Oregon Lawmakers Demand Trump Reverse Course on Plan to Suppress Oregon Voters

Trump threatens Oregon election officials that do not comply with administration’s illegal and unconstitutional election requests

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Maxine Dexter and Janelle Bynum today sounded the alarm on the Trump administration’s threat against Oregon election officials unless they adhere to the administration’s plan to create a national voter database, potentially nullifying the voter registration of millions of registered Oregon voters.

“It is clear that after these attempts to secure access to sensitive state voter data have been repeatedly rejected by the courts, you are resorting to public threats of prosecution and intimidation against elections administrators in order to coerce state officials to turn over their voter rolls and cede their constitutional duty to conduct elections to the executive branch,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

The demand comes after the Trump administration threatened Oregon election officials with criminal prosecution over the administration’s claim of noncitizens voting. For months, Trump has tried to chip away at voter registration and vote-by-mail in an effort to interfere in the consequential November midterms.

Earlier this year, Trump issued an executive order requiring the creation of a national voter database, which would require states to submit their voter registration lists to the federal government for review. The order was put on pause after it was blocked in court. Trump continues to push passage of his Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act in Congress, which would undermine vote-by-mail in an illegal and unconstitutional effort to undermine the rights of states to control their own election systems.

Last month, Oregon lawmakers led the charge against a new rule issued by the U.S. Postal Service that would undermine Oregon’s vote-by-mail system.

Text of the letter can be found here and below.

We rebuke your threats against Oregon elections officials and demand the Department of

Justice (DOJ) cease this targeted witch hunt of states’ election administration ahead of

consequential midterm elections.

On July 7, 2026, the most recent threat was issued by Assistant Attorney General for Civil

Rights Harmeet Dhillon and comes following repeated failures by the DOJ to illegally

attempt to obtain Oregon voter rolls containing sensitive voter information through litigation

in order to create an unprecedented national voter database. It is clear that after these

attempts to secure access to sensitive state voter data have been repeatedly rejected by the

courts, the DOJ is resorting to public threats of prosecution and intimidation against elections

administrators in order to coerce state officials to turn over their voter rolls and cede their

constitutional duty to conduct elections to the executive branch.

Election officials across the country are on the frontlines of our elections, they already face

unprecedented attacks and face personal safety concerns. We should be working to protect

election officials regardless of political affiliation, not using government resources to further

intimidate election officials that are following all federal laws, and consistently administering

elections that are safe and secure, as is the case in Oregon.

These efforts are a direct attempt to undermine vote-by-mail, which is used successfully by

tens of millions of eligible voters every election. Despite these efforts, the courts have also

repeatedly blocked implementation of President Trump’s executive orders that aim to restrict

vote-by-mail. Faced with these combined failures, the DOJ is now attempting to coerce state

elections officials with threats of prosecution in order to prevent Americans from voting.

These threats are a clear pattern in strategy to disenfranchise millions of voters in Oregon and

nationwide and attack states’ constitutional right to manage and oversee elections. We

demand that you immediately cease these efforts


Wyden, Pallone Sound Alarm on Devastating Impact of Big Ugly Bill on Maternal Health Care

In 2024, more than one-third of U.S. counties were considered maternity care deserts, which has drastically been made worse by Republicans gutting nearly $1 billion from Medicaid

Text of the Report (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr., D-N.J., are sounding the alarm on the devastating impact that Trump and Republican’s Big Ugly Bill is having on the already weak maternal health care system in the U.S.

“Maternity wards across America are shuttering their doors as a direct result of Republican Medicaid cuts,” said Wyden. “For all their talk about being the party of 'family values,' Republicans are going out of their way to make it more difficult, dangerous, and expensive to start a family in this country. As these providers disappear and care evaporates, mothers and babies will pay the ultimate price."

Trump’s disastrous health care legislation has done nothing to improve health care in America, it has only weakened it. Most states rely on Medicaid to fund maternal health wards, but after Republicans gutted nearly $1 trillion in funding from Medicaid, Americans are witnessing the fallout as states are forced to cut funding for birthing centers and obstetric clinics.

The report shares how Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill is forcing maternity care providers to all out close, cut back services, and halt expanded plan services across the country.

The report shares testimonials from workers in hospitals in states where Medicaid cuts have already been costly, and forced some closures. Now, many of these states are preparing for the worst, as hospitals and clinics alike are being forced to make the devastating decision to close their maternity wards, just to stay afloat.

All of this news comes as the United States is continuously given one of the worst maternal mortality rates of any developed country. Disproportionately, these rates negatively impact black women more than any group.

Wyden has long been a champion of maternal health care. In 2024, Wyden introduced the Keeping Obstetrics Local Act (KOLA), which aimed to bolster and preserve rural hospitals and clinics obstetric programs.


Wyden, Senate Democratic Leaders Blast Trump Family Greed Following New Financial Disclosures

New records show the Trump family made $1.4 billion from cryptocurrency during the first year of his second term alone.

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said today he has joined Senate Democratic colleagues in sounding the alarm on the Trump family’s blatant and unprecedented misuse of the office of the President to line their pockets with billions of dollars from the cryptocurrency industry.

Joining Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, in sending the letter were the ranking members of four other influential committees in the Senate. These include Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., ranking member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations; Dick Durbin, D-Ill., ranking member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary; Gary Peters, D-Mich., ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee.

“President Trump’s new financial disclosures reveal the Trump family crypto ventures generated the vast majority of his income – about $1.4 billion in the first year of his second term alone,” Wyden and the senators wrote. “The President’s financial disclosures also revealed that unknown “Third Parties” own a stake in the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial. The disclosure comes in the wake of reports that the United Arab Emirates purchased a 49% stake in WLF.”

“The disclosures heighten concerns about the President pushing Congress to pass crypto legislation in favor of the very industry he’s cashing in on, the Administration’s moves to exempt cryptocurrencies and service providers from existing financial services regulations, and its steps to weaken enforcement, including by disbanding the Department of Justice’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team.”


Wyden Votes ‘No’ on Flawed Military Bill to Fund Trump’s Idiotic War in Iran, Raise Gas Prices and Threaten Americans’ Privacy

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today voted no on the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, a massive bill that would have greenlit Trump’s endless war in Iran, devoted billions in unchecked military spending and included a host of provisions that would threaten Americans’ privacy and security. The bill failed to advance on a procedural vote.

“I cannot support an outrageous $1.15 trillion in military spending while Donald Trump engages in an idiotic war with Iran that is doing nothing to make Americans safer, puts U.S. servicemembers and civilians in harm's way, and spikes the price of gas,” Wyden said.

“This bill does nothing to address Secretary Hegseth’s politicization of our military, curb wasteful spending, or ensure robust oversight of shady defense contractors like Palantir and Elon Musk’s xAI."

“I also cannot support new authorities included in the bill which seek to deepen and accelerate cooperation with Israeli contractors on surveillance and AI technologies that are ripe for abuse. On Netanyahu’s watch, surveillance technologies developed by Israeli companies have repeatedly been used by repressive regimes, contributed to human rights violations in Gaza, and have been used against Americans. The Netanyahu government’s actions in Gaza and West Bank make clear that the current Israeli government’s actions are not aligned with U.S. interests and the safety of civilians.”

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Young Applauds Selection of IU-Led Coalition as NSF IMPACT Engine to Advance Treatment of Musculoskeletal Health Conditions

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) applauded the selection of an Indiana University-led coalition of industry, workforce, clinical, government, and research partners for a major U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) initiative.

The IU-led NSF IMPACT Engine in Indiana has been selected as one of 12 new NSF Regional Innovation Engines, a highly competitive program designed to accelerate research — moving innovations from the lab to the marketplace while driving economic growth, job creation, and talent development. The NSF IMPACT Engine aims to connect Indiana’s world-class orthopedic industry, top universities, and health data resources to speed life-changing musculoskeletal innovations to the market.

The NSF Engine program was established through the CHIPS and Science Act, authored by Senator Young.

“Indiana already leads the world in orthopedic manufacturing, and this designation builds on that foundation to cement our leadership in musculoskeletal innovation,” said Senator Young. “Through the CHIPS and Science Act, we made a deliberate investment in places like Indiana, where research excellence, industry strength and talent come together to compete globally. This engine will accelerate innovation, grow high-quality jobs, and ensure Indiana remains at the forefront of this critical sector.”

By connecting engineers, scientists, clinicians and industry, the NSF IMPACT Engine in Indiana will build critical infrastructure to support high-impact discoveries, including development of what aims to be the world’s largest integrated musculoskeletal dataset. Partners include Eli Lilly, Zimmer Biomet, BioCrossroads, OrthoWorx, IU Health, Regenstrief Institute, Purdue University, and the University of Notre Dame.

The coordinated regional ecosystem will receive $15 million over two years, with the potential to eventually receive up to $160 million from NSF if progress is achieved on well-defined milestones. An additional $179 million in partner funding will help translate cutting-edge research into patient- and consumer-focused solutions while training the workforce needed to meet the state’s growing health care demands.


Rep. Young Kim Chairs Joint Subcommittee Hearing on Strengthening U.S. Commercial Diplomacy

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) chaired a joint subcommittee hearing “Helping American Businesses Win Abroad: Strengthening U.S. Commercial Diplomacy.”

As Chair of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, she argues that commercial diplomacy is foreign policy and calls for bold structural reforms to better compete with China.

Watch remarks HERE or read BELOW:

“Good morning and welcome to this joint East Asia and Pacific and Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee hearing titled “Helping American Businesses Win Abroad: Strengthening U.S. Commercial Diplomacy.”

Commercial diplomacy is no longer a supporting function of foreign policy—it is foreign policy. The Trump Administration has made clear that economic security is national security, and that how we compete economically abroad directly shapes our strategic position in the world. This is the right time to take a hard look at whether our current approach to commercial diplomacy is fit for purpose.

The United States possesses strong tools to support American businesses overseas, but those tools are not always organized or deployed to maximize impact. Our current model is split across multiple agencies and unevenly implemented at our embassies and posts abroad. This can create gaps in execution, unclear lines of responsibility, and missed opportunities. At the same time, global competition is intensifying, and the demands on our commercial diplomacy system are only growing.

We see this challenge most clearly in our competition with China, which deploys a highly coordinated, state-backed approach to supporting its companies abroad. The challenge for the United States is not merely recognizing this reality, but ensuring our own system is structured to compete effectively.

Incremental changes will not be enough. This moment calls for more fundamental—and potentially disruptive—thinking about how we organize and execute commercial diplomacy. We should be willing to question whether a structure largely unchanged for decades remains right for today’s challenges.

That includes examining whether consolidating commercial diplomacy functions—such as by moving the Foreign Commercial Service into the Department of State—could improve coordination and deliver better results. It also means considering whether the State Department itself needs to build a stronger, more specialized commercial diplomacy capability, potentially through reform of the economic officer track or the creation of a dedicated commercial diplomacy career track.

Ultimately, commercial diplomacy succeeds or fails at post. We must ensure we have the right people, with the right expertise, in the right places, and that they are properly empowered and incentivized to deliver results for American businesses. Structure, workforce, and incentives all matter if we are serious about helping U.S. companies win abroad.

Congress has taken important steps to elevate commercial diplomacy, including through prior reforms focused on the role of Chiefs of Mission. Yet we also have a responsibility to assess whether deeper structural changes are needed to align our resources, authorities, and personnel systems with our strategic objectives.

Today’s witnesses bring valuable firsthand experience from the field. We look forward to hearing what is working, where the system is falling short, and—most importantly—what changes would have the greatest impact. We are particularly interested in ideas that go beyond incremental fixes and address the underlying structure of the system itself.

If we want American businesses to win abroad, we need a new commercial diplomacy model that is coordinated and competitive. That may require us to rethink long-standing structures and consider bold new approaches. I look forward to a candid discussion on how we can get this right.”


Rep. Young Kim Confronts Export Control Gaps in the AI Arms Race with Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40) participated in a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing titled “FY27 BIS Budget: The AI Arms Race and the ICTS Office” with Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

Under Secretary Kessler testified on BIS’s role in enforcing U.S. export controls and its request to double its FY27 budget to support enforcement efforts, including preventing advanced AI chips from reaching China. Rep. Kim raised concerns about potential loopholes allowing Chinese companies to obtain U.S.-designed AI chips through overseas foundry subsidiaries, as well as the status of aligning U.S. chipmaking equipment export controls with allies like Japan and the Netherlands.


Rep. Young Kim Discusses Federal Reserve Monetary Policy with Chairman Kevin Warsh

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, participated in a hearing titled “The Federal Reserve’s Semi-Annual Monetary Policy Report” with Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh.

During the hearing, Rep. Kim raised questions on affordability for consumers and small businesses, and expanding payment companies’ access to Federal Reserve infrastructure. She also raised the treatment of workforce housing investments under the Basel endgame rulemaking while highlighting her PACE Act.


Zinke Applauds USFWS Decision on Grizzly Bears

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Ryan Zinke released the following statement applauding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s publication of a draft revision to the January 2025 4(d) rule that would give states greater flexibility to manage grizzly bears.

"This announcement is a long time coming and very good news for many communities and the wildlife within the Yellowstone ecosystem and across bear country," said Secretary Zinke. "Like the bald eagle before it, the recovery of the grizzly stands as one of America’s great conservation success stories - the culmination of decades of hard work and dedication on the part of the state, tribal, federal, and private partners. As a Montanan and former Secretary of the Interior who started this process, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together. I trust our state wildlife professionals in managing the bear population according to the best science going forward, as they do all our wildlife.”

Background

Since serving as Secretary of the Interior and throughout his time in Congress, Zinke has led efforts to delist recovered grizzly bear populations and return management authority to Montana and other western states.

In June 2017, as Secretary of the Interior, Zinke announced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s final rule delisting the recovered Greater Yellowstone grizzly population.

In February 2023, Zinke joined Rep. Harriet Hageman in introducing H.R. 1245, the Grizzly Bear State Management Act, to reinstate the 2017 delisting rule.

In July 2023, Zinke secured House Appropriations Committee approval of his amendment to delist Greater Yellowstone grizzlies in the FY24 Interior Appropriations bill.

In February 2025, Zinke led a congressional letter urging President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to reverse Biden-era grizzly policies and return management authority to the states.

In July 2025, Zinke secured language in the FY26 Interior Appropriations bill directing the delisting of the Greater Yellowstone, Northern Continental Divide, and Bitterroot populations.

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Houlahan Demands Answers on the Death of Airman First Class Keon McDaniel of Grand Rapids

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee's Military Personnel Subcommittee, joined congressional colleagues in a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding answers on the June 16th death of Airman First Class Keon McDaniel. Airman McDaniel died during the influenza outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas following the Department of Defense’s April 2026 decision to make the annual influenza vaccine voluntary for servicemembers.

Congresswoman Houlahan was joined by Reps. Hillary Scholten (MI-03), who represents the district where Airman McDaniel was from, Joaquin Castro (TX-20), whose district includes Lackland Air Force Base, Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08).

“When tragedies like this occur, the American people and the Congress that represents them deserve immediate transparency and accountability,” the Representatives wrote in part. “We urge the Department to ensure that Airman McDaniel’s family receives timely and direct answers to any questions they may have about the circumstances of his death before any additional findings or information are made public. Keon’s family has already made the greatest sacrifice. They deserve to hear the truth directly from the Department, delivered with compassion and respect.”

Reps. Houlahan and Castro co-sponsored an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to require military servicemembers to be vaccinated for influenza. This amendment comes after the flu outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio in Rep. Castro’s district spread to nearly 300 servicemembers. House Republicans rejected the amendment. The Department of Defense has since reinstated the influenza vaccine requirement.

“While the DoD made the right decision to reinstate the influenza vaccine requirement for new recruits, this outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland underscores the importance of science- based decision-making guided by medical professionals when making public health decisions affecting our servicemembers. Politicizing the administration of lifesaving vaccines has led to the death of a servicemember, the hospitalization of numerous trainees, and an expensive race to retroactively provide our servicemembers the health care they need and deserve,” the Representatives continued.

The full copy of the letter with the Representatives’ questions can be found here.


My Statement on Rep. Massie’s Amendment to H.R.8595

I voted YES on Rep. Massie's amendment to block U.S. military aid to Israel. This was a difficult vote, and there are no perfect options. The amendment as written is ill-defined and not likely to become law. But after years of devastating civilian suffering across the region and with no credible path to peace, I believe the status quo with Prime Minister Netanyahu is no longer tenable.

The United States should not provide military assistance as a blank check. Our security partnerships are strongest when they are grounded in accountability, American interests, and our shared values. This vote is not a rejection of Israel's right to exist or to defend itself. Israel remains one of America's closest allies, and I continue to support its ability to defend its people against Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and other terrorist organizations and hostile actors.

I voted YES because I believe efforts to change course at this time offer the best opportunity to achieve the only outcome that can ultimately succeed: a future of security, dignity, and peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike.


REP. SMITH STATEMENT ON HIS VOTE IN SUPPORT OF MASSIE AMENDMENT #8

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 17, 2026) – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today issued the following statement after the vote on Massie Amendment #8 to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act:

“This was a very close vote for me. I am a supporter of Israel, and I recognize they are under profound existential threat. We should not forget October 7th or the reality that Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran want to eliminate Israel. I also recognize that many of those who want the U.S. to completely abandon Israel do not support Israel’s right to exist and are willfully blind to the dangerous, violent, extremist beliefs of Hamas and others who threaten Israel.

“I am deeply concerned about the tactics used by those on the far left to advocate for cutting off aid to Israel. To date, my family and I have had our home vandalized, a fire has been set in my driveway, my neighbors’ lives have been disrupted by demonstrations in the middle of the night, town halls meant to be forums for dialogue have been shut down, and a staff member has been physically assaulted. Those who engage in this type of behavior model a dangerous form of corrosive politics that seeks to intimidate those who disagree with them. We must be able to have civil discourse if we want to solve difficult problems, and I remain committed to open, respectful engagement.

“Despite my support for Israel, for over two years I have been incredibly frustrated by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government and its total war approach in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and even at times in Syria. I understand that Israel has to confront threats to their existence and cannot let them go unchecked. Many of the people calling for a ceasefire on October 8th were people who wanted Hamas to succeed in destroying Israel. But Israel does not have to fight the way they have chosen to do so—a way that has caused enormous suffering and led to endless war. I have also been frustrated by Netanyahu’s refusal to find partners for peace amongst the Palestinian people. And I am absolutely appalled by the actions of Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir in the Israeli cabinet. Their callous disregard for human suffering is constant and undermines the credibility of Israel. Lastly, Israel’s actions in the West Bank are indefensible. Lawless settlers commit violence against Palestinians and conduct land grabs while the IDF does little or nothing to stop them.

“But after nearly two years of me raising these concerns with the Israeli government and U.S. supporters of Israel, nothing has changed. Many express sympathy for my views and assure me things will change, but that has not happened. I take this vote to try once more to get the attention of the Israeli government.

“I still support Israel. I recognize the threats they face. But I have an obligation to try to get the attention of the Netanyahu government to force them to change their actions. My vote to stop $3.3 billion in military assistance to Israel is my effort to do that.”

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Press Releases

Rep. Pete Aguilar Statement on Rep. Massie’s Amendment to Strike Israel Funding from FY2027 Appropriations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) issued the following statement:

“I believe this amendment is the wrong approach to U.S. policy in the Middle East. By undermining the Obama-led Memorandum of Understanding, this amendment would compromise our national security, hurt our efforts to achieve peace in the region, and sabotage our ultimate goal of a two-state solution. This amendment could have far-reaching and unintended consequences, including threatening the U.S. embassy in Israel, undermining peace-building efforts and cutting off humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.

“In the future, we will have the opportunity to review the nature and scope of our direct security and diplomatic assistance to Israel, but we should not do it as part of a rushed response to a poorly-drafted amendment to one appropriations bill. I believe it’s wrong to abandon our allies and walk away from our agreements during such a fragile moment. That is why I opposed this amendment and similarly opposed the Massie amendment to eliminate aid to Jordan. I also voted against the underlying bill because it weakens our national security and undermines our goal of building a lasting peace in the Middle East.”


Alford Highlights America First Wins in House-Passed FY27 National Security Appropriations Bill

Washington, DC— Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the National Security, State Department, and Related Programs (NSRP) funding bill for fiscal year 2027.

“This FY2027 National Security, State Department, and Related Programs bill advances President Trump’s America First agenda,” said Congressman Alford. “We’re cutting spending $2.69 billion below last year’s level while delivering robust support for key allies like Israel and Taiwan and holding adversaries like Communist China and Iran accountable. This legislation prioritizes fiscal responsibility, protects American taxpayer dollars, promotes self-sufficiency in foreign assistance, and ensures our foreign policy strengthens U.S. national security.”

Congressman Alford secured several priorities in the NSRP funding bill, including:

Cutting all federal funding for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to ensure American taxpayers are not bankrolling left-wing content that undermines our national interest, while creating new global broadcasting programs under the direct oversight of the State Department.

Language to ensure more foreign assistance provided by American taxpayers is Made in America by strengthening domestic procurement requirements.

Provisions to advance President Trump’s America First Health Policy to ensure partner nations are increasing their cost-sharing.

Provisions to ensure timely processing of visas and passports associated with the upcoming World Cup, which Kansas City will host this summer.

Appropriate funding of National Security Investment Programs under the State Department to ensure that all foreign assistance is supporting national security—not woke projects overseas.

Provisions urging the State Department to ensure that American defense manufacturing remains dominant and prevent foreign entities from undermining our defense industrial base.

A summary of the bill is available here.

Bill text is available here.

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Rep. Al Green Questions CFPB Director on Trump Ponzi Scheme Complaints

(Washington, DC) — On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, shared remarks in a Financial Services Hearing entitled, “The Semi-Annual Report of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection."

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green's remarks by clicking here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).


Amid Rhode Island Hunger Crisis, RI Delegation Calls for the Return of Promised Food Shipments to Feed the Hungry

Providence, RI – TODAY, Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joined Congressmen Gabe Amo (D-RI) and Seth Magaziner (D-RI) in sending a letter urging the Agricultural Marketing Service, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, to replace the 16 canceled bonus commodity shipments of food designated for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. The shipments would have provided roughly 673,080 pounds of food, valued at $398,532.26, to feed Rhode Islanders in need.

“Serving up to 100,000 Rhode Islanders per month, RICFB relies on bonus commodity shipments from AMS to supplement their work in addressing the growing hunger crisis in Rhode Island,” wrote the lawmakers. “Without the 16 canceled or returned shipments, RICFB will not be able to reach as many Rhode Islanders who need nutrition assistance. As such, we urge you, within all applicable rules and regulations, to prioritize the Rhode Island Community Food Bank for future bonus commodity shipments.”

A full copy of the letter can be found HERE.

Background

As a member of the House Budget Committee, Congressman Amo is fighting to protect food assistance and help Rhode Islanders put food on the table.

In the Big, Ugly Law, Republicans cut $187 billion in funding from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), leaving working families even more vulnerable to Trump and Republicans’ cost-of-living crisis. Since the law’s enactment, approximately 4 million Americans, including 1.5 million children, have lost their SNAP benefits.

Lower SNAP benefits and higher grocery prices due to Trump’s tariffs are expected to drive more people to rely on local food pantries to feed their families.

Since Trump and Republicans began their efforts to slash food assistance programs, Amo has visited the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and food pantries across the First Congressional District.

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Amo Leads Democratic Effort on House Floor to Stop Trump’s Dangerous Disinvestment in Diplomacy and Global Health

Washington, DC – TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) offered a motion to recommit Republicans’ National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Actof 2027, warning that the bill would undermine American leadership abroad and make Americans more vulnerable to global health threats. Republicans rejected the motion to recommit, allowing the bill to advance.Congressman Amo’s motion to recommit would have sent the bill back to the Committee. If the House rules permitted, the Congressman would have offered an amendment to strike provisions that prohibit U.S. participation in international public health efforts.

“Coordinating our public health response is common sense and prevents diseases like Ebola from reaching our shores,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “But at every turn, Trump and Republicans have abandoned American leadership on the world stage, pulled out of critical global health partnerships, and left Americans vulnerable to infectious diseases. We can’t stick our heads in the sand and ignore the outside world; we need to step up and lead it. This bill fails to provide the funds to make that possible, making our position in the world more precarious and our nation less prosperous. I won’t stop fighting Trump’s floundering foreign policy to ensure our security, stability, and leadership on the world stage.”

WATCH HERE: Congressman Amo takes to the House floor to speak out against Republicans’ dangerous defunding of diplomacy and global health.

Background

Congressman Amo introduced the Motion to Recommit H.R. 8595, which would have tabled the bill and prevented it from advancing. Republicans voted it down.

Amo also aimed to amend the bill to stop Trump from keeping the U.S. out of global public health programs, including the World Health Organization and the Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Accord. House Republicans refused to consider this common-sense amendment.

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Amo Statement on Amendment to Foreign Affairs Appropriations Bill Limiting Funding to Netanyahu Government

“The United States-Israel relationship should be grounded in shared democratic values, respect for the rule of law, and an aspiration for a peaceful future. Prime Minister Netanyahu's government, however, has repeatedly violated these principles. The rhetoric and actions of extremists, like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, make it impossible to defend the status quo.

The suffering of civilians in Gaza is unacceptable, the unchecked settlement expansion is reckless, and continued settler violence is unconscionable. President Trump’s blank check to Netanyahu has allowed a dangerous course that undermines the prospect of peace.

Representative Massie's amendment is poorly constructed and overly broad, and I do not agree with many of the sentiments he’s publicly expressed. But it remains abundantly clear that the United States government must begin charting a new course that upholds American values in the Middle East, protects our national security interests, and demands accountability for how U.S. taxpayer dollars are used.

I support Israel's right to exist. I will continue to support defensive efforts that save civilian lives, including Iron Dome, David's Sling, and the Arrow systems — none of which would be impacted by this amendment — while making clear that our dollars should not be divorced from our values.


Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Backs Arrington Resolution Affirming States’ Right to Defend Against Border Invasion

Washington, D.C. – Today, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced strong support for H.Res.50, a resolution introduced by House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) affirming states’ constitutional authority to defend themselves when the federal government fails to secure the border.

Attorney General Paxton's endorsement is the latest addition to a growing coalition that includes every Texas Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, constitutional scholars, policy leaders, and law enforcement advocates. House passage of H.Res.50 would be a major accomplishment in safeguarding President Trump's border legacy and ensuring that states are never again left defenseless by the open-border policies of a future Democrat administration.

“H.Res.50 serves as a vindication of Texas’s actions to defend its borders and a repudiation of the Biden-era legal attacks against our state. Importantly, it is a step toward strengthening border security going forward,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The Biden Administration allowed for the infiltration of illegal aliens and criminals into our country that led to an invasion-level border crisis. President Trump is doing tremendous work to save our country and secure our border. My office successfully defended SB 4, which protects Texas's right to arrest illegals, protect our citizens, and enforce immigration law. I am in strong support of H.Res.50 as it further affirms that the Constitution's Self-Defense Clause gives states an independent right to act when invaded, as Texas was under Joe Biden. When Texas joined the Union, it retained sovereign authority to defend its people and territory. I will stop at nothing to protect and preserve that right.”

“Attorney General Paxton has been on the front lines defending Texas’ constitutional authority to protect its citizens against the invasion and disaster at our southern border created by the Biden administration,” said Chairman Arrington. “While President Trump is vigilantly securing our border and enforcing our immigration laws, Congress must act now to ensure Texas and other border states are never again defenseless against the open-border Biden-era policies that flooded our state and nation with dangerous criminal aliens and deadly fentanyl. If the past is prologue, we know exactly what we can expect from future Democrat administrations that want to take us back to open-border lawlessness. That’s why I introduced H.Res.50 – to ensure states like Texas are never again forced to be passive victims of a federal government that refuses to secure the border. I’m grateful to Attorney General Paxton for his bold leadership defending Texas’ sovereignty and for his strong support of H.Res.50. Congress should act now to ensure that no future administration can leave border states defenseless again.”

Background:

Chairman Arrington introduced H.Res.50 to reaffirm states’ constitutional authority to secure their borders and protect their citizens when the federal government fails to act.

The resolution is grounded in the Constitution’s Guarantee Clause (Article IV, Section 4) and Article I, Section 10, which preserves states’ sovereign authority to act in self-defense when facing invasion or imminent danger.

Under the Biden administration’s failed border policy, record levels of illegal border crossings, cartel activity, and drug and human trafficking placed unprecedented strain on border states and communities.

During that time, Texas and other states were forced to take action to protect their citizens, while the federal government failed to fulfill its constitutional duty to provide for the common defense.

H.Res.50 does not expand state authority – it affirms the constitutional balance of federalism, ensuring states are not left defenseless when Washington fails to act.

The resolution has garnered growing support from a broad coalition of policy organizations, legal scholars, law enforcement officials, and conservative leaders across Texas and the country.

Every Texas Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives has endorsed H.Res.50.

You can view the full support for H.Res.50 HERE.

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25 Members of Congress Release Joint Statement on Massie Amendment to Republican Foreign Aid Budget Bill

WASHINGTON—Today, 25 Members of Congress, including Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) and 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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Barrett Highlights Need To Balance Disaster Resilience With Housing Affordability

Washington, D.C. — Today, during a Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on disaster resilience and emergency preparedness, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) discussed balancing disaster resilience in construction permitting with housing affordability. In an exchange with U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President for Environmental Affairs and Sustainability Chuck Chaitovitz, Barrett highlighted the need for Congress to strengthen new construction against disasters while ensuring building requirements do not price ordinary Americans out of homeownership.

Click here or the image above to watch Rep. Barrett’s testimony.

Below are highlights from their conversation.

Barrett: Mr. Chaitovitz… I know you talk about resiliency and kind of preventative nature of things being an important and critical piece of this. Not directly under the jurisdiction of this committee, but certainly in front of us as members of Congress is this issue of housing affordability and the ability to get people into homes. We're short the number of homes that we need for the number of people that have demand for homes, and that's become a very critical concern for all of us.

One of the challenges with that, I think, is — we talked a little bit here on this panel about the building codes and building to the next highest level of building code that evolves over time, but within that is sometimes things that are not related to resiliency. They're related to energy efficiency or other things like that. Can you speak to that tradeoff a little bit? Because I think we want resilient homes that are not going to be vulnerable to natural disaster without over-regulations and things unrelated to that resiliency that are going to drive up the cost of homes and price out ordinary Americans.

Chaitovitz: Well, thanks so much for the question. I really appreciate it, and I'll go back to how I focused on the economic growth argument for resilience, and I'll turn to, Mr. Fugate mentioned the Alabama study, and there's specific numbers that building to the fortified standard would save in claims about $105 million in that area, and then reduce the amount of deductibles that homeowners would have to pay, and so if you're building to those higher standards, you are getting the economic payback. That also is very consistent with the study that we talked about before.

$1 invested in preparedness gives you $13 in reduced losses in economic savings. That doesn't mean you're going to eliminate those losses, but for income, GDP, and jobs, that's going to mean more communities are able to respond and recover more quickly, and the same goes with homeowners. I think there's a good analogy there.

Barrett: Sure, and I think that resiliency and maybe sturdiness of a home or a building, whether it's a public municipal building or whether it's an individual home is one aspect, certainly, but I have concerns that we're layering on additional burdensome regulations unrelated to the resiliency of a structure. Is that something that you think we can parse through and make sure that the regulations that we are asserting are ones that are actually designed to make homes more resilient but not unaffordable for people?


Rep. Barry Moore leads Republican pushback against Democrat attack on parents' rights

Washington, D.C.- This week, Congressman Barry Moore (AL-01) led a Republican response letter responding to an effort by 68 House Democrats to oppose greater parental transparency and accountability in children’s programming.

Rep. Moore’s letter, signed by 46 Republican Members of Congress and supported by Concerned Women for America, reaffirms that parents - not government bureaucrats or media companies - should have the final say over what their children watch.

“The Left’s priorities are upside down. Sixty-eight House Democrats are choosing radical activists and woke corporations over the rights of parents by fighting against transparency and pushing their agenda onto children," said Congressman Barry Moore. "Parents - not Washington bureaucrats, media executives, or special interest groups - should decide what their children watch and what values are taught in their homes. I will always stand with parents and fight to protect their right to raise their children according to their values.”

“Parents overwhelmingly want to be informed of sexual content in children's TV shows. Our new poll found that 87% of parents want TV content ratings to advise them of violence, sexual content, or other sensitive themes like LGBTQ messaging or characters in children’s TV programming. Parents should be able to make informed viewing decisions for their families, but right now, parents have no way of knowing whether LGBTQ content is in a children's program. It’s time to give parents that choice,” said Penny Nance, CEO and President, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee


Representatives Bell & Morelle Host Voting Rights Roundtable with Stakeholders and Community Organizers

On Friday, Representatives Wesley Bell and Joe Morelle hosted a voting rights roundtable discussion to address the current state of voting rights in Missouri and across the country

In addition to Representatives Bell and Morelle, stakeholders from across the state joined the discussion

Bell believes that voting rights are preservative of all other rights and that every eligible American should have fair and equal access to the ballot box

Congressman Bell: “Voting rights are preservative of all other rights. Without the right to vote, without access to the ballot box, all the other rights and liberties we hold dearly are in jeopardy”

Ranking Member Morelle: “We’ve all seen it – Donald Trump, House Republicans, and their allies on the Supreme Court are determined to prevent eligible Americans from participating in the election because they know cheating is the only way they will win."

Congressman Bell, Ranking Member Morelle, and roundtable participants

St. Louis, Missouri – Last week, Representative Wesley Bell (D-MO-01) and Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee Joe Morelle (D-NY-25) hosted a voting rights roundtable discussion in St. Louis to discuss the current state of voting rights across the country.

The roundtable also featured voting rights and community organizers from across the state, as well as community stakeholders.

“Voting rights are preservative of all other rights. Without the right to vote, without access to the ballot box, all the other rights and liberties we hold dearly are in jeopardy," said Congressman Bell. "It's no secret that Republicans are working to eliminate Democratic seats — and that threat is real right here in Missouri, where they are actively targeting Rep. Cleaver's seat in Kansas City. Your vote is your voice, and I will do everything in my power to protect the voice of every St. Louisan. Thank you to Ranking Member Morelle and all the voting rights advocates on the front lines of this effort for joining our district roundtable."

"I was pleased to join Rep. Bell in St. Louis to continue our fight to protect fair and secure elections, ensure access to the ballot for all eligible voters, and crack down on rampant corruption once and for all,” said Ranking Member Morelle. “Donald Trump, House Republicans, and their allies on the Supreme Court are willing to do anything to hold onto power. That’s what the SAVE America Act, Trump’s mail-in voting executive orders, and the Callais decision are truly all about. We’re going to keep fighting like the future of our democracy depends on it, because it does.”

"The recent U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais is akin to the end of Reconstruction after the Civil War. The 13th Amendment freed the formerly captive (enslaved) people, the 14th Amendment gave them the right of citizenship and the 15th Amendment gave the African American the right to vote in order to ensure his participation as a full and equal citizen of the United States of America. As a result of Jim Crow and now gerrymandering of political districts which results in the diluting of the minority vote, we again find ourselves with the loss of representation the likes that America has not seen since the end of Reconstruction. With the emergence of this New Jim Crow environment the inability to have representation of your choice is the same as a repeal of our dream of full and equal citizenship for all Americans regardless of race, creed or color. The St. Louis City Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is committed to protecting your right to vote and to have representation of your choice!”

“It was an honor to be part of this meaningful conversation on the importance of voting rights and representation. Every vote is a voice, every voice has power, and every election deserves trust when a ballot is cast. From registration to the ballot box, we must inspire our communities to participate, stay informed, and make their voices heard through clear and candid communication. The Black vote has always been a powerful force for progress, and it will continue to shape a stronger, more just future for our communities and our nation,” said Missouri Social Action State Coordinator LaVerne Bady.

Congressman Bell has long been a staunch advocate for protecting voting rights in America. Believing that every eligible American should have fair and equal access to the ballot box, Bell has supported efforts to expand voter participation, defend fair elections, oppose voter suppression, strengthen the security of our elections, and much more.


Rep. Bera Statement on Massie Amendment to Eliminate Israel Funding in State Department and National Security Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06), a senior Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees, released the following statement ahead of the vote on Representative Thomas Massie’s (R-KY-04) amendment to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act that would prohibit funds in the bill from being used for Israel, including $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing:

“I will vote present on today’s amendment put forward by Representative Thomas Massie to eliminate all funding for Israel in the State Department and National Security appropriations bill.

“I have long supported the U.S.-Israel relationship and believe in Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state. I also firmly believe that a two-state solution is the only path to lasting peace, security, and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Achieving that goal will require a change in America’s approach toward the Netanyahu government.

“This amendment is poorly drafted and overly broad. It would go beyond military assistance and restrict funding for humanitarian aid, refugee assistance, peacebuilding efforts, and U.S. diplomatic operations. Cutting these programs would undermine our ability to promote peace and stability in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, and the broader region.

“At the same time, I cannot vote against this amendment because I do not condone the Netanyahu government’s conduct of the war in Gaza and the resulting humanitarian crisis, its actions in Lebanon, its failure to confront escalating settler violence in the West Bank, and its role in drawing the United States into the current war with Iran. My present vote reflects my opposition to both the amendment as written and the policies of the Netanyahu government.”


Michigan Republicans: Canada's Apologies Won't Clear Michigan's Skies

Today, Reps. Jack Bergman, John James, Lisa McClain, and John Moolenaar are demanding immediate action from the Canadian government as another wildfire season brings dangerous smoke across the border and into Michigan communities.

After repeated conversations sharing concerns, and a lack of meaningful progress, the Members are making clear that continued inaction from Canada is unacceptable. The Members say Canadian leaders have had years to address the underlying causes of worsening wildfires, yet American families continue to bear the consequences.

In a joint letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Michigan Republicans warned that patience has run out and called on Canada to move beyond promises and take real action to protect communities on both sides of the border.

In their letter, the Members argued that, "We write today as members of Michigan's congressional delegation to raise our voices on an issue that has already drawn letters from our colleagues in past years: wildfire smoke drifting across the border from Canada into our communities. Additionally, last year, Reps. James and Bergman each wrote letters to your government to raise the alarm about wildfire smoke pouring across our border from Canada into our communities. We write jointly this time because a year has passed, the season has come around again, and nothing has changed except that our patience has run out."

The letter to Prime Minister Carney continued, "We were told last year that this would be treated with urgency. It was not. We were told the causes, chronic under-investment in forest thinning, fuel reduction, and prescribed burns, along with inadequate enforcement against arson, were being addressed. They were not, or not adequately enough to matter to the people we represent. Provincial leaders have offered excuses instead of results, and in some cases have openly dismissed the health of American citizens as an inconvenience to their own summer. That attitude is unacceptable from a neighbor and an ally."

"We are done accepting apologies in place of action. If Canada will not manage its forests to prevent these fires, the United States will look elsewhere, and act on our own, to protect our people. That means our own agencies exploring direct involvement in cross-border fuel reduction and firefighting capacity. It means reconsidering how much benefit of the doubt this relationship continues to earn on an issue where American lungs are paying the price for Canadian inaction, year after year. Sovereignty comes with responsibility, and the responsibility to prevent a foreseeable disaster from crossing into another country's airspace has not been met."

Read the full letter here.


Beyer Backs Amendment To Eliminate Security Assistance to Israel

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement announcing his intent to vote for an amendment offered by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to H.R. 8595, the FY27 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act that would cut U.S. assistance to Israel, primarily through reducing Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to Israel by $3.3 billion:

“It is past time for our nation to fundamentally reevaluate its security relationship with the state of Israel.

“A military response to the heinous October 7th attacks was justifiable, but Israel’s ongoing campaigns across the region have cost the lives of tens of thousands of innocents and isolated Israel on the world stage. The wanton disregard for the human rights of civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon shown by the Israeli government and security forces, along with their contempt for international and U.S. law and implacable commitment to an ever-expanding campaign of settlement and occupation have made a dramatic course correction in the U.S.-Israeli partnership long overdue.

“The disastrous Iran War has further demonstrated the strategic costs of our alliance which has grown closer even as it makes less sense for the United States. No foreign government is entitled to American taxpayer dollars or assistance, particularly those that have acted against U.S. interests and values, as Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government has done increasingly in recent years.

“While imperfectly written, this amendment serves as a powerful message to the Israeli government that it cannot take U.S. security assistance for granted any longer. The enormous numbers of civilians killed in recent Israel Defense Force operations and the government’s tacit approval for the ongoing violence carried out by settlers in the West Bank has cost Israel the broad support among Americans it once enjoyed. It will likely take years to repair the ties between our two nations and for Israel’s government to regain the trust of the American people.”


Beyer, Schrier, Van Drew, Van Hollen, Luján Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Help Reduce Medical Misdiagnosis

Today, U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash), and Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) announced their reintroduction of the Saving Lives and Reducing Health Care Waste by Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act – bipartisan, bicameral legislation to address the alarming rate of medical diagnostic error in our country. U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The lawmakers’ legislation aims to prevent and mitigate the devastating impacts these errors can have, including misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, permanent disability, and death. Recent research published in March 2025 estimates that across health care settings, over 900,000 Americans a year suffer permanent disability or death because of diagnostic error. These findings build on a 2015 report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that concluded most people will experience at least one diagnostic error in their lifetime, and it’s estimated that 80% of all harm caused by diagnostic error is preventable.

This legislation would create an Interagency Council on Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, as well as a new grant program for the establishment and maintenance of Research Centers of Diagnostic Excellence – such as the Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence at Johns Hopkins – that advance research and progress in diagnostic quality, safety, and health care value.

“Diagnostic delays affect millions of Americans, drive up health care costs, and contribute to thousands of preventable deaths each year – but it doesn’t have to be this way. Our bill invests in better data collection, stronger research, and sharing of best practices to improve diagnostic accuracy, deliver better outcomes for patients, and reduce health disparities. It also establishes Research Centers of Diagnostic Excellence to advance research, helps bring proven methods for preventing misdiagnosis into everyday clinical practice, and gives patients pathways to report delays and contribute to a growing body of data to inform policymaking. I thank Senators Van Hollen and Luján and Representatives Schrier and Van Drew for their leadership on this legislation, and will continue to work with colleagues to build support for it in the House,” said Representative Beyer.

“Getting the right diagnosis at the right time can make the difference between life and death,” said Representative Van Drew. “Too many patients are suffering because of preventable mistakes that should never happen. This bipartisan bill focuses on improving the way we diagnose illnesses, giving doctors better tools and helping patients get the care they need sooner.”

“Far too many Americans have experienced the loss, pain, and hardship that come with a misdiagnosed medical condition – and for many, these errors cause permanent disability or death. Medical diagnostic errors not only impact patients’ lives – they also cost patients and our nation billions of dollars each year. This legislation will invest in efforts to prevent and reduce diagnostic errors, giving medical experts, patients, and their families the research and resources they need to better treat patients and save lives,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Every year, millions of Americans suffer the consequences of diagnostic errors, costing lives and burdening patients and our health care system with billions of dollars in avoidable costs. Every patient deserves an accurate diagnosis delivered in time to make a difference,” said Senator Luján. “That's why I'm joining my colleagues in reintroducing the Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act to advance research and improve diagnostic quality and safety. No one should lose their life to a mistake we have the power to prevent.”

Diagnostic errors stem from a wide variety of causes, including failure to provide an accurate or timely diagnosis; inadequate communication between providers, patients, and their families; a lack of information for patients on navigating the diagnostic process; and a system that discourages transparency and disclosure of diagnostic errors, which impedes attempts to learn from these events and improve diagnosis. The National Academies study concluded that: “Despite the pervasiveness of diagnostic errors and the risk for serious patient harm, diagnostic errors have been largely unappreciated within the quality and patient safety movements in health care.”

The Saving Lives and Reducing Health Care Waste by Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act would:

Authorize a federal grant program for the establishment and maintenance of Research Centers of Diagnostic Excellence that advance research and progress in diagnostic quality, safety, and value in health care

Require the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to develop a strategic plan to modernize federal approaches and mechanisms to enable patients and their families to voluntarily report experiences of diagnostic error

Establish an Interagency Council on Improving Diagnosis in Health Care to:

Enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of diagnosis in health care;

Identify and eliminate systemic barriers to supporting research in improving diagnosis in health care; and

Identify knowledge gaps, research and data needs, and policies to strengthen the clinical and translational research pipeline to improve diagnostic safety and quality

The text of the bill is available here.

This legislation is endorsed by Patients for Patient Safety US, the Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence, and Physician-Parent Caregivers.

"Diagnostic errors are the most common, the most costly, and the most catastrophic of serious medical errors. Diagnostic errors stem from a wide variety of causes, including inadequate communication between providers, patients, and their families; the absence of metrics to gauge performance, limited feedback to clinicians, and system failures, like lost test-results which happened in my family", said Sue Sheridan, President and CEO of Patients For Patient Safety US. "Much of the research to date has focused on defining the magnitude of the problem. This legislation moves us toward identifying solutions to equip clinicians, patients and their families with the tools needed to arrive at the right diagnosis timely. It will save lives. PFPS US commends Senators Van Hollen and Lujan, and Representatives Beyer, Schrier, and Van Drew for their leadership and willingness to take on difficult healthcare issues that others often overlook. We look forward to this bill moving through the legislative process and into law”.

“Senator Van Hollen and Representatives Beyer, Dr. Schrier, and Van Drew should be warmly applauded by patients and clinicians everywhere for taking up the call", said David Newman-Toker, MD, Ph.D, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence at Johns Hopkins. "Accurate diagnosis is a prerequisite for quality healthcare —put simply, it’s hard to apply the right treatment if you start out with the wrong diagnosis. Furthermore, failure to accurately diagnose is a major driver of excess healthcare costs. But diagnosis is also one of the most complex tasks in modern medicine; until we have a larger body of research that supports data-driven, reliable improvement strategies that are ‘shovel ready,’ our clinicians and healthcare system will be left struggling. There is much work yet to be done by all healthcare stakeholders to move this life-saving research forward.”


Congressman Biggs Responds to Confirmation of FBI Surveillance of Members of Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C.- This week, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released documents to confirm yet again that the Biden-led Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) spied on Members of Congress in Project Cranberry, accessing privileged information transmitted to and from former Trump-White House personnel during Special Counsel Jack Smith’s out-of-control investigation. Congressman Biggs was one of 44 Members of Congress whose information Smith’s team seized.

In his revelation, Senator Grassley noted that “Biden DOJ and FBI investigators apparently ignored their own routine investigative protocols to obtain and review work-related messages from … dozens of my Republican and Democrat colleagues who were outside the scope of the government’s investigation.”

“As a student of history, I’ve long read about totalitarian governments that spy on and persecute political opponents to squelch dissent,”said Congressman Biggs.“I never believed that these authoritarian practices would be found at the highest levels of our American government, let alone that I would be a target of my own government for my lawful actions as a representative of the people and my political affiliation. If our government was willing to target Members of Congress, then they are certainly and shamelessly targeting everyday Americans without fear of reprisal. Those who knew about, supported, and led this operation against the opposition party – among others during the Biden Administration – must be held accountable for their actions. We must send a message to future administrations that these efforts are un-American and unlawful, and that these will not be tolerated from any political party.”

Read the report from Chairman Grassley here.

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Scott Statement on Passing of Norfolk City Councilman Paul Riddick

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement:

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, former Norfolk City Councilman Paul Riddick. Paul devoted more than 30 years to serving the people of Norfolk. He brought a deep understanding of his community and an unwavering determination to improve the lives of his constituents. This is a tremendous loss for the City of Norfolk. My thoughts are with his family, friends, former colleagues, and everyone whose lives he touched through his years of public service.”

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Budzinski Leads Letters to Trump Administration Fighting Against the Politicization of Federal Grants

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led two letters urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reconsider proposed changes to the federal grantmaking process that could undermine research, innovation, and critical investments in communities across the country.

The first letter, led by Representatives Budzinski and Troy Carter (D-La.), was signed by an additional 125 Members of Congress. The letter focused more generally on the impact the rule will have on the entire grant making system, and raises serious concerns about political appointees influencing decision making and overriding peer review.

The lawmakers wrote, “This proposal would represent the most sweeping and destructive transformation of the federal financial assistance system in modern history and would subordinate nonpartisan, merit-based grantmaking to political control, exposing the entire framework to serious constitutional challenge. With more than $1 trillion in annual Federal awards at stake, the consequences would be felt by every state, federally recognized tribe, city, county, research university, hospital, and countless nonprofits, community organizations, and private firms that deliver critical scientific studies and essential public service.”

The full text of the letter can be found HERE.

Budzinski also joined Representative Sarah McBride (D-Del.) in leading a second letter, signed by 15 Members of Congress, raising concerns that the proposed rule would significantly threaten research and innovation in critical sectors like agriculture, directly impacting Illinois’ growers.

The lawmakers wrote, “Groundbreaking scientific discoveries have emerged from U.S. research institutions working in partnership with the international agricultural community, like developing large-scale penicillin production in a United States Department of Agriculture lab using research started abroad. We are concerned the proposed rule cuts out international partners, creates unnecessary red tape, and risks slowing agricultural innovation. In a global marketplace, international cooperation strengthens domestic agriculture and helps keep grocery prices lower for American consumers.”

The full text of the second letter can be found HERE.

Budzinski has facilitated millions in federal grant money for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Notable recent funding includes a $51 million award for the Illinois Fermentation and Agricultural Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub, $7.5 million for environmental research, $4.2 million for energy and infrastructure research, and $1.2 million for the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory.


Congressman Burchett Introduces Bill to Allow to President to Issue Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal

Washington, D.C. (07/15/2026) -- Today, Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) introduced the Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Senate version of this legislation.

Cybercrime poses a persistent and evolving threat to the United States, targeting individuals, businesses, and government institutions. Everything from financial scams to terrorist plots are facilitated through a vast cyberspace that our government agencies are tasked with protecting.

The Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act authorizes the President to commission private contractors and entities for the purpose of conducting limited cyberspace operations. Deputizing American patriots will bolster our ability to protect the U.S. against cyber criminals.

“Widespread cybercrime represents an existential threat to our national security,” said Congressman Burchett. “Allowing private operators to aid the federal government in combatting these crimes will strengthen our ability to defend the United States against terrorism. I am proud to partner with Senator Lee again to protect Americans. He continues to be a strong advocate for cyber security in Congress”

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Bynum, Oregon Delegation Demand Reversal of Trump Administration's Plan to Suppress Oregon Voters

Yesterday, Representatives Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Maxine Dexter, and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley sent a letter to the Trump Administration, urging the administration to withdraw its threat against Oregon election officials over its plan to create a national voter database, warning that the proposal could jeopardize the voter registrations of millions of Oregonians.

“It is clear that after these attempts to secure access to sensitive state voter data have been repeatedly rejected by the courts, you are resorting to public threats of prosecution and intimidation against elections administrators to coerce state officials to turn over their voter rolls and cede their constitutional duty to conduct elections to the executive branch,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

The demand comes after the Trump administration threatened Oregon election officials with criminal prosecution over the administration’s claim of noncitizens voting. For months, Trump has tried to chip away at voter registration and vote-by-mail in an effort to interfere in the consequential November midterms.

Earlier this year, Trump issued an executive order requiring the creation of a national voter database, which would require states to submit their voter registration lists to the federal government for review. The order was put on pause after it was blocked in court. Trump continues to push passage of his Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act in Congress, which would undermine vote-by-mail in an illegal and unconstitutional effort to undermine the rights of states to control their own election systems.

Last month, Oregon lawmakers led the charge against a new rule issued by the U.S. Postal Service that would undermine Oregon’s vote-by-mail system.

Text of the letter can be found here and below.

We rebuke your threats against Oregon elections officials and demand the Department of

Justice (DOJ) cease this targeted witch hunt of states’ election administration ahead of

consequential midterm elections.

On July 7, 2026, the most recent threat was issued by Assistant Attorney General for Civil

Rights Harmeet Dhillon and comes following repeated failures by the DOJ to illegally

attempt to obtain Oregon voter rolls containing sensitive voter information through litigation

in order to create an unprecedented national voter database. It is clear that after these

attempts to secure access to sensitive state voter data have been repeatedly rejected by the

courts, the DOJ is resorting to public threats of prosecution and intimidation against elections

administrators in order to coerce state officials to turn over their voter rolls and cede their

constitutional duty to conduct elections to the executive branch.

Election officials across the country are on the frontlines of our elections, they already face

unprecedented attacks and face personal safety concerns. We should be working to protect

election officials regardless of political affiliation, not using government resources to further

intimidate election officials that are following all federal laws, and consistently administering

elections that are safe and secure, as is the case in Oregon.

These efforts are a direct attempt to undermine vote-by-mail, which is used successfully by

tens of millions of eligible voters every election. Despite these efforts, the courts have also

repeatedly blocked implementation of President Trump’s executive orders that aim to restrict

vote-by-mail. Faced with these combined failures, the DOJ is now attempting to coerce state

elections officials with threats of prosecution in order to prevent Americans from voting.

These threats are a clear pattern in strategy to disenfranchise millions of voters in Oregon and

nationwide and attack states’ constitutional right to manage and oversee elections. We

demand that you immediately cease these efforts.

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Carbajal Statement on Massie Amendment to GOP Foreign Aid Budget Bill

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) released the statement below following his “yes” vote on the Massie Amendment to H.R. 8595.

“Today, I voted yes on Representative Massie’s amendment to not give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration funding for more offensive weapons. While I do not agree with the entirety of the amendment, including its potential impacts to humanitarian funding, I cast a yes vote in recognition that we cannot continue to provide Netanyahu a blank check. I remain deeply opposed to how Netanyahu has conducted this war. His administration's strategy has fueled a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and resulted in the tragic loss of an inordinate number of civilian lives.

“While I have always been and will continue to be a steadfast supporter of Israel, I cannot support Netanyahu's extremism, including his push for illegal settlements and condoning settler violence in the West Bank. These actions are untenable and harm the future security of both Israelis and Palestinians.


U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Introduces Bill to Increase Transparency in Rx Pricing, Lower Health Care Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14), Judy Chu (CA-28), Summer Lee (PA-12) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) introduced the Drug Deal Disclosure Act, legislation that would require the public disclosure of the White House’s prescription drug pricing agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers and subject those agreements to independent review to determine whether they are actually lowering costs for patients and taxpayers.

“Floridians and Americans deserve lower drug costs,” said Rep. Castor. “No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying for their lifesaving medications. After making health care out of reach for millions of Americans, the White House claims they are helping our neighbors afford prescription drugs through closed-door deals with pharmaceutical manufacturers. Americans are skeptical and deserve to know if those deals are truly lowering costs, or if they are another false promise. I was proud to work with my colleagues in the Congress to actually lower drug costs through Medicare negotiation, caps on insulin, no-cost vaccines and out-of-pocket limits. Our neighbors have waited long enough for fair prices for important medications, and I am committed to doing that in a transparent manner.”

“President Trump has repeatedly claimed that his Administration’s private deals with pharmaceutical companies will lower prescription drug prices for American families. If that’s true, then he should have nothing to hide,” said Rep. Chu. “Democrats didn’t ask Americans to simply trust us when we lowered prescription drug costs through the Inflation Reduction Act, we passed a law that empowered Medicare to negotiate drug prices, capped insulin at $35 a month for seniors, limited annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, and held drug companies accountable for unjustified price hikes. Those reforms are already delivering real savings. If President Trump wants the American people to believe his secret deals with Big Pharma will do the same, then he should release the agreements and let the facts speak for themselves.”

“No one in Western Pennsylvania should have to ration medicine or walk away from the pharmacy counter because Big Pharma and the Trump Administration are cutting deals behind closed doors,” said Rep. Lee. “More than one in four Pennsylvanians have already been forced to skip doses, cut pills in half, or leave prescriptions unfilled simply because of cost. People paying the price deserve to know who these agreements are really serving, and this bill would force the Administration to release these secret agreements and require independent analysis of whether they actually lower costs for patients and taxpayers. I’m proud to co-lead this bill and help build a healthcare system that works for the people, not billion-dollar corporations.”

“Deals made by the White House are the business of the American people. President Trump claims to have made secret agreements with Big Pharma CEOs under the pretense of lowering prescription drug prices but these savings have yet to appear. The American people deserve answers and this legislation will bring them to light,” said Rep. Pappas. “Granite Staters are paying too much for life-saving prescription drugs and this administration and Republicans in Congress have only made health care access worse and costs higher. I remain committed to doing everything I can to improve care and lower costs, and I will not stand for shady deals and false promises made by the administration.”

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publicly disclose records, communications, agreements, and related materials concerning drug pricing agreements and other arrangements negotiated between the White House and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The bill would also require reporting to Congress and direct the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an independent analysis of the agreements’ economic and budgetary impacts.

Specifically, the legislation would:

Require HHS to publicly disclose agreements, communications, records, and related materials concerning covered agreements between the Trump Administration and pharmaceutical manufacturers;

Require disclosure of agreements involving Most-Favored-Nation pricing commitments, tariff exemptions, domestic investment commitments, Strategic National Stockpile agreements, Priority Review Vouchers, and other related arrangements;

Require HHS to report to Congress on all documents and information released or withheld, including the basis for any redactions; and

Direct CBO and GAO to publish an independent assessment of the agreements’ impacts on patients, taxpayers, prescription drug costs, Medicare, Medicaid, competition, and federal spending.


Castro on Israel Funding: “Do Not Reward a Wrongdoer”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) spoke on the House floor in support of an amendment from Rep. Thomas Massie (KY-04) to block $3.3 billion in taxpayer funding for Israel’s military. Congressman Castro will vote in support of the amendment to H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027.

View Congressman Castro’s remarks here.

Remarks as delivered below:

Madam speaker, Israel does not need, and quite honestly does not deserve, more American money for weapons. Prime Minister Netanyahu has taken Israel down an ugly path. The tragedy of October 7th has become a justification for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Self-defense does not include indiscriminately bombing homes, hospitals, churches, schools or refugee camps.

There were even credible reports of children intentionally shot in the head and chest. For decades, our nation gave Israel billions to facilitate peace and a two-state solution. Instead, Israel has chosen more war and more occupation.

Today, it occupies not only Gaza and the West Bank, but parts of Syria and Lebanon. If there are no consequences, why in the world would Benjamin Netanyahu change what he's doing? And words are not enough. Condemnations are not enough. If we hope to change Israel's behavior, we must use our leverage.

The American people have seen this tragedy with their own eyes. They have made their judgment. They do not support giving Israel more weapons. Do not reward a wrongdoer. Now it's up to us in this chamber to take action.

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Congressman Castro Demands Answers on the Death of Airman First Class Keon McDaniel at Lackland Airforce Base in San Antonio

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) joined a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding answers on the June 16th death of Airman First Class Keon McDaniel. Airman McDaniel died during the influenza outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, following the Department of Defense’s April 2026 decision to make the annual influenza vaccine voluntary for servicemembers.

“When tragedies like this occur, the American people and the Congress that represents them deserve immediate transparency and accountability,” the lawmakers wrote. “We urge the Department to ensure that Airman McDaniel’s family receives timely and direct answers to any questions they may have about the circumstances of his death before any additional findings or information are made public. Keon’s family has already made the greatest sacrifice. They deserve to hear the truth directly from the Department, delivered with compassion and respect.”

“While the DoD made the right decision to reinstate the influenza vaccine requirement for new recruits, this outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland underscores the importance of science- based decision-making guided by medical professionals when making public health decisions affecting our servicemembers. Politicizing the administration of lifesaving vaccines has led to the death of a servicemember, the hospitalization of numerous trainees, and an expensive race to retroactively provide our servicemembers the health care they need and deserve,” the lawmakers concluded.

BACKGROUND:

In April, Defense Secretary Hegseth ended the flu vaccination requirement for all service members. After the flu outbreak at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio that resulted in 285 cases, including 6 hospitalizations and the death of Airman McDaniel, Secretary Hegseth partially reinstated the influenza requirement for military recruits and basic trainees.

In June, Congressman Castro’s amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would have required the flu vaccine for all servicemembers. House Republicans rejected the amendment.


EWTN News article on Smith's new anti-human trafficking legislation'Catholic anti-trafficking advocates urge Congress to pass stalled trafficking bill'

By Katherine Matt

Published July 15, 2026 at 9:33 AM ET

WASHINGTON — Catholic sisters, survivor advocates, and lawmakers gathered on Capitol Hill Tuesday to urge Congress to quickly pass bipartisan legislation they say would strengthen protections for victims of human trafficking and help prevent future exploitation.

Hosted by the Alliance to End Human Trafficking and the National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, the July 14 congressional briefing focused on the need to reauthorize federal anti‑trafficking programs through fiscal 2029 and pass legislation to impose requirements on social media platforms to reduce harms to minors.

Sponsor Rep. Chris Smith, R‑New Jersey, titled his human trafficking bill the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 1144), and the measure is next up for House consideration. A separate bill, named the Kids Online Safety Act (S. 1748) by sponsor Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R‑Tennessee, has not yet seen action in the Senate Commerce Committee.

Smith’s legislation would reauthorize federal anti-trafficking programs while expanding prevention initiatives, survivor services, and law enforcement training.

Katie Boller Gosewisch and Fran Eskin-Royer speak to Veronica Dudo on “EWTN News Nightly,” July 14, 2026. U.S. Catholic advocates are urging lawmakers to address human trafficking and protect vulnerable populations, including children on the Internet. | Credit: “EWTN News Nightly”/Screenshot

Catholic advocates emphasize prevention

Advocates at the briefing argued that prevention must become the centerpiece of the nationʼs anti-trafficking strategy.

Sister Ann Scholz, SSND, a founding member of the Alliance to End Human Trafficking, said the time has come for Congress to move beyond simply raising awareness about trafficking.

“We believe this Congress has the opportunity to enact two pieces of bipartisan legislation that will move us closer to ending the scourge of human trafficking,” Scholz said, describing both bills as measures that emphasize prevention and protect vulnerable populations.

Fran Eskin-Royer, executive director for National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, said Congress has allowed the legislation to languish despite bipartisan backing. She said reauthorization would strengthen prevention efforts while updating federal responses to evolving forms of exploitation.

“Both bills are not new. Theyʼve been around, and they are not moving … We need everyone to contact their members of Congress and urge that this bill pass,” Eskin-Royer told “EWTN News Nightly” host Veronica Dudo.

The briefing featured survivor leaders, legal experts, clinicians, and service providers who argued that preventing trafficking requires greater investment in education, technology safeguards, and long-term support for survivors.

Gina Cavallo, president of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking and a survivor of trafficking, told attendees that legislation such as H.R. 1144 could have dramatically changed the course of her life.

“Had these bills been put in place, this would not have happened to me,” she said. “My life could have been dramatically different.”

Cavallo recounted being failed by multiple institutions during her childhood, including family, schools, and law enforcement, leaving her vulnerable to exploitation. Rather than being recognized as a victim, she said, she was criminalized.

“I had my childhood taken, my dignity, my dreams — everything,” she said, urging lawmakers to continue treating human trafficking as a bipartisan issue centered on protecting human dignity.

Katie Boller Gosewisch, executive director of the Alliance to End Human Trafficking, told “EWTN News Nightly” that the crime remains vastly underreported worldwide.

“According to the Global Slavery Index, on any given day, about 50 million people are caught in human trafficking,” she said, noting that the figure includes forced marriage, organ trafficking, sex trafficking, and forced labor.

Smith calls for House vote

Smith told attendees the bill’s consideration has been delayed despite broad bipartisan support.

“It was supposed to be up yesterday,” Smith said, explaining that House leadership had postponed floor consideration. “Delay is denial. We need to get this bill on the floor.”

Smith, who authored the original Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2000, said the legislation has led to thousands of prosecutions over the past two decades but argued that reauthorization is needed to strengthen prevention efforts, expand survivor services, and address emerging forms of exploitation.

Catholic leaders warn delay leaves greater risk

Advocates called on Congress to approve the legislation without further delay, arguing that every day of inaction leaves vulnerable people at greater risk.


Opening statement of Co-Chairman Smith at hearing on VenezuelaHuman Rights in Venezuela: Status and Opportunity

The following are excerpts of Co-Chairman Chris Smith’s (R-NJ) opening statement at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission’s July 15th hearing, entitled “Human Rights in Venezuela: Status and Opportunity”:

For more than a quarter century, Venezuela has endured one of the gravest humanitarian and human rights crises in the history of our hemisphere. Many thousands have been killed by the Chavez-Maduro dictatorships: the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights documented almost 7,000 extrajudicial killings in 2018 and 2019 alone.

Thousands have been tortured and imprisoned. Millions have fled—nearly 8 million displaced. Families have been torn apart by repression, violence, and economic collapse.

These horrors were driven by the Chavez, and since 2013, Maduro dictatorships, which, of course, had close political, ideological and military-intelligence partnerships with Cuba. Chavez liked to call Castro his mentor and father figure, and for Maduro, likewise, Castro was “father,” “teacher,” and “comandante.”

As in Cuba, in Venezuela, a country rich in resources and educated, hard-working people was reduced to an impoverished dictatorship by socialists, who came to power under the slogan of “more democracy”—which, in practice, meant zero democracy.

This year marked a dramatic turning point. In January, Nicolás Maduro was arrested by U.S. forces, removed from power, and brought to the United States to face justice. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed acting leadership.

This was not only a triumph for President Trump, but remarkable progress for the people of Venezuela. As Andrés Martínez-Fernández testifies, “92% of Venezuelans were grateful to President Trump for the removal of Nicolas Maduro and 90% supported the U.S. becoming Venezuela’s primary ally. The same polling showed that many Venezuelans saw the regime’s collapse as a rare opening after years of repression.”

Yet whether this leads to genuine democratic recovery—or merely another chapter of struggle—remains an open question. It has not yet happened. Some prisoners have been released—but there are still many political prisoners. Whether Venezuela will become free and democratic depends on Venezuelans.

Before the arrest of Maduro, our government tried to promote freedom through various approaches—diplomacy, pressure, sanctions. None were successful. As the country navigates this transition, our goal must remain supporting conditions for Venezuelans themselves to restore accountable government, independent institutions, and economic opportunity.

History shows that durable reform cannot be imposed from outside—but the U.S. can do much to help. Today, with a government in place with whom the Administration has a working relationship, we can engage with them in support of stabilization and recovery, and of course, we press for concrete reforms: dismantling repressive structures, ensuring political prisoners are fully freed without restrictions, advancing credible elections, and combating corruption and transnational crime.

Effective humanitarian response to the earthquakes—coordinating with faith-based groups, and local communities—demonstrates how partnership can save lives, while respecting sovereignty.

We also need to learn from the errors of the Obama and Biden administrations, who attempted to impose narrow agendas on foreign countries by funding and empowering elite western NGOs – which were often resented by host countries. I’m confident the Trump Administration has learned the lesson of that mistake. And Secretary Rubio’s leadership has been remarkably effective.

The U.S. will provide international support more wisely—humanitarian relief, technical assistance, anti-corruption efforts, and election assistance, in which the U.S. government remains engaged, reins in elite NGO agendas, and focuses on supporting fair processes in Venezuela without privileging any parties or seeking to impose results.

I thank our witnesses and look forward to their testimony on the current status and the path forward.

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