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

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

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

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

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

Meatpacking is a heavily consolidated industry in the United States. For example, 85 percent of the U.S. beef market is controlled by just four companies: Cargill, JBS, Tyson, and the National Beef Packing Company. This corporate consolidation allows these giants to unfairly extract value and take home maximum profits at the expense of farmers and consumers, all while stifling competition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Congresswoman Escobar Statement Following   Dangerous Trump Speech to Cast Doubt on Election Safety

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement after Donald Trump gave a rambling, dangerous speech from the White House:

“Since the 2020 election, more than 60 judges – some of whom Trump appointed – rejected lawsuits challenging the results. Numerous recounts and audits have only reaffirmed that he lost. Prominent Republicans and members of his own administration disputed every single one of his claims.

“Trump knows he lost in 2020. Tonight’s rambling speech by the President was about casting doubt on the upcoming elections in November. He is laying the groundwork to overturn the results of the midterms if Republicans lose power, which is widely expected to happen.

“Voters in El Paso and across the country must remain vigilant. The only cure to a president cosplaying as a king and his loyal party, only too eager to look away, is for the people to defend our democracy. Our country, our institutions, and our rights are under attack; it’s up to us to put a stop to this in November.”


Telcoin CEO Paul Neuner to Address Flyover Fintech in Lincoln, Nebraska on Aug. 4th

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA – Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Flood announced that Telcoin CEO Paul Neuner will address his upcoming Flyover Fintech Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska on August 4, 2026.

"I am thrilled to announce that Telcoin Digital Asset Bank Founder and CEO Paul Neuner will address Flyover Fintech this August," said Congressman Flood. "Paul is a pioneer in digital asset innovation, and Telcoin Digital Asset Bank's effort to become the first Digital Asset Depository Institution chartered under Nebraska's Financial Innovation Act shows why our state is leading the way on responsible fintech policy. I’m excited for Paul to share his insight on building trusted financial infrastructure for the future of digital assets. Flyover Fintech has become a must-attend event for anyone following the future of finance and fintech, and I encourage anyone interested to register soon to reserve their spot."

Paul Neuner is the founder and CEO of Telcoin and Telcoin Digital Asset Bank which became the first Digital Asset Depository Institution chartered by the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance under the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act. Before Telcoin Digital Asset Bank, he was an entrepreneur in cybersecurity and telecom fraud management, including as founder and CEO of Mobius Wireless Solutions, which built revenue assurance and fraud management solutions for mobile network operators globally. Paul also previously founded the Internet application development department of Ernst & Young Technologies.

Flyover Fintech conferences feature a wide variety of speakers, ranging from members of the House Financial Services Committee to leading voices in the fintech industry. Additional speakers and panelists for Flyover Fintech 2026 will be announced in in the coming weeks.

Registration for the conference is now open at www.flyoverfintech.com. Additional details about the location and information about hotels and travel are also available there.


Frankel Responds to Trump’s Primetime Attack on Voting Rights

Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s Thursday evening election remarks:

“President Trump’s address last night was another attempt to distract the American people with falsehoods and long-debunked conspiracy theories about our elections instead of addressing the issues families care about most,” said Rep. Frankel.

“While Americans are paying more for groceries, housing, and health care, President Trump and Republicans are focused on spreading election misinformation and advancing legislation that makes it harder for eligible Americans to vote. The facts remain unchanged: the 2020 election was secure—a conclusion confirmed by the Trump Administration’s own review, bipartisan election officials, independent audits, and the courts.

“Along with House Democrats I will continue fighting to lower costs, protect Social Security and Medicare, defend the freedom to vote, and hold accountable anyone who abuses public office for personal gain. We stand with the dedicated state and local election officials who protect the integrity of our elections, and we will continue working to ensure every eligible American can cast a ballot freely and confidently. The strongest answer to fear and misinformation is participation. Make a plan to vote, vote early if you can, and encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. In our democracy, the most important title is not President or Representative—it is citizen.”


Franklin Celebrates Final Rule Modernizing Orange Juice Brix Standard

Congressman Scott Franklin today welcomed the final federal rule modernizing the nation's outdated standard of identity for pasteurized orange juice, the culmination of his years long bipartisan effort to update a decades old regulation and support Florida's citrus industry.

The rule lowers the federal minimum Brix standard for pasteurized orange juice from 10.5 percent to 10 percent, bringing federal policy in line with modern growing conditions. It will help Florida citrus growers make greater use of domestically grown fruit, reduce reliance on imported juice, remove an unnecessary regulatory burden and preserve the quality consumers expect from 100 percent orange juice.

"This final rule is a critical victory for Florida citrus and the growers working tirelessly to keep this iconic industry alive," said Congressman Scott Franklin. "For years, our producers have battled citrus greening, hurricanes, freezes and rising production costs while operating under a federal regulation written for a different era. This rule finally brings federal policy in line with today's agricultural realities by cutting unnecessary red tape, helping American growers get more value from the fruit they produce and reducing our reliance on imported orange juice. I'm grateful to Secretary Kennedy, Senator Moody, our Florida delegation and our citrus industry leaders for helping deliver this long overdue win for Florida agriculture."

The finalized rule was announced today in Lakeland by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Senator Ashley Moody, underscoring the importance of Florida's citrus industry and this long awaited regulatory reform.

“President Trump is ending an outdated regulation that forced American orange juice producers to rely on foreign imports and an obsolete sugar standard,” said HHS Secretary Kennedy. “We are cutting red tape, saving the industry more than $50 million each year, strengthening American supply chains, and creating a level playing field for U.S. citrus growers — all while maintaining the safety, quality, and taste Americans expect. That is America First policy, guided by gold-standard science.”

“When I heard an outdated FDA rule was threatening the survival of Florida’s great citrus growers, I immediately went to work—filing the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act and meeting with the White House to expedite a solution. Today is proof that the juice was worth the squeeze. Florida’s citrus farmers are an integral part of Florida’s culture, and I will always fight to ensure they have the support they need to continue growing and making a living,” said Senator Ashley Moody. “Thank you to everyone who worked so cohesively to make this happen, including Sec. Kennedy, Rep. Franklin, Rep. Lee, Rep. Cammack, and our industry partners. This is a major win for our state.”

The federal Brix standard establishes the minimum level of naturally occurring sugar and soluble solids required for pasteurized orange juice. The previous 10.5 percent standard was established more than 60 years ago, long before citrus greening and repeated natural disasters fundamentally changed growing conditions in Florida. As a result, many healthy, marketable Florida oranges could no longer meet the outdated federal standard despite producing safe, high-quality juice.

Franklin has led congressional efforts to modernize the federal standard for several years after hearing directly from Florida growers and processors about the challenges created by the outdated regulation. He first introduced the bipartisan Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act in 2023, with Senator Marco Rubio introducing companion legislation in the Senate. Franklin reintroduced the legislation in 2025 with broad bipartisan support from the Florida congressional delegation, while Senator Ashley Moody led the companion bill in the Senate. He also authored an op-ed in the Tampa Bay Times highlighting the need to modernize the federal standard.

Franklin also advanced the effort through the appropriations process by securing language in the House Appropriations Committee's Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill directing the Food and Drug Administration to modernize the federal standard of identity for pasteurized orange juice. The report language directed the agency to complete its review considering the significant challenges facing Florida's citrus industry.

Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration proposed updating the federal standard to align with Franklin's legislation. Today's final rule delivers long awaited regulatory relief for Florida citrus growers, strengthens domestic orange juice production and ensures federal policy reflects the realities of modern citrus production.

This final rule reflects what can happen when Congress works directly with growers, processors and industry leaders to remove outdated regulations that no longer serve the people they intend to help.


Congressman Fuller Introduces Resolution Supporting the Efforts of the Trump Administration to Obtain a Rehearing of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in Trump v. Barbara

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Earlier this week, Congressman Fuller introduced a resolution in support of the Trump administration's efforts to obtain a rehearing of the Supreme Court's decision that children born in the United States to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily present in the country are "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States and are therefore guaranteed citizenship at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment.

On June 30, 2026, the Supreme Court issued its 5–4 decision in Trump v. Barbara, ruling that nearly all children born in the United States are entitled to birthright citizenship regardless of their parents' immigration or legal status. In doing so, the Court struck down President Donald Trump's 2025 executive order, which sought to deny automatic citizenship to children born in the United States to parents who were in the country illegally.

“America is for Americans, not illegal aliens who intend to exploit birthright citizenship as a loophole. Birthright citizenship is being used as a weapon to dilute the value of American citizenship, and it must end. The Supreme Court has made it clear that it refuses to stop the invasion taking place through our broken immigration system. I will continue to fight alongside President Trump and his administration to prioritize the future of American children over the future of illegal immigrants,” said Congressman Clay Fuller.


Goldman, Schumer, Gillibrand Call for Investigation Into Trump Admin Plan to Move Army Corps of Engineers Offices From NYC to New Jersey

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Dan Goldman (NY-10), Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand led 7 members of the New York congressional delegation in demanding an investigation into the Trump Administration’s decision to move the Army Corps of Engineers New York District and North Atlantic Division’s (NAN) offices from federally owned facilities in Manhattan and Brooklyn to office space leased from a private party in New Jersey. The members are asking the Government Accountability Office to conduct an independent investigation to determine if the move complies with all relevant laws and regulations.

The letter was also signed by Reps. Laura Gillen (NY-04), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Grace Meng (NY-06), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), and Yvette Clarke (NY-09).

“We write to request the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigate the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) New York District and North Atlantic Division’s (NAN) planned relocation of its New York District offices from federally owned facilities in Manhattan and Brooklyn to office space leased from a private party in New Jersey,” wrote the members. “Substantial concerns exist regarding whether USACE has complied with applicable Department of Defense regulations and directives governing the acquisition of leased real property, including requirements relating to economic analysis, approval procedures, consideration of available federal space, and evaluation of alternatives. Publicly available information suggests the agency may have moved forward with the solicitation process before completing required analyses or approvals. Doing so raises serious concerns relating to wasteful spending and accountability of public funds.

The members continued: “The limited operational and financial rationale that USACE has provided in support of the relocation appears incomplete and inconsistent. Numerous concerns have been raised regarding increased employee attrition, diminished coordination with local and state stakeholders, longer travel times to project sites, disruption to ongoing infrastructure projects, and the substantial costs associated with vacating existing federally owned space. USACE has provided no evidence that it considered increased costs of moving to an annual leasing structure, which would give a private landlord significant leverage to increase costs once staff have moved in. USACE also appears to have failed to consider available alternatives, such as retaining the current offices or delaying or phasing a relocation plan, raising serious concerns relating to responsible use of public funds.”

"IFPTE applauds Congressman Goldman, Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and several Members of the New York Congressional Delegation who have requested that GAO investigate the Army Corps’ decision to move District and Division Offices out of New York City. Because our members at the Army Corps are dedicated to their work and to fulfilling the agency's mission, we oppose this wasteful, disruptive, and ill-considered effort that will delay projects, drive up costs, hurt emergency response and economic development, and increase the risk of failure. This Congressional request for a GAO investigation is necessary because Army Corps leadership has not been forthright on the relocation process, the cost-benefit analysis, nor the harmful impacts that this office move will create," said Matthew Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE).

In March, Rep. Goldman led a bipartisan letter to the Army Corps and the General Services Administration (GSA) expressing concerns about the move and how it would adversely affect the Corps’ ability to undertake its core missions in the New York area.

The full text of the letter is available here or below:

Dear Acting Comptroller General Brown:

We write to request the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigate the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) New York District and North Atlantic Division’s (NAN) planned relocation of its New York District offices from federally owned facilities in Manhattan and Brooklyn to office space leased from a private party in New Jersey. Given Congress’s oversight responsibilities regarding Department of Defense real property management, appropriations, and federal leasing practices, we request that GAO examine whether USACE’s actions comply with applicable statutes and regulations. An independent investigation is critical to determine the extent to which officials at the USACE and Department of Defense are operating in accordance with the law.

Pursuant to the Comptroller General’s authority to issue decisions concerning appropriated funds and fiscal law, we request a decision regarding the legality of the proposed relocation of functions from federally owned space in New York City to privately owned space in New Jersey. USACE NAN currently occupies federally owned office space in New York City that supports

mission-critical civil works, resiliency, navigation, infrastructure, and emergency management operations throughout the New York region.

Despite the longstanding federal presence of these offices and their proximity to major projects, local stakeholders, and state and municipal partners, USACE has initiated an accelerated procurement process to relocate personnel to privately leased office space in New Jersey. Specifically, by letter dated February 23, 2026, the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), Adam Telle, directed USACE NAN to relocate operations from federally owned space in New York City to New Jersey. According to publicly available procurement materials, USACE issued a Request for Lease Proposals (RLP) seeking private office space in New Jersey, with proposals due by April 27, 2026. The timeline is accelerated: the Assistant Secretary directed that New York leadership functions be located in the new or an interim location by August 15, 2026 and the rest of main District office activities conducted out of the new or an interim location by December 31, 2026. We understand from the publicly available RLP materials that the agency intends to rely on 10 U.S.C. § 2661 as authority for this lease acquisition rather than proceeding through the General Services Administration (GSA) leasing process traditionally used for federal office space acquisitions.

Serious questions exist regarding whether USACE is appropriately invoking 10 U.S.C. § 2661 as authority for what appears to be a long-term office relocation involving civilian personnel and administrative functions. Prior GAO decisions have recognized limits on the Department of Defense’s authority under Section 2661 with respect to multiyear lease arrangements and the use of annual appropriations for long-term obligations. While the RLP is written to seek only a series of individual, one-year leases, a permanent headquarters relocation plainly cannot be intended as a one-year arrangement – it is clearly a longer-term move. This raises serious questions as to whether USACE is improperly using 10 U.S.C. § 2661(b), authority that is intended to be used for short term, primarily non-civilian functions, to avoid subjecting this lease to GSA regulation and oversight.

In addition, questions remain regarding compliance with the notice, reporting, and waiting-period requirements set forth in 10 U.S.C. § 2662. Section 2662 requires that military departments may not enter rental property transactions until 14 days after the submission of a special report to Congress. We previously requested clarification from the Department of the Army regarding whether required Congressional notifications had been made before the agency proceeded with the lease solicitation process. To date, it remains unclear whether these statutory requirements have been satisfied or will be satisfied prior to finalization of a lease.

Even if USACE had independent authority to acquire lease space, it would still be required to comply with the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) guidance on funding leases acquired under that authority, as well as the agency’s own internal policies, regulations, and Procedures. Substantial concerns exist regarding whether USACE has complied with applicable Department of Defense regulations and directives governing the acquisition of leased real property, including requirements relating to economic analysis, approval procedures, consideration of available federal space, and evaluation of alternatives. Publicly available information suggests the agency may have moved forward with the solicitation process before completing required analyses or approvals. Doing so raises serious concerns relating to wasteful spending and accountability of public funds.

The limited operational and financial rationale that USACE has provided in support of the relocation appears incomplete and inconsistent. Numerous concerns have been raised regarding increased employee attrition, diminished coordination with local and state stakeholders, longer travel times to project sites, disruption to ongoing infrastructure projects, and the substantial costs associated with vacating existing federally owned space. USACE has provided no evidence that it considered increased costs of moving to an annual leasing structure, which would give a private landlord significant leverage to increase costs once staff have moved in. USACE also appears to have failed to consider available alternatives, such as retaining the current offices or delaying or phasing a relocation plan, raising serious concerns relating to responsible use of public funds.

Finally, we are concerned that this relocation does not represent an isolated action but instead reflects a broader effort to relocate USACE regional offices from federally owned facilities into privately leased space nationwide. If true, this heightens the concerns listed above and raises broader concerns regarding federal expenditures, real property management practices, and

potential circumvention of traditional GSA oversight mechanisms.

Given the potential for significant waste that will result from a move, we seek an independent review of the legal mechanisms USACE is using for the move as well as the effect of such a move on stewardship of taxpayer funds and whether USACE’s actions or any portion thereof violates the Anti-deficiency Act.

We respectfully request that GAO conduct an audit and issue a report including the following:

1. A detailed review of all actions taken by USACE, the Department of the Army, and the Department of Defense in identifying, approving, and implementing the proposed relocation of the New York District offices. Such review should include:

A timeline of decisions and actions taken regarding the proposed relocation and lease acquisition;

An accounting of the names, titles, and offices of officials involved in approving or directing the relocation;

All analyses, memoranda, budgets, or internal evaluations relating to or used in the justification for relocating from federally owned space to privately leased facilities;

Any evaluations regarding employee attrition, recruitment impacts, operational disruption, commuting burdens, or project delivery impacts associated with the relocation; and

Any analyses comparing continued occupancy of existing federal facilities with relocation alternatives.

2. A detailed review of USACE’s reliance on 10 U.S.C. § 2661 as authority for the proposed lease acquisition. Such review should include:

Whether the contemplated lease structure complies with limitations applicable to leasing authority under Section 2661;

Whether the lease structure creates obligations inconsistent with appropriations law or the Antideficiency Act;

Whether the agency’s proposed use of annual lease structures is consistent with prior GAO legal interpretations; and

Whether the proposed lease arrangement effectively functions as a multiyear lease obligation.

3. A detailed review of USACE’s compliance with 10 U.S.C. § 2662 and related congressional notification requirements. Such review should include:

Whether all required notices and reports were submitted to Congress;

The dates on which any required submissions were made;

Whether the agency inappropriately initiated activities prior to satisfying statutory waiting-period requirements.

4. A detailed review of USACE’s compliance with Department of Defense directives, procedures, and regulations governing real property acquisition and leasing. Such review should include:

Whether required economic analyses were completed prior to issuance of the RLP;

Whether required approvals were obtained from appropriate Department of Defense officials;

Whether the agency evaluated the availability of federally owned or otherwise available government property before pursuing leased space;

Whether the agency complied with all internal procedures governing lease acquisitions exceeding applicable financial thresholds.

5. An evaluation of whether any actions taken by USACE or other federal officials violated applicable statutes, appropriations restrictions, or Department of Defense procedures governing real property acquisition and leasing.

On the basis of this investigation, we further request that GAO issue a legal determination on the following questions:

Whether USACE’s reliance on 10 U.S.C. § 2661 as authority for the proposed lease acquisition is lawful and consistent with the scope of leasing authority granted under that statute;

Whether the proposed lease structure complies with limitations applicable to leases entered pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 2661, including limitations concerning multiyear obligations and the use of annual appropriations;

Whether the contemplated lease arrangement creates obligations inconsistent with the Antideficiency Act or other federal appropriations restrictions, including but not limited to whether Civil Works appropriations are legally available for costs associated with this relocation;

Whether use of Civil Works appropriations for this purpose constitutes impermissible reprogramming, augmentation, or diversion of funds from congressionally authorized purposes.

Whether USACE’s proposed use of short-duration or annually renewable lease structures is consistent with prior GAO legal interpretations concerning Department of Defense leasing authority;

Whether USACE and the Department of the Army have complied with all statutory notice and reporting obligations required under 10 U.S.C. § 2662 prior to initiating or proceeding with the lease procurement process;

Whether the proposed leasing arrangement improperly circumvents or avoids the GSA’s leasing authority and oversight responsibilities under 40 U.S.C. § 585 and related federal property statutes;

Whether USACE complied with applicable Department of Defense directives, regulations, and procedures governing the acquisition of leased real property, including requirements relating to: economic analysis, approval procedures, evaluation of alternatives, consideration of federally owned or otherwise available government property, and documentation supporting the necessity of relocating mission-essential personnel;

Whether the agency adequately considered the operational and financial consequences of the proposed relocation, including workforce attrition and recruitment impacts; disruptions to project operations. impacts on coordination with local, state, and federal stakeholders; costs associated with vacating federally owned facilities; and long-term leasing costs and exposure to future rent increases; and

Whether the February 23, 2026 directive itself authorized or contemplated obligations absent available appropriations or leasing authority.

Given the significant implications of and planned timeline for the proposed move, we would

respectfully request the expeditious review of these questions as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

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Unannounced Gomez Inspection Reveals ICE Is Temporarily Closing Downtown LA Detention Facility, Transferring 22 People to Santa Ana

WATCH: Congressman Gomez reports from outside the B-18 detention facility following today’s inspection

LOS ANGELES, CA — An unannounced congressional inspection by Congressman Jimmy Gomez today revealed that ICE is temporarily closing its B-18 detention facility in Downtown Los Angeles and transferring all 22 people currently detained there to a facility in Santa Ana.

ICE officials disclosed the planned closure and transfers after Gomez arrived at B-18 without advance notice to inspect conditions inside the facility. Officials told Gomez that the facility is being temporarily closed because ICE expects demonstrations in the area this weekend.

The closure and transfers had not been publicly announced before Gomez’s inspection.

“The public only knows about this because we showed up unannounced and demanded answers,” said Congressman Gomez. “I sued the Trump administration to protect Congress’s right to conduct these inspections, and I won. ICE cannot operate behind closed doors, and I will keep showing up to hold them accountable.”

Today’s disclosure demonstrates the importance of preserving Congress’s authority to conduct unannounced inspections of immigration detention facilities. After the Trump administration attempted to block Members of Congress from entering ICE facilities without advance notice, Gomez personally sued the administration and won, restoring Congress’s ability to conduct surprise oversight visits.

Since the Trump administration began its immigration raids in Los Angeles, Gomez has repeatedly confronted ICE and worked to protect the constitutional rights of people in his district. He went directly from the airport to Chinatown during the initial raids and successfully pressed federal agents to leave the area to defuse the situation. He has also conducted repeated detention-facility inspections, trained community members to serve as legal observers, organized town halls and provided legal resources to thousands of constituents.

Gomez also introduced the Make Housing Affordable and Defend Democracy Act, legislation that would redirect the Trump administration’s $175 billion funding increase for ICE and Customs and Border Protection toward housing affordability and working families.


Grothman Bill to Streamline Foreign Medical Accreditation Advances Through Education and Workforce Committee

Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI-06)'s Less Bureaucracy, Better Foreign Medical Accreditation Act advanced through the House Committee on Education and Workforce, clearing the way for consideration by the full House of Representatives.

The legislation would transfer responsibility for foreign medical accreditation from the U.S. Department of Education to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), placing the program within the federal agency best equipped to oversee medical education and the healthcare workforce.

"President Trump has made it a priority to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and ensure the federal government is focused on doing its job efficiently," Congressman Grothman said. "Foreign medical accreditation is a healthcare issue, not an education issue. The Department of Health and Human Services has the expertise to oversee this process, and moving these responsibilities there is simply common sense. This bill cuts red tape, improves accountability, and ensures these important functions are handled by the agency best suited for the job. I'm pleased the Education and Workforce Committee advanced this legislation, and I hope to see it considered by the full House."

Background Information

Foreign medical accreditation is the process by which foreign medical schools are evaluated to ensure their graduates meet standards comparable to those required of medical schools in the United States. These responsibilities are currently carried out by the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA, which is currently housed within the Department of Education.

As part of President Trump's effort to reduce the size and scope of the Department of Education and return education authority to the states, the Department of Education entered into an Interagency Agreement with HHS on November 18, 2025, to begin transferring these responsibilities. Because HHS oversees many federal healthcare and medical workforce programs, it is better positioned to administer foreign medical accreditation.

The Less Bureaucracy, Better Foreign Medical Accreditation Act would permanently codify that transfer by:

Moving all foreign medical accreditation functions from the Secretary of Education to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.


Moore, Warren, Booker, Adams, Underwood, Pressley, Dingell Work to Improve Maternal Health

According to the CDC, more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Research has found that doula and midwifery care can reduce the use of C-sections and pre-term births and improve mothers’ wellbeing. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI), Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) Cory Booker (D-N.J), and Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), Alma Adams (D-N.C.) introduced the Mamas First Act, which would expand access to this care for mothers who rely on Medicaid.

“Across this nation, 40 percent of moms depend on Medicaid when they give birth. Instead of gutting and sabotaging Medicaid, we need to strengthen it so we can save lives. The Mamas First Act would provide mothers with access to evidence-based supportive care that can lead to healthier outcomes for them and their babies. At a time when stark disparities in maternal mortality continue to hit our communities hard, I am thrilled to have such incredible colleagues and advocates supporting the Mamas First Act and the ongoing fight to save lives,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore.

“Instead of slashing health care for millions of Americans like Republicans in Congress are hellbent on doing, we should be expanding access to care to protect every momma and baby. It’s unthinkable that the richest country in the world would also have one of the highest maternal mortality rates. The Mamas First Act will help fix this crisis by improving access to high-quality care and rooting out the deep disparities and systemic racism in our health care system,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren.

“The Mamas First Act meets a crisis that is costing mothers their lives—especially Black and Indigenous women who walk into delivery rooms carrying risks no family should bear,” said Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). “By ensuring Medicaid reimburses doulas, midwives, tribal midwives, and lactation support professionals, this bill delivers the trusted care that keeps mothers safe and babies alive. Congress must act now.”

“The quality of care a pregnant woman receives should not depend on the color of her skin, where she lives, or her ability to pay. Each childbirth is different, and women and their doctors should be empowered to decide what care is best. By providing access to adequate and proper maternal services, including doulas and midwives, we will help end the maternal mortality crisis in our country and ensure our children start their lives out healthy and strong,” said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.

“Support from care workers like doulas and midwives can make the difference between a positive and healthy pregnancy outcome, and a devastating one. Every mom should be able to access this critically important care,” said Congresswoman Lauren Underwood. “As Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, I’m proud to join Congresswoman Gwen Moore to introduce the Mamas First Act, a bold step to address our country’s maternal mortality crisis by expanding Medicaid coverage to include doula, midwife, and lactation care. Together, we can, and must, take decisive action to save lives and end disparities.”

“Every mother deserves the care and support needed for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery,” said Congresswoman Adams, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “That is why I am proud to support the reintroduction of the Mamas First Act. Research shows that doula and midwife care can improve maternal health outcomes and reduce pregnancy-related complications. Yet the United States continues to face an unacceptable maternal mortality crisis, and Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than women of other racial and ethnic groups. Moms can’t wait, and neither should Congress. We must expand access to high-quality maternal care and ensure every mother has the opportunity to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy.”


Moore, Durbin, Schatz, Gillibrand Introduce Child Marriage Prevention Act

Bicameral legislation takes important steps to help end child marriage in America

According to the Tahirih Justice Center, between 2000 and 2021, more than 314,000 minors (i.e., under the age of 18) were married in the United States. In certain instances, girls as young as 10 were married to men decades older. Child marriage is legal in 34 states, including Wisconsin. Congresswoman Gwen Moore, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the Child Marriage Prevention Act, which would take steps to reduce child marriage across the United States.

“The practice of child marriage should not exist anywhere, especially not in the U.S. But in 34 states, including Wisconsin, child marriage is legal. Young girls are put on a harmful trajectory in life that keeps them from controlling their own futures when they enter, or are forced to enter, into these marriages. I am proud to partner with Senator Durbin to protect young people from this predatory and harmful practice. Our legislation takes a critical first step toward ending child marriage and protecting our children,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore.

“Child marriage overwhelmingly affects underage girls who are married to adult men, often with dire consequences for their life outcomes,” said Senator Durbin. “The bill builds on the work of countless survivors and advocates across the country to ban child marriage in the United States. We must enact this legislation at a federal level to protect the future of hundreds of thousands of young girls who have been stripped of their independence.”

“It’s unacceptable that hundreds of thousands of young girls are still forced into marriages they want no part of,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill will help finally end this practice in the United States by updating our immigration laws and encouraging states to ban child marriage for good.”

“Child marriage leaves girls vulnerable to abuse and exploitation,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It is a predatory, manipulative practice that has no place in 21st century American society. The Child Marriage Prevention Act makes commonsense changes to help eliminate child marriage across the United States and protect our kids, and I look forward to getting it passed.”

“Girls are only as safe as the laws designed to protect them,” said Casey Carter Swegman, Director of Public Policy at Tahirih Justice Center. “For years, the United States has condemned child marriage abroad while failing to address the ways our own laws leave children here and around the world vulnerable to exploitation under the guise of marriage. The Child Marriage Prevention Act is a critical step toward changing that. By supporting states to take action to end child marriage and closing legal loopholes that can be used to exploit children, this bill sends a clear message: child marriage is wrong no matter where it occurs and we must end it! We are incredibly grateful to Senator Durbin and Congresswoman Moore for their leadership and to the many survivor advocates that have inspired and informed this urgently needed legislation.”

Specifically, the Child Marriage Prevention Act would:

Establish a National Commission to Combat Child Marriage to study, evaluate, and report on eliminating child marriage in the United States;

Require a report by the Government Accountability Office examining the harmful impacts of child marriage across the United States;

Incentivize states to ban child marriage (such as through increased Violence Against Women Act grant funding);

Fund states-based task forces to examine and issue recommendations for eliminating child marriage in their individual states;

Prohibit child marriage from occurring on federally funded land or buildings or property owned by the federal government (such as military bases).

Instruct the Attorney General to promulgate a model state statute that prohibits child marriage.

This bill would also close immigration loopholes that facilitate child marriage, requiring that both parties in a couple seeking a marriage-based visa be at least 18 years of age at the time of filing and for the U.S. petitioner to have been at least 18 years of age at the time of their marriage, with rare exceptions.

In addition, this bill would amend how a proxy marriage (in which one of the two parties is not physically present for the ceremony) can be established for immigration purposes, replacing a problematic consummation requirement that incentivizes rape, with a requirement that parties to a marriage have previously met in person within two years of the date of the ceremony.


SCREWWORMS: Harder Announces New Bill to Protect Valley Livestock from Flesh-Eating Maggots

First outbreak of New World Screwworm flies in decades discovered in Texas last month, already spread to New Mexico

Harder’s bill invests in early detection and prevention to protect agriculture communities and stop screwworms from spreading

STOCKTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced new bipartisan legislation to protect Valley livestock and agriculture communities from a growing outbreak of flesh-eating insects. Harder’s Protecting America’s Herds Act invests in early detection and prevention of New World Screwworm flies to control the outbreak and ultimately keep these parasites out of the Valley.

Parasitic swarms just broke into the U.S., and they’re headed for the Valley:

Screwworm flies have been eradicated in the U.S. since the 1960s, but just last month new cases were detected in Texas, and the outbreak has already spread to New Mexico.

These parasites lay eggs in open wounds of livestock, which hatch into flesh-eating maggots that can kill animals and even infect humans.

The spreading outbreak also threatens to drive up beef prices, which have already climbed over a dollar per pound since 2025 before the outbreak even began.

“These parasitic swarms kill livestock, drive up beef prices, and can even infect people - we have to stop this outbreak before it spreads even more,” said Rep. Harder. “My bill jumpstarts detection and prevention efforts by giving local agriculture communities the resources and support they need to keep Valley livestock healthy. Passing this bill ASAP should be a no-brainer.”

How Harder’s bipartisan bill gets the screwworm outbreak under control:

Early Detection and Prevention – Deploys inspectors and trains producers on identification, treatment, prevention, and case reporting.

Priority Risk Funding – Fast-tracks funding to the states and communities at the highest risk of screwworm introduction or spread.

Interagency Coordination – Enhanced coordination with U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, veterinarians, and state animal health officials.

The Protecting America’s Herds Act is endorsed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Public Lands Council, and the American Sheep Industry.

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ICYMI: Congressman Pat Harrigan Pens Op-Ed on How Congress Can Lower Americans' Energy Bills

Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a new op-ed for Breitbart, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) argues that Washington is sitting on one of the most effective tools to lower Americans' energy bills, but outdated tax rules are preventing it from being fully utilized. He explains how his bipartisan Nuclear Rate Stabilization Act would remove unnecessary barriers to nuclear investment, accelerate the construction of new reactors, strengthen American energy security, and help deliver lower electricity costs for families.

You can read the full piece here or below.

Washington Is Sitting on the Cure for High Energy Bills; It’s Called Nuclear

Every month, families across the United States open their electric bill and brace themselves. Prices keep climbing, and too often the explanation they get is a shrug and a reference to “the grid.” What they are rarely told is that Washington already has a tool sitting on the shelf that could bring real relief, and it is the tax code itself standing in the way of using it.

That tool is nuclear energy. It is the most powerful source of electricity on earth, it produces zero emissions, and a single reactor can run reliably for decades, providing the kind of steady baseload power that solar and wind simply cannot match on their own. If we are serious about energy independence and lower bills, nuclear has to be part of the answer. The problem is not the technology. The problem is the paperwork.

Congress already passed a clean energy investment tax credit worth 30 to 50 percent of construction costs for new nuclear projects. On paper, that should be a game changer. In practice, outdated accounting rules force utilities to stretch that credit out over the full 40-year life of a reactor, diluting its value to almost nothing in the years when it actually matters, when a plant is being built and rates are being set. On top of that, the credits tied to nuclear construction cannot be sold or transferred to outside investors, unlike credits for battery storage and other clean energy projects. That leaves utilities sitting on paper value they cannot use, while the capital they need to build the reactor stays out of reach.

This is not a partisan problem, and it should not have a partisan solution. That is why I introduced the Nuclear Rate Stabilization Act alongside Congressman Jimmy Panetta, a Democrat from California. Our bill gives nuclear projects the same opt-out from these normalization rules that battery storage projects already have, and it allows those tax credits to be transferred to third parties. In plain terms, it lets the incentives Congress already approved actually reach the people they were designed to help: ratepayers.

The Nuclear Energy Institute and companies like Elementl Power have already voiced support, because they see the same bottleneck utilities do every day. Projects that could be moving forward are instead stuck waiting on financing that a simple fix to the tax code would unlock. Every year that passes without this fix is another year of reactors that do not get built, jobs that do not get created, and savings that never reach a family’s monthly bill.

We are entering an era of surging electricity demand, driven by manufacturing growth and a push to bring American industry back home. Meeting that demand with reliable, clean, American-made power is not optional; it is a necessity for both our economy and our national security. Nuclear energy is how we do that without sacrificing reliability or handing more leverage to foreign energy suppliers.

The Nuclear Rate Stabilization Act will not build a single reactor on its own. But it clears away a bureaucratic obstacle that has been quietly strangling nuclear construction for years. It is a small fix with a large payoff: more reactors built, more American jobs created, and lower energy bills for the families who have waited long enough for relief. Congress should pass it without delay.

Pat Harrigan is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a degree in nuclear engineering. He now represents North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he serves on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.


RELEASE: HILL VOTES TO STRENGTHEN AMERICAN DIPLOMACY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ABROAD

Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) voted for H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027, which passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 217-209. The bill strengthens American diplomacy and national security abroad, cuts foreign aid and counters our adversaries while supporting key allies, and supports education programs abroad like the Fulbright Exchange Program.

Rep. Hill said, “House Republicans are bringing sanity back to foreign spending and making sure every dollar we send abroad serves America's national security. Arkansans never asked for their hard-earned tax dollars to be spent pushing 'woke' fads like DEI programs and gender ideology experiments on our strategic partners and allies. I voted for this bill to fund the things that actually advance our best interests, our diplomatic and intelligence operations, security assistance for real allies, and programs that reflect American values like religious freedom, the fight against human trafficking, and the Fulbright Exchange program. We're also cutting off the regimes that work against America and demanding more accountability from those receiving our money. This bill respects taxpayers, advances our actual interests, and delivers the foreign policy Americans have been asking for.”

Background:

H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027, provides a total discretionary allocation of $47.32 billion, which is $2.69 billion, or 6 percent, below the FY26 enacted level. The bill champions a foreign policy agenda that supports our allies, counters our adversaries, and eliminates contributions to organizations that are wasteful and contradictory to American values. It codifies President Trump's executive orders to completely defund DEI programs, climate change mandates, and radical gender ideology programs, and maintains all long-standing pro-life provisions. It also counters the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party by fully funding the Countering PRC Influence Fund at $400 million, denying the CCP access to U.S.-backed resources, and prohibiting countries from using U.S. aid to repay debts owed to Communist China.

Rep. Hill’s Priorities


Horsford Joins Republic Services Workers on Recycling Line at Largest Recycling Facility in the Nation

NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) visited the Southern Nevada Recycling Center as part of his ongoing "Congressman on the Job" series, a district-wide initiative in which he works alongside Nevada workers to experience firsthand the challenges and achievements shaping the Fourth District's economy.

Congressman Horsford spent the day on the sorting line alongside Republic Services employees at the largest recycling facility in the nation, hand-sorting recyclables and experiencing firsthand the physical demands the job requires. Nevada is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, facing mounting pressure from extreme heat, water scarcity, and a surge in waste that existing infrastructure is straining to keep up with. The workers on that line aren't just sorting recycling, they're on the front lines of the state's environmental future.

"People think Las Vegas is just hospitality but right here in our city sits the largest recycling facility in the entire country," said Congressman Horsford. "Nevada is at the epicenter of environmental innovation, and the workers at Republic Services perform the grueling, physically demanding work that keeps our communities clean. Spending the day on this sorting line reminded me why strong federal investments in recycling infrastructure, clean jobs, and environmental policy aren't just good for our planet, they're good for Nevada families."

The visit underscores Congressman Horsford's long record of advocacy for environmental policy, clean energy investment, and worker protections. Republic Services operates one of the most advanced recycling operations in the country, processing millions of tons of material annually and employing thousands of workers nationwide.

Click Here to watch full video.

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Hoyer Delivers Keynote Address at Faith and Politics Institute's "Redeeming the Souls of Our Nation" Dinner

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered the keynote address at The Faith and Politics Institute's "Redeeming the Souls of Our Nation" Dinner ahead of the sixth anniversary of the passing of Congressman John R. Lewis (GA-05) on Friday, July 17th, 2026. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

"Thank you, Shana. I want to congratulate you and your eleven colleagues from Cohort Five on completing your fellowship. Each of you has taken it upon yourself to carry the banner for which John Lewis stood and taught throughout his life. He would be so proud of this group – and excited to meet Cohort Six, which is beginning its fellowship year.

"John Lewis was more than my friend. He was an inspiration, my colleague, and – most importantly – my brother. When John came to Congress in 1987, I sought him out. I had been serving in the House for six years, but John was already a hero of mine when he first stepped onto the Floor as a freshman. He and I both had our formative political experiences during the Civil Rights Movement. John, of course, was a student leader of that movement. He marched, he sat in, he was jailed and beaten. He organized Freedom Rides. When he 'walked with the wind' across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in 1965, John became an icon at just twenty-five years old. The following year, I was a young lawyer and Congressional staffer running for State Senate in Maryland. I ran on a desegregation and fair-housing platform. I won because I went door to door in the African American community and worked to register and turn out the Black vote in a district that George Wallace had carried in 1964 and where many Black voters told me no one had ever asked them to cast a vote before, let alone some skinny white kid who had just finished law school. After I was elected, one of the first votes I cast in 1967 was to repeal Maryland’s 300-year-old law banning interracial marriage. I was twenty-seven. Not much older than you are now. Never underestimate the impact young people can have on our democracy, on our communities, and on shaping the direction of this country. We saw it with great Americans like Alexander Hamilton, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Dolores Huerta – and we see that same determination today in young people like you.

"Many of you today remember John in his older years. But for those of us who knew him over the decades, John always carried the same youthful spirit that first led him organize fellow students in the 1960’s. In 1960, he sat in against segregation in Nashville. In 2016, he sat in against gun violence on the Floor of the House of Representatives. In 1963, he spoke before Dr. King at the March on Washington and challenged this nation to do something about police violence. In 2020, in his final weeks, he called on us not to give up in seeking justice after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. By 1966, John had already been arrested forty times for protesting segregation and voter suppression. In the twenty-first century, he was arrested for protesting against genocide in Darfur and for the rights of immigrants. Dr. King called him 'the boy from Troy.' Even until his last days, John held on to the restlessness and fearlessness of a young man. He dared to dream and never let it go. I have referred to him as 'Saint John.' The most Christ-like individual I have met over the course of my life – a man who lived his faith, suffered for what he believed to be right, and challenged all of us to take risks for change. The Beloved Community of which he spoke often was as much a hopeful vision as it was sacred challenge. It calls on us to imagine an America where change stems from nonviolence, where progress springs from kindness, and where unity comes from mutual respect.

"For the young people here tonight – the Fellows and the Scholars – who are emerging leaders in the movement for equality, justice, and opportunity, I urge you to do what John did: never stop dreaming of what could be and never stop fighting to make it so. As John demonstrated, the passion and determination you have now need never diminish as the years progress. We may grow older and grayer but hope and faith and conviction must never age. When I walked beside John over the bridge in Selma, year after year at the annual pilgrimage, I could see on his face something timeless, something steady. It was, I now understand, the face of a twenty-five-year-old who dreamed, who yearned, who believed in what others said was impossible. Now, I look upon your faces. I see the same idealism and impatience. Embrace it. Harness it. Never let it go.

"In his final message to his fellow Americans, published after he died, John described it as 'the highest calling of your heart.' This calling gives you purpose. Surely, it will be the instrument of a better future for us all. One of John’s heroes was Senator Robert Kennedy. Kennedy, speaking to students in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1966, said: 'Everyone here will ultimately be judged – will ultimately judge himself – on the effort he has contributed to building a new world society and the extent to which his ideals and goals have shaped that effort.' By that standard, John Robert Lewis’s actions and life were testament to his fidelity to his ideals and goals. Dr. King, Gandhi, and Mandela – I’m sure – all said upon receiving John into their company: 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' Like two of the three servants in Jesus’s Parable of the Talents, John multiplied the message he had received, and the community was more beloved because of it. May God bless and keep the memory of my friend John Lewis. And may his legacy continue to be honored and exalted in your work."


Rep. Ronny Jackson Leads Letter Supporting Trump Administration’s Investigation into Proxy Advisor Industry

WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) sent a letter to Chairman Ferguson of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Acting Attorney General Blanche of the Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting information on their continued investigations into politically-motivated proxy advisor firms.

The letter comes following President Trump’s signing of Executive Order (EO) 14366 “Protecting American Investors from Foreign-Owned and Politically-Motivated Proxy Advisors.” EO 14366 raises concerns about foreign-owned proxy advisor firms, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC (Glass Lewis), collectively controlling approximately 90 percent of the proxy advisor industry, wielding enormous influence over America’s largest companies. Furthermore, the EO highlights that these firms have used their influence to encourage shareholder votes advancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that do not prioritize shareholder value or financial returns.

ISS and Glass Lewis have also challenged Texas Senate Bill 2337, which requires proxy advisory firms to publicly disclose when their voting recommendations for Texas companies are based on non-financial factors, including ESG and DEI. Additionally, both firms have opposed eight individual Texas corporate redomicile proposals that recently came before shareholders, raising concerns about coordinated anticompetitive activities between the businesses to block corporations moves to the state.

“For too long, a small number of foreign-owned proxy advisor firms have exercised outsized influence over U.S. businesses, pushing radical ESG and DEI agendas to the detriment of American consumers and the Texas economy,” said Rep. Jackson. “I’m proud to support President Trump and his administration’s efforts to investigate these politically-motivated firms for unfair, deceptive, and anticompetitive practices. I look forward to working with my colleagues to provide greater transparency and accountability into the industry and ensure everyday investors can have confidence that proxy voting recommendations are made in the best financial interests of shareholders.

The letter may be found here, and additional background from The Daily Signal may be found here. Representatives Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Keith Self (TX-03), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), Chip Roy (TX-21), Roger Williams (TX-25), Lance Gooden (TX-05), August Pfluger (TX-11), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Craig Goldman (TX-12), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Randy Weber (TX-14), John Carter (TX-31), Brandon Gill (TX-26), and Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) joined Rep. Jackson in signing the letter.

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ICYMI: Rep. Ronny Jackson Targets Anti-Trust Proxy Giants for Pushing Woke DEI and Green New Scam Policies

WASHINGTON — A new story from The Daily Signal highlights Rep. Ronny Jackson’s (TX-13) work to hold two dominant proxy advisor firms accountable for using their market power to force American companies to implement their woke political agendas.

This comes as Rep. Jackson sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson backing the Trump administration's investigation into Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis, citing concerns that the firms have used their outsized influence to advance DEI and ESG priorities while engaging in anticompetitive conduct.

In case you missed it…

Ronny Jackson Targets Anti-Trust Proxy Giants Accused of Pushing ‘Woke DEI and Green New Scam’ Policies

The Daily Signal

July 17, 2026

FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Two private companies currently dominate more than 90% of the proxy advisory market, controlling significant influence over corporate America, and Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, is demanding answers.

In a letter obtained by the Daily Signal to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Andrew N. Ferguson, chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, Jackson points to specific examples of these companies advising with a leftist agenda in mind rather than investor returns.

“Two foreign-owned proxy advisory firms have used their 90 percent market share to impose radical diversity quotas and net-zero mandates on American companies,” Jackson told the Daily Signal.

“ISS and Glass Lewis have become socialist political activists, putting woke DEI and Green New Scam policies ahead of shareholder returns. Americans want capitalism, not corporate terrorism,” Jackson said.

If an American holds stocks through a mutual fund, pension fund, or 401(k), ISS or Glass Lewis could be hired to analyze the shareholder proposals and recommend how votes should be cast.

This is not the first time ISS and Glass Lewis have been accused of imposing a leftist political agenda. On Dec. 11, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Protecting American Investors From Foreign-Owned and Politically Motivated Proxy Advisors.”

The executive order directed federal agencies to review proxy-adviser regulations, examine potential antitrust concerns, and investigate whether the firms were advancing DEI and ESG activism. The president advised the agencies to take action if needed.

Now, Jackson is seeking an update on the investigation.

In the letter, Jackson writes that he is “concerned by Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) and Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC (Glass Lewis) and their continued use of their more than 90 percent share of the proxy advisor market to conduct anticompetitive activities, imposing political agendas on American companies and colluding to oppose companies’ efforts to redomicile to the state of Texas.”

“Most recently, ISS and Glass Lewis each recommended that shareholders oppose ExxonMobil Corp.’s decision to move its legal domicile to Texas—the state where the company has been operationally headquartered since 1989.”

Jackson argues that ISS and Glass Lewis failed to disclose a potential conflict when recommending against ExxonMobil’s move to Texas. The firms are in a legal battle challenging the state of Texas and Attorney General Ken Paxton. They recently sued the state over a Senate bill requiring the proxy-adviser law.

Jackson also wants to review the FTC’s and DOJ’s efforts to examine potential violations of federal antitrust laws by ISS and Glass Lewis.

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MassLive: Mass. lawmakers seek ICE probe after 2 killings; say Maine death wasn’t isolated

Every Democratic member of Massachusetts’ House delegation joined nearly 200 congressional Democrats across the country on Friday to demand independent investigations into the fatal shootings of two men by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Texas and Maine, escalating pressure on the agency after its second deadly shooting in less than a week.

The request follows a letter sent Thursday by Sens. Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren to the acting director of ICE’s Boston field office demanding answers about the fatal shooting of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine.

Following the second deadly shooting by ICE in less than a week, Massachusetts Democrats argued Guerrero’s death was “not an aberration” but part of a broader escalation in immigration enforcement operations.

“The killings of both Mr. Guerrero and Mr. Araujo reflect a disturbing pattern: warrantless, aggressive, and indiscriminate ICE enforcement operations ending in the loss of life,” Markey and Warren wrote.

They pointed to Guerrero’s death and the July 7 fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston as evidence that ICE’s recent enforcement surge has raised questions about the agency’s use-of-force practices.

The House letter, signed by all nine Democratic members of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation, calls on the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to investigate both deaths.

Like Markey and Warren, the lawmakers argued the shootings raise broader concerns about ICE accountability and officer conduct. The letter was signed by Reps. Richard Neal, James McGovern, Lori Trahan, Jake Auchincloss, Katherine Clark, Seth Moulton, Ayanna Pressley, Stephen Lynch and Bill Keating.

Warren and Markey also asked new Acting Field Office Director David Wesling to explain the Boston field office’s role in the Biddeford operation, why agents were not equipped with body-worn cameras, whether the officers involved had a history of use-of-force incidents and what steps ICE plans to take to prevent future fatal shootings.

Investigations into Guerrero’s death are being conducted by the Maine Attorney General’s Office, the FBI and ICE.

Questions mount after ICE officer identified

Calls for oversight intensified Thursday after The Associated Press identified the ICE officer who shot Guerrero as David Brouillette, an Army veteran whose relatives said he has a history of mental health struggles and violent behavior.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had previously criticized attempts to identify the officer, telling MassLive that efforts to confirm his identity amounted to “doxxing” a federal law enforcement agent. Doxxing is the processing of collecting and publishing sensitive information about a person typically so others will harass, publicly ridicule or hurt them, according to a “frequently asked questions” document on the Massachusetts Attorney General’s website.

Following the AP report, several congressional Democrats renewed calls for reforms and independent investigations. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, of Connecticut, called the revelations “absolutely appalling,” while Rep. Bennie Thompson, of Mississippi, the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, questioned ICE’s vetting and training practices. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Sen. Alex Padilla of California also called for greater accountability.

“These cases, taken together, illustrate that the Biddeford shooting was not an aberration but part of a broader, escalating pattern of force that demands immediate scrutiny and reform,” Markey and Warren wrote.

Thursday’s letter is also the latest in a broader effort by Markey to challenge ICE and DHS enforcement and surveillance practices. Since September 2025, he has introduced legislation and sent a series of letters to target facial-recognition technology, suspected databases used to track protesters, proposed “smart glasses” for immigration officers, biometric surveillance programs, aerial monitoring of protests and conditions at the ICE Burlington field office.

It remains unclear whether Guerrero was the person agents sought to detain. Sen. Angus King’s office said he was not under a deportation order, CNN reported. The Maine Attorney General’s Office has said preliminary evidence indicates Guerrero was driving “in the direction of the officer” when shots were fired.

But witness Daniel Boucher told the Portland Press Herald he saw Guerrero exit the vehicle while bleeding heavily and heard him say, “I tried to stop.”

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Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Presents Palatine Police Department with $239,000 in Federal Funding He Secured for New Police Motorcycles and Electric Bicycles

PALATINE, Ill. — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today joined Palatine Police Chief William Nord, Deputy Chief David Brandwein, and local leaders to present the Palatine Police Department with $239,000 in federal Community Project Funding he secured for the department's Community Engagement and Patrol Enhancement Project. The funding will be used to purchase new police motorcycles and electric bicycles, giving officers greater mobility to patrol parks, school zones, trails, bike paths, and other areas traditional patrol vehicles cannot easily access while strengthening traffic enforcement and community policing. The investment will help officers better serve residents throughout the Village of Palatine.

"Every family deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, and every police officer deserves the tools they need to protect our communities," said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. "I was proud to secure this funding to help the Palatine Police Department strengthen public safety, support the dedicated officers who serve this community every day, and ensure taxpayer dollars are invested where they'll make a real difference for the people of Palatine."

The Community Engagement and Patrol Enhancement Project will improve officer mobility, strengthen traffic enforcement, expand community policing, and help the Palatine Police Department continue building strong relationships with the residents it serves.


Krishnamoorthi Renews Call to Reject Todd Blanche, Citing Epstein Cover-Up and Loyalty to Trump Over the Constitution

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) released the following statement renewing his call for the Senate to reject Todd Blanche's nomination to serve as Attorney General following Blanche's Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings:

“A month ago, I led my colleagues in urging the Senate to reject Todd Blanche's nomination because he led the Trump Administration's cover-up of the Epstein files, lacked the independence required of an Attorney General, and repeatedly demonstrated that his first loyalty is to President Trump, not the Constitution and the American people. His confirmation hearings only reinforced those concerns. Under Mr. Blanche's leadership, the Department of Justice exposed the identities of Epstein survivors while continuing to withhold the full Epstein files Congress and the American people were promised. Time and again, Mr. Blanche has put President Trump's political interests ahead of survivors, ahead of the rule of law, and ahead of the Constitution he is sworn to uphold. His refusal to reject the Administration's efforts to use the Department of Justice to launch an unprecedented federal takeover of our elections only confirmed that he lacks the independence and judgment required of an Attorney General. The Senate should reject his nomination.”


Larsen’s Water Resources Bill Clears Committee Hurdle

This week, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02)’s Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA 2026) passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by a unanimous vote of 66-0. The bipartisan, biennial bill protects Northwest Washington’s environment, supports Columbia River Treaty negotiations and authorizes critical investments in Northwest Washington ports, inland waterways, flood management systems and other water resources infrastructure.

“You cannot have a big league economy with little league infrastructure. In the Pacific Northwest and across the country, investments in ports, harbors and inland waterways support good-paying jobs and are key to long-term economic growth,” said Rep. Larsen, who is the top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 continues bipartisan efforts to improve water resources infrastructure in Northwest Washington and across the country. I look forward to bringing this bill to the House floor for a vote later this year.”

Since 2014, Congress has enacted a WRDA every two years to help improve the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation system, flood and storm risk management, environment and other aspects of water resources infrastructure. WRDA 2024 passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and included many of Larsen’s local priorities, including funding environmental infrastructure assistance to Western Washington communities and expanding the Tribal Partnership Program (TPP) to make it easier for the Corps to partner with Northwest Tribes on projects.

Washington State Wins in WRDA 2026

The 2026 WRDA invests in Washington state transportation and infrastructure priorities, including restoring the Puget Sound, addressing Nooksack River flooding and ensuring that critical Corps projects across the state can continue. Wins for Washington in WRDA 2026 include:

Nooksack River Flooding: Authorizes a new feasibility study for flood risk reduction in the Nooksack River, which Whatcom County can use for long-term planning to address flooding concerns. Rep. Larsen has been working with local leaders to develop a plan to address Nooksack River flooding. Earlier this year, he advocated for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief funds to help communities recover from December 2025’s devastating floods and has championed FEMA flood mitigation grant funding so that local communities can prepare for future floods.

Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters (PSAW): Increases the per project funding cap to $20 million, ensuring projects like Spencer Island restoration in Snohomish County continue to move forward. In 2018, Rep. Larsen successfully included an amendment in WRDA 2018 to increase the per project cap for PSAW to $10 million.

Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP): Allows the Corps to cost-share the relocation of related infrastructure for PNSERP projects at Lilliwaup Estuary, Tahuya Estuary, Snow Creek and Salmon Creek and Nooksack Estuary. Rep. Larsen previously worked to authorize $451 million for PSNERP in WRDA 2016. The Puget Sound is the largest estuary by water volume in the United States, and Rep. Larsen's bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the National Estuary Program through 2031 to protect the Puget Sound and other estuaries around the country passed the House last December.

Columbia River Treaty: Extends temporary authority for the United States to pay for pre-planned storage of water in Canada while United States and Canada continue to negotiate a new Columbia River Treaty. The United States’ current authority expires in 2027. The hydropower that the Columbia River Treaty provides benefits towns and cities across Northwest Washington, and Rep. Larsen has advocated for the Columbia River Treaty’s renewal for over a decade. Larsen supports efforts to negotiate a modern Columbia River treaty that manages flood risks and ensures a reliable clean energy supply, and is working with local stakeholders to gather input ahead of negotiations.

Preventing Invasive Aquatic Species: Clarifies that indirect costs incurred by non-federal partners remain eligible for credit or reimbursement under the Corps’ Watercraft Inspection authority, which funds state efforts to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species. Invasive golden, quagga and zebra mussels continue to expand their footprint in the Pacific Northwest. Early detection monitoring, watercraft inspection and decontamination and eradication efforts are critical to preventing further spread.

Lower Columbia River Channel Maintenance: Clarifies that the cost of constructing a dredged material disposal facility for operation and maintenance of the Lower Willamette and Lower Columbia River is a federal responsibility that can be drawn from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF). These facilities are necessary for dredging operations to maintain the Columbia River waterway, which moves over $31 billion in cargo annually and supports 40,000 local jobs.

Lower Columbia River Turning Basin: Authorizes the Chief’s Report for Lower Columbia Turning Basin improvements. Traffic has continued to grow in the Lower Columbia River, with an increase in larger vessels that need room to safely turn and park. These improvements will allow for the better positioning of vessels, increase opportunities to use nearby tug service and improve efficient movement of vessels transporting goods.

HMTF Allocations for Donor and Energy Transfer Ports: Removes discretion for administration to utilize a provision in WRDA 2020 requiring funding from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. The Ports of Seattle and Tacoma are donor ports.

Office of Community Outreach and Affordability: Creates an Office of Community Outreach and Affordability within the Corps to help communities that may have difficulty navigating the Corps’ planning and construction processes.

Corps Study Process: Requires the Corps and the non-federal sponsor to establish an agreed-to timeframe (with milestones) for studies and allow the non-federal sponsor to request time extensions based on project complexity and sponsor’s goals.

For the legislative text of WRDA 2026, click here.

For a summary of WRDA 2026, click here.

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Larson Statement on Court Decision Blocking Trump Administration Access to Connecticut Voter Records

“Secretary Thomas and Attorney General Tong showed us how you stand up to a bully and win,” said Larson. “The Trump Administration has proven time and time again that they cannot be trusted with the American people’s sensitive records. Citizens in other states have already been purged from the voter rolls because of their illegal election interference. We must never let that happen in Connecticut. If last night was any indication, the President’s push to take over our elections is far from over. He’d rather promote debunked election lies, than do anything to lower costs for the American people. His SAVE Act would not only make it harder for women, people of color, and even our troops, to cast their ballots—it would force states to hand over your voting records to Trump’s lackeys. I will continue to defend your right to vote from these attacks and safeguard your privacy from his administration’s potentially criminal misuse of confidential records.”

Rep. Larson has voted against the SAVE Act three times and continues to oppose any effort to make it harder for citizens to cast their ballots. He spoke out against the Trump Administration’s lawsuit against Connecticut in February—and has led efforts to stop the President’s attempts to weaponize federal agencies as part of a national election takeover, including the Social Security Administration (SSA), U.S. Postal Service (USPS), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Trump’s voter purge database has already been struck down in court, and his DOJ has so far lost every case it has brought to obtain Americans’ voter records.


Rep. Laurel Lee Hosts Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Announce FDA Proposal Supporting Florida Citrus Industry

Lakeland, FL – Today, Representative Laurel Lee (FL-15) hosted Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., U.S. Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL), Representative Kat Cammack (FL-03) and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson for a press conference alongside Florida citrus growers and industry leaders to discuss the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) proposed rule to modernize the federal Brix standard for not-from-concentrate pasteurized orange juice.

The Brix standard measures the amount of naturally occurring sugars and other soluble solids in orange juice and is part of the federal standard of identity for not-from-concentrate pasteurized orange juice. Established decades ago, the current standard no longer reflects the realities facing Florida citrus growers. As growing conditions have evolved over time, many otherwise high-quality Florida oranges no longer meet the decades-old threshold, despite producing safe, nutritious, and great-tasting juice.

FDA’s proposed rule would lower the minimum Brix standard from 10.5° to 10.0°, an update that would provide greater flexibility for Florida citrus growers while preserving the quality consumers expect. It is a commonsense update that reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens while preserving the quality standards consumers trust. By modernizing the federal standard, the proposal better reflects today's agricultural conditions while supporting one of Florida's signature industries.

“President Trump is ending an outdated regulation that forced American orange juice producers to rely on foreign imports and an obsolete sugar standard,” said HHS Secretary Kennedy. “We are cutting red tape, saving the industry more than $50 million each year, strengthening American supply chains, and creating a level playing field for U.S. citrus growers — all while maintaining the safety, quality, and taste Americans expect. That is America First policy, guided by gold-standard science.”

“American farmers deserve every opportunity to compete, succeed, and lead the world with the products they grow here at home,” said Rep. Laurel Lee. “I appreciate Secretary Kennedy’s leadership in advancing this thoughtful, commonsense proposal to modernize the federal Brix standard. By updating a decades-old federal standard to reflect the realities of modern agriculture while preserving the outstanding quality consumers expect, this proposal creates new opportunities for Florida-grown citrus, strengthens domestic production, and gives Florida growers the opportunity to compete on the strength of the exceptional product they’ve produced for generations.”

“When I heard an outdated FDA rule was threatening the survival of Florida’s great citrus growers, I immediately went to work—filing the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act and meeting with the White House to expedite a solution. Today is proof that the juice was worth the squeeze. Florida’s citrus farmers are an integral part of Florida’s culture, and I will always fight to ensure they have the support they need to continue growing and making a living,” said Senator Ashley Moody. “Thank you to everyone who worked so cohesively to make this happen, including Sec. Kennedy, Rep. Franklin, Rep. Lee, Rep. Cammack, and our industry partners. This is a major win for our state.”

“When Congressman Scott Franklin and I first started working on this issue, Florida growers kept asking us one simple question: Why are we being forced to blend imported juice into a product made from perfectly good Florida oranges? The answer was an outdated Washington regulation that had not kept pace with citrus greening, hurricanes, freezes, and the realities in Florida’s groves,” said Congresswoman Kat Cammack. "For years, we have worked with Florida Citrus Mutual, the Florida Citrus Processors Association, the Florida Farm Bureau, FDA, and our colleagues in Congress to fix it. We introduced legislation, took the case directly to the agency, and kept pushing until Washington listened. I’m grateful to Secretary Kennedy and Acting Commissioner Diamantas, Congressman Scott Franklin, Congresswoman Laurel Lee, and our partners across Florida’s citrus industry for helping make this commonsense, science-based solution possible. Now, more Florida oranges can go into Florida orange juice, and one of our state’s proudest industries has a stronger path forward.”

“For too long, outdated regulations have failed to reflect the realities facing Florida citrus. Citrus greening has changed our industry in ways no one could have imagined when many of these standards were written decades ago. Updating the minimum Brix standard is about modernizing regulations, so they reflect today’s science and today’s growing conditions,” said Jeb Smith, President & CEO of Florida Farm Bureau. “I want to thank Secretary Kennedy, Acting Commissioner Diamantas, Senator Ashley Moody, Congresswoman Kat Cammack, Congresswoman Laurel Lee, Congressman Scott Franklin, and the Trump Administration for recognizing an issue that Florida citrus growers have been raising for years and for moving to address it with the urgency needed.”

"Florida's citrus growers appreciate our steadfast partners, like Representative Laurel Lee, Representative Kat Cammack and Senator Ashley Moody, who have worked alongside us every step of the way to modernize the decades-old standard of identity for orange juice,” said Matt Joyner, Executive Vice President & CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “With this regulatory change in place, growers can use more Florida-grown oranges to bring high-quality, nutrient-dense orange juice to breakfast tables across the nation and the world."

Watch Rep. Lee’s remarks from the Press Conference here.

Background:

Under current federal regulations, the standard of identity for not-from-concentrate pasteurized orange juice requires a minimum Brix level of 10.5%, a measurement of naturally occurring sugar and soluble solids in orange juice. As growing conditions have evolved over time, many perfectly flavorful and nutritious Florida oranges no longer meet that outdated threshold. As a result, processors often must rely more heavily on imported juice to meet the existing standard, limiting opportunities for domestic growers.

The FDA's proposed rule would update the minimum Brix requirement to 10.0%, helping ensure that more Florida-grown oranges qualify for premium not-from-concentrate juice while preserving the taste, nutrition and quality consumers expect.


Lawler Introduces Public Service Retirement Tax Relief Act to Cap Federal Taxes on State and Local Government Pensions

Washington, D.C. – 7/17/26… This week, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the Public Service Retirement Tax Relief Act, legislation to cap federal income taxes for retirees’ government pensions. The tax cap would provide up to $10,000 in relief for individual filers and up to $20,000 for qualifying joint filers in which both spouses receive a State or local government pension. All other income would continue to be taxed under current law, and the cap would apply only to eligible State and local government pension income.

“After a lifetime of serving their communities, retired teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public servants deserve to keep more of the pensions they worked so hard to earn. Our retirees on fixed incomes are burdened by high federal tax bills. I'm proud to introduce this legislation to provide relief, help retirees keep more of their hard-earned retirement income, and better afford everyday expenses,” said Congressman Lawler.

Currently, state and local government pensions are taxed as ordinary income under federal law. This legislation establishes a cap on the amount of federal income tax retirees can owe on those pensions, helping provide greater financial certainty while allowing public servants to keep more of the retirement benefits they earned.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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