Young Op-Ed: The hidden danger China’s ships could bring to our shores

WASHINGTON — The following op-ed by U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) was published by FOX News on July 8, 2026.

By Todd Young

Chinese vessels carry appliances, clothing, and household goods to our ports. But what if they also brought, without notice, missile launchers concealed in shipping containers? This is not merely a hypothetical question, but a possibility America’s leaders must prepare for.

As technology evolves, enterprising nations are getting creative about how to project power far away from their borders and shores. Just last year, Ukraine destroyed a third of Russia’s strategic-bomber force even though those aircraft were kept on protected bases deep in the heart of Russian territory.

How? They hid swarms of drones inside shipping containers carried on trucks and infiltrated Russia’s domestic transportation networks. Russia was clearly unprepared for a clever adversary to exploit its highways.

The impact to Russia’s military power was striking, but the attack also exposed to the world the vulnerabilities inherent in everyday commerce.

That development should prompt American officials to consider what risks we face here in the United States. As a maritime nation protected by two oceans and friendly countries to our north and south, we’ve grown accustomed to a high level of safety. But we are also a major destination of global shipping, bringing most of the goods that we purchase every day to our shores.

A large percentage of those ships coming in and out of our ports are owned and operated by Chinese firms with direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party. This creates acute risk.

Naval analysts confirm China is retrofitting cargo ships with deadly weapons – long range strike and surface-to-air missiles, drone launching systems, as well as radar and tracking systems.

What if one of these ships arrived in Houston, home to America’s largest port in terms of tonnage and one of the country’s economic hubs?

The “best” case scenario: our Intelligence Community would detect the weapons, enabling the Coast Guard to intercept and seize the Chinese ship. However, this could potentially require shutting down the port and halting trade and LNG exports worth billions.

The far more alarming possibility: the armed Chinese cargo carriers slip into the Port of Houston undetected and launch devastating attacks on the port, destroying vital infrastructure and killing hundreds, and possibly many more.

The Port of Houston is home to the world’s largest petrochemical complexes and a quarter of America’s refining capacity. The explosions caused by a Chinese attack on the port would send clouds of carcinogens into the air and over nearby communities. Meanwhile, America’s energy supply would be devastated, causing painful shortages and draining the economy of millions of dollars a day.

This disaster could play out at any of our other major ports – Los Angeles, our hub for trans-Pacific trade, or Norfolk, Virginia, the East Coast’s deepest harbor and home to America’s largest naval base.

Neither of these situations are inevitable, but we must act now to rebuild America’s rusted Maritime Industrial Base and end our reliance on Chinese-flagged vessels. That is why I am working with congressional colleagues and the Trump administration to make American ships again.

The U.S. was once home to the world’s largest commercial fleet, numbering nearly 4,000 ships. But in the years following World War II, priorities shifted and international competition increased. Today, the United States manufactures a handful of commercial vessels per year while China builds over a thousand.

In total, the U.S. has fewer than 100 oceangoing commercial vessels. China has nearly 6,000, the largest fleet in the world. This imbalance is a tremendous risk, giving China control over global supply chains, economic levers to constrain American policy options, and, at worst, countless opportunities every day to sneak weapons into our cities.

What commercial shipping fleet we have is in disrepair. Our sealift capacity is diminished. America is in danger.

I am leading a bipartisan coalition in Congress that clearly sees the grave risks to our people and economy. We are working to achieve a revival of American shipbuilding. To accomplish this, we have written the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure and Security Act, or SHIPS Act. The bill, which I introduced in the Senate last year, will launch a new fleet of American-made ships.

The SHIPS Act will encourage the construction of new ships and shipyards through tax incentives. It will deliver deregulation and permitting reform to reduce costs and speed the delivery of new vessels. It also will modernize training programs at our maritime academies and recruit a new generation of mariners.

And the bill will establish a Maritime Security Trust Fund to finance these programs, plus an expansion of the U.S.-flagged international fleet to 250 ships by 2035.

We have a strong champion in President Trump, whose Maritime Action Plan is consistent with our bill, mobilizing the whole of government to restore America’s maritime dominance.

China is retrofitting its commercial ships into covert warships. The evidence is clear. So too is the risk of allowing these vessels to dominate global trade and fill our ports because we have no ships of our own.

But we have a plan to protect our ports and people, to build and launch a new fleet, manned by Americans mariners, flying the Stars and Stripes. Congress should pass the SHIPS Act without delay.

Republican Todd Young represents Indiana in the United States Senate.


Press Releases

Rep. Aguilar Highlights Importance of the Randolph-Sheppard Program for the Blind

Through the Randolph-Sheppard Program, Rep. Aguilar’s grandfather managed and operated the cafeteria in the historic San Bernardino County Courthouse for years

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) visited the San Bernardino County Courthouse and met with Gloria Blanco, a participant in the Randolph-Sheppard Program for the Blind, to highlight the program’s importance. Enacted in 1936, the Randolph-Sheppard Act created a program to help blind individuals gain employment and economic independence through managing food facilities on federal property, such as vending machines, snack bars and cafeterias. Rep. Aguilar’s grandfather operated the cafeteria at the San Bernardino County Courthouse through the Randolph-Sheppard Program, where Rep. Aguilar worked bussing tables.

A 20-year participant in the Randolph-Sheppard Program managing several successful facilities throughout Southern California, Gloria Blanco credits the program with transforming her life and providing the opportunity to build a successful business while serving her community. You can find photos from the visit above and here.

“The Randolph-Sheppard Program for the Blind has benefited my own family and thousands of other families across the country for decades,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “Beyond employment, this incredible program gives blind entrepreneurs like Gloria freedom, dignity and financial independence to build their lives and businesses. I’m a proud supporter of the Randolph-Sheppard Program, and I’ll keep advocating for it in Congress to ensure it continues to benefit blind individuals for generations to come.”

“For 90 years, the Randolph-Sheppard Act has changed the lives of thousands of blind Americans by replacing dependence with opportunity,” said Max Duarte, Chair, California Vendors Policy Committee (CVPC). “For the past 24 years, this program has allowed me to provide for my family, build a successful business, and give back by advocating for other blind entrepreneurs. I am deeply grateful to the generations of leaders who fought to protect this law, and I hope we continue to strengthen it so future generations have the same opportunity to achieve the American dream.”

In Congress, as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Aguilar is helping ensure Randolph-Sheppard merchants continue to receive technical support when applying for federal grants.

On the 90th anniversary of the Randolph-Sheppard Act, Rep. Aguilar sent a letter in braille to the National Federation of the Blind honoring the program and affirming his continued advocacy for programs that give every individual, regardless of disability, impairment, or life circumstance, the tools they need to succeed.


Houston Democrats Demand Independent Investigation and Full Video Footage After ICE Officer Kills Lorenzo Salgado Araujo

HOUSTON, T.X. – This week, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Congressman Al Green (D-TX-09), Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07), and Congressman Christian Menefee (D-TX-18) sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director David J. Venturella demanding an immediate, fully independent, and transparent investigation into the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood.

The full letter can be viewed HERE.

On Tuesday, July 7, an ICE officer shot Araujo during an immigration enforcement operation in the 6800 block of Canal Street. Araujo later died at the hospital. His family learned of his death through news reports and social media. Three men who were in the vehicle, including Araujo’s brother, remain detained.

In the letter, the Members demand that DHS and ICE provide written confirmation within 48 hours that all evidence related to Araujo’s killing and the detention of the three men has been preserved. They are also demanding the complete, unedited body camera footage from the agent who fired the fatal shot, complete and unedited body camera footage from every officer present, all dash camera footage from both ICE vehicles involved, and confirmation of whether DHS and ICE will work with state and local agencies in the investigation.

The Members are also demanding answers related to why Araujo was targeted, whether ICE had an administrative warrant, who authorized the operation, and how many federal officers were present. They are also demanding a full account of what led to the shooting, whether body cameras were activated, why Araujo’s name was released before his family was notified he was deceased, and what DHS and ICE are doing to prevent another tragedy.

“ICE killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in our community. Then his family had to find out through the news and social media. That is cruel. That is unacceptable. And DHS and ICE do not get to investigate themselves behind closed doors and call it accountability,” said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. “We are demanding the full truth, the full footage, and a real independent investigation. Lorezno’s family deserves answers. Houston deserves answers. And we will not let DHS or ICE bury this, stall for time, or hide behind the same tired lies.”

“My heart goes out to the family of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. Whenever deadly force is used by federal law enforcement, the American people deserve a complete, transparent, and independent examination of the facts. Public confidence in our institutions depends upon the willingness of government to subject itself to meaningful oversight,” said Congressman Al Green. “I have been in communication with the ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, the Honorable Bennie Thompson, and will keep him informed of any further developments, and have made a request for a congressional oversight hearing of the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo to address issues of transparency and accountability.”

“Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s family and our community deserve an independent investigation,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “Time and again, the Trump administration has asked us to accept its version of events without question, and time and again, it has broken that trust. Last year, Democrats called for real ICE accountability, including mandating stricter use-of-force standards. Congressional Republicans and President Trump refused. Had those reforms been in place, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo might be alive today. The troubling recent history makes clear that we cannot simply accept ICE’s version of events at face value. We deserve more, and I am joining my colleagues in the Houston Democratic Congressional Delegation in demanding more, starting with answers.”

"Houston has always been strengthened by its immigrant communities, including undocumented immigrants. The fear the Trump administration has created has already taken an immeasurable toll on families across the country. Now, that tragedy has reached our own community. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo's death demands answers," said Congressman Christian Menefee. "Every piece of evidence, including body camera footage, witness statements, and any other relevant records, must be preserved, reviewed, and made available through a truly independent investigation. Lorenzo's family deserves the truth. The people of Houston deserve the truth. I stand firmly with my colleagues in continuing to demand full transparency and accountability until the facts are uncovered and those responsible are held accountable.”

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Barrett Celebrates $7.8 Million Federal Investment Secured For Lansing Airport

Lansing, Mich. — Today, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) joined President and CEO Nicole Noll-Williams and other leadership of the Capital Region International Airport to review the airport’s outdated passenger boarding bridges, which he secured federal funding to replace through a bipartisan appropriations bill in February. The $7.823 million investment to replace the aging passenger boarding bridges is part of the $146 million Barrett has secured for mid-Michigan projects since taking office last year.

“The Lansing airport connects mid-Michigan families and our economy with the world,” said Barrett. “I was proud to secure $7.8 million to replace the outdated passenger boarding bridges and make traveling in and out of our community an even better experience. The new jet bridges will not only allow the airport to accommodate passengers more efficiently, but they will also ensure mid-Michiganders and visitors can safely and conveniently Fly Lansing for years to come.”

“This nearly $8 million in federal funding is a critical infrastructure investment for the Capital Region International Airport (LAN). Replacing our passenger boarding bridges is a necessary upgrade that directly supports the safety, efficiency, and reliability of our facilities for our tenants, airline partners and passengers,” said Nicole Noll-Williams, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority (CRAA). “We are grateful for the continued support of our federal legislative partners whose advocacy helps ensure LAN remains a safe, modern and competitive gateway for the Mid-Michigan region.”

The $7.823 million Barrett secured will help replace five of the airport’s six passenger boarding bridges. The current bridges are outdated and require constant repair, and one of them is inoperable. The new bridges will be energy efficient and meet the most up-to-date accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

At the airport, Barrett met with Nicole Noll-Williams, president and CEO; Rob Benstein, vice president and chief operating officer; Rob O’Neil, director of infrastructure, facilities, and environmental management; Steve Ball, manager of facilities maintenance; and Steve Gonzalez, chief of public safety.


Barrett Welcomes Secretary Collins Back to Mid-Michigan, Discusses Work to Improve Services for Veterans

Lansing, Mich. — Today, Congressman Tom Barrett welcomed U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to mid-Michigan to discuss ongoing efforts and progress by Congress and the Trump administration to support veterans and improve access to the benefits and care they’ve earned.

The officials met with staff at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic in Lansing, visited the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Home in Eaton Rapids, and held a roundtable discussion with local veteran leaders. Following the roundtable, Barrett presented Vietnam veteran Sgt. Robert Haywood with Purple Heart and service ribbons that Barrett obtained to replace the originals that were stolen from Haywood’s residence.

“The men and women who honorably served our country shouldn’t have to jump through hoops when they come home to get the benefits they earned,” said Barrett. “I’m grateful to Secretary Collins for visiting mid-Michigan again to hear directly from local veterans and dedicated VA staff about additional steps we can take to continue improving service at the VA. I’m eager to continue working to ensure all our nation’s heroes can access the support they deserve.”

“Congressman Barrett has been a champion for Veterans, and it was inspiring to see how the improvements we’re making at VA are helping Michiganders who wore the uniform,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “We’re putting Veterans first by expanding access to care, shrinking the backlog of Veterans waiting for benefits, repairing VA facilities at a record pace, and listening to Veterans on visits like this one so we can keep finding ways to improve.”

Barrett and Collins first visited the VA’s Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Lansing to hear from health care professionals and other staff about their work serving veterans, the implementation of the VA’s new electronic health record system, and possible improvements to better serve veterans.

The officials then visited the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids, which provides housing, child care, and other support services to veteran and military families, especially those transitioning to civilian life. After touring the campus, they met with VFW National Home leaders, veteran service officers, and other Michigan veterans to discuss how the VA can continue strengthening support, reducing delays, and improving service for the men and women who have served in the military.

“We are grateful to welcome Congressman Tom Barrett and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins to the VFW National Home and appreciate the opportunity to share our mission firsthand,” said Dr. Jerred Johnson, Executive Director of the VFW National Home. “For more than a century, the VFW National Home has been dedicated to helping military, veteran, and service families build new beginnings, and visits like this help shine a light on the importance of ensuring those who have served our nation have the support they deserve.”

“We're proud to welcome the Secretary to Ingham County and appreciate the opportunity to highlight the needs, successes, and resilience of our local veterans,” said Amy Pocan, director of the Ingham and Clinton County Department of Veterans Affairs. “Our veterans deserve leaders who are willing to listen. The Secretary's visit provides an important opportunity to engage directly with the County Veteran Service Officers of Ingham County, whose firsthand experience and working knowledge can help identify challenges, develop practical solutions, and strengthen services for the veterans we serve.”

“VETLIFE is honored to welcome Congressman Barrett and Secretary Collins as they take the time to hear directly from organizations serving veterans across Michigan,” said Joshua Parish, President & CEO of VETLIFE. “Every day, we see veterans and their families working to navigate a system that can be difficult to access, especially for those living in rural communities or facing barriers to care. As our veteran population and workforce continue to evolve, we have an opportunity to modernize how veterans connect with the benefits, healthcare, and support they have earned—making access simpler, more responsive, and available before challenges become crises. We appreciate Congressman Barrett’s leadership on veterans’ issues and Secretary Collins’ willingness to engage with organizations on the front lines. Together, government, nonprofits, and community partners can build a stronger, more connected system that empowers veterans and their families to thrive.”

“The opportunity to sit down with Congressman Barrett and Secretary Collins to discuss the MWTEC Veterans Academy is monumental,” said Jason Peterson, Director of Veteran Academy MWTEC. “Together, we have an opportunity to strengthen the systems that connect veterans to education, meaningful careers, and the support they need to build successful futures in Michigan.”

“It isn't every day that the staff from a community college veteran support office gets to meet directly with their U.S. Representative AND the Secretary of the VA,” said Andrew Cosgrove, Veteran Services Director at Lansing Community College. “We are honored to have the opportunity Rep. Barrett’s office has provided us to meet with Secretary Collins to discuss some of the issues our veterans and dependents face when transitioning out of the military and into higher education and utilizing their GI Bill benefits. Our Veterans have sacrificed so much for us and our country; we, the staff of LCC’s Center for Veteran and Family Support, do what we can to provide assistance and support so our veterans can be successful at LCC and move on to the next chapter of their lives, whether that’s transferring to a university or entering the workforce.”

“We trust that Rep. Barrett and Secretary Collins will work to ensure our veterans and dependents are taken care of and provide veteran support offices around the country with the tools they need to assist veterans seeking better opportunities for themselves and their families,” Cosgrove continued.

Participants in today’s roundtable included:

Dr. Jerred Johnson, Executive Director of the VFW National Home

Dave Lewis, COO of the VFW National Home

Todd Butler, deputy director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

Mike Reeve, director of veteran affairs at the Shiawassee County Veterans Affairs Department

Amy Pocan, director of veteran services at the Ingham and Clinton County Department of Veterans Affairs

John Taylor, deputy director of veteran services at the Ingham and Clinton County Department of Veterans Affairs

Denise Formolo, president of the Michigan Association of County Veteran Counselors

Katrina Golab, enlisted corps representative at the National Guard Association of Michigan

Ian Knapp, coordinator of the Center for Veteran and Military-Affiliated Students at Michigan State University

Andrew Cosgrove, director of veteran services at Lansing Community College

Rebecca Allen, veteran coordinator at Lansing Community College

Jason Peterson, director of the veteran academy at the Michigan Workforce Training and Education Collaborative

Josh Parish, president and CEO of Vetlife

Matthew Leach, partnership coordinator at VETLIFE


Rep. Bera Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Accelerate Breakthroughs in Pediatric Cancer by Leveraging AI

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06), co-chair of the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, introduced the Accelerating Innovation (AI) for Kids Act alongside fellow caucus co-chairs Michael McCaul (R-TX-10) and Mike Kelly (R-PA-16). This bipartisan legislation would accelerate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve and transform pediatric cancer research, treatment options, and data storage.

“Pediatric cancer remains one of the most heartbreaking diagnoses any family can face, and we have a responsibility to use every tool available to improve outcomes for children,” said Representative Bera. “The bipartisan Accelerating Innovation in Medicine for Kids with Cancer Act would leverage cutting-edge AI and data tools to transform pediatric cancer research, improve clinical trial design and access, and deliver more personalized treatment options for young patients. I am proud to support this effort to accelerate innovation, strengthen the Childhood Kelly Data Initiative, and move us closer to ending cancer as we know it.”

"Since I founded the Childhood Cancer Caucus 17 years ago, advancements in technology have radically expanded the frontiers of healthcare," said Representative McCaul. "We owe it to our nation's children to leverage cutting-edge AI to improve their care and treatment options. I'm proud to introduce this bill, which codifies and builds on President Trump's executive order to unlock cures for pediatric cancer patients. By empowering AI to continuously drive research forward, we move one step closer to beating this heartbreaking disease once and for all."

“Congress should always consider new, initiative ways not only to treat cancer, but to defeat cancer. This legislation would leverage artificial intelligence to strengthen patient care and patient outcomes,” said Representative Kelly. “I’m proud to sponsor the bipartisan Accelerating Innovation in Medicine for Kids with Cancer Act as we work to ensure pediatric cancer patients and their families have every tool at their disposal to receive the care and cures they deserve.”

Read the full text of the Accelerating Innovation (AI) for Kids Act here.

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Bilirakis Makes Important Eastern Mediterranean Policy Speech in Athens

Athens, Greece – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Co-Chair of the Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance and one of the leading voices in Congress on U.S.-Greece relations, participated this week as a featured speaker at the 30th Annual Government Roundtable hosted by The Economist in Greece. The internationally recognized forum brings together government officials, policymakers, business executives, and thought leaders from around the world to discuss the most pressing geopolitical and economic challenges facing Europe and the international community. During his remarks, Congressman Bilirakis highlighted the enduring strategic partnership between the United States and Greece, emphasizing the shared democratic values that have united the two nations for generations. He discussed the importance of strengthening transatlantic cooperation, enhancing regional security and energy resilience, expanding economic opportunities, and promoting stability throughout the Eastern Mediterranean.

"The relationship between the United States and Greece has never been stronger," said Bilirakis. "As two nations founded upon the principles of freedom and democracy, we have an obligation to work together to confront today's global challenges while creating new opportunities for economic growth, innovation, and security. Our partnership serves as a cornerstone for stability in an increasingly complex world."

Bilirakis also underscored the critical role Greece plays as a trusted NATO ally and regional leader, noting the importance of continued cooperation on defense, trade, energy diversification, and emerging technologies.


Congressman Bilirakis Announces $13.6 Million Federal Investment to Strengthen Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport

BROOKSVILLE, FL — Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) today announced that Hernando County has been awarded $13.6 million in federal grant funding to support critical infrastructure improvements at the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport. This significant investment will enhance airport operations, strengthen regional connectivity, support economic growth, and help attract new businesses and good-paying jobs to the community. The funding is in addition to the $87.6 million in federal grants Congressman Bilirakis has sponsored and secured through the annual appropriations process for Florida’s 12th Congressional District. These investments reflect his ongoing commitment to delivering federal resources that address local priorities and improve the quality of life for residents throughout the district.

“I am proud to have supported Hernando County’s application for this important project and to help deliver federal resources that will make a lasting impact on our community,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “The Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport plays a vital role in our region’s economy, and this investment will help ensure it has the infrastructure needed to grow, compete, and create new opportunities for businesses and families throughout the Tampa Bay area.”

The Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport serves as an important economic asset for Hernando County and the surrounding region, supporting aviation, commerce, workforce development, and future economic expansion. Upgrading critical infrastructure will help position the airport for continued growth while enhancing its ability to support local industries and attract new investment.


BOST ANNOUNCES $13 MILLION FOR SOUTHERN ILLINOIS TRUCK PARKING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Illinois Department of Transportation more than $13 million in BUILD grant funding to expand truck parking at two Southern Illinois rest areas. The Fort Massac Rest Area in Massac County will be reconstructed to increase truck parking from 19 to as many as 64 stalls and add up to four family-assist restrooms and ADA-compliant stalls. The Salt Kettle Rest Area in Vermilion County will gain up to 41 new truck stalls, including four ADA-compliant stalls, along with additional road improvements.

"I grew up in a family trucking business, so I know what it means when a driver is running on fumes with nowhere safe to pull over," said Bost. "This investment builds accessible parking right here in Southern Illinois and gives our truck drivers a safe place to rest. I was glad to back this project and work with federal officials to increase federal funding for this public safety improvement."

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ICYMI: Buchanan Questions Sports Experts on Health and Tax Impacts on College Athletes

Advocates For Collegiate Athletes’ Health and Wellbeing

WASHINGTON — During a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on federal tax policy’s impact on college and professional athletes, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, questioned a panel of sports, tax and economic experts on the health impacts on athletes and the need for financial planning guidance.

The panel included former NFL linebacker Sam Acho, ESPN Analyst and Director of Human Capital at AWM Capital; Dennis Coates, Ph.D., Professor at University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Thad Madden, NIL Tax Consultant and former IRS Revenue Officer and Fraud Analyst; and Robert Raiola, CPA, Director, Sports and Entertainment Practice, PKF O’Connor Davis, LLP.

Here’s what Buchanan said about athletes and the impact of tax policy on their athletic and professional careers:

On the health impacts on college athletes and the risk athletes assume:

Buchanan: “Mr. Acho, I was going to mention to you … as a player. … I had two sons who played Division I football, for Bobby Bowden at Florida State and at Stanford. One of the things I don’t think gets talked enough about, but it needs to be said, is the risk these kids take on the field every day.

“And there needs to be as much consideration we can give them as possible. I’ve seen it. … And the reality of it really hit home with me. … I read a book on Penn State. … They had followed these kids from their freshman year through a period of five years, and there was like one or two left. … There are a few kids getting rich. They’re doing pretty good, but there’s a lot of kids putting themselves at risk.

“In my situation, my son had a concussion for two months. He couldn’t go out of the house. He had to stay inside. But that happened with a lot of these kids, and we just must keep that in mind. As people are making billions of dollars on the other side, what are we doing for the kids? We should have a way of making sure they get taken care of. … What’s your thought?”

Acho: “Thank you, Mr. Buchanan. I spent several years as part of the NFL Players Association fighting for players’ rights. I sat down in front of the billionaire owners’ negotiating a collective bargaining agreement, and so this idea of player safety means very much to me. I also currently sit on the side as an ESPN analyst. And so I understand that TV contracts are also helping to increase the revenue for these teams. And the problem with these TV contracts is, well, how do you make more money? Well, you need more games. Well, that means players have to play in these games. And now players are accepting the brute of not just a 10 or a 12-game season. …

“Well, now all of a sudden, with the new expanded college football playoff, a team could play in 17 games. … That’s five extra games for possibly five years. That’s another season-plus that these players are subject to potentially being injured. These young people have chances for concussions, lower extremity injuries and a very limited idea of [whether there is] health insurance for these players that have a short earning window.

“And so I do think there needs to be someone speaking up on behalf of players. Everyone gets all caught up in NIL and transfer portal and ‘these players are making all this money.’ But you rarely hear about, number one, the players who are getting kicked off of teams in order to make room for the other players. Nor do you hear about the players who are getting injured and not able to continue their career both athletically and also academically.”

On the need for tax withholding for NIL money for college athletes to encourage smart financial planning:

Buchanan: “Let me just say – one big thing is that they need to give these kids a net number. When they pay them, let the big guys pay the taxes. … Take care of that so they don’t get buried in this. … A lot of them get caught up. Someone talks them into this business deal, and before they know it, they’ve lost most of their money. That’s what I’ve seen. … I just want to make sure we don’t leave the players out of the discussion because they’re the ones making the opportunities to build these big facilities. And the minimum thing we should do is take care of their taxes as it relates so they get a net number, at least for the first few years, and put it in some kind of a fund that will be there for them going forward.”

Buchanan is a respected leader in Florida’s business community and has created thousands of jobs over the course of his career. He previously chaired both the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. Buchanan currently serves as Vice Chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and sits on the Joint Committee on Taxation.

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Calling for stronger DOJ-FBI response to transnational repressionSmith, Moolenaar urge DOJ to probe vandalism of June Fourth Massacre Memorial Museum as potential act of transnational repression

Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), and John Moolenaar (R-MI), Chairman of the House Select Committee on China, sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche urging the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the recent vandalism of the June Fourth Massacre Memorial Museum in El Monte, California, as a potential act of transnational repression.

According to public reporting, unknown individuals broke into the Museum shortly before the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre—which occurred on June 4th, 1989—where they spray-painted walls and exhibits, damaged property, and interfered with the museum’s surveillance system.

In their letter, the lawmakers request that the DOJ, including the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office and the National Security Division, work closely with local authorities to determine whether the attack was connected to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), or individuals acting in sympathy with Beijing’s campaign to silence critics abroad.

“The Museum preserves the irrefutable, brutal truth about the Tiananmen Massacre—the same truth that the CCP has spent nearly four decades actively denying and trying to bury,” said Smith. “That is why the DOJ must treat this attack with the seriousness it deserves and determine whether it was more than ordinary vandalism.

“If this attack was planned, supported, or carried out by anyone acting on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, it would be an attack on free speech, historical memory, and the safety of Chinese democracy advocates living in the United States.

“America must be a place where survivors, dissidents, and diaspora communities can speak the truth without fear, and we must all work to ensure that foreign intimidation has no safe harbor here,” concluded Smith.

“The CCP is the biggest oppressor of Chinese people in the world, and it is constantly trying to silence its critics in the United States through its campaign of transnational repression,” said Moolenaar. “The DOJ and FBI should investigate the vandalism at the June 4 Massacre Memorial Museum to protect the inalienable rights of the Chinese diaspora seeking freedom in the United States, as well as patriotic Chinese Americans who dare to speak out against the CCP.”

The Smith-Moolenaar letter points to a string of attacks in California, including the destruction of sculptures and surveillance targeting connected to Liberty Sculpture Park and dissident artist Chen Weiming; violence and intimidation directed at anti-CCP protesters during the 2023 APEC summit in San Francisco; and the federal charges against former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang for acting as an illegal agent of the PRC.

“California has seen a troubling pattern of incidents that should sharpen our attention [and]…raises broader questions about whether front-line law enforcement officials have the training, resources, and support they need to identify transnational repression when they encounter it,” the Republican lawmakers write.

Smith and Moolenaar further urge the DOJ and FBI to strengthen their training and coordination with state and local law enforcement to identify, investigate, and prosecute acts of transnational repression. Their letter notes that police officers and prosecutors are often the first to encounter incidents that may appear to be local or isolated, but could, in fact, be connected to a foreign government or its proxies.

The lawmakers concluded their letter by requesting that the DOJ provide a written response and briefing addressing:

What guidance, training, or threat briefings FBI field offices currently provide to local police departments and prosecutors on recognizing signs of transnational repression;

Whether the DOJ will conduct additional training and outreach in California, including in Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, San Francisco, and other communities where PRC-linked intimidation or influence activities have been alleged or charged;

What reporting mechanisms exist for victims, museums, civil-society organizations, and diaspora communities that suspect they are being targeted by transnational repression, especially when they fear retaliation against themselves or relatives abroad; and

What additional statutory authority, resources, or congressional action the DOJ believes would help prevent, investigate, and prosecute transnational repression more effectively.

Smith and Moolenaar have supported and led congressional efforts to combat transnational repression, including the Transnational Repression Policy Act (HR 4829), bipartisan legislation to strengthen U.S. government training, outreach, reporting, and accountability tools to counter foreign governments that harass, intimidate, surveil, or coerce people inside the United States.

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Armenian Weekly article on Smith's Cyprus hearing'Congressional panel calls out Turkey's aggression and denial'

By ANCA

Published July 9, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission convened back-to-back hearings on June 3 and June 30 documenting Turkey’s political imprisonment of dissidents, its denial of the Armenian Genocide, and its continued occupation of areas in the north of Cyprus. Witnesses called on Congress and the administration to expand Global Magnitsky sanctions against Turkish officials, designate Turkey a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations, place Turkey on the Financial Action Task Force blacklist and reject Turkey’s reintegration into the F-35 program along with a ban on its

pending purchase of American-made jet engines.

“These hearings draw into the bright sunlight the sins that Erdogan spends millions trying to hide in the shadow — the mass jailing of Turkey’s journalists and political opposition, the colonization of occupied Cyprus, and a century of obstructing justice for the Armenian Genocide,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “Congress needs to act now — sanctioning responsible Turkish officials, blacklisting the networks bankrolling terror out of occupied Cyprus, and refusing to arm Erdogan with F-35s and jet engines he will surely use against Armenia, Greece, Cyprus and other U.S. allies.”

Members of Congress and witnesses testify at Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearings on Turkey.

Political prisoners and religious freedom: The case for Magnitsky Sanctions and CPC status

At the June 3 hearing, “Can Turkey Find Its Way Back to Freedom?,” Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission co-chair Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) reported that Turkey now holds more than 10,000 political prisoners, including journalists, lawyers, elected officials and civil society leaders, jailed under increasingly abusive counterterrorism laws — repression that has deepened over Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 23 years in power, first as prime minister beginning in 2003 and then as president since 2014, atop his Justice and Development Party (AKP).

That same repression extends to religious minorities, Michael Rubin testified. The Middle East Forum’s director of policy analysis told the commission that Erdogan and his officials use religious minorities, including Turkey’s dwindling Jewish and Christian communities, as targets of state-tolerated incitement and pointed to the treatment of Armenian and Greek religious sites in Istanbul as part of the same pattern. “Just as Erdogan now seeks a say in Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem,” Rubin testified, “so too should that model now [be] applied to Greek and Armenian sites in Istanbul.”

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) details Turkey’s imprisonment of more than 10,000 political prisoners at the June 3 hearing.

Michael Rubin testifies on Turkey’s response to U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide at the June 3 hearing.

Rubin also cited the Armenian Genocide as proof that Turkey’s threats of retaliation rarely materialize. “We saw this with both the Biden administration’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide and that of all 50 states and the District of Columbia,” Rubin testified. “Those recognitions happened and Turkey didn’t do a damn thing.”

Given this record, Smith called for both individual accountability and a formal religious freedom designation. “I believe the Magnitsky sanctions need to be used far more robustly everywhere, not just in Turkey, and religious freedom CPC status ought to be meted out for Turkey,” Smith said. The Global Magnitsky Act allows the United States to freeze the assets of and bar entry to specific foreign officials responsible for human rights abuses or corruption, targeting individuals rather than the country as a whole. Country of Particular Concern, or CPC, status is a State Department designation for governments that engage in or tolerate systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom and can trigger sanctions under U.S. law.

Cyprus occupation and genocide denial

The June 30 hearing, “Human Rights in Occupied Cyprus,” turned to Turkey’s 52-year occupation of the island ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara. Republic of Cyprus Ambassador Evangelos Savva testified that Turkey continues to block access to mass graves holding the remains of Cypriots killed during the 1974 invasion, including at least five American citizens, and refuses to cooperate with the Committee on Missing Persons investigating their fate. “This is a particular stain on Turkey, not allowing people to finally have closure on the fate of their loved ones,” Savva testified.

Turkey’s refusal to reckon with the past is not limited to Cyprus, Chairman Smith noted, recalling that a Turkish ambassador once threatened U.S. access to Incirlik Air Base in retaliation for a congressional hearing on the Armenian Genocide. “You like your base in Incirlik? Well, it may be gone if you recognize the genocide committed against the Armenians,” Smith recounted the ambassador saying. “I said, what a weak partner you are in NATO when you threaten our base because we’re calling you out.” Rubin testified that Erdogan proved himself “an empty suit” on that threat, since the United States and all 50 states recognized the Armenian Genocide without Turkey following through on the retaliation it had promised.

Ambassador Evangelos Savva testifies on Turkey’s blocking of access to 1974 invasion mass graves.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) recalls Turkey’s threat over Armenian Genocide recognition.

A military buildup aimed at NATO allies: The case against F-35s and engine sales

The same hearing turned to Turkey’s military ambitions. Witnesses testified that Turkey’s pursuit of F-35 reintegration and a proposed $700 million purchase of GE F-110 jet engines is not aimed at Russia, despite Ankara’s framing of the deals as NATO-aligned. Savas Tsivicos of the International Coordinating Committee — Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) testified that Turkey’s own posture toward Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, not Russia, reveals the true purpose of the weapons. “Those F-35s and jet engines are not going to go against Russia,” Tsivicos testified. “After all, Erdogan is in bed with Putin. Those weapons will be used against the three strategic allies of the United States: Israel, Greece, and Cyprus.”

Sinan Ciddi of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies added that F-35 reintegration would let Turkey project its “Blue Homeland” maritime claims, which he described as a violation of international maritime law, backed by advanced military platforms.

Congress is already moving to block both transfers: Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) told the commission she is introducing a joint resolution of disapproval to block the F-110 engine sale and leading a letter to House leadership opposing any attempt to readmit Turkey into the F-35 program. “By rewarding Erdogan with arms sales that he wants so badly, we are perpetuating the horrific policies of a government that has flouted international law with respect to Cyprus,” Titus said.

ANCA is working alongside Hellenic American organizations, including PSEKA, the Hellenic American Leadership Council, the American Hellenic Institute and AHEPA, to oppose both Turkey’s F-35 reintegration and the engine sale.

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) warns against arming Turkey.

Sinan Ciddi warns that F-35 reintegration would advance Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” project.

Terror finance and money laundering: The case for a FATF blacklist

Turkey’s ambitions abroad are matched by financial abuses at home, Rubin testified, describing occupied northern Cyprus as a hub for money laundering and terror finance, with casinos and universities operating there that fund terrorism and facilitate human trafficking.

On that basis, Rubin called for formal financial accountability measures. “The United States should link Turkey’s inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force blacklist with its behavior in Northern Cyprus,” Rubin testified. The Financial Action Task Force is an intergovernmental body that identifies countries whose financial systems pose a risk of enabling money laundering and terror financing; blacklisting can trigger enhanced due diligence and restrictions from banks and governments worldwide.

Savas Tsivicos testifies that F-35s sold to Turkey could be used against U.S. allies.

Michael Rubin calls for placing Turkey on the Financial Action Task Force blacklist.

Bringing the record to Congress: Who testified

Both hearings drew testimony from a range of witnesses and members of Congress. The June 3 hearing, “Can Turkey Find Its Way Back to Freedom? Authoritarian Consolidation versus the Defense of Turkish Democracy,” was chaired by Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission co-chairs Rep. Chris Smith and Rep. James P. McGovern. Witnesses included Henri Barkey, adjunct senior fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations; Michael Rubin, director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum; Serkan Golge, senior research scientist and former political prisoner in Turkey; and Andrew O’Donohue, Carl J. Friedrich fellow at Harvard University and nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.


Military.com article on Smith-Moolenaar letter to DOJ'Lawmakers Press DOJ to Investigate Tiananmen Square Museum Vandalism, China Ties'

By Nick Mordowanec

Published July 9, 2026 at 12:36 PM EDT

Two House lawmakers are calling on the federal government to step in following reported vandalism of a California museum.

Reps. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), and John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), chair of the House Select Committee on China, sent a letter on Wednesday to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche calling on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the recent vandalism of the June Fourth Massacre Memorial Museum in El Monte, Calif., as a potential act of transnational repression involving the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or People’s Republic of China (PRC).

The museum honors the Tiananmen Square Massacre, which occurred on June 4,1989. A report last month from Domino Theory claimed that unknown individuals broke into the museum shortly before the 37th anniversary of the event, spray-painting walls and exhibits, damaging property, and interfering with the museum’s surveillance system.

FILE - Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., speaks during the House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on the administration foreign policy priorities on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, in Washington. (Ken Cedeno/Pool via AP, File)

“The museum preserves the irrefutable, brutal truth about the Tiananmen Massacre—the same truth that the CCP has spent nearly four decades actively denying and trying to bury,” Smith said in a statement. “That is why the DOJ must treat this attack with the seriousness it deserves and determine whether it was more than ordinary vandalism.

“If this attack was planned, supported, or carried out by anyone acting on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, it would be an attack on free speech, historical memory, and the safety of Chinese democracy advocates living in the United States."

Participants attend a candlelight vigil at Democracy Square to mark the 37th anniversary of the Chinese military crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

The joint letter alludes to "a troubling pattern of incidents" in California, referencing the destruction of sculptures and surveillance targeting connected to Liberty Sculpture Park and dissident artist Chen Weiming; violence and intimidation directed at anti-CCP protesters during the 2023 APEC summit in San Francisco; and federal charges against former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang.

Military.com previously reported on Wang, who resigned from her seat in May and later that month pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent of the PRC.

“The CCP is the biggest oppressor of Chinese people in the world, and it is constantly trying to silence its critics in the United States through its campaign of transnational repression,” Moolenaar said in a statement. “The DOJ and FBI should investigate the vandalism at the June 4 Massacre Memorial Museum to protect the inalienable rights of the Chinese diaspora seeking freedom in the United States, as well as patriotic Chinese Americans who dare to speak out against the CCP.”

Incident Shows 'Serious Threat to US Sovereignty'

The Smith-Moolenaar letter insists caution be adhered to for incidents such as these, connecting the vandalism to potentially more nefarious activity as a broader "serious threat to U.S. sovereignty."

They are calling on the DOJ, the FBI's Los Angeles field office, and the National Security Division to determine whether this attack was planned, encouraged, supported or carried out by individuals acting on behalf of, at the direction of, or in sympathy with the PRC or CCP.

A Pro-Beijing market at the Victoria Park, the city's venue for the annual 1989 Tiananmen massacre vigil, on the 37th anniversary of China's Tiananmen Square crackdown, in Hong Kong, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei)

"What may first appear to be vandalism, assault, harassment or political disruption can sometimes be part of a broader effort by a foreign adversary to silence critics and intimidate diaspora communities inside the United States," the letter states. "We are also aware that the first officials to respond to some of these incidents—local police officers, local prosecutors, and FBI field agents—may not have fully appreciated the possibility that these acts were connected to a foreign government or its proxies.

"That possibility raises broader questions about whether front-line law enforcement officials have the training, resources and support needed to identify transnational repression when they encounter it. State attorneys general and other elected officials have testified before Congress about the need for additional training, stronger federal-state cooperation, and improved information-sharing on this issue."

Lawmakers: DOJ Has to Provide These Answers

The lawmakers outlined a list of their main questions for Blanche and DOJ, requesting a written response to the following inquiries:

What guidance, training, or threat briefings FBI field offices currently provide to local police departments and prosecutors on recognizing signs of transnational repression.

Whether DOJ will conduct additional training and outreach in California, including in Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, San Francisco, and other communities where PRC-linked intimidation or influence activities have been alleged or charged.

What reporting mechanisms exist for victims, museums, civil-society organizations, and diaspora communities that suspect they are being targeted by transnational repression, especially when they fear retaliation against themselves or relatives abroad.

What additional statutory authority, resources, or congressional action DOJ believes would help prevent, investigate, and prosecute transnational repression more effectively.

Smith and Moolenaar also encouraged federal authorities to follow in the footsteps of the FBI Philadelphia Field Office’s creation of the bureau’s first operational task force dedicated to transnational repression threats, acknowledging it as "an important step in the right direction" while adding that "more needs to be done."


Rep. Ciscomani Joins Effort Urging for Protection of the LWCF

Tucson, AZ - U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) has joined an effort to preserve the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) as it currently stands, opposing any future amendments to the Fund that would jeopardize conservation and critical outdoor recreation needs.

Representative Ciscomani joined other House members dedicated to protecting the LWCF in writing a letter to the House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman, urging him to ensure the LWCF is not amended in any of the Committee’s current or future consideration of this or any other legislation.

"Public lands and water conservation efforts are crucial for the communities of southeastern Arizona. I am a strong advocate for the Land and Water Conservation Fund as it directly supports the unique needs of our region and ensures that we have the funding needed to protect our most vital resources," said Rep. Ciscomani. "I am proud to join my colleagues in advocating for the continued conservation efforts included in the LWCF and remain committed to supporting this critical fund."

Funds from the LWCF directly advance crucial projects that support our land, water, and wildlife across the United States. In 2020, under the leadership of President Trump and Chairman Westerman’s support, Congress passed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), permanently funding LWCF. This landmark legislation carried out a long-overdue promise to ensure that the $900 million deposited into the LWCF from offshore oil and gas receipts will truly be used for the purposes intended. This action, in addition to passage of the 2019 John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act received strong bipartisan support in the House and were signed into law by President Trump.

In the letter, the lawmakers write, "As you know, LWCF is a foundational conservation and recreation commitment that works extremely well as authorized to support our public lands and local economies, and the commitments we made to LWCF in GAOA and the Dingell Act are settled law. We appreciate that this vital program now allocates the full $900 million in annual LWCF funding guaranteed by statute to the suite of 10 authorized LWCF federal, state, and local conservation subprograms. In that context, we appreciate your efforts in the recent bipartisan legislation on America’s Legacy Restoration Fund, and urge you to ensure that LWCF is not amended as the Committee moves forward with consideration of this and any other legislation, so that LWCF’s dedicated funds continue to address conservation and outdoor recreation access needs, including for sportsmen’s access."

Local leaders have expressed strong support for Rep. Ciscomani’s effort to protect the Fund.

"We appreciate Congressman Juan Ciscomani's leadership in standing up for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and its long-standing promise to Arizona's hunters, anglers, outdoor enthusiasts, and local communities. LWCF has helped conserve wildlife habitat, expand public access, and strengthen Arizona's outdoor recreation economy. By supporting this effort to protect the integrity of LWCF, Congressman Ciscomani is helping ensure this critical program continues to benefit current and future generations," said Michael Cravens, Advocacy and Conservation Director, Arizona Wildlife Federation.

"Thank you, Congressman Ciscomani. Your support sends a strong message: conserving our public lands and outdoor heritage remains a priority for communities across America,"said Christian Stumpf, Director of External Affairs, The Nature Conservancy in Arizona.

Representative Ciscomani remains a dedicated advocate for the LWCF and the essential support for conservation it provides.

Read the full letter HERE.

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Congressman Cohen Announces FEMA Funding of $125,791 to Tipton County for Road and Embankment Repairs

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced Tipton County will receive funding of $125,791 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to repair roads and embankments damaged in the straight-line winds and tornadoes of April 2025. The figure represents 75 percent of the total of costs incurred.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Tipton County received serious damage in the April 2025 storms that lashed our region. I am pleased to see Tipton County reimbursed for much of the expense it incurred getting roads back in good shape.”

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REP. CORREA PRESENTS $1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ORANGE REAL TIME CRIME CENTER

ORANGE, CA — Today, Representative Lou Correa (D-CA) presented a check for $1,031,000 in federal funding to the City of Orange to establish a Real Time Crime Center. Funding will be used to purchase updated technology that will allow for real-time intelligence gathering, predictive crime analytics, and enhanced deployment strategies. The center will equip the Orange Police Department with real-time information so they may respond to calls more efficiently, with more operational intelligence, and a proactive emphasis on officer and community safety.

“It’s important that our public safety officers have tools to help them respond to emergencies more safely and efficiently,” said Rep. Correa. “This funding will equip the Orange Police Department with real-time information so they can respond to calls more efficiently and in a way that enhances their safety and the safety of our community.”

“We are extremely grateful to Congressman Correa for his continued championing of our City. Our new Real Time Crime Center will be an investment in the safety and quality of life for every resident and business owner in Orange,” said Mayor Dan Slater. “By equipping our Police Department with immediate and accurate situational awareness, this Center will help our officers work smarter and more efficiently, protect our businesses, and keep our neighborhoods safe for generations to come.”

Rep. Correa secured funds for this project through the FY26 community project funding process, during which the congressman secured $14.4 million for CA-46 projects.


Rep. Craig's Office Puts More Than $10 Million Back into Minnesotans’ Pockets Through Constituent Services

EAGAN, MN – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig announced that her office has officially returned more than $10 million to constituents in Minnesota’s Second Congressional District. Through her office’s constituent services operation, Rep. Craig’s team has put $10,014,233 wrongfully withheld by the federal government back into the pockets of Minnesotans.

Since Rep. Craig came to Congress in 2019, her office has completed 6,937 constituent cases. Her constituent services team has successfully completed 1,811 cases this Congress alone.

“My number one priority in Congress is serving my constituents back in Minnesota’s Second Congressional District,” said Rep. Craig. “That means helping folks recoup their hard-earned money and ensuring that they get the benefits they are entitled to. I am so proud of the work my team has done to make Minnesotans whole, and we’ll keep working to put every penny we can back into the pockets of folks in CD2.”

Last month, the Congressional Management Foundation awarded Rep. Craig’s office a “Certificate of Excellence in Constituent Service” for its exceptional work serving Minnesotans navigating issues with federal agencies. Earlier this year – during the height of Operation Metro Surge – Rep. Craig’s constituent services team secured the release of 12 constituents wrongfully detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Rep. Craig's office has resolved cases involving the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of State, the Department of Education, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Small Business Administration (SBA) and other federal agencies.

Constituents seeking help with a federal agency can contact Rep. Craig's constituent services team via phone at (651) 846-2120 or email at RepCraigCasework@mail.house.gov. More information on Rep. Craig’s constituent services can be found at https://craig.house.gov/casework.

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Crow, Warren Demand Answers on Dismantling of Civilian Protections by Defense Department

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO), a former paratrooper and Army Ranger who serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Armed Services Committee, along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), pressed the U.S. Department of Defense for answers about why they are defunding and deprioritizing programs that protect civilians during armed conflict. This has jeopardized the safety of servicemembers and civilians and potentially violated federal law.

Their letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth follows a new report by the DoD Inspector General that the Trump Administration defunded congressionally-mandated programs that are meant to protect civilians in combat. It finds that under Hegseth’s leadership, DoD has put both servicemembers and civilians at risk and has potentially violated federal law. The letter also follows what could be one of the largest civilian casualty events in modern U.S. military history, the strike on an Iranian girls’ elementary school that killed at least 175 civilians, many of them children. Since then, additional U.S. military strikes targeted Iranian water treatment facilities, damaging civilian infrastructure.

Joining Crow and Warren on the letter were Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA).

“The Trump administration’s military adventurism overseas, combined with its obvious disregard for civilians, do not make the American people or our service members safer. We, therefore, request clarification about the steps the Department is taking to address these deficiencies and to protect civilians in line with the Department’s strategic, legal, and moral obligations,” wrote the lawmakers.

The DoD’s Inspector General report includes a review of DoD’s implementation of its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP), which outlines what steps will be taken to prevent, mitigate, and respond to civilian harm. The report confirms that all of the objectives of the plan are “at risk” under Hegseth’s leadership. The report states that the Trump administration’s failure to implement the plan means that the administration may have violated federal law by defunding and blocking civilian protection efforts. The report also revealed that DoD failed to cooperate with the OIGs investigation, including by blocking investigators from observing meetings and withholding access to DoD’s implementation tracking tools.

“These revelations make real the concerns that we have previously raised about your complete ‘disregard for the strategic, legal, and moral imperative to minimize civilian harm,’” the lawmakers said. “The Department’s failure to implement the CHMR-AP has profound consequences for civilians in conflict zones and makes service members’ jobs harder and riskier,” they continued.

The lawmakers pressed Secretary Hegseth to explain DoD’s failure to implement civilian protection policies, account for changes in resourcing and staffing for civilian protection efforts, explain what DoD is doing to comply with federal law requiring civilian protection policies and institutions, and provide any analysis DoD has done on the impact of recent strikes on civilian infrastructure in Iran by July 19, 2026.

The full text of the letter can be viewed here.

Crow, Co-Chair of the Protection of Civilians in Conflict Caucus, previously led 120 House colleagues demanding answers on civilian deaths during the Trump Administration’s Operation Epic Fury. His time in Iraq and Afghanistan informs much of his work in Congress aimed at increasing civilian protection in combat. He helped pass legislation codifying the creation of the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, and has passed major portions of his Protection of Civilians in Military Operations Act and Department of Defense Civilian Harm Transparency Act.


Deluzio Leads Pennsylvania Delegation Members to Petition U.S. Air Force to Base New Squadron in Moon Township

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) led five of his colleagues in the Pennsylvania congressional delegation in a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Michael J. Borders, requesting that the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) base the new 33rd Combat Communications Squadron at the Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.

Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA), and Congressmembers Mike Kelly (PA-16), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) signed the letter to Assistant Secretary Borders.

“Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station is the right operational fit for AFRC’s new squadron,” wrote the Members of Congress. “Co-location with AFRC’s 911th Airlift Wing and its C-17 airlift mission would allow communications forces and airlift crews to train, load, and deploy together as a unified capability.”

The lawmakers argued that AFRC would benefit from Western Pennsylvania’s abundance of educational institutions, technical talent, and cutting-edge companies: “Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, and a dense ecosystem of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and robotics companies stand ready to partner directly with AFRC—reducing acquisition costs and timelines through co-development, and positioning the command at the leading edge as communications technology rapidly evolves.”

“Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station offers the operational foundation, talent pipeline, innovation partnerships and strategic positioning the 33rd Combat Communication Squadron needs,” they concluded.

The full text of the letter is available HERE.

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Edwards Announces Additional Helene Recovery Funding

July 9, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) announced the release of more than $23 million in FEMA Public Assistance funds to support ongoing hurricane recovery efforts in North Carolina. Funding secured for Western North Carolina includes:

$2,504,272 to Mitchell County to repair park facilities along Cane Creek.

$10,259,743 to North Carolina Emergency Management for emergency protective measures following Hurricane Helene.

$933,168 to Henderson County for emergency protective measures following Hurricane Helene.

$2,395,861 to the City of Asheville for disaster management costs following Hurricane Helene.

$231,506 to Christmount Christian Assembly for road and retaining wall repairs following Hurricane Helene.

$7,391,400 to North Carolina Emergency Management for debris removal operations.

$236,098 to Haywood Electric Membership Corporation for disaster management costs following Hurricane Helene.

“Securing these funds is critical to finally moving from recovery to rebuilding,” said Congressman Edwards.“These resources allow us to get to work restoring our roads, rebuilding our bridges, and repairing the infrastructure Western North Carolina depends on every single day to keep communities connected and moving forward.”

Congressman Edwards has continued working with federal, state, and local officials to ensure Western North Carolina communities receive the resources needed to support long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Helene.


Congresswoman Escobar Demands More Information on  La Tuna Closure from BOP

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) sent a letter to Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director William K. Marshall voicing her concerns about the announced closure of La Tuna. In her letter, she includes a list of 18 questions she requests the BOP to answer.

The full text of the letter can be found here or below:

Director Marshall:

I write regarding the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) July 1, 2026, announcement that La Tuna FCI, Federal Satellite Low, and Satellite Camp in Anthony, Texas will be permanently closed. Despite the direct impact the closure of La Tuna will have on my constituents and the surrounding community who are employed by the BOP, my office was not given prior notice of the decision.

BOP cited extended infrastructure and staffing challenges as the basis for these closures. However, BOP acknowledges a deferred maintenance backlog exceeding $4 billion, while also receiving $5 billion in from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and retaining billions in FY 2026 spending authority. If the agency has billions of dollars available to address infrastructure, maintenance, staffing, and operational needs, my constituents deserve to know why BOP is choosing permanent closure and layoffs at La Tuna rather than using available resources to preserve federal jobs and support a carceral system that is already strained.

This decision affects real people. It affects the federal employees whose livelihoods are now at risk, the families who rely on those jobs, and the surrounding communities that would economically suffer as a result of such massive layoffs. It also impacts the people detained at these facilities who are now facing relocation to other sites, away from their legal representation and resources. Detainees who are local to the region and will need to be relocated are also facing further separation from their local family and support systems.

These closures also affect public safety. If BOP truly believes that they are an “agency like no other” that ensures “federal offenders serve their sentences of imprisonment in facilities that are safe, human, cost-efficient, and appropriately secure..,” then it cannot simultaneously allow federal prison capacity, jobs, and infrastructure to deteriorate without explanation. After receiving an unprecedented budget influx, cutting jobs and resources from a prison system already facing dire staffing and infrastructure challenges does not demonstrate a serious governing strategy to keep our communities safe.

At a minimum, my constituents deserve the answers to the following questions:


Fitzpatrick Expands National PFAS Fight, Leads Bipartisan Push to Remove Forever Chemicals from Food Packaging and Cosmetics

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan PFAS Task Force and one of Congress’s leading voices in the fight against forever chemicals, is leading a new bipartisan push to eliminate PFAS from products Americans use every day.

The legislation targets two common pathways of exposure: cosmetics and personal care products used directly on the body, and food packaging that can place PFAS in close contact with the food Americans eat.

Together, the bills are part of Fitzpatrick’s larger effort to change the way America confronts PFAS: clean up what has already been contaminated, stop unnecessary exposure at the source, and demand accountability from those responsible.

“Since entering Congress, I have worked with affected families, local leaders, scientists, and advocates to force action on PFAS—and that fight has made one thing clear: we cannot wait for contamination to spread before we act,” said Fitzpatrick. “We have pushed for stronger drinking water protections, faster cleanup, greater transparency, and real accountability. Now we are taking the next step by cutting off unnecessary exposure at the source. Americans should be able to trust the products in their homes and the packaging around their food, and I will keep leading this fight until every community has the clean water, safe products, and accountability it deserves.”

Targeting PFAS in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

Fitzpatrick was joined by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), his fellow PFAS Task Force Co-Chair, and Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) in introducing the bipartisan No PFAS in Cosmetics Act.

The legislation would require the Food and Drug Administration to ban the intentional use of PFAS in cosmetic products within 270 days of enactment.

“Americans should not have to wonder whether the products they use every day are exposing them to toxic chemicals,” said Fitzpatrick. “When dangerous substances can be removed from consumer products, there is no excuse for inaction. The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act is a clear, bipartisan step to protect families, strengthen consumer trust, and put public health first, ”said Fitzpatrick.

“PFAS chemicals are in products that we use every single day, including cosmetics and personal care products. Too often these dangerous chemicals are not disclosed on packaging and labels, meaning most Americans don’t even know they’re using them,” said Dingell. “Studies have linked PFAS chemicals to a variety of health hazards, and we need a strong, bipartisan effort to address this crisis. The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act takes important steps to protect consumers and prevent the continued proliferation of forever chemicals.”

"The science is clear: PFAS chemicals are linked to breast and other cancers, birth defects, hormone disruption, and organ damage — yet they're still hiding in the products we use every single day,” said Suzanne Price, CEO at Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. "We applaud Representatives Dingell, Fitzpatrick, and Friedman for stepping up where industry hasn't. The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act builds on the bipartisan momentum states have already built to phase PFAS out of consumer goods — protecting people from health harms no matter where they live, shop, or work."

Read the full bill text here.

Keeping Forever Chemicals Out of the Food Americans Eat

Fitzpatrick and Dingell also introduced the bipartisan Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act, which would prohibit intentionally added PFAS in food packaging, including wrappers and containers designed to resist grease, water, and oil.

“Every day, families bring home takeout containers, wrappers, and food packaging that can contain intentionally added PFAS—putting toxic forever chemicals far too close to the food we eat. That is an unnecessary risk, and it is one we have the responsibility to eliminate. This bill takes these chemicals out of the equation by setting a clear national standard and stopping avoidable exposure at the source. We know enough about the dangers of PFAS to act with urgency, and protecting the health of the American people must always come first,” said Fitzpatrick.

“You shouldn’t have to worry about chemicals seeping from containers into your food,” said Dingell. “PFAS chemicals are in products that we use every single day, and most Americans don’t even know the risks or daily exposure they face. Several states have already passed laws banning PFAS in food packaging, now we need strong federal legislation to ensure hazardous chemicals are not allowed near the food we eat.”

Read the full bill text here.

Building on a National Record of PFAS Leadership

For Fitzpatrick, the latest legislation builds on years of bipartisan work shaped by the experiences of communities in Bucks and Montgomery Counties that have lived with the consequences of PFAS contamination firsthand.

As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan PFAS Task Force, Fitzpatrick has helped make Pennsylvania’s First District a driving force in the national response to forever chemicals—bringing together impacted families, scientists, veterans, water authorities, local leaders, and advocates to push for stronger federal standards, faster remediation, greater transparency, and real accountability.

His work has included:


Reps. Foushee, Casar Introduce Legislation to Protect Children and Americans’ Privacy from AI Chatbot Harms and Require Chatbot Safety Assessments

The People-First Chatbot Act is endorsed by: Alliance for Secure AI, Dr. Alondra Nelson, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Security Fund (ASF), Bria, Becca Schmill Foundation, Buckets Over Bullying, Citizens for Decency, Dr. Cynthia Rudin, Common Sense Media, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America (CFA), Data & Society Research Institute, David’s Legacy Foundation, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Erik’s Cause, Fairplay, Institute for Family Studies, Matthew E. Minor Awareness Foundation, Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA), National Consumers League (NCL), Not on Our Watch (NOWTX), Open Markets Institute (OMI), Oregon Consumer Justice, Oregon Consumer League, ParentsSOS, Human Trafficking Survivor and Awareness Advocate Robin Levasseur, Shield North Carolina, SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education), Sharon Winkler, Survivor Parent and Mother of Alex Peiser, Forever 17, Talk More. Tech Less., Trafficking Law Center, UltraViolet, and Virginia Citizens Consumer Council.

“Parents deserve to know how and when their children interact with an AI chatbot and that the chatbot is not collecting data to be used against users. The People-First Chatbot Act sets sensible and necessary safeguards to prevent AI companies’ chatbots from targeting children and blurring the line between AI and human interaction,” said Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of The Alliance for Secure AI. “Rep. Foushee has taken an important step to address this issue. By setting clear rules on data privacy and safety, users will have greater trust in how AI chatbots collect and handle their information. Congress must act quickly to give users — especially children — real protection, and a real remedy when AI chatbots and Big Tech fail to meet these standards.”

“The pace of the AI revolution has been blisteringly fast, and kids and parents are getting burned. Right now, our students are drowning in tech, and predatory ‘social companion chatbots’ are exploiting isolation and loneliness to foster toxic virtual relationships. Relationships are a deeply human endeavor; there is simply no algorithm for real trust or empathy. The People-First Chatbot Act builds on the protections in the GUARD Act and establishes the enforceable guardrails we desperately need. By forcing companies to dismantle manipulative design features, requiring strict safety checks for compulsive usage and banning the harvesting of kids’ private data, this bill draws a clear line in the sand,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

“The People-First Chatbot Act is the guardrail this moment demands. AI chatbots are products, not platforms — and like all other products, they should be liable when they hurt people. Through liability, as well as transparency and privacy, Rep. Foushee is setting crucial floors for child safety and consumer protection in the age of AI,” said Meredith Potter, Executive Director, American Security Fund.

“We require a label on imitation crab and on soda that only tastes like fruit, so no one is misled about what they are consuming. Whether the voice answering you is a human or a machine is as important as knowing what is in your drink, and it deserves at least the same honesty. Bria builds this technology, and we are asking Congress to require the disclosure. Trust is the only thing that turns AI from a novelty into an economy,” said Vered Horesh, Chief AI Strategy Officer, Bria.

“This bill puts control back in users’ hands when interacting with a chatbot,” said Ruth Susswein, Director of Consumer Protection, Consumer Action. “It reins in use of our personal data, with extra protection for kids, and gives consumers the right to access human assistance when seeking help from a company.”

“The People-First Chatbot Act rightfully focuses on privacy, safety, and accountability,” said Ben Winters, Director of AI and Privacy, Consumer Federation of America. “It draws clear lines in the sand, cuts off rampant data abuses by most of the big chatbot providers, and critically has straightforward enforcement mechanisms that allow people to act when they are harmed by careless AI companies putting profit over people.”

“As the deployment of chatbots has already led to devastating harms, it is time for Congress to establish clear safeguards to rein in this technology,” EPIC Counsel Kara Williams said. “The People-First Chatbot Act tackles the root of the chatbot problem by protecting users from exploitative data practices and establishing a clear framework to hold companies accountable for the harms their products cause. EPIC applauds the bill sponsors for advancing strong legislation that centers privacy and civil rights by putting people—not tech companies—first.”

“The People-First Chatbot Act is the legislation kids and adults urgently need. AI chatbots can pose a risk of severe harms to young people, including suicide, AI psychosis, compulsive use, and unhealthy emotional dependency. They can also impede children’s healthy development by replacing vital human relationships with parents, teachers, and friends. If we don’t force AI companies to stop designing chatbots for addiction and unhealthy emotional attachment, we could see an unprecedented disaster for the health and well-being of young people in this country,” said Brendan Bouffard, Fairplay Staff Attorney. “Fairplay thanks Rep. Foushee for her amazing leadership in introducing the People-First Chatbot Act. We look forward to working with her and her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure this legislation becomes law.”

“The People-First Chatbot Act represents a pro-human, pro-family approach to AI governance that is needed more than ever today. This bill protects Americans and their families from AI chatbot providers that would prey upon their attention, their personal data, and their emotional vulnerability for profit. We applaud these efforts and Rep. Foushee’s leadership on AI safety,” said Jared Hayden, Policy Analyst, Family First Tech Initiative, The Institute for Family Studies.

“Parents agree: a product encouraging children to harm themselves or others is entirely unacceptable. That’s why Rep. Foushee's People-First Chatbot Act is so important,” said Julie Scelfo, founder and Executive Director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA). “We applaud her commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of North Carolina's kids and urge all state leaders to ensure the swift passage of this critical bill.”

“Like any other product, safety should come first for chatbots,” said Eden Iscil, Senior Public Policy Manager, National Consumers League. “And just like any other product, AI developers should be held liable when they harm the public. This bill presents one of the strongest and most comprehensive approaches for AI safety to date. NCL is proud to support the measure.”

“Passing legislation to ensure chatbots are not designed with the same perverse incentives to manipulate people for profit and establishing clear liability standards for injuries caused by products these corporations are rushing to market are essential steps toward ensuring safer and human-centric AI and helping mitigate the power that big tech firms have to render human emotions into data for profit,” said Dr. Courtney Radsch, Director of the Center for Media & Digital Governance at Open Markets Institute (OMI).

“Shield North Carolina is proud to support the introduction of the People-First Chatbot Act, a timely federal proposal that ensures human safety, privacy, and accountability are central to AI chatbot development. As an organization dedicated to preventing exploitation and strengthening community safety, we recognize how quickly unsafe chatbot interactions can escalate risk, especially for minors, individuals in crisis, and those experiencing isolation. This legislation takes meaningful steps to prevent those harms,” said Niki Miller, Executive Director, Shield North Carolina. “By requiring chatbots to be safe-by-design, the Act would help reduce risks such as suicide, compulsive use, emotional dependence, and would better protect users from undue influence. We support this Act’s commitment to safeguarding users, particularly minors, as AI technologies evolve.”

“At SAVE – Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, we hear from parents whose children turned to a chatbot in their darkest moment and got engagement instead of help. Rep. Foushee's People-First Chatbot Act meets this crisis head on. It requires safety by design, shuts off features that put minors at risk of suicide, and gives injured users and their families the right to hold chatbot providers accountable in court. It also protects state laws and the families already fighting these companies. This is the accountability framework we have been demanding, and SAVE endorses it wholeheartedly,” said Erich Mische, CEO, SAVE – Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.

“The People-First Chatbot Act puts user safety and privacy first. Talk More. Tech Less. is a digital wellness and safety organization working to combat online harms, especially to minors. We have seen an increase in Artificial Intelligence chatbot design manipulating and causing the most tragic harms to users and their loved ones. We endorse this bill because there is no doubt that it will mitigate harms as it requires companies to disable harmful AI chatbot design features for minors. As innovation moves forward, we must require these companies to have commonsense safety and privacy protections for its users. It’s past time to put people ahead of corporate interests,” said Dawn Wible, Founder, Talk More. Tech Less.

“Consumers need the protections this legislation provides. It’s past time to put these protections in place. Among the strengths of this legislation is the requirement for safe-by-design, a strategy all should use,” said Irene E. Leech, Ph.D., President, Virgina Citizens Consumer Council.

“The People-First Chatbot Act responds in a forceful way to the concerns many Americans rightly have about this powerful technology as generative AI has moved from novelty to infrastructure over the last four years. The bill's boldness rests on a careful foundation. It is built squarely on the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, produced after more than a year of public input and consensus-building across the federal government, academia, and industry, which has held up as a standard as the technology has become omnipresent. The legislation would bring the tools of both federal and state enforcement to protections that should not depend on either alone. And it would clearly articulate the value of human agency: Safe and Effective Systems; Algorithmic Discrimination Protections; Data Privacy; Notice and Explanation; and Human Alternatives, Consideration, and Fallback. Together these describe what it should feel like to live alongside this technology as a person with rights, rather than as a data point in someone else's model,” said Dr. Alondra Nelson, former Acting Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

“North Carolina Central University appreciates Representative Foushee's leadership in advancing important conversations around responsible artificial intelligence, transparency, and consumer privacy. As home to the nation's first artificial intelligence institute at a historically Black college or university, NCCU is committed to advancing AI innovation while promoting ethical, secure, and trustworthy AI that serves the public good and builds public trust,” said Dr. Siobahn Day Grady, Founding Director, Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research.

“I am happy to endorse this important online safety legislation for children and teens. This bill provides critical privacy guardrails and requires essential, timely, safety assessments that are critical to ensuring that ongoing development of these models do not create unintended harms,” said Sharon Winkler, Survivor Parent, Mother of Alex Peiser, Forever 17.


RELEASE: Friedman Applauds LA28 Decision to Move International Broadcast Center to Warner Bros. Lot

BURBANK, CA – Today, Thursday July 9, 2026, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) celebrated the announcement that the International Broadcast Center for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be located at the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, placing the media hub for the entire Games in the heart of her district.

The International Broadcast Center is the home for every broadcaster carrying the Games to the world. That means Olympic coverage to billions of viewers across the globe will all be based in Burbank, making the city the nerve center of the most-watched sporting event on Earth.

“For decades, Burbank has been one of the media capitals of the world, and now the entire planet will see how our community offers the best technology, sets, and crews,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30). “Every broadcast, every replay, every moment the world watches in 2028 is going to run through our district. From set designers to caterers, this move will support countless jobs in our community. I’m going to keep fighting to make sure our families have the transit, the infrastructure, and the federal partnership to welcome the world and to deliver for the families who live here long after the Games are over.”

Burbank is already home to the studios, soundstages, and post-production talent that power the entertainment industry.

Friedman’s district will also host some of the most-watched competitions of the Olympics. At the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, hosting its third Olympic Games, the world will watch the Gold Medal Semifinals and Finals for both men’s and women’s Olympic Soccer. Next door, the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center will stage Olympic diving. With the International Broadcast Center now coming to Burbank, CA-30 will be home to both marquee competition and the global broadcast that carries it to the world.

FRIEDMAN SECURED FEDERAL INVESTMENTS TO PREPARE CA-30 FOR LA28:

$1,092,000 to modernize the Rose Bowl Stadium – replacing nearly 100-year-old water and wastewater infrastructure so America’s Stadium is ready to host Olympic Soccer on the world stage.

$250,000 for LA Metro’s regional Bus Stop Enhancement Program – bringing real shade and shelter, seating, lighting, accessibility upgrades, and real-time arrival information to bus stops in transit-reliant communities.

$250,000 for Metrolink’s Customer Information System upgrade – delivering modern arrival and departure displays, an upgraded public-address system, and real-time service alerts so riders, especially first-time riders and visitors, aren’t left guessing.

Friedman also secured a public commitment from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to partner with her and Los Angeles on transit and infrastructure ahead of the Games, telling her during a House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee hearing that he stood “willing and ready to partner” to deliver a successful Olympics.


RELEASE: Rep. Friedman Celebrates California-Made Shows Dominating 2026 Emmy Nominations

20 California-filmed productions earned 193 nominations

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, July 9, 2026, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) celebrated the dominant showing of California-made television at the 78th Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Twenty productions filmed at least partly in California earned a combined 193 nominations. The two most nominated shows were both filmed in Friedman’s district: The Pitt (25 nominations) was filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, and Hacks (24 nominations, an all-time record for a comedy in a single season) was filmed at Universal Studios.

This year's nominations are the first announced since California expanded its Film & Television Tax Credit Program to $750 million annually. In the program's first year, it supported 170 projects generating $6.6 billion in direct production investments in California. At least four of this year's California-filmed nominees, The Pitt, Fallout, Margo's Got Money Troubles, and The Muppet Show, received state tax credits, and Fallout relocated its entire production from New York to Santa Clarita and North Hollywood through the program.

“It’s no coincidence that the two most nominated shows on television were made right here, on sound stages in Burbank and streets across Los Angeles, by the best crews, the best technicians, and the best cast in the entire world,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30). “This is what happens when we invest in our signature industry. Fallout moved home from New York, Margo's Got Money Troubles traded a planned New York shoot for Fullerton and Los Angeles, and tens of thousands of Angelenos went to work telling the stories the whole world watched this year. California's expanded film tax credit is working, and now Congress needs to do its part. I won't stop fighting for a national film tax credit until every production that can be made in America is made in America.”

CALIFORNIA-FILMED 2026 EMMY NOMINEES:

The Pitt (25) – Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank & a state tax credit recipient.

Hacks (24) – Universal Studios.

Beef (16) – Radford Studio Center, Studio City, with locations in Camarillo and Santa Barbara.

Spider-Noir (11) – Los Angeles, including 1930s New York built on the Warner Bros. backlot in Burbank.

The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny (9) – Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara.

Fallout (9) – Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio in Santa Clarita and at the old Valley Plaza Strip in North Hollywood. Relocated from New York for the California state tax credit.

The Oscars (9) – Dolby Theatre, Hollywood.

RuPaul's Drag Race (9) – Sunset Las Palmas Studios in Los Angeles.

Shrinking (9) – Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank and the Pasadena and Altadena area.

Margo's Got Money Troubles (8) – Fullerton and Los Angeles, and a California state tax credit recipient.

Palm Royale (8) – Paramount Studios soundstages and locations across Los Angeles.

Abbott Elementary (7) – Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank.

Euphoria (7) – Sony Pictures Studios and Los Angeles.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story (7) – Los Angeles sound stages and location in Illinois

Paradise (7) – Paramount Studios, Hollywood and Santa Clarita.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! (6) – El Capitan Entertainment Centre, Hollywood.

The Muppet Show (6) – Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank and a recipient of the California state tax credit.

Wicked: One Wonderful Night (6) – Dolby Theatre, Hollywood.

Dancing With the Stars (5) – Television City, Los Angeles.

Love on the Spectrum (5) – Filmed across the country, including Los Angeles.

Friedman is leading the bipartisan push for a national film tax credit to keep American productions from fleeing overseas.

Friedman represents California's 30th Congressional District, which includes Burbank, Glendale, La Crescenta, Pasadena, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities, home to the heart of the entertainment industry.