Garbarino Bill to Strengthen Airport Security and Improve Travel Passes House

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– This week, the House of Representatives passed Chairman Andrew Garbarino's (R-NY) Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026 (RSSP Extension Act) as part of a slate of 10 bipartisan bills advanced by the House Committee on Homeland Security. The legislation expands TSA's Reimbursable Screening Services Program (RSSP) and extends the pilot program to increase airport screening capabilities, ease congestion at main security checkpoints, and enhance the passenger experience without compromising safety.

“In the 25 years since the September 11th terrorist attacks, both the threats facing our nation and the demands placed on our aviation system have evolved drastically. We have a responsibility to ensure America’s aviation security can keep pace,” Chairman Garbarino said. “The best security measures are those that protect Americans while minimizing unnecessary burdens on the traveling public. Passing the Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026 is an important step toward ensuring TSA has the resources needed to succeed in its no-fail mission and delivering a more seamless travel experience for the American people.”

This legislation is especially important for Long Island, where families, businesses, and visitors rely on safe and efficient air travel through nearby airports every day. By expanding TSA's screening capabilities and reducing congestion at security checkpoints, the bill will help strengthen aviation security while making travel more efficient for Long Islanders and millions of Americans.

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Gluesenkamp Perez Includes Tenino Sandstone Apple in the Congressional America 250 Time Capsule

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez announced her submission to the Congressional 250th Anniversary Time Capsule: A hand carved Tenino sandstone apple. This apple is made from a type of sandstone quarried in her district in Southwest Washington, and was carved by Master Stone Carver Keith Phillips of the Tenino Stone Carvers Guild.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez visits Master Stone Carver Keith Phillips

Tenino sandstone carving is a proud tradition in Washington State. This stone has graced the capitals of the State and the Union. It has weathered storms, borne burdens, and endured the test of time. The Tenino Stone Carvers Guild has passed down the knowledge of this centuries-old craftsmanship and appreciation for Tenino’s sandstone heritage to future generations.

“Tenino Sandstone makes up the history of both my district and my family. My great-great-uncle, Andrew Wilson, was a stonecutter in Tenino. My great-grandfather, Burt Gilmore, was the quarry master during the extraction of the stones used to build the Washington State Capitol. He worked at the same quarry that this stone came from.” Said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, “I’m proud to have it included and I hope future generations can appreciate its history and handiwork.”

The carved stone apple included in the Congressional Time Capsule

The time capsule will be buried beneath the U.S. Capitol Building, where it will remain until its opening in the year 2276. The selection of this stone apple represents not only recognition of the extraordinary craftsmanship passed down through generations in Southwest Washington, but also acknowledgment that Tenino sandstone, and the traditions it preserves, are part of our nation’s enduring cultural story.

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Goldman, Nadler Introduce New Legislation to Provide Previously Denied Compensation for 9/11 Families

Legislation Would Newly Make 150 9/11 Families Eligible For Compensation

Families May Be Eligible to Receive An Average Of $295,000

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Jerry Nadler (NY-12) introduced the No 9/11 Family Left Behind Act, legislation that would ensure that 9/11 victims’ families who were previously prevented from receiving financial compensation can finally get it. Specifically, the bill would amend the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism (USVSST) Act to ensure that otherwise eligible 9/11 victims’ families who missed certain arbitrary deadlines and were therefore excluded from past distributions receive a lump-sum catch-up payment from the program.

“As we approach the 25th anniversary of the horrific September 11th attacks, our obligation to the victims and their families has not diminished,” said Rep. Goldman. “The No 9/11 Family Left Behind Act would ensure that every family who lost a loved one that day remains eligible for compensation, including those excluded in recent years due to missed deadlines. These families, who suffered so much on that tragic day, deserve our unwavering support and I'm proud to introduce this act to show they will always have it.”

“Congress has an enduring obligation to support the victims of the September 11th attacks and their families. We should not let bureaucratic hurdles stand in the way of justice. Although nothing can make up for twenty-five years of missed birthdays, anniversaries, and memories for those who lost loved ones on 9/11, we must do all we can for the people whose lives were changed forever that day,” said Rep Nadler.

The United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSST Fund) is a federal program administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The program compensates Americans who are victims of state sponsored terrorism by distributing funds from criminal and civil penalties imposed on sanctioned countries and entities to victims and their families. When victims or their families win lawsuits against foreign governments but cannot realistically collect the money, the U.S. government steps in to provide compensation that is funded by penalties and fines against certain sanctioned countries or forfeited assets.

While the USVSST Fund is meant to provide critical relief to victims, arbitrary deadlines have inadvertently locked out certain otherwise eligible claimants – including victims of the 2001 9/11 attacks and their families. For instance, initially, 9/11 victims’ estates, spouses, and dependents were excluded from compensation via the Fund until Congress expanded eligibility in 2019, allowing them to receive payments for the first time in a third round of distributions.

However, that expansion of eligibility was administered with the fixed application deadline of February 19, 2020, and subsequent legislation relied on that same deadline when determining eligibility for additional lump-sum catch-up payments. This created an immediate conflict among otherwise eligible claimants because those who missed the 2020 deadline due to lack of notice, hardship, or any other sort of delay were no longer eligible for compensation – despite meeting the eligible criteria to qualify for payment. It is estimated that approximately 150 9/11 families, or about 400-500 claimants, including spouses and dependents, would be eligible for compensation if the Fund were to be authorized for additional catch-up payments.

Specifically, the No 9/11 Family Left Behind Act of 2026:

Creates a new category of catch-up payment eligibility

Directs the USVSST Special Master to provide additional payments to claimants who:

Have a qualifying terrorism judgment

Meet the statutory eligibility criteria for compensation

Did not receive the earlier catch-up payment because they missed the prior deadline.

Requires that within 90 days of enactment, the Special Master notify people who qualify and explain how they can submit their claim

Payments must be made within 90 days after eligibility is confirmed

“When Congress passed the Fairness for 9/11 Families Act, I believed it would finally correct years of unequal treatment among 9/11 families. Instead, the law created a new harsh inequity among 9/11 widows and children since its very inception. As originally enacted, the law’s eligibility provisions excluded some 9/11 spouses and children, whose court judgments were entered after February 2020, thereby leaving some of us without access to substantial benefits that others who suffered the same exact loss on 9/11/01 were able to receive. Unlike the vast majority of 9/11 widows, the loss of my husband and child’s father was deemed worthless by a law curiously beginning with the word Fairness,” said Patricia Kavanagh Edwards, whose late husband Dennis Michael Edwards was killed in the World Trade Center attacks. Thanks to the dedication and persistence of Congressman Goldman, and support of Congressman Nadler, the “No 9/11 Family Left Behind Act of 2026” will ensure that those 9/11 families wrongly excluded are treated fairly, equally and that the law better reflects its intended purpose of supporting ALL those who continue to bear the lasting consequences of the September 11 attacks. Their efforts offer renewed hope to many 9/11 families who have spent years seeking equal treatment under the law.

"My siblings and I were not eligible for the earlier catch up payment. That exclusion felt arbitrary and hurtful, as though our loss was not significant enough to receive the same recognition that others received. This act would validate our loss and our struggles, and provide life-changing support that could begin to fill the financial gap that we experience because of 9/11," said Capt. Jordan Giordano, US Army Medical Corps, whose father John Giordano died on 9/11.

“My father, William Minardi was killed in the 9/11 attacks. Through no fault of our own, my family and I were cut out of the “Fairness” for 9/11 Families Act, because we did not apply to the program by February 2020, even though the Fairness Act wasn’t passed until three years later, said Robert Mindardi. "We have been asking Congress for years to fix this inequity. It has been difficult to be treated as “lesser” than other families whose loved ones were killed in the 9/11 attacks. Words cannot express my gratitude to House Member Daniel Goldman for leading this effort to make sure that no child or spouse of a 9/11 victim is left behind but this will have to do for now!”

My father died on 9/11. I was 11 at the time and the loss changed everything for our family. I am now 36, a single mother running my own small business while trying to raise my son," said Jessica Giordano, whose father John Giordano died on 9/11. "The No 9/11 Family Left Behind Act of 2026 would finally correct a painful unfairness. Those of us who missed a filing deadline through no fault of our own have lived with the consequences of that technicality for far too long. A catch‑up payment would provide essential relief that could help my business grow, reduce the financial strain on my family, and let me plan instead of just surviving."

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Congressman Vicente Gonzalez & Moderate Republicans Prevent Washington Extremists from Taking Benefits Away from South Texas Veterans

Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) stood with South Texas veterans and rejected an extreme House Republican legislative package, H.R. 9237, the so-called “Take Care of America’s Veterans Act,” which would significantly reduce disability benefits for 1.5 million future veterans, raise health care and homeownership costs for veterans, create a slush fund to enrich the President’s allies, and more.

“When a veteran returns from service, our government has a responsibility to provide them with the resources and support they’ve rightfully earned,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Today, extreme Republicans in Washington tried advancing a radical bill that weaponized meaningful legislation, like the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act, to provide themselves political cover as they attempted to implement the largest cut to veterans benefits in a generation. I fought back, and the bill got pulled from the floor. South Texas is home to more than 50,000 veterans, and nearly half live with service-connected disabilities. We cannot turn our backs on those who proudly served.”

There is a false claim that the Major Richard Star Act—a bill to restore veterans’ military retirement and disability compensation to disabled veterans—can only be advanced through this larger package. By doing so, the VA benefits that are targeted for cuts in H.R. 9237 would be used to pay for costs that the Department of Defense (DOD) should be responsible for, not the VA. These expenses could easily be funded through the annual Defense spending bill. Notably, there is strong bipartisan support for a House discharge petition to force a standalone vote on the Major Richard Star Act, thereby avoiding the diversion of funds from other veteran benefits and services. Congressman Gonzalez and 214 Members have joined the discharge petition, and it only needs three more Members to reach the required 218 signatures.

After being introduced on June 10, 2026, Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican leadership forced H.R. 9237 through the House of Representatives without any input from veteran service organizations (VSOs). Specifically, this legislation would:


Goodlander, Democratic Veterans Celebrate Defeat of Republican Attack on Veterans’ Benefits

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

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

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

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

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

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Goodlander Statement on the State Department Appropriations Bill

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) released the following statement after her vote on the State Department appropriations bill.

“As a Member of Congress, it is my job to ensure American taxpayer dollars are spent out of necessity – and in a way that advances the interests and values of the United States of America. That is the spirit in which I voted today against sending an additional $3.3 billion American taxpayer dollars to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government.

“My support for Israel’s right to exist and to defend itself as a Jewish and democratic state is ironclad. The amendment did not affect our support for Israel’s air-defense systems, which remain mission-critical to defending against persistent threats from some of America’s most brutal and determined enemies, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, and its terrorist proxies, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas. My support for a peace agreement that guarantees Israel’s security and safeguards the human rights, dignity, and self-determination of the Palestinian people in their own state is equally ironclad.

“Our alliance with Israel requires a reset. Having ignored the concerns of the vast majority of Americans about its conduct in Gaza, which devastated civilians while ultimately empowering Hamas, and its support for settler violence in the West Bank, the Israeli government cannot expect Americans to continue to provide it with unconditional aid. Subsidizing Israel’s defense budget also no longer makes sense given the country’s wealth and military dominance in its region. Even the Israeli government has acknowledged it no longer needs this support.

“I am disappointed that Republicans intentionally weaponized this vote, bringing to the floor a deeply imperfect amendment drafted by a lead sponsor whose abhorrent and dangerous track record of virulent antisemitism I wholeheartedly reject and condemn. But my vote today reflects my belief that the United States and Israel should forge a more normal partnership, built not on dependence and aid, but on shared interests, shared principles and mutual accountability as we promote the dignity and security of Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

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RELEASE: Rep. Gottheimer, House Intelligence Committee Democrats Warn Against Weaponizing Declassified Intelligence Ahead of Trump Address

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Thursday, July 16, 2026, ahead of President Trump’s primetime address in which he is expected to revive claims of fraud and foreign interference in the 2020 election, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), joined by House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Democrats, sent a letter to Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, FBI Director Kash Patel, and NSA Director Joshua Rudd, warning against any effort to selectively declassify intelligence to mislead the American public about the security of the 2020 election.

The letter notes that the 2020 election was among the most scrutinized in American history — litigated in multiple courts — and that the Intelligence Community’s own 2021 declassified assessment found no indication that any foreign actor altered the election process. They also note that no intelligence suggesting there was interference has ever been provided to the Committee, despite requests for updates.

See the full text of the letter here.

“The facts of the 2020 election have long been settled. The Intelligence Community assessed in a declassified Intelligence Community Assessment from 2021 that, “We have no indications that any foreign actor attempted to interfere in the 2020 US elections by altering any technical aspect of the voting process.” No intelligence to the contrary has ever been provided to the Committee, despite repeated requests for updates,” the Intelligence Committee members wrote.

The Intelligence Committee members continued, “The President is within his authority to declassify intelligence, but if he does so in a way that is intended to mislead Americans about the most basic foundation of our democracy and that may compromise sources and methods, it is incumbent on you to stand up for the agencies you lead.”

The Committee Democrats also raised concern that the Intelligence Community is now more than two months late delivering a statutorily required report on foreign threats to the 2026 midterm elections — even as it appears focused on relitigating the settled facts of the 2020 election.

The letter reminds the Directors of their obligation to keep the Committee fully and currently informed of any new intelligence related to election security, and calls on them to ensure that any declassification is coordinated across the intelligence community and shared with the congressional intelligence committees before public release.

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GRAY RENEWS EFFORT TO SECURE EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR CENTRAL VALLEY SPECIALTY CROP GROWERS

Today, Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13) and Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) led an effort to help ensure Central Valley specialty crop growers receive the emergency assistance they need as farmers continue to face rising costs, labor shortages, and increasing economic uncertainty.

In a letter sent to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Congressman Adam Gray (CA-13), Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), and a group of lawmakers from across the country called for at least $15 billion in emergency assistance to be dedicated to specialty crop producers as Congress considers the Administration's request for emergency assistance.

The letter outlines the unique challenges and structural disadvantages facing specialty crop producers and underscores the need to provide equitable economic relief to these growers across the country.

“America’s specialty crop industry is essential to our nation’s food security, rural economies, and agricultural competitiveness. Providing dedicated emergency assistance will help preserve domestic production, strengthen supply chains, and sustain the family farms and agricultural jobs that provide consumers with safe, healthy, American-grown fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, floriculture, and other specialty crops,” write the members.

“As you consider providing additional economic assistance to American farmers, we urge you to ensure that specialty crop growers receive a minimum of $15 billion in emergency assistance to match the severity of their crisis and address the structural disadvantages that distinguish their challenges from those of other agricultural sectors,” concludes the members.

This is Congressman Gray’s latest effort to make sure Central Valley specialty crop growers receive the support they need. Previously, Congressman Gray played a central role in moving the bipartisan Farm Bill through the Agriculture Committee, secured a commitment from Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) on this effort to secure billions of dollars in long-overdue economic assistance, and secured additional specialty crop related wins in the Farm Bill on the House floor before it passed with bipartisan support.

The letter was also signed by Reps. Julia Brownley (CA-26), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Don Davis (NC-01), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Pablo José Hernández (PR-AL), Bill Keating (MA-09), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Josh Riley (NY-19), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Darren Soto (FL-09), Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Jill Tokuda (HI-02).


Congressman Abe Hamadeh Celebrates TSMC's $100 billion Investment in Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District and the America First Manufacturing Agenda

Washington, D.C. - Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08) today congratulated TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) and President Donald Trump after the White House and Department of Commerce announced a historic $100 billion additional investment in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and packaging facilities in Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District.

This investment will place Arizona at the forefront of the AI and semiconductor revolution, helping establish the Congressman’s district as the Silicon Desert. With the additional facilities, TSMC’s total U.S. investment will reach $265 billion across 12 leading-edge semiconductor and advanced packaging plants nationwide, according to the White House.

This major investment aligns with President Trump’s America First manufacturing agenda and will deliver thousands of high-paying jobs to Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District — opportunities the Congressman believes should prioritize our veterans.

Congressman Hamadeh has made economic development a cornerstone of his service in Congress, championing Peace through Prosperity. He has worked relentlessly to enhance the livability and opportunity in Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District, while vigorously promoting the talent and potential of its workforce and of American workers nationwide.

“This major investment is further proof that the Trump Administration is laser-focused on restoring American manufacturing dominance and securing U.S. technological leadership in artificial intelligence and advanced semiconductors,” said Congressman Hamadeh. “These targeted investments in Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District aren’t just welcome — they’re exactly the kind of bold, America-First moves our district needs. My constituents are ready to work, ready to build, and hungry for the high-paying jobs these projects will deliver right here in the Grand Canyon State.”

BACKGROUND:

In 2020, TSMC announced plans to invest $12 billion in Congressional District 8, bringing the world’s most advanced chip manufacturing to the United States. In December 2022, the company raised its total investment to $40 billion. TSMC Arizona is expected to create approximately 80,000 jobs over the next five years and position Arizona to produce 20% of the world’s most advanced semiconductors — the critical chips that power modern AI systems.


Congressman Johnson Joins 24 Colleagues In Joint Statement on Massie Amendment to Republican Foreign Aid Budget Bill

WASHINGTON—Today, 25 Members of Congress, led by Congressman Jim McGovern, Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, released the following statement in advance of voting yes on Amendment #8, which would halt certain U.S. funding to Israel, to the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act:

“As Members of Congress, it is our duty to ensure that our constituents’ hard-earned money is used in a way that advances America’s interests and values. For this reason, we do not support providing an additional $3.3 billion of American taxpayer dollars to be used for Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon—operations which have killed tens of thousands of civilians, led to the indiscriminate destruction of civilian infrastructure, and caused severe and ongoing humanitarian catastrophes. These are just the latest in a long string of human rights violations inflicted on Palestinian civilians. For nearly six decades, Israeli security forces and military authorities have enforced the occupation of the Palestinian territories, including through restrictions on freedom of movement, arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings. It is clear that existing human rights conditions on the use of American security assistance have not been meaningfully enforced. Enough is enough.

“Palestinians and Israelis alike deserve peace, freedom, security, stability, and self-determination. Those aims will only be achieved when their inherent dignity and inalienable rights are at the center of U.S. policy in the region. Diplomacy is the answer, and as long as America provides constant funding for more war, peace will always remain out of reach.

“Our vote should not be interpreted as opposition to initiatives such as the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act programs or others that foster people-to-people engagement, strengthen civil society, and advance the long-term prospects for a just and lasting peace. We remain committed to supporting these and similar programs while ensuring that U.S. taxpayer dollars advance peace, security, and American interests and values.”

The statement was released by Representatives: Becca Balint (D-VT), Don Beyer (D-VA), Greg Casar (D-TX), Judy Chu (D-CA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), John Garamendi (D-CA), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL), Adelita S. Grijalva (D-AZ), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY).

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Congressman Johnson’s Statement on President Trump’s Unhinged Election Security Speech

DECATUR, GA — “Voters are not going to be distracted by Trump’s release of what are massively redacted declassified files that fail to prove that the 2020 election was stolen from him. Voters remain focused on the facts that he and his wealthy friends are getting richer and richer as gas, groceries and housing cost are driving everyone else towards the poorhouse, while his war of choice against Iran spirals out of control. Trump is desperate, and we must be on guard to defeat his devious scheme to interfere with the administration of the upcoming elections to avoid the butt-kicking he is about to get from the voters.”

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Congressman Pat Harrigan Introduces Legislation to Stop China's Acquisition of American Aviation Companies

Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10), alongside original cosponsor Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), introduced H.R. 9707, the General Aviation Protection (GAP) Act, legislation to close national security gaps that have allowed Chinese state-backed entities to acquire more than 20 American general aviation companies over the past two decades.

"Walk into any regional airport in this country and you'll see a Cirrus on the tarmac, sleek, American-made, flying the flag. What you won't see is that the company building it has been owned by China's state-controlled AVIC since 2011, the same conglomerate that builds fighter jets and drones for the PLA. And Cirrus isn't the only one. For two decades, Chinese entities have been quietly buying up American aviation companies, absorbing our engineers, our manufacturing know-how, and our FAA certifications the whole time, and Washington never built a system to catch it. This bill is that system," said Congressman Harrigan.

"Protecting America's aviation industry from bad actors is essential to our national security and economic competitiveness,” said Congressman Mackenzie. “Foreign adversaries, especially the Chinese Communist Party, should not be allowed to exploit gaps in our laws to gain access to sensitive technologies, critical infrastructure, or the innovative companies that help keep our nation safe. The General Aviation Protection Act takes a commonsense approach to addressing CCP interference in the general aviation sector by strengthening oversight of foreign investments. This legislation will help to ensure that the security and integrity of our aircraft are protected, and that the American people can continue to rely on a robust domestic aviation sector.”

Chinese entities linked to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, a company already designated as a Chinese military company, have made more than 20 acquisitions of American general aviation manufacturers, engine producers, avionics developers, and flight schools since 2005. These companies build the engines, airframes, and avionics that feed directly into military pilot training and America's defense supply chain.

The GAP Act creates a new mandatory CFIUS review category for these acquisitions, with a rebuttable presumption of prohibition for Chinese-linked or foreign adversary-controlled buyers. It also extends CFIUS jurisdiction to aviation real estate near military installations, directs the reclassification of dual-use aviation technologies, closes the outbound investment gap, mandates audits of foreign-controlled avionics for hidden backdoors, and cuts off federal funding to any aviation company controlled by a foreign adversary.


Harshbarger Helps Get Hawkins County's Words on Wheels Bookmobile Back on the Road

Rogersville, TN — Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) this week helped deliver a donation of children's books to Hawkins County Schools through the U.S. Library of Congress Surplus Books Program, timed to coincide with the return of the county's “Words on Wheels” bookmobile, which had been out of service for several months due to engine trouble.

“It is always a joy to help put more books in the hands of East Tennessee kids, and there's no better time than right as Words on Wheels gets back on the road,” said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. “I'm grateful to the Library of Congress and Joe Mahar for making these donations possible, and to Hawkins County's vehicle maintenance crew for their hard work getting this bookmobile running again. Programs like Words on Wheels keep kids reading all summer long, and I'm proud my office could play a small part in that.”

“Congresswoman Harshbarger has been very generous with her willingness to contribute books from the Library of Congress surplus Book Program,” said Erika Phillips, Hawkins County Schools Health Coordinator.

The Words on Wheels bookmobile—a retired school bus retrofitted in 2022 to serve as a mobile library—had been sidelined after its engine failed following hundreds of thousands of miles of use. Hawkins County Schools' maintenance staff sourced and installed a remanufactured engine using leftover funds from last year's operating budget, avoiding the need for a budget amendment, according to Director of Schools Matt Hixson.

The books were delivered to the school system on Wednesday, July 15, and loaded directly onto the bookmobile ahead of upcoming back-to-school events. While Congresswoman Harshbarger was in Washington, D.C. for votes and unable to attend the delivery in person, her son, state Sen. Bobby Harshbarger, stood in on her behalf. The Words on Wheels program will be back in service for back-to-school events beginning later this month.

ICYMI in The Rogersville Review:Words on Wheels is back, with a little help

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Harshbarger Introduces Legislation to Hold Insurance Companies Accountable for Sex-Rejecting Procedure Harms

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Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) today introduced the Treatment and Restoration Uniformity and Transparency in Health Coverage (TRUTH in Coverage) Act, legislation requiring health insurance plans that cover sex-rejecting procedures to also cover restorative care for patients who suffer complications, adverse outcomes, or seek to restore healthy bodily function. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“It's outrageous that a health plan can cover sex-rejecting procedures but refuse to cover the restorative care patients need to address the harm they cause. That's not a fair deal for patients who want to restore healthy bodily function,” said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. “Patients should never be abandoned after undergoing life-altering, harmful medical interventions once reality sets in. As a pharmacist, I've seen insurance companies find every excuse in the book to avoid paying for the care patients actually need. My TRUTH in Coverage Act restores fairness, promotes transparency, and ensures patients aren't left paying the price for care their insurance should cover.”

“As physicians, we take an oath to first do no harm. Unfortunately, too many Americans have undergone irreversible gender transition procedures only to be left with life-changing complications and nowhere to turn,” said Senator Roger Marshall. “Insurance companies have been more than willing to profit by covering these procedures, but when patients need care to treat complications and restore healthy human function, they're often left on their own. That's wrong. Patients deserve transparency before making life-altering medical decisions, and insurance companies should be consistent in their coverage when those decisions result in lifelong complications.”

Across the country, many private health insurance companies have profited handsomely by covering sex-rejecting procedures that aim to alter a person’s biological and anatomical characteristics. Yet patients who later experience complications, adverse medical outcomes, or seek restorative treatment often discover that while their insurance covered the original sex-rejecting procedures, it refuses to cover the care needed to treat resulting injuries or restore healthy bodily function.

The TRUTH in Coverage Act establishes a uniform federal coverage standard across private insurance markets by amending the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). The legislation applies not only to state-regulated health insurance plans but also to self-funded employer health plans governed by ERISA, ensuring protections for patients nationwide.

Under the bill, any health plan that elects to cover sex-rejecting procedures or is required to cover them by state or local law or regulation, must provide coverage for restorative care under terms that are no more restrictive than those applied to the original procedures. This includes deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, prior authorization requirements, and other treatment limitations.

The legislation does not require any health plan to cover sex-rejecting procedures. Rather, it ensures that if a plan provides such coverage, it must also cover healthcare to address the harm caused by these procedures, and to restore healthy human form and functioning, to the greatest extent practicable. The requirements would take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Reps. Brian Babin (R-TX), Sheri Biggs (R-SC), Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), “Judge” John Carter (R-TX), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Clay Fuller (R-GA), Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ), Mike Kennedy (R-UT), John McGuire (R-VA), Mary Miller (R-IL), Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), and Matt Van Epps (R-TN) join as original cosponsors. Sen. Lummis (R-WY) is an original cosponsor in the Senate.

KEY PROVISIONS:

Requires health plans that cover sex-rejecting procedures to also cover restorative care addressing resulting harms, regardless of when the original procedure occurred or which plan covered it.

Prohibits insurers from imposing separate, more restrictive cost-sharing or treatment limitations on restorative care than those applicable to the original procedures.

Defines restorative care broadly to include treatment for reproductive injury, endocrine dysfunction, cardiovascular and metabolic complications, surgical complications, mental health conditions, and other harms tied to sex-rejecting procedures.

Preserves exceptions for treatment of documented disorders of sex development, emergency medical care, treatment of precocious puberty, and male circumcision.

Establishes a uniform federal standard applicable to both state-regulated health insurance markets and ERISA self-funded employer health plans.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Full text

One-pager

What they are saying

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Hayes Introduces Resolution Declaring Federal Support For Americans With Disabilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced a resolution reaffirming federal support of the Americans with Disabilities Act and legislation instructing publicly-funded infrastructure projects to be made fully accessible to all. This effort not only recognizes the barriers people with disabilities face daily but makes accessibility a guiding principle for future policy. With more than 1 in 4 adults, or more than 70 million people, living with a disability, improved accessibility is necessary. Congresswoman Hayes and Senator Blumenthal have introduced similar resolutions in previous Congressional sessions.

The resolution aligns U.S. policy with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a widely supported international treaty ratified by over 85% of United Nations member states. The Convention recognizes global disability across various areas, including infrastructure design, communications, and accessibility.

“Making government buildings accessible to all Americans should always be our standard. This resolution acknowledges that existing law falls short and policy can intervene to improve the lives of those with disabilities,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. “Persons living with disabilities should not have to worry about access to federally funded spaces. They deserve equal protection under the law, and I remain committed to legislative efforts that make that a reality.”

The Delcaring Federal Support for Americans with Disabilities Resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Wesley Bell (MO-01), Steve Cohen (TN-9), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), John Mannion (NY-22), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24)

The legislation is endorsed by The Arc, Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), Family Voices, the National Black Disability Coalition, and the United States International Council on Disabilities.

The resolution builds on efforts by Congresswoman Hayes to support Americans living with disabilities. In February, Congresswoman Hayes led her colleagues in writing to the Department of Justice requesting an update on efforts to adopt Public Rights-Of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG). Congresswoman Hayes has also championed legislation to phase out subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities and advocated for increased funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) for eligible persons with disabilities.


Hayes Statement On Massie Amendment #8 Vote

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement following her vote in support of Massie Amendment #8 to the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act.

I support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and homeland for the Jewish people, and recognize the close military, economic and strategic alliance we share. During my time in Congress, I’ve had a long-standing voting record in support of defense funding for Israel and remain committed to ensuring its safety and security.

I am also horrified by UNICEF reports that children in Gaza have been killed, maimed, and displaced in a devastating war that is an affront to our shared humanity. The security and humanitarian situation in the region remains catastrophic, characterized by widespread destruction, mass displacement, severe aid blockages and high levels of acute food shortages. I continue to believe the Palestinian people have a right to self-determination and American actions should support that goal.

It is unfortunate that Massie Amendment #8 is poorly written and extremely broad and fails to acknowledge the humanitarian efforts, potential impacts on Embassy operations, educational and cultural exchanges, and the ongoing support for Palestinian Security Forces which are funded through this aid. I do not believe this amendment was drafted in pursuit of longstanding solutions, but instead to be another political wedge issue.

While I do not agree with the entirety of the amendment, I do believe it opens the door to long overdue, hard conversations on U.S. military aid.

In the same way I have voted no to domestic funding for agencies who refuse to implement necessary reforms, I cannot vote to send American taxpayer dollars anywhere in the world without that same level of scrutiny.

In this moment, my constituents in the Fifth district of Connecticut are demanding more thoughtful and deliberate consideration of the path forward for the Israeli and Palestinian people. For these reasons I voted in support of the amendment.

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Profesor de Universidad de Dartmouth reconoce validez del Estado Libre Asociado en el Congreso

WASHINGTON, DC — En el contexto de la conmemoración del 74.º aniversario del Estado Libre Asociado, el Comisionado Residente Pablo José Hernández participó en un conversatorio en el Congreso junto al profesor David Rezvani, de Dartmouth College, sobre el estatus político de Puerto Rico. Rezvani, quien ha estudiado modelos de autonomía alrededor del mundo y es autor del libro Surpassing the Sovereign State, compartió su perspectiva sobre los distintos modelos de autonomía que hay en el mundo. En el evento participaron alcaldes, personal del Congreso y representantes de distintos sectores.

“El profesor Rezvani es una voz refrescante porque se trata de una persona que no es puertorriqueña, que se especializa en el tema de autonomía en una de las mejores universidades del mundo, y que reconoce la validez y el potencial del ELA”, expresó el Comisionado Residente. “Aunque Puerto Rico es único, no está solo, y su libro nos demuestra que hay cerca de 70 modelos de países como Puerto Rico con relaciones autonómicas con países más grandes, que son democráticos y reconocidos internacionalmente.”

“Una parte de mi libro examina los orígenes, el surgimiento y el estatus constitucionalmente afianzado de la unión parcialmente independiente entre Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico constituye un ejemplo paradigmático de cómo un Estado posimperial utiliza la independencia parcial para obtener las ventajas de un imperio sin asumir sus costos. La cuestión del estatus de Puerto Rico es sumamente controvertida. Muchos consideran que es una colonia de Estados Unidos. Otros, sin embargo, entienden que las facultades de Puerto Rico están formalmente afianzadas. Mi trabajo sostiene que Puerto Rico goza, en efecto, de una independencia parcial en lugar de constituir una colonia y que sus facultades están afianzadas mediante una convención no escrita.” señaló David Rezvani, investigador académico residente y profesor en Dartmouth College.

Durante su comparecencia, el profesor Rezvani explicó que Puerto Rico no es una colonia de los Estados Unidos, que la ley PROMESA fue consentida por el gobernador y el comisionado residente de Puerto Rico cuando fue aprobada, y que Puerto Rico goza de lo que llamó “súper-poderes” autonómicos como su autonomía fiscal, su nacionalidad y su hospitalidad, que sirve para fomentar la industria del turismo y la manufactura en la isla. Además, compartió datos de su libro que reflejan que las colonias que buscaron soluciones intermedias, lo que llama “partially independent territories”, generalmente han superado a las colonias que optaron por la soberanía total e independencia.

“En la medida que la estadidad no está disponible y los puertorriqueños no quieran la independencia, tenemos que pensar en cómo trabajamos y mejoramos lo que tenemos”, añadió el Comisionado Residente.

Por su parte, el presidente de la Asociación de Alcaldes de Puerto Rico, Jorge ‘Georgie’ González, agradeció la invitación el evento, y destacó la importancia que tiene discutir el tema del status de una manera amplia e inclusiva. “Un ejemplo de ello es el proyecto de status (HR 9246) presentado por el comisionado residente, que incluye todas las opciones. Esa es la alternativa que nosotros apoyamos”.

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NEW: Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Aviation Safety After Slackline-Helicopter Tragedy

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Curtis (R-UT), and U.S. Representatives Cliff Bentz (R-OR-02) and Val Hoyle (D-OR-04) introduced the McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act, with support from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).

The new bipartisan legislation would direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address urgent aviation safety issues by reviewing and updating existing safeguards for temporary obstructions in the low-altitude airspace, such as slacklines.

“Strengthening aviation safety is something that both Republicans and Democrats can get behind, especially following the tragic slackline collision that took the lives of four Oregonians earlier this year,” said Merkley. “The FAA must do all it can to keep the flying public safe, and our bipartisan McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act directs the agency to prioritize aviation safety. We must move swiftly to reduce the risk of any similar tragedy in the future.”

“High-adventure activities in Utah, like slacklining, should not come at the cost of aviation safety, particularly for helicopter pilots who transport patients, fight wildfires, and support search and rescue missions,” said Curtis. “Our bipartisan bill takes a practical look at where the FAA can modernize its policies, improve coordination, and reduce unnecessary risks so everyone sharing our airspace can do so more safely.”

“This tragic accident claimed cherished members of two Oregon families far too soon, and our hearts remain with everyone suffering this profound loss. As we look ahead, it is my hope that meaningful changes can be made to ensure a tragedy like this is never repeated,” said Bentz. “This legislation directs the FAA to review and update low altitude airspace safety regulations to help prevent similar incidents in the future.”

“Last January’s deadly helicopter crash in Arizona exposed a serious safety challenge in low-altitude airspace. I've been vocal in the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee that action is needed so this kind of tragedy doesn’t happen again,” said Hoyle. “Oregonians know the value of both outdoor recreation and aviation, and we all share a responsibility to ensure that pilots, first responders and wildfire crews have the visibility and information they need to operate safely.”

“Congress must act with urgency to ensure federal regulators are taking every possible step to prevent low-flying aircraft crashes with slacklines like the tragedy that cost the lives of four Oregonians earlier this year,” said Wyden. “This bill would accomplish that goal by setting deadlines for the Federal Aviation Administration to update and improve its policies and regulations for low-altitude airspace safety.”

“David, Katelyn, Rachel, and Faith lost their lives in an Arizona helicopter crash that never should have happened. I've met with their family. No one should have to go through what they've been through. This bill makes sure the FAA acts quickly to prevent tragedies like this from happening again,” said Kelly.

The McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act follows a deadly helicopter crash caused by a collision with a slackline on January 2, 2026, that tragically claimed the lives of four Oregonians—David McCarty and his three nieces Rachel McCarty, Faith McCarty, and Katelyn Heideman. The bipartisan bill would instruct the FAA to use its authorities to review existing policies and regulations related to low-altitude airspace safety, including identifying appropriate policy, operational, or technical improvements such as updated requirements related to markings on slacklines.

Previously, Oregon's U.S. Senators pressed the FAA on implementing emergency safety actions following the deadly crash.

The bipartisan McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act is supported by key stakeholders and organizations, including the Vertical Aviation International (VAI), National Transportation Aviation Association (NATA), Balloon Federation of America (BFA), United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA), Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA), Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS), National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), BackcountryPilot.org, American Spray Drone Coalition, Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), Life Flight Network, National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA), Commercial Drone Alliance, and Southern Utah University (SUU) Aviation.

On behalf of the McCarty and Heideman family, “We are very grateful and excited to see the McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act be introduced. It is a crucial and urgent step towards making the airspace safer for pilots, passengers, cargo, and anyone using the airspace for work or recreation. We look forward to working on getting this across the finish line!”

“No family should ever have to endure the heartbreak our community has experienced. While nothing can erase the unimaginable loss suffered by the McCarty and Heideman families, we are deeply grateful that Senator Merkley’s legislation seeks to turn this tragedy into meaningful action. If it can prevent even one family from experiencing the same pain, it will stand as a lasting legacy to David, Rachel, Katelyn, Faith, and the families who have endured so much,” said Oregon State Representative Bobby Levy.

“Sen. Merkley’s bill takes an important step toward improving safety for pilots, crews, passengers, and the communities they serve. The Arizona accident was a tragic reminder of the serious risk temporary suspended obstructions can pose to low-altitude aircraft. This legislation focuses on practical steps to improve pilot awareness and help prevent future accidents,” said François Lassale, President and CEO, VAI.

"The National Air Transportation Association appreciates Senator Merkley’s attention to low-altitude airspace safety through the McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act, which will improve awareness and communication around temporary obstructions. Safety is central to NATA’s mission, and a thoughtful FAA review can help reduce avoidable risks in the National Airspace System,” said NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna.

“Wildfire airspace overlaps public lands and recreation. Formal coordination with the FAA, Forest Service, BLM, and Park Service—paired with real outreach and right sized penalties for creating low altitude hazards—prevents tragedies before they happen. We strongly support this bill and urge swift passage,” said Paul Peterson, Executive Director, United Aerial Firefighters Association.

"As a former Marine Corps helicopter pilot and the CEO of an air medical organization whose crews fly thousands of low-altitude flights each year, I know firsthand how critical it is to identify and mitigate hazards before they become tragedies. This legislation reflects the kind of collaborative, data-driven approach that has long made aviation safer. We appreciate Senator Merkley's leadership in bringing together industry and government to make our national airspace safer for everyone,” said Ben Clayton, CEO, Life Flight Network.

"AMOA appreciates Senator Merkley's leadership in advancing this legislation and his commitment to improving helicopter safety through a thoughtful FAA review and collaboration with industry stakeholders,” said Sally Veith, Executive Director, Air Medical Operators Association.

"NASAO supports efforts to strengthen aviation safety in low-altitude airspace. Ensuring that temporary obstructions are properly identified and that pilots have access to accurate, timely information is critical to a safe national aviation system. We commend Senator Merkley for his leadership in introducing this bill,” said Gregory Pecoraro, President & CEO, National Association of State Aviation Officials.

“The National Agricultural Aviation Association firmly endorses the McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act. The requirements this act places on the FAA will help ensure no more aviators operating in the low altitude airspace lose their life because of an unmarked slackline or other hazard strung across the landscape,” said Matthew Woolard, President, National Agricultural Aviation Association.

“The American Spray Drone Coalition (ASDC) strongly endorses the ‘McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act,’ reflecting our deep commitment to promoting high standards of low-altitude airspace safety for both crewed and uncrewed aviators. By directing the FAA to review existing safety policies, this legislation takes a critical first step toward assessing necessary improvements for temporary obstruction markings and ensuring obstacle data can be seamlessly integrated into modern digital flight planning tools,” said Eric Ringer, President, American Spray Drone Association.

“The tragic slackline crash earlier this year underscored the importance of ensuring pilots have better awareness of potential hazards when operating at low altitude,” said Michael Robbins, President and CEO of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). “The McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act would direct the FAA to make common-sense but important changes to improve awareness for crewed and uncrewed aircraft alike, helping prevent tragedies like this one from happening again. We applaud Senator Merkley for his leadership on this issue and look forward to working with him to advance our shared vision of an airspace with zero collisions.”

Full text of the McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act as introduced in the Senate can be found by clicking here.

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REP. IVEY’S STATEMENT ON VOTING YES ON THE MASSIE AMENDMENT TO STATE DEPARTMENT APPROPRIATIONS BILL

“House Republicans passed a foreign aid budget that guts American diplomacy, slashes humanitarian assistance when it is needed most, and weakens the tools we rely on to compete and lead in the world. In this funding bill, Republicans have chosen to offer an overly broad amendment by Rep. Massie that blocks all foreign aid to Israel, including humanitarian aid for Palestinian refugees and civilians in Gaza.

“Although I have serious reservations about Rep. Massie’s amendment, the status quo of supporting the Netanyahu government cannot continue. The U.S.-Israel relationship is important, but it must be reset around accountability, defensive cooperation, respect for international law and a credible path to two states. Despite the amendment’s flaws, voting Yes sent a clear signal that Congress cannot continue treating the current aid relationship as automatic and that American policy must change.

“During the administration of President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, I have consistently voted against additional funding for the Pentagon and the President’s unauthorized military operations. In particular, I have voted on the floor and in committee against supplemental funding for the Iranian War. President Trump and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu have dragged our countries into their war of choice with Iran, and I will not support it with American taxpayer dollars.

“I cannot oppose further funding for unauthorized U.S. military operations in the region while continuing to treat military funds for the Netanyahu government as automatic, particularly when those operations are increasingly intertwined.

“In a 2024 C-Span interview on the Israel-Hamas war, I laid out my thoughts about what needs to happen in the Middle East to secure peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike. I firmly believe that beyond this vote on the Massie amendment, which would not eliminate funding for Iron Dome and other defensive systems, it is critical for the United States to take the following affirmative steps to improve the situation on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank:

1. supporting a surge in humanitarian aid, especially in Gaza, to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians;

2. opposing settler violence and land incursions in the West Bank, and supporting the criminal prosecution of anyone committing violent acts;

3. continuing to support a secure state for both Israelis and Palestinians, assisted by the United States, Arab states and European allies; and

4. supporting an extended effort to rebuild Gaza in coordination with our Arab partners and European allies — essentially a Marshall Plan 2.0, adapted to the current realities in the region.


Rep. Ronny Jackson Celebrates $14.8 Million Federal Grant for Sheppard Elementary School Improvements

WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) celebrated Sheppard Elementary School, located on Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, being awarded a $14.8 million Military-Connected Schools Construction, Modernization, and Facilities Maintenance Program Grant through the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA).

The grant will fund the construction of a new auditorium and significant renovations to the existing school building, enhancing educational opportunities for military-connected students and improving campus facilities for future generations. This award reflects the commitment of Sheppard Air Force Base to supporting military families and their children’s academic success through a safe, secure, and modernized learning environment.

"I am excited to see Sheppard Elementary School be selected to receive this critical funding," said Rep. Jackson. "Our military families make tremendous sacrifices in service to our country, and their children deserve first-class facilities that advance their educational opportunities. This $14.8 million grant will provide lasting improvements that benefit our military-connected students, educators, and the entire Sheppard Air Force Base community. I was proud to support this effort and look forward to seeing this project move forward."

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Jayapal, Deluzio, Ryan Introduce Legislation to Break Up Meatpacking Monopolies, Drive Down Grocery Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), and Pat Ryan (NY-18), co-chairs of the Monopoly Busters Caucus, are introducing the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act, legislation to break up dominant meatpacking monopolies, rein in foreign-controlled corporate giants, and end unfair pricing practices that raise costs for American families and box out local farmers and ranchers. The legislation is bicameral, introduced in the Senate by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

“Massive corporations are driving up prices, making it unaffordable for working people to put food on the table,” said Jayapal. “It is a failure of our government to have allowed these corporate interests to swallow up the market, raising costs and putting hundreds of thousands of family farms out of business in the process. This bill is a critical step to level the playing field — to give independent ranchers and farmers a fair shot while ultimately lowering grocery bills for American families.”

“Meatpacking monopolies are crushing hard-working small farmers, ranchers, and business owners—and are jacking up food prices for all of us,” said Congressman Deluzio. “In the richest country in the history of the world that likes our meat, we can’t let it become a luxury good. Let’s pass this bill to break up these monopolies and bring some relief to everyone they’re squeezing at the grocery store right now.”

“Every time we walk into the grocery store, Hudson Valley families are getting squeezed by high prices because a few greedy corporations are raking in record-breaking profits. That’s unacceptable. Instead of taking on the monopolies driving up costs, like the four meatpacking companies that dominate the market, our fundamentally broken system rewards their greed while punishing our family-run grocers, farms, and restaurants,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “As the President’s wars and tariffs hurt our small businesses, we should be focused on lowering costs, strengthening our supply chains, and putting working families ahead of corporate special interests. This bill would break up the monopolies jacking up costs and give our local grocers and farms some extra support. I’ll keep fighting to crack down on price gouging, take on greedy monopolies, and make sure every family can afford to put food on the table.”

“Trump keeps driving prices higher and higher. The American people are rightfully fed up,” said Leader Schumer. “Every visit to the grocery store has turned into relentless sticker shock for working families. It’s a consequence of Trump’s failed economic policies and the stranglehold the meatpacking monopoly holds over supply chains and grocery stores. Democrats in the Senate and House are united in bringing down costs for consumers, and I’m proud to champion the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act to tackle the skyrocketing food costs and deliver the relief working families demand and deserve.

Consolidation in the meatpacking industry is rampant. For instance, 85 percent of the U.S. beef market is controlled by just four companies: Cargill, JBS, Tyson, and the National Beef Packing Company. This corporate consolidation allows these giants to unfairly extract value and take home maximum profits at the expense of farmers and consumers.

The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act imposes structural reforms to restore competition to the industry. Specifically, it:

Makes it unlawful for a major meatpacking conglomerate to control more than one major type of meat, i.e., pork, chicken, beef;

Imposes hard caps on the concentration of beef markets at both the regional and national levels and authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to order divestiture from the market if those caps are exceeded;

Prohibits foreign leverage over the domestic meat market, empowering FTC to protect competition and national security;

Directs the FTC to enforce against discriminatory pricing practices in retail and wholesale meat markets that hit independent and neighborhood grocers the hardest;

Authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide financial assistance, loan guarantees, and technical assistance to farmers’ cooperatives and small business concerns to acquire meatpacking facilities divested under the Act; and

Creates enforceable penalties for corporations that fail to properly divest, enforceable under the FTC Act.

This legislation builds upon a field hearing hosted by the Monopoly Busters Caucus earlier this year in which an independent rancher testified to the harmful effects of consolidation in the meatpacking industry.

“North Dakota has some of the highest quality beef in the nation, and my fellow ranchers deserve a larger share of the profit for their hard work,” said Travis Anderson, North Dakota cattle rancher and member of Dakota Resource Council and the National Family Farm Coalition. “Breaking up the dominant meat processing companies while addressing horizontal integration would make the overall industry more fair and competitive, while also providing consumers with more affordable and abundant choices at the grocery store.”

“The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act takes on a root cause of the factory farm system that has devastated rural communities, workers, public health, and family farmers – the market power of a handful of giant meatpackers,” said Patty Lovera, policy advisor for the Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment. “It’s time to break up the massive companies that have consolidated livestock production and rigged the market against independent producers.”

“Today, we will lose 63 farmers, and at the same time, Americans struggle to feed their families, and that’s no accident,” said Joe Maxwell, president of Farm Action Fund. “It’s the predictable result of decades of unchecked consolidation that has allowed a handful of corporations to control our food system. As a fourth-generation family farmer, I have witnessed this takeover firsthand. The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act begins restoring the freedom to farm, the freedom to compete, and the freedom for families to afford the food they need. We applaud Representatives Jayapal, Deluzio, Ryan, and the other sponsors for confronting concentrated corporate power and standing with America’s farmers, workers, and consumers.”

“For decades, four meatpacking giants have used their monopoly power to drive up grocery bills and squeeze out the farmers and ranchers who feed America,” said Morgan Harper, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the American Economic Liberties Project. “Rep. Jayapal’s bill takes direct aim at the root of the problem by breaking up the big four meatpackers and restoring real competition. Americans deserve food markets that reward hard work, not corporate gatekeepers. Congress should seize this opportunity to stand with families, farmers, and independent businesses instead of monopoly power.”

The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act is also sponsored by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesus G. “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Henry C. (“Hank”) Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Summer Lee (PA-12), Emily Randall (WA-06), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

It is endorsed by American Economic Liberties Project (AELP), Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment (CFFE), Consumer Federation of America, Demand Progress, Farm Action Fund, Food & Water Watch, Groundwork Action, Montana Cattlemen’s Association (MCA), National Family Farm Coalition (NFCC), Open Markets Institute (OMI), and Small Business Majority.


Jayapal Introduces Orlin’s Law Calling for the Protection of Children of Immigrants

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, is introducing Orlin’s Law, legislation named for Orlin Hernandez Reyes. Three-year-old Orlin was murdered after his mother was deported and he was sent to live with a violent uncle, despite his mother’s request to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that her son be deported with her. As Jayapal introduces the legislation, she is also demanding answers from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and ICE Acting Director David Venturella as children continue to be separated from their parents.

“Orlin was violently assaulted and killed after ICE took him from his mother — an immigrant with no criminal record who was picked up on her way to work. There are no words to express the outrage and heartbreak that we should all feel for this three-year-old boy,” said Jayapal. “There will never be justice for his family, because we cannot bring Orlin back. We can, though, in his memory demand that this never happen again, and ensure that the children of immigrants and immigrant families are protected and kept together.”

“I begged them not to take me without my son,” Wendy Hernandez Reyes, mother of Orlin Hernandez Reyes. “I told the officers Orlin was just a baby, that I would go wherever they sent me, as long as he came too. They didn’t listen. Just weeks later, Orlin was gone. No child should die alone because no one stopped to ask what would happen to them after their mother was taken away. I’m supporting Orlin’s Law because I don’t want another parent to endure the pain I have suffered. Nothing will bring Orlin back, but I hope his story can help save another child’s life.”

“Wendy did the one thing a mother in that moment could do: she begged ICE officers to keep her with her son,” Shalyn Fluharty, Lee & Godshall-Bennett, LLP, attorney for Wendy Hernandez Reyes. “Instead, she was deported alone, and Orlin was left with someone who would later kill him. This was not an unavoidable tragedy. It was the foreseeable consequence of separating a young child from his mother. Orlin’s Law will help ensure that families are not needlessly separated, that parents have the opportunity to make decisions about their children’s care if detained, and that no parent is deported without their child if they want to remain together. We owe that to Orlin, and to every child whose safety depends on the decisions our government makes.”

At the time of Orlin’s death, Acting ICE director Todd M. Lyons alleged that Orlin’s mother, Wendy Hernandez Reyes, had abandoned him and “chose to leave her son here with a violent murderer.” Lyon’s assertion is contradicted by court records and Ms. Hernandez Reyes’s account.

Orlin’s Law would promote family unity and preserve parental rights by establishing a rule that prevents ICE from detaining parents and primary caregivers unless it can show, through clear and convincing evidence, that an individual poses a specific risk to public safety that cannot be mitigated through placement in a supervised release program. For any parent not released, the bill establishes an Office of Detained Parent Coordination to ensure that detained parents’ rights are respected and requires ICE to give parents every opportunity to make custody decisions for their child and to facilitate their participation in proceedings involving their child. It would also prevent ICE from deporting parents without their child, should they wish to take their child with them.

“We commend Representative Jayapal for introducing Orlin’s Law to ensure that families are not needlessly separated due to immigration enforcement and that parents are able to make decisions about what happens to their children,” said Wendy Cervantes, director of immigration and immigrant families of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and director of the Children Thrive Action Network. “The bottom line is that Orlin should never have been separated from his loving mother, and no child should live in fear of losing a parent. Children have suffered some of the direst consequences of the Trump Administration’s reckless mass deportation campaign, including CLASP’s research that documents how our youngest kids are having their childhoods taken away, with the terror spreading across entire communities. We call on Congress to pass Orlin’s Law to mitigate the harm of immigration raids on children and to hold the Administration accountable by demanding that the Department of Homeland Security release comprehensive data on the number of children impacted by immigration enforcement and to follow its own policy to ensure detained parents can make decisions about their children’s care.”

“Family separation did not end when the Trump administration’s border policy was struck down, it simply changed form. Under today’s mass deportation agenda, ICE is tearing young children from their parents, leaving them alone with no one to advocate on their behalf,” said Sarah Mehta, Deputy Director, Policy and Government Affairs for Immigration, American Civil Liberties Union. “Orlin’s Law would ensure that children can remain safely with their parents and loved ones, and that parents, not immigration agents, decide what is best for their children. We are grateful to Congresswoman Jayapal for leading this effort to keep children safe and families together.”

Jayapal worked closely with DHS officials to ensure Ms. Hernandez Reyes could return to the U.S. for Orlin’s funeral.

The full text of Orlin’s Law can be read here, and the full text of the letter to Mullin and Venturella can be read here.

Jayapal is joined in introducing Orlin’s Law by Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ted W. Lieu (CA-36), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25).

The legislation is endorsed by the ACLU; Acacia Center for Justice; All Our Kin; Amnesty International USA; AP-OD (Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors); Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC; Center for Gender & Refugee Studies; Center for Law and Social Policy; Children’s Rights; Community Change Action; First Focus Campaign For Children; Justice in Motion; Kids in Need of Defense; MoveOn; National Center for Youth Law; National Immigrant Justice Center; National Immigration Law Center; Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice; We are CASA ; Women’s Refugee Commission; Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights; ZERO TO THREE; The Children’s Partnership; Coalition for a Healthier Frederick County; Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights; Northwest Immigrant Rights Project; OneAmerica; Voices for Utah Children; Wisconsin Head Start Association.

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LEADER JEFFRIES: “HOUSE DEMOCRATS WILL STRONGLY OPPOSE THE GOP’S AMERICA LAST BUDGET RESOLUTION”

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference, where he emphasized that while House Republicans are ignoring the needs of everyday Americans, House Democrats remain committed to driving down the high cost of living and making life better for the American people.

LEADER JEFFRIES: A few moments ago, yet again, another reckless Republican bill went down to defeat on the Floor of the House of Representatives. House Democrats are in the minority but continue to control the Floor as if we were in the majority, making progress on behalf of the American people, including by extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits earlier this year to protect the healthcare of more than 20 million Americans, by passing successfully a War Powers Resolution as part of our continuing effort to stop Donald Trump’s reckless and costly war of choice in the Middle East. No more stupid wars that make life more expensive for the American people. And then, of course, this week, perhaps for the first time in the history of the United States of America, the majority party was forced to pull a bill relating to veterans because House Democrats, led by Mark Takano, have made clear all week that this bill doesn’t benefit hard-working veterans in the United States of America. It would actually hurt them.

In advance of Donald Trump’s speech, let me also be clear about one thing: Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election. Something’s really wrong with this guy. I think he actually needs to be checked out. Why does he continue to focus on a conspiracy theory related to a 2020 presidential election that every rational person in the United States of America knows he lost? And yet, instead of focusing on actually driving down the high cost of living in an economy where hardworking American taxpayers are suffocating from the affordability crisis, Donald Trump continues to peddle election conspiracy theories.

House Democrats are committed to making sure that we have a free and fair election in November. And when that occurs, we’re confident that we’re going to take back control of the United States House of Representatives. What Republicans are doing, since they were once again neutered on the Floor of the House of Representatives, is to advance an America Last budget resolution that will actually provide $60 billion in additional taxpayer money for Donald Trump’s reckless and costly war of choice in the Middle East that has left Iran in a stronger position than they were in before this reckless war started and the American people in a weaker position economically as a result of high gas prices. And yet, Republicans continue to double and triple down on Operation Epic Failure. The war in Iran has been a disaster for the American people, and House Democrats will strongly oppose their America Last budget resolution and fight to actually restore the devastating cuts to Medicaid and to nutritional assistance that Republicans jammed down the throats of the American people with their One Big Ugly Bill last year.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON DONALD TRUMP’S DERANGED SPEECH

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:

Donald Trump has once again chosen to spew deliberate and dangerous lies because the economy is a disaster and he knows that the American people have had enough. He has cynically and corruptly decided to call into question our free and fair elections before a single ballot has been cast. Why? Republicans believe they need to cheat to win.

The strength of our democracy depends on every single American showing up to vote for a brighter future. Thankfully, the framers of the Constitution saw fit to have our elections administered at the state and local level, precisely to prevent them from being manipulated by an unhinged President.

House Democrats will continue the fight to lower costs, make healthcare more affordable and protect the integrity of our elections. Change is coming to the United States of America.

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Kaptur Announces $1.5 Million in Federal Awards for Zepf Center

July 16, 2026
Press Release
Washington, DC —
Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) announced that the Zepf Center in Toledo will receive two separate awards totaling
$1.5 Million
. Administered through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Mental Health Services, the awards will support the nonprofit’s 50-year record of providing behavioral and mental health care to those who need it most. The center’s Homeless Outreach and Person-Centered Engagement project, or HOPE, will receive
$500,000
to address the many needs of homeless individuals in Northwest Ohio. Another
$1,000,000
will be awarded to the center to support their existing Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.
“The Zepf Center has served our Northwest Ohio community for decades. Honored to play a role in securing funds to help them continue their goodwill services,”
said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09).
“The need for mental health services has been steadily increasing in our Northwest Ohio region and across the nation. Because of organizations like the Zepf Center, individuals are able to access the care and support they need, giving them hope and assurance when it can otherwise be hard to find.”
“Congresswoman Kaptur has been a tremendous champion for behavioral health and for the people we serve across Northwest Ohio. We are honored by her continued support and grateful for these critical federal investments,"
said Deb Flores, LSW, MPA, Chief Executive Officer, Zepf Center.
"The funding will strengthen our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic services and expand the reach of our HOPE program, helping us meet people where they are and connect them to vital trauma-informed care, housing, and recovery supports. Together, we are building healthier communities and creating pathways to hope for individuals and families throughout our region.”
With six locations throughout Lucas County, the Zepf Center serves children as young as 2-years-old to elderly adults. Their trauma-responsive comprehensive services include crisis support, psychiatric care, addiction recovery services, primary care, and homelessness assistance.
The center’s HOPE project launched in 2018 in partnership with Neighborhood Properties Inc to connect homeless individuals with sustainable and permanent housing and employment resources. Targeting individuals and families with mental health or substance abuse challenges, HOPE seeks to reduce the barriers that make it difficult for these groups to access stable housing by offering long-term solutions.
A 2025 report by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that 2,214,000 Ohio adults have a mental health condition. Additionally, 1 in 5 of the 11,000 homeless individuals in Ohio experience serious mental health conditions and almost 18% of Ohio adults are affected by a substance use disorder. The Zepf center aims to tackle this issue head on by offering resources for the whole person and the whole family to overcome their challenges.
As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Kaptur prioritizes bringing federal dollars home to the Northwest Ohio community. This investment builds on her previous support for the Zepf Center and mental health resources. In past years, Kaptur secured
$1,250,000
for the center’s Northwest Ohio Fatherhood Connection
and a
$1,000,000
CCBHC grant for center improvements
.
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Issues
:
Jobs and the Economy
Health Care


Kaptur, Murray Blast DOE for Illegally Funneling Carbon Capture Funds to Prop Up Coal Plants, Demand Department Halts Plans

Washington, DC — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, sent a letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright calling on him to immediately halt the Department of Energy’s (DOE) plans to illegally spend funds provided for carbon capture programs to instead prop up coal plants.

In their letter, the top Democratic energy appropriators explain that using these funds to subsidize coal plants is not only illegal, but undercuts work funded explicitly by Congress to advance clean, affordable energy and cut costs for American families.

“Congress provided funding to cut pollution and lower energy costs, which DOE is now diverting to instead subsidize big coal’s uneconomic power plants, raising costs for families,” write Kaptur and Murray. “The Department’s plan to repurpose $350 Million in dedicated carbon capture funding to restart and recommission coal-fired power plants is a misuse of public funds and a violation of Federal law.”

The lawmakers call on DOE to halt all obligations of funds to support these coal plants, writing: “The Department must immediately desist from obligating funds for these projects, provide a complete response to this letter, and begin complying with the law.”

They note that the Department has itself conceded that it plans to spend carbon capture funding on projects that do not include carbon capture, and they explain that after months of correspondence with the Department, it has failed to provide any acceptable legal justification: “We have raised our concerns repeatedly since the Department first announced this initiative in late September 2025. After more than eight months of correspondence, DOE has not provided the Committees a single legal justification that withstands scrutiny.”

Kaptur and Murray demand the Department refrain from obligating any awarded funds until it can demonstrate it is complying with the law and request detailed responses to their questions by August 7.

The full letter is available by clicking here and below:

Dear Secretary Wright:

American families are already struggling to afford to keep the lights on. They deserve a Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) that is actually focused on affordability, lowering their costs, and following the law—meaning spending every taxpayer dollar Congress provides to do just that. In the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; P.L. 117–58), Congress provided funding to cut pollution and lower energy costs, which DOE is now diverting to instead subsidize big coal’s uneconomic power plants, raising costs for families. The Department’s plan to repurpose $350 Million in dedicated carbon capture funding to restart and recommission coal-fired power plants is a misuse of public funds and a violation of Federal law. No administration has the power to take funds Congress provided for one purpose and spend them on another.

We write specifically regarding the Department’s selection of awards under its Notice of Funding Opportunity, DE-FOA-0003605, “Restoring Reliability: Coal Recommissioning and Modernization,” which DOE publicly announced on June 4, 2026, and described to the Committees on Appropriations in Congressional notifications dated April 8, 2026 (NETL #26-13) and May 7, 2026 (NETL #26-19). Those notifications indicate the Department intends to obligate $350 Million in carbon capture funds provided in the IIJA to sustain aging coal-fired power plants with these awards, even though those funds were appropriated for carbon capture pilot and demonstration projects, and the selected activities do not align with that purpose. The funds are therefore not legally available to be spent on these awards, and any obligation or expenditure of the funds for these purposes violates the Antideficiency Act. The Department must immediately desist from obligating funds for these projects, provide a complete response to this letter, and begin complying with the law.

We have raised our concerns repeatedly since the Department first announced this initiative in late September 2025. After more than eight months of correspondence, DOE has not provided the Committees a single legal justification that withstands scrutiny. To the contrary, the Department has acknowledged in writing that its solicitations “were not fully clear” and has amended them after the fact, in an attempt to address the very defects we first identified. Those changes do not cure the problem—they confirm it.

Congress appropriated these funds for carbon capture pilot and demonstration projects.

The $350 Million is drawn from two IIJA programs: the Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program and the Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilot Projects Program. These are not general-purpose coal accounts. The funds are made available for “a carbon capture technology program for the development of transformational technologies that will significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, costs, emissions reductions, and environmental performance of coal and natural gas use, including in manufacturing and industrial facilities” (Section 962(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005). The statute clearly states that these are funds to demonstrate and pilot carbon capture technologies. Any plant that is awarded funds under this program is required to integrate carbon capture technologies that achieve emissions reductions.

DOE selected projects that do not align with the purpose of these appropriated funds.

By DOE’s own description, the selected awards fund the construction, commissioning, recommissioning, overhaul, and restart of coal-fired power plants—not the demonstration of carbon capture technology. The aforementioned notifications that the Committees received state that “[p]rojects may be staged so that near-term reliability upgrades are federally cost-shared without requiring immediate carbon capture, utilization, and storage installation.” The Department plainly intends to use carbon capture appropriations for activities it concedes do not include carbon capture.

DOE’s own published project descriptions make as much clear. For two of the awards, the Department describes the primary objective to be modernizing an existing coal plant “to ensure continued operation” in one and restarting a plant through “routine maintenance and repairs” in the other. Carbon capture is an afterthought, and only as a study. The first description states it “includes a carbon capture and utilization system front-end engineering design study;” the second states it “will also assess the feasibility of adding a carbon capture, utilization, and storage component.” The Department is clear—Federal funds are being used to restart coal plants, and at most, carbon capture would be studied. The two remaining awards, which fund new-build concepts described as having “integrated” capture, likewise only underwrite scoping, design, and viability-assessment work, not the construction or operation of any capture technology. None of the four award notifications include any demonstration or large-scale piloting of the carbon capture technologies that these appropriations were specifically provided for by Congress, consistent with the law.

DOE has conceded that the original solicitations did not require carbon capture at all. The Department amended the Broad Agency Announcement on October 30, 2025, and the related Notice of Funding Opportunity on January 6, 2026, to add carbon capture “as a requirement,” explaining that the solicitations “were not fully clear.” Further, DOE told applicants the opposite of what it now tells Congress. The amended Notice of Funding Opportunity states, “Federal funds will be tied to pilot or demonstration outcomes, with non-CCUS reliability work covered through recipient cost share.” The Congressional notifications state that near-term reliability upgrades will be “federally cost-shared without requiring immediate” carbon capture. These statements are irreconcilable, and nothing the Department has said changes that the purpose of these funds is to demonstrate and pilot carbon capture technologies.

Obligating these funds would violate the Purpose Statute and the Antideficiency Act.

The Purpose Statute provides that appropriations “shall be applied only to the objects for which the appropriations were made except as otherwise provided by law.” Funds appropriated for carbon capture demonstration projects and large-scale carbon capture pilots are not available to restart and rehabilitate coal power plants unless the coal plants will only use the funds to carry out a carbon capture demonstration or pilot project. The Department has not identified any other legally available funds to cover these awards, meaning any resulting obligations would exceed the amounts available for the purpose and therefore violate the Antideficiency Act, which bars obligating or expending funds in excess of, or in advance of, available appropriations.

Requested actions and information.

Given likely violations of the Purpose Statute and the Antideficiency Act, we demand that the Department refrain from obligating any funds under the DE-FOA-0003605 selections until it can demonstrate that these funds would be obligated lawfully. To evaluate the legality of these awards before funds are obligated, we request that no later than August 7, 2026, the Department:

Provide the written legal opinion of the Office of the General Counsel analyzing the availability of Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects and Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilot Projects appropriations for each selected award, including the specific statutory authority relied upon;

For each award, provide the amount of Federal funds budgeted for project phases prior to the incorporation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage, broken out by phase;

Reconcile the contradiction between the Notice of Funding Opportunity (non-CCUS reliability work covered through recipient cost share) and the Congressional notifications (near-term reliability upgrades federally cost-shared without immediate CCUS);

Identify, for each award, the appropriation account, program, and fiscal year of every dollar to be obligated; and

Provide all records relating to the competitive process for these selections, including the evaluation and selection criteria applied and how they were satisfied.

Congress provided this money to develop technology that makes energy cleaner and cheaper in the long run — not to subsidize big coal and force families to foot the bill. When an Administration takes funds Congress provided for one purpose and spends them on another, it breaks the law and betrays public trust. We expect the Department to follow the law and answer for its decision-making expeditiously.

Sincerely,

# # #


Whip Clark: GOP Healthcare Attacks Will Not Go Unpunished

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined advocates from Protect Our Care to launch the Sick Of It! campaign to hold Republicans accountable for their healthcare cuts and deliver an agenda for working families. Below is a transcript of her remarks:

“Here’s what the Republican Party is about to find out. That when you screw with people’s health, when you go after their families, when you mess with their kids, there will be a price to pay.

“Republicans chose to make this the centerpiece of their agenda. They chose to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA.They chose to cut taxes for the billionaire class by taking health insurance away from millions of people — including their own voters! And in most cases, especially their own voters.

“Because, this isn’t just about blue states. In my district, 23,000 people are losing their insurance under the Big Ugly Law. But in Mike Johnson’s district, it’s nearly 40,000.

“We are going to make sure that each and every one of those voters knows exactly who is to blame. For every hospital closure we see across this country. For every illness that goes untreated. For every prescription that is going unfilled. And we are going to make sure people know it’s because Republicans saw fit to spend their money on tax cuts for the Epstein Class instead of making sure that kids can go to the pediatrician. Instead of making sure that cancer patients get the treatment they deserve.

“Thanks again to Brad Woodhouse, to Protect Our Care, to all our partners who are here, and especially my colleagues. We’re going to make sure this attack on the health of working families does not go unpunished. Because the American people are Sick Of It!”

The full press conference can be viewed HERE. Photos of the event can be viewed HERE.

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Ahead of Trump's Address, Krishnamoorthi Warns Trump Is Politicizing Intelligence to Justify Federal Takeover of Elections

WASHINGTON — Ahead of President Trump's address on election security tonight, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement:

"For nearly six years, President Trump has tried to rewrite the history of the 2020 election. Tonight, he appears prepared to use handpicked political loyalists and selective declassification to relitigate a settled election and create a pretext for an unprecedented federal takeover of this fall's elections. Our Intelligence Community exists to protect our country, not the President's ego. While Americans are worried about the rising cost of living, President Trump is once again trying to convince them he won an election he lost—and using that lie to legitimize an unprecedented federal takeover of the next."