RELEASE: Gottheimer Announces “Feed Our Kids Act” to Fight Farm Bill Cuts to School Meals for Hungry Jersey Children

SNAP Cuts Will Hurt Jersey Families, Farms, & Cost Taxpayers Millions

Farm Bill Must Be Fixed – “It’s Rotten At Its Core”

HILLSDALE, N.J. — Today, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced new, federal legislation, the Feed Our Kids Act, which would provide free breakfast, lunch, and afterschool snacks to every student in K-12 public schools across America.

This legislation comes as Gottheimer sounded the alarm on the devastating nutrition cuts jammed through by House Republicans in the Farm Bill last week. It would lock in cuts in critical funding for school meals, SNAP, and local food programs that threaten to push hundreds of thousands of New Jersey students into hunger.

Right now, over 400,000 kids in Jersey rely on free or reduced school meals each and every day.

Gottheimer made the announcement at Ann Blanche Elementary School in Hillsdale, New Jersey, with local elected officials, educators, hunger-relief advocates, and community leaders.

“You can’t propel a rocket without fuel. The same goes for a growing student,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Too many children in New Jersey are still showing up to school every morning with the tank reading empty. In the greatest country in the world, it is simply unacceptable that one in seven children in our state faces food insecurity. The Feed Our Kids Act will change that — no stigma, no bureaucracy, no child left hungry.”

The bill is co-lead with Representatives Darren Soto (FL-5) and Brittany Pettersen (CO-7).

“Making sure every kid has access to a healthy meal at school reduces costs for families and ensures that every student has the ability to grow and thrive,” said Congresswoman Brittany Petterson (CO-7). “We’ve seen the impact free school meals have in Colorado, and we know this bill is a critical step toward supporting our families, both in and out of the classroom.”

More than forty-seven million people in the United States face hunger. One in four Americans report skipping meals because they simply cannot afford their grocery bills.

In New Jersey alone:

• One in seven children faces food insecurity — not knowing where their next meal will come from.

• More than 270,000 children rely on school meals for two meals a day, five days a week.

• In New Jersey, there are 812,966 SNAP recipients, including 436,452 households and 341,529 children.

• 63,000 people in Bergen County go hungry every day, including more than 30,000 children across Northern New Jersey.

• More than 400,000 students received free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch last school year — with another 110,000 who qualify but still aren’t receiving meals.

Research shows that students who eat breakfast and lunch perform better in the classroom, have stronger memory recall, are less likely to be absent or repeat a grade, and have fewer behavioral and attention problems. Students who are properly nourished also have healthier lifelong diets and are less susceptible to obesity-related health issues. Additionally, studies show that addressing hunger reduces violent crime, making communities safer and stronger.

THE FEED OUR KIDS ACT

The Feed Our Kids Act would:

• Provide free breakfast, lunch, and afterschool snacks to every student in K-12 public schools across America.

• Eliminate unpaid meal debt from schools and remove burdensome application paperwork for qualifying families.

• Ensure meals are nutritious and locally sourced when possible.

• Extend meal access during summer break and sudden school closures so no child’s nutrition falls through the cracks.

• Eliminate the stigma associated with means-tested meal programs by making access universal.

• Provide Congress with a report on the impacts of free school meals and provide recommendations to ensure that schools are using nutritious meals that are locally sourced from farmers.

More than nine states already provide free school meals for all children — with more states, including those located in the Deep South, moving toward universal programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jersey’s shift to a universal school meal program drove a more than seventeen percent increase in math scores. When Republicans slashed those extra resources after the pandemic, fourth grade math scores fell by five points and eighth grade scores dropped by eight points.

“This is all common sense. We can’t let another day go by where a Jersey kid goes to school hungry. This shouldn’t be political. There is nothing red or blue about feeding our children,” Gottheimer said. “The Senate has a real opportunity to stop this insane plan and keep our hungry children and families fed.”

Gottheimer also announced two additional actions in response to the House Republicans’ Farm Bill — which he called the “One Big F’d Up Bill” — that would impose the largest SNAP cuts in the nation’s history:

Gottheimer is sending a letter to the Administration demanding restoration of the Local Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement programs. The Administration’s cuts eliminated $1 billion in food assistance, costing New Jersey $26 million in previously committed funding that would have supported forty-six local farms and food producers, including eleven in NJ-5.

Gottheimer is calling on the Senate to reverse devastating Farm Bill SNAP cuts that would require New Jersey to cover five percent of SNAP assistance — costing the state up to $100 million per year — and increase the state’s share of SNAP administrative costs from fifty percent to seventy-five percent, adding an additional $100 million annually. In total, the Farm Bill would add $200 million in new costs on New Jersey taxpayers. It would also cause more than four million Americans to lose their SNAP benefits, stripping their children of automatic eligibility for free school meals.

Gottheimer was joined by Hillsdale Mayor Michael Sheinfield, Hillsdale Councilman Chris Campp, Hillsdale Superintendent Robert Lombardy, Kevin Donatello, Hillsdale School Board President, Christine Higgins, Principal of Ann Blanche Smith School, Michael Jacobs, President of the NJ School Boards Association, Dr. Timothy Purnell, Executive Director/CEO of NJSBA, Jonathan Pushman, Senior Director of Advocacy of NJSBA, Sal Valenza from New Jersey School Nutrition Association, Lisa Pitz from Hunger Free New Jersey Executive Director, Beth Williams from Hunger Free America New York State Policy Director, Adele LaTourette, Senior Policy Advisor for Community Food Bank of New Jersey, and Joe Licata, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Lower Bergen County.

Watch Congressman Gottheimer’s remarks here.

Watch additional remarks here.

Read Congressman Gottheimer’s full remarks below:

Good morning. It’s great to be here with so many friends and leaders at Ann Blanche Elementary School here in beautiful Hillsdale. You can’t propel a rocket without fuel — the same goes for a growing student. Our children are rockets preparing to take off toward successful lives and careers. But, they won’t reach their dreams without fuel in the tank.

Unfortunately, too many children in New Jersey are still showing up to school every morning with the tank reading on empty. They just aren’t getting the food and nutrition they need at home, and, with the costs of everything from gas to groceries way up, it’s just getting worse. More than forty-seven million people in the U.S. face hunger. One in four Americans say they’re skipping meals because they simply can’t afford their grocery bill.

Believe it or not, in our state, one in seven children face food insecurity – they don’t know where their next meal will come from – it’s heartbreaking. And more than 270,000 children rely on school meals for two meals a day, five days a week. 63,000 people here in Bergen County go hungry every day – more than 30,000 children across Northern New Jersey. That’s unacceptable. Without school breakfast and school lunch, many of those kids wouldn’t have anything to eat at all. Those are tomorrow’s leaders.

Yet, somehow, my colleagues on the far right in the House jammed through a Farm Bill last week that gutted critical funding for nutrition, including for school breakfast and school lunch. It’s unprecedented and dangerous. If the Senate passes it and the President signs this bill into law, more kids will go hungry. They won’t have the fuel in the tank here at school.

Across our state, more than 400,000 students received free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch last school year – and another 110,00 qualify but still aren’t getting meals. The reason? Some schools, even with kids who need it, just don’t participate in the federal program – even though the meals are paid for by the federal government. They think it creates a stigma for their school, or they just don’t feel like dealing with the bureaucracy.

I’ve personally gone after many of them over the years, and check in with every superintendent annually to make sure they are taking care of hungry kids – especially when we are clawing back federal tax dollars to help our schools. In other cases, parents don’t know about the program or just don’t fill out the forms. Other schools give out lunch but not breakfast. None of these excuses are acceptable to me when a kid goes hungry.

Our state, under Assemblyman Dan Hutchison and Speaker Coughlin’s leadership and support, has a bill right now to provide universal school breakfast, so that all children are provided free meals regardless of whether students are federally eligible. And, under Commissioner Tracy Zur’s leadership, Bergen County has gone above and beyond, helping provide more than 160,000 pounds of food and provided more than $2 million in grants to local food pantries and community partners to help families in need.

The Farm Bill also locks in earlier devastating cuts to programs that help schools and food banks purchase fresh, locally sourced food, and leaves our farmers without proper support and funding. And, it made devastating cuts to the SNAP nutrition program, which provides families with the necessary funds to help buy groceries and improve nutrition. More than 430,000 families in New Jersey rely on SNAP. It makes no sense.

At a time when families are already struggling with skyrocketing gas, utility, and grocery costs, why would anyone take food away from kids and limit resources to help our next generation? It just seems cruel to me.

It just seems cruel to me.

The facts couldn’t be clearer: For those students who eat breakfast and lunch, we see better performance in the classroom and better opportunities after they graduate. On top of that, a grumbling stomach leads to decreased ability to focus, decreased physical activity, stomach aches, headaches, depression, and anxiety.

The numbers back this up. Studies show that students who skip breakfast make more errors, have slower memory recall, and are more likely to be absent, tardy, or repeat a grade. But students who eat meals at school are less likely to be hyperactive and have fewer behavioral and attention problems than their hungry peers. A Tufts University study also showed that elementary school students who eat breakfast listen better and have better short-term memory

than students who skip breakfast.

It’s not just good for grades — it’s good for their lifelong health and success. Students who aren’t hungry have better vitamin and nutrient intake, healthier overall diets, and are less susceptible to health issues brought on by obesity. Studies have also shown that when we address hunger, violent crime drops. By making sure everyone has enough to eat, we can make our state safer, healthier, and more successful.

Hunger doesn’t just hurt students; it hurts all of us.

That’s why I’m here today to sound the alarm and to announce new steps to protect our children, our families, and our farmers.

First, I am introducing the new Feed Our Kids Act, which will provide free breakfast, lunch, and afterschool snacks to every student in public schools across America. It’s universal, so no kids will be left hungry – no stigma or bureaucracy in the way. It also ensures meals are nutritious, locally sourced when possible, and that schools reach families during summer break and sudden school closures, so that no child’s well-being, nutrition, and ability to succeed falls through the cracks.

To the naysayers who say why give to every student, I say: these meals are fine, but they aren’t exactly lunch from the Ritz Carlton. These programs are not new. More than nine states already provide free school meals for kids, and have been for years, with more states soon to pass universal programs, including ones in the Deep South. We have already seen how successful free school meals for students are, and how they end up saving schools a fortune by avoiding the red tape of operating a program that requires individual qualification.

During the pandemic, we went from our current program, which is bureaucratic and selective and leaves many kids out, to a universal program in our state. It worked. We saw hunger go down and test scores go up, including more than 17 percent in math scores just from feeding our kids! But then, after the pandemic, the far right slashed the extra resources for universal school meals, and more kids went hungry again. In 2022-23, 4th-grade math scores fell by 5 points, and 8th-grade scores dropped by 8 points.

My legislation will put back in place what was working – and make school meals universal. Itwill also eliminate unpaid meal debt from schools and application paperwork for all qualifying students and their parents to ease the barriers and reduce the stigma of free meals.

Second, I am sending a follow-up letter to the Administration demanding that they restore the critical Local Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement programs that connect local farmers with our schools to provide fresh, locally grown food to our kids.

As I mentioned, in a draconian move, the Administration slashed a billion dollars of food assistance for these programs, hurting the most vulnerable in our communities and our food banks. New Jersey lost $26 million in previously committed funding that would have supported 46 local farms and food producers across our state — including eleven right here in my District. I simply don’t get it. These programs don’t just feed kids. They are also critical to supporting our local farmers and strengthening our economy. Cutting these programs hurts everyone.

Third, I am calling on the Senate to fix this broken version of the Farm Bill by reversing the largest SNAP cuts in our nation’s history that directly harm our most vulnerable families. The Farm Bill has an opportunity to save Jersey families millions of dollars, but the “One Big F’d Up Bill” puts those costs squarely on Jersey families. It will require New Jersey to cover 5 percent of SNAP assistance, costing Jersey up to $100 million per year, and increasing the state’s share of SNAP administrative costs from 50 percent to 75 percent. That will saddle Jersey and our counties with an additional $100 million each year to run the program.

You heard that right, in all, the Farm Bill will add $200 million of new costs on the backs of Jersey taxpayers! Adding insult to injury, if people get thrown off of SNAP – which more than 4 million people will with the new Farm Bill – families will no longer automatically qualify for free school meals, leaving kids hungry at home and at school.

This farm bill is rotten to the core. But, here’s the good news: the Senate still has a real opportunity to reverse what the far right just jammed through the House, stop this insane plan, keep SNAP funded, and keep our hungry children and families fed.

As a member of the bipartisan Hunger Caucus, I’m helping to lead this fight against insanity in Washington. I’ve worked across the aisle to expand access to school meals and protect nutrition programs, including bills like the bipartisan “Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act,” which is now law, to provide milk in schools and ensure children receive the nutrition they need to grow, thrive, and succeed in the classroom.

This is all common sense. We can’t let another day go by where a Jersey kid goes to school hungry. This shouldn’t be political. There is nothing red or blue about feeding our children.

In the greatest country in the world, if we work together and put the health and success of our kids first, we can solve this problem, and I know that our best days will always be ahead of us.

Thank you. God bless you, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.


Rep. Grijalva Conducts Unannounced Visit at Florence Staging Facility

Florence, Arizona — On Thursday, May 7 Rep. Adelita Grijalva conducted an unannounced Congressional oversight visit at the Florence Staging Facility (FSF). This is a facility run by the ICE Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) on the campus of the Florence Detention Center Complex (separate from the Florence Corrections Facility run by the private operator CoreCivic). FSF is supposed to be a short-term holding location with a capacity of 187 people where recently detained individuals are processed before being transferred to a long-term detention facility. According to ICE, “the facility houses male and female detainees for up to 72 hours but does not house juveniles or families.”

However, the Office of Congresswoman Grijalva’s casework team has received direct reports from people detained there being held for weeks at a time in sub-standard conditions, including lack of medical care, access to legal representation, clean laundry, basic hygienic supplies, and a proper place to sleep.

“I am going to continue conducting these unannounced oversight visits and holding this administration accountable for its cruel mass deportation agenda,” said Rep. Grijalva. “I am deeply concerned by reports my office has received of severe overcrowding and individuals being held for weeks at a time in facilities that were never intended for long-term detention, including this facility and AROCC in Mesa. This underscores the urgent need for federal legislation establishing clear time limits and basic standards for temporary holding facilities.”

You can watch video of Rep. Grijalva entering the facility here.

You can watch video of Rep. Grijalva’s reaction after touring the facility here.

The Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, a non-profit based in Arizona that provides legal and social services to detained immigrants, has also reported poor conditions at FSF (see full report here):

They expressed concern for being deported without their personal belongings, having been told that they would only get a swift kick in the ass and they should not count on the items that they had been detained with (Cell phone, money, identification, etc.)

Multiple people reported they had not been provided with hygiene items since arriving at FDC.

Several stated they are not receiving sufficient food during mealtimes and claimed noticeable weight loss.

They reported difficulty accessing medical care and stated they were told they would need to be “rolling around on the floor or unconscious” before being seen by medical staff

Many women have reported to the Florence Project that dozens of women are being held in cramped conditions in small cells in a trailer, while men have reported that there are around 300 men at any given time being held in large rooms that hold about 60 bunks beds (120 beds total).

Research released from Relevant Research, using ICE Integrated Decision Support interval ADP data, shows that ‘As of April 2, 2026, ICE reported an annualized average of 368 detainees at the facility. Using an interval average, the number of detainees detained on that date was likely closer to 436.”

The Vera Institute of Justice also analyzed data collected by the Deportation Data Project, including the daily population of FSF. The data shows that in 2026 (last available data is from March 10, 2026), the population of FSF went up to 750 people on March 10, 2026. The data reflects that from February 5, 2026, through March 10, 2026, the daily population did not drop below 400 people.

Men have reported that there are, at times, hundreds more men than available beds. As a result, people are forced to sleep on benches or on the floor with no bedding, sometimes for days. Men have reported that they have not been allowed outside for recreation for days or weeks while detained at FSF and the overflow staging portions of FDC.

People with chronic illnesses, like diabetes, have reported not receiving medication for several days or weeks.

The Florence Project has heard reports that people could spend days or weeks in the same clothes with no access to laundry while detained in FSF or the overflow staging units in FDC.

This visit comes after Representative Grijalva’stour of the Dilley family detention facility in Texas earlier this week, as well as previous visits to facilities in Eloy, Florence, and another short-term holding site in Mesa. Following the visit to the Mesa facility, she introduced legislation alongside Reps. Stanton and Ansari that would ensure that short-term detention sites cannot hold detainees for longer than 12 hours. This is in response to severe overcrowding at the short-term holding site in Mesa, where reports show the number of people detained nearly quadrupled the stated capacity at certain points, with 777 individuals held in a facility with a maximum capacity of 203. This has prompted the Mesa Airport to warn the landlord that leases the facility to ICE to address overcrowding.

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Congressman Rogers Joins State, Local Officials for Water Project Celebration

Mount Vernon, KY – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) joined state and local leaders in Rockcastle County on Thursday to celebrate the completion of the long-awaited, nearly $4.6 million water treatment project for the Mount Vernon Water Treatment Plant.

“Perseverance has been the key to success for this project,” said Congressman Rogers. “The people of Rockcastle County can finally enjoy fresh, clean drinking water from Lake Linville thanks to innovative engineering and strong support from the federal, state and local levels.”

“This project faced significant delays due working with two different Army Corps districts, two separate environmental reviews, rising costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and other roadblocks during the Biden Administration,” said State Rep. Josh Bray. “This project would not have happened without the hard work and federal funding secured by Congressman Rogers.”

State officials reported finding a natural algae-based organic compound called geosmin in the water supply, a non-toxic chemical that changes the taste and odor of water. Congressman Rogers secured federal funding for a new carbon basin filter facility to eliminate the problem. The funding sources included the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 531, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Appalachian Regional Commission and the Kentucky Department of Local Government.

“All of the progress we’re seeing in Rockcastle County is going to be tied together by access to quality water – it is the key ingredient to economic development,” said Travis Burton, USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky. “Projects of this magnitude require years of work and committed leaders. As a Rockcastle County native, it has been an honor to work with federal, state and local officials to make a big impact on the future of this entire community.”

The keynote speakers also applauded the collaborative efforts of the late Michael Bryant who worked on this project for many years as the Mayor of Mount Vernon, as well as former State Rep. Danny Ford, Mayor of Mount Vernon Tim Roberts, Rockcastle County Judge Executive Howell Holbrook, State Senator Brandon Storm, and Kenvirons Engineering.


ICYMI: Rep. Ronny Jackson Advocates for FISA Section 702 Reform and Reauthorization

WASHINGTON — Last week, Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) delivered remarks on the House floor advocating for reform and reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), emphasizing its vital role in protecting national security while maintaining strong oversight and accountability.

Rep. Jackson highlighted 56 reforms to Section 702 implemented by House Republicans in 2024, noting that last week’s House-passed reauthorization measure adds further safeguards to ensure the tool is used precisely to target dangerous foreign threats.

“Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is a unique and critical tool that enables our Intelligence Community to gather vital intelligence, protect our national security, and safeguard Americans from terrorist attacks,” said Rep. Jackson. “No other foreign intelligence authority can replace the speed and agility of Section 702. If this authority expires, we will substantially degrade U.S. national security and our intelligence officers’ ability to identify foreign threats in real-time.”

Click here or above to watch Rep. Jackson’s floor debate.


Congressman Joyce Introduces Bipartisan Resolution to Honor National Nurses Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH-14), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) introduced a resolution honoring and celebrating National Nurses Week, recognized annually from May 6th to May 12th. U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) also introduced this resolution in the Senate.

This resolution recognizes the importance of the role nurses have played in our healthcare system and their impact on people at every stage of life. It encourages our communities to observe National Nurses Week and recognize the importance of nurses to patients and doctors across the country.

“The nursing community’s tireless work and advocacy for patients keep our healthcare system running. As the husband of a nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how much pride they take in providing top-notch care for patients,” said Congressman Joyce, Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. “I’m proud to introduce this resolution and will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to implement common-sense policies that strengthen support for nurses and improve access and affordability across our healthcare system.”

“This National Nurses Week, we celebrate the valuable contributions of our nursing workforce and call attention to the obstacles and challenges nurses face every day. Nurses provide essential, dedicated care across the country, and we must support their work while helping more people enter the field. As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Nursing Caucus, I will continue to advocate for policies nurses and aspiring nurses need, including affordable higher education,” said Congresswoman Bonamici, Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus.

Congresswoman Kiggans, Vice Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, said, “Our nation’s nurses are on the frontlines of healthcare every day. My experience as a geriatric nurse practitioner shaped my commitment to this profession and deepened my respect for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. During National Nurses Week, we recognize not only their service, but their critical role in strengthening our healthcare system. I am proud to share their voices in Congress, and I look forward to continuing to work to ensure our nurses have the support they deserve.”

“As the husband of a nurse, I’ve seen how difficult nurses’ jobs are and how important they are to patients,” said Senator Merkley, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus. “In every corner of Oregon, nurses offer vital care, support, and advocacy to patients and their families during challenging times. Let’s pause this week to express gratitude for and honor the nurses in our communities for their unwavering skill, commitment, and compassion. We must remain dedicated to providing them with the support necessary to continue their life-saving work.”

“Nurses are essential to our nation’s health care system,” said Senator Wicker, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus. “They ensure patients receive timely and quality care, and their dedication is unmatched. Our country needs more of these heroes, and I hope more young people will consider joining the nursing profession. This resolution is a small token of our gratitude for their service.”

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Cutting Through the Cost of Waiting: Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz joins Congressman Kennedy at Roswell Park to Push Three-Pronged Legislative Approach to Expand Access for Survivors and High-Risk Patients

Three Pieces of Legislation Championed by Wasserman Schultz Would Provide Comprehensive Approach to Continuing Care for Cancer Survivors, Enhance Medicare Coverage for Those with Hereditary Risks, and Reauthorize the EARLY Act to Raise Awareness of Early Detection in Young Women

Wasserman Schultz, a Breast Cancer Survivor, Toured Roswell Park with Kennedy to See Firsthand the Progress Being Made at World’s First Cancer Hospital

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Following a tour of the world’s first dedicated cancer hospital, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) joined Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) to call for passage of her three-pronged approach to expanding access to care for cancer survivors and high-risk patients. Wasserman Schultz, a breast cancer survivor, was in Buffalo at Kennedy’s invitation. The Congresswoman is calling for the passage of three pieces of legislation she sponsors: the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act, the Reducing Hereditary Cancer Act, and the EARLY Reauthorization Act. Taken together, these three bills transform cancer care at every stage of a patient’s journey by identifying hereditary gene mutations in at-risk individuals, expanding access to early screenings and risk-reducing surgeries, and addressing the lasting health challenges that survivors face.

“Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz’s inspiring story proves exactly why early intervention is vital,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “No matter your background or family history, early detection is the most critical factor in surviving cancer. The lifesaving work at Roswell Park, combined with this new legislative package, will expand access to care and give families more precious time together. I’m deeply grateful to my friend Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz for visiting Buffalo to see this research firsthand, and to the thousands of dedicated professionals at Roswell Park who work tirelessly to save lives.”

“As a breast cancer survivor myself, I know firsthand that a patient’s cancer journey doesn’t end with the final round of chemo or radiation - it’s a lifelong battle,” said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. The challenges cancer survivors face must continue to be at the forefront of every conversation we have about this deadly and unrelenting disease. I really appreciate my friend Rep. Kennedy and his incredible team at Roswell Park, both for their invitation, and their unyielding commitment to the cancer community.”

“From expanded services for people at high risk of cancer to ongoing support for cancer survivors, we are delighted to have the chance to share our ideas and experiences with legislators,” said Candace Johnson, PhD, President and CEO of Roswell Park. “Representatives Wasserman Schultz and Kennedy have once again proven their commitment to the cancer patients here at Roswell Park and across the country.”

“I’m here to say thank you to the caregivers, researchers, lawmakers and leaders who are partners in these important conversations about cancer prevention, care, research and survivorship services,” said breast cancer survivor Sharon Sanford, a Senior Associate Director of Athletics at the University at Buffalo, and founder of Sadie Strong. “Together, we are shaping the access, the resources, the realities that tomorrow’s cancer patients will confront, and we are paving a way for more cancer victories, more people getting back to their lives and moving forward with good health and positivity.”

“We are so grateful to Representative Wasserman Schultz, Representative Kennedy and Dr. Johnson for hosting conversations today that lead to meaningful action tomorrow,” said breast cancer survivor Annette Colden, founder of We R As 1 Inc. and a longtime partner in Roswell Park’s outreach and engagement programs. “It’s so important that cancer survivors are engaged as true partners in this way.”

The three pieces of legislation being advanced by Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz and supported by Kennedy are:

The Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act - This legislation overhauls cancer survivorship care by requiring Medicare to cover personalized survivorship plans to help patients navigate from active treatment to long-term survivorship and mandating Medicaid cover vital fertility preservation services for women at risk of iatrogenic infertility resulting from cancer treatment. The bill also creates a specific Medicaid benefit to help childhood and adolescent survivors safely transition into standard primary care and establishes a grant program through nonprofits to assist cancer survivors facing barriers to employment as a result of their disease and effects of treatment. To drive long-term progress, the act formally establishes the Office of Cancer Survivorship to manage dedicated research grants and mandates a sweeping government evaluation of patient outcomes.

The EARLY Reauthorization Act - First enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the EARLY Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the CDC, to launch a national education campaign targeting young women (ages 15–44) to raise awareness of breast health, risk factors, and early detection, with particular attention to diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. It also established a parallel campaign aimed at educating health care professionals on the importance of early breast cancer diagnosis, patient counseling, and genetics referrals. Additionally, the EARLY Act created a grant program for nonprofit organizations assisting young women diagnosed with breast cancer to help them navigate the process. The authorization for this law expired at the end of last year. This bill reauthorizes programs under this law through 2031.

The Reducing Hereditary Cancer Act - This bill provides for Medicare coverage of germline mutation testing for individuals with a personal or family history of a hereditary cancer gene mutation or suspected history of hereditary cancer, as well as for associated coverage of risk-reducing surgeries and screenings.

“Cancer has unfortunately touched my family in many ways, including personally affecting both my wife and me,” said Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick. “We know firsthand that early education, screening, and detection save lives. Institutions like Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center need sustained funding to continue advancing our understanding of this disease and how it can ultimately be eradicated. The more our country invests in cancer research, screening, and prevention, the more lives we will save and the more progress we will have to celebrate in the future. I am proud to support Congressman Tim Kennedy’s efforts to provide comprehensive care for survivors living with the long-term effects of cancer treatment, while also expanding screening and education for those at high risk of developing cancer.”

New York State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, "As someone who has supported a loved one through cancer treatment, I know how critical access to quality, comprehensive cancer care can be. However, not everyone in this country has the same access to that lifesaving care. Black Americans face a higher cancer burden and the highest death rates of any group, driven by long standing inequities. I'm grateful to Congressman Tim Kennedy and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz for their leadership to expand access, improve early detection, and ensure patients and survivors get the care and support they deserve."

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “Cancer doesn’t end when treatment does, and for far too many families, the hardest part begins after they leave the hospital. Congressman Kennedy’s legislative package recognizes that survivorship is a lifelong journey, and it finally meets patients where they are. These proposals ensure that survivors aren’t left to navigate recovery alone, and they recognize the real-life challenges patients face beyond the doctor’s office. This is what comprehensive, compassionate care looks like. I’m proud to stand with Congressman Kennedy in pushing for these critical investments in prevention, treatment, and survivorship.”

“I’m proud to stand with Congressman Tim Kennedy and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz in support of this comprehensive cancer care package that puts patients and families first," said Erie County Legislator Taisha St. Jean Tard. "This legislation recognizes that cancer care does not end with treatment, but that it requires continued support, early detection, and access to life-saving resources. By expanding coverage and investing in survivorship and prevention, we are taking meaningful steps to ensure our communities receive the care, dignity, and support they deserve.”

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Fire Departments & Reps. Kevin Mullin, Jill Tokuda & Young Kim Announce $56 Million for FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Efforts

East Palo Alto, CA – With fire season around the corner and after years of bipartisan advocacy, Representatives Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), and Young Kim (CA-40) led a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers to secure $56 million to support the lifesaving work of FEMA’s National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Forces, a $15 million increase and the largest increase the program has seen in at least 20 years.

This achievement follows many years of sustained, bipartisan advocacy by a growing coalition of over 40 lawmakers who have consistently pressed Congress to provide stronger, more reliable federal support for US&R teams.

Rep. Mullin gathered with members from US&R’s California Task Force 3, based in Menlo Park and East Palo Alto, California Task Force 5, based in Orange County, and local fire departments at the Menlo Park Fire Protection District’s Task Force 3 warehouse in East Palo Alto to announce the increased funding during a press conference.

The US&R Response System includes 28 task forces strategically located across 19 states, and are composed of highly-trained emergency personnel from local fire departments. These heroic teams deploy at a moment’s notice to communities across America to provide life-saving assistance during catastrophic events such as the Maui and Los Angeles wildfires, Hurricanes Milton and Katrina, the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Northridge Earthquake, and many other crises. The task forces must respond to devastating national disasters well beyond their geographic jurisdictions, but have not received commensuratefunding from the Federal government to maintain their operations.

Now, thanks to the coalition’s work, local departments will receive more robust funding for the costs associated with maintaining their readiness to deploy to disasters. Reps. Mullin, Tokuda and Kim, and the bipartisan coalition successfully advocated for at least $56 million to be included in the recently adopted Department of Homeland Security funding bill, a $15 million increase and the highest funding level in at least 20 years.

“Securing this overdue federal funding reflects a vital win for communities across the country by ensuring they can depend on lifesaving support when a crisis strikes. Disasters don’t care whether you live in a red or blue state, and I am encouraged by this bipartisan accomplishment to uplift US&R’s essential work that is really about Americans coming together to support each other in devastating times of need,” said Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15). “I’m especially proud to have California’s Task Force 3 out of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District in my congressional district, and I’m grateful for the critical aid they provide to residents at home and across the nation. These teams are among the very best in emergency response, providing critical assistance during some of the most devastating moments communities can face. This federal investment strengthens our preparedness, supports the extraordinary work of these teams, and will ultimately save many lives.”

“Southern California families count on our first responders in their most critical moments. Our first responders should be able to count on us,” said Rep. Young Kim (CA-40). “This funding increase strengthens Urban Search and Rescue teams like Orange County Fire Authority so they can respond quickly, save lives, and better protect our communities. I was proud to help lead this effort alongside our local partners and will keep fighting to ensure our first responders have every resource they need to get the job done.”

“The era of a predictable ‘disaster season’ is over, and we must now confront a year-round reality where Hawaiʻi and communities across the nation face constant, catastrophic threats,” said Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02). “From the devastating Maui wildfires to the more recent Kona Low storms, we have seen firsthand that these disasters strike without regard for the calendar, making the mission of our Urban Search and Rescue teams more critical than ever. Ensuring these teams are ready to deploy at a moment’s notice is crucial to saving lives, which is why I am proud to join Representatives Kevin Mullin and Young Kim in fighting for the funding they need to remain prepared 365 days a year. When the unthinkable happens, every American deserves to know that help is ready to move.”

“FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams, sponsored by local government fire agencies like Menlo Park Fire Protection, provide vital, highly trained surge resources to communities that have been struck by catastrophic disasters,” said Mark Lorenzen, Fire Chief, Menlo Park Fire Protection District (CA-TF3). “They are critical in both life saving measures as well as helping move jurisdictions forward to recovery. The teams have been financially burdened by increased costs while federal funding lags well behind inflation. Thanks to Reps. Mullin, Tokuda, and Kim for leading this effort to bridge the funding gap to ensure our sustainability.”

“The Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) system task forces will be better prepared and equipped to respond to both natural and man-made disasters thanks to increased funding teams will receive,” said Joseph R. Downey, Chief of Rescue Operations with Fire Department of the City of New York (NY-TF1). “We are deeply grateful for the strong support from our representatives, who recognize the critical importance of maintaining a National US&R system capable of deploying anywhere in the country to support the state resources. This investment strengthens our ability to continue to assist communities impacted by hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and flooding.”

“The OCFA’s pride in serving as the sponsoring agency for CA-TF5, one of just 28 FEMA Urban Search & Rescue teams in the country, is matched only by our gratitude for the national leaders who understand, value, and support the critical role these first responders play,” said OCFA Interim Fire Chief TJ McGovern. “Congressman Mullin, Congresswoman Kim, and Congresswoman Tokuda are such leaders, and the additional funding stemming from their efforts will strengthen our ability to serve and help ensure our teams are equipped, trained, and ready to deploy when lives are on the line.”

The bipartisan coalition led by Reps. Mullin, Kim, and Tokuda includes Reps. Gabe Amo (RI-01), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Wesley Bell (MO-1), Ami Bera (CA-6), Brendan Boyle (PA-2), André Carson (In-7), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Gabe Evans (CO-8), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Mike Flood (NE-1), Jared Golden (ME-2), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Maggie Goodlander (KY-3), Julie Johnson (TX-32), William Keating (MA-9), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Jennifer Kiggans (VA-2), John Larson (CT-1), Stephen Lynch (MA-8), Seth Magaziner (RI-2), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Doris Matsui (CA-7), Dave Min (CA-47), Seth Moulton (MA-6), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-1), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (C0-7), Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), Greg Stanton (AZ-4), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Lori Trahan (MA-3), Derek Tran (CA-45), Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

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Speaker Johnson Announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winners

WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson announces the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District.

“A Moment at Cypress Black Bayou” by Maycie Howard

2026 Congressional Art Competition Winners:

1st Place: “A Moment at Cypress Black Bayou” by Maycie Howard, Airline High School

2nd Place: “Shining Streets of Louisiana” by Lydia Vaughan, Summerfield High School

3rd Place: “Monarch of the Marsh” by Christiyana Washington, Airline High School

4th Place: “Natural Beauty” by Tori Airhart, Anacoco High School

“Shining Streets of Louisiana” by Lydia Vaughan


Speaker Johnson at the National Day of Prayer: America is a Praying Nation

WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson delivered remarks in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol to celebrate the National Day of Prayer, an annual day of observance designated by the United States Congress in 1952.

“As you pray for our country today, we thank God for His acts of salvation and provision and deliverance,” Speaker Johnson said. “Let's also pray that we may have the strength, just as our Founders did, to hand the baton of faith and freedom onto the next generation that follows us, a generation that cherishes liberty and proclaims proudly what is right and good and true."

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered:

Prayer's been a part of our DNA since the very beginning, as you know. So, it's fitting that we do this formal tradition, established by Congress at the height of the Cold War. And it reaffirms something that's so important that really goes to the heart of who we are as Americans: We are a praying nation. We always have been. It truly is part of who we are. We know that prayer is where the impossible happens. We know it's where we find solace and stay anchored in our faith, even through challenges and even through the storms, and that is indeed how we have endured. It's fitting that we're here in beautiful Statuary Hall, which, as you all know, was the original House Chamber.

It's fitting that as you walk around the Capitol here, and we're so happy to welcome you today that you'll see vestiges, reminders, of the deep religious heritage of our country. You'll see reminders of our deep Judeo-Christian traditions, our foundations, our biblical foundations. That's what makes America unique and extraordinary.

Just about a hundred feet or so from here, if you went through the Rotunda and took a left, you would go down the hallway where my office is. The Speaker's Office on one side, on the other side is the Senate Majority Leader's Office, and right in the middle of that is a chapel. It was erected about the same time, built and established there about the same time as the National Day of Prayer became a formal piece of our law. And as you walk in there—many of you have been in there before and invite you to go visit it—your eyes will be drawn up to this beautiful original stained-glass piece. It's one of a kind. I think it's the most beautiful I've ever seen, and in that stained glass right in the center is depicted the father of our country, George Washington, and he is humbled before the Lord down on one knee. And he's praying and the words surrounding him from Psalm 16:1, and it says, “Preserve me, oh God, for in thee do I put my trust, preserve me.” That's what we still echo today. And of course, that passage of scripture is a restatement of our national motto: In God we trust.

And by the way, if you come with us to the House Chamber, the current House Chamber, you'll see that Congress also many years back also during the height of the Cold War decided to engrave permanently the national motto right above the head of the Speaker of the House and the rostrum as a permanent reminder. In fact, it says in the visitor's guide to the House Chamber, somewhere about on page 21, it says what that was for and it says, ‘Congress put that there as a rebuke to the Soviets because their philosophy.' They did it during the height of the Cold War.

Communism, Marxism, socialism began with the premise that there is no God. Congress wanted to make sure that all future generations understood that is not who we are. And these are reminders that they were there long before the practice of public prayer was formally enshrined in the law. It was before we did all that it was immortalized in the hearts of the American people and in the Founders of our very nation. It wasn't just George Washington. From the first harvest at Plymouth, to the bloodstained battlefields at Bunker Hill, to the whispered prayers of pioneers who are moving westward, the long arc of American history has been charted by the prayers of God-fearing people, God-fearing American citizens.

This 75th annual National Day of Prayer comes at a unique time in the history of our country. Of course, we're also celebrating the 250th anniversary of this grand experiment in self-governance. For Americans of faith, it's a time for us to come together and to pray for our nation, of course. And so, it is so fitting that we do this right now.

It's also a time to reflect on the great moral inheritance of which every American citizen, across every generation has been the humble recipient. That inheritance goes back to the very idea upon which our nation was founded. We boldly proclaimed the self-evident truth that our rights do not come from government. They come from God himself, that He is the one that has endowed us with our inalienable rights. That among those of the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, Right there in the second paragraph in the nation's birth certificate, it summarizes our national statement of faith. The Founders made that bold declaration, and that was the foundation that that made us become the most free, most successful, most powerful, most benevolent nation in the history of the planet. It's not even close.

Our Founders did their best to set up our nation in accordance with His guidelines and principles and my friends. That is why God has blessed America for 250 years. But the faith of our Founders didn't just shape the character of our civic institutions. It steeled the American spirit, and it strengthened the fabric of our public life through our highest highs and our lowest lows. So it's only natural that today we reflect on this experiment in liberty and how best to maintain it, how to keep this grand experiment in self-governance, how to keep the republic, and we follow our Founders and we seek his guidance, God's guidance through the words of scripture and the invocation of prayer.

The theme of this year's National Day of Prayer is not rhetorical. It says, ‘Tell of God's glory among the nations, His good deeds to all people.’ As Americans of faith, we see that as our responsibility. We can never know what tomorrow brings, of course, but God calls us to be faithful and to proclaim his good deeds. And on this grand anniversary in particular, we have a great opportunity. We should use this the entire year as a teachable moment to pass along to the next generation of Americans who we are, what we're about, and way why we are this great country.

So, as you pray for our country today, we thank God for His acts of salvation and provision and deliverance. Let's also pray that we may have the strength just as our Founders did, to hand the baton of faith and freedom onto the next generation that follows us, a generation that cherishes liberty and proclaims proudly what is right and good and true. Thank you for being here.

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Washington Examiner: Fuel STAR Act: A better way to lower gas prices with year-round E15

Proponents of allowing E15 to be sold year-round argue that it’s the free-market thing to do. They’re partially right — in a true market-based system, government regulations preventing E15, or even E100, from being sold year-round should not exist.

But the Texas-sized problem is that, since the Renewable Fuel Standard was established in 2005, federal regulation governing the fuel market looks more like a command economy flush with mandates than a free-market economy that lets demand drive supply. U.S. refineries are required to blend a set volume of biofuels each year, and if refiners cannot meet that mandate, they must make up the difference by purchasing punitive and costly Renewable Identification Numbers generated by producers of biofuels.

As a result, this boondoggle of a program imposes $70 billion in annual regulatory costs on U.S. refineries, according to an estimate, artificially increasing gas prices and playing a key role in the consolidation of the refinery industry over the past two decades.

Next week, the U.S. House is expected to vote on legislation that would exacerbate this problem. While this bill was born out of a valiant, good-faith effort by numerous House members (including me) who served on the speaker’s E15 council, it makes no reforms to reduce the cost of the RFS on U.S. consumers. The legislation, while providing for year-round E15, ultimately strips small refineries — 10% of U.S. refining capacity — of the regulatory relief Congress promised them, accelerating consolidation of the United States’s fuel market to the largest refiners.

Curtailing the small-refinery exemption could shutter the only refineries serving entire states, leaving rural America to pay even higher gas prices in those refinery deserts and making them dependent on long-haul deliveries from distant refining facilities, which creates dangerous single points of failure in our fuel supply.

Fortunately, a true market-based solution exists that can significantly reduce the cost of the RFS and still boost biofuel demand. The Fuel and Strengthen the American Refinery Act of 2026, authored by Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and me, would allow E15 to be sold year-round, removing arbitrary restrictions that prevent it from being sold during the summer. The legislation also provides regulatory relief to refineries that decide to invest in blending biofuels at their facility — a highly capital-intensive process.

The Fuel STAR Act would also slash regulatory costs for refineries and U.S. consumers through one simple fix in the RFS program. For years, the Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that refiners blend 15 billion gallons of ethanol per year, even though U.S. fuel ethanol consumption has never reached that target. The ethanol industry is now advocating that EPA set even higher ethanol volumes going forward. Since refiners need to purchase additional RINs to make up the difference between the higher ethanol mandate and the lower ethanol demand, the value of those RINs skyrockets, significantly increasing regulatory costs for those refineries without changing the demand for ethanol.

This bill would simply require that the annual ethanol mandate match actual projected ethanol demand. A recent analysis found that this simple fix would reduce the regulatory costs of the RFS by $35 billion — 50% of the program price tag for refineries and U.S. consumers. Best of all, this fix would not impact biofuel demand or negate the positive impacts of allowing year-round E15.

In addition, when small refineries receive regulatory relief from the RFS, the Fuel STAR Act would prohibit the “reallocation” of RIN obligations from small refineries onto larger refineries. Biofuels producers and larger refineries have strongly criticized the practice of some companies owning multiple small refineries to receive exemptions from the regulatory mandate. This bill reasonably addresses this issue by ensuring that mid-sized companies owning multiple small refineries can receive exemptions on only 50% of the barrels of oil produced from these refineries company-wide.

This fight to allow year-round E15 and reform the RFS has festered for over 20 years, with biofuels producers, large refineries, and small refineries all fiercely defending their interests. As a result, restrictions on E15 remain in place, and the cost of the RFS keeps ballooning. The Fuel STAR Act provides the framework for a true market-based compromise that would eliminate restrictions on E15 and reduce the regulatory impact of the RFS on the American people.

It’s a win for the biofuel industry. It’s a win for refiners of all sizes. But, most importantly, it’s a win for the free market and the American people who are paying more at the pump. Now is the time to work together to bring a sensible solution.


Fox News: Texas GOP backs resolution saying states have right to repel border ‘invasion’

The U.S. House’s Texas GOP Caucus announced Thursday that it is united behind a resolution from Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, arguing that states have constitutional authority to secure their borders against an "invasion" or "imminent danger."

The caucus is urging Congress to approve the measure, citing what Republicans called the "failed open-border policies" under former President Joe Biden and the millions of illegal immigrants who crossed into the country during his administration.

"It is the job of elected officials to protect the Americans that sent them to office," Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"Unfortunately, we’ve seen Democrat leaders willfully facilitate a border invasion time and time again. States ought to be able to step in and secure the border when federal government cannot or will not do so. I am proud to join the Texas GOP Caucus in standing up for the American people.

The House resolution, first introduced in 2021 in response to the border crisis under the Biden administration, affirms that states have a right under the Constitution to secure their borders if the federal government fails to act. Courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have long treated immigration enforcement as primarily a federal responsibility.

H.Res. 50 says states retain sovereign authority under Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution to defend their territory and citizens from "invasion" or "imminent danger" when the federal government fails to meet what Republicans describe as its Article IV, Section 4 obligation to protect states from invasion.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Arrington said the U.S.-Mexico border has largely been secured under the Trump administration but argued his resolution is needed to ensure states can act if a Democrat returns to the White House.

"What we want to avoid is what happened during the four years of the Biden administration, which is, we had a bunch of states being overrun and overwhelmed with illegal immigration and all the various problems that occurred as a result. We didn't have a federal government that was doing its job and, in fact, we had a federal government that was obstructing states like Texas from actually filling the gap that they left because they abdicated that responsibility," the congressman said.

Arrington argued that fentanyl and other drugs flowing across the border contributed to more than 100,000 overdose deaths in a single year during the Biden administration, while illegal border crossings, cartel activity and drug and human trafficking strained border states.

"The drugs were killing hundreds of thousands, they were killing a plane load of American citizens every week," Arrington said. "They killed over 100,000 Americans in one year, which is more than we lost in the Vietnam War. When you're losing more American citizens to what is tantamount to chemical warfare from the Mexican terrorist drug cartels, in close cooperation with the Chinese who were providing the precursor material for synthetic fentanyl, that was the greatest and most imminent threat to our nation during those four years."

The congressman highlighted that his resolution has received support from the Texas GOP Caucus, conservative organizations, law enforcement officials and legal experts.

"The Constitution, as interpreted by the Supreme Court, forbids states from interfering with the federal government’s monopoly over our territorial sovereignty," John Yoo, former deputy assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "But the House of Representatives could make its own findings of fact that failures at the border rose to the level of an ‘imminent danger’ that would justify a state’s exercise of self-defense. Such a set of findings might bolster Texas’s case in the courts as well as its political case to the public. Without such congressional support, Texas is likely to fail."

In a press release obtained by Fox News Digital, Texas GOP Caucus Chairman Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas, said, "The Framers understood that a state cannot be left at the mercy of a federal government that refuses to do its job when there’s an invasion at its border."

"That's why Article I, Section 10 exists — and that's exactly the situation Texas and our border states faced for four years under the Biden administration. H.Res. 50 affirms what the Constitution already guarantees: states have every right to defend its citizens. The Texas GOP Caucus is united in ensuring that right is recognized and preserved," he said.

The resolution comes amid a legal battle over Texas Senate Bill 4, a state measure that would allow police officers to arrest migrants suspected of illegally crossing into the U.S. and authorize state judges to order certain migrants to leave the country.

The law is set to take effect next week after a federal appeals court vacated a lower court ruling last month that had blocked enforcement. The appeals court found the plaintiffs in that case did not have standing to sue, but it did not resolve the broader constitutional questions surrounding the law.

S.B. 4 established a state-level crime for illegal entry and authorized state magistrates to order certain individuals to leave the country if they are convicted.

Arrington told Fox News Digital that Texas’ S.B. 4 could soon reach the U.S. Supreme Court as legal challenges continue.

The Texas Civil Rights Project, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Texas filed a new lawsuit this week seeking emergency relief to block several provisions of the Texas measure before they take effect May 15.

The groups argue the law is unconstitutional, saying immigration enforcement is exclusively the responsibility of the federal government and that federal law should preempt the state statute.

Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, argued that S.B. 4 is "cruel and illegal," adding that the groups "will keep fighting it until it is permanently struck down."

"Every court to have reached the merits of laws like S.B. 4 has found them to be unconstitutional," he said in a statement.

The three groups did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment on Arrington's resolution in time for publication.


Griffith Statement on 75th National Day of Prayer

Today, the United States of America observes the National Day of Prayer. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the annual observance. For this occasion, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“For 75 years, Congress has asked the American people to band together on the National Day of Prayer. This is a unique tradition that catches the attention of Americans, inspires reflective action and delivers respect to our great country.

“As we celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary, I invite all in Virginia’s Ninth District, no matter your beliefs or faith, to join me in prayer for the United States of America.”

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Griffith Announces $3,710,694 HHS Grant to New River Valley Head Start Programs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded New River Community Action, Inc., based in Radford, Virginia, a $3,710,694 grant. The funding supports local head start projects. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“New River Valley communities access head start services thanks to the work of New River Community Action.

“This HHS grant for more than $3.7 million helps New River Community Action administer its head start programs in the region.”

BACKGROUND

According to its website, New River Community Action supports head start services in the City of Radford as well as Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski Counties. More than 200 children in the New River Valley benefit from its head start program.

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

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Griffith Announces $16,188 HHS Grant to STEP, Inc.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded STEP, Inc., based in Rocky Mount, Virginia, a $16,188 grant. The funding supports local head start projects. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Ninth District communities access head start services thanks to the work of Solutions that Empower People, known as STEP.

“This HHS grant for more than $16,000 helps STEP administer its head start programs in the region.”

BACKGROUND

STEP’s head start network consists of teaching and educational professionals, as well as health advocates and transportation specialists.

The awarding office of this grant is the HHS Office of the Administration for Children and Families.

STEP’s head start programs are supported by Franklin and Patrick County Public Schools, the Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia, and Piedmont Community Services.

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

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Moskowitz Unveils Bipartisan Legislative Package to Reform the Department of Homeland Security

Bipartisan legislative package would move Secret Service to the Executive Office of the President, make FEMA an independent agency, and transfer TSA to the Department of Transportation

The package was introduced because DHS has grown too bureaucratic to make decisions, causing its departments to not function properly and receive the attention they need to best serve the American people; This has been further exacerbated because of government funding dysfunction

Since coming to Congress, Moskowitz has led on bipartisan reforms to DHS – different parts of the package have bipartisan support from Congressmen Russel Fry, Byron Donalds, and Tim Burchett

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) unveiled a bipartisan legislative package to reform the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by restructuring key agencies and placing them in departments better aligned with their core missions. As the only former Director of Emergency Management in Congress and as a member of the bipartisan task force investigating the assassination attempt on President Trump, Moskowitz has seen up-close how DHS has become too bureaucratic to make decisions – undermining the ability of departments to function properly and receive the attention they need.

In particular, this legislative package from Moskowitz would move the United States Secret Service (USSS) to the Executive Office of the President, make FEMA an independent agency, and transfer the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) back to the Department of Transportation (DOT).

“DHS has simply grown too big and too vulnerable to political dysfunction,” said Moskowitz. “Let’s be clear: when a department becomes this massive, the mission gets lost. Secret Service needs help and under the current DHS bureaucracy, that reform is never going to happen. FEMA needs to be able to move faster when disaster strikes, and it cannot do that when it is buried inside a massive bureaucracy. And airport security should be aligned with the same FAA that governs our skies. The American peoples travel plans should not be at the whim of political dysfunction in Washington.”

“At the end of the day, this is about making government work better,” Moskowitz concluded. “Security at our airports should not be caught up in unrelated policy fights. Disaster response should not be slowed down by bureaucratic red tape or funding uncertainty. And protecting the President should not depend on the politics of a massive department.”

Details on different legislation in the package is found below.

USSS reform:

The Secret Service Transfer Act, co-led by Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC), would move the United States Secret Service to the Executive Office of the President. Following the recent attempt on the President’s life at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the importance of the Secret Service’s mission has never been clearer. This change would ensure the agency receives the focus and resources it needs, rather than being one of many components within DHS’s increasingly large and complex department.

“The United States Secret Service has the grave duty of keeping the President and other U.S. officials safe,” said Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07). “That responsibility has become increasingly crucial in light of the rise of political violence and continuous attacks against President Trump. Moving the Secret Service to the White House allows the organization to uphold its mission while simultaneously giving them more direct accountability to the President of the United States. In a time where political attacks are becoming more and more rampant, the Secret Service should be able to focus solely on its mission of protecting top U.S. officials— not dealing with bureaucratic tape that ultimately serves as a distraction to keeping the President safe.”

FEMA reform:

Moskowitz’s FEMA Independence Act, which he previously introduced with Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL), would remove FEMA from DHS and restore it as an independent, Cabinet-level agency reporting directly to the President. It would also stipulate that FEMA’s Senate-confirmed leader must have “a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland security” across the public and private sectors.

“When disaster strikes, quick and effective action must be the standard–not the exception. It is imperative that the bureaucratic labyrinth of FEMA is simplified and streamlined to directly report to the President of the United States to better serve our citizens in their hour of need. I am proud to join Congressman Moskowitz in this innovative initiative to ensure the most efficient disaster relief response for the American people.” said Congressman Donalds.

TSA reform:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Transfer Act that would transfer the TSA back to the DOT, where the agency was originally housed before being moved into DHS in 2003. Co-led by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), Chair of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE), the legislation would realign airport security with the broader transportation system it serves.

In recent years, TSA officers and American travelers have repeatedly been caught in the middle of Washington funding fights. When DHS funding lapses, TSA officers can be required to report to work without pay, and those disruptions can lead to staffing shortages, longer security lines, and headaches for travelers. Moving TSA back to DOT would help us avoid these unnecessary headaches at the airport, better align traveler security with air travel security, and ensure the American people are no longer paying the price for dysfunction in Washington.

“The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been used as pawns during recent government shutdowns because it is controlled by the Department of Homeland Security,” said Burchett. “Since the Department of Transportation already oversees air travel in the United States, it should also be responsible for overseeing the personnel who provide its security.”

To see the text of each legislation, click below:


Rep. Pfluger, Secretary Burgum Showcase Permian Basin Innovation During Diamondback Energy Tour

MIDLAND, TX — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) joined U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum for a tour of a Diamondback Energy e-frac site, where Secretary Burgum witnessed the cutting-edge innovation taking place in the heart of the Permian Basin.

Following the tour, Congressman Pfluger and Secretary Burgum participated in a roundtable discussion with industry executives and local leaders to discuss what they are experiencing on the ground and how Congress and the Trump Administration can help unlock and maintain American energy dominance.

"As the crown jewel of American energy production, the Permian Basin is the cornerstone of American jobs, national security, and economic prosperity. It was a privilege to welcome Secretary Burgum to see its impact firsthand. From touring a Diamondback e-frac site to a productive roundtable with industry leaders, our focus was on advancing practical solutions for today's challenges. Secretary Burgum has been a strong leader in advancing commonsense deregulatory efforts and fostering a more predictable regulatory environment that allows businesses to thrive. The world depends on the Permian Basin, and together, we are focused on unleashing its full potential," said Congressman Pfluger.

"This week’s visit with Congressman Pfluger to a critical Diamondback Energy operation underscored why President Donald J. Trump’s American Energy Dominance Agenda is so important to the future of our nation," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "Expanding and unleashing domestic energy production in regions such as the Permian Basin is a matter of both economic strength and national security because every barrel produced supports American jobs, strengthens our economy and reduces dependence on foreign adversaries. The Trump administration is grateful for the hardworking men and women on the ground who are helping power a new era of American strength and innovation through the production of reliable, affordable energy, and we will continue advancing responsible energy development, cutting unnecessary red tape and unleashing America’s full energy potential for the benefit of every American."

“It was an honor to welcome Secretary Burgum and Congressman Pfluger and highlight the technology and people behind Diamondback’s operations. The Permian Basin is essential to reliable, affordable energy, and we remain focused on safe, efficient development while working with policymakers to keep American energy competitive and secure,” said Kaes Van’t Hof, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Diamondback Energy.

Pictures from the day are available for broadcast and distribution here, and a few are highlighted below as well.

In Case You Missed It (ICYMI):

On Sunday, Rep. Pfluger also joined Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo to highlight the success and incredible work of the Permian Basin. As Rep. Pfluger said in an X post on the interview, "The Permian Basin is the crown jewel of American energy production. We’ve never been stronger in our energy position thanks to the innovation of small, independent companies in the Permian Basin like Diamondback Energy. Energy security will always be national security."

During the interview, Rep. Pfluger also emphasized the critical role the Permian Basin has in helping us lock in American energy dominance for generations to come. With OPEC unreliable and the Middle East increasingly unstable, the United States remains the world's most reliable and affordable source of oil and gas. We must provide this region with the predictability and support our producers urgently need.

Watch the full interview here or by clicking the image below:


For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland

May 7, 2026 202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SECURES AQUACULTURE STUDY PROVISION FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS IN HOUSE-PASSED FARM BILL

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) announces the inclusion of her amendment directing the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study identifying locations in the U.S. Virgin Islands suitable for the development of aquaculture small businesses in the Farm Bill (H.R. 7567), which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 30, 2026.

The amendment requires the Agriculture Secretary to complete the study within 180 days of enactment and mandates consultation with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. The study will assess water quality, coastal access, infrastructure needs, and applicable environmental and regulatory requirements, laying critical groundwork for the growth of a sustainable aquaculture economy in the Territory.

"The Virgin Islands has everything it takes to be a leader in aquaculture — our waters, our geography, our people. What we have lacked is the federal investment and infrastructure assessment needed to turn that potential into real economic opportunity for our small business owners and our community. This study is a meaningful step toward ensuring that the Virgin Islands is not left out of the blue economy, and is the outgrowth of discussions with John Farchette while he was with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR). I am excited about the possibility of deep-sea farming for export, the potential development of high-value fisheries (crustaceans) and mechanisms for effective sargassum management here in the Virgin Islands. I will continue to fight to make sure that federal resources and federal attention reach our shores," said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett.

Territorial aquaculture leaders welcomed the amendment as a turning point for the industry. Mr. Farchette, a leading voice on marine aquaculture development in the Virgin Islands, offered the following statement:

"Thank you to the Delegate and her staff for the opportunity to comment on this most important subject. Aquaculture and mariculture in our region would go a long way to ensuring our economic future in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We are uniquely fortunate to have and be surrounded by the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. We currently have a seafood trade deficit of $20 billion dollars annually — most of that from China, India, and Ecuador. Promoting marine aquaculture helps in the resiliency of coastal areas, creates meaningful employment, grows our economic future, and brings a new industry to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“Exportation of manufactured seafood products to the U.S. market would offset that trade deficit we currently have with Asian countries and Ecuador, shared Mr. Farchette. “Our waters can produce 25% more biomass than areas currently being fish farmed in the United States, and we have unique incentives to promote the exportation of manufactured products from the Virgin Islands. The U.S. Virgin Islands has established rules and regulations to govern this new industry and a VI 5-Year Aquaculture Plan pursuant to Act 6471 — we are currently the only Caribbean territory under the U.S. flag to have done so. We look forward to working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Commerce, NOAA's Office of Aquaculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other federal institutions to ensure that our environment and public health are protected as this industry grows. Again, we would like to thank Delegate Stacey Plaskett for her invaluable support over the years. God bless the United States of America and the people of the United States Virgin Islands."

The Farm Bill passed the House on April 30, 2026, and now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration. If passed, it will proceed to the President's desk to be signed into law.

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Raskin, Van Hollen and Alsobrooks to Trump Administration: Save the World’s Largest Workplace Giving Program

Today, Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08) and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) are rallying 40 of their colleagues to save the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the world’s largest workplace giving program. The CFC, which was formally established by President Reagan in 1982, connects federal public-spirited employees with charities in need of donations.

In a letter to Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Scott Kupor, the lawmakers called on him to preserve the CFC as its sudden termination would have disastrous consequences for the hospitals, disaster relief providers, food banks and other charitable organizations it serves across the country.

"For decades, the CFC has provided tremendous value to our nation’s charities and vulnerable populations ranging from sick children to families on the brink of poverty,” the lawmakers wrote. “By supporting the needs of such populations through voluntary employee contributions as opposed to traditional federal spending, the program has also saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars."

The CFC supports more than 4,400 charitable organizations and has saved the federal government an estimated $400 million over the past five years. Since its inception under the Reagan Administration, the CFC has raised more than $9 billion for thousands of nonprofits. Notably, participating charitable organizations are charged fees for participating in the CFC, passing no operational burden onto American taxpayers. The CFC has in fact saved the federal government hundreds of millions of dollars by directing voluntary contributions to community needs that might typically require federal spending. In August, OPM issued a stop-work order halting all preparations for the CFC’s 2025 funding cycle, alarming organizations that depend on charitable giving from federal workers. In the months since, OPM has decommissioned the program’s charity portal and issued a warning that the program’s website ‘may be taken offline at any moment.’

"By harnessing the generosity of federal employees, the Combined Federal Campaign has strengthened charities’ capacity to address local, regional and national needs that might have otherwise necessitated the use of taxpayer resources,” the lawmakers wrote. “...Ending the program will disrupt and destabilize the valuable work of charitable organizations — and cause substantial harm to students with disabilities, hungry families and other populations that depend on their work."

Charitable organizations that benefit from the CFC include some of the nation’s largest nonprofits such as the Ronald McDonald House, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Red Cross. Local and regional charities, such as the North Texas Food Bank and United Way of the National Capital Area, also receive critical support through the CFC.

The letter was also signed by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Don Beyer (VA-08), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Adam Smith (WA-09), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Andriano Epsaillat (NY-13), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Mark Pocan (WI-02), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Danny Davis (IL-07), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Ed Case (HI-01), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Andre Carson (IN-07), Gabe Evans (CO-08) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07).

The lawmakers’ letter is endorsed by the Nonprofit Alliance, a national coalition of nonprofits that has played a leading role in advocacy on behalf of the CFC.

Read the full letter to Director Kupor here and below.

The Honorable Scott Kupor

Director

Office of Personnel Management

1900 E Street, NW

Washington, DC 20415

Dear Director Kupor:

We write with grave concern about the potential termination of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the largest workplace giving program in the world. For decades, the CFC has provided tremendous value to our nation’s charities and vulnerable populations ranging from sick children to families on the brink of poverty. By supporting the needs of such populations through voluntary employee contributions as opposed to traditional federal spending, the program has also saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Yet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has taken several actions to undermine the CFC. The recent decommissioning of online portals for participating charities and donors represents a significant threat to their work, and we are concerned that the program now faces imminent closure. In light of the strong return on investments delivered by the CFC and the lifeline it represents for charities across the nation, we urge you to preserve this vital program.

In 1982, President Ronald Reagan issued an executive order establishing the modern-day CFC. Writing to federal agencies, he reaffirmed the program’s role in upholding American traditions of social responsibility and in his own words, “individual giving for good causes.” Today, over 4,400 charitable organizations participate in the CFC, and to date, the program has raised nearly $9 billion for food banks, veteran support, disaster relief and other important causes. The CFC has also saved the federal government an estimated $400 million over the past five years. Such savings are the result of empowering federal workers to donate to community needs that would otherwise require taxpayer dollars.

Given the wide reach of the CFC, we are worried that its sudden termination would impose broad human costs. The program benefits rural nonprofits, faith-based charities, and other service-oriented organizations in regions across the country. Ronald McDonald House, for example, serves critically ill children in states as diverse as California, Alabama, and Maine. At Ronald McDonald Houses, children and their families benefit from home-cooked meals, supportive staff and crucially, proximity to the hospitals where they can access the lifesaving care they need. Donations generated through the CFC contribute to these services, enabling children to undergo vital medical treatment and ensuring they can remain with their families as they do so. CFC contributions benefit nonprofit hospitals directly as well. In one story shared by a children’s cancer research hospital, a Marine Corps staff sergeant in Florida had been a consistent donor through the CFC. Little did he know that one day, his five-year-old daughter would be diagnosed with a kidney tumor and in need of care at the same hospital to which he had been donating for years.

According to the North Texas Food Bank, which fills kitchen pantries throughout the region, every dollar it receives through the CFC enables it to provide access to three nutritious meals. For families who do not know where their next meal may come from, this food assistance represents a critical form of relief. The Maryland Food Bank, a major supplier for hundreds of the state’s soup kitchens, shelters and faith-based organizations, has similarly highlighted the significance of the funding it receives from the CFC. Especially in the face of recent cuts to federal grants, the organization has warned that the termination of the CFC may introduce new budgetary challenges.

Despite the CFC’s proven track record of success, OPM issued a stop-work order halting all preparations for the launch of the 2025 cycle on August 26, 2025. The directive came mere days before the website for the 2025 CFC was set to be activated on September 2, 2025, and charities participating in the drive had already paid the requisite application and listing fees. In the midst of the uncertainty, organizations across the country mobilized and obtained assurances that OPM would proceed with the 2025 CFC. Yet in a memo issued to federal agencies on September 10, 2025, you clarified that OPM continued to assess the future of the CFC, including a possible end to the program altogether. Not to be discouraged by this looming threat, charities displayed remarkable resilience throughout the 2025 CFC cycle, overcoming federal layoffs and a government shutdown to raise an estimated $40 million for disaster survivors, people facing housing insecurity and other individuals in need of assistance.

On February 20, 2026, OPM notified participating charities that the website portal they used to apply for the CFC and track donations would be decommissioned on March 4, 2026. A similar message was posted on the public-facing CFC website, with language indicating that the portal for federal employee donors would also be decommissioned in March. At present, only the charity portal appears to have been taken offline, but the public-facing website now warns donors to download their tax receipts since their portal — and the website itself — “may be taken offline at any moment.” Additionally, the website specifies that “the decommissioning process began on March 4.”

According to your September 2025 memo, your concerns about the value of the CFC are due to “excessive administrative costs.” This statement, however, omits crucial facts about the structure and long-term benefits of the CFC. For one, charities are charged various fees throughout their participation in the program. The funds collected are then used for operating costs, and taxpayers are left unburdened. Moreover, far from requiring a significant infusion of taxpayer resources, the CFC has saved the federal government hundreds of millions of dollars by directing voluntary contributions to community needs that might typically require federal spending.

If there are changes OPM can make to further increase the efficiency of the CFC, we encourage you to explore them in consultation with longstanding charity partners. But a unilateral decision to dismantle the program altogether is not the solution. Many charities rely upon the funds they raise through the CFC to operate. The loss of such resources would force them to scale back their programming, making it exceedingly difficult for them to meet the needs of the disadvantaged communities they serve. As a result, the federal government would likely have to devote additional resources toward addressing the needs of these communities.

By harnessing the generosity of federal employees, the Combined Federal Campaign has strengthened charities’ capacity to address local, regional and national needs that might have otherwise necessitated the use of taxpayer resources. In addition to considering the taxpayer savings associated with the CFC, we urge you to take seriously the human toll of moving forward with its termination. Ending the program will disrupt and destabilize the valuable work of charitable organizations — and cause substantial harm to students with disabilities, hungry families and other populations that depend on their work. For the sake of the charitable community and the vulnerable populations they serve, we urge you to preserve the CFC.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to your response.

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Rep. Simpson Cosponsors Resolution to Recognize National Small Business Week

WASHINGTON—Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson cosponsored a resolution to designate May 3rd to May 9th, 2026, as National Small Business Week. This resolution is sponsored by Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN).

“Idaho’s small businesses are the backbone of our state and economy,” said Rep. Simpson. “In my district alone, there are 24,142 small businesses with employees. I will always advocate for policies that invest in our small businesses and deliver tax certainty, like the Working Families Tax Cuts. As National Small Business Week comes to an end, I join Idahoans in expressing my gratitude to the small business owners and employees throughout our great state.”


Steube Moderates House Intel Panel on Chinese Counterintelligence Threats to Florida

Rep. Greg Steube on Intel Roundtable Panel in Tampa, FL.


Rep. Sykes Hosts Ohio’s 13th Congressional District Art Show and Awards Ceremony

AKRON, OH — U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) hosted a community art show and awards ceremony at Summit Artspace to recognize the 39 high school student artists in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District who participated in this year’s Congressional Art Competition.

“It was an honor to host this year’s art show and awards ceremony to showcase the talents of Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. This was a wonderful opportunity for people from throughout our community to come together and celebrate the talented student artists in our district, as well as the art teachers and family members who support them. I’m thankful for everyone who attended the event, and I look forward to seeing what these students create next,” said Rep. Sykes.

During the awards ceremony, Rep. Sykes announced Mayya Sharma, an eleventh grader from Cuyahoga Falls High School, as the overall winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District. The winning piece, titled Art History, will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, alongside winning artwork from all participating districts across the country.

“Congratulations to Mayya Sharma for her winning piece, Art History! Mayya’s use of brightly colored textiles truly set her apart. I am excited to see this piece of Ohio’s 13th District proudly displayed on the walls of the United States Capitol,” Rep. Sykes continued.

In addition to the first place overall winner, Rep. Sykes also announced the following award winners:

Second Place Overall: Digital Consumerism by Elysia Truex, Jackson High School

Third Place Overall: If I Leave by Ariana Moneskey-Jones, St. Vincent - St. Mary High School

Best Acrylic Painting: Golden Jellyfish by Lulu Emanuele, Firestone Community Learning Center

Best Colored Pencil: Blooming Lily by Natalie Martell, Norton High School

Best Digital Artwork: Papaya by Milo Sandoval, Jackson High School

Best Mixed Media: The Morning After the Cram by Josephine Fulmer, Norton High School

Best Photograph: Face of the Game by Jacob Eby, GlenOak High School

Best Drawing: Fractured Silence by Charles Parnell, Old Trail School

Best Theme: Friendship Butterflies by Anabel Watanabe, Nordonia High School

People’s Choice Award: Face of the Game by Jacob Eby, GlenOak High School

Highest Student Engagement Award: Sara Andes, Art Teacher at Jackson High School

The second place piece will be displayed in Rep. Sykes’ Akron District office for a year, while the third place piece will be displayed in Rep. Sykes’ Canton Office for a year.


Ahead of RFK Jr. Visit to Northeast Ohio, Rep. Sykes Highlights Bipartisan Efforts to Improve Nutrition and Lower Health Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of a planned visit to Northeast Ohio by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) is highlighting her bipartisan work to expand access to healthy foods, lower costs, and address the root causes of chronic disease for Ohio families.

“Making America healthy starts with making sure families can actually afford and access nutritious food,” said Rep. Sykes. “That’s why I’ve worked across the aisle to expand access to healthy meals, support local farmers, and tackle the root causes of chronic disease. While some are focused on rhetoric, I’m focused on results — lowering grocery costs, protecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and investing in proven programs that prevent illness before it starts. Efforts to cut food assistance or ignore the role nutrition plays in health will only make families sicker and drive up costs. If we’re serious about improving health in this country, we need real solutions that meet people where they are, and that’s exactly what I’m doing for Northeast Ohio.”

This includes ensuring families can afford and access fresh, nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables, rather than solely relying on cheaper, highly processed options that often dominate grocery shelves and contribute to long-term health challenges.

Rep. Sykes has advanced practical, evidence-based solutions to improve health outcomes and lower costs. Her bipartisan Food Farmacy Act would expand access to healthy foods and nutritional guidance, helping prevent and manage chronic conditions. While serving in the Ohio State House of Representatives, Rep. Sykes secured state funding for the creation of a pilot program to establish food farmacies in Summit County, Ohio. The $1 million grant supported the creation of three food farmacies at Akron Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, and Summa Health System with the support of Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. In 2024 alone, the Akron Children’s Hospital Food Farmacy provided more than 130,000 meals to more than 21,000 individuals.

She is also a co-sponsor of the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act, which would repeal harmful SNAP cuts included in Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill” and help families afford groceries. Since the Big Ugly Bill was passed, SNAP participation in Ohio has declined from 1,389,247 in July 2025 to 1,292,669 in December 2025, a loss of nearly 94,000 residents receiving assistance during a period of continued high food costs.

Rep. Sykes is also focused on strengthening food safety and transparency so families know what is in the food they are buying and can trust that it meets strong, consistent public health standards.

During consideration of the Farm Bill, Rep. Sykes introduced amendments incorporating her Food Farmacy Act, INFANTS Act, Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act, and Feed Our Families Act to expand access to safe, affordable food, but House Republicans refused to allow them to be considered.

Rep. Sykes also led a bipartisan letter calling for stronger federal coordination to address the link between diet and chronic disease.

Rep. Sykes remains focused on delivering results for Northeast Ohio families by lowering costs, improving access to nutrition and care, and advancing bipartisan solutions to build healthier communities.