Beyer, Meeks, Walkinshaw, Titus Introduce Legislation to Expedite Return of Career Diplomats Wrongfully Forced Out of State Department

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV), and Congressman James Walkinshaw (D-VA) today introduced the Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act to help rebuild America’s diplomatic corps by eliminating unnecessary and unprecedented barriers for experienced Foreign Service Officers who were involuntarily separated during the Trump Administration's mass reductions in force (RIF) beginning in January 2025. The legislation would allow eligible officers to return to service without having to retake the same written and oral entry exams they already passed before their service.

Normally, Foreign Service Officers reappointed within five years of leaving the Service are not required to retake the Foreign Service Officer Test or its written and oral examination components to rejoin the Service after separation. The Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act would authorize the Secretary of State to waive those entry examinations when reappointing eligible career Foreign Service Officers who were involuntarily separated through RIFs between January 20, 2025, and January 31, 2030. The legislation applies only to career Foreign Service Officers who were serving in good standing at the time of their dismissal.

“President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s reckless purge of the State Department inflicted lasting damage on America’s diplomatic capacity by driving out some of our nation's most experienced public servants,” said Rep. Beyer. “Our Foreign Service Officers have dedicated their lives to advancing America's interests, protecting our national security, supporting American citizens overseas, and strengthening our alliances abroad. After years of distinguished service, they shouldn’t have to jump through unnecessary bureaucratic hoops to return to jobs they never should have lost in the first place.”

“The Trump purge of seasoned experts from the State Department have jeopardized the State Department, U.S. National Security and led to the greatest brain drain from our diplomatic corps in modern history,” said Ranking Member Meeks. “This legislation takes a positive step towards making it easier to reemploy those who were baselessly fired from their posts, and re-infuse our diplomatic corps with the expertise needed to address today’s many modern challenges."

“Those who dutifully served as Foreign Service officers before the Trump Administration wrongfully terminated their service included some of our most talented and skilled international affairs experts in the United States government,” said Rep. Titus. “Our national security cannot afford to lose this institutional knowledge. The Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act would remove a barrier of reentry for these officers and ensure that they can continue to serve their country and foster a critical aspect of the nation’s soft power.”

“The Trump Administration’s cuts to the State Department have cost our country experienced diplomatic talent critical to protecting our national security and advancing America’s interests abroad,” said Rep. Walkinshaw. “I’m proud to support Congressman Don Beyer’s Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act, which ensures career Foreign Service Officers forced out through no fault of their own do not have to retake a test for jobs they are already qualified to hold. This commonsense legislation will help strengthen America’s diplomatic corps and make our nation safer.”

Congressman Johnny Olszewski (D-MD) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) are original co-sponsors of the Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act.

This legislation is also supported by the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

“The Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act would quickly bring back experienced professionals who were involuntarily separated through no fault of their own, while protecting them from future policies requiring them to retake any part of the entrance exam,” said AFSA President John Dinkelman. “With critical staffing gaps, we cannot afford to sideline proven talent and years of institutional knowledge when they are ready to return and fill essential roles for our country.”


Congressman Bishop Opposes Funding Bill and Amendment that Undermines Diplomacy and Regional Security

WASHINGTON – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) issued the following statement after voting against an amendment offered by Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky to the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. The amendment prohibited funds in the bill from being used for Israel as well as humanitarian aid for Palestinian refugees and civilians in Gaza.

“Today, I opposed the Fiscal Year 2027 funding bill that funds our State Department and provides the resources to implement American foreign policy. This bill will lead to the continued erosion of American diplomacy, a foreign policy that ignores our highest ideals, and compromises our national security.

“I also could not support the Massie Amendment. While it drew attention to how our support, including military aid, can be misused and abused, its broad language effectively cut off our nose to spite our face. I remain committed to supporting the rights, security, freedom, and self-determination of both Israelis and Palestinians. I remain opposed to expanding settlements and occupation.

“But this amendment does not limit its effects to just Israelis and Palestinians. It jeopardizes the investment we need in regional missile defense and our ability to counter other regional state and non-state groups that threaten the United States.

“This amendment did not enjoy bipartisan support and no Republicans, other than Congressman Massie, supported the measure. If we are going to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve a just and sustainable resolution, we need to work together to find a bipartisan solution.”

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Democratic Veterans Celebrate Defeat of Republican Attack on Veterans’ Benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, for the second time, U.S. House Republicans were forced to withdraw a flawed Republican bill, H.R. 9237, from floor consideration. This followed strong opposition from members of the Democratic Veterans Caucus highlighting how the bill would represent the largest cut to veterans’ benefits in history, including cutting benefits for common conditions like tinnitus and sleep apnea and raising fees on VA home loans.

Following today’s withdrawal of this bill to cut veterans benefits, members of the Democratic Veterans Caucus Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), and Herb Conway (NJ-03) released the following joint statement.

“Today, the House rallied around veterans and rejected this partisan attack on veterans’ benefits and the VA.

“Members of the Democratic Veterans Caucus led the fight against this bill, and we will always come together to stand up for our troops and our fellow veterans.

“House Republicans should think twice before ever again taking benefits away from our veterans in the name of ‘fiscal responsibility’ after they added trillions to the debt with their One Big Beautiful Bill and are trying to force through $67 Billion supplemental to pay for the disastrous Iran War.”

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Rep. Burlison Secures Stronger Protections for Table Rock Lake Homeowners in WRDA 2026

WASHINGTON — Congressman Eric Burlison (MO-07) today announced that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, including provisions he secured to help resolve longstanding property issues affecting homeowners around Table Rock Lake.

For years, some property owners have faced uncertainty stemming from decades-old property-line issues involving land managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After Congress attempted to resolve the issue in the last WRDA, the Corps adopted an interpretation contrary to legislative intent, resulting in sustained issues for homeowners on Table Rock Lake. As a result, Burlison began working with Corps leadership under the Trump administration and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders to strengthen the law and provide clearer statutory direction for the Corps. The updated language is intended to provide a durable framework for resolving those longstanding cases while preserving the integrity of Table Rock Lake.

"This has been an issue for years, and I'm grateful we were able to bring everyone to the table to find the right solution," said Rep. Burlison. "I appreciate everyone who worked in good faith to strengthen this language. I believe it provides the clarity needed to move forward and the certainty homeowners have been waiting for."

Burlison thanked Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larsen, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, Lieutenant General William H. Graham Jr., Major General Kimberly Peeples Walter, and the many homeowners and local stakeholders whose persistence helped make the legislation possible.


NEWS: Casar, Oversight Democrats Demand Investigation of ICE Murdering Lorenzo Salgado Araujo

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35), lead Democrat on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement, led Texas Democrats on the committee demanding an investigation into the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents.

Casar is joined by Reps. Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Christian Menefee (TX-18).

In letters to the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General and to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, the members: demanded an independent investigation of the shooting; called for release of body and dash cam footage of the incident; and demanded protections for three witnesses to the shooting who may be being pressured to self-deport before an investigation can be concluded. The three witnesses are: Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, Daniel Tirado Pantoja, and Mr. Salgado Araujo’s brother, Victor Hugo Salgado Araujo.

The letters raise concerns that officers involved in the shooting have been moved out of Houston, that ICE is not collaborating with local law enforcement and the Harris County District Attorney’s office, and that three surviving witnesses are being pressured to self-deport.

In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General (DHS IOG), the members demand the IG’s investigation be “independent, transparent, and thorough.” They write that DHS IOG must maintain and preserve all available evidence, and that it must "immediately report to us any further delays or denials of access to evidence.” They also call for release of “all body worn camera and dash cam footage” and all recorded communication between officers around the shooting.

“The pattern of lies to cover up DHS misconduct is well-documented,” they say. “It is therefore critical that the Inspector General’s investigation into Mr. Araujo’s death be independent, transparent, and thorough.”

A copy of the IG letter is available here.

In a separate letter to Acting ICE Director David Venturella, the members ask that ICE issue a stay on the removal of the three witnesses and release them from detention. They also demand that ICE preserve all available evidence and share it with DHS’ Office of Inspector General, and that it release “all body worn camera and dash cam footage” and all recorded communication between officers around the shooting.

A copy of the letter to Director Venturella is available here.

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Congressman Greg Casar represents Texas’s 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio. A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 119th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.


Case Introduces Bipartisan Measure To Boost Affordable Housing Nationwide In Areas Designated For Transit Oriented Development

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01), joined by Delegate James Moylan (Guam), has co-introduced his bipartisan Transit Oriented Development Act to drive greater development of affordable housing in areas designated for transit oriented development such as along the Honolulu Skyline.

“The affordable housing shortage remains one of the most significant drivers of the unacceptably high cost of living facing most Americans”, said Case. “In my home state of Hawaiʻi, this crisis is particularly acute. Housing costs consume an outsized share of household income, forcing working families to make impossible choices between rent, groceries and health care.

“Far too many of our keiki and kamaʻāina find themselves priced out of the communities they call home. To truly address affordability, we must not only increase the supply of housing but do so in ways that reflect the unique economic realities of our communities and lower overall living costs for families. That means building housing that is attainable, affordable, well-located and connected to jobs and services.”

Case added: “One of the most important federal tools we have to do that is the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which has long been one of our nation's most successful programs for financing affordable rental housing. Yet the current allocation structure does not always reflect the significant differences in housing costs and development challenges that exist across the country. Because allocations are based principally on population, communities facing exceptionally high housing costs—including Hawaiʻi and other non-contiguous jurisdictions—often face greater difficulty producing affordable housing despite having substantial need.”

“For families on Guam, the challenge isn’t just finding affordable housing—it’s finding housing that keeps them connected to jobs, schools, healthcare, and essential services,” said Delegate Moylan. “As America’s westernmost territory, we face unique development constraints and higher construction costs. This bipartisan legislation recognizes those realities by strengthening incentives to build affordable housing in communities where transportation and opportunity come together. I’m proud to co-lead this effort because it helps ensure federal housing policy works not only for the mainland, but for Guam and all of our island communities as well.”

"Increasing the TOD basis boost would significantly improve project feasibility around our lands in East Kapolei, including next to the Ka Makana Aliʻi Shopping Center, as well as in Moanalua Kai,” said Kali Watson, director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. "The additional 25% basis boost would generate approximately $38,000 to $58,000 in additional equity per housing unit, or roughly $3.8 to $5.8 million for a 100-unit project. This would substantially reduce the financing gap and allow more housing for beneficiaries and further revenue-generating opportunities to advance the mission of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920."

“I am pleased to support the reintroduction of the TOD legislation that I originally introduced in the 117th Congress in collaboration with Congressman Case,” said Kaialiʻi Kahele, Chairman of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and former U.S. Congressman for the Second District of Hawaiʻi.

“The enhanced basis adjustment aligns with OHA’s strategic presence within the Iwilei–Kapālama Transit-Oriented Development area, including the proposed Kūwili Skyline Station, and provides an incentive for OHA’s future mixed-use development plans that integrate cultural revitalization, community services, and sustainable revenue generation.”

"The City is laying the foundation for one of Hawaiʻi's largest transit-oriented redevelopment efforts through the master planning of the Iwilei-Kūwili district, where our long-term vision includes more than 2,500 affordable homes surrounding the future Kūwili Skyline Station,” said Kevin D. Auger, Director, City and County of Honolulu Department of Housing and Land Management.

“Delivering projects of this scale requires strategic land assembly, strong public-private partnerships, and financing tools that reflect the realities of building affordable housing in high-cost communities like Honolulu. Legislation that strengthens the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit for transit-oriented development would provide another important tool to help communities advance these critical housing initiatives and create more affordable homes near transit."

"Congressman Case's Transit-Oriented Development Act recognizes that affordable housing and high-quality public transportation go hand in hand,” said Roger Morton, Director, City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services. “For Honolulu, this legislation complements our investment in Skyline by encouraging more affordable housing near transit, reducing transportation costs for working families, and creating more connected, sustainable communities. We appreciate Congressman Case's leadership in advancing this practical approach for Hawaiʻi."

“The Transit Oriented Development Act will help create a safer, more resilient, equitable, reliable, and efficient transportation system, said Mark Garrity, Executive Director of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (Oahu MPO). “OahuMPO strongly supports this critical legislation.”

"This is simple and smart legislation that will stimulate affordable housing development along side of the transportation infrastructure that the government has invested in,” said Craig Watase, Chief Executive Officer of Mark Development, a developer of affordable housing in Hawaiʻi. “This will be a major factor in project feasibility of many affordable housing projects."

Case continued: “Our Transit Oriented Development Act takes a targeted approach to addressing that challenge. The bill provides an enhanced Low-Income Housing Tax Credit incentive for affordable housing developments located within designated transit oriented development areas. This includes places that are already served by rail, bus, harbor or waterway transportation and are zoned for higher-density development.

“By encouraging affordable housing near existing transportation infrastructure, we can help reduce transportation costs for residents, improve access to jobs and essential services and support more efficient and sustainable community growth.”

Text of the Transit Oriented Development Act of 2026 is here

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Casten Introduces Bill to Increase Transparency for Proxy Voting, Support Shareholder Rights

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the Multi-Class Stock Company Voting Transparency Act, legislation that directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to improve the transparency of the voting results at multi-class companies and strengthen the quality of information available to investors.

“The Multi-Class Stock Company Voting Transparency Act would help American retirement savers, pension funds, and university endowments better understand exactly how multi-class stock structures are impacting their rights as shareholders,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “Investors deserve to know whether the board’s response to the outcome of a proposal reflects the preferences of the majority of shareholders—or whether super vote shareholders swayed the results.”

Shareholder proposals are an important mechanism for promoting good governance, corporate accountability, and transparency at public companies. The shareholder proposal process enables investors to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the companies that they own and offer their perspectives on important, financially material issues.

About 75% of publicly traded companies have shares with equal voting rights, where one share represents one vote on the shareholder proposals that are presented at a company’s annual meeting. The remaining 25% of companies sell shares with differential voting rights, which are known as multi-class or dual-class structures. For example, a company may offer Class A shares that are in line with the ‘one share, one vote’ principle to the general public. Class B shares that represent 10 votes per share may be reserved for founders, executives, and industry insiders. This provides them with significantly more voting power, and, therefore, they can significantly influence the voting outcomes of shareholder proposals.

Current SEC rules require that all public companies disclose the aggregate vote tallies for each shareholder proposal and whether each proposal passed or failed. The Multi-Class Stock Company Voting Transparency Act directs the SEC to conduct a rulemaking to require that multi-class companies also disclose the total number of votes cast for, against, or withheld on by Class A shareholders and Class B shareholders on each proposal, alongside other required disclosure information.

The legislation has been endorsed by the Council of Institutional Investors (CII).

Text of the legislation can be found here.

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Castro, Booker Reintroduce Bicameral Bill to Expand Advanced Coursework Opportunities for Underrepresented Students

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Advanced Coursework Equity Act, bicameral legislation that would create a federal grant program to help states and school districts increase the enrollment of underrepresented students in advanced coursework and academic programs. The Advanced Coursework Equity Act would allow eligible schools and school districts to receive up to $60 million to implement universal screening for advanced students, expand enrollment in advanced courses, cover course fees for low-income students, train or hire teachers for advanced courses, prepare students for postsecondary STEM pathways, and create or expand related efforts.

Black, Latino, and Native American students, students from low-income families, English learners, and students with disabilities are underrepresented in advanced programs and courses. While 1 in 10 students in American schools participate in the Advanced Placement (AP) program, just over 1 in 20 low-income, Black, and Native American students participate in these courses. A low-income student with reading and math achievement levels equal to those of a high-income student is half as likely to receive gifted services.

“Students at schools with fewer resources have immense talent, and should have the same opportunity to take advanced courses as their peers in wealthier school districts,” said Congressman Castro. “The Advanced Coursework Equity Act would support schools by covering exam fees and costs to hire and train teachers, helping students reach their full potential. Too often, students in low-income districts do not have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities to colleges and universities, and that needs to change.”

“In classrooms across this country, there are brilliant young people whose gifts go unseen—not because they lack promise, but because opportunity never found them. Every child deserves more than a chance to learn; they deserve a real pathway to reach their fullest potential, no matter their ZIP code,” said Senator Booker. “The Advanced Coursework Equity Act gives every student a fair shot by ensuring they are identified for their potential, removing the cost barriers that keep too many from advanced coursework and AP exams, and expanding access to rigorous classes in every school—not just those in wealthier communities.”

“Equal opportunity is about access, but right now, too many Black and Latino students are being denied access to rigorous coursework that is engaging and meets high standards. This means being denied a path to an enriching high school experience, success in higher education, and a rewarding career. The obstacles Black and Latino students face, including resource inequities and educator bias, can prevent their enrollment in advanced math and algebra in middle school and AP or IB courses in high schools. These structural barriers must be torn down and opportunity built up. That is why EdTrust is proud to endorse the Advanced Coursework Equity Act. Led by Senator Cory Booker and Congressman Joaquin Castro, this important legislation would eliminate barriers and increase the enrollment of traditionally underserved students in advanced courses. We urge Congress to advance this bill immediately and make real the promise of education equity for our nation’s underserved students,” said Denise Forte, president and CEO of EdTrust.

“To truly unlock the potential of every student, we must remove the barriers that keep talented, underrepresented youth out of advanced classrooms. The Advanced Coursework Equity Act is a vital step forward, providing states and districts with the targeted resources needed to expand access, foster student success, and ensure that a student's background never dictates their academic trajectory. Teach Plus is proud to endorse this legislation, which builds a stronger runway for the next generation of leaders,” said Kira Orange Jones, CEO of Teach Plus.

The Advanced Coursework Equity Act is endorsed by The Education Trust, All4Ed, College Board, Advance CTE, National Association for Gifted Children, Latinos for Education, National Center for Learning Disabilities, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, TeachPlus, National Rural Education Association, UnidosUS, Intercultural Development Research Association, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, National Urban League, National Educators Association and E3 Alliance.


Castro Leads 110 Democrats in Demanding Dilley Trailer Prison Be Shut Down

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led a group of 111 Democratic House members in a nationwide call to end family detention and shut down the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas. In the letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the lawmakers highlight the brutality of family detention and the lasting trauma inflicted on children.

The lawmakers outlined the conditions at the facility leading to lasting trauma, writing, “Parents describe horrendous conditions at Dilley, leading to severe depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation amongst their children. Children have reported that their food is often contaminated with worms and mold and that they feel sick after drinking tap water. Families also report not being able to sleep at night because the lights are kept on in their rooms throughout the night….Medical care provided by CoreCivic staff is delayed, denied, and in many cases outright dismissed, even when children are suffering life-threatening medical emergencies.”

The lawmakers highlighted DHS’s violations of court-ordered protections of children’s rights, writing, “Despite this cruelty, your agency violates the Flores Settlement Agreement by routinely detaining children and families past the general 20-day detention limitation governed by the Flores Settlement Agreement (FSA). The FSA requires that children in immigration custody must be held in the least restrictive setting appropriate to their needs and be detained no longer than 20 days in unlicensed facilities. The Trump Administration consistently and systematically violates these requirements.”

The lawmakers called on DHS to terminate its contract with CoreCivic and shut down the facility, writing, “Many kids cannot comprehend why their lives suddenly went from spending their days at school learning and playing with their friends to being imprisoned at Dilley with no end in sight. We demand that you terminate CoreCivic’s contract to operate the Dilley facility and shut down the Dilley Immigration Processing Center immediately.”

BACKGROUND:

The Biden Administration shut down Dilley in June 2024 after several human rights violation concerns were raised, such as inhumane conditions inflicting trauma on children, women, and families. Since January 2026, Congressman Castro has conducted six congressional oversight visits to the Dilley Trailer Prison to inspect conditions and meet with mothers, children, and fathers.

Congressman Castro added, “No child should be in a place like the Dilley Trailer Prison. Under Trump, ICE is ripping children away from their families, school, and lives. They are given food and water that makes them sick. The lights never go off and they can’t sleep. When they need medical care, they are often ignored. So many kids I met with, like Liam Ramos, are depressed. They don’t understand what they’ve done wrong to be locked away. They should be treated like kids—not criminals. I am grateful that over 100 of my colleagues in Congress are joining the fight to shut down the Dilley Trailer Prison. Dilley must be shut down and we will not stop until we free the children.”

The letter is co-signed by: Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Ami Bera (CA-06), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), Lou Correa (CA-46), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Al Green (TX-09), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Pablo Hernández (PR-AL), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), John Larson (CT-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), James McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Christian Menefee (TX-18), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Richard Neal (MA-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Darren Soto (FL-09), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Frederica Wilson (FL-24).


WATCH: 'Rep. Chris Smith Sounds Alarm on Rising Antisemitism & House Vote to Cut Aid to Israel'

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, sat down with Tony Perkins on Washington Watch with Tony Perkins to discuss the recent House vote to cut off U.S. aid to Israel, as well as the rising trend of antisemitism following the October 7th massacre.

The full interview can be viewed by clicking here.

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Congressman García Condemns Trump’s Ongoing Election Subversion

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump’s speech attempting to undermine the 2026 election:

“Tonight’s unhinged speech is the beginning of Trump’s attempt to overthrow the 2026 midterm election and to smear and criminalize noncitizens. This is what our insecure, delusional President does: if he doesn’t like the outcome of an election, he does everything in his power to subvert it. While these debunked claims by Trump and his cronies may seem laughable, they are a dire threat to democracy in America. The January 6th insurrection showed the country and the world that Republicans in Congress lack the spine to stand up to Trump’s authoritarianism. Now is the time for communities nationwide to mobilize against a federal takeover of elections, ICE at polling sites, and Trump’s pathetic lies. Whether through filing lawsuits, educating voters, volunteering at polling sites, holding the media accountable, or other tactics, we all have a role to play in preserving our right to vote in the face of Trump’s ongoing assault on democracy.”

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U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani Named Hero of Main Street by the National Retail Federation

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani’s outstanding leadership and tireless advocacy for the retail industry and small business has earned him the 2026 Hero of Main Street Award from the National Retail Federation.

The congressman accepted the award on Tuesday at the Federation’s Retail Advocates Summit in Washington, D.C.

"I’m incredibly honored to receive the 2026 Hero of Main Street Award from the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association," said Rep. Juan Ciscomani. "Businesses throughout our communities have faced the growing burden of organized retail crime, making it clear that a bipartisan solution was needed to make a positive change across Arizona’s Sixth District. These criminal organizations are not only harming small businesses and retailers, but they are also putting American consumers at risk of violence and fraud. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 provides concrete solutions to combat these crimes, which often fuel other illicit activities, including drug and human trafficking."

Congressman Ciscomani earned the recognition in part for his leadership as an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 (H.R. 2853).

The legislation would:

Strengthen law enforcement’s ability to investigate and prosecute organized retail crime.

Expand federal tools to combat money laundering and interstate retail theft operations.

Establish a coordination center within the Department of Homeland Security to improve collaboration against organized retail and supply chain crime.

According to the Federation’s website, the award recognizes "members of Congress for consistent support of the retail industry’s public policy priorities" and who support policies and initiatives "that recognize the important contributions of the retail industry and have worked to encourage a vibrant, sustained and healthy retail sector."

Since taking office in 2023, Representative Ciscomani has prioritized supporting Arizona’s small businesses and protecting Main Street in Congress. In addition to cosponsoring the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, he has cosponsored six other bills for America’s small businesses. He remains committed to advancing policies that strengthen local retailers and promote economic opportunity for hardworking men and women.

Local leaders thanked Rep. Ciscomani for his continued work for small businesses throughout Arizona's Sixth Congressional District.

"Congressman Ciscomani has consistently made an effort to engage with Arizona’s business community and hear directly from employers about the opportunities and challenges they face," said Kristen Sharp, President and CEO of Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce. "We appreciate his willingness to participate in local business discussions and congratulate him on being recognized by the National Retail Federation with its Hero of Main Street Award."

"As a small business owner here in southern Arizona, I am grateful for Congressman Ciscomani’s strong advocacy for small business," said Josh Jacobsen, restaurant owner and co-founder of the Tucson Crime Free Coalition. "Juan has proven time and time again that he will fight to ensure small businesses have the resources and tools they need to thrive. He has our back and we know he’s there for us when we need him. I want to thank Congressman Ciscomani for leading the effort of protecting small business and look forward to seeing the positive impact of legislation like the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 here in Arizona."

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Rep. Cisneros Statement on Lies and Misinformation about U.S. elections in Trump’s Speech

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-31) released the following statement on lies, deception, and misinformation in Trump’s speech.

“Tonight, President Trump delivered a dishonest speech about alleged corruption in our election system, with no evidence to back up his baseless claims. This is just another thinly veiled attempt to create chaos and sow distrust in our elections. His mission is as obvious as it is corrupt. He’s doing everything in his power to lay the groundwork for fraud when Republicans lose their Congressional majorities in the 2026 midterms.

For all his talk of protecting our elections, his address was nothing more than an attempt to prop up the SAVE Act. His bill to prevent the American people from voting.

While the President manufactures lies and promotes conspiracy, I’ll continue to champion voting rights, fight to ensure everyone can make their voices heard in our elections, and work to protect our democracy.”

Rep. Cisneros is a Navy veteran and the former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. He currently serves on the House Armed Services and Small Business Committees.

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CLARKE INTRODUCES BILL TO CREATE INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 16, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) introduced the Interagency Council on Affordable Housing Act, legislation that would create an interagency council to analyze and strengthen affordable housing in the United States.

“In New York City and across the nation, the longstanding need to increase the supply of affordable and accessible housing has only grown more urgent as rising costs continue to overwhelm Americans. Congress has both the ability to address this dire crisis and the responsibility to deliver solutions to overcome it,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. “The Interagency Council on Affordable Housing and Preservation (ICAHP) established by my legislation would emerge as a key asset for aspiring homeowners and renters alike by protecting the programs that enabled them to become stably housed and providing pathways for millions more low-income Americans to receive the same safety and security housing provides. Addressing the housing crisis will demand bold, creative solutions that prioritize the needs and safety of the most vulnerable Americans. The ICAHP will be the key to finding them.”

Today, 11 million extremely low-income households pay at least half of their income toward housing. The National Low Income Housing Coalition states that not one single state can meet the demand for safe, affordable housing. Only 33 affordable and available rental homes exist for every 100 extremely low-income renter households. The Interagency Council on Affordable Housing and Preservation would advise on expanding the stock of affordable housing, protecting public housing, rural housing, and housing voucher programs, developing eviction defense programs, combating rent gouging, and encouraging fairness in the rental market.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Wesley Bell, Troy Carter, Jesús “Chuy” Garcia, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jonathan Jackson, Seth Magaziner, Jim McGovern, Donald Norcross, Chellie Pingree, Delia C. Ramirez, Mark Takano, and Rashida Tlaib.

The legislation is endorsed by the National Leased Housing Association.

Read the full bill text here.

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Higgins Reintroduces Legislation to Combat Computer-Generated Comment Abuse in Federal Rulemaking

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) reintroduced H.R. 9643, the Comment Integrity and Management Act, legislation to protect the federal rulemaking process by requiring agencies to verify that public comments are submitted by humans. Read the bill text here.

This legislation responds to the growing usage of artificial intelligence and automated tools to flood agencies with large volumes of computer-generated comments. These tactics dilute the views of legitimate individuals and can lead to a false sense of public opinion. The bill was previously passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in May 2024.


Congressman Cleaver Named Co-Chair of House Democratic Task Force to Defend 14th Amendment

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), announced his appointment as Co-Chair of the newly established House Democratic Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force, a coalition of Members dedicated to protecting the constitutional guarantees of equal protection, due process, birthright citizenship, and civil rights in the face of ongoing legal and political challenges.

Rep. Cleaver joins Representatives Analilia Mejia (D-NJ), Emily Randall (D-WA), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), and Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) in leading the Task Force, which will coordinate congressional oversight, engage constitutional scholars and legal experts, educate the public, and respond to efforts that undermine the rights secured by the Fourteenth Amendment.

“As someone whose life has been shaped by the Civil Rights Movement and whose ministry and public service have always been rooted in the pursuit of justice, I know the promises of our Constitution are only as strong as our willingness to defend them,” said Congressman Cleaver. “The 14th Amendment is the constitutional foundation for equal protection, due process, and civil rights in America. When those protections come under attack, we cannot afford silence or complacency. I am honored to help lead this Task Force as we work to ensure these constitutional guarantees remain real and meaningful for every American.”

“The 14th Amendment reminds us that the promise of the Constitution belongs to all of us. It serves as the basis for the civil rights movement and ensures that every American has equal rights in this country, no matter who they are or where they come from. As Trump and Republicans attempt to undermine these liberties, House Democrats stand united in fighting for equal opportunity and equal protection under the law, and I’m grateful to Reps. Mejia, Cleaver, Randall, Simon and Subramanyam for their leadership in this fight,” said Chairman Pete Aguilar.

“We are witnessing a coordinated campaign by the Trump administration and a radicalized Supreme Court to dismantle the fundamental freedoms forged in the aftermath of slavery and protected by the 14th Amendment, including the right to vote, equal protection and due process under the law, and the citizenship of every child born on this soil. This is a deliberate strategy to silence the communities who fought hardest to build this democracy and to strip them of the rights they bled for,” said Rep. Analilia Mejia. “I formed the Defend the 14th Amendment Task Force with my colleagues because these rights have never been self-executing — they have been won through struggle, defended through sacrifice, and they will be defended again. Democracy is only possible with equality, and equality is only made possible by the 14th Amendment.”

“Last week's decision affirmed the actual words in the constitution — that if you are born in this country, you are a citizen of this country — but the fact the 4 justices dissented shows that we’re not safe from these continuous attacks from Donald Trump, his administration, and what is an activist and extremist conservative Supreme Court. We have to continue fighting to ensure that the citizens of the United States are protected and that nothing erodes that constitutional protection,” said Rep. Emily Randall.

"The 14th Amendment granted citizenship BOTH to formerly enslaved people and all persons born in this nation. While the Supreme Court did their basic job in affirming the Constitution, threats to our constitutional and civil rights remain," said Rep. Lateefah Simon. Republicans are hell bent on redrawing this nation in their image. The 14th Amendment was fought for - not given, and I join my colleagues as leaders of this Task Force and the continued effort to fight for and defend the 14th Amendment.

“Birthright citizenship continues to be under attack by the President Trump and his administration. I am excited to join my colleagues as we push to protect the 14th Amendment and make sure we uphold it for generations to come. It is a core principle that belonging in this country is a right you are born with, not a gift that can be taken away,” said Rep. Suhas Subramanyam.

Following the Task Force’s launch, Rep. Cleaver joined his fellow co-chairs on the House floor during a Special Order Hour focused on defending the Fourteenth Amendment and warning against efforts to erode constitutional rights incrementally.

“History teaches us that constitutional rights are rarely lost all at once,” Rep. Cleaver said during his floor remarks. “They’re chipped away slowly - one exception, one excuse, one precedent at a time - until Americans wake up and discover that what once seemed guaranteed has quietly disappeared. We will defend equal protection. We will defend due process. We will defend birthright citizenship. And we will continue fighting until the promise of the 14th Amendment is not merely something we celebrate in history books, but something every American can experience in their daily lives.”

Watch Rep. Cleaver’s remarks from the House floor here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.


Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on Rep. Massie's Amendment to GOP Foreign Aid Budget Bill & Policy in the Middle East

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), released the following statement on his vote on Rep. Thomas Massie’s amendment to the Fiscal Year 2027 State Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act.

“This Republican foreign aid bill debated yesterday decimates needed humanitarian aid and undercuts American diplomacy around the world. Republicans included an amendment to the bill by Rep. Massie that could block all foreign aid to Israel, including programs I strongly support that are focused on peacebuilding and humanitarian aid. I voted no on Rep. Massie’s amendment because I ardently believe in peacebuilding programs which are working daily to bring people together, rather than divide them.

“Despite its title and messaging, the amendment was drafted in such a broad way that it leaves the Trump Administration, who will implement it, with wide discretion to decide which funding accounts should be blocked. This creates the false impression that Congress had ended their support. That’s not honest policymaking, and it’s not how we should approach an issue with such profound humanitarian consequences.

“Israel has the right to exist and the right to defend their people, and I believe the U.S. should continue to have a strong strategic alliance with Israel. However, the status quo is not tenable; not for the Israeli people long term, not for the Palestinians trying to live in an ever-shrinking territory in the West Bank, and certainly not for the people still suffering in Gaza.

“It is outrageous that this Republican bill provided no aid for the Palestinian people continuing to suffer in Gaza.

“If Congress is serious about examining and changing U.S. policy, then we should debate and vote on legislation that actually does what it claims to do.”

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Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.


Rep. Clyde Announces Launch of 2026 Congressional App Challenge

GAINESVILLE, GA — Today, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) invited middle and high school students in Georgia’s Ninth District to participate in the 2026 Congressional App Challenge, a nationwide competition that encourages young Americans to showcase their creativity and coding skills by designing original apps. The submission portal is now open, and students can register and submit their apps through October 26th, 2026.

“The Congressional App Challenge is an excellent opportunity for young Georgians to demonstrate their creativity, ingenuity, and technical skills on a national stage,” said Clyde. “I encourage middle and high school students throughout the Ninth District to participate in this year’s competition, and I look forward to seeing their innovative submissions.”

Last year’s competition featured six talented student submissions from across the Ninth District. First Place was awarded to Krish Tripathy’s “Pulmo Lens,” a deep learning-based web application that helps health care professionals detect pneumonia from chest X-rays faster and more accurately.

Rep. Clyde Congratulates the Ninth District’s 2025

Congressional App Challenge First Place Winner Krish Tripathy

Background

First launched in 2014, the Congressional App Challenge is the official computer science competition of the U.S. House of Representatives. The competition encourages students to create and submit their own app for the opportunity to receive national recognition.

Students may participate as individuals or in teams of up to four. Congressional App Challenge winners may be eligible to have their app featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol and put on the U.S. House of Representatives’ website. Additionally, winners will receive an invitation to the #HouseOfCode celebration on Capitol Hill.

Rules and guidelines are available HERE. For more information, please visit Rep. Clyde’s website and the Congressional App Challenge’s website.


Congressman Cohen Responds to Trump Speech Obsessing about the 2020 Election

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) watched President Trump’s prime time East Room speech to the nation tonight and made the following statement:

“Donald Trump is obsessed with the 2020 election that dozens and dozens of audits and court rulings established he lost. Sowing doubt about election results, I fear, is preparation for attempting to undo the loss Republicans will suffer in the midterms this November. We need to be vigilant in recognizing his lies and standing up for democracy.”

# # #


CORREA STATEMENT ON TRUMP'S ELECTION INTEGRITY CLAIMS

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) released the following statement in response to President Trump's primetime address regarding election integrity.

“The President is concerned about election integrity, yet his administration has been dismantling the actual defenses that keep our elections secure. He gutted the election security team, defunded the Election Infrastructure-ISAC, and harassed almost 1,000 employees into leaving CISA, the agency responsible for defending our voting systems against foreign hackers.

“If the president does have credible evidence of foreign meddling, then we must address it. But the SAVE America Act would not remedy any of the issues he raised. Non-citizens are already barred from registering and voting in federal elections, and would receive jail time or face deportation as a result. The SAVE America Act is redundant and makes voting for American citizens much more difficult. This bill would bar American citizens from using drivers’ licenses, military IDs, or Tribal IDs alone as proof of citizenship. People who have changed their names, including millions of married women, would not be allowed to use their birth certificates alone to prove their citizenship, either.

“Here's the bottom line. President Trump knows that voters are smart. He knows voters are hurting economically. And he knows that if Democrats take back Congress this November, we're going to investigate the actual fraud, waste, and abuse in government. We will begin to stop these endless wars, reduce tariffs, reduce prices, and get our government back to being by the people, of the people, and for the people.”


Courtney Introduces Bill to Support Americans Wrongfully Denied Health Care Coverage

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), introduced the CLINIC Assistance Act, a bill to improve access to legal support for Americans whose medical treatment was denied coverage by health insurance companies. The CLINIC Assistance Act would establish a grant program through the Department of Labor to help law schools set up consumer advocate programs where patients can receive no-cost legal assistance with their insurance claim appeal.

“One of the disturbing trends in health care is the rising number of claim denials that patients seeking urgently needed medically necessary treatment are left with,” Courtney said. “By establishing a federal grant program through the Department of Labor to support law clinics that specialize in navigating the complex appeals process, we can provide American patients, at no expense, with the expertise – and people – on their side when they’re wrongfully denied coverage.”

Read the full bill text here.

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Courtney: While Americans Endure High Costs Due to His War & Tariffs, Trump Obsesses About an Election that Happened Six Years Ago

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) released the following statement on President Trump’s address to the nation.

“In the midst of a war with Iran that the President unilaterally escalated this past week, once again driving up the cost of living for Americans, it’s beyond bizarre for the President to hold a national televised address to obsess about an election that happened six years ago,” Courtney said. “The results of that election were investigated by his own intelligence team and were litigated repeatedly by state and federal courts and Congressional committees with no verified evidence of tampering that would have changed the outcome. The people of eastern Connecticut would rather have their President focus on the cost of living struggles they are enduring right now because of his war with Iran and his high tariffs as opposed to focusing on a conspiracy theory that has no basis in reality. It’s time to move on from the 2020 election, Mr. President – the vast majority of Americans you are supposed to serve have a long time ago.”

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Rep. Angie Craig Pushes Trump Administration to Shut Down Notorious ICE Processing Center Run by Private Prison Operator, CoreCivic

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined 108 of her colleagues in pushing the Trump Administration to shut down the notorious Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas run by private prison contractor, CoreCivic. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Rep. Craig and her colleagues blasted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and CoreCivic for profiting off the detention of migrant families, including children.

Dilley, where five-year old Liam Ramos was held after being picked up by ICE in Columbia Heights, MN, is the only ICE facility in the country dedicated to detaining families with children. Current and former detainees have been outspoken about the unacceptable and dehumanizing conditions at the facility, including food contaminated with worms and mold, a lack of adequate education for school-age children and delayed and denied medical care. Detainees blame both ICE and CoreCivic, a company in which President Trump owns stock.

“Former and current detained families describe horrific conditions perpetuated by CoreCivic and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that are meant to strip them of their dignity and make them feel hopeless,” the Members wrote. “Americans have watched ICE’s brutality play out in their communities, but what happens behind the walls of the Dilley detention facility remains out of sight by design. DHS must stop imprisoning families, end this inhumanity, and close the Dilley detention facility.”

The Members specifically called out CoreCivic for using President Trump’s mass deportation agenda to profit millions of dollars from its contract with ICE.

“Patrick Swindle, President and CEO of CoreCivic, recently boasted that CoreCivic provides the most humane, most efficient, most compliant, and best value to the government,” the Members continued. “Here, ‘best value’ means maximizing profit through lack of trained personnel, inedible food, and insufficient medical care. CoreCivic cares about their bottom line, not about the people in their care.”

“No child and family should be imprisoned for seeking safety by legitimately following United States immigration laws,” the Members concluded.

Rep. Craig has taken the Trump Administration to task over its reckless and lawless immigration agenda and has fought to bring home Minnesotans wrongfully detained by ICE.

Last month, she successfully secured the release of her constituent, Andrea Pedro-Francisco, who was held in ICE detention while suffering from an untreated ovarian cyst. In May, she traveled to El Paso, TX to visit Pedro-Francisco and conduct oversight of two ICE detention facilities—Camp East Montana and the El Paso Service Processing Center.

Earlier this year, she conducted four oversight visits of the ICE processing center at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. Following her third visit with Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), she sent a letter to former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem expressing concern that no detainees were present during their visit despite reports that individuals were being held at Whipple and slamming Noem for previously denying them their constitutional right to conduct unannounced oversight visits. Rep. Craig also introduced articles of impeachment against former Secretary Noem in January before she was ultimately fired in March.

She has vocally opposed the opening of any new ICE facilities in Minnesota, including a proposed ICE detention center in Shakopee, which she successfully quashed alongside state and local leaders. And this Congress, she helped introduce the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act to establish standards of care for individuals held in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and ICE custody.

You can read the full text of the letter here.

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Crow Statement on Trump Lies

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on President Trump’s partisan speech of election denialism:

“Tonight the American people heard more lies from an unwell President.

“Donald Trump is obsessed with staying in office so he can enrich himself and his billionaire donors–disregarding the will of the voters. He’s desperately trying to cling to power and distract from his unpopular war, skyrocketing prices, incompetent leadership, and rampant corruption.

“Our election system has been and remains safe and secure. Thousands of elections have happened all over the country at every level of government during the President’s time in office. Yet Trump only has a problem with one election, the one he lost.

“As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I have seen no credible evidence of successful foreign interference with prior elections or foreign threats to the current election. The President’s attempt to cherry-pick intelligence or rewrite history does not change that.

“Despite his lies and assault on our democracy, he will not succeed. The American people are fed up with failed leadership. Accountability is coming.”

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Davids Calls for Return to Bipartisan Farm Bill Tradition at Center Forward Discussion

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) joined Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN-01) and Center Forward for a bipartisan discussion on the future of the Farm Bill coalition. During the event, Davids emphasized that supporting farmers, strengthening rural communities, and keeping food affordable have long been bipartisan priorities — and urged Congress to move away from political games and get back to working together.

"Kansas has a long history of showing that the Farm Bill works best when people come together,” said Davids. “Leaders like Senator Bob Dole and Senator Pat Roberts understood that supporting farmers and making sure families can put food on the table aren't competing priorities — they're connected. That's the bipartisan tradition that made the Farm Bill successful for decades. We need to stop playing political games, rebuild that coalition, and get back to passing a Farm Bill that gives producers certainty and keeps our food system strong."

“As a fourth-generation farmer, I know firsthand the importance of delivering a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill that responsibly addresses the needs of my fellow Minnesotans,” said Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN-01). “While the Farm Bill is a critical tool for farmers and rural communities, it also serves as a crucial piece of legislation for strengthening food security across the country. Whether it be my colleagues in Congress or community members back home, what makes the Farm Bill effective is listening to others to ensure we are meeting the needs of Americans. I appreciated the opportunity to be a part of this bipartisan conversation about how we can continue to make the Farm Bill successful for generations to come.”

“Bipartisan policymaking delivers durable results that benefit all Americans,” said Cori Kramer, Chief Executive Officer, Center Forward. “At Center Forward, we are proud to serve as Washington's leading bipartisan convenor, bringing together leaders to foster the conversations that make meaningful progress possible. We are grateful to Congresswoman Davids and Congressman Finstad for their commitment to pragmatic problem-solving as they work to advance the Farm Bill through Congress. Their leadership demonstrates that when lawmakers work across the aisle, they can build consensus and move important legislation forward on behalf of communities across the country — from rural towns to urban neighborhoods.”

Earlier this year, Davids, a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, voted to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill through the House Agriculture Committee, emphasizing the need to provide certainty for Kansas farmers, strengthen the nation's food supply, and help address rising costs for families after years of delays in Congress.

For decades, the Farm Bill has been one of Congress' most bipartisan pieces of legislation, bringing together lawmakers representing both rural and urban communities around a shared commitment to supporting American agriculture, strengthening conservation programs, expanding trade opportunities, and ensuring families can put food on the table. That longstanding coalition has become increasingly strained in recent years as partisan disagreements over nutrition programs have made it more difficult to reach the broad bipartisan consensus that has historically defined the legislation.

Last year's partisan budget law, which Davids opposed, cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help pay for tax breaks that benefit billionaires. Those cuts are projected to reduce farm income by more than $30 billion over the next decade while threatening jobs throughout the food and agriculture supply chain. During consideration of the Farm Bill, Davids supported an amendment to reverse those SNAP cuts and restore the historic bipartisan approach that has long united the Farm Bill coalition, but the Republican majority rejected the proposal.


Dingell, Tlaib Demand Answers Over Concerning Working Conditions at USPS Facility in Metro Detroit

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) are demanding answers from the United States Postal Service (USPS) over reports of concerning working conditions at the Allen Park distribution center in metro Detroit. The reports follow the death of a postal service worker at the same distribution center in late 2025.

“Staff, supervisors, and union representatives have raised concerns to our offices surrounding the labor conditions at the NDC. These reports include the improper rescission of positions, failure to provide fair and equitable treatment, denial of contractually guaranteed bathroom and meal breaks, inadequate training, intimidation through disciplinary write-ups and threats of termination, and management performing bargaining-unit work, including the elimination of overtime opportunities. Employees have also expressed concerns about safety hazards, citing an expedited mail process from management pressure, reductions in staffing, and minimal specialized training,”Congresswomen Dingell and Tlaib wrote.

The congresswomen reiterated the importance of safety for USPS workers and requested answers to a series of questions regarding the steps the facility is taking to ensure safety and more. This effort follows a November 2025 letter from the congresswomen seeking answers from USPS about the tragic death that occurred at the facility.

A PDF copy of the letter is available HEREand text is below:

Dear Postmaster General Steiner:

This letter is regarding the labor and workplace safety concerns of workers at the USPS Detroit Network Distribution Center (NDC) in Allen Park, Michigan. We are concerned by the reports of unsafe and unfair practices at the facility.

Staff, supervisors, and union representatives have raised concerns to our offices surrounding the labor conditions at the NDC. These reports include the improper rescission of positions, failure to provide fair and equitable treatment, denial of contractually guaranteed bathroom and meal breaks, inadequate training, intimidation through disciplinary write-ups and threats of termination, and management performing bargaining-unit work, including the elimination of overtime opportunities. Employees have also expressed concerns about safety hazards, citing an expedited mail process from management pressure, reductions in staffing, and minimal specialized training.

These reports are especially alarming after the death of Mr. Nicholas Acker at the facility in November of last year. In May, USPS received five serious citations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) investigation at the NDC, three of which resulted in fines totaling over $26,000. Within these citations, OSHA determined that employees were exposed to caught-in hazards via the mail conveyors, employees did not have adequate training to perform equipment repairs, and facility procedures were not followed amid shift changes and maintenance work. While these citations were separate from Mr. Acker’s death, they are still troubling. The safety of USPS workers is of the utmost importance, and USPS must ensure that protocols and standards are properly enforced.

Given the federal government’s responsibility to ensure worker safety and just treatment in its facilities, we request answers to the following questions:

1. What kind of specialized training do employees receive in their roles?

2. What measures does the facility take to ensure that staff are receiving necessary training for their roles?

3. What measures does the facility take to ensure labor standards are responsibly met, including fair and equitable treatment of employees?

4. What contractually obligated paid and unpaid breaks do employees receive?

5. What are the expected procedures when an employee is unable to take a contractually obligated break due to workload, staffing shortages, operational demands, or management direction?

6. What contractually obligated overtime compensation do employees receive?

7. What are the expected procedures when an employee does not receive their contractually obligated overtime compensation?

8. What impact has voluntary early retirement had on operational strain, including transitional staffing issues, localized shortages, position availability, and mail delivery?

9. How does the facility address the aforementioned impacts of voluntary early retirements?

10. How does the facility adhere to uniform and standardized safety protocols?

11. What steps is the facility taking to ensure safety protocols are administered?

12. Please describe the safety protocol training employees receive.

13. What measures does the facility take to ensure that employees understand and follow the safety protocols?

14. Please describe the accessibility of safety and grievance procedures for employees.

15. What effect do staffing shortages and pressure for on-time mail delivery have on safety practices?


Democratic Veterans Celebrate Defeat of Republican Attack on Veterans’ Benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, for the second time, U.S. House Republicans were forced to withdraw a flawed Republican bill, H.R. 9237, from floor consideration. This followed strong opposition from members of the Democratic Veterans Caucus highlighting how the bill would represent the largest cut to veterans’ benefits in history, including cutting benefits for common conditions like tinnitus and sleep apnea and raising fees on VA home loans.

Following today’s withdrawal of this bill to cut veterans benefits, members of the Democratic Veterans Caucus Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), and Herb Conway (NJ-03) released the following joint statement.

“Today, the House rallied around veterans and rejected this partisan attack on veterans’ benefits and the VA.

“Members of the Democratic Veterans Caucus led the fight against this bill, and we will always come together to stand up for our troops and our fellow veterans.

“House Republicans should think twice before ever again taking benefits away from our veterans in the name of ‘fiscal responsibility’ after they added trillions to the debt with their One Big Beautiful Bill and are trying to force through $67 Billion supplemental to pay for the disastrous Iran War.”


Davis, Nunn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Put Artificial Intelligence to Work on North Carolina Farms

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressmen Don Davis (NC-01) and Zach Nunn (IA-03) today introduced the bipartisan Fostering Agricultural Research and Modernization through Artificial Intelligence (FARM AI) Act, legislation to accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) across American agriculture by modernizing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research and workforce programs.

“Feeding America is national security, and the future of agriculture will depend on our ability to innovate,” said Congressman Davis. “We must strengthen research, expand workforce training, and give producers the tools they need to increase productivity, remain globally competitive, and ensure the United States continues to lead the world in agriculture.”

“Iowa farmers have always been the first to put new technology to work when it helps them grow more efficiently, conserve resources, and stay competitive,” said Congressman Nunn. “Artificial intelligence is the next frontier. From yield mapping and precision nutrient application to disease detection and water conservation, AI gives farmers better information to make better decisions in real time. Our bipartisan FARM AI Act builds on the groundbreaking research already happening at Iowa’s universities while investing in the workforce needed to bring these innovations from the lab to the field. The future of agriculture shouldn’t be written by bureaucrats in Washington — it should be driven by the Iowa farmers who feed America.”

Specifically, the FARM AI Act would:

Designate artificial intelligence as a priority research area under USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) and expand AI research through the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA).

Equip USDA Extension with the resources to help farmers responsibly adopt AI technologies and precision agriculture.

Expand USDA grants and fellowships to strengthen the rural workforce and prepare the next generation of agricultural innovators.

Nominate a senior USDA official as the AI in Agriculture Advisor to coordinate federal AI efforts, align agency programs, and work with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop national standards for agricultural AI.

The FARM AI Act is the House companion to bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate by Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Adam Schiff (D-CA).


Johnson Targeted by Biden DOJ’s Arctic Frost

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) released the following statement regarding Operation Arctic Frost in which President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice officials obtained and reviewed the Congressman’s text messages. The investigative team improperly reviewed the messages of 44 Members of Congress.

“My text messages obtained by Jack Smith’s rogue investigation team shows an unprecedented level of carelessness for the rule of law and the constitutional separation of powers,” said Johnson. “I’m grateful to the whistleblowers who brought these acts to light and to the Senate Judiciary Committee for continuing this Congressional oversight.”

Johnson will review the classified information obtained by the Justice Department.

Background:

The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary released evidence that the United States Department of Justice Special Counsel investigation lead by Jack Smith improperly obtained and reviewed text messages from Members of Congress from across political lines.

The Justice Department’s letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley can be viewed here.


Congresswoman Escobar Celebrates Announcement of BOTA Modernization Project Industry Day

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) celebrated the announcement that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will be hosting an Industry Day for the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) Land Port of Entry Modernization Project later this month.

"I’m proud to share that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will be announcing the three Design-Build finalist teams and encouraging small businesses in El Paso to network and seek potential partnerships. This marks yet another important milestone in the progress of the $500 million modernization of the Bridge of the Americas," said Congresswoman Escobar. "I'm encouraging local contractors to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by attending GSA’s Industry Day on Monday July 27, 2026 from 1 pm to 4 pm at the EPCC Opportunity Center. I’m grateful to GSA for making local businesses a priority with their Industry Day and excited about the opportunity this presents."

The Industry Day, which will be held on Monday, July 27th at the EPCC Administrative Services Center Contractor Opportunities Center from 1-4pm MT, is an event for small businesses, subcontractors, suppliers and construction professionals to meet the three shortlisted Design-Build teams competing for the primary project contract.

Congresswoman Escobar’s Push to Remove Commercial Traffic and Prioritize El Pasoans at the Bridge of the Americas:

August 2022 - Congresswoman Escobar hosted a meeting with GSA to kick off stakeholder engagement for the BOTA modernization. Local government, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), Department of State, HOME, neighborhood associations near the bridge and other stakeholders attended to learn about the process. GSA committed to robust community engagement throughout the design concept and environmental impact process.

Fall 2022 - GSA hosted a series of community meetings where the Congresswoman helped ensure local community members were present and their voices heard at the highest levels.

April 7, 2023 – Congresswoman Escobar met with GSA to provide feedback on concerns and issues shared with her by El Paso stakeholders.

July 5, 2023 – Congresswoman Escobar met with members of the San Xavier, Chamizal, and Washington-Delta neighborhood associations regarding their experiences with past construction projects impacting their communities and their concerns about the BOTA modernization project.

July 19, 2023 – Congresswoman Escobar sent a letter to GSA requesting a Health Impact Assessment to be included as part of the Environmental Impact Survey process.

October 19, 2023 –Congresswoman Escobar announced a series of listening sessions on BOTA with various stakeholders and sent out an email survey asking constituents their opinion on commercial traffic at BOTA.

October 27, 2023 – Congresswoman Escobar hosted a convening of governmental stakeholders- United States federally, Texas state, local and Ciudad Juarez and State ofChihuahua attending.

November 13, 2023 – Congresswoman Escobar hosted a virtual town hall with a legislative update, including an update on the BOTA LPOE modernization project, with over 2,000 constituents in attendance.

November 17, 2023 – Congresswoman Escobar hosted a listening session with US and Mexico industry leaders (maquilas, custom brokers, trucking companies, etc).

January 2024 – Congresswoman Escobar hosted a listening session at the Chamizal Recreational Center with GSA, IBWC, and CBP leadership to hear from the community members including Familias Unidas, San Xavier and Washington-Delta Neighborhood Associations.

May 2024 – Congresswoman Escobar hosted a meeting with GSA, CBP, City and County to discuss BOTA and what can be done for City and County to prepare for additional traffic at other ports of entry.

July 2024 – Congresswoman Escobar hosted an update meeting with local and federal governmental stakeholders for BOTA, including Juarez Mayor and ANAM Director.

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Congresswoman Escobar Leads Texas Democratic Delegation in Letter to HHS, ORR on Unaccompanied Minors

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) led a letter of the entire Texas Democratic Delegation to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Acting Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Angie Salazar voicing their concerns that ORR may be preparing to relocate unaccompanied minors, potentially to speed up their removals.

The full letter can be found below or here:

Secretary Kennedy and Acting Director Salazar:

We are writing with urgent concerns regarding recent reporting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) requested the Texas Indigent Defense Commission’s (TIDC) assistance providing legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children. We, along with legal service providers and advocates who work extensively with unaccompanied minors, are concerned that the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which is under the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), may be preparing to relocate unaccompanied minors to the State of Texas, potentially to speed up removals of unaccompanied minors.

The administration’s outreach to the Texas Office of the Attorney General and TIDC – in

conjunction with the loss of ORR beds in other states while ORR bed capacity in Texas remains available – could signal impending plans to relocate unaccompanied minors from across the country to ORR facilities in Texas and we fear it may indicate plans for imminent mass removals of vulnerable children. This would not be the first time the administration attempted to rapidly remove unaccompanied minors from the United States; over Labor Day weekend last year, the administration tried to remove unaccompanied minors from the United States from Harlingen, Texas in the middle of the night.

According to the Acacia Center for Justice, which currently holds the federal contract for

multiple legal service providers across the country, over 20,000 unaccompanied children in the U.S. currently have legal representation. The Acacia’s Center federal contract ends on July 31st, and the administration has yet to provide guidance on how ongoing cases will be handled or transferred once the contract ends. Relocating vulnerable minors abruptly to Texas would only result in separating them from their lawyers and critical support systems, while sending them alone to a state that no longer provides oversight of childcare facilities for immigrant children. This would result in an alarming number of children potentially having no representation at an immigration hearing or feeling pressured to voluntarily depart the country.

It is equally concerning that the administration is making efforts to reach out to TIDC for

assistance with legal services for unaccompanied minors, while at the same time failing to pay legal service providers across the country, including in Texas, that are currently representing unaccompanied minors. One such provider, Estrella del Paso, has not received up to $765,000 in federal payments and is facing closure after 40 years of service to the El Paso, Texas community.

Furthermore, it remains unclear if TIDC is legally allowed to provide services to unaccompanied minors. Per their mandate, TIDC currently supports legal services to low-income Texans for criminal indigent defense; the mandate does not provide for legal immigration services for unaccompanied minors. While the State legislature may amend their mandate if necessary, TIDC currently does not provide funding assistance for immigration-related work and would likely not be prepared to take over assistance for legal services once the federal contract with the Acacia Center expires on July 31st, which raises further concerns about children’s ongoing legal cases.

We urge you to respond to the following questions by July 23, 2026:

Does the administration currently have plans in place to relocate unaccompanied minors to the State of Texas?

If so, what is the timeline associated with these relocations?

What plan does the administration have for the ongoing legal cases of unaccompanied minors that will be impacted once the federal contract for legal services expires on July 31st?

What guidance has the administration provided to legal service providers who are currently representing unaccompanied minors regarding their ongoing cases and next steps?

If the administration has provided no guidance, please explain why.

Does the administration plan to provide this guidance before July 31st?

When is the administration planning to release the belated payments to legal service providers, as it is currently required to by court order?

The wellbeing of the unaccompanied minors currently in the care of the Federal government and who have pending immigration cases must be prioritized, and we strongly reject any actions that would undermine their access to counsel or expedite their unprecedented removal. We urge the administration to strongly reconsider relocating minors away from their current homes, legal representation, and support systems, and to release the overdue funds to the legal service providers that are already providing these children with the legal representation they not only need but are legally required to receive.

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Representative Leger Fernández, Attorney General Raúl Torrez Push New Legislation to Force DOJ to Release Remaining Epstein Files

Washington, DC — Attorney General Raúl Torrez today voiced support for the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, bipartisan legislation sponsored by U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-New Mexico) Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), Ro Khanna (D-California) to amend the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The bill gives state attorneys general, district attorneys, and survivors the right to sue the U.S. Department of Justice for withholding or redacting records, bars the department from invoking privilege to justify withholding files, and creates criminal penalties for federal officials who conceal, destroy, or falsify records covered by the Act.

New Mexico has pursued records related to Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch property for months. The U.S. Department of Justice has not fully responded to the state's records requests, leaving New Mexico's investigation without access to files that bear directly on whether New Mexico laws were broken.

"Survivors have waited too long for answers, and my office has waited too long for the federal government to turn over the unredacted records we need to complete our criminal investigation," said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. "This legislation gives state law enforcement the access this investigation requires, and it gives survivors control over their own records. Every day of delay is another day survivors are denied the justice they are owed."

"Todd Blanche and the Department of Justice have refused to release as many as 3 million Epstein files: they are hiding the truth from the American people and creating even more injustice and trauma for survivors," said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. "When Trump’s administration does not comply with the law, there must be consequences. Attorney General Blanche is not fit to serve, should not be confirmed and should instead resign. In the meantime, we must pass this bill to put power where it belongs—with survivors. No administration, no Attorney General, and no Department of Justice is above the law."

Torrez and Leger Fernandez are leading the fight to hold the U.S. Department of Justice accountable for failing to comply with the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act. Torrez said the enforcement gap this bill closes exists because the Department of Justice has chosen delay and obstruction over compliance with the law as written.

"The Department of Justice has had every opportunity to follow the law and has instead chosen stonewalling," said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. "This bill takes that choice away. Survivors deserve a process that works regardless of whether the Department of Justice decides to cooperate."

The Epstein Files Transparency Act II:

Creates a private right of action allowing State Attorneys General, district attorneys, other authorized State officials, and victims to sue the U.S. Attorney General for unlawfully withholding, redacting, delaying, concealing, removing, or failing to publish Epstein-related records.

Gives victims the right to obtain full, unredacted records concerning themselves or the harm they suffered, including relevant FBI FD-302 reports.

Enforces compliance with the existing law by subjecting DOJ and FBI officials to existing federal criminal penalties for knowingly concealing, destroying, falsifying, withholding, or misrepresenting files.

Requires the Department of Justice to provide State and local prosecutors with unredacted records needed for investigations, prosecutions, and judicial proceedings, including secure access to classified materials.

Explicitly prohibits the invocation of common law privileges, including deliberative process privileges, to evade disclosure requirements included in the original EFTA.


Leger Fernández, Heinrich Lead New Mexico & Texas Democrats to Introduce Legislation Reversing Rate Cuts for Veterans’ Essential Homecare Services

WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and U.S. led New Mexico and Texas congressional Democrats in introducing the Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act, legislation to reverse the Trump administration’s cuts to reimbursement rates for essential homecare services for veterans in New Mexico and Texas.

As of January 1, 2026, the reimbursement rate for veterans’ homecare services fell by nearly 20 percent in New Mexico and 43 percent in parts of Texas, which could result in homemaker and home health aide agency closures. Approximately 68,000 New Mexico veterans over the age of 65, in addition to many disabled veterans, rely on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare. Nationally, one in 10 of these veterans use at least one homecare service to maintain their independence and continue living in their own homes and communities.

The rate cuts come as the Trump administration is reportedly spending nearly $900 million a day on their war in Iran — putting their reckless war of choice above caring for veterans.

"Our veterans kept their promise to our country. We must keep ours to them. These reckless reimbursement cuts are making it harder for disabled veterans to receive the in-home care they rely on for everyday tasks like getting out of bed, bathing, getting dressed, or preparing meals. When home health providers can't afford to serve veterans, veterans pay a steep price. Our bill restores those cuts, brings transparency to how these rates are set, and makes sure the VA can never quietly pull the rug out from under veterans and their caregivers again," said Leger Fernández.

“Homecare services are not luxuries. They are earned benefits that allow disabled and elderly veterans to remain in their homes and live with dignity,” said Heinrich. “The Trump administration has repeatedly refused to reverse its cuts to VA homecare reimbursement rates in New Mexico — denying veterans the care they have earned. It is insulting to New Mexico’s veterans that VA Secretary Collins refuses to even talk with me and my colleagues to defend these cuts. Meanwhile, veterans are struggling to pay for gas and groceries because of Trump’s war with Iran. It's bullshit. That’s why I’m introducing my Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act to reverse Trump’s harmful cuts, ensure veterans get the care they are owed and need, and require the VA to be transparent about any future reductions.”

Specifically, the Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act will reverse the reimbursement rate reductions that occurred in 2026 and require the VA to notify Congress of any future rate reductions.

The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), and Al Green (D-Texas).

“Our veterans and their families make the ultimate sacrifice to protect us – it’s our responsibility to make sure they’re cared for when they come home,” said Vasquez. “By cutting reimbursement rates for essential home healthcare services, this Administration is doing the opposite. These programs aren't a handout – they're earned. I’m proud to support this bill that would restore these benefits in New Mexico and make sure that our veterans get the support they need and deserve.”

“Our veterans in New Mexico have answered the call to serve, and we have a responsibility to ensure they receive the care they deserve,” said Stansbury. “Slashing reimbursements for home-based care while this administration spends billions on an endless war betrays our nations promises to our veterans. The Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act will reverse these harmful cuts and help ensure our veterans can live with the dignity, independence, and support they deserve."

“In South Texas, access to care means making sure veterans can receive the services they need where they live. Home-based care helps aging and disabled veterans stay safe, independent, and close to their families. This bill protects that care, supports the providers who deliver it, and ensures rural communities are not left behind,” said Cuellar.

"Home-based care is essential for disabled and elderly veterans in Texas's rural communities. Reversing the cuts to home health reimbursement will ensure that veterans with disabilities and serious health conditions can continue to receive the care they need. This is a necessity, not a luxury. Protecting these care options is crucial in making sure that our veteran communities can continue to live independently and with the support they deserve," said Veasey.

“Our military heroes deserve good healthcare no matter their zip code,” said Castro. “The Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act would help make sure veterans living in rural areas receive the high-quality medical care they deserve. Congress should be making it easier for veterans to stay healthy, not harder. This bill will make VA care more accessible and timely.”

“There are more than 50,000 veterans in South Texas, including 24,000 with service-connected disabilities; we need fewer barriers impeding access to health care, not more. Instead, this Administration does the opposite by hindering the VA’s ability to recruit and retain staff to operate rural homecare service programs and deliver our veterans the care they earned. With this bill, we will reverse a harmful one-size-fits-all approach that overlooks our smallest and most rural communities — and allow us to meet the individual needs of South Texas and beyond,” said Gonzalez.

The legislation is endorsed by the New Mexico Association for Home and Hospice Care, Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Elizabeth Dole Foundation.

The full text of the bill is here.


Congressman Flood to Host Lincoln Town Hall on July 28th

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA – Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood announced he will hold a town hall in Lincoln, Nebraska on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The town hall will be hosted at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

During the town hall, Congressman Flood will provide an update on the work he is doing for Lincoln and Nebraska’s First Congressional District. There will be a question-and-answer period.

Congressman Flood’s Lincoln Town Hall

Tuesday, July 28th

5:00PM – 6:00PM CT

Vance D. Rogers Center for Fine Arts | Nebraska Wesleyan University

5040 Huntington Ave, Lincoln, NE 68504

Note: Doors open at 4:15pm

No signs, backpacks, or large bags are permitted in the venue. A clear bag policy will be in place.

This event is open to the public.

For questions about the town hall, please contact Congressman Flood’s Lincoln Office at 402-438-1598.


Foster Introduces Legislation to Improve Safety and Sustainability in the Battery Supply Chain

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the Critical Materials Processing Technology Testbed Act of 2026 to help the Department of Energy develop new, safer materials processing technologies needed to bolster our battery supply chain. This testbed would aim to kickstart a domestic materials processing industry in the United States with a focus on environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and minimizing resource intensiveness.

“As our nation’s clean energy demands continue to grow, there’s more need than ever to safely process the critical materials that are used in electric car batteries, solar panels, and other electronics,” said Foster. “Currently, these materials are typically processed in countries with minimal safety regulations, causing damage to our environment and human health. A testbed managed by the Department of Energy would allow us to not only create a safer and more environmentally friendly battery supply chain, but also bring good manufacturing jobs to the U.S.”

This legislation was prompted by a hearing Foster chaired in the House Science Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, which found that materials processing constitutes a major impediment to strengthening the domestic battery supply chain.

A copy of the bill can be found here.

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Congressman Fuller Awarded “Hero of Main Street” by National Retail Federation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Fuller has been named a 2026 Hero of Main Street by the National Retail Federation, or NRF, for his support of the small businesses and Main Street employers that power the nation's economy. The award, presented at NRF's annual Retail Advocates Summit in Washington, recognizes members of Congress who stand up for retailers and the communities they serve.

"I am honored to accept this recognition, but this award belongs to the small business owners of Northwest Georgia who open their doors, make payroll, and keep our towns running. I will keep fighting to get Washington off their backs and give them the freedom to grow," said Congressman Fuller.

The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association, and retail businesses employ over 62,200 Northwest Georgians. Small businesses are the backbone of America, and Congressman Fuller continues to prioritize those foundations that keep Northwest Georgia strong.