidly expanding its irregular warfare capabilities, cyber operations, and advanced technologies specifically designed to counter American military advantages. Iran, Russia, and transnational criminal organizations are becoming more adaptive, networked, and technologically sophisticated. The operating environment is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and SOF units are often the first called upon to respond.

Yet, while the mission set expands, the resources have not kept pace. SOF’s culture of discipline, efficiency, and innovation is one of its greatest strengths, BUT there is a difference between being efficient and being under-resourced.

The question before us is not whether SOF can "make do,” because history shows that they will. The question is whether or not we are willing to accept unnecessary risks because we failed to invest at a level commensurate with their importance. Within the last year alone, USSOCOM was forced to deny requests for SOF capabilities around 70 times due to the lack of available resources.

Every additional defense dollar must be carefully scrutinized in today’s constrained fiscal environment. We will continue to ensure that all Department of War resources serve the end goal of ensuring American military dominance and lethality for generations to come. This is precisely why USSOCOM is a responsible home for Department of War resources, for even a modest increase in funding would generate an outsized return on investment for America’s national security.

Restoring balance means investing in next-generation capabilities that allow small teams to operate with greater effectiveness in contested environments. It means ensuring operators have the training, equipment, and support they need to succeed in missions that often carry strategic consequences.

SOF is no longer a niche capability reserved for exceptional circumstances. It is a central pillar of how the United States competes, deters, and, when necessary, prevails in today’s security environment. As we approach SOF Week, we should celebrate the extraordinary courage of these men and women and extend them our gratitude by ensuring they receive the tools they need to succeed.

Restoring USSOCOM funding to approximately 2% of the defense budget is a targeted first step that will help ensure America’s special operations forces remain ready, resilient, and capable of meeting the challenges ahead.

In an era defined by speed, complexity, and uncertainty, SOF provides the nation with options that are precise, scalable, and effective. It is time our budget reflects the urgency of this necessity.

Peace through strength remains the cornerstone of American deterrence, and ensuring the continued dominance of our Special Operations Forces is essential to maintaining that strength.

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Joyce, Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Promote DIPG Awareness

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10) introduced a resolution designating May 17 as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) Awareness Day. DIPG is a rare and deadly form of pediatric cancer, with an average life expectancy after diagnosis of one year. This resolution promotes expanded research and care for the disease, which affects 300 children a year.

“Every child deserves to live a happy and healthy life, but unfortunately, those diagnosed with DIPG have to deal with an incredibly difficult and uncertain future,” said Congressman Joyce. “The children and families dealing with this terrible disease merit support from all levels, including Congress. I want to thank Representatives Dingell and McCaul for their unwavering support and commitment to fighting this cancer and working towards a cure.”

“It is impossible to express the heartbreak and devastation a family faces when their child receives a cancer diagnosis. Every cancer battle is grueling, but for a child with a whole life ahead of them, it is a uniquely devastating journey,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “DIPG remains one of the deadliest pediatric brain tumor diagnoses, and its low survival rates make clear we must do more. We must work together to continue the fight against childhood cancer by driving awareness, supporting research endeavors, and pursuing the treatments these children deserve. No family should ever face this fight alone, and together, we can make sure they never do.”

“With a heartbreaking survival rate of less than one percent, DIPG is considered the most lethal form of childhood cancer. We must do everything in our power to change that and give these children the futures they deserve,” said Congressman McCaul. “As founder of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, I’m proud to join Reps. Dingell and Joyce in raising awareness of DIPG as we work toward a cure. For the precious young lives diagnosed with this disease, there’s no time to waste.”

Background:

Every year, nearly 16,000 children across the country are diagnosed with cancer. Of those, approximately 300 are diagnosed with DIPG. The average life expectancy after receiving a DIPG diagnosis is less than one year. Despite the fact that DIPG is the second most common pediatric brain tumor, research into treatments and cures is sorely lacking. This resolution calls for expanded research on possible treatments, encourages entities to factor in the mortality rate and number of life years lost when considering awarding research grants, and, if passed, would support designating May 17 as National DIPG Awareness Day.

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Whip Clark Announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winner

MALDEN, MA – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) announced Christina Xiao, a Lexington high school student, as this year’s Congressional Art Competition winner from Massachusetts’ Fifth Congressional District.

“The skill and creativity of our district’s young artists never cease to amaze me,” said Whip Clark. “Christina’s winning submission masterfully embodies the core strength and beauty of our nation — its diversity of culture, of thought, and of experience. I’m incredibly proud of Christina and look forward to displaying her work in the Capitol for all to see.”

Xiao’s piece, entitled “A Nation in Windows,” depicts a building composed of the American flag, with 16 windows representing diverse communities across the United States. Xiao was honored at a private ceremony at the Woburn Public Library last month. She will be recognized at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., where her art will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol’s Cannon Tunnel, alongside winners from other Congressional districts. To view Xiao’s winning piece and photos of the Woburn award ceremony, click HERE.

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage young artistic talent across the country. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.

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Congressman Max Miller Introduces Cable Security Fleet Expansion Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Max Miller (OH-07), alongside Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), introduced the Cable Security Fleet Expansion Act, legislation to strengthen America’s ability to protect and repair critical undersea communications infrastructure.

Subsea fiber-optic cables carry approximately 99 percent of international internet traffic and facilitate nearly $10 trillion in financial transactions daily, making them essential to both U.S. national security and the global economy. Recent incidents in the waters near Taiwan and in the Baltic Sea have highlighted the growing vulnerability of this infrastructure to disruption and sabotage. This legislation updates the Cable Security Fleet program to better address evolving national security threats and strengthen U.S. resilience against disruptions to critical subsea infrastructure.

“America’s national and economic security depends on infrastructure most people never think about, but use every day,” said Congressman Miller. “Undersea cables are critical to global communications, financial markets, and military readiness. This legislation ensures the United States has the capacity to repair and protect these systems when it matters most.”

“Nearly all of the United States’ international internet traffic, along with trillions of dollars in financial transactions, travels over subsea cables across the world,” said Congressman Luttrell. “Our adversaries know this and can exploit this national security vulnerability should we lose the ability to sustain and repair these cables. This legislation makes a long-overdue investment in the infrastructure we depend on, and I am proud to help lead this effort.”

“The lack of preparedness to protect and repair critical infrastructure tied to Americans’ international internet traffic is startling at best and a flat-out nightmare at worst,” said Congressman McDowell. “Through the Cable Security Fleet Expansion Act, America will be better prepared to repair subsea cables when urgency is of the utmost importance, keeping America’s communications up and running with the outside world.”

Specifically, the Cable Security Fleet Expansion Act will:

Increases the number of vessels permitted to be retained in the Cable Security Fleet from two to “not less than six.”

Grants MARAD some contract negotiation flexibility by allowing them to retain vessels for “up to $7M per year” rather than the fixed $5M contract that is in current law; and

Finally, the legislation increases the total Cable Security Fleet authorization from $10M to $56M, which is enough for MARAD to retain at least eight vessels at the full stipend amount of $7M.

Bill text here.

One-pager here.

Editor’s note regarding Congressman Miller:

Congressman Max Miller represents Ohio’s Seventh District, which includes Medina and Wayne counties as well as parts of Cuyahoga and Holmes counties. Miller serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The Republican sophomore members selected Miller as their representative to the Republican Steering Committee. He is a member of the Republican Study Committee and the Main Street Caucus. Before joining Congress, Miller spent six years in the Marine Corps Reserves and served in several senior positions for President Donald Trump. Please visit https://maxmiller.house.gov for more information.

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Speaker Johnson Leads Nation in Prayer of Rededication

WASHINGTON — Yesterday at Rededicate 250, Speaker Johnson led thousands gathered on the National Mall in a prayer of rededication, acknowledging God’s providence over the past 250 years and seeking His blessing for the next 250.

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

Below are Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered:

“Thank you so much, my friends. It is such a blessing to welcome you all here to the nation's capital. My humble assignment here today is to bring us straight to the Lord in a prayer of rededication. Would you join me in that?

Our Heavenly Father, we thank you. Thank you so much for this great day that you've given us here, as we remember that your mighty hand has been upon our nation since the very beginning.

Since Christopher Columbus set sail in the New World, since the settlers at Jamestown planted the cross at Cape Henry, and since the pilgrims at Plymouth made a covenant to give you the glory, in all that time, you guided us at every pivotal moment. And when our forefathers took up the great cause of American independence, they turned to you in steadfast prayer.

On this very day, two and a half centuries ago, the Second Continental Congress gathered in Philadelphia. Facing imminent battle and almost certain death, our Founders held a decisive day of what they called ‘humiliation, fasting and prayer.’ They did that to humble themselves and to seek your guidance at the dawn of their fight for freedom.

Just weeks later, Lord, on July 4th, 1776, you gave 56 patriots the courage and the conviction to sign their names to the Declaration of Independence, forming 13 distant and disparate colonies into a new nation, which would become by your mercy and grace, the freest, most successful, most benevolent nation in the history of the world.

In those early days, you safeguarded George Washington and his ragtag army as they defeated the mightiest of empires. And you gave our fathers the wisdom and faith to establish this new nation premised on the biblical and foundational principle that all men are created equal and free before you. Through your divine providence, our Founders acknowledged and boldly proclaimed the self-evident truth that every single person is created in your image, and that we are endowed by you, our Creator, with our inalienable rights to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Lord, we know that that Declaration, which has been recognized as our nation's creed, has also been the inspiration for the single greatest force for peace and justice and human flourishing. It set in motion a chain of events that altered the very course of human history, and today as we seek to fulfill its true meaning, those self-evident truths still guide our nation and still call us to honor and cherish and protect the dignity of every human life.

Lord, today, our people gather once again in your name. We have humbled ourselves before you. We acknowledge that the miracle of our founding, and the countless miracles that have followed, are your doing. We remember that we owe our nation – every victory, every hero, every good deed she has brought forth – to you, Almighty God.

Amid a bloody civil war, you gave Abraham Lincoln the vision and the fortitude to ignite a ‘new birth of freedom.’ And in the turbulent years that followed you, you offered us healing and restoration, calling us even then, to the better angels of our nature.

When our allies in Europe fell prey to the dark shadow of fascism, you equipped our greatest generation with the strength to defend and liberate Western Civilization. You filled the sojourners of the civil rights movement with your spirit as they challenged their generation to live up to the promises enshrined in the Declaration. In the 20th century, you gave brave leaders like President Ronald Reagan, the courage and heart to speak boldly to the promise of God-given liberty and the emptiness of godless Soviet tyranny.

At the dawn of a new century when terrorists struck our homeland on September 11th, you gave 44 heroes on Flight 93 your divine courage to thwart that murderous attack. You drove out fear out of the hearts of rescuers and first responders who ran upstairs and into fires to help those in need. And in the years that followed, as we cleared the ashes and debris, you healed our broken hearts and you revealed again, the fierce, unbreakable spirit of the American people.

Every day since, over each of our 250 years, America has been a land of hope and liberty, a place of miracles, and the ‘light and glory’ of all nations because of you.

Now as we approach the 250th anniversary of American Independence, we face a new set of challenges in a new era. In recent years, we've seen sinister ideologies sow confusion and discord among our people. We've witnessed attacks on our history, on our heroes, and on the cherished moral and spiritual identity of this great nation. These voices insist to the young and impressionable that our story – the American story – is one of oppression and hypocrisy and failure, and that this story can only be understood through the lens of our sins. But Father, we reject that. We rebuke it in your name.

Those voices have sought to distort the self-evident truth that we know so well, and that our founders boldly proclaim in the Declaration: that our rights do not derive from the government, they come from you, our Creator and Heavenly Father.

Lord, just as we humbly sought out your guidance in past trials, we are doing it here again today. We turn to you once again to save us from these afflictions, to deliver us from the forces of evil oppression and justice and tyranny – both within our borders and beyond our shores – and Lord, never let us be separated from your mercy and your love.

We pray, Lord, that you continue to bless our President with the wisdom and prudence and strength to govern our nation in accordance with your will. We pray that you guide our lawmakers, that you walk with us and grant us the moral clarity to rise above partisan differences, and give us the wisdom and humility to serve selflessly and sacrificially.

Lord, protect our servicemembers, our law enforcement officers, our first responders, all those who risk their own lives daily as they administer justice and preserve the peace in our communities in accordance with your word.

Help all our faith leaders and pastors and priests to be faithful in their calling and successful in their ministries to shine your light of hope and salvation across our land. We pray too that you will safeguard all houses of worship, that they remain sanctuaries of prayer and peace.

Give every American parent the grace they need to raise and protect the next generation of freedom-loving children. Father, we pray for marriages across this land. That husbands and wives have the patience to love one another in all the days of their lives. Heal the wounds of broken hearts God, and the battles that we do not see.

Lord, we ask that you equip our educators with the knowledge to teach the truth, for they will shape the next generation of government and leaders. Be with our physicians and our nurses and our healthcare workers, and give comfort to the sick and to those on Heaven's door.

We pray that you bestow upon all Americans a renewed love of country, hope for the future, and faith in your everlasting mercy and grace.

Father, we pray for mercy upon our land, mercy upon us for our mistakes. Forgive us of our sins individually and collectively and help us devote ourselves with a renewed piety and patriotism to the eternal truths of your word and to the enduring principles of the Declaration you blessed us with.

Above all Lord, grant us the courage in your favor to preserve this Republic. Instill within us, the same devotion that compelled 56 men to pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to this grand experiment in self-governance. The same devotion of patriots like Patrick Henry, for whom liberty was worth any price. The same devotion of President Abraham Lincoln, who at Gettysburg charged his countrymen to rededicate themselves to the unfinished work of our fathers. Lord, today we pray that you grant us that same devotion to these United States.

Give us courage and make us worthy of all those who devoted and sacrificed their lives so that a government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the Earth, almighty God.

We ask that you hear these solemn petitions just as we in the beginning dedicated this land to your most holy name today. Here Lord, in this 250th year of American Independence, we hereby rededicate the United States of America as ‘One Nation, Under God.’

Look upon us with favor upon your country as we celebrate this momentous anniversary and let your Holy Spirit descend upon this land so that future generations will look back at this day, in this present age, and once again, see your providential hand at work. I ask this today, Lord, I pray it and I believe it, in your holy name, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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Congressman Moran Honors Six East Texas Students at Service Academy Nominees Brunch

TX-01 nominees recognized for earning appointments to the nation’s most prestigious military institutions

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) hosted his annual Service Academy Nominees Brunch to honor six outstanding young men and women from East Texas who have earned appointments to the United States’ most prestigious military service academies.

The brunch brought together the nominees, their families, and community leaders to celebrate the achievements of these exceptional students and the beginning of their journeys in service to our nation.

“Serving our country in uniform is not a decision anyone makes lightly, and the young men and women we honored today understand exactly what they're signing up for,” said Congressman Moran. “They've already demonstrated the character, the work ethic, and the heart for service that our military demands. East Texas has always answered the call when our nation needs it most, and this class carries that tradition forward. I'm grateful to their families for raising the kind of young people our country needs, and I look forward to watching them lead.”

This year’s class of nominees from the 1st Congressional District of Texas represents the best of East Texas. Each student endured a demanding application process that tested their academic achievement, physical fitness, leadership, and character. Their appointments reflect not only their individual merit but also the strong families, schools, and communities that shaped them.

2026 SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINEES

Nora Ni

United States Military Academy — West Point, NY

Brook Hill High School

“Applying to the service academies was a journey of endurance and consistency, and I am deeply grateful for the support from my family, teachers, mentors, and Congressman Moran’s office in this endeavor. It is truly an honor and a privilege to give back in service to our nation alongside such an exceptional team. I know the years ahead won’t be easy, but I am excited to face the challenges because I know they will build my capacity to serve and lead.”

— — —

Brock Sieber

United States Air Force Academy — Colorado Springs, CO

Grace Community High School

“Applying for the service academies has been a rigorous and long process but my hard work has paid off. My desire to serve my country has given me the discipline to overcome the challenges that come with the process. There is no greater sacrifice for the ones I love than to dedicate my life to protecting all Americans. I am beyond grateful to be given the opportunity to serve God, my community, the state of Texas, and the United States of America in the Air Force.”

— — —

James Thomson

United States Naval Academy — Annapolis, MD

Hendrix College

“I feel extremely honored to get this opportunity to serve my country. The application process has been long, yet undoubtedly worthwhile. I look forward to contributing my best and becoming part of a lifelong family.”

— — —

Brooks Frans

United States Naval Academy — Annapolis, MD

Bishop Gorman High School

“I believe that service means giving myself and my talents for the good of others. Throughout the admissions process, I learned more on my own work process and the guidance God gives through His plan. In all, I believe that I am well prepared to serve as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy.”

— — —

Jayden Riley

United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School — Colorado Springs, CO

Atlanta High School

“Applying to the United States Air Force Academy has been a journey of discipline, growth, and purpose for me. It has shown me what it truly means to commit to something bigger than myself. To me, serving my country isn’t just about wearing the uniform—it’s about leading with integrity and putting others before myself every day. It’s an honor and a responsibility I don’t take lightly.”

— — —

Matthew Scheusner

United States Merchant Marine Academy — Kings Point, NY

Tyler Legacy High School

“The application experience itself separated the wheat from the chaff—those who could finish the application and those who couldn’t. I’m very grateful to everyone who helped me finish the application and then being accepted on top of that. I want to give back to my community—the great city of Tyler and its mentors—which helped me get to where I am today. To do so, I am going to honor them by serving my country and one day invest in the next generation like they did for me.”

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: the U.S. Military Academy (West Point, NY), the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD), the U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO), and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY). Each member may nominate up to fifteen individuals for each vacant academy slot allotted to their district.

Students interested in pursuing a service academy nomination from Congressman Moran’s office may begin the process during their junior year of high school by contacting the district office at (903) 561-6349 and asking to speak with the Service Academy Coordinator.


Reps. Pettersen, Hayes Introduce Bill to Bolster Child Education Workforce

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act of 2026, legislation to strengthen teacher preparation programs and better equip educators working with young children.

The bill would require training in early childhood development, including children’s social and emotional growth, age-appropriate behavioral supports, and effective instructional practices. The legislation recognizes that the earliest years of a child’s life are critical to long-term learning and development and ensures educators have the tools to support children during these formative years.

“As a mom of two young kids, I know how critical those early years are and that early childhood lays the groundwork for lifelong learning,” said Pettersen. “As Trump continues to dismantle the services that support our families, it’s getting even harder – and more expensive – for regular people to access high-quality child care. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this legislation to bolster our child care workforce and put our kids on the path to thrive long-term.”

“The first five years of the life of a child are critical for development. Leaders working with young children must be equipped with evidence-based strategies that promote social and emotional growth,” said Hayes. “By investing in the development of teachers, the Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act lays a strong foundation for student success.”

The Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act would modify Title II of the Higher Education Act by mandating that school leadership programs receiving federal Teacher Quality Partnership grants incorporate training on early childhood development and effective instructional leadership for children from birth to age eight. Companion legislation was introduced by U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Ben Ray Lujan (R-NM). Bill text is available HERE.

This legislation is endorsed by the Association of Educational Services Agencies, National Association for the Education of Young Children, School Superintendents Association, The Early Care & Education Consortium, The Education Trust, and ZERO TO THREE.


Rep. Simpson Advances Funding for Montpelier Police Department Radio Upgrade

WASHINGTON—Today, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson highlighted the inclusion of $66,000 in funding for the Montpelier Police Department Radio Upgrade Project in Montpelier, Idaho, at his request through Community Project Funding (CPF) in the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.

“Several Idaho police officers have vocalized that outdated communication equipment for their department can result in problematic operational challenges. I hear these concerns and want our law enforcement officers to serve our communities to the best of their ability. I am proud to fight for these radio upgrades for Montpelier’s Police Department, so they have the resources they need to respond efficiently in emergencies,” said Rep. Simpson.

“On behalf of the Montpelier Police Department and the community we serve, I want to sincerely thank Congressman Simpson for his continued support of Idaho’s first responders,” said Chief Blake Wells of the Montpelier Police Department. “The funding Congressman Simpson helped secure will allow our department to purchase much-needed in-vehicle and handheld radios, improving our ability to communicate effectively and respond safely in critical situations. These upgrades are essential for officer safety, interoperability, and providing the highest level of service to our citizens. We greatly appreciate Congressman Simpson’s commitment to public safety and rural law enforcement agencies across Idaho.”

This funding will be used to replace its handheld and vehicle radio equipment with newer models. The Montpelier Police Department is currently using equipment that is over 10 years old.

As Idaho’s only appropriator, Rep. Simpson has a unique opportunity to fight for Idaho’s priorities and ensure Idahoans’ hard-earned tax dollars return to Idaho.

The Montpelier Police Department Radio Upgrade Project is a part of the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. This measure has been approved by the House Appropriations Committee.


Takano, Adams, Sanders Reintroduce Restoring Overtime Pay Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Mark Takano (CA-39), Representative Alma Adams (NC-12) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) reintroduced the Restoring Overtime Pay Act to expand and strengthen overtime protections for workers, legislation that is especially vital as President Donald Trump’s policies drive up costs for everyday Americans.

Currently, just eight percent of full-time salaried workers are eligible for overtime pay based on their salaries alone. In 1975, nearly 63 percent of all full-time salaried workers were guaranteed overtime pay. While 60 percent of Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck, the Trump Administration is trying to make it more difficult for working families to make ends meet by weakening the protections set by the Biden Administration. In response, this bold, commonsense legislation will help restore fairness to an economy rigged against workers and their families.

The Restoring Overtime Pay Act expands and strengthens overtime protections for up to 29.3 million workers by gradually increasing the overtime salary threshold to the 55th percentile of full-time salaried workers nationwide.

“Americans are working more for less,” said Rep. Takano. “Expanding the overtime threshold for salaried employees is the best way to ensure that families can survive the cost-of-living crisis caused by Donald Trump. I am proud to introduce this bill to help make sure over 29 million workers get paid fairly.”

“For far too long, tens of millions of Americans have been denied overtime pay because of outdated federal law,” said Rep.?Adams. “In my district, thousands of residents are struggling to make ends meet while the Trump administration puts the interests of billionaires above those of ordinary Americans. Working people need overtime pay now more than ever, and I am proud to partner with Congressman Takano and Senator Sanders to introduce the Restoring Overtime Pay Act and ensure workers are paid what they’re owed.”

“At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, when over 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, it is beyond unacceptable that President Trump is denying overtime pay to millions of workers who desperately need it to keep up with the outrageously high cost of living,”?said Sen. Sanders.?“We should be making it easier, not harder, for Americans who work more than 40 hours a week to get the time-and-a-half pay that they have earned and deserve. That’s precisely what this bill would do.”

Endorsing Orgs:?AFL-CIO; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); American Federation of Teachers (AFT); Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance-AFL-CIO (APALA); Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP); the Clearinghouse on Women’s Issues; Communications Workers of America (CWA); Demos; Equal Rights Advocates; Family Values?@ Work; the Feminist Majority Foundation; International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM); International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE); National Education Association (NEA); National Employment Law Project (NELP); National Employment Lawyers Association; National Institute for Workers’ Rights; National Partnership for Women & Families; National Women’s Law Center; NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice; North Carolina Justice Center; Oxfam America; Patriotic Millionaires; Public Justice Center; Service Employees International Union (SEIU); UNITE HERE; United Autoworkers (UAW), United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE); United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW); United for Respect; United Steelworkers (USW); Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center; WorkLife Law; Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute.

Read the one-pager and section-by-section summary of the Restoring Overtime Pay Act.

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Congressman Shri Thanedar Supports Constitutional Amendment to Stop Trump’s Pardon Abuse

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Shri Thanedar co-sponsored the Pardon Integrity Constitutional Amendment, a constitutional amendment designed to crack down on President Trump’s abuse of the presidential pardon power.

“From being the first member to file articles of impeachment against President Trump to opposing his efforts to build an ICE detention center in my district, I have made fighting President Trump’s attacks on our democracy a top priority”, said Congressman Shri Thanedar. “The Pardon Integrity Constitutional Amendment would provide needed Congressional oversight on the pardon power by requiring the President to notify Congress of the intent to issue a pardon and allowing Congress to veto the pardon by a two-thirds vote in each chamber. With President Trump’s extensive history of pardoning those who have donated to his campaign, people who have defrauded Americans, and sex predators & violent criminals who assaulted police officers and tried to overturn the 2020 election, this amendment is especially important to fight back against Trump’s repeated attempts to profit off of America’s highest office and assault American democracy. I’m proud to support it, and urge my colleagues to pass this critical amendment in order to hold President Trump accountable.”

Congressman Shri Thanedar proudly represents Michigan's 13th Congressional District, which includes Detroit, Downriver, and the Grosse Pointes. As a champion for working families, Shri is committed to advancing economic opportunities, education, healthcare access, and entrepreneurship for underserved communities. Drawing from his journey from poverty to success, he works tirelessly to uplift Metro Detroit, ensuring every resident has the resources and support they need to thrive.

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