Transcript: For the First Time in History, Pressley Delivers Frederick Douglass’s Famous Speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” on House Floor

U.S. House of Representatives

June 30, 2026

In 1852 Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist, orator, and formerly enslaved man, delivered one of America’s most famous speeches, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

He addressed a nation celebrating freedom while denying it to millions.

With moral clarity and urgency, he exposed the stark contradiction between America’s founding ideals and the lived reality of Black people, calling out a democracy that had excluded those it claimed to liberate.

As our nation celebrates its 250-year anniversary, that tension still resonates.

Black Americans continue to confront systemic inequities that have been legislated and codified.

Douglass’s words endure as both a mirror and a mandate, revealing uncomfortable truths while urging us to fight for an America as good as its promise.

Before I begin, I want to recognize and thank Mass Humanities for sustaining this vital tradition through public readings of Douglass’s speech across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ensuring that its message continues to educate, challenge, and to inspire new generations.

And now, I invite you to listen and to consider these words not as distant history, but as a call to action today.

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What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?

Mr. President, Friends and Fellow Citizens:

The task before me is one which requires much previous thought and study for its proper performance. The papers and placards say, that I am to deliver a 4th [of] July oration.

This certainly sounds large, and out of the common way, for it is true that I have often had the privilege to speak in this beautiful Hall, and to address many who now honor me with their presence, the fact is, ladies and gentlemen, the distance between this platform and the slave plantation, from which I escaped, is considerable—and the difficulties to be overcome in getting from the latter to the former, are by no means slight.

That I am here to-day is, to me, a matter of astonishment as well as of gratitude.

This, for the purpose of this celebration, is the 4th of July. It is the birthday of your National Independence, and of your political freedom.

This, to you, is what the Passover was to the emancipated people of God. It carries your minds back to the day, and to the act of your great deliverance.

This celebration also marks the beginning of another year of your national life; and reminds you that the Republic of America is now 76 years old.

I am glad, fellow citizens, that your nation is so young. You are, even now, only in the beginning of your national career, still lingering in the period of childhood. I repeat, I am glad this is so.

There is hope in the thought, and hope is much needed, under the dark clouds which lower above the horizon.

Fellow-citizens, the simple story is that, 76 years ago, the people of this country were British subjects.

The style and title of your ‘sovereign people’ (in which you now glory) was not then born. You were under the British Crown.

Your fathers esteemed the English Government as the home government.

England as the fatherland, although a considerable distance from your home, impose, in the exercise of its parental prerogatives, upon its colonial children, such restraints, burdens and limitations, as, in its mature judgment, it deemed wise, right and proper.

But your fathers, who had not adopted the idea of the infallibility of government, and the absolute character of its acts, presumed to differ from the home government in respect to the wisdom and the justice of some of those burdens and restraints.

They went so far as to pronounce the measures of government unjust, unreasonable, and oppressive, and altogether such as ought not to be quietly submitted to.

I scarcely need say, fellow-citizens, that my opinion of those measures fully accords with that of your fathers.

Feeling themselves harshly and unjustly treated by the home government, your fathers, like men of honesty, and men of spirit, earnestly sought redress.

They petitioned and remonstrated; they did so in a decorous, respectful, and loyal manner.

This, however, did not answer the purpose.

They saw themselves treated with sovereign indifference, coldness and scorn.

Oppression makes a wise man mad. Your fathers became restive under this treatment.

They felt themselves the victims of grievous wrongs, wholly incurable in their colonial capacity.

With brave men there is always a remedy for oppression. Just here, the idea of a total separation of the colonies from the crown was born!

It was a startling idea, much more so, than we, at this distance of time, regard it.

The timid and the prudent of that day, were, of course, shocked and alarmed by it.

Their opposition to the then-dangerous thought was earnest and powerful; but, amid all their terror and affrighted vociferations against it, the alarming and revolutionary idea moved on, and the country with it.

On the 2d of July, 1776, the old Continental Congress, to the dismay of the lovers of ease, and the worshipers of property, clothed that dreadful idea with all the authority of national sanction.

They did so in the form of a resolution.

We seldom hit upon resolutions, drawn up in our day whose transparency is at all equal it: ‘Resolved, That these united colonies are, and of right, ought to be free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown.’

Citizens, your fathers made good that resolution.

They succeeded; and to-day you reap the fruits of their success. The freedom gained is yours; and you, therefore, may properly celebrate this anniversary.

The 4th of July is the first great fact in your nation’s history – the very ring-bolt in the chain of your yet undeveloped destiny.

MY business, if I have any here to-day, is with the present. The accepted time with God and his cause is the ever-living now.

We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the present and to the future. Now is the time, the important time.

Your fathers have lived, died, and have done their work, and have done much of it well. You live and must die, and you must do your work.

You have no right to enjoy a child’s share in the labor of your fathers, unless your children are to be blest by your labors.

You have no right to wear out and waste the hard-earned fame of your fathers to cover your indolence.

Fellow-citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here to-day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence?

Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us?

And am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national altar, and to confess the benefits and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us?

The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common.

The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me.

The sunlight that brought life and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me.

This Fourth [of] July is yours, not mine.

You may rejoice, I must mourn.

To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony.

Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day?

Fellow-citizens; above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions!

Whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are, to-day, rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them.

My subject, then fellow-citizens, is American slavery.

I shall see this day from the slave’s point of view. Standing, here, identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine, I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July!

Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future.

Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding slave on this occasion, I will, in the name of humanity which is outraged, in the name of liberty which is fettered, in the name of the constitution and the Bible, which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery-the great sin and shame of America!

“I will not equivocate; I will not excuse;” I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice, or who is not at heart a slaveholder, shall not confess to be right and just.

I fancy I hear some one of my audience say, it is just in this circumstance that you and your brother abolitionists fail to make a favorable impression on the public mind.

Would you argue more, and denounce less, would you persuade more, and rebuke less, your cause would be much more likely to succeed.

But, I submit, where all is plain there is nothing to be argued. What point in the anti-slavery creed would you have me argue?

Must I undertake to prove that the slave is a man?

The slaveholders themselves acknowledge it in the enactment of laws for their government. They acknowledge it when they punish disobedience on the part of the slave.

There are seventy-two crimes in the State of Virginia, which, if committed by a black man, subject him to the punishment of death; while only two of the same crimes will subject a white man to the like punishment.

What is this but the acknowledgement that the slave is a moral, intellectual and responsible being?

Southern statute books are covered with enactments forbidding, under severe fines and penalties, the teaching of the slave to read or to write.

When you can point to any such laws, in reference to the beasts of the field, then I may consent to argue the manhood of the slave.

When the dogs in your streets, when the fowls of the air, when the cattle on your hills, when the fish of the sea, and the reptiles that crawl, shall be unable to distinguish the slave from a brute, then will I argue with you that the slave is a man!

For the present, it is enough to affirm the equal manhood of the Negro race.

Is it not astonishing that, while we are ploughing, planting and reaping, using all kinds of mechanical tools, erecting houses, constructing bridges, building ships, working in metals of brass, iron, copper, silver and gold;

That, while we are reading, writing and cyphering, acting as clerks, merchants and secretaries, having among us lawyers, doctors, ministers, poets, authors, editors, orators and teachers;

That, while we are engaged in all manner of enterprises common to other men, digging gold in California, capturing the whale in the Pacific, feeding sheep and cattle on the hill-side, living, moving, acting, thinking, planning, living in families as husbands, wives and children, and, above all, confessing and worshipping the Christian’s God, and looking hopefully for life and immortality beyond the grave, we are called upon to prove that we are men!

Would you have me argue that man is entitled to liberty? That he is the rightful owner of his own body?

You have already declared it.

Must I argue the wrongfulness of slavery?

Is it to be settled by the rules of logic and argumentation, as a matter beset with great difficulty, involving a doubtful application of the principle of justice, hard to be understood?

How should I look to-day, in the presence of Americans, to show that men have a natural right to freedom?

To do so, would be to make myself ridiculous, and to offer an insult to your understanding.

There is not a man beneath the canopy of heaven, that does not know that slavery is wrong for him.

What, am I to argue that it is wrong to make men brutes, to rob them of their liberty, to work them without wages, to keep them ignorant of their relations to their fellow men, to beat them with sticks, to flay their flesh with the lash, to load their limbs with irons, to hunt them with dogs, to sell them at auction, to sunder their families, to knock out their teeth, to burn their flesh, to starve them into obedience and submission to their masters?

Must I argue that a system thus marked with blood, and stained with pollution, is wrong?

No! I will not.

I have better employments for my time and strength than such arguments would imply.

What, then, remains to be argued?

Is it that slavery is not divine; that God did not establish it; that our doctors of divinity are mistaken?

There is blasphemy in the thought.

That which is inhuman, cannot be divine! Who can reason on such a proposition?

I cannot. The time for such argument is past.

At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed.

O! had I the ability, and could I reach the nation’s ear, I would, to-day, pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke.

For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder.

We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.

The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced.

What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?

I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.

To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy – a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.

There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour.

Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the old world, search out every abuse, and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me, that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival.

You declare, before the world, and are understood by the world to declare, that you ‘hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal; and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; and that, among these are, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness’;

And yet, you hold securely, in a bondage which, according to your own Thomas Jefferson, “is worse than ages of that which your fathers rose in rebellion to oppose,” a seventh part of the inhabitants of your country.

Fellow-citizens! I will not enlarge further on your national inconsistencies.

The existence of slavery in this country brands your republicanism as a sham, your humanity as a base pretence, and your Christianity as a lie.

It destroys your moral power abroad; it corrupts your politicians at home. It saps the foundation of religion; it makes your name a hissing, and a by word to a mocking earth.

Be warned! a horrible reptile is coiled up in your nation’s bosom; the venomous creature is nursing at the tender breast of your youthful republic; for the love of God, tear away, and fling from you the hideous monster, and let the weight of twenty millions crush and destroy crush and destroy it forever!

Allow me to say, in conclusion, notwithstanding the dark picture I have this day presented of the state of the nation, I do not despair of this country.

There are forces in operation, which must inevitably work the downfall of slavery. I, therefore, leave off where I began, with hope.

While drawing encouragement from the Declaration of Independence, the great principles it contains, and the genius of American Institutions, my spirit is cheered by the obvious tendencies of the age.

Nations do not now stand in the same relation to each other that they did ages ago. No nation can now shut itself up from the surrounding world, and trot round in the same old path of its fathers without interference.

The time was when such could be done. But a change has now come over the affairs of mankind. Walled cities and empires have become unfashionable.

The arm of commerce has borne away the gates of the strong city. Intelligence is penetrating the darkest corners of the globe Wind, steam, and lightning are its chartered agents. Oceans no longer divide, but link nations together.

From Boston to London is now a holiday excursion. Space is comparatively annihilated. Thoughts expressed on one side of the Atlantic are, distinctly heard on the other.

In the fervent aspirations of William Lloyd Garrison, I say, and let every heart join in saying it:

All God speed the day when human blood

Shall cease to flow!

In every clime be understood,

The claims of human brotherhood,

And each return for evil, good,

Not blow for blow;

That day will come all feuds to end,

And change into a faithful friend

Each foe.


Congressman Robert Garcia Announces Over $27 Million for Taxiway Reconstruction at Long Beach Airport

LONG BEACH, CA – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42), senior member of the House Aviation Subcommittee, announced the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded over $27 million in federal funding for Long Beach Airport for taxiway reconstruction. The grant will fund the full reconstruction of Taxiway F, ensuring safe and efficient operations at one of the busiest and highest-ranked airports in the country.

“This $27 million is going straight to the infrastructure that keeps Long Beach Airport running,” said Congressman Robert Garcia. “As the former Mayor of Long Beach, improving this airport has always been important to me. Upgrading our airport’s infrastructure keeps flights safe, operations running smoothly, and our airport modernized.”

“Investments like this keep Long Beach moving. Reconstructing Taxiway F strengthens the infrastructure that supports one of the nation’s premier airports, protects the travel experience residents and visitors have come to expect, and positions our airport for continued growth,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “We’re thankful to Congressman Garcia for delivering another significant federal investment that benefits our community today and prepares Long Beach for tomorrow.”

Congressman Garcia has always fought to improve our community’s transportation infrastructure. In August 2025, Congressman Garcia announced that the DOT awarded over $24 million in federal funding for Long Beach Airport to expand key parts of the terminal and improve areas to make it easier and more comfortable for passengers to get through the airport. In 2024, Congressman Garcia led the Los Angeles County delegation to advocate for funding for Metro’s Southeast Gateway Line Project. Congressman Garcia also helped secure over $283 million in federal grant money for the completion of the North Rail Yard Expansion and the South Rail Yard Expansion at the Port of Long Beach, which is estimated to create over 13,000 jobs nationwide. Congressman Garcia led efforts to secure funding for Los Angeles and Long Beach transit systems in preparation for the 2028 Olympics. As Mayor of the City of Long Beach, his signature ballot initiative, Measure A, launched the largest infrastructure repair program in a generation, promoting good-paying union jobs.

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One Year After Passage of Republican Tax Law (H.R. 1), Rep. Vasquez Underscores Ongoing Harm to New Mexicans

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – On July 3, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) marked the one-year anniversary of the passage of the Republican tax law (also referred to as H.R. 1 or the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”), releasing the following statement:

“A year ago today, MAGA extremists sold out hardworking Americans to pay for tax cuts for a small group of wealthy elites, but Americans don’t need to be told that — they’ve felt it every single day with their wallets. From health insurance to food to utilities, so many of the things that have gotten more expensive this past year can be traced back to this devastating tax law. I will keep fighting every step of the way to restore vital funding for healthcare, food assistance, and more so hardworking New Mexicans aren’t left out to dry by the very government that is supposed to help make their lives better.”

Vasquez is also slated to meet with members of the Las Cruces community at El Caldito Soup Kitchen and Roadrunner Food Bank in the coming days to hear their firsthand accounts of how the cuts enacted one year ago under the Republican tax law are impacting them today.

“The New Mexico HealthCare Authority reports that over 10,000 children have lost food assistance through SNAP since H.R. 1 was enacted in July 2025, and the number of people accessing services from Roadrunner Food Bank and our partners is now at levels we have not seen since the start of the pandemic,” said Jason Riggs, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Roadrunner Food Bank. “SNAP can provide nine times the number of meals as the national network of food banks. Cuts to SNAP inevitably increases need. The cost of food and fuel has not only impacted the people we serve, but it has also affected Roadrunner Food Bank’s operational budget. We are doing our best to meet the increased need in our communities.”

The numbers speak for themselves:

Food Cuts: The Republican tax law slashed $180 billion from SNAP and nutrition assistance benefits — the largest cut in history — and expanded red tape for veterans, children, and folks with disabilities.

In New Mexico, where one in four people rely on food assistance, SNAP enrollment has already dropped by 5% — or about 21,000 people — due to the new red tape.

Healthcare Cuts: Nationally, the $1 trillion dollar Medicaid cuts made by the Republican tax law are projected to result in 7.6 million Americans losing access to their healthcare coverage by 2034, with millions of others already seeing sharp spikes in their healthcare premiums due to the Republican tax law.

In New Mexico, by 2028, monthly Medicaid enrollment is expected to drop by 87,000 people due to the new burdensome work requirements imposed under the Republican tax law (which activate in January 2027).

Eight Rural Hospitals Serving Residents of NM-02 at Risk of Closing: Carlsbad Medical Center, Socorro General Hospital, Mimbres Memorial Hospital, Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital, Lincoln County Medical Center, and three other nearby hospitals that serve residents of Rep. Vasquez’s district are at risk of having to reduce services or close their doors completely due to health care provisions in the Republican tax law. Expectant mothers in Hatch will go without critical prenatal support, grandparents in Silver City will lose access to long-term care, and kids in Hobbs will need to travel farther for emergency surgeries.

Rising Utility Costs: The cuts to energy tax credits imposed by this bill are projected to force New Mexicans to pay more than $500 more per year to keep the lights on.

All these cuts were made to pay for the single-largest transfer of wealth from the working class to the rich in history, and the Republican tax law is projected to increase the national debt by $3.4 trillion.

Last year, Vasquez voted against the Republican tax law, opposing cuts that were made to programs hardworking New Mexicans rely on to pay for tax cuts for wealthy elites. Since then, Vasquez has consistently worked to make sure the government is working for hardworking New Mexicans, including:

Fighting to protect access to SNAP for hardworking New Mexicans, including by championing an amendment to the Farm Bill that would eliminate new red tape imposed on veterans with his Feed Our Veterans Act.

Working to shield New Mexicans from the healthcare rate hikes imposed by the Republican tax law, including by cosponsoring the Protecting Healthcare and Lowering Costs Act to reverse devastating health care cuts in the Republican tax law and permanently extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits.

Supporting legislation that would combat soaring utility bills for New Mexicans by restoring energy tax credits cut under the Republican tax law, enacting smart permitting reform, and cutting red tape to bring more affordable energy online faster.

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From the Front: July 3, 2026

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Senator Blunt Rochester Commemorates 250 Years of American Independence

U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) today released the following statement celebrating America’s historic 250thanniversary.

“This week we mark 250 years since our founders established a system of governance rooted in the ideals of freedom and opportunity. The nation they created has ushered in eras of immense progress and withstood times of incredible turmoil.

“On the Fourth of July, I am celebrating the persevering spirit of America, the tenacity of our communities, the unifying faith in our democracy, and a vision of a future that is brighter for everyone who calls the United States home.”


Senator Collins Walks in Jay, Livermore, and Livermore Falls Tri-Town Independence Day Parade

Click HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE for individual photos.

JAY, ME – Tonight, U.S. Senator Susan Collins walked in the Tri-Town Independence Day Parade, celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence with the communities of Jay, Livermore, and Livermore Falls.

“It was great to kick off a weekend of celebrating America’s 250th birthday at the Tri-Town Parade with residents of Jay, Livermore, and Livermore Falls,” said Senator Collins. “Thank you to the first responders, organizers, and, of course, the many families who came out and made tonight so special!”

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Cramer, Gillibrand Discuss Roosevelt’s Legacy in Government at TRPL Fireside Chat

MEDORA, N.D. – As part of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL) grand opening celebration, U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) participated in a fireside chat today in the library’s auditorium. The auditorium’s panoramic views overlooking the national park named in Teddy Roosevelt’s honor was a fitting backdrop to the senators’ conversation on Roosevelt’s legacy in government, conservation, and the principle of multiple use. Cramer and Gillibrand have served together in the Senate since 2019 and work closely together as members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Together, Cramer and Gillibrand represent states that deeply shaped Roosevelt, who was born and spent the majority of his career in New York while also ranching in the North Dakota Badlands. While Roosevelt cut his teeth in the New York State Assembly and later served as the state’s governor, he would famously remark, “I have always said I would not have been President had it not been for my experience in North Dakota.”

Cramer and Gillibrand discussed Roosevelt’s legacy in government, one characterized by decisive leadership and populism. The conversation focused on restoring trust in government institutions, following Roosevelt’s example. They discussed how as president, Roosevelt focused on earning the public’s trust by reflecting the will of the people.

Click here for video

“Theodore Roosevelt came to North Dakota to heal during a very dark point in his life and that same healing power has an impact today on everyone who visits this special place,” said Cramer. “As North Dakota Senator and former Tourism Director, I am honored to have played a small role in the creation of this historic library, especially the display of Roosevelt’s original diary and the Congressional Medals of Honor awarded to him and his son.”

Ahead of the official opening of the library Saturday, Cramer announced an addition to the agenda: the first known flyover of an MQ-9 Reaper. The Department of War had abruptly cancelled the flyover, but Cramer worked with Air Combat Command Commander General Adrian Spain and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to ensure the Reaper, operated by Fargo’s own Happy Hooligans—would be in the skies above Medora. Prior to the discussion with Senator Gillibrand, Cramer spent the week in Medora, which he visited countless times as the state’s Tourism Director and spoke with people about President Roosevelt’s history in the region—which was spurred by the tragic death of his mother and his wife on the same day. Seeking solace, he traveled to Medora after writing in his diary a single large X, followed by the line, “The light has gone out of my life.”Visitors can view that very page thanks to Cramer’s work to secure the display of artifacts from various locations around the country. Cramer’s efforts to secure artifacts also ensured visitors can see both the Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to President Roosevelt and the one awarded to his son, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. on display together, a unique memorial to a unique president. The library itself is located upon land transferred through the efforts of Cramer and the North Dakota Congressional delegation.


Celebrating One Year of Republican Tax Relief

Washington, D.C.—One year ago, Republicans enacted the landmark Working Families Tax Cuts that not only provided historic tax relief for working-class Americans but also made permanent critical pro-growth tax policies that have increased domestic investment and boosted economic growth. The landmark legislation is helping small businesses grow; rewarding the working class; delivering relief for tipped workers and seniors; investing in rural health care and communities; expanding educational opportunities; helping the next generation build wealth; and so much more.

Read on to see how hardworking Americans are benefiting from the Working Families Tax Cuts one year after enactment.

Click HERE to learn more about the Finance Committee provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts.

Post Register: One year of Republican tax relief

Opinion by U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)

From our nation’s beginning, taxes have played a critical role in Americans’ daily lives. Indeed, a series of disputes over unfair taxes contributed to our American Revolution. As we celebrate our independence, Idahoans can also celebrate more opportunities and greater economic prosperity thanks to the enactment of the Working Families Tax Cuts on July 4 last year.

When crafting this legislation, my Republican colleagues and I had several goals. Preventing a more-than $4 trillion tax hike on virtually every American was non-negotiable. However, we also wanted to provide new tax relief to families and seniors, and we needed to unleash the productivity of the private sector by providing certainty in our tax code.

One year in, the Working Families Tax Cuts are working. This tax filing season, over 62 million Americans—more than 40 percent of all filers—took advantage of President Trump’s signature new tax relief provisions. Over 7.5 million workers claimed no tax on tips, more than 29 million workers benefited from no tax on overtime, and more than 35 million seniors received an average additional deduction of over $7,500.

Additionally, 6 million children and counting are registered for Trump Accounts, with 1.4 million qualifying for an initial government-funded $1,000 contribution, offering an entire generation an opportunity to build financial security and learn about personal finance.

Altogether, hardworking Americans kept more of their money this tax filing season, and millions of people got more money back. Over $320 billion was refunded to taxpayers—an 18 percent increase from the last filing season—with an average refund of nearly $3,300.

And even the average refund amount does not tell the whole story; many working-class Idahoans who owed money when filing in prior years instead received a refund this year.

In addition to helping people keep more of what they earn, the law is helping them earn more by encouraging economic growth. More than 150,000 Idaho small businesses now have increased confidence thanks to a permanent, pro-growth 20 percent tax deduction and millions more nationwide. Estimates find permanence will create 1.2 million jobs annually and boost small-business GDP by $750 billion over the next decade.

The permanent restoration of full expensing for U.S. research and development is supporting domestic innovation and growth. The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council recently reported that over three-quarters of small businesses are already directly benefiting from the law. Investment in new equipment and facilities has accelerated and businesses are hiring.

The Working Families Tax Cuts also achieved a historic $1.5 trillion in savings by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse from mandatory spending programs. Commonsense, past-due reforms to Medicaid, like work requirements for able-bodied adults and protections against non-citizens receiving taxpayer-subsidized coverage, will ensure funds are available for those who truly need them.

Of course, health coverage is only helpful when you can access care providers, which can be difficult in communities dealing with low patient volumes, staff shortages and outdated technologies. The $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program is helping state and local leaders make targeted investments that will allow rural providers to keep serving our communities for years to come. Idaho already received $186 million this year and could receive almost $930 million over the life of the program.

The law is helping Americans build a stronger future, as the initial results—more money in Idahoans’ pockets, a booming economy and increased access to health care—are making clear. As we remember our past this Independence Day, we can also look ahead with increased optimism thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts.

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Gillibrand Calls To Ban Trump And Elected Officials From Issuing Memecoins

Following new reporting on President Trump’s personal financial disclosures — which show that his single largest source of income in 2025, $636 million, came from issuing a memecoin — U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand renewed her call for Congress to bar all elected officials, and their spouses, from issuing or sponsoring their own digital assets. Under the proposal Senator Gillibrand has championed alongside a group of colleagues, it would be illegal for President Trump to issue or sponsor any digital asset, including memecoins. The First Lady also issued her own memecoin and separately reported $6 million in income from NFTs and other digital collectibles.

“This is a commonsense requirement that should get broad bipartisan support – public officials and their spouses should not be issuing memecoins. We cannot let self-dealing destroy an opportunity to strengthen consumer protections, crack down on illicit finance, and expand economic opportunity for the millions of Americans our financial system has left behind,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The time to act is now — and that must include ethics reforms that prohibit members of Congress, the president, and their spouses from cashing in on their office.”

Earlier this year, speaking from the main stage at a conference of industry insiders, Senator Gillibrand declared that no bill would pass without an ethics provision that captures the president’s own activity. She has spent years working to regulate a crypto industry that today operates with little to no consumer protection and increasingly offshore, beyond the reach of U.S. law. Earlier this year, she also led a bipartisan bill to crack down on the newly created prediction markets and has been a longtime leader in efforts to ban all members of Congress and their spouses from owning or trading stocks while in office.

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ICYMI: Grassley in Wall Street Journal on What It Means to Be from Iowa

BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – As Americans gather to celebrate the nation on the 250th anniversary of its founding, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) shared what being an Iowan means to him in a Free Expression opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal. The symposium-style feature includes just one contributor from each of the 50 states, with Grassley representing Iowa.

From Sea to Shining Sea

WSJ Free Expression

July 3, 2026

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about what it means to be from Iowa?

True grit. Iowans have a steely grip on our prized liberties, an inheritance shaped by civic responsibility to maintain our rights and pursue the promise of prosperity, equality and justice.

The understated “Iowa Nice” mindset guides our tireless work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, common sense fiscal and environmental stewardship, bone-deep patriotism and neighbor-helping-neighbor way of life that makes the Hawkeye State the best place to put down roots and raise a family.

As a lifelong family farmer, I’m proud to call Iowa home.

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

New Hartford, Iowa


Senator Justice Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV – Today,Senator Jim Justice released a statement commemorating America’s 250th birthday and celebrating Independence Day:

“Independence Day is a day every American ought to be proud of. For 250 years, the United States of America has stood as the greatest beacon of freedom, opportunity, and hope. As we celebrate this historic milestone, let us honor the brave men and women who have answered the call to defend our nation—from the Revolutionary War to the service members who continue to protect the homeland; their courage and sacrifice have shaped our country. I hope every West Virginian enjoys time with family, flies Old Glory with pride, and remembers just how blessed we are to live in the greatest nation the world has ever known. Happy Fourth of July, God bless West Virginia, and God bless the United States of America,” said Senator Jim Justice.

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Warner & Kaine: One Year Later, Virginia Families Are Paying the Price
For Trump’s Billionaire Tax Giveaway

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Trump-Vance administration’s billionaire tax giveaway megabill becoming law, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement highlighting the devastating impact the law has had on Virginia families:

“One year ago, President Trump and Republicans in Congress made a choice. They chose to slash health care and nutrition assistance for working families in order to pay for massive tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and the biggest corporations. Today, Virginians are living with the consequences. Across the Commonwealth, families are paying more for health care, Virginians are losing coverage, and hospitals and health care providers – especially in our rural communities – are facing growing financial strain. Republicans also passed the largest cuts to SNAP in the program's history, making it harder for families to put food on the table and forcing Virginia to prepare for costly new burdens on a program that helps children, seniors, veterans, and working families afford groceries.

“We warned that this would happen. Instead of protecting affordable coverage and helping families afford basic necessities, Republicans chose to take health care away from millions of Americans and reduce food assistance for those who need it most – all to help finance another round of tax giveaways for the richest Americans.

“One year later, it’s clear this law has made life harder for too many Virginia families while delivering its biggest benefits to those who needed them least. We’ll keep fighting to protect Virginians’ access to affordable health care, defend nutrition assistance for families, and build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the very top.”

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Kelly Statement on America’s 250th Anniversary

Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly released the following statement ahead of the 250th anniversary of the United States:

“For two and a half centuries, generations of Americans have stepped up to build this country, defend it, and move us closer to our founding ideals. We haven’t always gotten it right, but each generation has worked to leave our country stronger than they found it.

“That spirit has made America the most innovative and successful country in the world. It’s the reason a kid who grew up the son of two police officers, went to public schools, and served in the Navy had the opportunity to fly in space and now serves as a United States senator. Opportunities like that exist because generations before us built a country where big things are possible.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we should also remember that democracy isn’t something we inherit and forget about. It depends on each generation doing its part to protect it, strengthen it, and create more opportunity for those who come next.

“The next 250 years will be defined by the choices we make today. If we continue building on the principles that have always made America strong and work together toward common goals, I know our best days are still ahead.

“Happy 250th birthday, America.”


Senator Marshall Visits All 105 Kansas Counties for the Tenth Time, Kicking Off New Tour

Graham County – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), spent Thursday marking a milestone stop in Graham County, having now visited all 105 counties in Kansas for the tenth time as part of his ongoing commitment to hear directly from Kansans in every corner of the state. Throughout his travels, he’s met with Kansans from all walks of life — from farmers to healthcare professionals — to learn more about the challenges they face and the ways they are finding success. Senator Marshall’s stop in Penokee included a day of meetings with educators, agricultural stakeholders, and healthcare professionals, and he’s already looking ahead to his next round of county visits.

Highlights from the day include:

Palco Junior Senior High School

Click here for more photos.

Senator Marshall’s first stop of the day was at the high school in Palco to learn more about their Ag-Focused School model and their new Northwest Kansas Agriculture Education Center, which provides hands-on training in agriculture, skilled trades, ag business, and technology to area students. Senator Marshall highlighted his support for Workforce Pell and Pell Grant funding to make sure Kansas students, and particularly trade students, are supported once they start college courses.

Keith Spraying

Click here for more photos.

Next, Senator Marshall stopped at Keith Spraying in Graham County, a family-operated agricultural spraying and fertilizer business that has served producers in northwest Kansas for more than 20 years. They discussed how Senator Marshall’s Homegrown Fertilizer Act will help bring down high fertilizer costs and decrease dependence on foreign agricultural inputs.

High Plains Mental Health

Click here for more photos.

Next, Senator Marshall visited High Plains Mental Health to tour their new Crisis Intervention Center and celebrate their grant award of $1,660,879 from the Rural Health Transformation Fund (RHTF) to deploy mobile mental health clinic vans across Northwestern Kansas counties, with school liaison services and community health worker outreach through LiveWell Northwest Kansas. Senator Marshall highlighted his support for the RHTF, which was authorized by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act last year to restore rural healthcare.

Purefield Ingredients

Click here for more photos.

Senator Marshall finished the day at Purefield Ingredients in Russell, which produces both ethanol and gluten. The company supports Kansas farmers through the purchase of more than 20 million bushels of wheat and sorghum annually and recent finalized its carbon capture project, which will reduce the facilities carbon footprint. Senator Marshall highlighted his ongoing commitment to supporting year-round E15 and the new 45Z guidance to provide affordable, American-made energy to the nation.

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VIDEO: Senator Moody Supports the Patriots Who Have Served and Defended America

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Ashley Moody is a strong supporter of our nation’s military and Florida’s veterans. Senator Moody is a member of a military family and serves on the Senator Armed Services Committee—supporting many bills to help Florida’s veterans. Recently, Senator Moody spoke at the state conventions of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to thank the veterans for their service.

“As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4th, we must never forget that our freedom isn’t free—it was secured and defended by generations of patriots who have fought for it,” said Senator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

Senator Moody is a proud supporter of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans, and military families. Since becoming a United States Senator, Moody has:

Cosponsored the Veterans Bill of Rights Act, which would require the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure veterans are clearly informed of their existing rights regarding VA-administered health care, benefits, and services;

Cosponsored the Military Spouse Hiring Act to address difficulties servicemembers’ families face when looking for work;

Cosponsored the Major Richard Star Act, which seeks to fix unjust disability policies for retired combat veterans;

Introduced Drone Espionage Act to crack down on espionage through video surveillance of military installations;

Supported the Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act, which would expand educational benefits for veterans;

Supported the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025, which would help ensure that only the most dedicated individuals can serve veterans;

Held a town hall with VA Secretary Collins in Tampa to discuss issues facing veterans;

Requested President Trump to send F-35As to Homestead Air Reserve Base;

Recognized 200 years of U.S. Navy presence in Pensacola and discussed the critical importance of the Navy and Coast Guard’s presence in the Florida Panhandle; and more.

Last year, Senator Moody secured major funding for Florida’s military bases through her work on the National Defense Authorization Act, totaling over $851 million aimed to support shipbuilding, delivery of next-generation aircraft, and construction of Golden Dome missile defense.

Senator Moody recently joined the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Senator Moody has long fought for Florida’s military members. As Florida Attorney General, Moody oversaw the Military and Veterans Assistance Program to assist servicemembers, veterans and their families who encounter scams or fraud.

Senator Moody is proud to be part of a military family.

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Ahead of America 250th Anniversary, Senator Murray Celebrates this Historic Milestone and Delivers Patriotic Message to Washington State

Murray: “So as we celebrate America 250—and there’s a LOT to celebrate—remember: it IS patriotic to stand up for our freedoms and our values. You better believe I’m proud to be an American. Here’s to another 250 years of America.”

***WATCH: Senator Murray Delivers Patriotic Message to Washington State***

Washington, D.C. — Today, ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered a message of patriotism—celebrating this historic occasion. In a new video, she expresses her pride in being an American and underscores that true patriotism means standing up for American values.

Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:

“This year we are celebrating 250 years of the American experiment—that is momentous. This is something all of us should be proud of. People from around the world have been inspired by the American experiment, our fight for freedom and democracy—the novel idea that ordinary people should govern themselves, not kings or the very richest among us.

“It’s the idea that someone who was ‘just a mom in tennis shoes’ could run for the United States Senate and win, becoming one of just a handful of women to join the Senate. It’s the idea that a whole lot of other moms and dads in tennis shoes could run for office and represent the incredible diversity of this great nation.

“The American experiment has not been perfect. Our country has been through dark times: the decimation of so many Native American Tribes, slavery, Jim Crow, McCarthyism, Nixon’s corruption, and now Trump’s corruption. Look, don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t love America if you criticize it. I criticize our current government precisely because I love America.

“I want an America where we honor and defend our Constitution and the ideals that made us the freest nation in the world.

“I believe that America’s diversity and our willingness to welcome immigrants from across the world is a genuine superpower—a strength that no other nation can claim. I mean, we are a nation founded by immigrants looking for opportunity. It’s so engrained in our history, it’s engraved into our Statue of Liberty.

“Let me be clear: today I am celebrating America. I am celebrating the values that make America great: free speech, equal rights under the law—a great society that believes if you work hard, you deserve to retire with dignity, that if you get sick, your country should help take care of you.

“I am so proud of the country that established Social Security. Medicare and Medicaid. The Civil Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act. The Affordable Care Act. And so much more that has made America a little more free and more fair for the people that call it home.

“Passing trillions of dollars in tax cuts for billionaires and giant corporations who don’t need the help, while millions of Americans lose their health care? Enriching your friends and family with absolutely historic acts of blatant corruption? Launching expensive and deadly foreign wars the people of this country simply do not support?

“That’s downright unAmerican to me—so you can absolutely count on me continuing to speak out.

“I know a lot of us are concerned about the direction our country is headed in, but the truth is every one of us—as Americans—decides the future of this nation with our voices and our votes.

“So as we celebrate America 250—and there’s a lot to celebrate—remember: it is patriotic to stand up for our freedoms and our values.

“You better believe I’m proud to be an American. Here’s to another 250 years of America.”

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VIDEO: Senator Peters Releases Statement Ahead of the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States of America

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, released a video statement ahead of the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation.

“This is an incredible milestone that speaks to the strength of our democracy and the American people,” said Senator Peters. “Our founding fathers took an incredible risk by standing up to a king. In signing the Declaration of Independence, they sent a profound and revolutionary message that the world had not yet heard: that all people are created equal, and are guaranteed a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Click here for unedited video of his remarks and see below the text as delivered:

“Hello, I’m U.S. Senator Gary Peters. Happy 4th of July and 250th birthday to this great nation that we call home.

“This year, on July 4th, Michiganders and Americans across the country will gather together to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation. This is an incredible milestone that speaks to the strength of our democracy and the American people.

“Our founding fathers took an incredible risk by standing up to a king.

“In signing the Declaration of Independence, they sent a profound and revolutionary message that the world had not yet heard: that all people are created equal and are guaranteed a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

“250 years later, that document continues to serve as our guiding light. And throughout our nation’s entire history, we’ve worked to live up to those founding ideals.

“I believe that understanding our history is critical to understanding how we can move forward and chart a new course for the next 250 years.

“My hope for this anniversary is that we all take the time to reflect on the long and complex history of this nation, which includes the stories of every single American.

“Here in Michigan, that history includes the autoworkers and manufacturers who put the world on wheels, powered the industrial revolution, and created the American middle class.

“It includes visionaries like Berry Gordy and the founders of Motown, who created the iconic music that defined a generation and shaped the culture of Detroit.

“And it includes the generations of Michigan veterans and servicemembers who throughout our history have answered the call to defend our democracy, our freedoms, and the American ideals that we hold so dear. Their service is a debt that we will never be able to repay.

“So, while we should all take a moment to celebrate this incredible milestone, may this anniversary serve as a reminder of the work that we must do together to fulfill the promise of America for our children and grandchildren to come.

“God bless you, God bless all of our troops, and God bless the United States of America.”

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RI Delegation Announces $33M in Federal BUILD Grants for New Providence Transit Center & Mt. Hope Bridge Renovations

PROVIDENCE, RI -- In an effort to upgrade Rhode Island’s transportation infrastructure and improve connectivity and mobility, Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation today announced $33 million in new federal funding is coming to the Ocean State in the form of Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants.

Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo announced that Rhode Island is getting $25 million for the Providence Transit Center and $8 million for the Mount Hope Bridge Rehabilitation Project. These federal investments will help fund necessary transportation improvements.

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is seeking to build a state of the art transportation center in downtown Providence, adjacent to the Amtrak station, that will serve as the hub of RIPTA’s statewide bus service, enhance connectivity to regional rail services, and support multimodal transportation. The Providence Transportation Center would centralize bus hub operations for three million transit trips annually and provide direct access and connection to Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail. The modernized facility would include an indoor concourse with passenger amenities and 36,000 square feet of bus berth space to support the needs of the statewide bus system. It could also serve as a catalyst for transit-oriented housing and economic development.

As part of the ongoing upkeep and maintenance of the Mount Hope Bridge, which is approaching nearly a century of service connecting Bristol and Portsmouth, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) will get an infusion of $8 million to design the rehabilitation of the bridge’s deck system. This project will incorporate new technologies and prepare the project to be bid for construction while limiting disruption of transit once in active construction. In tandem with an ongoing cable dehumidification project, a new bridge deck would extend the life of the bridge for another half century or more.

“I am committed to delivering for the state’s transportation priorities and I am pleased we were able to get these BUILD grants across the finish line so they can be put to work upgrading Rhode Island’s infrastructure. This is another federal investment in Rhode Island’s transportation infrastructure that will enhance connectivity, improve safety, and benefit residents, businesses, and taxpayers for years to come. I will continue working to direct federal funding toward Rhode Island’s highways, bridges, transit, rail and safety programs,” said Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD).

“I am delighted to join the delegation in announcing another major step forward in the restoration of the majestic Mount Hope Bridge – a high priority for me. We’re also making a significant investment in the future of RIPTA and transit in the Ocean State,” said Senator Whitehouse. “As the top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, I am working hard to secure additional strategic investments in upgrading Rhode Island’s infrastructure.”

“This funding is a major win for Rhode Island commuters,” said Congressman Magaziner. “A modern transit center will make it easier for Rhode Islanders to get to travel across our state and region. At the same time, this funding will help maintain the Mount Hope Bridge for the next generation. I am proud to work alongside my colleagues in the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation to fight and bring federal infrastructure funding home to Rhode Island.”

“This BUILD Grant will improve connectivity through the Providence Transportation Center and extend the life of the Mount Hope Bridge, an iconic symbol of Rhode Island, making commuting for work, play, or school safer and easier for countless Rhode Islanders,” said Congressman Amo. “I’m proud to work with our federal delegation to deliver funding to connect Ocean State communities and provide safe, reliable transportation for years to come.”

The BUILD Grant program -- previously known as RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) and TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery), was established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Over the years, the program has awarded more than $18 billion in 18 rounds to local governments and entities. Administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, BUILD grants provide competitive federal funding for transportation projects that improve safety, mobility, and economic opportunity of significant local or regional impact.

In 2026, Congress allocated $1.5 billion for BUILD grants.


Risch Launches Idaho Service Spotlight to Recognize Outstanding Idahoans

BOISE, Idaho – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today, on the 136thanniversary of Idaho statehood, announced the launch of the Idaho Service Spotlight, a new biweekly recognition of individuals whose exceptional courage, leadership, and sacrifice make a lasting difference in their communities.

“Idaho is the greatest state in the nation because of the outstanding people who call it home,” said Risch. “Whether they are a veteran, first responder, community leader, or volunteer, these Idahoans embody the values that have defined our state for 136 years. I am proud to launch the Idaho Service Spotlight and recognize the individuals and organizations who keep the Gem State a special place to live and raise a family.”

Honorees will be recognized for their contributions to the Gem State in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate and highlighted on Senator Risch’s social media accounts. Follow @SenatorRisch on X/Twitter and Instagram and @SenatorJimRisch on Facebook.

Senator Risch’s office partners with community members to identify potential awardees. Awardees must reside in and serve Idaho with emphasis placed on those with significant or longstanding records of service.

To nominate an individual for the Idaho Service Spotlight, please contact one of Senator Risch’s regional offices at www.risch.senate.gov.


ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL REPORT: How Washington Republicans Betrayed Working Families

WASHINGTON, DC – One year after Republicans in Congress passed Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the office of Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released a report outlining the legislation’s impact on Nevada. The extreme partisan bill, which Republicans forced through Congress in the middle of the night with no Democratic votes, gives a tax cut worth more than $1 trillion to the top one percent of taxpayers, paid for by the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in history. Senator Rosen was outspoken in her opposition to the legislation and voted against it in the Senate.

“One year after Washington Republicans forced their cruel budget through Congress, the devastating impacts are becoming even clearer,” said Senator Rosen. “As working families were being crushed by rising costs, Washington Republicans took away health care and SNAP benefits from tens of thousands of Nevadans so they could pay for tax handouts to the ultra-wealthy. This bill was a shameful betrayal of hardworking Americans, and a clear demonstration of where Trump and Congressional Republicans’ priorities lie.”

“We’re also seeing the unique impacts this bad bill is having on Nevada, like the unfair change to the gambling tax deduction that charges gamblers tax on non-existent winnings and could discourage visitors from playing and placing bets in Nevada’s casinos,” Senator Rosen continued. “Despite bipartisan calls to fix this provision, Republicans in Congress have blocked our attempts to get it done while continuing to rubber stamp Trump’s policies that are hurting our tourism economy across the board.”

Below are new estimates of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s impact:

Health Care Cuts

Washington Republicans’ bill cut Medicaid by more than $900 billion, and Nevada’s Medicaid budget is projected to decrease by over $10 billion, or 16%, by 2034.

Over 28,000 Nevadans have lost Medicaid coverage in the year since Washington Republicans forced their Medicaid cuts through Congress.

As deeper cuts continue to go into effect, more Americans are projected to lose their Medicaid. In the next two years alone, up to 145,000 Nevadans – nearly 20% of those currently covered – could lose their Medicaid coverage.

As of May 2025, prior to the passage of Republicans’ bill, Medicaid covered more than one in five Nevadans and over 40% of births in the state.

Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act also failed to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, which expired at the end of 2025 due to Trump and Congressional Republicans’ refusal to work with Democrats to extend them. As a result, an estimated6,400 Nevadans have dropped their ACA coverage so far in 2026.

Nationwide, the average monthly premium payment rose 58% from $113 to $178. A record proportion of ACA Marketplace enrollees chose bronze plans, which offer a lower premium in exchange for high deductibles.

Food Assistance

The bill made the largest cut to SNAP in U.S. history and took away benefits from 4 million Americans – a 10% decline in enrollment.

Nevada was hit significantly harder than the national average, with a 15% reduction in enrollment. 70,965 Nevadans have lost their SNAP benefits.

To put Nevada’s SNAP enrollment numbers into context, in 2022, children accounted for nearly 40% of SNAP recipients, and Nevadans over the age of 60 accounted for 17%.

As millions of Americans lose their food assistance, grocery prices are up nearly three percent since last summer due to Trump’s tariffs and reckless actions abroad.

In some categories, like fresh produce, prices are up over six percent.

Taxing Gaming Losses

A change to the tax code included in the bill limits gamblers to a 90% deduction of their gambling losses rather than the previous 100%, meaning gamblers could have to pay taxes on money they lost.

Prominent industry leaders have urged Trump and Congress to rectify the issue, expressing concerns about its effect on the legal gaming industry and potential to push players to offshore casinos and sportsbooks. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) has called the provision in the bill he and Republicans jammed through Congress a “mistake” that needs to be undone, but one year after its passage, the Republican tax hike on gamblers still stands.

Senator Rosen and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) tried to pass their bipartisan FULL HOUSE Act to fix this tax issue, but were blocked by Senate Republicans.

National Debt

Washington Republicans’ legislation will add $4.7 trillion to the national debt by 2035.

According to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the national debt is now larger than the U.S. economy and is nearing its all-time record ratio, which was reached in the immediate aftermath of World War II.

Combining the first year of Trump’s second term with his first term, he has added more to the national debt than any other president.

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Sullivan Welcomes Presidential Pardon for Wasilla Diesel Mechanic Unjustly Prosecuted by the EPA

Spurlock’s Shop was Target of Armed EPA Raid in 2022

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee, today welcomed an announcement that Mackenzie “Mac” Spurlock, a diesel mechanic and small business owner from Wasilla, has received a presidential pardonafter being convicted by overzealous federal prosecutors for modifying emissions systems on diesel engines for Alaska businesses to keep their vehicles operational in the state’s extreme cold climate conditions. Sen. Sullivan, who has led the fight in Congress against the misguided Obama-era Clean Air Act diesel regulations, sent a letter to President Donald Trump on March 12 requesting a full and unconditional pardon for Spurlock.

In June 2022, the Biden administration EPA raided Spurlock’s shop, Matanuska Diesel LLC, with dozens of armed agents and personnel from other federal agencies who were flown in from California, Washington, and Oregon. Spurlock is a veteran who served six years in the Alaska Air National Guard as an aerospace propulsion technician.

“Four years ago, about 30 armed EPA agents conducted a military-style tactical raid of Matanuska Diesel, owned by Mac Spurlock—a devoted husband and father, small business owner, and veteran of the Alaska Air National Guard,” said Sen. Sullivan. “Mac’s supposed crime? His shop had assisted trucking businesses by modifying several diesel emissions-control systems mandated by a one-size-fits-all Obama-era emissions regulation, ensuring the vehicles wouldn’t shut down in Alaska’s harsh, subzero conditions.

“In addition to Mac, I’ve heard from countless Alaska truckers, equipment operators, and small business owners who rely on diesel equipment about just how unworkable and dangerous these rules can be in a state with temperatures that regularly dip far below the freezing point of diesel exhaust fluid. As Alaska’s Senator, I’ve led hearings to shine a light on this challenge, introduced legislation to bring common sense to these onerous and unworkable EPA rules, and worked closely with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to loosen these regulations in the near term and end the overzealous prosecutions.

“While my focus is on fixing this issue once and for all, I’m not forgetting the patriots like Mac, who were unjustly caught up in this madness and who have literally had their freedoms taken away. Mac just wanted to help business owners keep Alaskans safe on the highways in the winter. Instead, Mac became a felon, was hit with a $32,000 fine, was restricted from traveling, and couldn’t own a gun or even reenlist in the Alaska Air National Guard, something he had planned to do. This morning, on the eve of the Fourth of July, President Trump called me to let me know he had issued a full and unconditional pardon, grantingMac his freedom back and righting a grave injustice.”

Under current EPA regulations, diesel trucks and heavy equipment are required to use emissions systems that can trigger engine shutdowns if the system detects a fault. In cold weather, these emissions components—including but not limited to diesel exhaust fluid (DEF)—often struggle to reach or maintain proper operating temperatures, causing the system to register faults even when the engine itself is running normally. These systems have created life-threatening situations for truckers, including one trucker whose vehicle shut down in a blizzard on the Dalton Highway, a 400-mile stretch of road leading to Prudhoe Bay with only one gas station.

In November 2025, Sens. Sullivan and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) introduced the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act, which would direct the EPA to update its regulations to account for how diesel engines actually operate in cold-weather states, like Alaska, to prevent the automatic shutdowns caused by cold-related emissions faults. The legislation would also provide year-round exemptions from DEF system requirements for vehicles and equipment that operate primarily in cold-weather climates.

On March 11, 2026, Sen. Sullivan participated in aSenate EPW hearing on the diesel engine emissions regulation issue and Sen. Sullivan’s Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act.

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Warner & Kaine Statement: One Year Later, Virginia Families Are Paying the Price for Trump’s Billionaire Tax Giveaway

WASHINGTON – Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Trump-Vance administration’s billionaire tax giveaway megabill becoming law, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement highlighting the devastating impact the law has had on Virginia families:

“One year ago, President Trump and Republicans in Congress made a choice. They chose to slash health care and nutrition assistance for working families in order to pay for massive tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and the biggest corporations. Today, Virginians are living with the consequences. Across the Commonwealth, families are paying more for health care, Virginians are losing coverage, and hospitals and health care providers – especially in our rural communities – are facing growing financial strain. Republicans also passed the largest cuts to SNAP in the program’s history, making it harder for families to put food on the table and forcing Virginia to prepare for costly new burdens on a program that helps children, seniors, veterans, and working families afford groceries.

“We warned that this would happen. Instead of protecting affordable coverage and helping families afford basic necessities, Republicans chose to take health care away from millions of Americans and reduce food assistance for those who need it most – all to help finance another round of tax giveaways for the richest Americans.

“One year later, it’s clear this law has made life harder for too many Virginia families while delivering its biggest benefits to those who needed them least. We’ll keep fighting to protect Virginians’ access to affordable health care, defend nutrition assistance for families, and build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the very top.”

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* High-quality photographs of Sen. Mark R. Warner are available for download here *

Photos may be used online and in print, and can be attributed to ‘The Office of Sen. Mark R. Warner’


Providence, RI — In an effort to upgrade Rhode Island’s transportation infrastructure and improve connectivity and mobility, Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation today announced $33 million in new federal funding is coming to the Ocean State in the form of Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants.

Today, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner (D-RI) and Gabe Amo (D-RI) announced that Rhode Island is getting $25 million for the Providence Transit Center and $8 million for the Mount Hope Bridge Rehabilitation Project. These federal investments will help fund necessary transportation improvements.

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is seeking to build a state of the art transportation center in downtown Providence, adjacent to the Amtrak station, that will serve as the hub of RIPTA’s statewide bus service, enhance connectivity to regional rail services, and support multimodal transportation. The Providence Transportation Center would centralize bus hub operations for three million transit trips annually and provide direct access and connection to Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail. The modernized facility would include an indoor concourse with passenger amenities and 36,000 square feet of bus berth space to support the needs of the statewide bus system. It could also serve as a catalyst for transit-oriented housing and economic development.

As part of the ongoing upkeep and maintenance of the Mount Hope Bridge, which is approaching nearly a century of service connecting Bristol and Portsmouth, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) will get an infusion of $8 million to design the rehabilitation of the bridge’s deck system. This project will incorporate new technologies and prepare the project to be bid for construction while limiting disruption of transit once in active construction. In tandem with an ongoing cable dehumidification project, a new bridge deck would extend the life of the bridge for another half century or more.

“I am delighted to join the delegation in announcing another major step forward in the restoration of the majestic Mount Hope Bridge – a high priority for me. We’re also making a significant investment in the future of RIPTA and transit in the Ocean State,” said Whitehouse. “As the top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, I am working hard to secure additional strategic investments in upgrading Rhode Island’s infrastructure.”

“I am committed to delivering for the state’s transportation priorities and I am pleased we were able to get these BUILD grants across the finish line so they can be put to work upgrading Rhode Island’s infrastructure. This is another federal investment in Rhode Island’s transportation infrastructure that will enhance connectivity, improve safety, and benefit residents, businesses, and taxpayers for years to come. I will continue working to direct federal funding toward Rhode Island’s highways, bridges, transit, rail and safety programs,” said Reed, a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD).

“This funding is a major win for Rhode Island commuters,” said Magaziner. “A modern transit center will make it easier for Rhode Islanders to get to travel across our state and region. At the same time, this funding will help maintain the Mount Hope Bridge for the next generation. I am proud to work alongside my colleagues in the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation to fight and bring federal infrastructure funding home to Rhode Island.”

“This BUILD Grant will improve connectivity through the Providence Transportation Center and extend the life of the Mount Hope Bridge, an iconic symbol of Rhode Island, making commuting for work, play, or school safer and easier for countless Rhode Islanders,” said Amo. “I’m proud to work with our federal delegation to deliver funding to connect Ocean State communities and provide safe, reliable transportation for years to come.”

The BUILD Grant program — previously known as RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) and TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery), was established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Over the years, the program has awarded more than $18 billion in 18 rounds to local governments and entities. Administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, BUILD grants provide competitive federal funding for transportation projects that improve safety, mobility, and economic opportunity of significant local or regional impact.

In 2026, Congress allocated $1.5 billion for BUILD grants.


Whitehouse Calls for Investigation into DOJ’s Avoidance of Accountability for Misconduct in Rhode Island Hospital Case

New letter questions why Civil Division was allowed to investigate its own lawyers – typically the role of the independent OPR

Conflict arose after Rhode Island Hospital was subpoenaed for providing gender-affirming care

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Courts Subcommittee, sent a letter to Acting Inspector General William Blier requesting an investigation into why the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, rather than the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), reviewed the conduct of its own attorneys after a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island accused those lawyers of serious misconduct.

Whitehouse wrote, “As you know, DOJ’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has long been a disinterested arbiter of misconduct complaints against Department attorneys precisely to avoid the inherent conflict of interest that arises when a component investigates its own personnel. The highly unusual action by the Civil Division in this instance—and the inaction by OPR—deserves scrutiny.”

Last July, DOJ’s Civil Division subpoenaed Rhode Island Hospital for the sensitive medical information of every minor patient receiving gender-affirming care as part of a nationwide investigation into alleged “health care fraud.” In April 2026, after DOJ stopped responding to the Hospital for two months, the Department filed a petition to enforce the subpoena in a federal court in Texas—with no notice to the Hospital. DOJ lawyers failed to disclose to the Texas court that DOJ had ceased communications with the Hospital, instead implying that the Hospital refused to comply with the subpoena. The Texas court granted DOJ’s petition and ordered the Hospital to comply, without giving it the chance to correct the misrepresentation.

Rhode Island Hospital and the Child Advocate for the State of Rhode Island filed an emergency motion to quash the subpoena in the District of Rhode Island. Lawyers from DOJ’s Civil Division once again failed to disclose to the judge in Rhode Island that they ceased communications in February 2026. That judge granted the motion to quash, condemning the DOJ lawyers’ conduct as “misleading,” “deceptive,” and a “reckless disregard for the duty of candor.” The judge has referred the matter to the full District Court in Rhode Island for further review of any misconduct.

In response to the judge’s ruling, DOJ issued a statement that its Civil Division reviewed the Rhode Island judge’s statements regarding the Civil Division attorneys’ conduct and “concluded that they are without merit.”

“Not only is the Civil Division’s response to the court’s concerns insufficient, but its review of misconduct allegations concerning its own attorneys is highly unusual and rife with the potential for conflicts of interest,” Whitehouse continued. “Precisely to avoid such conflicts, OPR has long had ‘exclusive jurisdiction to investigate allegations of misconduct made against Department attorneys and law enforcement personnel that relate to the attorneys’ exercise of their authority to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice.’ OPR’s traditional function as an independent arbiter of such matters inside the Department has been essential to maintaining the integrity of attorney investigations.”

The Civil Division did not explain why it reviewed these allegations instead of OPR or the process by which the Civil Division determined the allegations were without merit.

“This incident only compounds questions about whether OPR remains a viable avenue for holding Department lawyers accountable given that in March 2025 President Trump fired the career attorney who was the Director of OPR and still has not named a replacement, as well as the recent radio silence from OPR in response to misconduct complaints,”Whitehouse concluded.

Whitehouse requested an immediate investigation into why the Civil Division, rather than OPR, reviewed the Rhode Island District Court’s serious allegations of misconduct against Civil Division lawyers practicing before the court – including an examination of whether the OPR is still operational and capable of conducting independent, reliable investigations of DOJ attorneys accused of misconduct.

Whitehouse has repeatedly called on OPR to investigate allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, political interference, and ethics violations within the corrupt and chaotic MAGA DOJ. In November, Senators Whitehouse, Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Adam Schiff (D-CA)submitted a FOIA request to OPR regarding Emil Bove’s multiple ethics violations after receiving no response to their formal complaint.

Full text of the letter is below and a PDF is available here.

June 25, 2026

Acting Inspector General William Blier

Office of the Inspector General

United States Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20530

Dear Acting Inspector General Blier:

I write to request that the Office of the Inspector General investigate why the Justice Department’s Civil Division reviewed the conduct of its own attorneys after a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island accused those lawyers of serious misconduct. As you know, DOJ’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has long been a disinterested arbiter of misconduct complaints against Department attorneys precisely to avoid the inherent conflict of interest that arises when a component investigates its own personnel. The highly unusual action by the Civil Division in this instance—and the inaction by OPR—deserves scrutiny.

This matter arises from the Civil Division’s ongoing nationwide investigation of alleged health care fraud related to gender-affirming care. As part of that investigation, in July 2025, the Department issued a “broad and sweeping administrative subpoena” to Rhode Island Hospital (RIH) for the sensitive medical information of every minor patient to whom the hospital provided gender-affirming care.[1] RIH furnished an initial production of documents and continued to negotiate with DOJ about the subpoena’s applicability and scope. In February 2026, DOJ stopped responding to RIH. On April 28, 2026, DOJ reinitiated contact with RIH and requested a party conference that week regarding the hospital’s next production.

Two days later, with no notice to RIH, DOJ filed a petition to enforce the subpoena in the Northern District of Texas. In that petition, DOJ lawyers failed to disclose to the Texas court that they had ceased communications with RIH in February, implying that RIH refused to comply or work with DOJ regarding the subpoena.[2] The Texas court summarily granted DOJ’s petition without notice to or response from RIH, ordering RIH to comply.[3]

RIH and the Child Advocate for the State of Rhode Island filed an emergency motion to quash the subpoena in the District of Rhode Island. DOJ lawyers then misled the Rhode Island court by again failing to disclose that the Department stopped responding to RIH in February 2026, instead representing to the court that RIH never complied with the subpoena or moved to quash.[4] The Rhode Island court granted the motion to quash, rebuking the conduct of the Justice Department lawyers:

DOJ has proven unworthy of this trust at every point in this case. It has misrepresented and withheld information to both this Court and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. . . . It did so in an obvious effort to shield its recent investigative tactics—previously rejected by every other court to review them—from this Court’s review, in favor of a distant forum that DOJ deems friendly to its political positions.[5]

The Rhode Island court condemned the Department lawyers’ actions and representations to the court as “misleading,” “subterfuge,” “patently untrue,” and “deceptive.”[6] The court concluded, “[t]his reckless disregard for the duty of candor owed to a federal court is appalling.”[7]

In response, on June 3, 2026, DOJ issued a statement that the Civil Division—not OPR—had reviewed the Rhode Island district court’s accusations and “concluded that they are without merit.”[8] The Civil Division asserted, “[o]ur attorneys did not misrepresent facts, withhold relevant information, or otherwise mislead the Court. The Department stands behind its attorneys without reservation and has appealed the District Court’s erroneous order.”[9]

Underscoring the seriousness of the potential misconduct, and the inadequacy of DOJ’s response, the Rhode Island District Court entered the following order two days later: “Because of the representations made to this Court by the respondents’ attorneys, as well as the findings of the Court in its order of May 14, 2026, this matter is referred for further proceedings under R.I. Dist. Ct. Local Rule 210(b).” That review is ongoing.[10]

Not only is the Civil Division’s response to the court’s concerns insufficient, but its review of misconduct allegations concerning its own attorneys is highly unusual and rife with the potential for conflicts of interest. Precisely to avoid such conflicts, OPR has long had “exclusive jurisdiction to investigate allegations of misconduct made against Department attorneys and law enforcement personnel that relate to the attorneys’ exercise of their authority to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice.”[11] OPR’s traditional function as an independent arbiter of such matters inside the Department has been essential to maintaining the integrity of attorney investigations.

In this case, the Civil Division did not explain why it deviated from this well-established practice, OPR’s apparent lack of involvement in the investigation, or the process by which the Civil Division reached the self-serving conclusion that its attorneys did not violate their duty of candor as detailed in the court’s order. This incident only compounds questions about whether OPR remains a viable avenue for holding Department lawyers accountable given that in March 2025 President Trump fired the career attorney who was the Director of OPR and still has not named a replacement,[12] as well as the recent radio silence from OPR in response to misconduct complaints.[13]

Accordingly, I urge your office to open an immediate investigation into why the Civil Division, rather than OPR, reviewed the Rhode Island district court’s serious allegations of misconduct against Civil Division lawyers practicing before that court. This investigation should include an examination of whether OPR is still operational and capable of conducting independent, reliable investigations of DOJ attorneys accused of misconduct. Should your office find that OPR is unable to perform its duties, I urge OIG to take it upon itself to investigate the underlying allegations of attorney misconduct in this case.

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your findings.

[1] Mem. and Order at 1-2, In Re: Administrative Subpoena 25-1431-032 to Rhode Island Hospital, C.A. No. 1:26-mc-00007-MSM-AEM (D. R.I. May 13, 2026).

[2] Id. at 5.

[3] Id. at 6.

[4] Id. at 3-4.

[5] Id. at 1.

[6] Id. at 4-6.

[7] Id. at 6.

[8]Statement from the Civil Division on U.S. District Court Ruling in Rhode Island, Office of Public Affairs U.S. Department of Justice (Jun. 3, 2026), https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/statement-civil-division-us-district-court-ruling-rhode-island; see also Katie Mulvaney, Feds clear their own lawyers of wrongdoing in RI Hospital subpoena case, The Providence J. (Jun. 8, 2026), https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/courts/2026/06/08/doj-clears-its-own-attorneys-of-wrongdoing-after-ri-judges-accusations/90405117007/.

[9] Id.

[10] Text Order, In Re: Administrative Subpoena 25-1431-032 to Rhode Island Hospital, C.A. No. 1:26-mc-00007-MSM-AEM (D. R.I. Jun. 5, 2026), https://www.bloomberglaw.com/public/desktop/document/InReMotiontoQuashAdministrativeSubpoenatoRhodeIslandHospitalDocke/2?doc_id=X1Q6OVF8N582.

[11] Jurisdiction and Relationship to the Office of the Inspector General, Office of Professional Responsibility U.S. Department of Justice (Jun. 5, 2019), https://www.justice.gov/opr/jurisdiction-and-relationship-office-inspector-general.

[12] Christine Berger & Joe Gaeta, The Department of Justice’s Broken Accountability System, Brennan Center for Justice (Oct. 20, 2025), https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/department-justices-broken-accountability-system.


ICYMI: Rep. Bera Recognizes Winner of His Congressional Essay Contest Celebrating America's 250th Birthday

SACRAMENTO, CA —U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) recently recognized Sacramento County student and Inderkum High School senior Juhie Parikh on the House floor after she won his office's congressional essay contest celebrating America's 250th birthday. Juhie's award-winning essay was also featured on KFBK News Radio and published as a guest op-ed in The Sacramento Bee.

Students across California's Sixth Congressional District were invited to respond to the prompt, "What does America mean to you?" and reflect on the values, experiences, and hopes that shape their understanding of our country as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Juhie's essay stood out for its thoughtful reflection on community, belonging, and unity, offering a deeply personal reminder of the promise of America.

"You can learn a lot about our country by listening to the next generation," said Representative Bera. "Juhie's essay reminds us that America's strength has always come from our ability to build community across our differences. Her story captures the optimism, compassion, and sense of belonging that continue to define our nation as we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.”

You can read Juhie’s winning essay here and below:

As I look out onto my street in a Sacramento suburb I see a lovely Chinese family with two daughters achieving their dreams in college, a Black family with two daughters in high school with me, a Mexican family with three children that love playing soccer, college students renting a house, three generations of a white family and their cute dog named Liesel who pass out homemade cinnamon rolls every Christmas to each house, and my own Indian immigrant family. This isn’t just a show of diversity, but unity.

To me, America is this street.

It’s easy to look at a country and only see its fractures and divisions. America might have many imperfections, but that’s not all it is. What I see from my window tells a different story, one that feels personal to me.

What strikes me most about my neighborhood isn’t our differences. It’s that we don’t care about how different we are. The kids kick their soccer ball into the street and everyone navigates around it without complaint. The college students wave. Liesel trots over to anyone who will scratch her ears, noticing their kindness first before their backgrounds. At Christmas, cinnamon rolls arrive at every door, not just ones that look familiar. These little details, repeated daily, are what a culture is actually made of.

My dad came to America first, alone, for his job, building the foundation to raise a family here. My mom followed him, leaving behind everything familiar to join him in a country still new to both of them. This risk is not unique to us. Nearly every family on my street has their own version: a sacrifice made, a life turned upside down, a bet placed on this country. And somewhere along the way, all of those separate stories merged into one shared street.

This shared life revealed itself most clearly on the day Liesel passed away. I had once been small enough that the Great Dane and I were nearly the same size, the two of us growing up together. She had belonged to one family, but in truth she belonged to all of us. When she was gone, every family came to the door. Some brought food, some simply came to honor her memory. An entire street grieved together, and I understood that what we had built was not just proximity. It was genuine care.

This care is the truest thing I know about America. We are so defined by our differences, our backgrounds, our languages, or our histories. But on my street those things are only the beginning of the story, not the end of it. Similarly, America’s story is not finished either. To me, America means possibility. The possibility that people from every corner of the world can land on the same street and become part of each other’s lives. It is not a perfect country. But it keeps producing diverse streets like mine. And that is enough to believe in.

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Scott Statement on America 250

NEWPORT NEWS - Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on America 250:

"As we commemorate America 250, we have an opportunity to reflect not only on how far our nation has come, but also on the work that remains to ensure the promise of America is available to everyone.

"Throughout our history, our country has moved forward because ordinary people refused to accept that freedom, opportunity, and justice should belong only to a select few. Generation after generation, Americans have challenged our nation to live up to its founding ideals: that all people are created equal, that justice should be impartial, and that one’s opportunity should not depend on one’s race, wealth, or circumstance.

"From the abolition of slavery and Reconstruction to Brown v. Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act, and the Voting Rights Act, our nation has taken important steps toward fulfilling those ideals. Each of these milestones expanded opportunity, strengthened our democracy, and brought us closer to becoming the nation we aspire to be. But none of this progress was inevitable. It was achieved because Americans organized, marched, advocated, voted, and never stopped believing that our country could do better.

"As we look ahead to our next 250 years, we must also be honest about the challenges before us. Across the country, rights and opportunities that generations fought to secure are being challenged. Access to the ballot box, equal educational opportunity, reproductive freedom, and long-standing protections against discrimination are no longer issues we can take for granted. Progress that took decades to achieve can be weakened if we fail to defend it.

"But America's history also shows us that when our nation falls short of its ideals, Americans rise to meet the moment. Every major advance in our history was achieved because people refused to accept setbacks as permanent and worked together to move our country forward. The responsibility to protect our democracy and expand opportunity now belongs to us, just as it belonged to those who came before us.

"That is why I remain optimistic about America's future. Our story has never been one of perfection. It has been a story of progress, sometimes painfully won. If we remain committed to equal justice, democratic participation, and opportunity for all, then future generations will inherit a nation that is stronger, more inclusive, and closer to the promise of a more perfect Union. That work continues today, and together, we can ensure that America's best days remain ahead."


Boyle Celebrates the Fourth of July and Historic Gathering of Congress in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) released the following statement on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. To mark 250 years since the Second Continental Congress voted for American independence on July 2nd, 1776, Boyle convened a historic ceremonial gathering of Congress at Independence Hall in his district.

“Two hundred fifty years ago, Philadelphia was home to one of the most significant events in human history,” said Congressman Boyle. “Our city gave birth to the United States of America and to the declaration that all people are created equal. For two and a half centuries, generations of Americans have fought to make that promise of liberty and equality real for every American. On this anniversary, let us come together as Americans to live up to the promise of the greatest nation on earth — and give our children an America that is freer, fairer, and stronger than the one we inherited.”

Boyle worked for years to bring the United States Congress back to Philadelphia for America’s semiquincentennial celebration. A video of Boyle’s remarks at Independence Hall on July 2nd can be viewed here. A recording of the full event is available here.