Rep. Salinas Leads Lawmakers Demanding DHS Withdraw Interim Final Rule Threatening Asylum Seekers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) led a group of 24 lawmakers in sending a letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) demanding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) withdraw or significantly revise its Interim Final Rule (IFR) on the annual asylum fee. The letter warns that the policy will destabilize hundreds of thousands of people, harm key industries, and undermine fundamental legal protections.

The IFR establishes a punitive and unlawful fee collection system for asylum seekers. If an asylum seeker fails to pay, USCIS automatically rejects their asylum application and denies their work permit, leaving them unable to legally work and at a heightened risk of deportation. Furthermore, DHS began implementing the rule without first considering responsible alternatives and without providing the public an opportunity to comment.

The lawmakers call on DHS to rescind or meaningfully change the rule and to thoroughly consider public input before moving forward.

Click here or see below for the full letter.

Dear Director Edlow and Mr. Good:

We write to strongly oppose the interim final rule, USCIS Immigration Fees and Related Procedures Required by H.R.1 Reconciliation Bill (the "IFR" or "rule"), published at 91 Fed. Reg. 22,952 (Apr. 29, 2026). The IFR threatens to destabilize hundreds of thousands of people, cause significant economic harm to key industries, and undermine fundamental legal protections—including bypassing the notice-and-comment procedures established by Congress for rulemaking. We urge DHS to withdraw the IFR in full or to significantly revise it and to conduct full notice-and-comment rulemaking before continuing to implement this rule.

The IFR codifies a punitive, unlawful fee collection system for the annual asylum fee ("AAF" or "annual fee"). DHS began implementing this system on May 29, 2026, without first providing the public an opportunity to comment.¹ Under the rule, failure to pay the AAF within 30 days of notice results in the rejection of the pending asylum application,² even for applications that have already been accepted and have been pending for years.³ Current regulations use rejection of an application at the intake stage, not as a mechanism to dispose of cases that have been pending for an average of four to five years.⁴ Yet the IFR applies this intake-based tool to long-pending cases, stripping applicants of their status without any adjudication on the merits of their case and denying them any meaningful avenue to challenge the outcome.⁵ Furthermore, failure to pay within this 30-day window results in the automatic termination of the applicant's work authorization.⁶

Since U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began implementing the AAF in September 2025, constituents and advocates have reported repeated instances of missing AAF notices, notices sent to outdated addresses, and notices misdirected to former representatives no longer connected to a case.⁷ The agency's own track record of inadequate notice in this precise context is well-documented through litigation.⁸ Additionally, for some people who have tried to pay the AAF online, they have encountered technical issues with the USCIS website, thereby prohibiting them from paying the fee. Yet the IFR creates no grace period, no cure mechanism, and no right of appeal, which means individuals who never received a notice through no fault of their own could see their years-long pending case rejected and work authorization terminated overnight, even when they are willing and able to pay the fee. As Members of Congress whose offices regularly assist constituents navigating the immigration process, we are deeply concerned by the IFR's notice failures.

By definition, any applicant subject to the AAF has already waited for the adjudication of their asylum application for at least one year. Asylum seekers whose applications are rejected for nonpayment may refile,⁹ but those applicants will already have exceeded the statutory one-year filing deadline, making it even harder to be granted asylum.¹⁰ The IFR then compounds this harm by exposing rejected applicants who otherwise lack legal status to removal proceedings.¹¹

Congress passed the Refugee Act to protect those fleeing persecution.¹² Allowing a $100 fee—triggered by a notice an applicant may never receive—to serve as a basis for case rejection, permanent loss of work authorization, and exposure to removal proceedings is not a faithful implementation of that statutory mandate. It is precisely the kind of sweeping, discretionary policy change that demands notice-and-comment rulemaking before the rule's implementation, not unilateral agency action.

Additionally, the IFR also threatens TPS holders' right to continuous work authorization. The TPS statute guarantees that employment authorization shall remain "effective throughout the period" of a TPS designation.¹³ The OBBBA limited the validity period of individual Employment Authorization Document ("EAD") cards;¹⁴ it did not amend or repeal the TPS statute's guarantee of continuous work authorization. Yet the IFR treats the 12-month limit as an inflexible rule and creates a system that predictably causes work authorization gaps for people with valid TPS, especially in light of growing processing delays.¹⁵ We frequently hear from constituents about ongoing work permit processing delays, and this rule would further expose applicants to these processing delays through no fault of their own.

As Members of Congress who represent small and large business owners across the country, we are acutely concerned about the IFR's economic and fiscal consequences. Asylum applicants represent one of the largest work-authorized immigrant workforces in the United States. As of early 2026, an estimated 2.3 million asylum applicant workers contribute more than $108 billion to the U.S. economy annually and pay approximately $33 billion in combined taxes, including $19 billion in federal and payroll taxes and $14 billion in state and local taxes.¹⁶ These revenues fund the schools, roads, public safety agencies, Medicaid programs, and children's health programs that Americans rely on every day.

Asylum applicant workers are heavily concentrated in industries that are already experiencing persistent labor shortfalls, including healthcare, childcare, and education. Local communities that received more people seeking asylum during 2021–2023 saw higher employment and wages for native-born workers and all existing workers.¹⁷ These workers are not competing with U.S. workers; they are enabling businesses to stay open and grow.

The same concerns apply to TPS holders. As of January 2025, nearly 1.3 million TPS holders generate approximately $29 billion in economic activity and pay an estimated $7.8 billion in taxes annually.¹⁸ Approximately 830,000 TPS holders work in critical industries including construction, retail, hospitality, transportation, warehousing, and manufacturing.¹⁹ The sudden disruption of their work authorization is not an abstraction—it is a direct threat to businesses in our districts that have invested in training these workers, to patients who depend on immigrant caregivers, and to families whose livelihoods depend on continued lawful employment.

The Administrative Procedure Act ("APA") requires agencies to consider responsible alternatives.²⁰ The IFR violates that requirement. For asylum seekers, DHS briefly acknowledged some alternatives, including denying rather than rejecting applications, or holding asylum applications in abeyance until the AAF is paid, but DHS did not pursue those alternatives in large part because they would offer more protection and access to work authorization before a final adjudication.²¹ That is not a reasoned basis for choosing the harshest possible approach.

DHS already uses tools in similar contexts that could have been applied here: requests for evidence, notices of intent to deny, and opportunities to cure. For TPS holders, DHS could have committed to processing EAD renewals within 30 days or issued Federal Register notices automatically extending work authorization for TPS holders whenever processing delays prevent timely EAD issuance. The IFR never explains why these less disruptive alternatives would not suffice.

DHS cited the APA's narrow "good cause" exception to implement the IFR without prior notice-and-comment rulemaking.²² The APA allows for that exception only where notice and comment would be "impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest."²³ The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed nearly a year ago, but DHS now suddenly claims that "immediate implementation,"²⁴ with severe and punitive consequences, is necessary. DHS cannot manufacture an emergency through its own delay and then use it to avoid the public participation that Congress intended.

Congress established the notice-and-comment process to ensure that sweeping policy changes with enormous consequences receive the scrutiny and public deliberation they demand before taking effect. DHS's decision to bypass that process particularly for a rule with this magnitude of impact is an affront to the workers, families, and communities in our districts who should have had the opportunity to be heard. We therefore urge DHS to withdraw the IFR in its entirety or significantly revise this rule and to thoroughly consider public comment before continuing to implement this rule.


Rep. Sara Jacobs Led 54 Colleagues in Demanding Answers on Delayed DACA Renewals

Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) led 54 of her colleagues in demanding answers from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on extreme delays in processing renewal applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. In a letter to USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, the lawmakers emphasized that the delays are jeopardizing the livelihoods, financial stability, and well-being of recipients. The lawmakers urged the agency to expedite and process the renewals as fast as possible.

“DACA recipients have done everything right, and yet the Trump Administration continues to punish them,” said Rep. Sara Jacobs. “Republicans will claim that immigrants have to play by the rules, but even when they follow every single rule and live up to every single standard, this Administration still finds a way to create new roadblocks. USCIS’s prolonged delays of DACA renewals mean recipients are losing their jobs, unable to provide for their families, and at risk of detention or deportation. They came to this country through no fault of their own, and now they’re being punished again through no fault of their own. We will keep pushing for Dreamers to be able to stay, work, and live in the only home they’ve ever known permanently.”

Read the Letter Here

The lawmakers wrote:

“Dear Director Edlow,

“We write to bring your urgent attention to protracted delays in processing renewal applications for Form I-821D: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Over the past few months, our offices have witnessed DACA cases lapse due to a backlog at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). DACA recipients nationwide are required to renew Form I-821D every 2 years to maintain lawful presence, receive protection from deportation, and obtain a work authorization document. This delay has jeopardized the livelihood and financial stability of our constituents, impacting their well-being and ability to support their families.

“USCIS recommends that DACA recipients submit renewal applications between 120-150 days before their current form expires. Despite adhering to these guidelines, several of our constituents have yet to hear back from USCIS regarding their pending DACA renewal applications. Additionally, while USCIS indicates that processing times for Form I-821D is approximately 3.5 months, several cases have exceeded this timeframe. Allowing these cases to lapse causes work permits to expire and puts individuals at risk, as employers are forced to lay off DACA recipients, including essential workers, unless their renewals are approved in time. During the first quarter of FY 2026, USCIS reported that there were a total of 54,110 DACA renewal applications designated as pending. Given these urgent circumstances, it is critical that

DACA renewal applications be expedited and processed as soon as possible.

“We are also concerned that DACA renewals are solely being adjudicated at the Nebraska Service Center (NSC). Over the past few months, our congressional staff has been unable to provide adequate updates to constituents because USCIS has been unresponsive to our inquiries. DACA is vital for recipients to remain in the United States, ensuring the continuity of their contributions to the US economy and workforce. Therefore, we urge USCIS to consider routing DACA renewals to other USCIS service centers to streamline adjudication of these cases.

“Thank you for your time and consideration. We respectfully await your timely response to this matter and ask that you provide this inquiry with full and fair consideration, consistent with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.”

Reps. Mark Takano, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jared Huffman, Juan Vargas, Glenn Ivey, André Carson, Nancy Pelosi, Shri Thanedar, Steven Horsford, George Whitesides, Wesley Bell, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Bill Foster, Eugene Vindman, Richard Neal, Mike Quigley, Ritchie Torres, Mark Pocan, Julie Johnson, Judy Chu, Dina Titus, Frederica Wilson, James Walkinshaw, Rashida Tlaib, Chrissy Houlahan, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Mark DeSaulnier, Nanette Barragán, Jim McGovern, Mike Levin, Bill Keating, Mary Gan Scanlon, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Laura Friedman, Sarah Elfreth, Lateefah Simon, Greg Landsman, Eric Sorensen, Seth Magaziner, Nikema Williams, Morgan McGarvey, Scott Peters, John Garamendi, Frank Pallone, Betty McCollum, Jennifer McClellan, Jamie Raskin, Gabe Amo, Susan DelBene, Andrea Salinas, Jerry Nadler, Doris Matsui, Jimmy Gomez, and Adelita Grijalva also signed the letter.


Stanton Slams Trump Administration’s Decision to Not Renew USMCA

PHOENIX, AZ – Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) issued a statement today at the start of the joint review process of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), calling on the Trump Administration to maintain and build on the consequential trade agreement rather than withdraw:

"Mexico is Arizona’s — and America’s — number one trading partner, supporting tens of thousands of jobs here at home. This past year has only proven how much our manufacturers, businesses, and families depend on the USMCA working, and working well. Uncertainty from the President’s sweeping trade war has already raised costs across the board and undermined confidence in our economy.

Walking away from an extension today doesn't make America stronger. It invites years of annual reviews, continued tariff threats, and the kind of uncertainty that drives investment out of the United States instead of into it. And it undermines America’s competitiveness on the global stage, handing a win to Beijing.

It is essential that the United States use this opportunity to strengthen and improve — not retreat from — this agreement.”

According to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, the failure to renew the USMCA is estimated to result in a $300 tax increase per household in 2027 and the loss of 95,000 jobs.

Stanton is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and serves on the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. He is also a founding member of the Congressional U.S.-Mexico Caucus. When he got to Congress in 2019, he worked with the Trump administration to finalize and pass the USMCA trade agreement. Mexico is Arizona’s largest trading partner—the state imported $11.8 billion worth of goods last year alone.

Stanton is the former Mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, and led 18 trade delegations to Mexico and Canada during his tenure.


Reps. Steube, Boyle Introduce HUSTLE Act to Help College Athletes Invest NIL Earnings and Build Long-Term Financial Security

WASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) today introduced the Helping Undergraduate Students Thrive with Long-Term Earnings (HUSTLE) Act, bipartisan legislation that would create first-of-its-kind tax-advantaged investment accounts allowing college athletes to grow their name, image, and likeness (NIL) earnings without federal income tax liability and build lasting financial security. This bill is led in the Senate by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).

“College athletes in Florida and across the country are generating real income from their NIL rights, many for the first time in their lives, but earning income and knowing how to make it last are two very different things,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “The HUSTLE Act gives student-athletes a real pathway to invest those earnings, plan for life after athletics, and build long-term financial stability. This is about making sure the opportunity they worked for actually follows them beyond the field or court.”

“The NIL era has changed college sports, and federal law needs to catch up. With college athletes now earning over $1 billion every year, more must be done to ensure they are set up for future success,” said Rep. Brendan Boyle. “This bipartisan legislation will enable athletes to save for their futures if they so choose and prevent dishonest agents from cheating student-athletes out of their hard-earned money.”

“College athletes are now earning billions of dollars from their name, image, and likeness—and rightly so. We must empower these students to safeguard their financial future and protect themselves against rogue agents,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn. “The HUSTLE Act would allow college athletes to invest their earnings in a tax-advantaged account that grows over time and strengthens financial education.”

“As result of sweeping changes to college sports, this year, student-athletes will receive approximately $1 billion in direct financial benefits from their universities, as well scholarship guarantees and greater support for their mental health and wellbeing.” said Tim Buckley, Senior Vice President of External Affairs at NCAA. “The NCAA fully supports providing athletes with more resources to achieve long term financial success.”

“The Southeastern Conference is grateful for the continued engagement of lawmakers in addressing the evolving needs of student-athletes,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “The HUSTLE Act represents a constructive approach by establishing tax-advantaged NIL investment accounts that encourage financial education, long-term savings, and responsible management of earnings. We appreciate Congress’s sustained bipartisan commitment to developing national, consistent standards that support student-athletes and enhance their opportunities in this rapidly changing environment.”

“At Florida State, we are committed to preparing our student-athletes for success not only in competition, but throughout their lives. As the collegiate athletics landscape continues to evolve, that responsibility extends beyond the field of play to include financial literacy, long-term planning and providing the resources necessary to help student-athletes make informed decisions about their futures,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford, Florida State University. “We appreciate Representative Steube’s leadership on the HUSTLE Act and support legislation that encourages financial education, promotes responsible stewardship of NIL earnings, and creates opportunities for student-athletes to build lasting financial security. Empowering young people with the tools to invest in their futures is consistent with our mission to develop graduates who are prepared to thrive long after their playing careers have ended.”

“We have always been committed to providing Gator student-athletes with the resources and support they need to succeed at the University of Florida and long after their time in Gainesville. As college athletics continues to evolve, that commitment increasingly includes additional financial education, responsible planning and preparing student-athletes to maximize the opportunities available to them. We support the HUSTLE Act and appreciate Representative Steube’s leadership in advancing legislation that promotes transparency, establishes greater accountability for sports agents and encourages student-athletes to build long-term financial security through saving and investing. These are important steps that can help position student-athletes for success both during their collegiate careers and well into the future,” said Florida Athletics.

Background: Name, image, and likeness opportunities have transformed college athletics since the Supreme Court affirmed in 2021 that student-athletes have the right to profit from their NIL. The market has grown rapidly, as NIL deals generated more than $1.2 billion in the 2023-2024 academic year. Projections exceed $2.5 billion by 2025-2026 as revenue sharing takes hold. In a 2022 NCAA survey of over 9,800 athletes, 49% indicated a need for educational resources specifically on tax and financial literacy. In the same study, only 9% of student-athletes had ever met with a financial counselor.

While many student-athletes now earn substantial compensation through endorsements, appearances, social media content, and licensing agreements, they face unique financial planning challenges that the traditional investment products were not designed for.

The HUSTLE Act would establish tax-advantaged NIL Investment Accounts, allowing eligible student-athletes to contribute qualifying NIL earnings into dedicated accounts designed to encourage long-term savings, investing, and financial literacy. Qualified contributions are excluded from taxable income up to the annual gift-tax exclusion limit, and funds may be distributed as long-term capital gains upon graduation or rolled over into an individual retirement account (IRA). Funds may be withdrawn before graduation without penalty for career transition, education, or medical expenses.

The legislation would also allow up to $35,000 in unused NIL account funds to roll over into an IRA or other retirement vehicle once an athlete has been out of college sports for at least one year and would require trustees to provide educational materials on investing, financial planning, and long-term financial security to all participating student-athletes. The U.S. Department of the Treasury would be directed to issue regulations ensuring proper reporting, contribution tracking, and defined qualified expenses.


STATEMENT: Rep. Stevens on Reports of Trump Family Financial Ties to Critical Minerals Deals

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to reports detailing financial ties between President Trump's family and federally backed critical minerals projects, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens released the following statement:

"Michiganders need a real critical minerals strategy to lower costs and secure our supply chains, not a backdoor scheme to funnel tax dollars to Trump’s billionaire friends.

“Reports that companies tied to President Trump's family could profit from taxpayer-backed critical minerals deals raise serious questions about whose interests this administration is serving. Our industrial policy should strengthen our national security and create good-paying manufacturing jobs, not just reward politically connected insiders.

“Michigan workers deserve a government that puts them first, not billionaire self-interest."

Congresswoman Stevens has long championed strengthening America's critical mineral supply chains through transparent, worker-focused industrial policy. She introduced the Unearth America’s Future Act to expand domestic production and processing of critical minerals, reduce dependence on China, strengthen Michigan manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs at home. Stevens has consistently argued that critical minerals policy should be driven by national security and economic competitiveness, not personal financial interests or political theater.


STATEMENT: Rep. Stevens on the Trump Administration's USMCA Review Announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the Trump administration's announcement that it will not extend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in its current form, initiating the agreement's review process and negotiations over potential changes, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens released the following statement:

“Michigan workers and manufacturers must be at the table as we decide the future of USMCA. Michigan has paid the price with poorly structured 20th-century trade deals, including NAFTA. The best deal will ensure our auto industry and supply chains do not get undercut by China. I also want to see real and enforceable labor and wage standards for all workers and stop corporations from offshoring production. We must continue to grow American manufacturing and protect American jobs.

“I don’t trust the Trump Administration to get this done or to stand up for American workers.

“Congress must be at the table, and Michigan must lead.”

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Congresswoman Lee, Battleground Members Call on President to Sign Bipartisan Housing Bill

Watch and Download Video Here

Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) led nearly a dozen battleground members in calling on President Trump to sign the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan housing package that will increase housing supply and lower costs for American families. Despite Republicans and Democrats coming together to overwhelmingly pass the bill, President Trump has refused to sign it as Americans see their housing costs skyrocket, calling it “unimportant.”

“Buying or renting a home should not be out of reach for Americans. One job should be enough to own a home, afford health care, and retire with dignity. That’s exactly what I’ve been fighting for,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “Over a week ago, Democrats and Republicans came together to pass a bipartisan package to increase housing supply and lower costs for families. Unfortunately, this President is more interested in political games than making the dream of home ownership a reality for Americans. I have a simple message for him: sign the damn bill.”

After Members of Congress from both chambers and both sides of the aisle came together to negotiate a version of the bill that could gain broad support, the legislation passed the House and Senate, with overwhelmingly bipartisan votes of 358-32 and 85-5, respectively.

Key provisions of the bill include:

Prohibiting large institutional investors that already own more than 350 properties from purchasing certain single-family homes.

Investors own 24.84% of Nevada’s single-family homes, equating to about 303,000 properties—that’s 6% higher than the national average and the seventh highest share in the nation.

In Las Vegas specifically, investors own about 172,000 single-family homes.

Allows HUD to prioritize projects in Opportunity Zones for any competitive grants related to housing development or preservation.

Nevada is home to 61 Opportunity Zones, including communities in Spring Valley, Paradise, the Arts District, and the Medical District.

Reauthorizing and expanding eligibility for the HOME Investment Partnership Program, including increasing the maximum eligible income.

The HOME program has invested $264.1 million in Nevada since 1992, which has helped build or preserve 8,910 homes, provide rental assistance to over 1,350 families, support more than 15,800 jobs, and generate roughly $1 billion in local income.

Increasing flexibility for the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, including authorizing the use of funds for construction of new affordable housing.

Clark County receives approximately $8.5 million annually from HUD in CDBG funding, which may be used for a variety of activities that support low- and moderate- income communities.

Permanently excluding veterans’ disability payments from annual income calculations under the Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH).

VASH is a joint effort between the HUD and the VA, where HUD allocates “Housing Choice” Section 8 vouchers across the country. These vouchers allow Veterans and their families to live in market rate rental units while VA provides case management services. Veterans’ disability income will no longer be considered when applying for the HUD-VASH vouchers. From 2008-2024, HUD-VASH collectively provided over 2,000 vouchers to support Nevada’s veterans.

This bill includes key provisions to broaden access to homeownership, expedite building of manufactured housing, make available small-dollar mortgages, better protect borrowers and families living in public or assisted housing, enhance federal oversight of housing providers, and lay the groundwork for the development of new homes families can afford across America.

Congresswoman Lee was joined by Representatives Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), George Whitesides (CA-27), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Darren Soto (FL-09).

Congresswoman Lee has consistently worked to build more housing families can afford across southern Nevada. She led and helped get signed into law the bipartisan Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts (AACE) Act to speed up appraisals and approvals for Nevada housing projects and cut governmental red tape that drives up housing costs. Congresswoman Lee is also a cosponsor of the Housing Oversight and Mitigating Exploitation (HOME) Act to help lower housing costs for Nevadans by cracking down on price gouging by corporate investors who are buying up housing stock and driving up home prices.

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ICYMI: Rep. Sykes Hosts “Call With Your Congresswoman” Focused on Housing Affordability and Homeownership in OH-13

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday night, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) hosted a “Call With Your Congresswoman” telephone town hall focused on housing affordability and homeownership challenges facing families across Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.

The telephone town hall brought together constituents from across the district to discuss rising housing costs, barriers to homeownership, and federal housing policy solutions.

Rep. Sykes was joined by Cheryl Stephens, President and CEO of the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, and Rep. Laura Friedman (CA-30) to discuss housing affordability challenges and policy solutions. Reps. Sykes and Friedman are Co-Conveners of the House Democrats’ Housing Affordability Working Group, one of five member-driven groups launched by Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee to lower the cost of living for working families.

The conversation highlighted the status of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, landmark bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding housing opportunities and lowering costs for working families. Rep. Sykes noted that the legislation remains pending as President Trump refuses to sign the bill. Rep. Sykes also highlighted provisions she helped advance through the bill, including elements of her Houses Over Middle-Class Exploitation Schemes (HOMES) Act, which seeks to prevent large corporate investors from purchasing single-family homes by eliminating certain tax advantages that give institutional investors an edge over prospective homebuyers.

“As housing costs continue to rise, too many families in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District are being priced out of homeownership or struggling to keep up with rent,” said Rep. Sykes. “These conversations are critical to ensuring that the policies we advance in Congress reflect the real challenges people are facing every day.”

Stephens provided an on-the-ground perspective on housing affordability challenges in Northeast Ohio and the work of community-based organizations to expand housing opportunities and strengthen neighborhood stability.

“I ask Congress to protect the opportunity for all Americans to own a home of their own. Homeownership is central to our quality of life as Americans and the belief that the American Dream is attainable. Homeownership, at its best, supports good health, the opportunity to learn, and a way to build wealth,” said Stephens.

Rep. Friedman discussed efforts in Congress to increase housing supply, reduce barriers to construction, and advance practical solutions to improve affordability for renters and homeowners nationwide.

“Families across this country are being crushed by the cost of housing, and they deserve leaders like Rep. Sykes who show up for them. It was great to join her telephone town hall to hear directly from the people we're working for. Rep. Sykes has been a tireless champion in this fight, and her constituents and our nation are lucky to have her in their corner. Together, we'll keep working to cut red tape that delays projects for years, and to develop legislation to make life more affordable for everyone,” said Rep. Friedman.

Rep. Sykes emphasized that housing remains one of the most urgent cost-of-living challenges facing working families and reaffirmed her commitment to continuing direct engagement with constituents through telephone town halls and community engagement opportunities.


Tiffany, Hageman Introduce Legislation to Protect Taxpayers from Abusive EAJA Lawsuits

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) and Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (WY-At Large) introduced the Fixing Egregiously Expensive Suits Act, or FEES Act for short.

The Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) was enacted in 1980 to help ordinary Americans challenge federal overreach. It was intended to protect veterans, Social Security recipients, small businesses, and other individuals from prohibitive legal costs when taking action against the federal government. Instead, well-funded environmental organizations have transformed EAJA into a taxpayer-funded revenue stream to finance politically motivated litigation that has little to do with justice and everything to do with advancing their agenda.

“EAJA was enacted to give veterans, small businesses, and everyday Americans a fair shot at challenging government overreach. Instead, it has become a cash machine for well-funded environmental groups that sue federal agencies and stick taxpayers with the bill. The FEES Act shuts down that gravy train and returns EAJA to the people it was meant to serve,”said Congressman Tiffany.

“Radical environmental groups have exploited the Equal Access to Justice Act for decades, using taxpayer dollars to fund sue-and-settle schemes that undermine responsible land management and block critical projects across the West. The FEES Act closes loopholes and restores the original intent of EAJA by limiting attorney fee awards to parties with real, direct stakes in outcomes, not well-funded activist organizations gaming the system at the public's expense. The American people deserve a federal government that can actually do its job without being held hostage by serial litigants,” said Congresswoman Hageman.

From fiscal years 2019 through 2024, the Department of the Interior and USDA awarded approximately $24.8 million under EAJA, with 76% of those funds flowing to a small number of environmental organizations and their lawyers, whose fees have been reimbursed at rates as high as $500 per hour—all at taxpayer expense.

“The American Forest Resource Council supports the FEES Act because it restores accountability and transparency to the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). Too often, taxpayers are forced to fund attorney fee awards associated with lawsuits that delay critical forest management, wildfire reduction, and public safety projects for years. These commonsense EAJA reforms will help reduce incentives for serial litigation, improving the ability of federal land managers to steward public lands and protect nearby communities,”said Travis Joseph, President/CEO of the American Forest Resource Council.

“American ranchers have felt the impact of radical activists’ exploitation of taxpayer-funded litigation for decades. What started as a well-intended and much-needed tools for average Americans to settle issues like veterans’ benefits and small business claims quickly was corrupted by groups who wanted to stop active management and science-based decisions across the country. Well-financed environmental groups that only exist to sue the government and recoup their attorneys’ fees should not have their agenda funded by taxpayer dollars. Thank you to Representatives Tiffany and Hageman for recognizing the need to end the cycle of sue-and-settle that has undermined meaningful resource planning for far too long,”said Tim Canterbury, Public Lands Council President.

“Repeat litigants have weaponized taxpayer funds and abused EAJA for far too long. This bill delivers needed reforms to curb ‘sue-and-settle’ tactics that have allowed well-funded organizations to rely on procedural arguments that do not benefit wildlife or habitat,”said SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. “The bill protects the original intent of EAJA by ensuring that only those with a real, direct stake in a case can recover fees, instead of repeatedly cashing in at taxpayers’ expense. SCI urges the House to rapidly consider and pass EAJA reform like this bill.”

“The Equal Access to Justice Act was enacted with good intentions to give small businesses and individuals the ability to fight an unresponsive government in court. However, by letting well-funded and litigious environmental organizations get their lawyers’ fees paid, the incentive to file suits and delay important habitat management projects has only grown. Litigation is now one of the biggest barriers to wildlife habitat improvement on federal lands. We support the FEES Act introduced by Representative Tom Tiffany as a commonsense reform to get our foresters and biologists back in the field and out of the court room,”said the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Supporting organizations include: The American Forest Resource Council, Public Lands Council and NCBA Natural Resources, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Safari Club International.

The FEES Act includes the following reforms to the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA):

Limits attorney fee awards to prevailing parties with a direct, personal financial interest in the case, such as those involving personal injury, property damage, or an unpaid agency disbursement.

Caps EAJA awards at $200,000 per adversary adjudication and limits recipients to no more than three adversary adjudications per calendar year.

Requires courts to reduce or deny attorney fee awards for parties that acted in bad faith or engaged in dilatory, oppressive, or otherwise improper conduct.

Prohibits attorney fee awards when a lawsuit is resolved through a settlement that results in the creation of a new federal regulation or guidance document.

Creates a carve out so lawsuits related to Social Security or Veterans Affairs are not impacted.

Exempts successful class action lawsuits from these new limitations.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convene an independent panel to evaluate the law's impact and submit a report to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

You can view the text of the FEES Act here.


New Bipartisan Bill Helps Communities Prepare for Disasters

Congressmen William Timmons (R-SC) and Sam Liccardo (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Ounce of Prevention Act to help states, cities, and local governments strengthen communities before disaster strikes. The bill allows local governments to use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for pre-disaster risk mitigation–eliminating restrictions that currently tie funding solely to post-disaster relief– and cuts red tape that delays proactive projects to protect communities.

"Communities should not have to wait until after a disaster strikes to take commonsense steps that protect lives and property. This bipartisan legislation gives local governments more flexibility to use existing Community Development Block Grant funding to strengthen infrastructure, reduce risk, and prepare for future storms. Being proactive is better for taxpayers, better for communities, and better for the people who call those communities home,” said Timmons.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; when it comes to disasters, every $1 invested in mitigation saves $13 in public costs for post-disaster response,” said Liccardo, who represents vulnerable stretches of California’s coastside and fire-prone communities. A former San José mayor who became too familiar with flooding, fires, and other climate impacts during his tenure, Liccardo added, “Local communities should not have to wait for the storm, fire, or flood to hit before asking Washington for help. Our bill lets them use already-allocated funds to strengthen infrastructure, reduce risk, and prepare for their worst day before it happens.”

Currently, communities can use CDBG funds for several specific purposes, but pre-disaster mitigation is not one of them. Instead, Congress issues supplemental CDBG appropriations to fund disaster recovery and mitigation after communities have already suffered damage. Since 2020, the federal government has appropriated $22 billion for disaster recovery through CDBG.

Cosponsors include: Reps. Maria Salazar (R-FL), Jill Tokuda (D-HI)

The bill earned endorsements from:

American Property Casualty Insurance Association

“APCIA commends Congressman Liccardo and Congressman Timmons for introducing the Ounce of Prevention Act that would provide states and communities in disaster-prone areas with financial incentives to strengthen resilience and reduce rebuilding costs after disasters,” said Sam Whitfield, American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) senior vice president of federal government relations and political engagement. “Property casualty insurers are working to reduce losses and protect families and communities from the growing impact of hurricanes, wildfires, and other severe weather. APCIA supports this legislation because expanding federal investment in mitigation will help lower the economic toll of natural catastrophes and save lives.”

Council of State Community Development Agencies

“Congressman Liccardo and Timmons’ Ounce of Prevention Act would provide the flexibility states and local governments need to mitigate worst case scenario outcomes before a natural disaster occurs. The CDBG program is well-suited to join the landscape of disaster recovery. On behalf of our national network of state agencies, we applaud the Congressman’s efforts to allow CDBG to fund mitigation activities to reduce risk in the most disaster-prone areas across the country. We believe this bill would provide communities with more tools to prevent the loss of life, property, and critical infrastructure during future disasters,” said Tess Hembree, Executive Director, Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA).

Local Initiatives Support Coalition

“The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) thanks Representatives Liccardo and Timmons for introducing the Ounce of Prevention Act, which would allow the Community Development Block Grant program to be utilized more efficiently for resilience activities. This is vitally important since we’ve seen the impact of increasing weather events in the communities we serve, including the Bay Area and upstate South Carolina. This legislation would help mitigate natural disaster threats, with a focus on the most vulnerable residents. We thank Representatives Liccardo and Timmons for their leadership on this bill and issue,” said Matthew Josephs, Senior Vice President of Policy, LISC.

National Association of Counties

"Counties are on the front lines of disaster preparedness, working tirelessly to protect our communities before the next disaster strikes," said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. "The Ounce of Prevention Act delivers a commonsense expansion of eligible uses that empowers counties to invest in resilience before disaster hits, rather than waiting to rebuild after the fact. By allowing CDBG funds to support mitigation activities, this bill gives counties the flexibility to reduce long-term risk, protect lives and safeguard property. Counties thank Representative Liccardo and Timmons for their leadership in ensuring that federal resources can meet the full scope of what counties need to keep our residents safe."

National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies

“Any opportunity to help homeowners and communities proactively protect themselves from extreme weather is an opportunity we should take advantage of. Making pre-disaster mitigation an eligible use within CDBG’s listed activities will incentivize at-risk communities to use funds to help reduce losses from natural disasters. By expanding the scope and options for ways to invest in mitigation this bill will protect property, reduce losses and save lives. NAMIC applauds Rep. Liccardo and Rep. Timmons for their leadership in introducing the Ounce of Prevention Act,” said Jimi Grande, NAMIC Senior Vice President, Federal & Political Affairs.

National Community Development Agency

"This legislation is an important step toward helping communities prepare for the growing threats posed by natural disasters. By allowing CDBG funds to support mitigation efforts, it gives local governments more tools to protect homes and infrastructure and reduce long-term disaster risk,” said Vicki Watson, Executive Director, National Community Development Association.

National Low Income Housing Coalition

“As disasters become more frequent and severe, efforts to mitigate potential harms and enhance community resilience are essential. For this reason, NLIHC has endorsed the bipartisan ‘Ounce of Prevention Act’ to help communities withstand future disasters,” said Renee M. Willis, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “By providing flexibility in the use of Community Development Block Grant funds, this bill will help ensure that the lowest-income and most marginalized communities receive the support necessary to implement resilience and mitigation measures before future disasters occur. We urge Congress to quickly pass this bill.”

National NeighborWorks Association

“As national leaders in affordable housing and community development, NeighborWorks organizations know firsthand that building for disaster resilience is not just cost-effective, but essential for safeguarding the future of our communities," said Lou Tisler, Executive Director of the National NeighborWorks Association (NNA). "Bringing needed clarity and flexibility to HUD's Community Development Block Grant will better enable communities to invest in mitigation before disaster strikes. NNA applauds Congressman Liccardo and Timmons for this timely and commonsense bill that will help us get ahead of the growing disaster risks facing every community."

The U.S. Conference of Mayors

“The United States Conference of Mayors strongly supports Representative Liccardo's legislation to allow Community Development Block Grant funding to be used for natural disaster mitigation. Mayors don't have the luxury of waiting until after a disaster. Our responsibility is to prepare our communities before the next emergency arrives. We know the smartest investment we can make is reducing risk before disaster strikes—not simply rebuilding after lives have been disrupted and communities have been damaged. This legislation gives cities greater flexibility to protect people, strengthen infrastructure, and prepare communities for floods, wildfires, and other extreme weather events. That's exactly the kind of partnership cities need from the federal government: giving local leaders the tools to solve problems before they become crises and better protect the people we serve,” said U.S. Conference of Mayors President Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego.


Congressman Tim Moore Announces More Than $4.7 Million in FEMA Funding for Hurricane Helene Recovery Projects in NC-14

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14) announced more than $4.7 million in federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Hurricane Helene recovery projects across North Carolina's 14th District. The funding supports debris removal, infrastructure repairs, and utility restoration in the City of Morganton, Burke County, and Rutherford County.

“Western North Carolina has made significant progress since Hurricane Helene, but recovery is far from over,” said Congressman Moore. “This funding helps ease the financial burden on local governments that responded when their communities needed them most and enables critical rebuilding efforts. I appreciate President Trump, Secretary Mullin, and FEMA for recognizing the importance of this recovery effort and continuing to support Western North Carolina communities.”

$2,798,230.11 will go to the City of Morganton to repair the boardwalk and associated infrastructure severely damaged by Hurricane Helene. This funding is authorized under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.

$1,806,428.86 will support debris removal operations throughout Burke County following Hurricane Helene. The project removed more than 9,700 cubic yards of vegetative debris from public rights of way across the county, helping reduce safety hazards and support ongoing recovery efforts. This project is funded at a 90 percent federal cost share. This funding is authorized under Section 407 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.

$147,583.40 will support storm water pipe repair or replacement in Rutherford County schools following Hurricane Helene. This funding is authorized under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.


Tonko Statement on Passing of Harbe Nagi and Ensuing Islamophobia

MENANDS, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) released the following statement after news of the passing of 7-year-old Harbe Nagi in Menands and following the disgusting Islamophobic comments posted online in the wake of his death:

“I was heartbroken yesterday to learn of the passing of 7-year-old Harbe Nagi in Menands — a devastating loss for his family, his friends, and our entire Capital Region community. I was also horrified to see the casual and disgusting Islamophobia on display in the wake of Harbe’s death. There is no place for Islamophobia here in our Capital Region or anywhere else, and our neighbors deserve better than this unmitigated cruelty in their time of need. Let me be clear: our Muslim neighbors love this community and they belong in our Capital Region and in the United States. I extend my deepest condolences to the Nagi family and all who have been affected by this tremendous loss.”


Representatives Tran, Luna Lead Bipartisan Effort Against Amendment Shielding Rideshare Companies from Liability

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Derek Tran (D-CA-45) and Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL-13) led 25 members in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries raising the alarm about a section in the surface transportation reauthorization bill, the BUILD America 250 Act (H.R. 8870), that would give rideshare companies immunity from any injury, sexual assault, or fatality that happens during a ride.

Read the full letter HERE.

“Congress should ensure that Americans retain their right to seek a remedy in court if a rideshare company fails to protect its customers or drivers. Uber alone received a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct every 8 minutes over a 5-year period. Now they are facing more than 3,000 sexual assault claims in Federal and State Courts nationwide from passengers who claim they were sexually assaulted or harassed by Uber drivers. Our constituents deserve better,” wrote the members.

Introduced by Representative Fong (CA-20), the relevant section of the BUILD America 250 Act would ensure that rideshare companies “shall not be liable under the law of any State or political subdivision thereof [...] for any harm to persons or property that results or arises out of the use, operation, or possession of a motor vehicle by an app-based driver,” protecting companies from legal liability even when presented with concerning information about a driver in a criminal background check, motor vehicle background check, customer complaint, safety test, or internal complaint.

The provision would allow individuals who do not meet criminal or safety standards to continue operating as drivers. In the event of an incident, the company would not be held accountable, no matter its obligations to adequately screen drivers. H.R. 8870 was reported out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on May 22, 2026, with this language included, and awaits a floor vote by the full House.

As the Ranking Member for the House Small Business Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations, Representative Tran is dedicated to holding companies accountable for the safety of consumers. A consumer protection attorney by trade, Representative Tran fought for consumers and workers in the courtroom before being elected to Congress. Representative Tran led a letter, signed by the majority of the California Congressional delegation, urging leadership to strip the Fong Amendment from the BUILD America 250 Act.

The text of the full letter is below:

Dear Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries,

We write to urge you to strip out a provision in Title I of the BUILD America 250 Act (H.R. 8870), that would endanger consumers across the United States. The provision, which faced bipartisan opposition in markup, would shield rideshare companies from liability for crashes and sexual assaults caused by their negligence.

This provision must be removed from the BUILD America 250 Act before it is considered on the House Floor. No corporation should be immune from accountability. Yet, this is exactly what Uber and other ride share companies are trying to do.

The bill, as currently written, includes a provision that says a rideshare company “shall not be liable […] for harm to persons or property” that happens during a ride. This provides rideshare companies with immunity from any injury, sexual assault, and fatality case, even if it was aware of a danger from any criminal background check, motor vehicle background check, customer complaint, safety test, or internal complaint.

Moreover, the provision expressly preempts State law. Though a rideshare company would still have to follow local laws regarding background checks, it would be immune from liability if it ignored red flags. Congress should ensure that Americans retain their right to seek a remedy in court if a rideshare company fails to protect its customers or drivers. Uber alone received a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct every 8

minutes over a 5-year period.

Now they are facing more than 3,000 sexual assault claims in Federal and State Courts nationwide from passengers who claim they were sexually assaulted or harassed by Uber drivers. Our constituents deserve better. The Build America 250 Act must be amended, and this provision stripped, before it is considered by the Rules Committee or on the House Floor.

Sincerely,

DEREK T. TRAN

Member of Congress

ANNA PAULINA LUNA

Member of Congress

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Reps. Carter, Fields, Ezell, Bresnahan Introduce the NFIP Premium Transparency Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), alongside Reps. Cleo Fields (D-LA), Mike Ezell (R-MS), and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) introduced the NFIP Premium Transparency Act. This bill will require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide comprehensive, transparent flood insurance information to property owners and the public through enhanced policy documents and a new online tool.

“Since FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 program went into effect, Louisiana families have opened their flood insurance bills with more questions than answers: why their premium jumped and what discounts they're missing,” said Rep. Carter. “Louisiana has more riding on this than almost any state in the country. This legislation gives homeowners the information they've always deserved: a clear breakdown of their rates, real savings from mitigation, and a roadmap to full-risk pricing. This isn't a partisan issue. It's about giving working families the tools to protect their homes, their budgets, and their futures.”

The NFIP Premium Transparency Act requires FEMA to overhaul how flood insurance information is shared with property owners, a change with outsized stakes for Louisiana, which holds more than 470,000 National Flood Insurance Program policies. Within 12 months, the bill mandates enhanced information on the declaration pages of each flood insurance policy issued under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to clearly show current premiums, available discounts, claim history, rating factors, mitigation savings, and the timeline to full-risk pricing, giving coastal homeowners facing rising premiums clarity on why and when increases are coming. Additionally, the bill requires FEMA to launch a public online tool that allows property owners to access detailed flood risk data, including premium calculations, replacement costs, and flood history, along with an interactive feature showing how mitigation efforts, such as elevation, could lower both risk and cost.

“Louisiana families pay more flood insurance premiums than almost anyone in the United States, and for too long they've been handed a bill with no explanation. They] deserve to know why their rates went up, when they'll go up again, and what they can do about it. This bill does exactly that,” said Rep. Fields.

“Families deserve to know exactly how their flood insurance premiums are determined and what steps they can take to lower their costs,” said Rep. Ezell. “The NFIP Premium Transparency Act gives homeowners greater access to the information they need to make informed decisions, invest in mitigation, and better protect their property. For coastal communities like those in South Mississippi, improving transparency within the National Flood Insurance Program is a common-sense step that will help strengthen resilience while making the program more accountable to the people it serves.”

“Too many families in Northeastern Pennsylvania struggle with the impact flooding can have on their homes, businesses, and livelihoods. Flood insurance continues to go up, making it harder for families to sell and first-time homeowners to buy,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “For many homeowners in our region, the NFIP is the only realistic option for protecting their property, but rising premiums are making that coverage increasingly difficult to afford. This legislation ensures that our families, small businesses, and non-profits are not priced out of the peace of mind that flood insurance brings.”

The NFIP Premium Transparency Act is endorsed by the Americans for Financial Reform, National Association of Counties (NACo), Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance, United Policyholders, American Policyholders Association, Greater New Orleans, Inc., Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans (HBAGNO), Northshore Business Council, Fair Insurance Rates for Monroe (FIRM), Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (GNOHA), and HousingNOLA.

“In Southeast Louisiana, flood insurance isn’t optional - it’s a reality that directly impacts housing affordability and community resilience. By requiring clear, detailed information on how premiums are calculated, the NFIP Premium Transparency Act empowers consumers and strengthens the market by bringing much-needed transparency to a complex system,” said Dan Mills, CEO of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans.

“With climate change driving greater flood risk across the country, it's critical that homeowners, renters, and prospective buyers and residents understand a property's flood history, the long-term trajectory of the flood risk they face, and what they can do to protect their homes and lower their insurance costs. The NFIP Premium Transparency Act would give people the information they need to better protect themselves physically and financially from floods,” said Alex Martin, climate finance policy director at Americans for Financial Reform.

“As President of FIRM, I am writing to express our strong support for the NFIP Premium Transparency Act introduced by Congressman Fields. This legislation takes a meaningful step forward by requiring clear, detailed information on declaration pages and creating an interactive Flood Insurance Information Tool. These changes will help policyholders better understand their premiums, discounts, and mitigation options, which we believe will improve trust in the program,” said Mel E. Montagne, President, Fair Insurance Rates for Monroe (FIRM).

“It's no secret that in Louisiana we desperately need comprehensive reform of the National Flood Insurance Program. We know that won’t happen quickly, and in the interim, the NFIP Premium Transparency Act gives homeowners the opportunity to arm themselves with information about costs and risks, and what can be done to address both. While we wait on reform, knowledge is power, and that gives families the opportunity to make the best choices possible. We are grateful that the Louisiana congressional delegation continues to take the lead on critical matters such as this legislation—helping Louisiana families take meaningful steps to #PutHousingFirst,” said Andreanecia M. Morris, President, Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (GNOHA).

“The bill is a common-sense measure that brings visibility to property owners' risk factors. At long last, it empowers NFIP policyholders to better understand how NFIP sets premiums, and how to mitigate risk and cost simultaneously. With an NFIP deadline of September 30 nearing, and with a pressing need to reconsider the federal role in insurance through a congressional commission, this bill is an important step forward in bringing light to the insurance crisis,” said Michael Hecht, President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) and founder of the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance (CSFI).

Background:

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a federal program administered by FEMA that provides flood insurance to homeowners and businesses, aiming to reduce the financial impact of flooding. The program is vital for Louisiana, a state with extensive low-lying areas and frequent exposure to hurricanes and heavy rainfall. The NFIP helps protect residents from devastating financial losses due to flood damage, encourages responsible development in flood-prone areas, and supports rebuilding efforts after disasters—making it a critical safety net for Louisiana’s communities.

Since 2021, Risk Rating 2.0 has been FEMA's flood insurance pricing methodology, replacing the older system that largely based premiums on flood zone and elevation with a more granular model that factors in distance to water, elevation, construction type, and individual property flood risk. Many policyholders saw rates rise sharply without an intuitive explanation tied to flood zone maps they were used to, and FEMA's reluctance to release the full underlying methodology made it hard for homeowners and agents to understand or verify why their specific premium changed

In December, Rep. Carter authored the National Flood Insurance Program Automatic Extension Act of 2025. The bill ensures that the NFIP automatically continues its core operations even if Congress misses a scheduled reauthorization deadline.

Rep. Carter and Ezell also introduced H.R. 2822, the National Flood Insurance Program Authorization Extension Act in April to avoid a lapse in program authorization resulting from a government shutdown. This bill would have extended the program through December 31, 2026. They also introduced H.R. 5848,theNFIP Retroactive Renewal and Reauthorization Act in November, legislation to backdate reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to September 30, 2025, while extending the program’s authorization until December 31, 2026. This bill ensures that policyholders who plan to renew are not penalized for the lapse in NFIP reauthorization caused by the Republican government shutdown.

Rep. Carter serves as Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Flood Resilience Caucus and the Bipartisan Congressional Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Caucus. He continues to advocate for common-sense, bipartisan reforms to strengthen and sustain the NFIP for Louisiana and other flood-prone communities.

Read the full bill text here.

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Congressman Valadao Works to Solve Labor Shortages for Central Valley Dairy Producers

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson as an original co-sponsor of the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act. This bipartisan bill would modernize the H-2A program to better meet the needs of year-round agricultural operations while giving existing unauthorized workers the opportunity to participate in the program, providing much-needed stability for the ag sector.

As the sole dairyman in Congress, Congressman Valadao has been a leading advocate for modernizing the H-2A program and strengthening America’s agricultural workforce. Among his efforts, he has introduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act in the 118th and 119th Congresses.

“One of the biggest concerns I hear from producers across the Central Valley is the ongoing agricultural labor shortage,” said Congressman Valadao. “While the H-2A program works well for many seasonal operations, it hasn’t kept pace with the needs of year-round industries like dairy. That’s why I’m proud to support the bipartisan Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, which modernizes the program by clarifying that ‘temporary labor’ refers to the length of a farmworker’s contract—not whether the job itself is seasonal. It also creates a pathway for eligible undocumented agricultural workers to earn H-2A status and provide for their families. This bill is a commonsense step that gives producers greater certainty to plan for their workforce, provides long-overdue stability for agricultural workers, and helps strengthen the Central Valley’s food supply for the future."

Background:

In the 1980s, the H-2A program was created to help address temporary and seasonal agricultural labor needs. The program requires workers to hold temporary visas tied to jobs lasting no more than ten months. While this structure works well for many agricultural sectors with defined planting and harvesting seasons, it creates challenges for dairy producers, whose operations run year-round. As a result, dairy producers often face uncertainty and application denials because their labor needs are viewed as permanent rather than “temporary” or “seasonal.”

The Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act would:

Allow H-2A visas to be used for agricultural jobs that are temporary in nature, while removing the current requirement that jobs must also be seasonal.

Clarify that “temporary” refers to the length of the employment contract—up to 350 days—rather than whether the work itself is seasonal.

Expand eligibility for the program to include controlled environment agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, and livestock harvesting.

Create a pathway for existing unauthorized agricultural workers to participate in the H-2A program if they meet all requirements, including successfully completing a criminal background check.

Establish an online platform to streamline communication and processing between agricultural employers, workers, and government agencies.

Provide agricultural producers with the flexibility needed to meet the industry’s year-round workforce demands while maintaining strong, transparent, and enforceable program standards.

Supporting organizations include the American Farm Bureau Federation, California Farm Bureau, National Milk Producers Federation, Western Growers, AmericanHort, International Fresh Produce Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, USA Farmers, National Council of Agricultural Employers, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, American Business Immigration Council, National Potato Council, Northwest Horticultural Council, US Apple, American Peanut Shellers Association, American Soybean Association, Livestock Marketing Association, Meat Institute, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Chicken Council, National Cotton Council, National Pecan Federation, National Pork Producers Council, National Sorghum Producers, National Turkey Federation, National Watermelon Association, U.S. Peanut Federation, U.S. Rice Producers Association, USA Rice, Vidalia Onion Business Council, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Florida Peanut Federation, Georgia Blueberry Commission, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Midwest Council on Agriculture, Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, and Washington Red Raspberry Commission.

Read the full bill here.

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Congressman Van Drew: $25 Is Not Going to Fix New Jersey's Electric Bill Crisis; Cut the Delivery Fees Immediately for Real Relief

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew issued the following statement after the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved a $25 credit on electric bills for many customers this year, down from the $100 credit provided last year.

"Twenty-five dollars? Are you serious?" said Congressman Van Drew. "Families are opening electric bills that have gone up by hundreds of dollars, and the state's answer is to cut last year's $100 credit to just $25. Instead of sending families another one-time credit, the state should stop adding government-mandated costs and surcharges to electric bills every month. Reducing those costs would do far more than a one-time $25 credit ever will. New Jersey families do not want another temporary fix. They want lower electric bills."


Rep. Van Epps Introduces NDAA Amendment to Improve Water Infrastructure at Fort Campbell

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07) introduced an amendment to the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to improve infrastructure at Fort Campbell, the majority of which is in Rep. Van Epps’ district, as well as other older bases. By creating a data-driven roadmap for modernization, the amendment helps ensure installations like Fort Campbell receive appropriate attention before infrastructure failures degrade military readiness or impose greater long-term costs.

Rep. Van Epps stated, “Having served at Fort Campbell, I saw firsthand the challenges posed by its aging water and wastewater infrastructure. This is more than a personal concern. It is a readiness issue and a quality of life issue for our servicemembers and their families. Our servicemembers deserve better. That's why this amendment, which directs an evaluation of water and wastewater infrastructure at our oldest military installations, is so important.”

“The reality is, older bases like Fort Campbell have utility systems that are more than 60 years old. This requires significant maintenance to avoid service disruption or health impacts. That’s where my amendment comes in. By requiring the Department of War to assess each system’s condition, replacement costs, contingency operating costs, and impacts on servicemembers, military families, installation operations, and quality of life, this report will inform Congress which systems need the most urgent modernization,” he concluded.

“When I ran for Congress, I promised to do everything in my power to improve the lives of those who serve. This is one way to do that,” he finished.

This amendment was cosponsored by Rep James Comer (KY-01) and Rep. Andy Barr (KY-06).


Rep. Van Epps Introduces Slew of NDAA Amendments to Bolster Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07) successfully introduced three floor amendments to the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Rep. Van Epps said, “I am proud to introduce several amendments to the FY27 House NDAA. Taken as a whole, these amendments aim to strengthen our national security, empower our war fighters, and improve conditions on our bases.”

Amendment 302: Report on Defense Prototype Transition to Program of Record

Rep Van Epps said, “This amendment will help accelerate the delivery of promising technologies to our warfighters. Too often, the gap between research and development and fielding is unnecessarily long, and in a future conflict, those delays could cost lives. Bureaucratic acquisition processes, fragmented oversight, and other institutional barriers prevent successful prototypes from reaching production and operational use. That is unacceptable. By identifying these bottlenecks and holding the Department accountable for addressing them, we can get critical capabilities into the hands of our servicemembers faster.”

This Amendment:

Requires the Department of War (DoW) to submit an annual report to Congress on how successful prototype projects transition into procurement, production, or operational deployment.

Tracks transition timelines for prototype projects across the Department.

Identifies how many prototype projects successfully advance into programs of record.

Requires explanations for transition delays exceeding one year.

Examines barriers to deploying emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, autonomous systems, microelectronics, and advanced manufacturing.

Evaluates challenges faced by small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors. Identifies barriers, including financing challenges, cybersecurity compliance costs, intellectual property concerns, and difficulty accessing follow-on procurement opportunities.

Amendment 303: Defense Contractor Maximum Production Plan Requirement

Rep. Van Epps stated, “The United States cannot wait until a major conflict begins to discover that it lacks the industrial capacity to sustain the fight. The war in Ukraine demonstrated how quickly modern conflicts consume artillery rounds, precision-guided munitions, air defense interceptors, and other critical systems, exposing serious limitations in Western production capacity and supply-chain resilience. These concerns are compounded by longstanding bottlenecks across the defense industrial base, including single-source suppliers, workforce shortages, long-lead manufacturing requirements, and aging production infrastructure. By requiring greater visibility into surge production capabilities and the obstacles preventing rapid expansion, the amendment would help Congress and the Department of Defense better prepare for the industrial demands of a large-scale conflict before a crisis occurs. We can’t leave an inevitable need to ramp up munitions to chance—we need a plan in place.”

This Amendment:

This amendment requires major defense contractors and critical lower-tier suppliers and subcontractors producing key munitions and weapon systems to submit detailed plans to the DoW explaining how they would rapidly increase production capacity during a national emergency or major conflict.

The plans must identify current production limits, the investments and operational changes needed to scale production, major supply-chain and workforce bottlenecks, projected timelines for increasing output to 150 percent, 200 percent, and 500 percent of current production rates, and the estimated costs associated with each expansion level.

Contractors would also be required to identify major subcontractor dependencies and update these plans annually or whenever significant changes occur.

Amendment 304: Fort Campbell Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

Rep. Van Epps stated, “Having served at Fort Campbell, I saw firsthand the challenges posed by its aging water and wastewater infrastructure. This is more than a personal concern. It is a readiness issue and a quality of life issue for our servicemembers and their families. Our servicemembers deserve better. That's why this amendment, which directs an evaluation of water and wastewater infrastructure at our oldest military installations, is so important.”

This Amendment:


Vindman, McDonald Rivet Introduce Bill to Tackle Corruption, Ban Public Officials from Trading Stocks & Using Prediction Markets

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (Va.-07), Kristen McDonald Rivet (Mich.-08), Kevin Kiley (Calif.-03), and Greg Landsman (Ohio-01), introduced a bill to prevent public officials from personally profiting from nonpublic government information and political influence instead of serving the American people.

“Americans don’t think Congress is looking out for them — and who can blame them. Too many people believe Washington is rigged for insiders. I’m fighting back by working to ban public officials from trading stocks and using prediction markets,” said Vindman. “The No Profiting from Public Service Act closes loopholes, strengthens accountability, and ensures that those entrusted with public service cannot use their positions to enrich themselves. This is the type of commonsense reform that will help restore trust in Congress and ensure leaders are making decisions based on the public interest — not personal financial gain”

The No Profiting from Public Service Act would establish comprehensive restrictions on stock trading and prediction market participation across all three branches of the federal government.

Under the legislation, officials would be required to divest prohibited financial holdings at fair market value or transfer those assets into a qualified blind trust, helping to eliminate conflicts of interest and restore public confidence in government decision-making.

The bill would also prohibit participation in prediction markets by senior government officials and staff across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as candidates for federal office. By extending these safeguards government-wide, the legislation seeks to ensure that public servants and those seeking public office cannot use nonpublic information or their positions of influence for personal financial gain.

“People are sick and tired of seeing insiders get rich while they get left behind. It’s time for some honest-to-God accountability,” said McDonald Rivet. “It’s simple: no elected official or public servant should be trading on the information they get from their jobs. Let’s close the loopholes, and then go get things done for hard-working families.”

“This bipartisan legislation seeks to root out anti-corruption, including insider trading and self-enrichment,” said Kiley. “It’s time that elected, appointed, and other senior officials across all three branches of government are held accountable. This bill prohibits officials from profiting off of their public offices through stock trading and prediction markets.”

“Americans see a system that’s broken, and we’re determined to be part of the generation that fixes it,” said Landsman. “Congress’ focus is and should always be on the needs of hardworking families. Getting members of Congress out of the stock-trading business and free from outside influence is a big part of the solution.”

BACKGROUND

Vindman has been a champion for preventing public officials from profiting off of public office.

In May, Vindman introduced common sense legislation to prohibit Members of Congress and their immediate family members from participating in prediction markets.

In June, he introduced the bipartisan Banning Lobbying and Safeguarding Trust (BLAST) Act, legislation that would prohibit Members of Congress from lobbying Congress after leaving office.

Vindman also backs the TRUST in Congress Act, which would ban Members of Congress and their immediate families from trading individual stocks.

Additionally, Vindman cosponsored the Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026. This bill would ban Members of Congress, their immediate families, staff, and the executive branch from using prediction markets.

Vindman has also introduced legislation that takes on corruption and demands we hold public servants to the highest ethical standard.

In June 2026, Vindman introduced the Accountability Doesn’t Expire Act, which would extend oversight and enforcement windows tied to pandemic-era fraud investigations, including misuse of federal relief funds.

In January 2026, he helped introduce the BEACON Act which would create an independent Inspector General for the Executive Office of the President to investigate waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct inside the White House.

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Walberg: One Year Later, the Working Families Tax Cuts are Delivering

Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05) released the following statement reflecting on the upcoming one-year anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts.

"Last July, House Republicans passed the Working Families Tax Cuts, which provided the single largest tax cut in American history," said Rep Walberg. "Over the past year, this historic legislation has delivered real relief for the American people with policies like no tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security helping Americans keep more of their hard-earned money. The legislation also included over $280 billion in taxpayer savings, which I ushered through the Education and Workforce Committee as chair. America's golden age is just around the corner, thanks to policies like the Working Families Tax Cuts that are putting money back where it belongs: in the pockets of hardworking families in Michigan."

Background

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — the historic Working Families Tax Cuts. A year later, the legislation delivered the largest tax refund season in history due to key policies that are lowering costs for American workers and families.

The Working Families Tax Cuts' impact this past tax season, courtesy of the Treasury Department:


Wasserman Schultz, Salazar Reintroduce Bipartisan Condo Relief Bill to Mark Surfside Collapse Anniversary

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) and Maria Salazar (FL-27) announced the reintroduction of the bipartisan Making Condos Safer and Affordable Act to provide comprehensive condo relief that expands and ensures access to public and private loans for structural and safety repairs, providing bipartisan preventive assistance for millions of residents grappling with the building integrity realities exposed in the Surfside condominium collapse that took 98 lives.

The Making Condos Safer and Affordable Act makes it easier for condo owners to afford special assessments assigned by their HOAs or Condo Associations by expanding access to two loan programs guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The loans are geared to help cover the cost of special assessments for structural and safety related repairs, keeping Florida families safe, healthy, and in their homes.

“Five years ago, an unimaginable but entirely preventable tragedy rocked our South Florida community with the collapse of Surfside's Champlain Towers, claiming 98 innocent lives. While the cause was finally identified after years of investigations, action is still needed to stop this from happening again,” said Wasserman Schultz. “My bipartisan Making Condos Safer and Affordable Act ensures condominium associations can afford to make pressing repairs and keep residents safe.”

“The Surfside tragedy changed our community forever and reminded us that protecting families must always come first. As we honor those we lost, we must take action to help prevent another disaster,” said Salazar. “This bipartisan bill gives condominium associations and homeowners the tools they need to finance critical safety repairs, protect residents, and preserve safe, affordable housing across South Florida.”

Key provisions in the legislation:

Amends the 203(k) program to allow loans to be used on special assessments for structural repairs.

Expands the Title I Property Improvement Loans program to insure private lenders against losses when lending to individual condo owners or condo associations for special assessments. Additionally, the legislation increases the maximum insured loan amount to $55,000, to be adjusted with inflation.

Streamlines the process of applying for these loans so that individual homeowners and condo associations can more easily apply for, and obtain, assistance.

Amends Section 234 of the National Housing Act to authorize Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insurance for condominium association building rehabilitation loans.

Condominium association loans are collateralized with pledges of future association assessment income. As FHA’s mortgage insurance programs are collateralized by real property, the legislation authorizes the agency to insure condominium association loans collateralized by assessment income or real property or a combination of the two.

Under the legislation, FHA-insured condominium association loans may be used for the rehabilitation, alteration, repair, improvement, or replacement of a condominium project’s common systems, infrastructure, and facilities.

To protect FHA and the U.S. government against financial loss, the legislation allows FHA insurance for only 90% of the cost of building rehabilitation work. This restriction operates in other FHA multifamily housing rehabilitation loan insurance programs.

This legislation is endorsed by the Community Associations Institute.

Read the full bill here.

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Baldwin Calls for Investigation into USPS Delays During Wisconsin’s Spring Election

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called for an investigation into the delays at the United States Postal Service (USPS) during the Wisconsin Spring Election that led to hundreds of Wisconsinites across the state not having their votes counted. Baldwin notes that hundreds of Wisconsinites sent their ballots before Election Day, some as early as weeks before the election, but were deprived of their right to vote because of delays by USPS. Two-thirds of Wisconsin’s local election officials across the state reported problems with the mail during the April 7th election, with some reporting election mail taking 7 to 10 days or more to reach polling locations.

“I request that USPS OIG conduct a timely review of Spring Election mail delays in Wisconsin and identify any remaining issues that undermine the on-time delivery of returned ballots so that USPS can resolve any outstanding concerns before Wisconsin’s elections this fall,” wrote Senator Baldwin in a letter to USPS Inspector General Hull. “If the election mail delays that we saw this spring are not addressed, USPS is likely to disenfranchise an even greater number of voters during the fall elections, increasing the risk that eligible voters will cast a ballot that is not ultimately counted through no fault of their own. Ensuring timely delivery of election mail is essential to maintaining public confidence in our elections, and delays that prevent ballots from arriving on time undermine voters’ trust that our elections are fair and reliable.”

Numerous media reports and accounts from elections officials in Wisconsin have indicated that hundreds of absentee ballots from across the state that were received by the Postal Service prior to the election were not delivered until after the election's deadline had passed—and therefore were not counted.

Baldwin’s call for an investigation comes as President Trump has attempted to curtail legal mail-in voting, both through Congress and executive action. President Trump’s executive order directs the Postal Service to create a federal mail-in voting list made up of states’ absentee voters’ information. A U.S. District Judge blocked the President’s executive order limiting Americans’ use of mail-in voting, but the Trump Administration is expected to appeal the ruling.

Following this unconstitutional directive, USPS proposed a rule that would ultimately allow the Postal Service to determine whether millions of Americans can receive and cast ballots through the mail. Baldwin has spoken out in strong opposition and demanded that the USPS abandon this rule. In a U.S. Senate Committee hearing, Postmaster General David Steiner confirmed that if the rule is finalized, the Postal Service would refuse to deliver any mail-in ballots from states that did not comply with this new standard.

Senator Baldwin has repeatedly called on the USPS to address the mail delays Wisconsinites are experiencing. In April, she demanded answers from Postmaster General David Steiner regarding long-term mail delays and staffing shortages at post offices across Wisconsin that are impacting local businesses, newspapers, and Wisconsin families who rely on USPS for prescriptions, bills, voting, and more.

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Inspector General Hull:

I am writing to request an investigation into the processes and procedures of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) leading up to the Wisconsin Spring Election held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Numerous media reports and accounts from elections officials in Wisconsin have indicated that hundreds of absentee ballots from across the state that were mailed prior to the election were not delivered until after the election's deadline had passed—and therefore were not counted. In Wisconsin, absentee ballots must be received by a polling location by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted, meaning that hundreds of my constituents voted on time but were deprived of their right to vote in the Spring Election because of delays by USPS. Members of the military face unique challenges in voting when election mail is delayed because they are more likely to rely on the Postal Service to mail their ballot. This is unacceptable and appears to be the result of decisions and actions by the Postal Service that are inconsistent with normal operations and threaten the ability of Wisconsinites to exercise their right to vote. It warrants an investigation by the USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG).

In May, the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) sent a letter to the USPS Postmaster General expressing grave concerns about the performance of election mail for Wisconsin’s Spring Election. The Commission is a bipartisan body that administers elections across Wisconsin and assists election clerks in all 72 counties. WEC conducted a survey of Wisconsin’s local election officials and found that two-thirds reported problems with the mail, and more than half reported receiving complaints and concerns about the Postal Service from voters. One in four clerks reported receiving more late ballots than is typical for an election—with some reporting election mail taking 7 to 10 days or more to reach polling locations. I have attached the Commission’s letter to the Postmaster General, as well as a memorandum prepared by WEC, for your review.

I request that USPS OIG conduct a timely review of Spring Election mail delays in Wisconsin and identify any remaining issues that undermine the on-time delivery of returned ballots so that USPS can resolve any outstanding concerns before Wisconsin’s elections this fall. If the election mail delays that we saw this spring are not addressed, USPS is likely to disenfranchise an even greater number of voters during the fall elections, increasing the risk that eligible voters will cast a ballot that is not ultimately counted through no fault of their own. Ensuring timely delivery of election mail is essential to maintaining public confidence in our elections, and delays that prevent ballots from arriving on time undermine voters’ trust that our elections are fair and reliable.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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ICYMI: Banks joins Human Events Daily with Jack Posobiec on Real America’s Voice

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), joined Human Events Daily with Jack Posobiec on Real America’s Voice to discuss recent Supreme Court rulings, the SAVE America Act, and conservative wins secured by Sen. Banks in the upcoming NDAA.

Click the image above for full discussion.

Key Excerpts on SCOTUS and SAVE America Act:

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “This is the worst decision I think we’ve seen in a very long time. There’s so much at stake here. The democrats flooded our country with tens of millions of illegals for this explicit purpose. This emphasizes how important deportations are. We have lost focus of that, but we have to get back to what President Trump was specifically elected to do.

“It shows us how important these Supreme Court Justices are. I wish Justice Clarence Thomas could live forever. He’s the greatest, living American that we have. We want to make sure we get Supreme Court Justices who think just like [they] do and replace the bad ones.”

“We have to show our voters that we’re fighting and doing something. This is exactly the type of issue our base expects us to focus on, and fight for and pass. President Trump is calling on us to do that, and I think he’s exactly right. It fundamental, its important tot the future of our country. As we celebrate America 250, this milestone of the greatest country in the world. Let’s do what we have to do to preserve it for the next generation. Banning birthright citizenship, passing voter ID laws those are fundamental to keeping this country great.”

Key Excerpts on Sen. Banks NDAA Wins: