U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison Cosponsors Bill to Block Iran War Funding

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after Donald Trump escalated his war with Iran, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) announced her cosponsorship of the No Funds for Iran War Act, which would prohibit any taxpayer dollars from being used for military action against Iran.

Now, the Trump Administration is asking for billions more in taxpayer dollars to fund the war in Iran — even though the war is increasingly unpopular with the majority of Americans.

The No Funds for Iran War Act was introduced by Representative Pat Ryan (NY-18), a combat veteran, and cosponsored by 37 House Democrats, including 14 veterans. Representative Morrison is a proud member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Under Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war. Since launching the first attack on Iran in February of this year, President Trump has neither sought nor received Congressional authorization for this war. Representative Morrison has been staunchly opposed to this illegal war and has voted for every War Powers Resolution to end the war. A member of the House Small Business Committee, Representative Morrison met with Minnesotan small business owners this spring who told her that rising prices due to the war in Iran pose an existential threat to their businesses.

“Grocery prices are rising. Gas prices are rising. Half of Americans can’t afford health insurance. But instead of doing anything to address these problems or make life better for the American people, the President has dragged us into another costly, illegal, and foreign war and refuses to get us out of it,” said Congresswoman Kelly Morrison. “I’m cosponsoring the No Funds for Iran War Act to block the President from spending any more taxpayer dollars on this illegal war that’s deeply unpopular and increasingly reckless. Not one dollar more for this illegal war that the American people don’t want but are being forced to pay for.”

Representative Morrison spoke on the House floor this morning, calling out Trump’s reckless actions that have dragged the United States into another costly, foreign war, costing taxpayers billions while doing nothing to make life more affordable for the American people.

Watch Rep. Morrison’s full speech HERE.

Image

Read a transcript of Rep. Morrison’s remarks below:

Madam Speaker, today I rise against the Trump Administration's reckless, costly, and illegal war in Iran.

In just the last 24 hours, President Trump’s “deal” has collapsed yet again, tensions have escalated, blockades have been reinstated, and strikes have resumed.

President Trump has informed the nation that we are once again at war with Iran – an illegal war that no one asked for, no one wanted, and yet every American is paying the price for.

Donald Trump is backing the United States into a corner – and the worst part about it is that he has no plan to get us out.

His strategy is to bomb first, think later.

He’s sacrificing our economy… our security… our standing in the world – and for what?

1 in 2 Americans can’t afford health insurance.

Food, housing, and child care costs are astronomical.

Inflation is at a three-year high and the cost of gas, groceries, and everything in between is going up.

President Trump was elected to office on the promise of lowering costs and ending unwinnable wars overseas.

And yet here we are.

And now he is demanding that taxpayers pay hundreds of billions of dollars to fund his new endless, costly, illegal war in Iran.

The American people deserve so much better from their President.

When Donald Trump first got us into this war, he said it would last about 4-6 weeks.

Well now it’s been 20.

Over the last five months, the Trump Administration has spent more than $100 billion dollars on their illegal war on the other side of the world.

Do you know what $100 billion could fund here at home?

Child care for 7 million children.

Health care for 10 million people.

Food assistance for 45 million Americans.

These aren’t just arbitrary numbers.

Trump’s actions have real impacts. And real costs. On real people’s lives.

And let’s not forget, this comes as Trump made the single largest cut to health care and food assistance in our nation’s history last year.

After millions of Americans have lost their health insurance and families are struggling to feed their children, President Trump is demanding that taxpayers send hundreds of billions of dollars to fight a foreign war overseas.

Of course President Trump has literally told us time and time again that he does not care about the American people.

Well he may not care – but the elected officials in this chamber should.

It is literally our job to do what’s best for our constituents.

We cannot stand by and watch President Trump drag us into yet another mess – especially when it’s at the expense of Americans every. Single. Time.

And let’s just step back for a moment here and ask the question: why are we even in this war?

This Administration still can’t give us a good answer. No explanation. No reason. No strategy. No endgame.

As an American… as a patriot… as the wife of an Army combat veteran, I am outraged.

When you make the decision to send American soldiers into harm's way, you better have a damn good reason for it and you better know what you’re doing.

We have neither – and this Administration continues to recklessly put our troops’ lives on the line without care or cause.

It’s shameful.

That’s why I’m joining my colleague and combat veteran Representative Pat Ryan in fighting to end this reckless war and reassert our Congressional authority over war-making powers.

Madam Speaker, we need to pass the No Funds for Iran War Act and stop any taxpayer dollars from being used for military action against Iran.

Both chambers of Congress, which are Republican-controlled, I might add, have passed War Powers Resolutions to end the Iran War – but there needs to be more.

President Trump thinks he’s above the law – but he is not.

And it is up to the Republican majorities in Congress to stop him.

It is their Constitutional duty.

To put the American people, our national security, our economy, above a single president’s self-serving war of choice.

To my Republican colleagues, I plead: What is your line? When will you put the American people first and stop this war?

We are not powerless. We can end this war.

I implore my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to listen to the American people, find their courage, and end this war.

Madam Speaker, I yield back.

###


Moulton, Krishnamoorthi, and Ansari Lead Colleagues Demanding Answers on Diversion of Counterterrorism Resources to Immigration Enforcement

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressmen Seth Moulton (MA-06) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), on Monday led Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), André Carson (IN-07), and Jason Crow (CO-06) in sending a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche regarding reports that the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Justice (DOJ) are diverting personnel, funding, and operational focus away from counterterrorism, transnational crime, anti-corruption, and other core public safety missions in favor of large-scale civil immigration enforcement. The letter raises serious questions about whether Congress's appropriations are being used to carry out the Departments' core statutory responsibilities.

The lawmakers write:

"We are writing to express our grave concerns regarding public reports of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) diverting critical personnel, resources, and operational focus away from core national security and public safety missions such as counterterrorism, transnational crime, and anti-corruption efforts in favor of large-scale civil immigration enforcement. This redirection raises serious questions about whether resources appropriated by Congress are being used to carry out the Departments' core statutory mandates."

The lawmakers further write:

"There is substantial evidence that significant DOJ resources have been diverted from criminal cases in pursuit of civil immigration cases. Recent reporting brought to light the scale of this shift at DOJ. The Department has declined to pursue more than 23,000 criminal cases in the first six months of the second Trump Administration. According to analysis, these cases included 1,300 terrorism-related cases, nearly 5,000 drug cases, and over a thousand white-collar and public corruption cases. At the same time, DOJ has significantly increased immigration prosecutions, bringing over 32,000 new immigration cases in that same six-month period, nearly triple the number under the Biden Administration."

The lawmakers requested responses to the following questions by August 10, 2026:

What analysis or decision-making process was used to justify reallocating personnel, funding, and prosecutorial capacity from core law enforcement and national security missions to civil immigration enforcement?

Please provide updated information on the current number of HSI, CBP, and USCIS personnel who have been diverted to assist with immigration enforcement.

Please provide updated information on the current number of U.S. Marshals, FBI, DEA, and ATF agents who have been diverted to assist with immigration enforcement.

Please provide the number of cases declined in each month since the last month of available data (July 2025) listed by relevant categories (terrorism-related, national security, drug cases, and white-collar and public corruption cases).

Please provide the number of requests for judicial security—including courthouse security, judicial protective details, threat investigations, and prisoner transport—that have been delayed, reduced, or declined due to personnel or capacity constraints in the past year.

How are DHS and DOJ ensuring that core mission areas, including counterterrorism, transnational crime, narcotics enforcement, public corruption, addressing gun violence, and civil rights enforcement, are being fully executed while resources are being redirected to immigration enforcement?

What steps are being taken to ensure that these reallocations do not degrade mission readiness in counterterrorism, transnational crime, and other critical enforcement areas?

What steps, if any, are being taken to restore personnel and resources to core mission areas affected by these reallocations, and what is the timeline for doing so?

The full text of the letter is available here

###


Moulton Secures $50 Million for Haverhill Sewer Repairs in Water Resources Development Act to Address Sewage Spill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure adopted an amendment offered by Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) increasing the authorization for upgrading wastewater infrastructure in Haverhill from $40 million to $50 million. The amendment was offered during the markup of H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026. The amendment updates a Haverhill-specific provision of WRDA 1992, raising the ceiling on federal support for the city's sewer system by $10 million.

The increase comes after a devastating combined sewer overflow (CSO) occurred in Haverhill, which has one of the oldest stormwater/wastewater systems in the country.

During a torrential rainstorm on June 26, a 42-inch force main carrying most of the city's wastewater from the South Mill Street Pumping Station to the Haverhill Wastewater Treatment Plant was overwhelmed and broke in two places. For days, an estimated 8 million gallons of untreated sewage flowed daily into the Merrimack River, closing beaches in Ipswich, Newburyport, Salisbury, and Essex, and prompting an emergency shellfishing closure that left clammers empty-handed during the height of the season.

The City of Haverhill, working with state and federal partners, halted the discharge on July 1 by installing a temporary bypass system, but permanent repairs to the force main are still underway, and subsequent rainstorms have continued to raise bacteria levels in the river.

“This CSO has been devastating to communities, clammers, and shoreside industries downstream from Haverhill. Haverhill’s sewer system is one of the oldest in the country, and a temporary bypass is not an acceptable solution,” said Congressman Moulton. “These CSOs are polluting our environment and compromising public health, and we need to work across all levels of government to find a permanent solution. The funding that is authorized by my amendment, if funded by appropriators, will make sure we finish the job once and for all. No family in Massachusetts should have to wonder if their beach is safe to swim at again.”

Reauthorized by Congress every two years, WRDA directs federal investment toward water infrastructure, navigation, and ecosystem projects nationwide. Today's authorization makes Haverhill eligible for additional federal support through the appropriations process, building on the city's ongoing emergency response and the permanent repair of the South Mill Street force main.

H.R. 9497 (WRDA 2026) now moves to consideration by the full House of Representatives. If passed, the increased Haverhill authorization would need to be funded through a future appropriations bill before the city could draw on the additional federal support.

###


Moulton, Trahan Request Federal Support for Haverhill Sewage Emergency

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) and Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) wrote to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin requesting additional federal support in response to the ongoing Haverhill wastewater emergency.

“As communities across the Commonwealth continue recovering from the recent sewer main failure in Haverhill, it is increasingly clear that local governments, even those acting responsibly and proactively, cannot shoulder the costs of long-term infrastructure modernization without stronger, more reliable federal partnership,” the lawmakers wrote.

Following intense rainfall last month, a main sewer line in Haverhill broke, resulting in the significant discharge of untreated wastewater into the Merrimack River. Despite state and local efforts, harmful bacteria made its way down the river, impacting communities across the Merrimack Valley and even forcing the temporary closure of multiple North Shore beaches.

In their letter, the lawmakers cite the City of Haverhill's aging combined sewer system, which collects both sewage and stormwater runoff into the same network of pipes. During significant precipitation, these systems can become overwhelmed and lead to combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into nearby bodies of water. Haverhill, like many communities along the Merrimack River, has been working for years to complete expensive sewer system upgrades with little to no federal investment.

In their letter, the lawmakers requested that the EPA work with Congress to identify long-term federal funding streams for communities replacing aging water infrastructure, including the establishment of rapid-response dollars for emergencies like the one in Haverhill and the restoration of robust grant funding for combined sewer upgrades. They also warned that the administration's Fiscal Year 2027 budget request would cut federal water infrastructure funding by roughly 90 percent, slashing the Clean Water State Revolving Fund from approximately $2.5 billion to just $155 million.

“Underfunding these programs forces communities to defer essential repairs, leaving systems vulnerable to catastrophic public health failures like the one Haverhill just experienced,” the lawmakers concluded. “We urge you to work with our offices to identify long-term federal funding streams to ensure cities like Haverhill are not continually overburdened by the growing costs to replace aging water infrastructure.”

Moulton and Trahan have repeatedly advocated for increased federal funding for combined sewer upgrades. In addition to supporting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has delivered more than $600 million in federal investments for wastewater improvement projects across the Commonwealth, the lawmakers have also worked to increase funding for the EPA's Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant (OSG) Program.

A copy of the letter sent today can be accessed here.

###


Jerrold Nadler: Penn Station Won’t Fund Itself

New York, N.Y. – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) wrote about the glaring lack of answers on the funding on the massive Penn Station Renovation. Read his essay, published in The New York Times, below:

As the congressman who has for decades represented the district that is home to Penn Station, I have always been a staunch supporter of renovating the transit hub. For nearly 34 years, as I’ve commuted to Washington, I’ve experienced the decay and neglect that have befallen this station. It’s clear that Penn Station fails to meet New York City’s needs, and I welcome the chance to renovate and renew this vital piece of American infrastructure.

Penn Station is the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere, and it needs to be modernized. As ridership increases, Penn Station’s infrastructure must be updated to meet the needs of riders — making the station easier to navigate, more accessible for all and safer. But with President Trump at the helm, this project has so far been mismanaged as a backroom deal between billionaires and the politicians who serve them.

For years, New York state and local officials have tried to renovate Penn Station. Every effort has run aground on the same problem: cost. Past estimates have been as high as $22 billion. New York residents and commuters should not be held singularly responsible for a project that benefits residents and travelers alike. Past attempts often prioritized appearances over functionality and never fully resolved how the project would be paid for.

Now, with the Gateway Tunnel under construction — which will modernize train tracks under the Hudson River and double the capacity for passenger transit between New Jersey and New York — our city, state and federal governments have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally deliver a Penn Station renovation. Mr. Trump’s administration has made that far harder.

The New York public deserves immediate answers about who will pay for the Penn Station renovation. The cost estimate for the project is $8 billion, but the process has been shrouded in secrecy from the beginning, and that figure cannot be corroborated. One glaring omission from the vague plans is the cost of purchasing and demolishing the Madison Square Garden theater to build the new entrance to Penn Station. How much will the facility’s owner, the billionaire James Dolan, charge?

The likely truth: The Trump administration plans to stick New York residents and public transit riders with the massive cost of this development. We must have transparency on where every taxpayer dollar is being spent.

When the Trump administration wrested control of the Penn Station renovation project from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority last year, the president made it clear that crucial state and local partners would not be needed and that necessary public oversight would not be considered. Behind closed doors, Mr. Trump has already attempted a quid pro quo, offering federal funding for New York’s transit needs only if Penn Station and Dulles Airport are renamed for him. Mr. Trump reportedly held a nonpublic meeting with Mr. Dolan and the real estate investor Steven Roth at the White House. Key decisions — like whether to move the events venue — were seemingly on the table, but without essential public disclosure.

Later, Mr. Trump shared his dreams for the Penn Station renovation. Madison Square Garden would no longer change location, and Mr. Trump focused on aesthetics rather than practical necessities. How those decisions were made and what promises may have been offered were not shared with the public. Without further disclosure, the series of events stinks of possible self-dealing, even corruption.

Like the planning process, the developer selection process is happening behind closed doors. This will be one of the most important and most expensive projects in the country, yet there was no public oversight. The public does not know what was discussed, what deals and incentives were offered or whether anyone in the room ever raised the question of who would pay. And in Congress, some are trying to seize New York’s tax dollars outright — handing Amtrak unprecedented power over local zoning and stripping away our tax revenue, with no negotiation and no input. We cannot let that stand.

Last month, the Office of Management and Budget requested supplemental funding for the Department of Defense to cover the money that has been spent illegally on Mr. Trump’s war in Iran. That request also included $1 billion for Penn Station, the first time the Trump administration acknowledged that federal funding may be used for the project. It’s still $7 billion short, and with top appropriators already opposing the supplemental funding request, it’s unlikely to be approved anyway.

Andy Byford, a former transit executive in London, Toronto and New York, was appointed by the Trump administration to lead the Penn Station project. While Mr. Byford is rightly credited for his prior work, in his new role he is only adding to the project’s opacity. He claimed that transit riders wouldn’t feel the pain of this project, then cautioned that his word could not be taken as a promise.

No other administration official has delivered any kind of commitment to protect riders from bearing the brunt of this massive cost. In 2020, Mr. Byford resigned as New York City’s subway chief after Andrew Cuomo, then the governor, pressured him to work against the best interests of the city’s public transit. It is time for him to show the same courage and not sell out the integrity of Penn Station to Mr. Trump’s vanity and corporate greed. Mr. Byford must address the source of funding and compel the administration to prove that this project won’t be completed at the expense of New Yorkers.

Mr. Trump’s record here is clear. He has repeatedly attacked New York City transportation and infrastructure, attempting to roll back congestion pricing, withhold the Gateway tunnel funding and block transit security funding that would help prevent terrorist attacks. We cannot let him do so again by using the renovation of Penn Station as just another one of his vanity projects.

New Yorkers are accustomed to bright lights and beautiful architecture. Indeed, the new facility that has been planned looks magnificent in carefully made artistic renderings. But we will not be duped by the gimmick being sold to us. We cannot allow necessary accountability, transparency and reliability to be compromised by pleasing drawings. Had a less self-dealing president decided to give the federal government a greater role in the Penn Station redevelopment, I would enthusiastically partner with officials and stakeholders on the project. Federal financial help and planning acumen are undoubtedly necessary to rebuild the station. I am not opposed to a beautiful, renewed and reliable Penn Station. I am opposed to a process that keeps New Yorkers outside the room while the country’s wealthiest and most powerful decide the fate of millions of New Yorkers — and everyone who passes through Penn Station.

###


Neal, Wyden Oppose Giving Trump New, Unilateral Tariff Power in Sanctioning Russia Act

Leading Democrats on Trade Policy Warn Russian Sanctions Bill Could Lead to Higher Prices and Unchecked New Tariffs Paid by American Families

WASHINGTON, DC—House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced their opposition to granting Donald Trump massive new tariff authority as part of the Sanctioning Russia Act, in a joint statement today.

“There is no question that the U.S. government must take stronger action against purchasers of Russian energy who are fueling the unjustifiable war against Ukraine. But the latest draft of the Sanctioning Russia Act is a prescription for bedlam and higher tariffs. It grants Trump authority to impose tariffs up to 100 percent on major trading partners and allies. Congress would not be able to stop Trump from unilaterally lowering those tariffs or raising them at will,” Neal and Wyden said.

“It is extremely dangerous to give Trump massive new tariff powers, particularly after we’ve seen the disastrous impacts of his corrupt, chaotic, and inflationary tariff spree. Congress must stop outsourcing responsibility for trade and tariffs to a runaway executive who is more interested in consolidating his own power than in the welfare of the American people. We stand ready to take action against Russia and those propping up its economy, but we cannot support awarding even more tariff power to Trump.”

###


Rep. Troy E. Nehls to Advance Water Resources Development Act of 2026, Securing Wins for Texas and Local Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, during a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) voted “YES” to advance the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, bipartisan legislation that addresses critical water resources infrastructure needs across the country, including the State of Texas and the 22nd Congressional District of Texas.

“I proudly voted to pass the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2026, which invests in our nation’s infrastructure, boosts our economy, and gives the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the tools it needs to build and maintain critical infrastructure projects across the United States,” said Congressman Nehls. “This legislation delivers for the State of Texas by supporting growth through the Matagorda Ship Channel and by renewing and expanding authorities for projects in Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Galveston Counties for years to come. This bill makes the necessary investments to ensure that Texas’s infrastructure can keep up with our rapid population and economic growth. WRDA provides critical support to Texas’s ports and water infrastructure projects and helps Texas to continue to be the driving force behind our nation’s economy, and I’m proud to have supported its passage.”

Click here to watch Congressman Nehls’ remarks

Congressman Nehls’ remarks:

"The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) has long been one of the best examples of Congress working to invest in America's infrastructure, strengthen our economy, and ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has the tools necessary to keep our waterways, ports, flood control projects, and navigation systems functioning safely and efficiently.

For Texas, this bill couldn't come at a more important time.

The Texas Gulf Coast is one of the most economically significant regions in the United States. Our ports move hundreds of billions of dollars in commerce every year, support millions of jobs, strengthen our nation's energy security, and serve as critical gateways for both domestic and international trade.

The Port Houston complex alone is one of the busiest ports in America, handling record volumes of cargo while serving as the backbone of our nation's petrochemical and energy industries. Our ports are essential to the strength of both the Texas and nation economically.

That's why I work to ensure the WRDA bill delivers meaningful results for Texas.

Reliable water supply is essential to our Nation's economy, our manufacturers, our communities, and our future. In Texas, we understand that firsthand. Approximately 33 percent of the nation's U.S. Army Corps water supply storage space is in Texas and is vital to meet growing water demands across the state and in my district.

Anyone who has worked with the Army Corps of Engineers knows that projects can take decades to move forward, and I know the agency is taking steps to try to speed up these timelines with their new Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork initiative. The following provisions further support that.

Section 101(b) creates a dedicated Office of Water Supply, Water Conservation, and Drought Resiliency to coordinate policy, improve communication with local partners, like the Brazos River Authority in my district, and help ensure the Corps fully implements the important water supply authorities Congress enacted in Subtitle B of WRDA 2024.

Section 132 reinforces the need to maximize the use of existing authorities while explicitly recognizing municipal, industrial, and agricultural water supply, water conservation, and drought resiliency along the Corps' other missions.

Together, these sections help turn this committee's vision of WRDA 2024 into real action for our communities. They elevate water supply and the national conservation, make the Corps a better partner to communities across the country, and ensure we're using every available tool to strengthen American prosperity.

I was proud to also secure several important priorities in this WRDA legislation. The bill directs the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the feasibility study for the Matagorda Ship Channel, helping ensure the Port of Port Lavaca-Point Comfort can support continued commercial growth. It also clarifies Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund allocations to better ensure donor and energy transfer ports, including many in Texas, receive a fair return on the funds they generate.

The legislation further requires a comprehensive study of the nation's inland and intercoastal waterways, establishes a new Office of Inland Navigation Construction Management to improve project delivery, and encourages more efficient multi-year contracting priorities.

It also reauthorizes key Corps Civil Works authorities through 2030 and provides new environmental infrastructure authority for Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Galveston counties, while increasing existing authority for Amarillo to strengthen critical water infrastructure across Texas.

Mr. Chairman, Texas continues to lead the nation in population growth, energy production, manufacturing, exports, international commerce. Our infrastructure must keep pace with that success.

This WRDA bill makes smart investments that will strengthen navigation, improve project delivery, support economic growth, and ensure our ports and waterways remain globally competitive for decades to come.

I appreciate the collaborative work that went into this legislation, and I look forward to supporting its passage."

###


Reps. Williams, Smith, Khanna, and Sánchez Introduce Protecting American Homes from Hedge Funds Act

New legislation would permanently drive hedge funds out of the single-family housing market

Washington, D.C. (July 13, 2026) – This week, Representative Nikema Williams (GA-05) joined Representatives Adam Smith (WA-09), Ro Khanna (CA-17), and Linda Sánchez (CA-38) to introduce the Protecting American Homes from Hedge Funds Act, legislation to remove hedge funds and large institutional investors from America’s single-family housing market and restoring opportunities to working-class communities these homes were intended to serve.

This bill is introduced after the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act — the largest federal housing package in decades — became law over the weekend. That law caps institutional investor ownership of single-family homes at 350 units per entity, marking the first time Congress has acted to restrict corporate ownership of family homes. The Protecting American Homes from Hedge Funds Act builds on that foundation by phasing hedge funds out of the single-family housing market entirely.

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said:

“Homeownership remains one of the most powerful pathways to building generational wealth and closing the racial wealth gap. Yet, across Atlanta and communities nationwide, working families are being priced out of the American Dream by hedge funds and corporate investors that can outbid them and buy up entire neighborhoods. The Protecting American Homes from Hedge Funds Act puts families—not Wall Street—first by helping level the playing field so more Americans can afford to buy a home, build wealth, and invest in their communities. The chance to own a home should never depend on whether a hedge fund got there first,”

Though the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is a step in the right direction, hardworking Americans deserve the chance to build wealth through homeownership without the threat of corporate greed.

“This bill takes the next step. In 1971, my father bought the house I grew up in for $15,000 on the salary he earned as a baggage handler at SeaTac Airport,” said Rep. Adam Smith. “Today, families working just as hard as he did are losing homes to all-cash offers from investment funds that will never live in them. The Protecting American Homes from Hedge Funds Act will get these institutional investors out of our neighborhoods and put those homes back within reach of the families they were built for.”

“Homes should be owned by people, not institutional investors. I’m proud to join this effort to make homeownership more affordable for families and to make the American dream of owning a home more accessible,” said Rep. Ro Khanna.

“Homes are for families, not billion-dollar hedge funds. Wall Street has turned our housing crisis into a profit venture, buying up homes and pricing working families out of their own communities. Our bill will put a stop to this so that the American Dream is back within reach for those who want to live in a home, not just invest in them,” said Rep. Linda Sánchez.

The bill is supported by a broad coalition of housing advocates, consumer protection organizations, fair housing groups, and economic justice organizations, including: Popular Democracy in Action, National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients), Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP), Americans for Financial Reform, National Housing Law Project (NHLP), Consumer Action, and Washington Low Income Housing Alliance.

“The Private Equity Stakeholder Project is proud to support this essential bill. The Protecting American Homes from Hedge Funds Act would significantly level the playing field for the millions of Americans struggling to buy a home and prevent corporate landlords from using government assistance to expand their rental inventory,” said Chris Noble, Policy Director for the Private Equity Stakeholder Project. “This bill creates sorely needed guardrails to counter Wall Street profiteering amidst the ongoing housing affordability crisis facing our country.”

“Private equity firms and hedge funds are snapping up housing with cash and pocketing lucrative tax breaks and getting sweetheart financing that makes it even harder for families to become first-time homebuyers,” said Caroline Nagy, Associate Director for Housing Policy at Americans for Financial Reform. “Americans for Financial Reform is proud to support the Protecting American Homes from Hedge Funds Act, which would kick big Wall Street landlords out of our single-family homes.”

Background

Following the 2008 housing crisis, large private equity firms and hedge funds bought substantial portfolios of foreclosed homes. In 2011, no single entity owned more than 1,000 single-family rental units. By 2022, large institutional investors and hedge funds owned roughly 700,000 single-family rental homes, and financial analysts have forecast that institutional ownership could reach 40 percent of all single-family rentals by 2030.

A March 2026 Government Accountability Office study of six metro areas found that once homes enter the institutional market, they rarely return to families: in some regions, fewer than four in ten homes sold by institutional investors went to owner-occupants, with the rest cycling to other investors and corporate buyers. In the fastest-moving market GAO studied, institutional investors grew from 7 percent of single-family rentals to 22 percent in just six years.

What the Bill Does

The Protecting American Homes from Hedge Funds Act would:

Establish a tax penalty of 50 percent of the sale price for hedge funds purchasing additional single-family homes

Eliminate the depreciation and mortgage interest tax breaks that subsidize hedge fund homeownership

Require hedge funds to sell off their existing single-family home holdings over ten years — to families, not to other investment firms — with an annual penalty for failing to divest

Direct penalty revenue toward down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers

Exempt nonprofits, government entities, and organizations that primarily build or rehabilitate single-family housing


Sánchez, Fitzpatrick, Norcross, Bresnahan lead bipartisan resolution honoring lineworkers

WASHINGTON – Representatives Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) and Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.) yesterday led 143 of their colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution designating July 10 as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day.

“When storms hit and the lights go out, lineworkers are the first to answer the call,” said Congresswoman Sánchez, the first woman member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) elected to Congress. “They work in dangerous conditions, at all hours, in all weather, to restore power and keep our communities running. Their services are essential to our communities, but too often go unseen.”

“Our journeyman lineworkers are the frontline defenders of our infrastructure. They respond without hesitation – often at great personal risk – to restore the power that sustains our homes, hospitals, and economy. In Pennsylvania’s First District and across the nation, I’ve met with these dedicated men and women, listened to their concerns, and worked to ensure they have the respect, protection, and resources they deserve. This resolution is not merely symbolic – it is a formal recognition of their service and a promise to have their backs, just as they always have ours,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick.

“Lineworkers’ jobs are difficult on a good day, and in times of crisis, their ability to keep our communities connected during dangerous conditions is heroic,” said Congressman Norcross. “These hardworking men and women are living proof that you don’t need a suit and tie to serve your community, and I’m proud to be part of the bipartisan group recognizing their essential duty.”

“Journeyman lineworkers keep our country powered and our communities safe, but their work often goes unnoticed until the moment we need them most,” said Congressman Bresnahan. “These men and women work in some of the toughest conditions imaginable, often putting themselves in harm’s way to restore power and maintain the electric grids Americans depend on every day. As someone who has worked closely with the IBEW and understands the skill and training this profession requires, I’m proud to honor their service and thank them for everything they do for our communities.”

The resolution designates July 10 as National Journeyman Lineworkers Day in honor of Henry Miller, the founder and first president of the IBEW. Miller began his career at age 14 as a water boy on a government telegraph project in Texas.

Years later, while working as a lineman, Miller became acutely aware of the dangerous conditions and subpar wages his fellow workers faced. He traveled across the country to organize linemen and was elected as the first president of the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1891.

Sadly, Miller suffered a fatal fall on July 10, 1896, while working to solve a power outage in Washington, D.C. Today, IBEW represents one of the largest and most diverse unions in the country.

The resolution is endorsed by IBEW, the National Electrical Contractors Association and Edison Electrical Institute.

Congresswoman Sánchez, a former member of the IBEW Local 441 and labor lawyer, first introduced this resolution in 2014.

The full text of the resolution is available HERE.

###


Norton Highlights D.C. Provisions in Committee-Passed Water Resources Development Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I) marked up and passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA) today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) celebrated the committee passage of several provisions she got included that are beneficial for D.C., all of which were maintained during the markup.

"There's an urgent need to protect D.C.'s drinking water and infrastructure from critical vulnerabilities, and I'm pleased that the T&I Committee voted to maintain the important provisions I got included addressing those issues in today's markup," Norton said. "Significantly, the bill addresses the recent failure of the Potomac Interceptor by authorizing an additional $200 million for water and wastewater infrastructure, a critical step to repair and fortify the Interceptor to prevent future failures.

"Furthermore, our nation’s capital cannot remain the only major metropolitan area in the country wholly dependent on a single source of drinking water. Authorizing the second phase of the study I got included in WRDA in 2022 to find a secondary source of drinking water is an important stride towards securing the long-term safety of D.C. residents and continuity of federal government operations in the event of a disaster.

"Finally, I'm pleased to have secured a provision shifting the cost burden entirely to the federal government for the Federal Triangle flood study. Previously, local D.C. would have been responsible for paying for 50% of the study to find solutions for flooding in this area, which is federal property."

The bill expands existing WRDA funding eligibility for the Potomac Interceptor and increases the funding levels for water and wastewater infrastructure by $200 million, a critical victory for the National Capital Region after a failure in the Potomac Interceptor pipeline in January resulted in nearly 250 million gallons of sewage spilling into the Potomac River.

The legislation also authorizes the second phase of the Washington Metropolitan Area secondary drinking water supply study which Norton got included in the 2022 WRDA. Currently D.C. is wholly dependent on the Potomac River for its drinking water, and natural or man-made events could render the river unusable for drinking. The federally-owned and operated Washington Aqueduct produces drinking water from the river for D.C. and parts of Virginia. However, the aqueduct maintains only a single day of backup water supply. Many other highly populated metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have a second source of drinking water, and many are in the planning stages for a third source.

Today’s committee-passed version of WRDA also authorizes a study on flood mitigation in the Federal Triangle area of D.C. and shifts the cost from 50% to 100% federally-funded. Previously, local D.C. would have been responsible for half of the cost of the study. With heavy rain projected to become more frequent due to climate change, the Federal Triangle area is increasingly susceptible to flooding. In June 2006, an intense storm produced flooding in the area, which caused power outages and major disruptions to federal and D.C. operations, forcing closures of local businesses, public transportation hubs and federal buildings. Smaller but still significant storms in the area in 2018, 2019 and 2020 resulted in closures of Constitution Avenue, power and transportation disruptions, and flooding of buildings.

###


Norton Introduces Bill to Prohibit New Fencing at the White House After Trump Administration Proposes Plan to Fence Pennsylvania Avenue NW

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the Trump Administration’s proposal to erect new fences at the ends of Pennsylvania Avenue NW outside the White House, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to prohibit new fencing from being installed at the White House, Lafayette Square, the Ellipse, and the Eisenhower and Treasury buildings.

“While I understand the importance of protecting the White House, which is already surrounded by a 13-foot fence, we can and must maintain our commitment to security without sacrificing public access. The openness of areas around the White House isn't a vulnerability to be fenced off; it's a visible expression of how our democracy strives to operate when we're at our best," Norton said. “We shouldn't widen the distance between citizens and government by placing additional intimidating barriers between public servants and the people they serve, especially when such barriers are unnecessary.

“Security isn’t only about reducing risk. It’s about safeguarding the freedoms and values that define our country, for ourselves and those who come after us. A nation confident in its ideals doesn't wall off the institutions that carry them out from public view. Rather, it puts them in full view and remains open to the people it serves.”

Norton has long advocated for using the least restrictive means necessary to secure public property, introducing one bill to prohibit permanent fencing at the Capitol, another bill to prohibit permanent fencing at the Supreme Court, and a third bill to prohibit permanent fencing specifically around Lafayette Square. She also introduced a bill to authorize a 21-member commission, with the president designating nine members and the House and Senate leadership each designating six members, to investigate and offer recommendations on the balance between public access to and security in federal buildings and other federal property.

Norton’s introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the No New Fencing At the White House Act

July 14, 2026

Today, I introduce the No New Fencing At the White House Act, which would prohibit the installation of new permanent fencing at the White House complex, including Lafayette Square and the Ellipse. This bill would help ensure that one of our nation’s most important public spaces remains open and accessible to the public. The Trump administration has proposed installing permanent fencing at the ends of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House and around Lafayette Square.

While I understand the importance of protecting the White House, which is already surrounded by a 13-foot-high fence, we can and must maintain our commitment to security without sacrificing public access by using the least restrictive means necessary to address security.

The White House complex has long served as a place where Americans can peacefully assemble. The openness of areas around the White House is a strength of our democracy, not a security weakness that needs to be fenced off. More fencing around this public space would send the wrong message to the nation and the world by continuing to transform our democracy from one that is accessible and of the people to one that is exclusive and fearful of its own citizens.

Fencing is an incredibly imprecise security tool. It is more likely to keep out District of Columbia residents, tourists and peaceful demonstrators than those determined to do harm. The areas around the White House complex are used every day by D.C. residents and tourists from across the country and around the world.

The distance between government and the people has grown, with trust in government at an all-time low. We should not increase that distance by placing intimidating barriers between public servants and the people they serve, especially when such barriers are unnecessary.

Security is not only about reducing risk. It is also about safeguarding the freedoms and values that anchor our country, not only for ourselves but for future generations. Public property should be open to the public. Americans should not be peering at their democracy from behind fences.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.


Ocasio-Cortez, Ranking Member Raskin, Senator Luján Introduce Bill to Impose $50 Gift Ban on Supreme Court Justices

Legislation Cracks Down on Lavish Gifts to Supreme Court Justices With $50 Limit Aligning Ethics Rules With Gift Ban on Members of Congress, Other Judges, and Executive Branch Officials

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced the High Court Gift Ban Act, legislation to close a glaring ethics loophole that allows U.S. Supreme Court Justices to accept lavish gifts from wealthy benefactors and individuals with interests before the Court.

Unlike Members of Congress and executive branch officials—who are all bound by strict gift rules—Supreme Court Justices are not currently bound by any limits on the value of the gifts they can accept. Investigative reporting has shown that some Justices have exploited this loophole, taking in lavish “gifts” from wealthy benefactors and political allies worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars—benefits that, in some cases, look more like payments than presents.

The scale of these undisclosed perks is staggering. One analysis found that Justices have accepted at least 445 gifts worth nearly $5 million over the past two decades. Reports have detailed that Justice Clarence Thomas alone received more than $4.2 million in luxury travel and other benefits from wealthy individuals with interests before the Court, including trips to Bali, stays at exclusive private retreats, and even a forgiven loan to purchase a luxury motor coach.

The High Court Gift Ban Act would block Justices from receiving gifts valued at more than $50 in a single instance or more than $100 in aggregate over the course of a year. It would also cap gifts of personal hospitality, like free trips on billionaires’ yachts and private jets, which are currently unregulated. This brings the Supreme Court in line with similar ethical standards governing Members of Congress and Executive Branch officials.

“The Supreme Court is facing a major corruption crisis. As it stands, Supreme Court Justices are accepting gifts from wealthy benefactors and people with special interests before the Court, actively furthering the distrust between working-class Americans and our legal institutions. That is why I am proud to introduce the High Court Gift Ban Act, alongside Congressman Jamie Raskin and Senator Ben Ray Luján, to remove the influence of dark money from our nation’s highest judicial body. We must pass this commonsense proposal to safeguard the sanctity of our legal institutions and democracy,” said Representative Ocasio-Cortez.

“In every other part of the federal government, taking lavish gifts from interested parties is called corruption—but at the Supreme Court, it’s bizarrely been treated as a job perk. A gaping ethics loophole has allowed Justices to accept lavish gifts from individuals who may have business before the Court, which totally undermines public confidence in judicial fairness and independence. Our bill closes this indefensible loophole by saying that Supreme Court Justices should follow the same basic gift rules as every other federal official and their fellow judges. Americans shouldn’t have to wonder whether wealthy litigants and interested parties are influencing Supreme Court decisions with trips to luxury resorts, flights on private jets, and cruises on luxury yachts,” said Ranking Member Raskin.

“Over the past several years, we’ve seen far too many reports detailing how lavish gifts and luxury travel have undermined public confidence in the Supreme Court. That’s why I’m proud to partner with colleagues to introduce the High Court Gift Ban Act, which would hold Supreme Court justices to the same ethical standards as other high-ranking federal officials. The Supreme Court—our nation’s highest and most powerful court—should be held to the highest ethical standards to protect our democracy from the influence of dark money and special interests,” said Senator Luján.

The High Court Gift Ban Act was previously introduced by Representative Ocasio-Cortez and Ranking Member Raskin in the 118th Congress.

41 House Democrats are original cosponsors of the legislation.

The High Court Gift Ban Act is endorsed by leading advocacy organizations, including: AFSCME, American Federation of Teachers, Alliance for Justice, American Humanist Association, Center for American Progress, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Clean Elections Texas, Courage California, Court Accountability, Courts Matter Illinois, EarthJustice, Enough of Gun Violence, Equality California, FFRF Action Fund, Fix the Court, Free Speech for People, Government Information Watch, Greenpeace USA, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Association of Consumer Advocates, National Women’s Law Center, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Ohio Fair Courts Alliance, People for the American Way, People Power United, Public Citizen, Reproductive Freedom for All, Secular Coalition for America, Secure Elections Network, Stand Up America, Supreme Court Integrity Project, Take Back the Court Action Fund, True North Research, Voices for Progress, and The Workers Circle.

The bill text is available here.

###


Maryland Democrats Urge OMB to Rescind Rule Politicizing Federal Grant Decision-Making

WASHINGTON – Maryland Congressional Delegation members – U.S. Representatives Johnny Olszewski, Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, Sarah Elfreth, April McClain Delaney, and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (all D-Md.) – are calling out the Trump Administration’s attempts to undermine and politicize the federal grant-making process. In a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, the lawmakers press OMB to rescind a new proposed rule that would overhaul the grantmaking and cooperative agreement processes across the entire federal government, centralizing power within OMB, reducing transparency and accountability, undermining Congress, and clearing the path for the Trump Administration to continue weaponizing and politicizing the federal grantmaking process.

“We write to express strong opposition to the Office of Management and Budget’s sweeping proposed “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance” rule that would completely overhaul and politicize the grantmaking and cooperative agreement processes across the entire federal government,” the lawmakers begin.

They go on to stress the importance of federal grants, noting, “Across the state, federal investment supports research into our ocean and waterways as well as our air, crops, livestock and soil. Federal grants support advancements in health and medicine including research into the treatment of diseases such as pediatric cancer and sickle cell disease and drive the development of new technologies that will keep Americans healthy. Grant-funded childcare through Head Start and Early Head Start serves families from the Eastern Shore to Garrett County. These dollars power cutting-edge developments in space technology, satellites, AI, and quantum computing. Federal funds also allow organizations to support victims of sexual assault, violence, and other crimes. The proposed Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance represents a threat to every one of those efforts to better American lives, strengthen our economy, and keep our country competitive.”

On the proposed rule, the lawmakers write, “In reality, if finalized, this more than 400-page rule will make significant, sweeping, and binding policy changes to the Uniform Guidance across more than 40 federal grant-making agencies and offices responsible for awarding billions of dollars in funding and federal financial assistance each fiscal year. It would codify the Trump Administration’s campaign to eviscerate our research infrastructure and authorize more arbitrary cancellations, job losses due to funding uncertainty, and disruptions of work that require consistent data collection to maintain scientific validity.”

“This rule would further centralize power within OMB giving it authority over the heads of dozens of federal agencies as well as merit-based processes in matters of grantmaking and cooperative agreements. In doing so, this rule would place layers of bureaucratic and political red tape between elected representatives who are Constitutionally-responsible for appropriations, the federal agencies whose resources support our state and help drive our local economies, and Marylanders who rely on grants to support valuable research and services,” they continue.

The lawmakers detail the impact of federal grants on Maryland, noting, “Since the beginning of the President’s term, the Administration and OMB’s intentional delay in spending appropriated funds, grant terminations and disruptions, and overall fewer federal grants being awarded has impacted billions of dollars in federal funding to Maryland, including our state and local governments, schools, and research institutions. As a result, hundreds of our constituents have lost their jobs, Maryland research institutions and universities are undergoing hiring freezes and layoffs, and graduate and post-doctoral programs have been forced to cut or limit admissions–all which threaten to stifle U.S. leadership and innovation for decades to come.”

“The people of Maryland and the United States deserve actual transparency, reliability, and accountability from our federal government, not arbitrary rules and political interference from OMB that would weaken our scientific and research enterprise, risk more jobs, and slow down hard-won progress. We urge you to rescind this proposed rule immediately,” the lawmakers conclude.

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Director Vought:

We write to express strong opposition to the Office of Management and Budget’s sweeping proposed “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance” rule that would completely overhaul and politicize the grantmaking and cooperative agreement processes across the entire federal government.

Year after year, Maryland turns federal investment into public goods with national and global benefits. Across the state, federal investment supports research into our ocean and waterways as well as our air, crops, livestock and soil. Federal grants support advancements in health and medicine including research into the treatment of diseases such as pediatric cancer and sickle cell disease and drive the development of new technologies that will keep Americans healthy. Grant- funded childcare through Head Start and Early Head Start serves families from the Eastern Shore to Garrett County. These dollars power cutting-edge developments in space technology, satellites, AI, and quantum computing. Federal funds also allow organizations to support victims of sexual assault, violence, and other crimes. The proposed Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance represents a threat to every one of those efforts to better American lives, strengthen our economy, and keep our country competitive. We urge you to immediately rescind this proposed rule that will further risk evidence-based science, research, and innovation in Maryland and across the United States.

On Friday, May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in conjunction with federal grant-making agencies, published a proposed rule in the federal register with the stated intent to “improve and clarify government-wide policies and requirements related to the management of Federal financial assistance including grants and cooperative agreements.” The purported objectives of the proposed rule include: improving transparency, accountability, and oversight of federal funds; reducing recipient burden; and clarifying 2 C.F.R regulatory text– commonly referred to as the “Uniform Guidance”– as an OMB regulation.

In reality, if finalized, this more than 400-page rule will make significant, sweeping, and binding policy changes to the Uniform Guidance across more than 40 federal grant-making agencies and offices responsible for awarding billions of dollars in funding and federal financial assistance each fiscal year. It would codify the Trump Administration’s campaign to eviscerate our research infrastructure and authorize more arbitrary cancellations, job losses due to funding uncertainty, and disruptions of work that require consistent data collection to maintain scientific validity.

This rule would further centralize power within OMB giving it authority over the heads of dozens of federal agencies as well as merit-based processes in matters of grantmaking and cooperative agreements. In doing so, this rule would place layers of bureaucratic and political red tape between elected representatives who are Constitutionally-responsible for appropriations, the federal agencies whose resources support our state and help drive our local economies, and Marylanders who rely on grants to support valuable research and services.

The federal grantmaking process includes essential, non-political guardrails that this rule seeks to eviscerate. Should it be finalized, OMB would have the legal authority to cancel any grant at any time simply because it no longer aligns with “federal agency priorities.” In almost all circumstances, Maryland grant recipients would not be able to appeal that decision or have a neutral party, such as a judge, review it. Just last year, legal action helped restore millions of dollars in wrongfully cancelled funding by the Trump Administration for AmeriCorps, mental health services, and biomedical research, among others. This proposed rule would make such cancellations easier. Without the ability to appeal or contest an arbitrary cancellation, grant- supported research including clinical trials and jobs can end with the stroke of a pen. Allowing political appointees to have the final say, rather than merit-based processes or Congress’s decision to fund programs, does not advance the stated goals of transparency or accountability.

Further, the rule contains a tangle of undefined new standards that would not clarify regulations. Federal regulations must be sufficiently clear to allow recipients to understand and comply with their obligations in good faith. This proposed rule introduces new criteria for evaluating grants such as adherence to “gold standard science,” whether they “promote anti-American values,” or specific consideration for, “a history of questionable practices,” like “affiliation with a group that has undermined public safety” but does not provide meaningful definitions for these new standards. Grantees must even ensure that all subrecipients do not, “take actions that could significantly damage the reputation of the pass-through entity, the Federal agency making the award, or the Federal Government.” The rule does make clear, however, that non-compliance with any of the new vague and underdefined standards can result in immediate termination of support.

Beyond the arbitrary standards that are ripe for abuse, this proposed rule seeks to prohibit freedom of association, speech, and the international collaboration that has made Maryland a leader not only in our region, but in the world. This regulation would bar researchers from using federal funds to publish the research they undertake with our collective resources and would prohibit researchers from attending professional conferences without pre-approval from the federal government. This rule would also presumptively prohibit many international collaborations and further restrict any scientific engagement with foreign entities. Fields from biomedical research to space science regularly put Marylanders in the position of leading work with teams of scientists and engineers in other countries. While security safeguards are always important, this rule would not strengthen them, but in practice, will limit freedom, research, and collaboration in the name of security.

Of course, this proposal does not come in a vacuum; it is being offered in the midst of illegal attacks, uncertainty, and gutting of the entire U.S. scientific and research enterprise by the Trump Administration. We are facing the consequences of these actions in real time. In fiscal year 2025 alone, the Trump Administration indiscriminately terminated thousands of NIH grants and disrupted more than 300 clinical trials, putting thousands of patients including children at risk. Recent reports suggest hundreds of NIH grants are actively being delayed because of the Administration’s unprecedented politicalization of the NIH grant review process–and as a result, Maryland-specific NIH competitive awards have decreased by 33% in fiscal year 2026 compared to prior years.

Since the beginning of the President’s term, the Administration and OMB’s intentional delay in spending appropriated funds, grant terminations and disruptions, and overall fewer federal grants being awarded has impacted billions of dollars in federal funding to Maryland, including our state and local governments, schools, and research institutions. As a result, hundreds of our constituents have lost their jobs, Maryland research institutions and universities are undergoing hiring freezes and layoffs, and graduate and post-doctoral programs have been forced to cut or limit admissions– all which threaten to stifle U.S. leadership and innovation for decades to come.

The people of Maryland and the United States deserve actual transparency, reliability, and accountability from our federal government, not arbitrary rules and political interference from OMB that would weaken our scientific and research enterprise, risk more jobs, and slow down hard-won progress. We urge you to rescind this proposed rule immediately.

###


NH Delegation Applauds VA Signing of Lease for New Cheshire County Outpatient Clinic to Expand Veterans’ Access to Health Care

Following advocacy from the New Hampshire Congressional delegation, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Maggie Hassan (NH), and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) in applauding the signing of a PACT Act lease by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that will make West Chesterfield, New Hampshire, the home of a new Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). This replaces the CBOCs in Keene and Brattleboro, Vermont. The announcement is a significant step toward expanding access to high-quality health care for veterans in the Granite State.

“I’m thrilled to welcome this new VA outpatient clinic to Cheshire County,” said Congressman Pappas, member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee. “Every veteran across New Hampshire should be able to access the care they need close to home, whether through a VA medical center, our community-based outpatient clinics, or community care. I’ll always fight for our veterans to receive the best possible care, and to cut the red tape between them and the treatment they deserve.”

“It’s imperative that the men and women who sacrificed everything to defend and serve our nation have access to first rate health care when they need it – no matter where they live in our state,” said Senator Shaheen. “For a long time, the Monadnock region was a health care desert for veterans until we worked with the VA to open its first and only health care facility more than a decade ago. This announcement is a continuation of that years-long effort and a crucial step toward bringing more health care services to veterans in Cheshire County and the entire Monadnock region.”

“America’s veterans risked their lives to keep our country safe, secure, and free. We will never fully repay the debt we owe them, but we have an obligation to try each and every day,” said Senator Hassan. “This new outpatient clinic will help veterans in the Monadnock region access the health services they need closer to home. I will continue to work to help get our veterans access to the health care that they have earned and deserve.”

“We have a sacred obligation to the women and men who have served our country in uniform. Our veterans put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and it’s my mission in Congress to ensure that they have access to the services, benefits, and healthcare they have earned,” said Congresswoman Goodlander, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “This clinic will deliver quality care to these brave American heroes across the Monadnock Region and beyond, and I am proud to stand with our partners across New Hampshire to get our veterans the care they need.”

According to the VA, the clinic will increase clinical capacity and provide Veterans with more convenient and timely access to VA care, with construction and facility preparation expected to be completed by fall 2028, and the first patient is planned to be seen by spring 2029. The new lease will expand and modernize Primary Care space while rightsizing a state of the art, energy efficient facility that delivers integrated Primary Care, Mental Health, Specialty Care, and Ancillary services, improving operational efficiency and the Veteran experience in the Keene, NH and Brattleboro, VT area. The project will lease 26,603 net usable square feet (NUSF) of replacement outpatient clinic space in the vicinity of West Chesterfield, NH, with 150 parking spaces, in support of the White River Junction VA Health Care System.

Last year Congressman Pappas led the New Hampshire delegation in introducing the Veterans Full-Service Care and Access Act, legislation that would require the VA to operate at least one full-service Veterans Health Administration hospital in each of the 48 contiguous states. In 2022 Pappas fought back against and stopped a Biden administration plan to close Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in Conway, Somersworth, and Portsmouth. Thanks to Pappas's advocacy, these clinics remain open today. In the same year, Pappas fought to pass the PACT Act as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which expanded VA health care to millions of veterans exposed to toxic substances like burn pits and Agent Orange. Since the PACT Act became law, the Department of Veterans Affairs has received more than 12,000 claims from New Hampshire veterans.


PAT RYAN, MONOPOLY BUSTERS CAUCUS CHAIRS APPLAUD STATE LAWSUIT TO BLOCK ILLEGAL PARAMOUNT-WARNER MERGER

WASHINGTON – The Monopoly Busters Caucus Chairs, Representatives Pat Ryan (NY-18), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), and Angie Craig (MN-02), released the following statement after a coalition of 12 state attorneys general, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, filed suit to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger:

“Twelve states just stood up and said no to Paramount-Warner after the Trump Administration sided with billionaires to green light their monopoly power grab. Allowing one corporation to control a third of American movie and cable programming is a threat to free speech and a disaster for America’s television and film industries. It would mean fewer jobs for crew, writers, and actors, fewer theaters and distributors with bargaining power, and fewer studios competing to tell good stories. Americans would pay more and get less to watch in return. Now it's up to the courts to quickly shut this deal down and remind these oligarchs that monopolies are illegal and no one is above the law.”

###


Rep. Pfluger's Bill to Recover Minerals from Waste Streams Advances Out of Subcommittee

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman August Pfluger's (TX-11) bipartisan legislation to fund technologies that recover critical minerals from contaminated sites and waste streams advanced out of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment.

The "Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative (EMRTAI) Authorization Act", co-led by Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01), would direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to broaden and authorize the EMRTAI program to identify, evaluate, and support the recovery of critical minerals from contaminated land and waste streams, strengthening domestic critical mineral supply chains while advancing cleanup efforts.

The legislation authorizes the EPA to enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and awards with state, local, and Tribal governments, nonprofits, and other entities to identify and recover critical minerals from contaminated sites, including those on the National Priorities List.


Maine Delegation Calls for Full, Expedited Investigation into ICE Fatal Shooting in Maine

U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jared Golden (D-ME) are calling for a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel in Biddeford. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, the delegation requested an independent review of the incident to ensure a full accounting of the facts and help maintain public confidence in the investigative process.

“We write to formally request that your office conduct a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel that occurred [yesterday/earlier this week] in Biddeford, Maine,” the lawmakers began. “Along with our constituents, we are deeply saddened by this loss of life. The facts surrounding this tragedy remain a matter of significant local concern and necessitate thorough, objective accounting.”

“Given the gravity of the situation and the understandable anxiety within the Biddeford community, we urge you to prioritize this investigation,” they continued. “Timely and factual answers will be critical to providing closure for the grieving community and ensuring that federal law enforcement operations are conducted safely, lawfully, and in a manner that respects public safety.”

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

+++

Dear Inspector General Cuffari:

We write to formally request that your office conduct a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel that occurred yesterday in Biddeford, Maine.

Along with our constituents, we are deeply saddened by this loss of life. The facts surrounding this tragedy remain a matter of significant local concern and necessitate thorough, objective accounting.

To ensure public trust, transparency, and accountability, we request that your office include the following key areas in your examination:

The Sequence of Events: A detailed timeline of the encounter, including the specific actions taken by both the ICE agents and the individual involved prior to the discharge of a firearm.

Operational Protocols: An evaluation of whether the tactics, use, and degree of force utilized adhered strictly to current DHS and ICE use-of-force policies.

Recording and Documentation: Clarification on the availability of audio, dashcam, or body-worn camera footage of the incident, and the status of any evidence preservation.

Furthermore, we ask that you detail the extent to which DHS will collaborate with state or local agencies in carrying out the investigation.

Given the gravity of the situation and the understandable anxiety within the Biddeford community, we urge you to prioritize this investigation. Timely and factual answers will be critical to providing closure for the grieving community and ensuring that federal law enforcement operations are conducted safely, lawfully, and in a manner that respects public safety.

We look forward to your response and stand ready to work with your office to facilitate any necessary inquiries.

Sincerely,

cc: Markwayne Mullin, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; David Venturella, Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

###


For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland

July 14, 2026 202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF ATTORNEY MICHAEL JOSEPH

U.S. Virgin Islands – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of Attorney Michael Joseph:

"I was saddened to hear of the passing of Attorney Michael Joseph, a man whose life reflected a genuine passion for the law and a deep commitment to serving the people of St. Croix. Attorney Joseph dedicated his career to the practice of law in the community he called home, and his work touched the lives of countless Virgin Islanders who sought his counsel and trusted his judgment.

"Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Joseph was an author who took on the difficult but necessary task of chronicling a painful and pivotal moment in Virgin Islands history, ensuring that our stories, however hard to tell, are never forgotten. He also served our community through his work on the Board of Elections, helping to safeguard the democratic process for the people of the Virgin Islands.

"Mr. Joseph's legacy as a jurist, historian, and public servant will continue to be felt throughout our community for years to come. I offer my prayers for peace and extend my deepest condolences to the Joseph family and all who knew and loved him during this difficult time.”

###


Congresswoman Pou Secures Critical Flood Protection for Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today announced that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a provision she championed to help modernize flood protection efforts in Puerto Rico as part of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act.

The provision directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reevaluate the long-running Río Puerto Nuevo flood control project in San Juan using updated engineering, environmental, and economic analyses. The review will also consider nature-based flood mitigation strategies designed to better protect nearby communities.

“Puerto Rico deserves modern infrastructure that protects families, businesses, and neighborhoods from increasingly severe flooding,” said Congresswoman Pou. “For too long, communities on the island have waited while projects moved forward too slowly. This provision I authored will help ensure the federal government takes a fresh look at one of the island’s most important flood protection projects using modern science and standards. Puerto Ricans deserve resilient infrastructure that keeps people safe and helps communities thrive. So I am very glad my provision was approved today and I will work with my colleagues to see that it is enacted into law.”

The Río Puerto Nuevo watershed has long experienced significant flooding during heavy rain and tropical storms, threatening homes, businesses, roads, and other critical infrastructure throughout the San Juan metro area. The committee-approved provision requires the Army Corps to update decades-old analyses and evaluate whether natural and nature-based solutions including green infrastructure and other environmentally sustainable approaches could provide stronger long-term protection.

Specifically, the legislation also requires the Army Corps to consult with federal agencies, the Government of Puerto Rico, and local stakeholders throughout the reevaluation process while providing regular public updates and reporting back to Congress on progress.

Congresswoman Pou has made Puerto Rico one of her priorities in Congress. Recently, she traveled to the island with the House Homeland Security Committee to assess ongoing recovery efforts and meet with federal and territorial officials about disaster resilience and critical needs.

Pou has also advocated for strengthening Puerto Rico’s energy grid, expanding economic opportunity, and ensuring the island receives greater resources and attention from Congress.

Congresswoman Pou concluded: “For the hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans who call our great state New Jersey home, the well-being of the island is deeply personal to me. I am committed to supporting investments that help Puerto Rico better prepare for future disasters and create a more resilient future for the generations to come. Today is a small step in that direction.”

###

La congresista Pou logra importante avance para la protección contra inundaciones en Puerto Rico

Comité aprueba medida impulsada por Pou para avanzar la reevaluación del proyecto del Río Puerto Nuevo

WASHINGTON, DC – La congresista Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) anunció hoy que el Comité de Transporte e Infraestructura de la Cámara de Representantes aprobó una disposición impulsada por ella para modernizar los esfuerzos de protección contra inundaciones en Puerto Rico como parte de la Ley de Desarrollo de Recursos Hídricos (Water Resources Development Act, WRDA), una legislación bipartidista.

La disposición ordena al Cuerpo de Ingenieros del Ejército de los Estados Unidos reevaluar el histórico proyecto de control de inundaciones del Río Puerto Nuevo en San Juan utilizando análisis actualizados de ingeniería, medio ambiente y viabilidad económica. La revisión también evaluará estrategias de mitigación de inundaciones basadas en la naturaleza con el fin de brindar una mejor protección a las comunidades cercanas.

“Puerto Rico merece una infraestructura moderna que proteja a las familias, los negocios y los vecindarios frente a inundaciones cada vez más severas”, dijo la congresista Pou. “Durante demasiado tiempo, las comunidades de la isla han esperado mientras proyectos esenciales permanecían estancados. La disposición que redacté ayudará a garantizar que el gobierno federal vuelva a evaluar uno de los proyectos de protección contra inundaciones más importantes de Puerto Rico utilizando la ciencia y los estándares modernos. Los puertorriqueños merecen una infraestructura resiliente que mantenga a las personas seguras y ayude a que las comunidades prosperen. Me alegra mucho que esta disposición haya sido aprobada hoy y seguiré trabajando con mis colegas para convertirla en ley.”

La cuenca del Río Puerto Nuevo ha sufrido durante muchos años inundaciones significativas provocadas por lluvias intensas y tormentas tropicales, poniendo en riesgo viviendas, comercios, carreteras y otra infraestructura crítica en toda el área metropolitana de San Juan. La disposición aprobada por el comité exige al Cuerpo de Ingenieros actualizar análisis realizados hace décadas y evaluar si soluciones basadas en la naturaleza, incluida la infraestructura verde y otros enfoques ambientalmente sostenibles, pueden ofrecer una protección más sólida y duradera.

La legislación también exige que el Cuerpo de Ingenieros consulte con agencias federales, el Gobierno de Puerto Rico y las comunidades locales durante todo el proceso de reevaluación, al tiempo que proporciona actualizaciones públicas periódicas e informa al Congreso sobre el progreso del proyecto.

La congresista Pou ha convertido a Puerto Rico en una de sus principales prioridades en el Congreso. Recientemente viajó a la isla junto a una delegación del Comité de Seguridad Nacional de la Cámara de Representantes para evaluar los esfuerzos de recuperación en curso y reunirse con funcionarios federales y del gobierno de Puerto Rico para dialogar sobre la resiliencia ante desastres y otras necesidades críticas de infraestructura.

Pou también ha abogado por fortalecer la red eléctrica de Puerto Rico, ampliar las oportunidades económicas y garantizar que la isla reciba la inversión y el respaldo federal que merece.

La congresista Pou concluyó: "Para los cientos de miles de puertorriqueños que hoy llaman hogar a nuestro gran estado de Nueva Jersey, el bienestar de la isla es profundamente personal, y también lo es para mí. Seguiré apoyando inversiones que ayuden a Puerto Rico a prepararse mejor para futuros desastres y a construir un futuro más fuerte y resiliente para las próximas generaciones. La aprobación de hoy representa un pequeño, pero importante, paso en esa dirección."

###


Congresswoman Pou Secures Major North Jersey Flood Protection Wins in Water Infrastructure Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today announced that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) with six separate priorities she championed to help protect North Jersey from flooding and advance critical local water infrastructure projects.

The legislation advances provisions that will help move long-delayed flood mitigation projects forward, launch new studies, and strengthen protections for communities across North Jersey that have endured repeated flooding. The bill also incorporates Congresswoman Pou’s bipartisan CLEAN-UP Act, legislation she introduced earlier this year to remove barriers that have stalled Army Corps environmental remediation projects.

“For too many North Jersey families, flooding is not a once-in-a-generation disaster but something our residents worry about every time heavy rain is in the forecast,” said Congresswoman Pou, a member of the House Subcommittee on Water Resources. “In Congress, I’ve made it one of my top priorities to move these long-overdue projects forward because our communities cannot afford to wait decades for help. This legislation helps clear obstacles that have slowed progress, speeds critical flood protection work, and invests in the projects our neighborhoods have fought for over many years. From Garfield and Wallington to Paterson and Clifton, our success today brings our district another step closer to protecting families and small businesses from the floods that threaten our communities.”

Removing Barriers to Critical Waterway Projects

The committee-approved legislation includes Congresswoman Pou’s bipartisan CLEAN-UP Act, which removes a longstanding obstacle that has delayed cleanup and flood mitigation projects involving contaminated waterways. Pou’s provision will help the Army Corps move forward more quickly on projects while maintaining environmental safeguards and ensuring those responsible remain accountable for cleanup costs. The legislation is particularly important for the Lower Saddle River, where contamination concerns have prevented flood protection work from commencing for years.

Authorizing New Flood Protection Construction

The bill creates new construction authority for East Riser serving Carlstadt and the Meadowlands for a flood reduction project that will widen and deepen the channel, replace culverts, and incorporate flood risk management features that will reduce the risk of fluvial flooding to residential and commercial structures.

Accelerating Long-Delayed North Jersey Flood Protection

Several North Jersey projects championed by Congresswoman Pou will receive expedited consideration, as projects involving Berry’s Creek, Fleischer Brook, the Passaic River Basin, the Passaic River, and Wolf Creek. Collectively, these measures will reduce flood damage, improve waterways, restore ecosystems, strengthen navigation, and better protect homes and businesses across the region. The bill also urges the Corps to expedite consideration of a project to address the raceways at the Great Falls National Historical Park in Paterson.

Advancing Local Flood Control Initiatives

The legislation also speeds up work on flood control improvements along the Third River in Clifton and on the use of dredged material in the Meadowlands. These projects will improve water management while supporting broader flood resilience across North Jersey.

Expanding Nature-Based Flood Solutions

The bill directs the Army Corps to continue evaluating flood mitigation, including ecosystem restoration and voluntary property buyouts. The bill also requires continued reporting on flood risk management work affecting Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, and Passaic Counties, including buyout efforts in Wayne. In addition, the legislation encourages greater use of wetlands, green infrastructure, and other natural approaches that can reduce flooding while improving environmental health.

Strengthening Long-Term Water Planning

Finally, the legislation creates a new Office of Water Supply, Water Conservation, and Drought Resiliency within the Army Corps. The office will help communities improve water management, strengthen conservation, and identify new opportunities to better prepare for future water-related challenges.

Since taking office, Congresswoman Pou has made flood mitigation one of her key priorities in Congress.

Earlier this year, she introduced the bipartisan CLEAN-UP Act to remove barriers delaying Army Corps projects and authored the Water Crisis Prevention Act to improve the federal response to infrastructure failures. During the Surface Transportation Reauthorization mark-up, Pou also secured an amendment into the text of the bill that would direct the Government Accountability Office to review Department of Transportation PROTECT grants and produce a report identifying best practices and strategies to prevent flooding, improve safety, and improve infrastructure resiliency against flooding.

Additionally, the annual spending bill for FY2026 included $500,000 in federal funds supported by Pou to improve the Lower Saddle River channel.

Today’s committee approval of the Water Resources Development Act builds on that record and represents another significant step toward delivering long-awaited relief for communities living with chronic flooding.

###