{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", party = \"Democrat\" and year = 2022 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1026", "University of Hawai\u2018i Will Benefit From Solid Results In Federal Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Spending Bill", "2022-12-31", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Ed Case", "C001055", "case.house.gov", "case", "https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16", "scraper", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for all federal discretionary spending, has announced millions in funding and other actions he sought and secured to strengthen the University of Hawaii\u2019s (UH) position as a major research institution and economic generator for the state. The funds are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Omnibus Appropriations measure recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden.\n\n\u201cThis funding measure continues to showcase a very productive partnership between our Hawai\u2019i congressional delegation and UH, our flagship institution of higher education and engine of our economy, with its excellent record of attracting hundreds of millions in research funding,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cIn President Lassner\u2019s report to the UH Board of Regents earlier this year, he referred to the result of our FY 2022 federal spending bill as \u2018an excellent year for UH\u2019 and thanked the Hawai\u2018i congressional delegation, \u2018all of whom have been actively working on behalf of the State of Hawai\u2018i and the University of Hawai\u2018i with programs that will really help us serve our communities on every island.\u2019 This year\u2019s spending bill builds further on that foundation to provide UH with enhanced federal support.\u201d\n\nCase worked to directly support UH through his Community Project Funding (CPF) requests by securing:\n\n\u00b7 $6.5 million for the UH Center to complete construction of the Early Phase Clinical Research Center on its Kaka\u2018ako campus. The 17,000 square foot outpatient early phase clinical trial clinic\u2014the first of its kind in State of Hawai\u2018i\u2014will provide Hawai\u2018i cancer patients who have exhausted traditional treatments with greater access to novel clinical trials across multiple disciplines. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono also supported this request.\n\n\u00b7 $1.8 million for the Hawai\u2018i Public Health Institute to develop and train navigators to support k\u016bpuna and family caregivers. This is a joint initiative between UH-M\u0101noa and the Hawai\u02bbi Public Health Institute.\n\n\u00b7 $1 million for UH\u2019s Office of Indigenous Innovation to establish an indigenous data science hub. This will engage students in experiential learning opportunities and foster collaboration between indigenous researchers and cultural practitioners in developing community-derived, culturally grounded and globally relevant climate resilience strategies. UH will administer this hub in North Kohala on Hawai\u02bbi Island. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono also supported this request.\n\nThe FY 2023 omnibus spending bill also includes Case-requested support for other key initiatives at UH including:\n\n$101 million for the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, which includes the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPC) at UH M\u0101noa. The NDPC, a seven-member professional alliance, is the principal means through which the Federal Emergency Management Agency identifies, develops, tests and delivers training to state and local emergency responders. The NDPC has trained over 2.5 million people throughout the United States and its territories.\n\n$302 million for the High Performance Computing Modernization Program in the Department of Defense, which supports the UH-managed Maui High Performance Computing Center.\n\n$38 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program, which provides continuing support to the UH Hilo Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes.\n\n$83 million for the U.S. Geological Survey\u2019s Climate Adaptation Science Centers, which includes the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center based out of UH M\u0101noa. These Centers provide regionally relevant scientific information, tools and techniques to resource managers and communities in Hawai\u2018i in response to our changing climate.\n\n$4 million to support the work of the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity at UH in advancing indigenous research and policy solutions to achieve health equity\n\nThe FY 2023 omnibus funding measure also makes strong investments in major federal programs from which UH directly benefits such as the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.\n\n\u201cIn my work on the House Appropriations Committee, I know that if I support these programs at the national level then UH and other Hawai\u2018i institutions and communities will benefit locally,\u201d said Case.\n\nSuch programs of benefit to UH include:\n\n\u00b7 $470 million for Advanced Research Projects \u2013 Energy and High Energy Physics, which directly supports groundbreaking research at UH aimed at rapidly developing energy technologies that can address the nation\u2019s critical economic, environmental and energy security challenges.\n\n\u00b7 $144 million for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Engagement, an increase of $7 million above the FY 2022 enacted level, to inspire young people to pursue future careers in science and engineering. This includes $45 million for NASA\u2019s Minority University Research and Education Project, which funds Hawai\u2018i STEM programs.\n\n\u00b7 $80 million for the Sea Grant Program, which supports coastal and Great Lakes communities through research, extension and education. These funds help support the Hawai\u02bbi Sea Grant Program at UH that concentrates on promoting healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies and environmental literacy and workforce development.\n\n\u00b7 $28 million for the Centers of Excellence program, a $4 million increase from last year. This program supports health professions schools across the country, including the Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence at the University of Hawai\u2018i John A. Burns School of Medicine, that seek to recruit, train and retain underrepresented minority students and faculty.\n\n\u00b7 $25 million to support facilities like the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on the Island of Maui, the world\u2019s most advanced solar observatory.\n\n\u00b7 $24 million for the Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions program, a $3 million increase from last year. This program provides funding support to institutions of higher education in the States of Alaska and Hawai\u2018i including UH to improve and expand their capacity to serve Native Hawaiian students.\n\n\u00b7 $18 million for the Strengthening Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions program, an $8 million increase from last year. These funds help undergraduate institutions like UH expand their capacity to serve Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander students.\n\n\u00b7 $15 million for Energy Transitions Initiatives, a $5 million increase from FY 2022. This program, which aims to advance self-reliant island and remote communities through the development of resilient energy systems, helps recipients who face unique energy challenges due to their remote location, fossil fuel dependency and limited access to affordable infrastructure improvements.\n\n\u00b7 $9 million for the Resilient Innovative Sustainable Economies via University Partnership (RISE-UP) Initiative, a $1.5 million increase from FY 2022. This program seeks to leverage the technical expertise of public universities located in isolated states that play an important role in our national security. The universities are working to create incubators, develop and commercialize scalable technologies and build a workforce to meet future national security needs in areas such as clean energy and marine technology and economy.\n\nDirect Support for College Students\n\nThe bill also includes $24.6 billion for federal student aid programs, which includes increasing the maximum Pell Grant award by $500 to $7,395 for the 2023\u201324 academic year.\n\nIt further includes $1.2 billion for the Federal Work Study Program, an increase of $20 million above the FY 2022 enacted level, and $910 million for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program, an increase of $15 million above the Fiscal Year 2022 enacted level.\n\nFinally, Case also secured an instruction to the U.S. Department of State to consider increasing the number of scholarships available for Pacific Islanders to study in the United States, many of whom study at UH. This is a key component of Case\u2019s efforts to re-engage with the nations of the Pacific across multiple areas including education.\n\nCase\u2019s Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating some $1.7 trillion in funding to federal government agencies, departments and organizations on an annual basis. A detailed summary of the FY 2023 Omnibus can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-castro-releases-2022-end-of-year-report", "Congressman Castro Releases 2022 End-of-Year Report", "2022-12-31", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaquin Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", "castro", "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "SAN ANTONIO \u2014 Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released an end-of-year report detailing his 2022 accomplishments on behalf of the 20th Congressional District of Texas.\n\n\u201cThroughout the past year, San Antonians have worked hard to rebuild from the challenges of the pandemic and rise together toward a better future. It\u2019s an extraordinary privilege to represent our great city in Congress, and I\u2019m honored to share the progress my office delivered in 2022. As we approach 2023, I look forward to continuing my work to expand our Infrastructure of Opportunity \u2014 the great public schools and universities, sound health care system, and good-paying jobs that allow Americans to pursue their dreams.\u201d\n\nKey 2022 accomplishments include:\n\n$15.6 million in federal funding for Fiscal Year 2023 community projects in San Antonio, including local initiatives to preserve affordable housing, prevent domestic violence, support small businesses, expand access to affordable health care, and more.\n\n$10.5 million in federal funding for Fiscal Year 2022 community projects in San Antonio, including local initiatives to expand workforce development programs at Project QUEST, expand the local reach of Communities in Schools, improve Wi-Fi access in public housing, train mental health providers to meet community needs, and more.\n\nMore than $3.2 million in federal benefits recovered for the people of San Antonio, including more than $320,000 from the Department of Veterans Affairs.\n\nMore than $163 million in federal grants for programs and services in San Antonio.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://levin.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-levin-announces-winner-of-2022-congressional-app-challenge", "Rep. Levin Announces Winner of 2022 Congressional App Challenge", "2022-12-31", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Levin", "L000593", "levin.house.gov", "levin", "https://levin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Oceanside, CA \u2013 Today, Representative Mike Levin announced Rini Khandelwal, a student at Del Norte High School, as the winner of the 2022 Congressional App Challenge for California\u2019s 49th Congressional District. Khandelwal created \u201cTeenSpace,\u201d an iOS trivia game app that aims to increase safety awareness on topics such as active shooter scenarios, relationships, and drug use by making learning more engaging for teens. Khandelwal was inspired to create \u201cTeenSpace\u201d when her high school faced two bomb threats in March 2022 and an active shooter threat in May 2022.\n\n\u201cThis year\u2019s submissions highlighted the extraordinary creativity and desire of the next generation to find solutions to real challenges using technology,\u201d said Rep. Levin. \u201cOur 2022 winner, Rini Khandelwal\u2019s TeenSpace, will make learning about safety more engaging and help protect students and communities.\u201d\n\nRep. Levin would like to thank all of the students who participated, including a few notable applicants:\n\nFirst Runner Up: \u201cProject Democracy\u201d\n\nAn app that promotes civic engagement and participation in the democratic process\n\nDesigned by Liam Dowd and Jevon Mao of Santa Margarita Catholic High School\n\nSecond Runner Up: \u201cOnlineCounselor\u201d\n\nAn app created to help high school students select their courses for an upcoming school year\n\nDesigned by Noah Simon of Del Norte High School\n\nHonorable Mention: \u201cSenior Tech Helper\u201d\n\nAn app that provides comprehensive instructions and guides to help senior citizens with a wide range of technology concepts\n\nDesigned by Zane Braunstein of Capistrano Valley High School\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge launched in 2015 as an effort to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, and to encourage students to learn coding and computer science skills. Students in participating congressional districts compete against their peers by creating original software applications. Winning apps are featured on the U.S. House of Representatives\u2019 website and the Congressional App Challenge\u2019s website, and are also displayed in an exhibit in the U.S. Capitol Building.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-the-passing-of-his-holiness-pope-benedict-xvi", "Pelosi Statement on the Passing of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI", "2022-12-31", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", "pelosi", "https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "San Francisco \u2013 Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement on the passing of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI:\n\n\"Paul and I join our fellow Catholics in mourning the passing of Pope Benedict XVI: a global leader whose devotion, scholarship and hopeful message stirred the hearts of people of all faiths.\n\n\"Spiritually, I am always moved by Pope Benedict's powerful encyclical, \u2018God is Love,' where he quotes St. Augustine highlighting our moral duty as public servants to fight for justice.\n\n\"Officially, it was my privilege to visit His Holiness in the Vatican and, in 2008, to join in welcoming him to our nation's capital.\n\n\"May it be comfort to His Holiness Pope Francis and the Vatican community that so many pray for Pope Benedict during this sad time.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-enjoys-slew-end-year-wins-0", "Quigley Enjoys Slew of End-of-Year Wins", "2022-12-31", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", "quigley", "https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) led several of his top priorities across the finish line in the closing weeks of 2022. On the final legislative day of the year, Quigley secured more than $16.5 million in funding for local community projects and saw President Joe Biden sign his bill the Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Earlier in December, Quigley's Big Cat Public Safety Act was passed by the Senate and was also signed into law by the President.\n\n\"I work hard every day for the people of my district and I am always proud to see some of my community's top priorities gain support in Congress. This year was particularly fulfilling as I saw the President approve more than $26.8 million in total for our district and more than six of my bills signed into law,\" said Quigley. \"In one of the most partisan periods in our nation's history, it is still possible to find common ground and make real progress for our nation. As we look ahead to the new year and a divided Congress, I am eager to get to work and have another successful session for my constituents.\"\n\nThese end-of-year successes capped a highly productive year for Quigley on behalf of Illinois' Fifth District. Quigley's 2022 accomplishments included:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases/soto-releases-report-highlighting-wins-central-florida-117th-congress", "Soto Releases Report Highlighting Wins for Central Florida in the 117th Congress", "2022-12-31", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Darren Soto", "S001200", "soto.house.gov", "soto", "https://soto.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\"In the 117th Congress, House Democrats delivered for Central Floridians and Americans. Under the leadership of President Joe Biden, we overcame the worst of the pandemic, maintained a strong economy, and made investments in our infrastructure and our environment that will impact generations to come. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished in the past two years and look forward to building on our progress in the 118th Congress,\" said Congressman Soto.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://barragan.house.gov/2022/12/30/la-times-l-a-county-public-defender-remains-jailed-in-venezuela-after-nearly-9-months/", "LA Times: L.A. County public defender remains jailed in Venezuela after nearly 9 months", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n", "B001300", "barragan.house.gov", "barragan", "https://barragan.house.gov/news", "scraper", "Los Angeles Times:\n\nCindy Carcamo\n\nPUBLISHED: December 30, 2022 at 2:12 PM PST\n\nWhen Eyvin Hernandez stopped calling while vacationing in Colombia in late March, his\n\nyounger brother thought the worst had happened.\n\nHernandez, a Los Angeles County deputy public defender, finally left a voice message on April\n\n4, saying he was detained in Venezuela but should be free in 45 days.\n\n\u201cThey don\u2019t have anything on me,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m not a spy. I\u2019m not a terrorist.\u201d\n\nNearly nine months later, Hernandez and his brother, Henry Martinez, are still separated.\n\nHernandez, 44, is being held at a maximum-security military prison in Venezuela and has been\n\ncharged with criminal association and conspiracy, which can result in up to 16 years in prison.\n\nU.S. State Department officials have determined that Hernandez is being wrongfully detained \u2014\n\na classification that triggers enhanced government attention.\n\nOn Dec. 21, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Rep. Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n (D-San Pedro) and\n\nother congressional representatives sent a letter to President Biden, asking his administration to\n\nwork to secure Hernandez\u2019s freedom.\n\n\u201cExpeditious action is needed,\u201d the letter stated. \u201cThe judicial system in Venezuela is highly\n\ncompromised, and any trial against Mr. Hernandez is unlikely to produce a fair result.\u201d\n\nA few days before Hernandez was due to return to L.A., a friend asked him to accompany her to\n\nthe Colombia-Venezuela border, near the Colombian town of C\u00facuta, Martinez said.\n\nHernandez\u2019s family said he had had no intention of entering Venezuela.\n\nAt the border, Hernandez and his friend were intercepted by what reports have variously\n\ndescribed as a paramilitary group, a gang or official Venezuelan forces. Hernandez and his friend\n\nwere turned over to Venezuelan security forces and jailed. The friend is also still detained in\n\nVenezuela.\n\nThe Venezuelan government did not respond to requests for comment.\n\nThere has been an alarming increase in wrongful detentions of U.S. citizens in Venezuela and\n\nelsewhere around the globe in recent years, according to the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation,\n\nwhich tracks such cases and helps detainees\u2019 families.\n\nEarlier this month, basketball star Brittney Griner was released in a prisoner swap after nearly 10\n\nmonths of detention in Russia on charges that she was carrying a small amount of cannabis oil.\n\nIn October, Venezuela freed seven American prisoners in exchange for the release of two\n\nnephews of President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro\u2019s wife, who were serving time in U.S. prisons for drug\n\nSmuggling.\n\nHernandez\u2019s family and supporters question why he was not included in the exchange.\n\n\u201cWhen a U.S. citizen is detained overseas, the Department works to provide all appropriate\n\nassistance,\u201d U.S. State Department officials said in a statement to The Times.\n\nIn recent years, armed conflict has dramatically increased along the Colombia-Venezuela border.\n\nThe U.S. State Department classifies the region as a high-risk area where U.S. citizens are\n\nthreatened with detention under Maduro\u2019s authoritarian government.\n\nMartinez said he thinks the U.S. government has let his brother down, allowing him to languish\n\nin what he describes as a \u201cdungeon.\u201d\n\nIn phone calls to his family, Hernandez said he was in solitary confinement at one point. His cell\n\nhas no windows, and he is allowed to walk only in circles for 30 minutes in an outside area the\n\nsize of two vehicles. He is sleep-deprived because the lights in his cell are kept on all the time,\n\nand he subsists mostly on a diet of stale tortillas, he told them.\n\n\u201cThis place is meant to break you psychologically and spiritually,\u201d Hernandez said in a secretly\n\nrecorded jailhouse message in August. \u201cIf you don\u2019t get us out soon, then there might not be\n\nanyone left to save.\u201d\n\nHernandez was born in El Salvador in 1978, and his family fled with him to Los Angeles when\n\nhe was 3, just before the country\u2019s civil war. He grew up in South L.A. and attended UCLA,\n\nearning a degree in physics and math, then graduating from the law school in 2005.\n\nHernandez then joined the L.A. County public defender\u2019s office. His most recent assignment was\n\nhandling felony cases in downtown L.A., and he has trained and mentored many public\n\ndefenders, according to his family.\n\nWhen Hernandez seems especially down during their phone calls, Martinez tries to reassure him.\n\n\u201c\u2018It\u2019s not going to be forever, man,\u2019\u201d Martinez says he tells him. \u201c\u2018Stay strong. You\u2019re going to\n\nbe home soon.\u2019\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5750", "Beyer Statement On Trump Tax Returns", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "B001292", "beyer.house.gov", "beyer", "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), a Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, issued the following statement today after the publication of six years of former President Donald Trump\u2019s tax returns:\n\n\u201cThe materials released today were lawfully obtained by the Ways and Means Committee using its clear legal authority. Chairman Neal requested this tax information to inform our committee\u2019s work on IRS tax enforcement, including the presidential audit program. The findings, already detailed in the committee\u2019s report, show that this program was broken \u2013 justifying our legislative purpose, and leading to House passage of legislation to fix the problem on December 22nd.\n\n\u201cDespite promising to release his tax returns, Donald Trump refused to do so, and abused the power of his office to block basic transparency on his finances and conflicts of interest which no president since Nixon has foregone. Trump acted as though he had something to hide, a pattern consistent with the recent conviction of his family business for criminal tax fraud. As the public will now be able to see, Trump used questionable or poorly substantiated deductions and a number of other tax avoidance schemes as justification to pay little or no federal income tax in several of the years examined.\n\n\u201cThese findings underscore the fact that our tax laws are often inequitable, and that enforcement of them is often unjust. Trump was able to bypass even the mandatory IRS presidential audit program for years, but many other wealthy and powerful people evade billions in tax dues every year through more quotidian tax avoidance. Congress has so much work to do to make tax enforcement in this country fairer, and that will continue to be a major priority for me as a member of the Ways and Means Committee going forward.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1025", "Case Ensures Continued Federal Assistance For Native Hawaiians In 2023 Omnibus Spending Measure", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Ed Case", "C001055", "case.house.gov", "case", "https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16", "scraper", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for all federal discretionary spending, today announced millions in funding and other actions he sought and secured that will directly benefit the Native Hawaiian community. The funds are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill recently approved by Congress and signed into law by the President.\n\n\u201cNative Hawaiians are a unique community within our national fabric, and so are many of their challenges and needs, especially in health care, education and housing,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cI successfully sought millions in funding to support and advance various Native Hawaiian economic, cultural, educational and health initiatives. The 2023 omnibus spending bill builds on past funding increases I have been able to secure for Native Hawaiian-serving programs and includes new funding to support specific needs within the Native Hawaiian community.\u201d\n\nProvisions in the $1.7 trillion omnibus funding measure that Case sought and won approval for include:\n\nNative Hawaiian-Serving Programs and Initiatives\n\n\u00b7 Native Hawaiian Education: $45.9 million, a $7 million increase, for the Native Hawaiian Education Program (NHEP). Of these funds, Congressman Case also secured $10 million in set-aside funding to specifically fund construction, renovation, and modernization of Native Hawaiian schools and education program \u2013 the first time ever NHEP funds will be made available for capital improvements.\n\nCongressman Case also secured additional report language directing the U.S. Department of Education to (1) provide sufficient funding to the Native Hawaiian Education Council and (2) offer technical assistance to quality applicants with experience educating Native Hawaiian children and youth. These new requirements seek to address concerns raised by Native Hawaiian education advocates and improve the program\u2019s impact on Native Hawaiian community.\n\n\u00b7 Native Hawaiian Health Care: $27 million, a $5 million increase, for the Native Hawaiian Health Care Program.\n\nOf these funds, $10 million will be made available to Papa Ola L\u014dkahi for administrative purposes including strengthening the capacity of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems and supporting additional activities such as expanded research and surveillance of Native Hawaiian health issues.\n\n\u00b7 Native Hawaiian Housing: $22.3 million for the Native Hawaiian housing block grant program, which supports affordable housing and community development activities for Native Hawaiians eligible to reside on Hawaiian Home Lands.\n\n\u00b7 Native Hawaiian Veterans: $5 million to create a new Center for Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islander Health inside the Department of Veterans Affairs. It will focus on research, data collection and potential practice improvements to better serve these veterans.\n\n\u00b7 Native Hawaiian Health Research: directs the National Institutes of Health to provide a report to Congress on coordination of Native Hawaiian health research-related activities across the agency and with the Native Hawaiian community and to take steps to support the development of Native Hawaiian investigators. While Native Hawaiian health disparities are well documented, these populations are often left out of existing federal research initiatives that seek to improve the health status of other Native American communities. This report will help raise the profile of health disparities in Native Hawaiian communities and identify the current gaps in biomedical research specific to Native Hawaiians.\n\n\u00b7 Native Hawaiian Resource Center on Domestic Violence: $2 million, an increase of $1 million, to support the continued implementation of the Native Hawaiian Resource Center on Domestic Violence. The Center will provide supportive services for adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence and dating violence in Native Hawaiian communities.\n\nCongressman Case previously secured funding to establish the Center in Fiscal Year 2022.\n\nNative American-Serving Programs and Initiatives\n\n\u00b7 Native American/Hawaiian Museum Services: $3.7 million for the Native American/Native Hawaiian museum Services Program, which provides grants to Native American-serving organizations and federally recognized Tribes to sustain indigenous heritage, culture and knowledge through museum-related services.\n\n\u00b7 Native American Language Resource Center: $1.5 million, an increase of $1 million, to support the continued implementation of Native American Language Resource Center. The Center will support a consortium of higher education institutions in teaching and learning languages, including research on new teaching methods for educators and developing instructional materials, among other things.\n\nCongressman Case previously secured funding to establish the Center in Fiscal Year 2022.\n\n\u00b7 Native American Language Preservation: $15 million, a $1 million increase from last year, for Native American language preservation activities under the Administration for Native Americans.\n\n\u00b7 Native American Job Training: $60 million, an increase of $3 million from last year, to support programs that provide quality employment and training services to Native Hawaiian Organizations, Tribes, Tribal organizations, Alaska Native entities and Indian-controlled organizations serving unemployed and low-income American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.\n\n\u00b7 Native American Nutrition and Support Services: $41 million, an increase of $5 million from last year, for Native American Nutrition and Supportive Services grants to promote the delivery of nutrition and home and community-based services to American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian elders.\n\n\u00b7 Native American Caregiver Services: $13 million, a $2.5 million increase from last year, to provide grants to support American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian families caring for older relatives with chronic illness or disability\n\nCommunity Project Funding (CPF)\n\n\u201cI was also able to secure millions for worthy local community projects that will have a direct impact on Native Hawaiians and that would have been difficult to complete if not for specific and direct funding from Congress,\u201d said Case.\n\nCase-sponsored CPF projects to support the Native Hawaiian community include:\n\n\u00b7 $1.7 million for the King Lunalilo Trust and Home to support capital improvements to the facility, Lunalilo Home is licensed as a Type II Expanded Adult Residential Care Home that provides housing and services to disadvantaged Native Hawaiian k\u016bpuna .\n\n\u00b7 $1.8 million for Kula no na Poe Hawaii (KULA) to provide academic supports and wrap-around services to children and youth of the Hawaiian homestead communities of Papak\u014dlea, Kewalo and Kalawahine. KULA partners with neighboring public schools to improve student\u2019s educational outcomes, classroom attendance and social and emotional learning through culturally sensitive interventions.\n\n\u201cIn preparing my own CPF requests, I consulted with Hawai\u2019i state and county governments, including individuals throughout the Native Hawaiian community and non-profits, applied my own knowledge and beliefs as to district needs, considered whether a project could obtain federal funding through other means, and made some difficult decisions given my limited number of CPF requests,\u201d said Case.\n\nThe House\u2019s CPF rules require that each project must have demonstrated community support, must be fully disclosed by the requesting Member, and is subject to audit by the independent Government Accountability Office. Case\u2019s disclosures are here: https://case.house.gov/media/funding-disclosures.htm.\n\nCase\u2019s Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating some $1.7 trillion in funding to federal government agencies, departments and organizations on an annual basis. A detailed summary of the FY 2023 omnibus is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craig-urges-postmaster-general-louis-dejoy-address-second", "Representative Angie Craig Urges Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to Address Second District Mail Issues", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "BURNSVILLE, MN \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig released a letter she wrote to Louis DeJoy, the United States Postmaster General, to urge action to address poor mail service in several Second District communities. In her letter, she highlighted the critical need to improve the post offices\u2019 service levels \u2013 and the impacts these conditions are having on Second District residents.\n\n\u201cI write to you today with great frustration regarding the state of mail delivery service across the Second Congressional District of Minnesota. My constituents have reported to me that they regularly go three to four days without receiving their mail; some have told me they haven\u2019t received mail since December 16, 2022 - now 2 weeks ago. I\u2019ve been told by local postal officials that a route would never go unserved for more than one day at a time, but it\u2019s clear that is simply not the case,\u201d wrote Representative Craig.\n\n\u201cOn November 5, I wrote to the USPS regarding the situation in Lakeville. On December 8, I held a call with the relevant USPS official for Minnesota, and yet still the poor delivery service has continued not just in Lakeville, but across the Second District. Short-staffing and increased holiday shipping volumes are understandable, but are beginning to sound like excuses. This no longer seems to be isolated to neighborhoods or even individual cities, but rather a larger issue across Minnesota,\u201d Representative Craig continued.\n\nRepresentative Craig encourages her constituents to contact her office if they are having any trouble navigating or accessing any federal agency, including their local post offices. For assistance, they should visit Representative Craig\u2019s website athttps://craig.house.gov/casework.\n\nYou can find the full text of the letter below.\n\nDecember 30, 2022\n\nMr. Louis DeJoy\n\nPostmaster General\n\nUnited States Postal Service\n\n475 L\u2019Enfant Plaza SW, Room 10300\n\nWashington, D.C. 20260-1000\n\nDear Postmaster General DeJoy:\n\nI write to you today with great frustration regarding the state of mail delivery service across the Second Congressional District of Minnesota. My constituents have reported to me that they regularly go three to four days without receiving their mail; some have told me they haven\u2019t received mail since December 16, 2022 \u2013 now 2 weeks ago. I\u2019ve been told by local postal officials that a route would never go unserved for more than one day at a time, but it\u2019s clear that is simply not the case.\n\nThe United States Postal Service\u2019s creed reads, \u201cNeither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night,\u201d and yet seniors and veterans are going without medication, businesses are missing payments and families are not receiving packages from loved ones during the holiday season. This is entirely unacceptable.\n\nOn November 5, I wrote to the USPS regarding the situation in Lakeville. On December 8, I held a call with the relevant USPS official for Minnesota, and yet still the poor delivery service has continued not just in Lakeville, but across the Second District. Short-staffing and increased holiday shipping volumes are understandable, but are beginning to sound like excuses. This no longer seems to be isolated to neighborhoods or even individual cities, but rather a larger issue across Minnesota.\n\nMy constituents deserve answers and I request your response to the following questions:\n\nFor each post office in the Second District, since December 16, 2022, how many routes at each location went unserved and which day?\n\nFor each post office in the Second District, what are the current staffing shortages and how quickly will USPS be able to be fully staffed?\n\nWhich post offices in the Second District have had to deliver \u201cpackage only\u201d routes, which requires flats to go undelivered, and on which days?\n\nWhat power does the Postal Service hold to \u201csurge\u201d employees to necessary routes, and how can the hiring process be expedited to make the necessary deliveries on time?\n\nHow many packages, as of this letter, remain undelivered at each post office in the Second District?\n\nThank you for reviewing this letter and I look forward to your response on behalf of all Second District residents who deserve to have their medications, bills and packages arrive safely and on time.\n\nSincerely,\n\nAngie Craig\n\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-doggett-statement-release-trump-tax-returns", "Rep. Doggett Statement on Release of Trump Tax Returns", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", "doggett", "https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Contact: Afton Cissell\n\n202-595-4433\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee who led efforts for the release of Trump\u2019s tax returns since February 2017, released the following statement:\n\n\u201cDonald Trump had big deductions, big credits, and big losses\u2014but seldom a big tax bill. Almost six years since my first attempt to obtain Trump\u2019s tax returns, the public can finally see the self-proclaimed \u201cclever genius,\u201d he did not pay the taxes the most modest wage-earner would pay\u2014at one point nothing at all. While customarily released voluntarily by past presidents and President Biden, it took a lawsuit and nearly six years to obtain Trump\u2019s returns.\n\nMany questions about foreign entanglements and conflicts remain unanswered and unknown, since the Committee inquiry was a narrow window into a narrow period of time, looking at only eight of about 500 Trump business entities for a period of only six years. Year after year he is relying on losses to not pay much of anything. It is an outrage that Trump paid so little for so long and that the IRS failed to do its job to audit him like it has prior presidents.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/additional-1-billion-for-liheap-signed-into-law-following-advocacy-by-collins-golden", "Additional $1 Billion for LIHEAP Signed into Law Following Advocacy by Collins, Golden", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Susan Collins and Congressman Jared Golden announced that the government funding bill that was signed into law last night included $1 billion in supplemental appropriations for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides funding to help low-income households pay their energy bills. In total, the government funding bill included $5 billion for LIHEAP, which brings the total FY23 funding to $6.1 billion.\n\nMaine will receive an estimated $6.5 million in additional LIHEAP funding, on top of the $42.5 million the state was allocated in November through prior funding bills. Senator Collins and Congressman Golden led a push to increase funding for LIHEAP during the negotiations over the omnibus appropriations bill that funded the federal government for fiscal year 2023. The omnibus passed the Senate by a vote of 68-29 and the House by a vote of 225-201.\n\n\u201cThis additional funding for LIHEAP comes at a critical time for Maine families,\u201d said Senator Collins and Congressman Golden. \u201cWe strongly advocated for this increase for LIHEAP to help compensate for the record high fuel prices that are straining households\u2019 budgets. This much-needed funding will help to ensure that seniors on fixed incomes and other Mainers in need have the resources necessary to keep their homes warm this winter.\u201d\n\nMany Northeast residents have seen a significant increase in their utility bills this winter, with residential electricity prices in some states forecast to rise over 60 percent, propane up 40 percent, and natural gas prices up nearly 30 percent, resulting in higher home heating bills.\n\nSenator Collins and Congressman Golden already delivered $1 billion in emergency funding for LIHEAP in the short-term \u201ccontinuing resolution\u201d (CR) funding package that President Biden signed into law in September.\n\nLIHEAP is administered by states and accessed through local Community Action Agencies. Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources. Senior citizens and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible, but applications will be open to everyone through spring of 2023 \u2014 or until the funding is exhausted. More information on how to apply can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-releases-statement-conclusion-117th-session-us-congress", "Congressman Gonzalez Releases Statement at Conclusion of 117th Session of the U.S. Congress, Transitions to New Congressional District", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", "gonzalez", "https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "McAllen, TX \u2013 Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) released the following statement after the conclusion of the 117th Congress and begins the transition to the 34th Congressional District of Texas:\n\n\"I thank the people of South Texas for their continued support and trust. We have a long road ahead of us to address some of the most pressing issues facing our community. The voters have given me a mandate to work for South Texas, not a political party, and ensure we create innovative solutions for our region. I promise to continue to reach across the aisle to find common-sense solutions for our nation and for the people of the 34th Congressional District of Texas.\n\n\"As we wrap up the 117th Congress, I am proud of the work we have accomplished and am confident that we will take this momentum into the 118th Congress as we continue to build on our successes. From legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Safer Communities Act, the CHIPS and Science Act to standing up to Putin's aggression and supporting our allies in Ukraine, Congress is working to bring tangible change for our country.\n\n\"As I transition into a the 34th Congressional District of Texas, I want to thank the people of the 15th Congressional District of Texas for allowing me to be their advocate in Washington over the last six years. From COVID-19 relief and infrastructure funding to billions of dollars for education, Veterans and our seniors, our community has stepped-up to the challenge and has created a region full of economic opportunity, first-rate education, and a place to call home.\"\n\nOn Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023, Congressman Gonzalez will announce new office locations and contact information for the 34th Congressional District of Texas after being sworn into the 118th Congress.\n\nPlease note that beginning January 3rd, 2023, new Congressional maps will take effect. Due to the Congressional redistricting, many South Texans will be assigned a new Congressional district. South Texans looking to know who represents them, may do so here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/huffman-announces-golden-gate-bridge-to-receive-400-million-for-seismic-retrofit-under-democrats-infrastructure-law", "Huffman Announces Golden Gate Bridge to Receive $400 Million for Seismic Retrofit Under Democrats' Infrastructure Law", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", "huffman", "https://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "San Rafael, CA \u2013 Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) shared the news that San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge will soon receive $400 million from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under Democrats' historic Infrastructure Law. These funds will be used to strengthen one of the Bay Area's most essential transportation arteries and bolster its resilience against earthquakes.\n\n\u201cThe Golden Gate Bridge is not only an iconic part of the Bay Area, but a vital thoroughfare for countless folks in the region,\u201d said Rep. Huffman. \u201cThanks to the Infrastructure Law, this $400 million investment will allow us to fortify the Bridge, making it more resilient to disasters and ensuring that this structure can continue serving our community and all who visit. I\u2019m glad to have played a part in securing this funding alongside President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, Secretary Buttigieg, and all my Bay Area colleagues.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe want to thank Congressman Huffman, Speaker Pelosi, the Biden Administration, and the entire Bay Area congressional delegation for this vital funding that will secure the Golden Gate Bridge for generations,\u201d said Denis Mulligan, General Manager of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. \u201cThe Bridge turned 85 years old this year, and this investment will ensure that the Golden Gate Bridge stands stronger than ever.\u201d\n\nIn May of 2022, Rep. Huffman sent a letter to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg advocating for this funding to be made available for the Golden Gate Bridge.\n\nThe FHWA found that the Golden Gate Bridge is currently in \"fair condition\" but noted that continued deterioration would result in a \"poor\" rating within the next three years. The Bridge's north and south approaches were retrofitted in 2013, leaving only the main suspension span to be upgraded. The newly-announced federal funding will allow this remaining section to undergo vital seismic upgrades and ensure the Bridge's continued structural integrity.\n\nPassed by the Democratic Congress, the Infrastructure Law was signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. This historic legislation established a competitive Bridge Investment Program, delivering $12.5 billion to build, repair and replace key bridges across the country. This initiative represents the single largest investment in America's bridges since the construction of the interstate highway system.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-krishnamoorthi-applauds-irs-decision-delay-lowering-threshold-form", "Congressman Krishnamoorthi Applauds IRS Decision to Delay Lowering of Threshold for Form 1099-K Reporting Following His Bipartisan Advocacy With Colleagues", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "K000391", "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", "krishnamoorthi", "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement in response to the decision by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to delay lowering the threshold for Form 1099-K reporting by one year, an announcement which follows a bipartisan letter sent by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and colleagues on December 19th.\n\n\"I'm glad to see the IRS postpone the implementation of the new reporting requirements for Form 1099-K issuance,\" said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. \"Lowering the threshold from $20,000 to $600 would hurt millions of American taxpayers who participate in online marketplaces and other e-commerce platforms. While working families struggle with extreme price hikes and other economic challenges, the selling of used goods has become even more common, making this the worst possible time to create unnecessary confusion and stress for struggling Americans. Furthermore, the change would place an additional burden on the IRS as millions of new forms would have to be processed, even when no reportable income is generated. I look forward to continuing to work with the IRS in the coming weeks to identify a more permanent solution to lowering the reporting threshold in a way that doesn't increase the already difficult tax compliance burden faced by many American taxpayers.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://matsui.house.gov/media/in-the-news/forbes-fda-sesame-become-9th-major-food-allergen-january-1-2023", "FORBES: FDA: SESAME TO BECOME 9TH MAJOR FOOD ALLERGEN ON JANUARY 1, 2023", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Doris O. Matsui", "M001163", "matsui.house.gov", "matsui", "https://matsui.house.gov/media", "scraper", "With 2023, there should be more open sesame. Once January 1, 2023, rolls around, manufacturers will have to start listing sesame as an allergen on the labels of any food products that may contain this seedy ingredient. As a December 15 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement emphasized, come the New Year sesame will be subject to new labeling and manufacturing requirements. The requirements will be similar to those that the eight current official major food allergens are subject to right now. That\u2019s because at the turn of the year sesame will be officially joining milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans as the ninth major food allergen.\n\nThis sesame sea change has been in the works for a while, seeded when the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act was signed into law on April 23, 2021. The FASTER Act specifically indicated that sesame should be added to the list of major allergens. The FASTER Act isn\u2019t simply about sesame, though. It also has mandated that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services prepare a report for Congress on a variety of food allergy issues. This includes covering how food allergies and allergic reactions are being monitored and prevented, what new food allergy diagnostics and therapeutics are being developed, and how federal food allergy activities should be expanded and improved, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI).\n\nThe process of getting the FASTER Act didn\u2019t exactly move super-fast in normal time but it did seem to move faster than usual in Congressional time. When Congress competes with molasses in a race, often you may want to place your bets on the sugary substance prevailing. According to the Congressional Management Foundation, it takes an average of seven years for a bill to go from being first introduced in Congress to becoming a law. That\u2019s if the bill even ends up getting passed. The road to getting the FASTER Act passed took a comparatively shorter amount of time, about two years after Rep. Doris O. Matsui (D-California) had first introduced an earlier version of the bill to the U.S. House of Representatives in April 2019.\n\nThe culmination of this two-year sesame street should be good news to those in the U.S. population that have sesame allergies. A study published on August 2, 2019, in JAMA Network Open estimated that 0.23% of the population have a \u201cconvincing sesame allergy.\u201d Of course, not everyone is allergic to the same degree. Allergic reactions to sesame can range from mild discomfort, such as hives, to anaphylaxis, which can be an oh-my-goodness-can\u2019t breathe, life-threatening emergency. Therefore, it is important to take real sesame allergies seriously.\n\nThe trouble is it hasn\u2019t been that easy to spot sesame in food. Sure, you may be able to readily spot sesame seeds on your buns, depending on what buns you are talking about and whether you have a mirror. Sure, it can be relatively easy to spot sesame seeds on a chip whether that chip is in your hand or on your shoulder. But sesame can be present in much harder to detect ways. For example, various cereals like granola and muesli can have sesame in them, making them potential cereal killers if you have a very severe sesame allergy. Sesame can get very saucy too, hiding out in various dressings, marinades, and dips like baba ghanoush, hummus, and tahini. You could inadvertently meet in different processed meats. Sesame hasn\u2019t been barred from energy bars, either. It can be in your soup as well. And while we\u2019re on roll here, we might as well mention sushi rolls, which often have sesame seeds on them.\n\nThen there\u2019s the cooking issue. Restaurant menus don\u2019t always say things like \u201cHarry Styles-shaped flamb\u00e9 cooked in sesame oil.\u201d And chances are your server won\u2019t ask, \u201cAnd sir or madam, would you prefer your dish be cooked in sesame oil, olive oil, or lard?\u201d In general, just because something doesn\u2019t taste like sesame doesn\u2019t mean that sesame isn\u2019t necessarily present.\n\nPlus, like the entertainer Ye, sesame can go by different names. FARE, which stands for Food Allergy Research & Education and is a non-profit organization focusing on food allergy awareness, research, education, and advocacy, warns that those allergic to sesame should avoid anything containing the following ingredients: benne, benne seed, benniseed, gingelly, gingelly oil, gomasio (sesame salt), halvah, sesame flour, sesame oil, sesame paste, sesame salt, sesame seed, sesamol, sesamum indicum, sesemolina, sim sim, tahini, tahina, tehina, or til. Watching Sesame Street should be fine, as long as you aren\u2019t eating a bowl of tahini at the same time.\n\nThe FASTER Act should make it faster for those with sesame allergies to sesame-see what may be in their food. And the value of this new development should be an open sesame and shut case.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-releases-statement-117th-congress-constituent-services", "Thompson Releases Statement on 117th Congress Constituent Services Accomplishments", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", "mikethompson", "https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) released the following statement and statistics outlining important constituent service and legislative milestones over the last two years.\n\n\u201cThe 117th Congress has been one of the most productive sessions of Congress in our nation\u2019s history,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cWe passed significant legislation that sets our country up for a strong and secure future while investing from the bottom up and middle out. Infrastructure, health care, climate change, supply chains, American manufacturing, and more were all addressed, and I remain focused on continuing to build on the progress we made over the last two years.\n\n\u201cI am particularly proud of the work my office was able to accomplish on behalf of the people of our district. I take pride in our constituent services, and with over 178,000 responses to constituent mail, over 4,000 cases closed, over $24 million returned to our district, my office delivered for many constituents. Going into the 118th Congress, constituent services will again take a front seat and I plan on improving these numbers.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-secures-key-conservation-easement-provision-government-funding", "Thompson Secures Key Conservation Easement Provision in Government Funding Bill", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", "mikethompson", "https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that his legislation to shut down abusive conservation easement transactions was included in the final 2023 government funding bill.\n\n\u201cAbuse of conservation easements has cost taxpayers billions of dollars and provided wealthy developers with a loophole to abuse our tax code,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cShutting down these tax shelters is a no-brainer. By closing this loophole, we ensure that taxpayers are defended and that conservation easements remain a successful and cost-effective means of protecting our shared natural heritage.\u201d\n\nTaxpayers are able to claim a charitable tax deduction when they donate a conservation easement to a qualified land trust. By placing a conservation easement on a piece of qualified property and then donating the easement to an entity dedicated to land conservation, the taxpayer essentially protects the piece of land permanently. This makes the deduction a very successful and cost-effective way of conserving wild spaces.\n\nHowever, bad actors have abused the program, essentially using the deduction as an investment vehicle: in simple terms, a group of investors would buy a piece of land, overstate the appraisal value of the land, then donate the easement and claim a deduction far greater than what they invested. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has designated these easement deals as \u201clisted transactions,\u201d meaning they are subjected to greater than usual scrutiny, and the Justice Department has repeatedly, and often successfully, pursued bad actors in court for abusing the easement program as a tax shelter.\n\nRep. Thompson\u2019s legislation, H.R. 4164 (the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act), was bipartisan and bicameral and will save taxpayers billions of dollars. The bill was backed by numerous Justice Department indictments, a bipartisan Senate Finance Committee report, and multiple formal statements issued by IRS.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://neguse.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-neguse-issues-statement-first-anniversary-marshall-fire", "Congressman Neguse Issues Statement on the First Anniversary of the Marshall Fire", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Joe Neguse", "N000191", "neguse.house.gov", "neguse", "https://neguse.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Lafayette, CO \u2014 Today, Congressman Joe Neguse, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Wildfire Caucus, issued the following statement marking a year since the Marshall Fire in Colorado\u2019s 2nd Congressional District. He will join the impacted communities at events commemorating the anniversary later today.\n\n\u201cThe Marshall Fire devastated neighborhoods across Louisville, Superior, and unincorporated Boulder County \u2013 destroying over a thousand homes and businesses, and resulting in the tragic loss of life. This catastrophic disaster would shortly become known as the most destructive fire in Colorado\u2019s history.\n\n\u201cToday is a solemn reminder of everything that the families in our community lost that day. But it is also a reminder of the incredible resiliency and kindness of the people of our community and our state, who have supported each other and our fellow citizens every step of the way during the past year as we\u2019ve begun the long road of recovery.\n\n\u201cNatural disasters have the power to reshape our communities for years to come, and as we pause to reflect on the progress made over the past year, we are reminded of the fact that many families and businesses are still very much in recovery. Today, and everyday, we recommit ourselves to redoubling our efforts to make the recovery process as quick and effective as possible.\u201d\n\nIndividuals impacted by the Marshall Fire can continue to find a list of resources offered by our office, here, and our team is always available to assist constituents directly as they navigate the road ahead. The Boulder County government has also compiled a list of resources and events available to those affected by the Marshall Fire, view here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-secures-more-128-million-constituents-2022", "Pallone Secures More than $12.8 Million for Constituents in 2022", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Long Branch, NJ \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced that his office helped secure $12,888,902 for constituents who sought assistance from his offices in New Jersey in 2022. The money returned to constituents includes Veterans Affairs (VA) claims, tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, FEMA grants and claims related to Superstorm Sandy, Small Business Administration loans, and Social Security payments. In 2022, Pallone's office successfully closed 2,255 constituent cases.\n\n\"I'm very proud we were able to help so many constituents receive the money that was owed to them. I want everyone to know that we're here to assist them,\" said Pallone. \"My offices are available to support constituents who need assistance navigating issues related to federal agencies. As we enter 2023, I hope New Jerseyans in the Sixth Congressional District continue to use my office as a resource.\"\n\nCongressman Pallone's office can assist constituents who have questions about a federal agency or need help with Social Security benefits, federal pensions, Medicare eligibility, and passport and immigration issues. Veterans can also receive help with a range of programs and benefits, including military records and awards, GI Bill benefits, and VA disability claims. Staff may be able to locate low-income housing options and provide guidance on utility payment assistance for eligible families.\n\nConstituents should not hesitate to contact Congressman Pallone's district offices if they have questions:\n\nNew Brunswick Office - 67/69 Church Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, Phone: (732) 249-8892", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-panetta-announces-winner-local-student-congressional-app", "Congressman Panetta Announces Winner of Local Student Congressional App Competition", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Panetta", "P000613", "panetta.house.gov", "panetta", "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Salinas, CA \u2013 U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced the winner of his district's Congressional App Challenge, Toma Brasoveanu (pronounced Brah-show-va-nu), a seventh-grade student from Pacific Collegiate School in Santa Cruz. The Congressional App Challenge promotes student innovation, creativity, and engagement in computer science through competition and the creation of a new application.\n\nToma's app, \"Pill Alarm,\" alerts and reminds users when they need to take their medication. Toma was inspired to create \"Pill Alarm\" by his mother, Megan Moodie-Brasoveanu, who lives with a neuromuscular condition that requires medication at regular intervals. Toma wanted to design an app to help his mother track and safely take her pills on time. \"Pill Alarm\" is Toma's first app.\n\n\"The Congressional App Challenge provides students with a unique, hands-on experience to test their skills in computer science and explore innovative ideas outside of the traditional confines of the classroom,\" said Rep. Panetta. \"Toma and this years' runners-up saw problems in our communities and worked hard to develop technological solutions to address them. On behalf of our congressional district, congratulations to Toma and every student who participated in the competition this year, we cannot wait to see what the future holds for each of you.\"\n\n\"'Pill Alarm\" is different than most medicine tracking apps because it's based on user-set intervals instead of fixed times of day. That's really important for people like my mom, who need to make sure they get their medication safely, at exactly the right time,\" said Toma Brasaoveanu. \"Winning the App Challenge has really boosted my confidence in my app-building skills! I want to say thank you to Congressman Panetta and his staff for this great opportunity, to Stephanie Sumarna for running the program, and to my teacher, Elizabeth Shaw, at Cabrillo College who's been a big supporter of mine and showed me the App Challenge. I also want to thank my mom for collaborating with me on the \"user end\" of the app and my dad for helping me debug issues that came up. Congratulations to all the other winners for building cool apps!\"\n\nPlacing second in the competition are Daniel Garnica, Tushar Singh, Angel Vazquez, and Mark Ramilo from Seaside High School with their app \"Sea Our Side\" which highlights activities to do when you are in the City of Seaside. In third place were Oscar Yanez, Robert Cruz, Annie Dorantes, and Roman Frilles from Seaside High School for their app \"Kelp\" which helps tourists and locals find restaurants in the Monterey Bay area.\n\nWinning apps are eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building and featured on the House of Representatives website, www.House.gov.\n\nOfficially launched by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015, the Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide effort allows students to compete against their peers by creating an application or \"app,\" for desktop/PC, web, tablet, mobile, or other devices. The Congressional App Challenge is open to all middle and high school students in California's 20th Congressional District.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/panetta-announces-30-million-grant-santa-cruz-county-auxiliary-lane-and-trail", "Panetta Announces $30 Million Grant for Santa Cruz County Auxiliary Lane and Trail Expansion", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Panetta", "P000613", "panetta.house.gov", "panetta", "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Salinas, CA \u2013 U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) announced a $30 million grant for Santa Cruz County to build the final phase of its planned Watsonville-Cruz Multimodal Corridor Program. This major project will construct auxiliary lanes and a bus on shoulder facility along State Route 1. In addition, the funding will be used to purchase four zero emission buses for Santa Cruz County and build a new segment of the Santa Cruz Coastal Rail Trail, including bicycle and pedestrian overcrossings for SR 1.\n\nFunding was secured through the National Infrastructure Project Assistance Program, known as Mega grants. Congress created this new competitive grant program as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to invest in complex projects with no other funding solution. Projects like the Watsonville-Cruz Multimodal Corridor Program qualify for a Mega grant if they help meet national or regional economic, mobility, or safety goals. The Watsonville-Cruz program is one of nine projects nationwide to be chosen for this round of Mega funding.\n\n\"For far too long and far too often, too many people have been stuck in traffic on Highway 1 getting between Watsonville and Santa Cruz, leading to a decrease in our productivity and an increase in our carbon output,\" said Rep. Panetta. \"The Multimodal Corridor Program will bring much needed relief to our congestion and climate change problems with an extra lane for public transportation, improvements for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, and, ultimately, the reduction of our carbon emissions. I'm proud that Congress passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in order to make this type of crucial federal investment in our roads and green buses that will help alleviate traffic, improve our livelihoods, and allow us to play our part to stem the effects of climate change.\"\n\n\"This grant award is proof that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is working for Santa Cruz County by providing necessary funding for the final phase of the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lane and Bus on Shoulder Project, reducing congestion and improving safety for all users,\" said Guy Preston, SCCRTC Executive Director. \"The project will also help deliver a critical section of the coastal rail trail through Aptos and fund the purchase four zero emission buses for Santa Cruz METRO. This multi-modal project aligns with our shared goals of climate action, healthy communities, safety and equity.\"\n\nThis multimodal project will build the final phase of a three-phase auxiliary lane and bus on shoulder operational improvement program for Santa Cruz County. The innovative bus on shoulder facility will provide transit vehicles an opportunity to bypass congestion and improve on-time performance and reliability of regional bus routes. The new zero emission buses will connect Watsonville with educational and job centers. The new 1.25-mile segment of the Coastal Rail Trail will provide much needed pedestrian and bicycle overcrossings reconnecting communities separated by the freeway.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/dear-colleague-to-all-members-on-the-speakers-new-pay-order", "Dear Colleague to All Members on the Speaker's New Pay Order", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", "pelosi", "https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Dear Colleague,\n\nAs you know, our hard-working, patriotic Congressional staffers are integral to the functioning of the House of Representatives: ensuring this institution can effectively carry out our legislative and constituent responsibilities. To that end, we must do all we can to retain and recruit the best talent in our nation \u2014 and to build a Congressional workforce that reflects the communities we are honored to serve.\n\nIt is my privilege as Speaker to announce that the House will raise the maximum annual rate of pay for staff to $212,100. This increase in the Speaker's Pay Order is consistent with the recent raise in the Executive Branch Level II and Senior Executive Branch maximum annual salary rate.\n\nAs Speaker, it has been a key priority for me to bring the brightest minds and a diversity of backgrounds here to Capitol Hill \u2014 at every level of public service. That is why we have:\n\nraised the maximum annual pay twice: ensuring parity among employees of the House, employees of the Senate and employees of the Executive Branch;\n\nset a first-ever minimum annual pay for staff at $45,000: a fairer, more competitive salary that has helped open the doors of public service to those who may not have been able to afford to do so before;\n\ndelivered a 21 percent increase in the MRA in the FY22 omnibus: ensuring every office has the resources to fairly compensate staff;\n\nand established the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion: helping make the House more inclusive, open and representative of the full range of voices and values of our communities.\n\nThis work must continue into the 118th Congress and beyond, as we carry on our dutiful stewardship of this historic institution.\n\nThank you for your commitment and leadership to serve the American people. Best wishes to you and your loved ones for a Happy, Healthy New Year!\n\nNANCY PELOSI\n\nSpeaker of the House", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2022/12/biden-signs-ross-projects-law-delivering-more-26-million-wake-county", "Biden Signs Ross Projects Into Law Delivering More Than $26 Million to Wake County", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014President Joe Biden signed into law the omnibus funding package for Fiscal Year 2023 yesterday, which includes $26,890,641 in funding for 15 community projects across Wake County secured by Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02). This critical funding will invest in accessible health care, affordable housing, public safety projects, quality education, and more.\n\n\u201cFrom Raleigh to Wendell, these projects address critical needs in Wake County and represent transformational investments in families, students, seniors, and more,\u201d said Congresswoman Ross. \u201cThese projects were developed by the people of Wake County, for the people of Wake County. I fought for this funding because I know it will make a positive difference in our community. I look forward to working with local leaders and seeing how these projects will create tangible progress in Wake County.\u201d\n\nEarlier this year, Congresswoman Ross secured $10.7 million in funding for Wake County community projects in the Fiscal Year 2022 government funding package. The 15 projects and funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 package are listed below.\n\nCommunity Projects\n\nProject Name: WakeMed Behavioral Health Hospital\n\nAmount Secured: $6,000,000\n\nDescription: WakeMed Health & Hospitals will use this funding to establish a behavioral health hospital that will help Wake County cope with the rising number of mental health and substance-use cases. The facility will accept all clinically appropriate patients regardless of their ability to pay. It will provide a full continuum of mental health services to adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients and substance-use services to all ages.\n\nProject Name: Wake County Public Health Center\n\nAmount Secured: $2,000,000\n\nDescription: Wake County will use this funding to construct a new Public Health Center. The new 151,000 square foot building will house a variety of health clinics, along with pharmacy and lab facilities, as well as ancillary and complimentary social services programs. Wake County Public Health is the safety net clinical provider for uninsured residents. The County\u2019s 11 clinics served approximately 26,000 residents in 2021. Its pharmacy provides approximately 60,000 prescriptions each year, many of which people could not obtain without Wake County Public Health services.\n\nProject Name: Maynard Road Multifamily Housing in Cary\n\nAmount Secured: $1,000,000\n\nDescription: The Maynard Road Multifamily Housing is a planned 127-unit housing development that will provide quality, affordable, mixed-income rental units at below-market rents in a prime area of Cary, North Carolina. The development is needed to help address rising housing costs, especially for low-income individuals and families, because of booming population growth, employment opportunities, and economic development in Cary over the last 20 years. The funding will be used to construct a street to the development. A well-designed and integrated street network is the backbone for a viable, complete neighborhood.\n\nProject Name: Wake Tech Electric Vehicle Training\n\nAmount Secured: $939,041\n\nDescription: Wake Technical Community College will use this funding for Grid to Plug to Wheels: Technician Training for Safe and Efficient Electric Vehicle Power Utilization and Maintenance. This job training program will prepare a next generation workforce of 2-year technicians to build and maintain power supply infrastructure and service electric vehicles. The growing demand for skilled labor in this sector will lead to good careers, greenhouse gas reductions, and consumer savings at the pump.\n\nProject Name: Saint Augustine\u2019s University Tuttle Public Health Center\n\nAmount Secured: $490,000\n\nDescription: St. Augustine's University, a Historically Black University (HBCU), will use this funding to open its Tuttle Public Health Center (TPHC), which will support health and wellness education, student research regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19, and related programs that will benefit St. Augustine\u2019s students and the surrounding community. Funding will be used to support faculty, establish smart classrooms for students, and purchase research and lab equipment.\n\nProject Name: GoTriangle Wake County Transit Access and Safety Improvements\n\nAmount Secured: $900,000\n\nDescription: This project will address critical transit access and operation safety concerns at GoTriangle bus stops across Wake County. The project will make improvements at several locations where the design speed, traffic volumes, constrained right-of-way, and number of transit passengers require safety and ADA accessibility improvements. These improvements include bus bays, sidewalk connections, ADA curb ramps, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals. Proposed locations are distributed throughout the county, benefiting customers on several regional GoTriangle routes.\n\nProject Name: Raleigh-Durham International Airport North Cargo Taxilane Reconstruction\n\nAmount Secured: $5,000,000\n\nDescription: This project will reconstruct the Taxilane that provides access to the North Cargo aircraft parking apron at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. This Taxilane access is critical to the operation of both FedEx and UPS, which provide freight and logistics services to central North Carolina.\n\nProject Name: Town of Holly Springs Water Reclamation\n\nAmount Secured: $3,000,000\n\nDescription: The Utley Creek Water Reclamation Facility is nearing capacity due to population and economic growth. This project will employ innovative and sustainable techniques to increase capacity and divert treated wastewater for other reuses in the community.\n\nProject Name: Triangle Regional Water Partnership\n\nAmount Secured: $3,326,400\n\nDescription: This project will help address the inadequate water supply intended to serve the recently announced VinFast manufacturing facility, the largest economic development project in North Carolina to date, and to provide a safe water supply for the Town of Pittsboro. The funding will be used to construct one of two horizontal directional drills under the Cape Fear River from the City of Sanford\u2019s Water Treatment Plant, which will provide a safe and resilient source of potable water for local government partners that include Chatham County, Pittsboro, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina. Congresswoman Ross secured this funding with Congressman David Price (NC-04).\n\nProject Name: Garner Senior Center Facility Improvements\n\nAmount Secured: $505,200\n\nDescription: The project will enhance safety, increase accessibility, and improve functionality of the Garner Senior Center (GSC), which hosts over 42,000 annual visits by Garner-area seniors. The facility also houses Wake County\u2019s largest congregate Meals on Wheels site serving 1,700 monthly meals on-site and is a distribution site for 1,100 monthly delivered meals. Improvements to the facility include replacement of aging HVAC systems to improve air handling, renovations to restrooms to improve safety and accessibility, the addition of an accessible route to outdoor programing areas of the facility, installation of technology to ensure safe user access, enhancements to the kitchen and dining facility to improve food distribution, and other general facility upgrades.\n\nProject Name: Pleasant Grove Community Center in Wendell\n\nAmount Secured: $2,000,000\n\nDescription: The Pleasant Grove Community Center Project is a collaborative partnership with the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Town of Wendell, and Wake County to reimagine a future use of the historic African American Carver School. This site is located within a low-income area near a public housing development and will serve as a focal point of inclusion and opportunity. The community center rehabilitation will provide a space to offer families afterschool, track out, and summer camp programs; job development services; and a business incubator to host the entrepreneurial program, LaunchWENDELL. This funding will be used for community engagement, project design, construction documents, and the rehabilitation of the old Carver Elementary School.\n\nProject Name: Tingen Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Design in Apex\n\nAmount Secured: $550,000\n\nDescription: This funding will be used for the study and design of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the railroad crossing of Tingen Road in Apex, North Carolina. This railroad crossing is expected to close in 2025. Construction of the bicycle and pedestrian bridge will provide a route for the community to safely cross the railroad tracks on Tingen Road.\n\nProject Name: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Education Center at Prairie Ridge\n\nAmount Secured: $750,000\n\nDescription: The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will use this funding to construct an Education Center at Prairie Ridge, which will expand services to significantly increase the number of visitors the facility can accommodate. Designed for easy accessibility, including for those with limited pedestrian mobility, families with young children, and school groups, the building will feature three new assets: an indoor classroom, furnished with scientific instruments and teaching tools; universally accessible restroom facilities; and a nature porch. This funding will contribute to economic development by creating an important public amenity along the Blue Ridge Corridor, turning an existing community resource into a year-round ecotourism destination, and fostering the creation of new jobs.\n\nProject Name: Town of Morrisville Solar Panel Installations on Town Facilities\n\nAmount Secured: $250,000\n\nDescription: The Town of Morrisville wants to lead community adoption of sustainable practices and technology. The Town will use $250,000 in funding to purchase and install solar arrays on three of the Town\u2019s largest energy consuming facilities to reduce its carbon footprint. The facilities include the Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center, Public Safety and Municipal Services Building, and Harris Mill Road Fire Station.\n\nProject Name: Town of Fuquay-Varina Continuous Operation Body Camera System\n\nAmount Secured: $180,000\n\nDescription: The Town of Fuquay-Varina will use this funding to supply police officers with continuous operation body camera systems. This funding will enable Fuquay-Varina to purchase improved body-worn camera equipment for Police Officers to enhance safety, transparency, and community trust. Body cameras enhance community safety and trust and are essential for 21st century policing.\n\nThe Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus funding package also includes:\n\nA $21 billion increase for veterans\u2019 health care to help with implementation of the PACT Act\n\nReform of the Electoral Count Act of 1887, which will help thwart attempts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power\n\nRobust funding to provide security, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in its fight for freedom and democracy\n\nEmergency disaster assistance to help victims of hurricanes and wildfires throughout the country\n\n$72 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help address the affordable housing crisis, a $6 billion increase above last year\u2019s levels\n\nThe package also includes Congresswoman Ross\u2019 legislation, the Unleashing American Innovators Act, critical legislation that will address disparities in the U.S. patent system and expand access to patents for underrepresented communities. The bill will also establish a U.S. Patent Office in the Southeast.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-sherman-secures-over-21-million-for-us-israel-cooperative", "Congressman Sherman Secures Over $21 million for U.S.-Israel Cooperative Research", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", "sherman", "https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) announced the inclusion of over $21 million in funding for U.S.-Israel Cooperative Programming in the government funding bill that President Biden signed last evening. Congressman Sherman led over 80 bipartisan Members in sending a series of letters to the House Appropriations Committee urging the funding of a variety of U.S.-Israel cooperative programs.\n\nCongressman Sherman wrote the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Act, which became law in 2007. Since then, Congressman Sherman has led efforts to fund U.S.-Israel joint research projects. These programs fund joint research projects involving both Israeli and American scientists. The Israeli government matches the U.S. investment, so our research dollars go further.\n\nSherman said, \"It is important that we make Israel relevant, even to Americans who don't focus on Middle East policy. Every American could benefit from break-throughs that could come from this research. All too often, when people hear \u2018something happened in Israel,' they think of some recent terrorist incident, in a word \u2013 Tsuris. Hopefully, when we think of Israel we think not of Tsuris, but of Science.\"\n\nThe programs funded are:\n\n-U.S.-Israel Binational Agricultural Research & Development program: $2,000,000.\n\n-U.S.-Israel bilateral cooperative program for COVID-19 research & development: $3,080,000.\n\n-USAID-Israel International Development Cooperation Program for sustainability: $2,000,000.\n\n-U.S.-Israel Binational Industrial Research & Development Foundation (energy): $2,000,000.\n\n-U.S.-Israel Center of Excellence in Energy Engineering and Water Technology: $4,000,000.\n\n-U.S.-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (cyber): $2,000,000.\n\n-U.S.-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation grant program: $6,000,000.\n\nThese programs are not aid programs. They leverage relatively small U.S. investments to create private sector and academic innovation and often generate returns for the United States \u2013 like the U.S.-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD), which has generated a $16.5 return for every dollar invested.\n\nCongressman Sherman's co-leads in fighting for these programs were:Ted Deutch, Congressman Chris Pappas, Congressman Bill Johnson, Congressman David Kustoff, Congressman Jim Langevin, and Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino.\n\nThe following Members of Congress signed letters in support of these programs:Alma S. Adams, Rick W. Allen, Jake Auchincloss, Cynthia Axne, Jim Banks, Andy Barr, Gus M. Bilirakis, Carolyn Bourdeaux, Brendan F. Boyle, Julia Brownley, Tony Cardenas, Yvette D. Clarke, Gerald E. Connolly, Jim Costa, Joe Courtney, Angie Craig, Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford, Jason Crow, Suzan K. DelBene, Antonio Delgado, Brian Fitzpatrick, Lizzie Fletcher, Bill Foster, Josh Gottheimer, Vicente Gonzalez, Hakeem Jeffries, John Katko, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Doug LaMalfa, Doug Lamborn, John B. Larson, Debbie Lesko, Mike Levin, Ted W. Lieu, Alan Lowenthal, Elaine G. Luria, Stephen F. Lynch, Nicole Malliotakis, Carolyn B. Maloney, Kathy Manning, Lucy McBath, David B. McKinley, Jerry McNerney, Alex X. Mooney, Grace F. Napolitano, Richard E. Neal, Troy E. Nehls, Tom O'Halleran, Burgess Owens, Jimmy Panetta, Dean Phillips, Kathleen M. Rice, Maria Elvira Salazar, Linda T. Sanchez, John P. Sarbanes, Mary Gay Scanlon, Adam B. Schiff, Bradley Scott Schneider, Kim Schrier, David Schweikert, Albio Sires, Elissa Slotkin, Adrian Smith, Abigail Davis Spanberger, Haley M. Stevens, Marilyn Strickland, Thomas R. Suozzi, Eric Swalwell, Dina Titus, Ritchie Torres, Jefferson Van Drew, Juan Vargas, Marc A. Veasey, Ann Wagner, Jackie Walorski, Susan Wild, Frederica S. Wilson, and Lee Zeldin.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://shontelbrown.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-brown-announces-winner-2022-congressional-app-challenge", "Rep. Brown Announces Winner of 2022 Congressional App Challenge", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "OH", "Shontel M. Brown", "B001313", "shontelbrown.house.gov", "shontelbrown", "https://shontelbrown.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11) issued the following statement announcing the Eleventh District of Ohio\u2019s winner of the Congressional App Challenge, a design competition that focuses on innovation in computer science and programming. Shaker Heights High School student Tyler Bordeaux designed the winning program, BetterSelf: an app that aims to make philosophy more accessible and habitual with the goal of improving the daily lives and mindsets of users.\n\n\u201cMy heartiest congratulations to Tyler Bordeaux for winning the 2022 Congressional App Challenge!\u201d said Rep. Shontel Brown. \u201cThis yearly competition fosters innovation and shines a light on some of the brightest young minds in Northeastern Ohio. Our country's future depends on such quality educational opportunities that build on their unique skills, especially in STEM fields. It will be exciting to see what Tyler and other Northeastern Ohio students accomplish in the years to come as they continue to expand and enhance the impact of technology on our lives.\u201d\n\nThe winner of the competition will have the honor of being featured in a video display in the U.S. Capitol Building and on the Congressional App Challenge website.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge was created to promote an understanding of computer science and inspire our young people to engage in programming. This competition exposes the coming generation to some of the incredibly rewarding careers and skills in STEM. Since its inception, the competition has inspired over 40,000 across all 50 states to channel their innovative ideas for Congress.\n\nMore information about the Congressional App Challenge is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1024", "Case: Congress-Passed Funding Measure Focuses Billions On Indo-Pacific And Hawaii's Role", "2022-12-29", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Ed Case", "C001055", "case.house.gov", "case", "https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16", "scraper", "(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for all federal discretionary spending, said that the $1.7 trillion omnibus measure to fund the federal government for the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 includes billions in State and Defense Department funding focused on the Indo-Pacific and Hawaii\u2019s role, a measure just signed into law by the President.\n\n\u201cThis measure strengthens our national defense and bolsters our commitments to diplomacy, development and democracy throughout the Indo-Pacific, where the future of our country and world is being determined,\u201d said Case. \u201cIt also recognizes Hawaii\u2019s continued critical role through investments in facilities, personnel and institutions that are integral parts of our overall efforts, in addition to major contributors to our local economy.\u201d\n\nProvisions of special interest to Hawai\u2018i and for which Case advocated throughout the yearlong FY 2023 appropriations process include:\n\n\u00b7 $22 million for the East-West Center.\n\n\u00b7 $1.8 billion for implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy to counter malign influence and promote peace, prosperity and democracy in the region, an increase of over $100 million from the prior fiscal year.\n\n\u00b7 Report language encouraging the Department of State to increase the number of scholarships available for Pacific Islanders to study in the United States, many of whom study at the University of Hawai\u2018i.\n\n\u00b7 An $8 million increase for the Asia Pacific Regional Initiative, a key program supporting the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.\n\nThis program enables the military to execute Theater Security Cooperation activities, such as humanitarian assistance and paying incremental personnel costs of training and exercising with foreign security forces. The initiative is a critical tool for the U.S. military to strengthen relationships throughout the Indo-Pacific region.\n\n\u00b7 Support for the Coast Guard\u2019s role in the Indo-Pacific and a required review of the Coast Guard\u2019s assets in Oceania and facilities on O\u2018ahu.\n\nState and Foreign Operations\n\nThe FY 2023 measure, passed by Congress last Thursday, December 23rd and soon to be signed by the President, includes $59.7 billion in U.S. foreign assistance in public health, basic education, educational and cultural exchanges, climate change and other programs through the U.S. Department of State, Agency for International Development, contributions to the United Nations and its agencies and more.\n\nIt also implements provisions of Case\u2019s BLUE Pacific Act, to increase overall U.S. engagement throughout the Pacific Island, and includes $22 million for the East-West Center.\n\n\u201cOur BLUE Pacific Act, together with funding for the East-West Center and other institutions and efforts focused in the Indo-Pacific, sends a powerful message to our critical Pacific Islands partners and allies that our country values our relationships, will invest further in them and will continue as an active and engaged partner in pursuit of our shared interests values,\u201d said Case, who joined four congressional delegations to the Indo-Pacific this year including most recently Fiji.\n\nPrograms and provisions secured by Case related to the Indo-Pacific and his BLUE Pacific Act include:\n\n\u00b7 $1.8 billion for implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy to counter malign influence and promote peace, prosperity and democracy in the region, an increase of over $100 million.\n\n\u00b7 Bill language requiring at least $150 million for the Pacific Islands region, almost double previous spending.\n\n\u00b7 Increased funding for the Young Pacific Leaders Program, a Department of State program for emerging young leaders from Hawai\u2018i, Guam, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Solomon Islands and other Pacific nations.\n\n\u00b7 Report language encouraging the Department of State to increase the number of scholarships available for Pacific Islanders to study in the United States, many of whom study at the University of Hawai\u2018i.\n\n\u00b7 $430.5 million for the Peace Corps, an increase of $20 million over the FY 2022 enacted level, along with language encouraging the Peace Corps to prioritize the Pacific Islands in the return of volunteers.\n\n\u00b7 Report language recommending no less than $20 million for climate resilient development and climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in the Pacific Islands.\n\n\u00b7 Language in support of expanding the U.S. diplomatic presence in the Pacific Islands and expanding the programming of the U.S. Agency for Global Media in the region.\n\n\u00b7 Report language requiring the Department of State to create a strategy on trade capacity building in the Pacific Islands.\n\n\u00b7 Report language recommending the expansion of the International Law Enforcement Academy to the Pacific Islands, and supporting the Pacific Islands in their efforts to combat transnational crime.\n\n\u201cAs Hawai`i and the rest of our planet continue to confront the impacts of climate change, we must focus on our Pacific Island communities, as they and we act are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, protracted droughts and land loss, to name just a few,\u201d said Case.\n\nThe measure includes $2 billion in the State and Foreign Operations section to address climate change and other environmental programs, including:\n\n\u00b7 $150 million for the Global Environment Facility, $1 million above the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n\u00b7 $125 million for the Clean Technology Fund.\n\n\u00b7 $270 million for adaptation programs.\n\n\u00b7 $260 million for clean energy programs.\n\nDEFENSE\n\nThe measure\u2019s U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) provisions include another $1 billion to continue Red Hill defueling, closure, health and water quality monitoring and other efforts, over and above the $1.1 billion secured by the Hawai\u2018i Congressional delegation on an emergency basis earlier this year for FY 2022, together with various Case requests to strengthen oversight.\n\nIt also supports Case\u2019s effort to expand and improve the military\u2019s engagement with the local community throughout Hawai\u2018i, including a directive that the Secretary of Defense work with Hawai\u2018i government to address the disconnect between the services and various communities in Hawai\u2018i.\n\n\u201cThe military must foster a better relationship with our local community to repair the damaged trust of Red Hill and rebuild support for various critical defense initiatives in our state,\u201d said Case.\n\nThe measure includes Case\u2019s requested funding for various national programs that are utilized by the military in Hawai\u2018i to support local communities.\n\nThose requests include $80 million for Impact Aid education programs, $175 million for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) that protects environmentally sensitive lands, and $260 million for the National Guard Youth Challenge, Starbase and other programs to help troubled youth.\n\nThrough REPI, DoD works with state and local governments, conservation organizations and willing private landowners to implement compatible uses of lands for the military mission and conservation.\n\nFor calendar year 2022, REPI will provide $19.2 million, which will be coupled with $15.1 million in partner contributions, to acquire and protect invaluable lands on O\u2019ahu.\n\nThe measure also supports the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI), which bolsters deterrence and maintains our competitive edge in the Indo-Pacific in recognition of threats posed by China and the need to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.\n\nA key component of the PDI for FY 2023 is $393.2 million for the missile defense of Guam, which faces threats from ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles. Increased funding is also directed to joint exercises and other activities with our partners and allies in the region.\n\nOther programs and provisions of specific relevance to Hawai\u2018i and requested and secured by Case include:\n\n\u00b7 Funding for two SSN-774 Virginia Class attack submarines, which are critical to protecting the Indo-Pacific and will be maintained at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.\n\n\u00b7 $317 million for Environmental Restoration, Formerly Used Defense Sites, which is $90 million over the President\u2019s budget request. These funds will help accelerate efforts to remove unexploded ordnance and discarded military munitions in Hawai\u2018i and throughout the nation.\n\n\u00b7 $150 million for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which maintains large scientific laboratories and other efforts at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.\n\n\u00b7 Retention of the military contracting preference language for Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations.\n\n\u00b7 $164 million for the X-Band Radar, which defends Hawai\u2018i from ballistic missile threats as the DoD pauses funding for Homeland Defense Radar-Hawai\u2018i and conducts a large study to reassess how to best protect Hawai\u2018i from missile attacks.\n\n\u00b7 An $8 million increase for the Asia Pacific Regional Initiative, a key program supporting the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquartered in Hawai\u2019i. This program enables the military to execute Theater Security Cooperation activities, such as humanitarian assistance and paying incremental personnel costs of training and exercising with foreign security forces. The initiative is a critical tool for the U.S. military to strengthen relationships throughout the Indo-Pacific region.\n\n\u00b7 $39.2 billion for medical and health care programs, which includes the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), which allocates $582.5 million for cancer research. The CDMRP fills research gaps by funding high impact, high risk and high gain projects that other agencies may not venture to fund.\n\nMilitary Construction\n\nThe FY 2023 omnibus measure includes several Case requests through his membership on the House Appropriations Committee\u2019s Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.\n\nThese include $71 million for two critical community project funding requests, submitted jointly with Senators Schatz and Hirono, for the initial planning, design and construction phase for two water system distribution upgrades serving Fort Shafter and Tripler Army Medical Center.\n\nThe water systems at both locations have begun to fail and must be replaced to ensure access to clean drinking water. The medical center upgrade will support over 450,000 service members, veterans and their families that use the hospital. These beneficiaries come from not only Hawai\u2018i but from throughout the Indo-Pacific.\n\nCase said that, in addition to the $1 billion provided through the Defense portion of the measure, another $25 million is provided to address the Red Hill Crisis for the planning and design of water treatment and distribution facilities construction. He added that the funds can also be used to design facilities to help remediate the Red Hill shaft.\n\nThere is also $50 million for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command planning and design and minor construction to advance critical projects in a strategically vital region of the world. The additional funds can be used by the Navy and the Indo-Pacific Command to begin the planning and design for building new facilities to remove and relocate the fuel currently at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.\n\nThe bill also provides a further $1.3 billion, an increase of $492 million above FY 2022, for the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan (SIOP), a $21 billion multi-year effort to upgrade the Navy\u2019s four public shipyards. This includes over $621 million for Dry Dock 5 and $20 million for the planning and design for the Waterfront Production Facility at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Hawaii\u2019s largest industrial employer with some 6,000 local employees.\n\n\u201cKeeping SIOP on track and fully funded is one of my top priorities on my Appropriations Committee,\u201d said Case. \u201cThese additional funds are especially targeted at continuing the massive Pearl Harbor project to build a new $3.5 billion state-of-the-art drydock for the next generation of Navy submarines and surface ships, a project that will contribute tremendously not just to our national defense but to our local economy.\u201d\n\nThe bill funds critical defense infrastructure in Hawai\u2018i. These projects include $87.9 million for a new barracks on Marine Corps Base Hawai\u2018i, $103 million for upgrading the missile magazines at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and $111 million for a new company operations facility on Schofield Barracks.\n\nOther specific programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include:\n\n\u00b7 $29 million for the Army National Guard Readiness Center in Kapolei, which would improve the Hawai\u2018i National Guard\u2019s facilities.\n\n\u00b7 Provision directing the DoD to address Hawai\u2018i missile defense in the absence of the Homeland Defense Radar-Hawai\u2018i, which has been paused as the department conducts a large study to reassess how to best protect Hawai\u2018i from missile attacks.\n\n\u00b7 Provision directing the DoD to address underfunded and dilapidated Army infrastructure on O\u2018ahu via the Hawai\u2018i Infrastructure Readiness Initiative.\n\nCase\u2019s Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating some $1.7 trillion in funding to federal government agencies, departments and organizations on an annual basis.\n\nA detailed summary of the FY 2023 omnibus is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-cherfilus-mccormick-and-congressman-espaillat-spearhead-letter", "Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick and Congressman Espaillat Spearhead Letter to the Administration Outlining the United States\u2019 Support for Haiti Relief Efforts", "2022-12-29", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013Today, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) led a bipartisan letter urging the Administration to consider leading an international task force to assist in addressing the Republic of Haiti\u2019s security and humanitarian crises.\n\nIn the letter, the Members urge President Biden and Secretary Blinken to strongly consider providing additional aid to Haiti to combat the political, economic, and humanitarian crises plaguing the Caribbean nation. Reps. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (R-FL) also signed the letter.\n\nIn the letter, the Members write:\n\nDear Mr. President and Secretary Blinken:\n\nThank you for your service and leadership. We write to request that the United States consider leading an international task force to assist in addressing the Republic of Haiti\u2019s security and humanitarian crises.\n\nEarlier this month, we participated in the United Nations (\u201cUN\u201d) Foundation\u2019s \u201cCongressional Learning Trip to the UN Headquarters.\u201d During our trip, we were briefed on Haiti\u2019s dire political, economic, and health situation. After receiving the UN\u2019s suggested recommendations, our congressional delegation devised a path forward. Based on briefings from dignitaries and organizational leaders, who provided on-the-ground intelligence and expertise, we formulated three requests for the Administration. Respectively, we would like the U.S. to lead an international task force that addresses our requests and the humanitarian needs of the people of the Republic of Haiti.\n\nFirst, we request that the United States consider leading the rapid response efforts to address the crises in Haiti in a collaborative manner that places the human rights of Haitians and democracy for all at the center. As you are aware, on July 7, 2021, the President of Haiti, Jovenel Mo\u00efse, was assassinated by foreign mercenaries. Since then, the Republic of Haiti has been plagued by political instability. The country lacks an elected president, has no parliamentary quorum, and has a dysfunctional high court due to a lack of judges. Additionally, the Caribbean nation has been hard-hit by devastating natural disasters. Moreover, the country is marred by gang violence, fuel shortages, and a cholera epidemic.\n\nRapid response efforts should include assistance to address Haiti\u2019s political instability, gang violence, economic crisis, health epidemic, and humanitarian crisis. To move the country forward, Haiti needs a government with functioning executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Additionally, gang violence must cease for rapid response units to contend with the ongoing economic, health, and humanitarian crises. However, safeguards would need to be implemented to ensure that any rapid response unit deployed does not remain in Haiti longer than necessary so that the country can have a Haitian-driven rebuilding process.\n\nSecond, we request that the United States continue strengthening the Haitian National Police (\u201cPNH\u201d).We believe that positive change will come from financial assistance to Haiti for the purpose of adequate resourcing, re-training, and technical assistance for the PNH to produce an elite national police unit skilled to combat the violence and gangs that are currently obstructing access to essential goods for the Haitian people.\n\nFollowing the assassination of President Mo\u00efse, Haiti\u2019s police force has struggled to maintain control and is ill-equipped, as more than 200 gangs have overrun the beleaguered country. The police force\u2019s inability to reign in violence has resulted in numerous killings of police officers and attacks on official buildings. In November 2022, the director of Haiti\u2019s National Police Academy, Harrington Rigaud, was shot and killed in a gang-controlled neighborhood in the country\u2019s capital, Port-au-Prince, as he sat inside an official police vehicle. In October 2022, it was reported that Haitian Foreign Minister Jean Victor Geneus made a plea at the Organization of American States (OAS) Summit for international police support as the PNH struggles to respond to the escalating gang violence. Undoubtedly, assistance is needed, and we believe the United States can lead the international effort to address these life-threatening concerns.\n\nThird, we request that the United States continue providing humanitarian aid to Haiti. Today, violence, hunger, and cholera threaten to kill thousands of Haitians. According to an October 2022 UN World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization report, \u201ca record 4.7 million people face acute hunger [,] and almost 20,000 people are enduring \u2018catastrophic hunger,\u2019 meaning they are at risk of starving to death.\u201d It is estimated that 2.4 million school-aged children are not enrolled, as eighty percent of schools are closed due to ongoing gang violence. Unfortunately, many unenrolled adolescents have been recruited by the gangs via social media and now make up roughly sixty percent of the gang members.\n\nHaitian gangs have blocked all humanitarian corridors and are attacking humanitarians trying to deliver aid. As a result, the UN has been forced to negotiate with gang members. Reportedly, several United Nations International Children\u2019s Emergency Fund (\u201cUNICEF\u201d) employees and their family members have been kidnapped, and their families have been asked to prepare ransom payments in exchange for their return. For months, women and girls have been subjected to gender-based violence\u2014mostly rape\u2014at the hands of gangs.\n\nOn October 18, 2022, UNICEF classified the situation in Haiti as a Level-2 emergency. Currently, Haiti has no humanitarian or non-profit organization to assist with the country\u2019s many crises. If possible, we request that the United States work with the international community and the Haitian diaspora to render humanitarian assistance to the people of Haiti, potentially creating employment opportunities and strengthening our foreign relations with other countries.\n\nMoreover, we encourage you to advise and assist in revamping Haiti\u2019s healthcare infrastructure to help address the most pressing health concerns, including maternal and neonatal health. A significant first step would be international partners coming together to aid in constructing hospitals throughout Haiti and at the Haitian border, proactively responding to the volume of Haitian mothers in dire need of quality medical care. The House of Representatives passed an appropriations measure for Fiscal Year 2022 supporting dialogue in Haiti aimed at resolving the political crisis, urging stronger action against human rights abuses, and addressing the plight of pregnant Haitian women leaving their country to seek neonatal care. However, this dialogue must be met with funding, strategy, and international coordination to mitigate on-the-ground challenges.\n\nWe respectfully request that the Administration strongly consider the requests mentioned above. Additionally, we ask that the Administration keep the undersigned Members of Congress informed on any developments regarding this matter, either in writing or in an unclassified or classified briefing.\n\nThank you in advance for your attention to this critical matter. We appreciate your efforts and are willing and able to provide any support or assistance you may need.\n\nREAD THE FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER HERE", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-cherfilus-mccormick-issues-statement-southwest-airlines-flight", "Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick Issues Statement on Southwest Airlines Flight Cancellations", "2022-12-29", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FORT LAUDERDALE \u2013 After Southwest Airlines (\u201cSouthwest\u201d) canceled thousands of flights during the holiday season, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, issued the following statement.\n\n\u201cThe complete meltdown of Southwest Airlines during the holiday season is unacceptable. Tuesday, 85 Southwest flights were cancelled at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The collapse of their flight schedule has left customers, families, and hardworking Southwest employees stranded at airports over the holiday travel period. Additionally, I am deeply troubled by reports of Southwest\u2019s lack of prompt customer service to help passengers get to their destinations.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/over-158-million-federal-resources-awarded-gold-star-bridge", "Over $158 Million in Federal Resources Awarded for Gold Star Bridge Rehabilitation, Courtney Announces", "2022-12-29", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "Joe Courtney", "C001069", "courtney.house.gov", "courtney", "https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) released the following statement after the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) announced a new federal grant award of $158,150,000 to support ongoing repairs and upgrades to the Gold Star Bridge in New London. The new federal resources are being awarded through the department\u2019s Bridge Investment Program, and were made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which Rep. Courtney voted to pass.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s announcement by the Federal Highway Administration that Connecticut\u2019s largest passenger and truck bridge\u2014the Thames River Gold Star Bridge\u2014has been awarded $158 million for a long overdue rehabilitation is another example of the 2021 Infrastructure Law\u2019s positive impact on eastern Connecticut,\u201d said Rep. Courtney. \u201cPreliminary work at Gold Star started last summer by members of the local Ironworkers Union, and this award will ensure that follow on structural work on the north bound lane will occur. With this upgrade, the bridge will be able to safely tolerate higher weight vehicles, which is a benefit to all motorists, and will reduce truck traffic on local roads, which is more congested right now due to present weight restrictions. This award is a win-win for good paying jobs in the region, and safer traffic flow.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/connecticut-delegation-statement-sikorsky-flraa-protest", "Connecticut Delegation Statement on Sikorsky FLRAA Protest", "2022-12-29", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "Rosa L. DeLauro", "D000216", "delauro.house.gov", "delauro", "https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "STRATFORD, CT \u2013House Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Congressman John Larson (CT-01), Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04), and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement on the announcement of Sikorsky challenging the Army decision on FLRAA:\n\n\u201cToday Sikorsky has made the decision to protest the Army\u2019s recent award on Future Long Range Assault (FLRAA) Aircraft.\n\n\u201cThe public, Members of Congress, and most importantly, the workers at Sikorsky, are entitled to a robust, fair, and clear process. Our National security and Connecticut jobs are on the line.\n\n\"Despite direct engagement with the Army, we as Members of Congress have not yet been able to get the answers that we need regarding how the Army came to their original decision on FLRAA. This is unacceptable.\n\n\"We are hopeful that this protest action and the forthcoming process will shed light on the Army\u2019s decision making, and that the highest level of fidelity is conducted throughout.\u201d\n\n\"We will not relent in our shared mission to ensure that Stratford continues to build the helicopters of the future, and that good paying jobs stay in Connecticut.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4284", "Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Releases 2022 Annual Report for Texas\u2019 Seventh Congressional District", "2022-12-29", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lizzie Fletcher", "F000468", "fletcher.house.gov", "fletcher", "https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) released her 2022 Annual Report detailing her work representing Texas\u2019 Seventh Congressional District this year. The report highlights Congresswoman Fletcher\u2019s work on legislation and constituent matters.\n\n\u201cI am honored and proud to represent Texas\u2019 Seventh Congressional District, and to bring the voices of those who live and work here to the national conversation about the challenges and opportunities before us,\u201d said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. \u201cI am glad to share some of the highlights of this work in my 2022 Annual Report, and I look forward to continuing my work for our community and our country in the 118th Congress.\u201d\n\nHighlights of the 2022 Annual Report include:\n\nConstituent Advocacy: This year, Congresswoman Fletcher reached the milestone of closing more than 9,500 constituent cases since she assumed office;\n\nCommunity Funded Projects: Congresswoman Fletcher secured nearly $45 million in federal funding for community projects, including\n\n$13.6 million in FY2022 appropriations for the City of Houston Health, Police, and Fire Departments, Harris County Flood Control, and the Cities of Bellaire and Jersey Village, and\n\n$31.1 million in FY2023 appropriations for Harris County Flood Control District; the Cities of Bellaire, Southside Place, and West University Place; the Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff\u2019s Department; Harris County Public Health Department; Harris County Public Library; Houston Public Library; and more, providing needed support for our community in direct and tangible ways.\n\nLegislation: Congresswoman Fletcher has introduced or passed several bills in the House of Representatives this year, including:\n\nEnsuring Women\u2019s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, H.R. 8297, to protect the right to travel for abortion, which passed the House of Representatives in July;\n\nReproductive Health Travel Fund Act, H.R. 8452, to establish a grant program to help ease the financial burden of people being forced to travel to access abortion care;\n\nCarbon Limiting Emissions At Refineries (CLEAR) Act, H.R. 6562, to reduce carbon emissions from refineries;\n\nFirstNet Reauthorization Act, H.R. 6768, to promote public safety by ensuring first responders can communicate with each other in times of crisis;\n\nAmerican Gas for Allies Act, H.R. 6977, to expedite U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas exports to North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries;\n\nHazard Eligibility and Local Projects (HELP) Act, H.R. 1917, to expedite certain disaster recovery projects, which passed the House of Representatives and Senate and is awaiting President Biden\u2019s signature;\n\nFederal PFAS Research Evaluation Act, H.R. 7289, to implement a federal study to reveal PFAS health and environmental hazards;\n\nTo amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act to reauthorize the authority to grant certain exemptions, and for other purposes, H.R. 7679, to improve and develop pediatric medical devices, which passed the House of Representatives and Senate as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 and is awaiting President Biden\u2019s signature; and\n\nReinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act, H.R. 9049, to create a new stream of funding for coastal infrastructure and flood resiliency projects and help incentivize new clean energy projects.\n\nTo view the 2022 Annual Report, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A7C063AF-D076-48CF-98E9-FEDD2723F309", "Hayes Secures $23 Million for the Fifth and Historical Housatonic River Wild and Scenic Designation", "2022-12-29", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "Jahana Hayes", "H001081", "hayes.house.gov", "hayes", "https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) secured more than $23 million dollars for 15 community projects in the final 2023 appropriations government funding package. This funding responds directly to many of the most pressing needs throughout the region and supports projects that were less likely to receive funding from any other sources. For the second time, every project submitted to the House Committee on Appropriations by Congresswoman Hayes was included in the final budget.\n\nAdditionally, Hayes legislation to create a U.S. National Park Service protective designation for the 41 miles of the Housatonic River which runs through Sharon, Canaan, Cornwall, Salisbury, New Milford, Kent, and North Canaan, was also approved. The designation will allocate federal resources to the towns along the river to bolster conservation efforts and promote recreation in the Northwest Corner.\n\n\u201cThroughout the appropriations process, I never stopped fighting for the Fifth and I am thrilled to have secured more than $23 million in federal funding to bolster local projects. From communications upgrades for law enforcement to facility infrastructure for community health centers to laying the groundwork to restore CT Rail from Danbury to New York City, this funding will have a lasting impact for all who live and visit the region,\u201d said Congresswoman Hayes. \u201cFurther, after years of community organizing and advocacy, the Housatonic River will now be designated as a National Wild and Scenic River. The designation is not just symbolic; it provides critical funding to protect the rich ecosystem along the 41 miles of the river and support local recreation in the surrounding towns.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Hayes championed funding for 15 projects to directly benefit Fifth District residents. These include:\n\nWATERBURY: $4,000,000 for the renovation of Fulton Park Pool\n\nWATERTOWN: $3,375,000 for police department radio communications upgrades\n\nWATERTOWN: $3,000,000 for Main Street safety audit\n\nWATERBURY: $2,265,000 for education technology equipment, including computers for public schools\n\nNEW FAIRFIELD: $2,100,000 for the police department emergency communications system upgrade\n\nDANBURY: $2,000,000 for the Southeast, New York to Danbury, CT Rail Link environmental impact statement\n\nDANBURY: $2,000,000 for facilities and equipment at Connecticut Institute for Communities, Inc.,\n\nFARMINGTON: $1,000,000 for K-12 STEM education programs at the University of Connecticut Health Center\n\nNEW BRITAIN: $1,000,000 for facilities and equipment at Klingberg Family Centers, Incorporated\n\nLITCHFIELD: $750,000 for expanding agricultural education, afterschool and behavioral health services for youth at Connecticut Junior Republic\n\nFALLS VILLAGE: $750,000 for affordable housing infrastructure at River Road Homes\n\nCHESHIRE: $625,000 for a fire protection system at Ball & Socket Arts, Inc.\n\nWATERBURY: $172,000 for expanding the Police Activity League Program\n\nNEW BRITAIN: $150,000 for training and outreach programs, services, and literacy supports for under-resourced communities at the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut\n\nNEW BRITAIN: $50,000 for the childcare business incubator program\n\nThe government funding package provides critical federal investments in government programs and services to ease the burden of rising costs on families and support communities by tackling some of the biggest challenges in the short and long term. Specifically, the government funding bill:\n\nLOWERS THE COST OF LIVING: Reduces costs by expanding child care and early learning programs to more working families, investing in America\u2019s K-12 public schools, making college more affordable, bolstering our public health infrastructure, and protecting consumers.\n\nCREATES BETTER-PAYING JOBS: Creates better-paying jobs by putting people to work rebuilding our infrastructure, helping small businesses grow and thrive, fostering the green energy jobs of tomorrow, and supporting high-quality job training and apprenticeship programs so every American can contribute and succeed.\n\nHELPS COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES IN NEED: Supports people struggling to make ends meet by strengthening nutrition assistance, funding more affordable housing, fighting urgent health disparities, supporting our Veterans, and investing in rural broadband.\n\nKEEPS OUR NATION AND OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE: Strengthens our national security and keeps our communities safe with robust defense funding for training and equipment to prepare for future threats and support our allies in their efforts to defend democracy and investments in diplomacy and global development, our public health infrastructure, cybersecurity, local, state, and federal law enforcement, and funding for responsible border and maritime security.\n\nPROTECTS OUR ENVIRONMENT: Confronts the threat of climate change through environmental enforcement and environmental justice efforts, historic investments in clean energy and climate science, and leadership in the global fight against climate change.\n\nFUNDS COMMUNITY PROJECTS: Responds directly to pressing needs in the Fifth District by fostering the economic development that makes communities healthier, safer, and stronger through community projects.\n\nA detailed summary of the legislation is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-s-bill-help-homeless-veterans-credit-and-financial-counseling-0", "Pallone\u2019s Bill to Help Homeless Veterans with Credit and Financial Counseling Services Signed into Law", "2022-12-29", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Frank Pallone, Jr.", "P000034", "pallone.house.gov", "pallone", "https://pallone.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.'s (NJ-06) Homeless Veterans Credit Repair, Enhancement, and Debt Improvement for Tomorrow (CREDIT) Act was signed into law today. The bill was included in the Omnibus Spending Bill for Fiscal Year 2023 and will help end veteran homelessness and housing instability by providing credit and financial counseling - a top ten unmet need for homeless veterans. In May, Pallone held a roundtable with veterans in New Jersey to discuss the bill.\n\nThe bill directs the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a study of the effectiveness of credit and financial counseling services offered to homeless veterans and veterans facing housing instability. The study will explore these services and the barriers to them, including the COVID-19 pandemic and other health challenges. The study would provide recommendations for improvements to credit counseling services. The bill will also require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide an interim and final report to Congress on the findings of the study.\n\n\"Today, we are one step closer to alleviating veteran homelessness. The Homeless Veterans CREDIT Act will help address veteran homelessness by improving credit and financial counseling services offered to veterans. During this time of economic uncertainty, we must look out for our most vulnerable communities, including homeless veterans and those at risk of becoming homeless. My bill will give us a better understanding of how to improve the services offered to our nation's heroes,\" said Congressman Pallone. \"We have a responsibility to help those who served in uniform and stood ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country.\"\n\nThe Homeless Veterans CREDIT Act received the endorsement of the Wounded Warrior Project, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, and the Department of New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars.\n\n\"Our research and experience tell us that financial stability and literacy are cornerstones of overall well-being for veterans and their families. Thanks to Congressman Pallone's leadership on this issue, the Homeless Veterans CREDIT Act will commission much needed research on how financial counseling programs can positively impact some of the most vulnerable members of the veteran population,\" said Dr. Michael Haynie, Executive Director of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families and Vice Chancellor of Syracuse University. \"In doing so, this bill will empower our veterans, contributing to a healthier, safer and more equitable society for generations to come.\"\n\n\"Wounded Warrior Project is proud to support the Homeless Veterans CREDIT Act, and we believe it is critically important to fully understand the barriers homeless veterans face in accessing financial and credit counseling services. We applaud its inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill and thank Congressman Pallone for his continued commitment to veterans and their families,\" said Jose Ramos, Wounded Warrior Project Vice President for Government and Community Relations.\n\n\"The New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars is proud of Congressman Pallone's legislation on behalf of homeless veterans. We thank Congressman Pallone for letting our organization share in his efforts to bring meaningful change to the lives of these men and women,\" said Bill Thomson, Legislative Director for the Department of New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars.\n\nPallone spoke in favor of the bill on the House floor in 2021. Video of the speech is available here.\n\nBill text is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-announces-golden-gate-bridge-to-receive-400-million-for-seismic-retrofit", "Pelosi Announces Golden Gate Bridge to Receive $400 Million for Seismic Retrofit Under Democrats' Infrastructure Law", "2022-12-29", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", "pelosi", "https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "San Francisco \u2013 Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced today that San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge will soon receive $400 million from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under Democrats' historic Infrastructure Law. These funds will be used to strengthen one of the Bay Area's most vital arteries and bolster its resilience against earthquakes.\n\n\"For more than eight decades, the Golden Gate Bridge has stood as a symbol of the innovative spirit of the Bay Area and our nation,\" Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. \"The Federal Highway Administration's $400 million investment will help ensure that this iconic landmark continues to safely and reliably serve our region for many years to come. As a proud Representative of San Francisco, it was my privilege to work alongside President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg and the entire Bay Area Delegation to ensure our region receives its fair share of the Infrastructure Law's once-in-a-generation investment in America's bridges.\"\n\n\"The Golden Gate Bridge is an international icon and key transportation link for the Bay Area that serves tens of millions of residents and visitors every year, and this vital funding allows us to finish strengthening the Bridge against disasters,\" said Denis Mulligan, General Manager of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. \"Thanks to Speaker Pelosi, the Biden Administration, and the entire Bay Area Congressional delegation, the Golden Gate Bridge will be protected for generations to come.\"\n\nThe FHWA found that the Golden Gate Bridge is currently in \"fair condition\" but noted that continued deterioration would result in a \"poor\" rating within the next three years. The Bridge's north and south approaches were retrofitted in 2013, leaving only the main suspension span to be upgraded. The newly-announced federal funding will allow this remaining section to undergo vital seismic upgrades and ensure the Bridge's continued structural integrity.\n\nPassed by the Democratic Congress, the Infrastructure Law was signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. This historic legislation established a competitive Bridge Investment Program, delivering $12.5 billion to build, repair and replace key bridges across the country. This initiative represents the single largest investment in America's bridges since the construction of the interstate highway system.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-announces-san-francisco-will-receive-30-million-for-community-projects", "Pelosi Announces San Francisco Will Receive $30 Million for Community Projects from Government Funding Package", "2022-12-29", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", "pelosi", "https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "San Francisco \u2013 Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that nearly $30 million in new federal funding is headed to San Francisco to support vital community projects. These investments \u2013 which will support neighborhood-serving organizations that are helping meet the needs of Bay Area families \u2013 were included in the government funding package signed into law today by President Biden.\n\n\"The new federal funding headed to our City for critical community projects is a major victory for San Francisco families,\" Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. \"Thanks to Democrats' tenacious negotiating, this year's government funding package delivers deeply needed federal funds for projects across the country that help meet specific needs of our communities. From easing food insecurity and homelessness to expanding vital health services to caring for local veterans, these investments will help us seize the biggest opportunities and tackle the biggest challenges that San Franciscans face.\"\n\nA full list of San Francisco community projects receiving funding for Fiscal Year 2023 include:\n\nSan Francisco General Hospital Foundation on behalf of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center \u2013 $1,000,000 for the Transform Mental and Behavioral Health Fund\n\nSan Francisco Community Clinic Consortium \u2013 $2,200,000 for Community Health Center Improvements\n\nLarkin Street Youth Services \u2013 $1,550,000 for Services for Youth Experiencing Homelessness\n\nHealthRIGHT 360 \u2013 $2,500,000 for the Integrated Care Center\n\nMission Neighborhood Centers, Inc. \u2013 $2,000,000 for Child Care Facilities Expansions\n\nThe National AIDS Memorial \u2013 $750,000 for the Center for Health and Social Justice\n\nChinatown Media and Arts Collaborative \u2013 $2,500,000 for Edge on the Square Chinatown Media and Arts Collaborative Building Renovation\n\nFriends of the Children - SF Bay Area \u2013 $750,000 for Friends of the Children Bayview Youth Center\n\nLavender Youth Recreation and Information Center, Inc. (LYRIC) \u2013 $2,000,000 for Youth Center Renovation\n\nUnited Playaz, Inc. \u2013 $4,000,000 for 1044 Howard Building Purchase and Improvements\n\nProject Open Hand \u2013 $1,451,000 for Community Nutrition and Wellness Expansion\n\nSan Francisco Recreation and Park Department \u2013 $3,000,000 for Japantown Peace Plaza Renovation\n\nThe Friendship House Association of American Indians \u2013 $750,000 for the Village SF Urban Indian Project\n\nGolden Gate National Parks Conservancy \u2013 $3,000,000 for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Energy Production and Storage Project\n\nSan Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency \u2013 $2,500,000 for Bayview Community-Based Transportation Implementation\n\n\"We are deeply appreciative of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's leadership to secure funding to provide timely and comprehensive mental health services for San Francisco,\" said Kim Meredith, CEO of San Francisco General Hospital Foundation. \"Not only will our Transforming Mental and Behavioral Health program draw together experts to develop innovative models for treating the mental health needs of the predominately underserved and underinsured population that Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital serves, but it will also help find solutions to the national effort, including the systemic causes of homelessness not just in this District, but nationwide.\"\n\n\"The San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium and its member clinics serve over 100,000 low income vulnerable San Franciscans,\" said Deena Lahn, Vice President, Policy and External Affairs of San Francisco Community Clinics Consortium. \"During the worst parts of the Covid pandemic and continuing today, our community clinics remained open to provide information, vaccinations and treatment to communities who would otherwise be ignored. The funds provided through the Community Project Funding will fund critical equipment and renovation to help meet the needs of our patients and ensure that we can continue to provide high quality, up to date medical care for our hard working patients, regardless of their ability to pay.\"\n\n\"We are incredibly grateful to Speaker Pelosi's leadership for supporting our FY23 Community Project proposal,\" said Sherilyn Adams, Executive Director of Larkin Street Youth Services. \"With these critical resources Larkin Street will be able to amplify our efforts to stably house and improve economic outcomes for youth experiencing homelessness in San Francisco by providing immediate access to shelter, transitional housing with intensive case management, and educational programming to help close the post-pandemic learning gap. This funding will also support progress towards our collective long-term goal of ending youth homelessness in San Francisco.\"\n\n\"Congresswoman Pelosi's community project funding to fully renovate the current administrative floor of HealthRIGHT 360's Integrated Care Clinic in San Francisco will exponentially expand capacity of client assessments for substance use disorder treatment intakes, and will allow us to continue our focus of treatment on demand for those that need the most help by providing better access to treatment,\" said Vitka Eisen, Chief Executive Officer of HealthRIGHT 360. \"Thank you, Congresswoman Pelosi, for continuing to bring important federal funding home to San Francisco to address our underserved and often marginalized communities that need the most help, and for living our mantra that healthcare is a right, not a privilege.\"\n\n\"The MNC Family is more than grateful and appreciative to Speaker Pelosi for her continued support and generosity, that will impact and improve young lives for generations ahead,\" said Richard Ybarra, Chief Executive Officer of Mission Neighborhood Centers. \"These funds will advance the completion of our new Inspiring Children early care campus at 1240 Valencia (former police station).\"\n\n\"The National AIDS Memorial is deeply appreciative of Speaker Pelosi's support of funding our work toward building a National Center for Health & Social Justice in San Francisco,\" said John Cunningham, Chief Executive Officer of National AIDS Memorial. \"Still relevant today, the Center will transform the enormous human tragedy exacerbated by societal indifference and the triumphs and lessons of the AIDS crisis into an enduring movement so that never again will a community be harmed due to stigma, prejudice, discrimination, or hate. San Francisco has long stood at the forefront of our nation's fight for social justice and the Center will educate and inspire compassion and action in its citizens, the nation, and the global community.\"\n\n\"Speaker Pelosi's ultimate legacy is that of a tireless and fearless public servant,\" said Malcolm Yeung, Founding Board Member of the Chinatown Media and Arts Collaborative. \"No issue is too big and, equally important, no issue is too small. The Speaker's leadership means everything to our Chinatown community.\"\n\n\"This appropriation is a significant contribution to Edge On The Square, anticipated to be the soul and new icon of Chinatown,\" said Mabel Teng, Executive Director and Founding Board Member of the Chinatown Media and Arts Collaborative. \"We are rolling up our sleeves to build the unprecedented Asian American storytelling platform with a just vision of America through the lens of immigrants.\"\n\n\"Friends of the Children extends our sincere gratitude and thanks to Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi for her unwavering commitment to supporting children in Bayview Hunters Point,\" said Timothy Waters, Executive Director of Friends of the Children \u2013 SF Bay Area. \"This funding to secure the acquisition of the Bayview Youth Center will enable Friends of the Children \u2013 SF Bay Area to continue on our path to mentor and serve 400 children. By creating an incredible space for our program, this support will positively impact generational change as our paid, professional mentors further the hopes and dreams of the youth and families we serve.\"\n\n\"These federal funds will increase the current LYRIC space by 40% which will allow us to serve more LGBTQQ+ youth, especially trans and non-binary youth, here in San Francisco,\" said Adam-Michael Royston, Vice President of LYRIC. \"The LYRIC center is the second oldest LGBTQQ+ youth center in the country and with trans youth under attack across the country we have seen a tremendous increase in our services \u2013 specifically mental health and gender affirming care and these funds will allow us to serve more than 3,000 youth in San Francisco a year.\"\n\n\"We are so appreciative to be included in the Community Project Funding!\" said Rudy Corpuz, Executive Director of United Playaz. \"Our project to purchase and rebuild 1044 Howard Street/United Playaz Way would not have happened without these important funds! This new building will become home to our literacy program Real Playaz Read and our growing ReEntry program serving individuals coming home from incarceration. It Takes The Hood To Save The Hood!\"\n\n\"For 37 years, Project Open Hand's mission has been to serve meals with love to the Bay Area, providing life-saving nutrition for residents who need it most,\" said Paul Hepfer, Chief Executive Officer of Project Open Hand. \"The funds allocated to our organization by Congresswoman Pelosi will ensure that our programs and capacity continue to reach those in critical need of the medically tailored meals that we provide. On behalf of our clients and our staff, Project Open Hand would like to convey our sincerest appreciation for this funding and recognition of the important work that our founder, Ruth Brinker, began back in 1985, and that we continue to this day.\"\n\n\"We are so grateful to Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her steadfast support of the Japantown Peace Plaza renovation,\" Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. \"For 110 years, this space has been vital to generations of Japanese American, Asian American and Pacific Islander families and is one of only three Japantowns left in the U.S. With $3 million in federal funding, the Peace Plaza will continue to flourish as an essential open space that is home to so many community organizations, small business, and artists.\"\n\n\"This investment contributes to the development of the Village SF, a six-story building in the heart of the city that provides cultural programs, social services, housing, and medical and dental care, for the 9,000 Native Americans and Alaska Natives who live in San Francisco,\" said Gabriel Pimentel (Apache), Executive Director of Friendship House Association of American Indians. \"The Village SF is just the beginning of Friendship House's vision for a thriving and healthy Native community in the heart of every city in America.\"\n\n\"The park partners of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area are grateful to Speaker Pelosi and for this federal Community Project funding that will bring to life the dream of a solar project within the Presidio. Addressing climate resilience in Bay Area national parks is a priority, as we continue to ensure these park lands serve as places of welcome and belonging for people from San Francisco and across the world for decades to come,\" said Christine Lehnertz, President & CEO, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.\n\n\"Installing solar panels in the Presidio will save energy costs and further our goal of being a carbon-neutral park,\" said Jean Fraser, CEO of the Presidio Trust. \"This project will educate the Presidio's millions of visitors about the power Americans have to reduce climate change by using alternative energy sources.\"\n\n\"This award will generate broad and important safety benefits that are directly aligned with community needs and values in Bayview-Hunters Point,\" said Jeffrey Tumlin, Director of Transportation at San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. \"It will have a direct impact by improving pedestrian and bicycle safety in the Bayview Neighborhood, one of San Francisco's most disadvantaged communities. Specifically, this project will improve pedestrian safety along the 3rd St. corridor, improving resident access to transit, local businesses, parks, and community centers.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/houston-post-office-be-named-honor-benny-c-martinez-after-biden-signs-bill", "HOUSTON POST OFFICE TO BE NAMED IN HONOR OF BENNY C. MARTINEZ AFTER BIDEN SIGNS BILL GARCIA CHAMPIONED", "2022-12-29", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Sylvia R. Garcia", "G000587", "sylviagarcia.house.gov", "sylviagarcia", "https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 This week a bill by Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) to rename the post office on Broadway Street after Texas legend Benny C. Martinez was signed by President Biden. Martinez was a prominent community leader who worked as a Harris County nurse for 30 years and 5 years as Deputy Sheriff, served the Houston area through countless organizations and advocacy groups, and was a U.S. Army veteran. This will be the first postal service office named after a Latino in the Houston area.\n\n\"Benny was a well-loved figure across Texas and the Houston area who spent his life in service to the people,\" said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. \"He was extremely active within LULAC, and helped arrange a meeting between President John F. Kennedy and LULAC in 1963 \u2013 which was the first time a U.S. President gathered with a Latino organization. The naming of this post office will provide residents with a place to honor and remember Benny C. Martinez's legacy.\"\n\n\"Naming a U.S. Post Office after my father, Benny Martinez is a true testament to his legacy,\" said Benny C. Martinez's daughter, Loretta Martinez William. \"My father was a hard-working volunteer and served the community through many organizations. He often would be finishing up a volunteer project and would be thinking of the next one. He was also a veteran who proudly served his country. He had the honor to receive numerous awards for his volunteerism. His favorite organization was LULAC and his greatest honor was when he received LULAC Man of the Year for the Nation. He is quoted as saying a \u2018volunteer is a hero, and a hero is a volunteer.' My father is a role model that young people can emulate. I thank Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, and her staff for their efforts, and all the support from the elected officials.\"\n\n\"Benny Martinez was and will always be remembered as a tireless champion for his community and dedicated to serving the underserved,\" said LULAC National President Domingo Garcia. He was committed to the power of education and called knowledge the most important tool for freedom and equality in America. He was a devoted civic leader who advocated for access to the vote as the greatest voice for Hispanics in Texas and across our country. Most importantly, his integrity, character, and passion for truth were lifelong, non-negotiable values that earned him respect from all who knew him. LULAC is richer and truer to its mission because of Benny Martinez.\"\n\nThe post office being named in honor of Benny C. Martinez is located at 4020 Broadway Street in Houston, Texas, 77087.\n\n###\n\nCongresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary, Financial Services, and Armed Services Committees.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2721", "Trahan\u2019s Bipartisan Pandemic Prevention Program Becomes Law", "2022-12-29", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Lori Trahan", "T000482", "trahan.house.gov", "trahan", "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "LOWELL, MA \u2013 Last week, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee\u2019s Health Subcommittee and Co-Founder of the bipartisan Pandemic Preparedness Caucus, secured passage of a pilot program designed by her bipartisan Bolstering Infectious Outbreaks (BIO) Preparedness Workforce Act. Signed into law by President Joe Biden on Friday, the program will strengthen the bio-preparedness and infectious disease workforce that has proven critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\n\u201cThere is simply no excuse for us to get caught flat-footed by another COVID-19 scale pandemic. We must apply the lessons learned over the past two and a half years now to ensure we\u2019re better prepared to prevent another infectious disease outbreak in the future,\u201d said Congresswoman Trahan. \u201cThat starts with investing in the experts who got us through the COVID: our bio-preparedness and infectious disease workers. Without critical investments to strengthen the pipeline of these experts, we risk leaving ourselves vulnerable to the next pandemic. The BIO Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program is a critical step in ensuring these critical positions are fully staffed and ready to respond to the next public health threat.\u201d\n\nThe program based off Trahan\u2019s BIO Preparedness Workforce Act will help strengthen the pipeline of bio-preparedness and infectious disease professionals by establishing a new loan repayment program for health care professionals who spend at least half of their time engaged in bio-preparedness and response activities or providing infectious diseases care. Further, the program aims to increase the number of underrepresented minority individuals serving as bio-preparedness or infectious diseases physicians.\n\n\u201cRep. Trahan\u2019s outstanding leadership makes an extraordinary difference to the frontline infectious diseases workforce,\u201d said Carlos del Rio, MD, President of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and Professor at Emory University School of Medicine. \u201cThe BIO Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program\u2014which she authored and successfully attached to the omnibus bill\u2014will enable us to recruit the workforce we need to be better prepared for future outbreaks and pandemics and to launch more equitable and effective responses to infectious diseases.\u201d\n\nAdditional supporting Organizations of the Bolstering Infectious Outbreaks (BIO) Preparedness Workforce Act include: the AIDS Institute, American Association for the Study of Liver Disease, American Dental Association, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, American Society for Microbiology, Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, HIV Medicine Association, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, National Rural Health Association, Society for Health Care Epidemiology of America, Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists, University of Wisconsin Health System, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Vivent Health, Wisconsin Hospital Association, Wisconsin Medical Society.\n\nTrahan first introduced the BIO Preparedness Workforce Act with Congressman David B. McKinley (R-WV-01) in October 2021. The bipartisan program was included as part of the year-end omnibus package that was signed into law by President Biden late last week.\n\nMore information on the BIO Preparedness Workforce Act can be accessed HERE. A digital copy of the legislation can be accessed HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-06T14:24:52Z", "2026-04-06T15:54:45Z"], ["https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1023", "Case Secures Passage Of Hawai\u2018i National Forest Study Bill", "2022-12-28", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Ed Case", "C001055", "case.house.gov", "case", "https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16", "scraper", "(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for all federal discretionary spending, today announced the inclusion of critical funding and programs to protect Hawaii\u2019s environment as part of the just-passed Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 omnibus funding bill.\n\n\u201cThe FY 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill makes substantial federal investments in Hawaii\u2019s efforts to conserve our lands and ocean for future generations and protect endangered species,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cThe omnibus includes my proposal to initiative a process which may lead to Hawaii\u2019s first-ever National Forest, which would assist us in preserving our truly unique ecosystem,\u201d explained Case. \u201cIt directs our federal government to pursue a formal process led by the U.S. Forest Service of engaging with state and community stakeholders toward identification of the most suitable Hawai\u2018i forests for inclusion as national forests.\u201d\n\nCase also added: \u201cThe FY 2023 omnibus funding measure will boost efforts to help Hawai\u2018i fight invasive species, which have caused Hawai\u2019i to be recognized as the invasive species capital of the world.\u201d\n\nThe bill adopts Case\u2019s request to support various invasive species programs, including $36 million for the Agricultural Quarantine Inspections Program to combat invasive species in Hawai\u2018i and $47 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program. The bill also creates a pilot program to prioritize the use of native plant species and combat invasive species within the National Park System.\n\nThe bill includes the following other funding and programs requested and secured by Case:\n\n\u00b7 $1.3 million to safeguard over nearly 700 acres in Maunawili Valley. The proposed forest reserve would be managed by the Hawai\u2018i Division of Forestry and Wildlife in partnership with local nonprofits seeking to steward the land, engage sustainable agriculture and restore cultural sites and lo\u2018i. Maunawili Forest is not only significant for its historic and cultural resources but is the natural habitat for three threatened or endangered Hawaiian damselfly species, a forest bird (\u2018elepaio), and four species of endangered Hawaiian wetland birds.\n\n\u00b7 $1.8 million to assist the State Department of Land and Natural Resources\u2019 acquisition of nearly 1,000 acres of in K\u0101ne\u2018ohe.\n\nThe K\u0101ne\u02bbohe Pali lands include freshwater springs, famous waterfalls, at least 11 streams and tributaries, native forest which comprises priority watershed, critical habitat for a wide range of native plant and animal species, the historic Luluku banana patches, mountain peaks and other geological formations.\n\n$12.9 million in additional funding for the possible acquisition of Kaup\u014d Ranch on the southern slope of Haleakal\u0101 for the NPS. Kaup\u014d Ranch is a key access point for the popular Kaup\u014d Gap Trail that traverses the crater of Haleakal\u0101 National Park. This funding will help secure a 3,018 acre portion and expand recreational activities and protect important natural resources, watersheds and endangered species.\n\n\u00b7 $1.7 million for the Hawai\u2018i State Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct forest protection and aquifer recovery activities for the Pearl Harbor watershed.\n\n\u00b7 $64 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Species Management Research Program to respond to the needs of critically endangered Hawaiian forest birds.\n\n\u00b7 $175 million for the protection, research and management of marine mammals, sea turtles and other ocean species.\n\n\u00b7 $80 million for the Sea Grant Program, which supports coastal and Great Lakes communities through research, extension and education. These funds help support the Hawai\u02bbi Sea Grant Program at the University of Hawai\u02bbi that concentrates on promoting healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies and environmental literacy and workforce development.\n\n\u00b7 $68 million for the Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas Program, including the Papah\u0101naumoku\u0101kea Marine National Monument.\n\n\u00b7 $34 million for the Coral Reef Conservation Program.\n\n\u00b7 $31 million for long-deferred maintenance projects at Hawaii\u2019s national parks.\n\n\u00b7 $19 million for the National Trails System, which will benefit the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail.\n\nCase\u2019s Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating some $1.7 trillion in funding to federal government agencies, departments and organizations on an annual basis. A detailed summary of the FY 2023 omnibus is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403999", "Rep. Castor: \u201cRecord-Setting\u201d 2022 for Tampa Bay as Congressional Office Delivers $10M to Veterans and Neighbors + Secures $2.3B in Grant $!", "2022-12-28", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today that her team worked to deliver over $10 million in aid, benefits and refunds to veterans, seniors, small businesses and families in 2022, including over $4.8 million to veterans and service members; over $2.3 billion in federal grants to create jobs, lower costs, invest in our schools and infrastructure, help our community recover from the Covid19 pandemic, and support the important work of local partners; and an additional $132.3 million in federal grants from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that Rep. Castor championed in Congress.\n\n\u201cMy Tampa constituent services team works tirelessly to cut through red tape on behalf of the families, veterans and businesses. We tragically lost the heart of Team Castor, Tery Sanchez, earlier this year, but have continued to meet the needs of our neighbors in her honor and have delivered historic returns. I am grateful for all that Tery, along with Steven Angotti, Tania Fernandez, Damaris Gonzalez and Sean Saintil \u2013 as well as the help of the entire Castor Team \u2013 did this year. Their expertise and compassion are critical to ensuring that veterans receive the benefits they have earned and to guarantee that survival stimulus payments, Social Security, Medicare are delivered on time.\n\n\u201cAmazingly, 812 federal grants bolstered neighborhoods from North Tampa to USF to West Tampa and more - for a total of $2,312,900,550 including important investments in housing, Tampa\u2019s Riverwalk, safer streets, and medical research. I love my hometown and am committed to lifting every neighbor through growing public transit , Feeding Tampa Bay through expanded food assistance, and other local organizations that are investing in skills career training to expand good-paying jobs and apprenticeships and so much more.\n\n\u201cOur health heroes \u2013 present and future \u2013 received a major boost with a $1 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to USF that is aimed at recruiting and training nursing students and current registered nurses to increase access to care, with an emphasis on chronic disease prevention and control, including mental health and substance use conditions. HART also received a $300,000 grant through American Rescue Plan funds that helped them restore service and keep essential services moving after the pandemic. Bay Area Legal Services is always there for our neighbors, and an $800,000 grant has helped struggling individuals and families with free and low-cost legal services as they recovered from Hurricane Sally. The Tampa community is blessed with volunteers and organizations who are working to creatively and compassionately solve problems, and I was proud to partner with them to get these initiatives over the finish line.\n\n\u201cNot included in that amount are the 16 federal grants \u2013 totaling $132,304, 671 \u2013 that our community secured from the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Job Act. From funds to fix our roads and expand safe pathways for pedestrians and cyclists, we are building safer communities, and creating jobs along the way. Port Tampa Bay also received a critical $12.6M grant that will create good-paying jobs and build a new dock so that larger cargo ships can utilize the Port. We\u2019ll see lower costs through this construction and cement Port Tampa Bay\u2019s place as a thoroughfare that\u2019s critical to our state and nation\u2019s economy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases/costa-issues-statement-amigos-act-signed-law", "Costa Issues Statement on the AMIGOS Act Signed into Law", "2022-12-28", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", "costa", "https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16), Co-Chair of the Congressional Portuguese American Caucus, released the following statement after President Joseph R. Biden signed into law, the Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing our Success (AMIGOS) Act. Costa is an original co-sponsor and was instrumental in passing this legislation.\n\n\u201cPortuguese-Americans have made significant contributions in the San Joaquin Valley and throughout the United States,\u201d said Costa. \u201cThe AMIGOS Act will help create more American jobs and increase investment across the country, while strengthening the bonds between United States and Portugal.\u201d\n\nThe AMIGOS Act was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023. This legislation will grant Portuguese citizens eligibility for E-1 and E-2 Visas, which allow individuals to enter the United States to conduct \"substantial trade\" or invest a \"substantial amount of capital\" respectively.\n\n###\n\nCongressman Jim Costa represents a large Portuguese American population in California's San Joaquin Valley and is a Co-Chair of the Congressional Portuguese American Caucus", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-angie-craigs-legislation-rename-local-post-office-after-fallen", "Representative Angie Craig\u2019s Legislation to Rename Local Post Office After Fallen South St. Paul Police Officer Signed into Law", "2022-12-28", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MN", "Angie Craig", "C001119", "craig.house.gov", "craig", "https://craig.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Representative Angie Craig\u2019s bill to rename the South St. Paul Post Office in honor of fallen South St. Paul Police Officer Leo Pavlak was signed into law. After only four months on the force, Officer Pavlak was killed by the infamous Barker-Karpis Gang during a robbery on August 30, 1933. To this day, he is the only South St. Paul Police Officer to have been killed in the line of duty. The bill was passed by the House and Senate earlier this month.\n\n\u201cIn 1933, Officer Pavlak lost his life in service to his community \u2013 and in the years since, many of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have continued building his legacy as they joined the ranks of the Minnesota law enforcement community,\u201d said Representative Craig. \u201cBy renaming the South St. Paul Post Office the Officer Leo Pavlak Post Office, we remember and honor the dedication and sacrifice of Officer Pavlak and his entire family. I\u2019m grateful to all my Minnesota colleagues, and especially Senator Klobuchar, who helped get this bill over the finish line.\u201d\n\nSince Officer Pavlak\u2019s death in 1933, four generations of Pavlaks have joined the ranks of Minnesota law enforcement. Robert Leo Pavlak Sr. followed in his father\u2019s footsteps, pursuing a career as a police officer in St. Paul. One of his grandsons, Robert, was a Ramsey County Deputy \u2013 while another one of his grandsons, David, was a St. Paul Police Officer. And finally, Officer Pavlak\u2019s great-grandsons, Luke and Ryan, have continued this legacy as police officers in the Twin Cities area.\n\nRepresentative Craig\u2019s bill is part of a bipartisan, bicameral effort to honor Officer Pavlak. Earlier this month, Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith led the passage of a companion bill through the Senate. The legislation is supported by Representatives Dean Phillips, Betty McCollum, Ilhan Omar, Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, Brad Finstad and Pete Stauber, as well as the Pavlak family and local leaders in South St. Paul.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/private-bill-authored-congressman-desaulnier-make-maria-isabel-bueso", "Private Bill Authored by Congressman DeSaulnier to Make Maria Isabel Bueso Permanent Resident Becomes Law", "2022-12-28", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mark DeSaulnier", "D000623", "desaulnier.house.gov", "desaulnier", "https://desaulnier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced that the private bill he authored to permanently allow Isabel Bueso and her family to remain in the United States so Isabel can continue to receive treatment for her rare, life-threatening disease (H.R. 785) was signed into law by President Biden. Following House passage of H.R. 785 in June, the bill was championed in the U.S. Senate by Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla (both D-CA).\n\n\u201cSince Isabel and her family were threatened by the Trump Administration with deportation three and half years ago, I have been honored to work alongside them in the pursuit of justice by leading the effort in Congress to allow them to stay here permanently. Isabel\u2019s medical condition is permanent and her status in the U.S. to get treatment should be too,\u201d said Congressman DeSaulnier. \u201cI am so relieved for the Buesos that they will finally get long overdue peace of mind now that President Biden has signed this bill into law so they can spend their time focusing on Isabel\u2019s care instead of unnecessary paperwork and worry.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere are no words to express our feelings and gratitude for giving us the opportunity to create a solid future in this country. Congressman DeSaulnier\u2019s support and dedication to our struggle, finding a way forward and making it happen in spite of obstacles, is a testament to his commitment to making life better for his constituents and others. I hope that more people can get the relief like I did and that this will inspire others to know that their Members of Congress can help,\u201d said Isabel Bueso.\n\nIsabel\u2019s story rose to national prominence when the Trump Administration cancelled medical deferred action, which led to people like her with rare, life-threatening diseases facing deportation. Isabel came to the United States legally from Guatemala in 2003 to receive life-saving treatment as part of a medical trial for Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome, also known as Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI. Since then, she and her family have resided lawfully in the East Bay and her participation in those trials has helped identify an effective, life-saving treatment, which the drug manufacturer says Isabel cannot receive in Guatemala.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/foster-priorities-signed-law-part-water-resources-development-act", "Foster Priorities Signed into Law as part of Water Resources Development Act", "2022-12-28", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bill Foster", "F000454", "foster.house.gov", "foster", "https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that four of his requests were signed into law by President Biden as part of the Water Resources Development Act. These requests authorize crucial investments in the waterways and environmental infrastructure for Will County and the entire Great Lakes region.\n\nFoster\u2019s requests include:\n\nIncreased federal funding from 80 percent to 90 percent for the Brandon Road Ecosystem Project, which is the last line of defense for preventing invasive Asian Carp from reaching Lake Michigan and all of the tributaries and lakes in the Great Lakes basin. This increased funding will be used for the project\u2019s remaining design, construction, operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and rehabilitation.\n\n$30 million in federal funding to improve water and wastewater infrastructure, including stormwater management, in Will County, Illinois.\n\nA hydraulic evaluation of the upper Mississippi River and Illinois River to evaluate flow frequency probabilities and develop updated water surface profiles to help predict and prevent floods.\n\nVarious ecosystem restoration projects for the Fox River, Illinois River, Chicago River, Calumet River, Grand Calumet River, Little Calumet River, and other waterways in the Chicago suburbs.\n\n\u201cDuring my time in Congress, it\u2019s always been one of my top priorities to give Illinois its fair share of federal resources,\u201d said Foster. \u201cThese projects are critical to the ecosystems and environmental infrastructure in Will County and the entire Great Lakes region, and I\u2019m proud this legislation invests in the water infrastructure that future generations deserve.\u201d\n\nThe Water Resources Development Act was included in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://harder.house.gov/media/press-releases/harder-torches-government-bureaucrats-in-reaction-to-new-report-on-impacts-of-building-delta-tunnel-project", "Harder Torches Government Bureaucrats in Reaction to New Report on Impacts of Building Delta Tunnel Project", "2022-12-28", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Josh Harder", "H001090", "harder.house.gov", "harder", "https://harder.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Today, Representative Josh Harder released the following statement in reaction to the Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 newly released 700 page draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Delta Conveyance Project, also known as the Delta Tunnel.\n\nThe report finds that building the Delta Tunnel project may have significant negative impacts on the Central Valley\u2019s agricultural resources including its water supply, air quality, endangered species, essential fish habitat, and environmental justice outlook. Additionally, the Army Corps of Engineers has failed to schedule even one single in-person public hearing on the Delta Tunnel project.\n\n\u201cBuilding the Delta Tunnel will crush our farmers, endanger our environment, and put our whole community at risk. I refuse to let that happen. Everyone in the Valley knows the Delta Tunnel is a terrible idea and a greedy water grab. Now, we have a report that makes those facts clear as day,\u201d said Rep. Harder. \u201cThe Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 refusal to host a single in-person public hearing on this project is an embarrassment and a disservice to everyone in our community. Six weeks of public comment on a project that will impact us for hundreds of years is unacceptable and another demonstration of Sacramento putting itself first and the Valley last. Today, I\u2019m calling on the Army Corps to reverse its decision and hold a real, in-person public hearing before the end of January so they can hear directly from Valley farmers and families about what this disastrous project would mean to all of us.\u201d\n\nRep. Harder\u2019s office will be following this press release with additional announcements and actions in opposition to the Delta Tunnel project in the coming days and weeks. This comes on the heels of Rep. Harder\u2019s new bill, the Stop the Delta Tunnel Act, which would stop the project\u2019s construction once and for all.\n\nA summary of the EIS report can be found online here. The full report can be found online here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://raskin.house.gov/2022/12/statement-of-congressman-jamie-raskin-to-the-people-of-maryland-s-8th-district", "Statement of Congressman Jamie Raskin to the People of Maryland\u2019s 8th District", "2022-12-28", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Jamie Raskin", "R000606", "raskin.house.gov", "raskin", "https://raskin.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) today released the following statement.\n\n\u201cAfter several days of tests, I have been diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, which is a serious but curable form of cancer. I am about to embark on a course of chemo-immunotherapy on an outpatient basis at Med Star Georgetown University Hospital and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Prognosis for most people in my situation is excellent after four months of treatment.\n\n\u201cI expect to be able to work through this period but have been cautioned by my doctors to reduce unnecessary exposure to avoid COVID-19, the flu and other viruses. In addition to destroying cancer cells, chemotherapy impairs natural antibodies and undermines the body\u2019s immune system. I am advised that it also causes hair loss and weight gain (although I am still holding out hope for the kind that causes hair gain and weight loss).\n\n\u201cWith the benefit of early detection and fine doctors, the help of my extraordinary staff, the love of Sarah and our daughters and sons-in-law (actual and to-be) and family and friends, and the support of my beloved constituents and my colleagues in the House, I plan to get through this and, in the meantime, to keep making progress every day in Congress for American democracy.\n\n\u201cMy love and solidarity go out to other families managing cancer or any other health condition in this holiday season\u2014and all the doctors, nurses and medical personnel who provide us comfort and hope.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/2022/12/fiscal-year-2023-omnibus-bill-provides-billions-in-federal-funding-for-alabama-projects", "Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Bill Provides Billions in Federal Funding for Alabama Projects", "2022-12-28", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri A. Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", "sewell", "https://sewell.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) celebrated the inclusion of billions in federal funding for the state of Alabama in the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus funding bill, which passed the House and Senate last week.\n\n\u201cI was thrilled to vote in favor of the FY23 funding bill because I know that it will be a game changer for the people of Alabama,\u201d said Rep. Sewell. \u201cI would also like to thank Senator Richard Shelby for his work to ensure that Alabama received a historic amount of funding during his last year as a United States Senator. His leadership, his pragmatic approach to governing, and his fierce advocacy for the people of Alabama will be missed.\u201d\n\nThe FY23 Omnibus funding bill includes the following funding for Alabama:\n\n$76 million for the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine to build a new biomedical research building.\n\n$55 million for the Secret Service\u2019s National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI), located in Hoover, to expand training opportunities for state and local law enforcement and legal and judicial professionals in computer forensics and cyber investigations.\n\n$5 million for the Secret Service\u2019s Cyber Fraud Task Forces to increase mission effectiveness and provide modern investigative capabilities to combat transnational crimes.\n\n$23 million to repurpose and renovate NCFI facilities to accommodate for the ongoing growth of the program.\n\n$30 million in funding for Alabama\u2019s Northern Beltline of the Appalachian Development Highway System.\n\n$47.5 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase of nearly $2.5 billion above FY22 funding level.\n\n$7.32 billion for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), an increase of $407.6 million from FY22.\n\n$923 million for the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS).\n\n$629 million for Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs), which continues funding for a CTSA award at UAB.\n\n$25 million in grant funding for the Regional Pediatric Pandemic Network, a network of ten Children\u2019s hospitals, including Children\u2019s of Alabama.\n\n$52 million in targeted funds for Regional Biocontainment Laboratories (RBLs) to test FDA-approved drugs at research institutions across the country, including UAB.\n\n$280.295 million for the NIH, Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative, to address addiction and develop alternatives to opioids for safe and effective pain management.\n\n$520.163 million for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and continued support of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network, founded and hosted at UAB.\n\n$47 million for Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), which supports the Alabama Statewide AHEC Program that is hosted within the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine.\n\n$119 million for the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), which supports the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Recreational Technologies (RERC Rec-Tech) in Birmingham.\n\n$8 million in Emerging Infectious Diseases for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to utilize its clinical trial partners and the Mycoses Study Group, which is affiliated with UAB.\n\nFunding consistent with cooperative agreement to support the Department of Energy\u2019s National Carbon Capture Center in Wilsonville, Alabama.\n\n$4.5 million, $1.5 million above the FY22 enacted level, for the NIST Cybersecurity of Genomic Data program, which supports ongoing research in cybersecurity for genomic and biomedical-based systems at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.\n\n$15 million military construction project building a Commercial Vehicle Inspection Gate at Maxwell Air Force Base.\n\n$6+ million military construction project building a F-35 Weapons Load Crew Training facility at the Montgomery Regional Airport.\n\n$50 million for the University of Alabama for a permanent endowment fund to support the recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty in science and engineering.\n\n$45 million to the University of Alabama to construct the Center for Hydrologic Computing, which will support CIROH and its co-located partners, the NWC and the USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF), in hydrologic research, education, and forecasting.\n\n$10 million for The University of Alabama for an institute on public service and leadership, including a scholars program.\n\n$100 million for the Alabama Department of Transportation to replace the existing Woolsey Finnell Bridge with a six-lane bridge in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.\n\n$26 million for the Tuscaloosa National Airport for the design and construction of additional runway length.\n\n$45 million in grant funding for the nation\u2019s protection and advocacy (P&A) system, which includes the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) in Tuscaloosa.\n\n$40 million in formula State grants for Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI), which supports the ADAP PAIMI program in Tuscaloosa.\n\nProvides funding to the U.S. Geological Survey to support the new USGS Hydrological Instrumentation facility, which is located at the University of Alabama:\n\n$13.5 million to support integrated water prediction operations;\n\n$4 million to assist in future hydrological research and operational efforts;\n\n$4.5 million for university partnerships for innovative water resource sensor technologies.\n\n$5 million for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to establish a Center forPaleo-environmental Records of Extreme Events, which will be located at the University of Alabama.\n\nNo less than $38.5 million to support staffing and operations at the National Water Center (NWC), which is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.\n\n$28.25 million, $8.25 million above the FY22 enacted level, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s (NOAA) Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH), which is located at the University of Alabama, to assist NOAA and the National Water Center in addressing the nation\u2019s growing water-related challenges and leveraging CIROH expertise for most operationally relevant research.\n\n$1 million is maintained for the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Service to collaborate on research priorities with the NOAA CIROH.\n\nSupports the President\u2019s budget request of $133.6 million for Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 dredging projects throughout the State of Alabama.\n\nAdditional $26.4 million above the President\u2019s budget request to support further Army Corps\u2019 dredging operations along multiple waterways and bays in Alabama.\n\n$35 million for the construction of a new math and science facility at Marion Military Institute.\n\n$50 million for the Department of Labor (DOL) Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) program, to provide enhanced worker training in the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border regions.\n\n$385 million for the Children\u2019s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME), which will increase Pediatric residencies at Children\u2019s & Women\u2019s Hospital in Mobile and Children\u2019s of Alabama in Birmingham.\n\n$3.98 billion for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to continue addressing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and prioritized funding that reduces CVD among the hardest-hit\u2014African Americans living in the rural South.\n\n$24.343 million for Nursing Workforce Diversity to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing student stipends, scholarships, and preparation and retention activities.\n\n$40 million for the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases\u2019 Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) program, which brings cutting edge technology to the front lines of public health by harnessing the power of next-generation sequencing and high performance computing with bioinformatics and epidemiology expertise to study pathogens.\n\n$362.8 million for the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to conduct research and make recommendations for the prevention of work-related illness and injury. Including:\n\n$32 million for Education and Research Centers and;\n\n$29 million for the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Program.\n\n$196.5 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) to support research related to identifying and reducing health disparities.\n\n$9.5 million for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) to continue the NTID\u2019s current Regional STEM Center (NRSC).\n\n$6 million for the Center for Assistive Technology Training (CATT) regional partnership, a collaboration between the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB).\n\n$8.5 million for Gallaudet University\u2019s regional partnership through the Early Language Acquisition Project (ELAP), headquartered at the AIDB in Talladega.\n\n$715.5 million for Adult Career, Technical, and Education (CTE) State grants.\n\n$80 million in grant funding for biomedical research facilities to expand, remodel, renovate, or alter existing research facilities or construct new research facilities.\n\n$205.6 million for the National Center on Birth Defects, Developmental Disability and Health (NCBDDD), including $2.5 million for partnership between national disability organizations, such as the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) located in Birmingham.\n\n$25 million for Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) to increase the number of health-service psychologists to high-need, underserved populations in urban and rural communities.\n\n$90 million for the Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) program, which supports evidence-based professional development for teachers, principals, and other school leaders, teacher and leader preparation and other activities.\n\n$373.5 million for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health services, as well as access to such services.\n\n$20.15 million for the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR) program, which provides grants to agencies to protect and advocate for the legal and human rights of persons with disabilities who are ineligible for the protection and advocacy services available through the Development Disabilities and Bill of Rights Act.\n\n$13.118 million for the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program, which supports the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services in Montgomery.\n\n$81 million for State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, which supports the Alabama State Council for Developmental Disabilities in Montgomery.\n\n$1.43 billion for the National Center for Chronic Disease and Health Promotion, including $58.42 million for Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.\n\n$2 million for the National Lupus Outreach and Clinical Trial Education Program.\n\nProvides funding to the Rural Utilities Service and Farm Service Agency for water-related technical assistance programs, which positively impact rural communities in Alabama:\n\n$75 million for the Watershed Flood and Prevention Program, including a set-aside and language to exempt watershed projects that impact areas greater than 250,000 acres, which helps expand irrigation agriculture projects in Alabama;\n\n$21.18 million for the Circuit Rider Program.\n\n$3 million to continue the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service pilot program to assist statewide departments of agriculture and forestry commissions, including the Alabama Forestry Commission, in controlling the spread of cogon grass.\n\n$400,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers to continue a feasibility study on riverine fish passages at Claiborne and Millers Ferry Locks and Dams on the lower Alabama River.\n\n$30.1 million for the Delta Regional Authority, including $15 million for flood control, basic public infrastructure development, and transportation improvements.\n\n$200 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission, including $65 millionfor the POWER initiative that provides federal funding to help communities and regions affected by job losses in coal mining and coal power plant operations, $16.5 million for industrial site and workforce development in Southern and South Central Alabama, and $8 million for Local Development Districts.\n\n$135 million for the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program and language to expedite and streamline the OSMRE review process of AMLER projects, which supports the Alabama Department of Labor in funding projects in Alabama.\n\n$4.4 million for State Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plans, which will support the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources\u2019 efforts to prevent and control the spread of aquatic nuisance species throughout the State of Alabama.\n\nProvided funding for the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service\u2019s Legacy Restoration Fund projects in Alabama:\n\n$7.451 million for the Freedom Riders National Monument", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://strickland.house.gov/2022/12/28/media-press-releases-strickland-announces-anusha-jain-2022-congressional-app-challenge-winner/", "Strickland Announces Anusha Jain as 2022 Congressional App Challenge Winner", "2022-12-28", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Marilyn Strickland", "S001159", "strickland.house.gov", "strickland", "https://strickland.house.gov/category/press_release/", "scraper", "Lacey, WA \u2013 Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) announced middle schooler, Anusha Jain, as the 2022 Congressional App Challenge winner for Washington\u2019s 10th Congressional District. Jain was selected by a panel of judges for her app, EcoFriend.\n\n\u201cAfter reviewing many incredible submissions from students across the South Sound, I congratulate Anusha for winning the Congressional App Challenge,\u201d said Strickland. \u201cThis thoughtful app is the user\u2019s own guide to how they can care for the environment. I look forward to seeing the cover photo on display as I walk around the Capitol. Thank you to our judges and all the students who participated.\u201d\n\n\u201cEcoFriend teaches you how you can help save the environment. We all share one big planet Earth, and sometimes\u2026that can be a big problem,\u201d said Jain. \u201cTrash on roads, plastic in rivers, cutting down of trees \u2026the list goes on and on. It is our duty, as residents of Mother Earth, to protect our environment from getting dirtier and dirtier every day. That\u2019s why I created EcoFriend, your personal guide to keeping the environment just the way it deserves to be.\u201d\n\n\u201cI was delighted to participate in the App Challenge, and I am very impressed at the high quality of submissions whose aim is to make the world a better place. I am thrilled that Congresswoman Strickland is a keen supporter of STEM initiatives such as the App Challenge, something that is also close to my heart,\u201d said Dr. Radana Dvorak, Chair of Computer Science at St. Martin\u2019s University. \u201cAs an educator and computer scientist, I see the value of younger students, especially girls, starting to explore computer science and engineering fields before starting college. I would be delighted to see all four finalists come to Saint Martin\u2019s University, study in my computer science department, and join our Women In Technology (WIT) club.\u201d\n\n\u201cSTEM is more crucial than ever in our increasingly digital world. I enjoyed being a judge for all the impressive apps that were submitted. Apps like EcoFriend not only demonstrate the great technical skill these young students have worked so hard to achieve, but also the potential impact a single app can have on making a better planet for future generations,\u201d said Joseph Ortiz, Computer Programming Instructor at Clover Park Technical College.\n\nThe app cover photo will be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year. Winners are also invited to Capitol Hill for a celebration called #HouseOfCode where they can demo their apps to their representatives.\n\nThe first official Congressional Art Challenge was launched in 2016 to foster and encourage an appreciation for computer science and STEM, and to inspire students to pursue careers in computer science. To learn more about EcoFriend, watch here.\n\nCongresswoman Marilyn Strickland serves as a Member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress and the first African-American to represent the Pacific Northwest at the federal level.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1021", "Case Says Federal FY 2023 Omnibus Spending  Bill Includes Provisions To Assist Hawai\u2019i Small Business And Tourism And Strengthen Worker Retirement Savings", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Ed Case", "C001055", "case.house.gov", "case", "https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16", "scraper", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for all federal discretionary spending, today announced that the $1.7 trillion Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Omnibus Appropriations measure, recently passed by Congress and soon to be signed into law by President Biden, includes several initiatives to strengthen Hawaii\u2019s dominant tourism and small business economies as well as assist Hawai\u2019i workers with their retirements.\n\n\u201cThis measure will strengthen our top-generating tourism sector, promote small business development and assist in economic diversification as our state\u2019s economy continues to recover from the lingering effects of COVID-19,\u201d said Case.\n\nThe omnibus bill includes the Visit America Act, a top initiative of the national travel and tourism industry which Case, a member of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, and like-minded colleagues introduced and advanced. It would mandate a coordinated national effort to stabilize and recover one of the country\u2019s primary industries, and create a first-ever Assistant Secretary of Travel and Tourism within the U.S. Department of Commerce.\n\nThe federal spending measure also includes retirement provisions that will provide millions of workers and retirees with significant improvements to the nation\u2019s private retirement system.\n\n\u201cThe aptly named \u2018SECURE 2.0 Act\u2019 provision expands automatic enrollment into retirement plans, raises the age for required minimum disbursements from retirement plans to 75 from 73 and increases the amount that individuals aged 50 and older can put into their retirement account,\u201d said Case.\n\nTourism\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic devastated our travel and tourism industry and all of its components including accommodations, transportation, food services and attractions,\u201d said Case, formerly a travel and tourism executive with industry leader Outrigger Enterprises headquartered in Waik\u012bk\u012b.\n\n\u201cTravel and tourism are huge contributors to the U.S. economy, especially to major visitor destinations like Hawai\u2018i. Inclusion of the Visit America Act in the FY 2023 omnibus spending measure will ensure a coordinated, high-level federal response to this challenge that delivers critical assistance to affected businesses and their employees as well as state and local economies dependent on tourism and also fully engages the federal government in pursuing long-term success and growth.\u201d\n\nThe Visit America Act would:\n\nExpress the sense of Congress that the federal government must work with the industry and other stakeholders toward a visitation goal of 116 million annual travelers to the United States by 2028, an increase of some 25% over pre-COVID numbers;\n\nEstablish within the Department of Commerce an Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism appointed by the President with responsibilities to set and pursue international visitation goals, ensure public and private sector coordination on travel and tourism, set visa processing goals with the Departments of State and Homeland Security, promote travel exports abroad, and more;\n\nRequire the Department of Commerce to create a 10-year Travel and Tourism Strategy; and\n\nAuthorize the creation of a U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.\n\nWorker Retirement\n\nThe federal spending measure also includes significant changes in federal law to provide millions of workers and retirees with significant improvements to the nation\u2019s private retirement system.\n\n\u201cAmericans deserve dignified retirements after decades of hard work. To help them, for the first time, millions more workers would access resources for retirement and can see retirement contributions year after year, even if they have no tax liability. These are reforms that will make a meaningful difference for workers throughout out states,\u201d said Case.\n\nCase added that the provision allows employers to contribute matching payments to retirement accounts to match an employee\u2019s student loan payments, and it will give part-time workers better access to retirement benefits by allowing more individuals to join their companies\u2019 401(k) plan. Additionally, the bill includes incentives for small businesses to set up retirement savings plans for their workers, encourages individuals to set aside long-term savings and makes it easier for annuities to be an income option for retirees.\n\nSmall Businesses\n\nAccording to the Small Business Administration (SBA), there are more than 137,000 small businesses in Hawai\u2019i, making up more than 99 percent of all businesses in the islands,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cWe have seen what the pandemic has done to these companies, and what they are having to deal with now as they struggle with the rising costs of inflation.\n\n\u201cThat is why I worked in this measure and elsewhere to ensure that small businesses remain the backbone of our economy including financial, technical and emergency assistance, boosting trade opportunities, and ensuring that women-owned and Native Hawaiian-owned businesses get the help they need.\u201d\n\nTo assist small businesses nationwide, the bill provides $1.2 billion for the SBA, which delivers various federal programs to assist small businesses, an increase of $188 million above the FY 2022 funding level.\n\nThis includes $320 million, a $30 million increase, for Entrepreneurial Development Programs that provide small businesses with quality training, counseling and access to resources.\n\nThe measure includes several of Case\u2019s requests for funding for federal programs and services important for businesses in the State of Hawai\u2018i including:\n\n$25 million for the Native American Community Development Financial Institution Assistance Program,\n\n$4 million for the Historically Underutilized Business Zones Program,\n\n$27 million for the Women\u2019s Business Centers Program,\n\n$140 million for Small Business Development Centers,\n\n$20 million for the State Trade Expansion Program,\n\n$10 million for the Regional Innovation Clusters Program, and\n\n$41 million for the Microloan Technical Assistance Program.\n\nThe bill also provided $324 million for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), an increase of $29 million above the FY 2022 enacted levels. CDFIs are specialized community-based financial institutions that promote economic development by providing financial products and services to people and communities underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly in low-income and minority communities. They were especially valuable in delivering COVID-19 emergency assistance funds to communities without ready access to other means.\n\nAnother provision highlights Congress\u2019 concern about equal opportunities and expects the SBA to work closely with Congress to provide equal opportunities for Native Hawaiian organizations. To that end, the bill also includes $70 million for the Minority Business Development Agency with $5 million specifically set aside for Native American Business Development Program that awards grants to Tribes and American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian populations to address barriers to economic development. Finally, the bill continues the military contracting preference for Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations.\n\nCase\u2019s Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating some $1.7 trillion in funding to federal government agencies, departments and organizations on an annual basis. A detailed summary of the FY 2023 omnibus is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4281", "Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Returns More Than Half a Billion Dollars to Texas\u2019 Seventh Congressional District", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lizzie Fletcher", "F000468", "fletcher.house.gov", "fletcher", "https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) announced she has helped secure $502,938,988 in federal grant dollars for Texas\u2019 Seventh Congressional District.\n\n\u201cCongress has the power to allocate our resources to further our country\u2019s goals,\u201d said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. \u201cFrom promoting public safety, to helping expand small businesses, to providing essential support for survivors of domestic violence, I am proud to have helped return more than half a billion taxpayer dollars to our community to respond directly to the needs of Houston families. I look forward to continuing to support many of our district\u2019s priorities in direct and tangible ways.\u201d\n\nThis year alone, Congresswoman Fletcher announced funding to promote public safety, bridge the digital divide, expand small businesses, and more.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-secures-over-237-million-community-projects-south-texas", "CONGRESSMAN GONZALEZ SECURES OVER $23.7 MILLION IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS FOR SOUTH TEXAS", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", "gonzalez", "https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Omnibus Appropriations package to fund the federal government and provide supplemental funding to Ukraine. This package includes $23,796,378 for local community projects located throughout the 15th Congressional District of Texas. Congressman Gonzalez also successfully included H.R. 6810, the Housing our Veterans Act, which takes steps to address veteran homelessness.\n\n\"This federal funding will allow the United States to deliver on its promise to invest in the American people ,\" stated Congressman Gonzalez. \"The FY23 omnibus appropriations bill will help American families by creating better-paying jobs, help small business owner s and entrepreneurs access capital, keep our communities safe by supporting local, state, and federal law enforcement, increase military pay by 4.6 percent and ensure our military is well equipped to overcome challenges both domestically and abroad. I am also proud to bring home over $23.7 million to support community centers, improve drainage and roads, and give our children a brighter future.\n\n\"Additionally, I am proud that my legislation, H.R. 6810, the Housing Our Veterans Act, was included in this critical legislation . This will allow us to gain a clearer picture of the housing challenges our veterans face so we can fully address housing affordability and homelessness among veterans.\n\n\"As we wrap up the 117th Congress, rest assured that I will continue to be South Texas' loudest advocate and work to ensure that our community is served and supported.\"\n\nH.R. 6810, the Housing our Veterans Act, requires the GAO to conduct a study on the availability of affordable housing for veterans participating in homelessness programs through the Department of Veterans Affairs and the impact this availability has on veterans seeking permanent shelter.\n\nFederal funding projects secured by Congressman Gonzalez:\n\n$325,000 for Project Safe, the Acquisition of Safety Mobile Application for Domestic Violence Victims\n\n$2,000,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen, TX Community Center\n\n$1,700,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Weslaco, TX Expansion Project\n\n$1,753,812 for the Boys and Girls Club of Pharr, TX for equipment and supplies for youth development services\n\n$1,500,000 for the Brooks County School Based Health Center Falfurrias, TX\n\n$1,549,044 for the City of Mercedes, TX for an Expansion of Sanitary Sewer Collection System Project\n\n$3,452,972 for the City of San Juan, TX for a Lift Station Rehabilitation Project\n\n$1,265,550 for the Elsa Getting Connected Project in Elsa, TX\n\n$200,000 for the McAllen Independent School District Aviation Program in McAllen, TX for private pilot and remote drone license training\n\n$4,000,000 for the Mile 10 North Road Project in Weslaco, TX\n\n$750,000 for the New VFW Post 8788 in McAllen, TX\n\n$1,000,000 for healthcare workforce development at South Texas College in McAllen, TX\n\n$1,800,000 for Security Fencing at the South Texas International Airport at Edinburg (EBG)\n\n$1,500,000 for the South Texas Juvenile Diabetes Association (STJDA) Inclusive Camp Facility Project\n\n$1,000,000 for the University of Texas Health RGV Cancer and Surgical Center", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/biden-signs-brownley-bill-to-designate-oxnard-post-office-recognizing-civil-rights-champion-john-r-hatcher-iii/", "Biden Signs Brownley Bill to Designate Oxnard Post Office Recognizing Civil Rights Champion John R. Hatcher III", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", "juliabrownley", "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement regarding the recent enactment of legislation she authored to designate the U.S. Post Office located at 1961 North C Street in Oxnard, California as the \u201cJohn R. Hatcher III Post Office Building.\u201d John R. Hatcher III was a prominent community leader, staunch civil rights champion, and a lifelong resident of Oxnard.\n\n\u201cJohn Hatcher left a lasting legacy on our community, and I am proud to have spearheaded this effort to designate a post office bearing his name,\u201d said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. \u201cJohn was deeply passionate about advancing civil rights and a longtime advocate for the Black community across Ventura County, and this is a fitting tribute to John\u2019s life and legacy.\n\n\u201cI would also like to thank Senators Padilla and Feinstein for their help moving this important bill through the Senate and onto the President\u2019s desk.\u201d\n\nThe son of a civil rights leader in Birmingham, AL during the Jim Crow era, John R. Hatcher III followed in his father\u2019s footsteps and spent his life fighting for equality. Hatcher was a member of the NAACP for more than 60 years, nearly four decades of which he served as president of the Ventura County Chapter, in addition to eight years as the NAACP Southern Area president covering six states.\n\nHatcher was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving more than 22 years before working as a civil servant for the Department of the Navy. A recipient of the African-American Achievement Award at California State University, Channel Islands, Hatcher aided in the establishment of the Ventura County African-American Chamber of Commerce, Tri-County Sentry newspaper, and naming the Thurgood Marshall School in the Oxnard School District.\n\nPresident Biden signed the bill on Tuesday, December 27, 2022.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-krishnamoorthi-s-bipartisan-bill-rename-schaumburg-post-office", "Congressman Krishnamoorthi\u2019s Bipartisan Bill To Rename Schaumburg Post Office In Honor Of The Veterans Of The Iraq And Afghanistan Wars Signed Into Law", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "K000391", "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", "krishnamoorthi", "https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, President Biden signed into law Congressman Krishnamoorthi's bill, H.R. 6386, which renames the Schaumburg Post Office, located at 450 West Schaumburg Road, as the \u2018Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial Post Office Building.'\n\n\"I'm pleased that President Biden has signed into law my bipartisan legislation to rename the Schaumburg Post Office in honor of our brave veterans who served our nation with honor in Iraq and Afghanistan,\" said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. \"We can never fully repay our veterans for their sacrifices to our nation, but it is my hope that when members of our community visit the Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial Post Office Building, they will be reminded of the debt of gratitude we owe the heroes of our nation's most recent conflicts.\"\n\nBelow are quotes from community leaders and veteran care organizations about the signing of H.R. 6386 into law.\n\n\"Schaumburg is proud to have Congressman Krishnamoorthi rename the Schaumburg post office in honor of our veterans. Naming the postal service facility in their honor will remind everyone about the sacrifices made by these brave men and women to ensure freedom here and around the world,\" - Tom Dailly, Mayor of Schaumburg.\n\n\"We, the Department of Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars, are delighted to see the newly named \u2018Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial Post Office Building' go into effect. It is actions like these that continue to develop and foster a culture of public support and admiration for our fearless service members, and to ensure our country maintains a strong, volunteer military force for the foreseeable future. The United States Postal Service is one of the longstanding pillars of freedom in this country, and what better way to recognize that than to honor those who continue to fight, throughout the world, for the principles of freedom.\"-Bobby Welch, Commander, Department of Illinois VFW\n\n\"Naming this Post Office for Veterans is a great example of honoring people who get the job done, regardless of obstacles or staffing.\" -Board of Directors of the Coalition of Veterans Organizations.\n\n\"The National Association of American Veterans thanks Congressman Krishnamoorthi for his tremendous efforts and genuine commitment to Veterans across the country. The renaming of a local Illinois Post Office pays respect to the millions of Veterans who served our country in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. We thank them for their service.\" -Constance A. Burns, Founder, President and CEO, National Association of American Veterans, Inc.\n\n\"As a national organization that serves post-9/11 veterans, service members and their families, we always commend those who go above and beyond to thank military members and their families for their sacrifices and service,\" said Robin Kelleher, Co-founder and CEO for Hope For The Warriors. \"We understand how the entire military family serves\u2014 from multiple deployments, base moves and, for some, losing a loved one. We hope the renaming of the Schaumburg, Illinois Post Office is a daily reminder to the community of the sacrifices being made by military families serving around the world.\"\n\n\"Thank you for honoring the military who fought and died in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. The renaming of the Schaumburg Post Office to the \u2018Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial Post Office Building' is a positive step towards keeping alive their memory. As the Illinois Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, we thank you, Congressman.\" -Michael E. Lash, Military Order of the Purple Heart.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chairman-thompson-commends-atf-action-ghost-guns", "Chairman Thompson Commends ATF for Action on Ghost Guns", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", "mikethompson", "https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task ForceRep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Director Steve Dettelbach for releasing guidance on the agency\u2019s Ghost Gun rulemaking.\n\n\u201cGhost guns are sought out by criminals and other people prohibited from purchasing a firearm because these untraceable weapons could be sold without a background check,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cI commend ATF Director Dettelbach for releasing a guidance letter to industry which will provide clarification about how the ghost gun rule will be enforced to ensure that frames and receivers have a serial number and require a background check to be sold.\u201d\n\nThe ATF\u2019s ghost gun guidance letter follows action by the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to urge the ATF to provide clear guidance and vigorously enforce the rule cracking down on the illegal sale of ghost guns. Prior to the release of this guidance, some ghost gun retailers sought to evade the ghost gun rule by selling frames and receivers separate from the easily accessible tools and parts needed to complete the firearm.\n\nIn December, Chairman Thompson met with Director Dettelbach to discuss gun violence prevention issues including the implementation of the ghost gun rule. In October Thompson led a letter to the ATF signed by 135 members of Congress on the ghost gun rule implementation. Read the letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mrvan-local-projects-included-final-government-funding-law", "Mrvan Local Projects Included in Final Government Funding Law", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Frank J. Mrvan", "M001214", "mrvan.house.gov", "mrvan", "https://mrvan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC\u2013 Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan has announced that over $20 million in Community Project Funding requests have been included in the final Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations package.\n\nAs the House and Senate have both approved this package, it is expected to be signed shortly into law by President Biden.\n\nCongressman Mrvan stated, \u201cOne of the fundamental lessons I have experienced in my first term of Congress is how success requires partnership and collaboration. I am grateful for all of these community partners for putting in the work to successfully identify and advocate for how the federal government can best help them in their dedicated services to Northwest Indiana. I look forward to continuing this type of work with the local stakeholders and all of my Congressional colleagues to advocate for good-paying jobs, law enforcement personnel, and infrastructure investments that lead to a growing economy for everyone.\u201d\n\nCongressman Mrvan's requests included in the final appropriations package are specified below.\n\n$4,500,000 \u2013 Calumet Region\n\nFunding will assist with environmental infrastructure improvements to address critical water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater sewer infrastructure improvements designed to alleviate deteriorated conditions, increase the efficacy of existing systems, and improve water quality impacts.\n\n$1,000,000 \u2013 Indiana Shoreline\n\nFunding will be provided to the USACE to assist with the shoreline restoration within the Indiana Dunes National Park near Mount Baldy in Michigan City, and protect this incredible economic asset and environmental resource for Northwest Indiana from erosion.\n\n$914,000 \u2013 Burns Waterway Small Boat Harbor\n\nFunding allocated will allow the USACE-Chicago District to address the needs of Burns Waterway Small Boat Harbor in Portage, Indiana and support operations and maintenance. Improvements made will support economic development within the City of Portage driven by its proximity to Lake Michigan and the availability of the harbor.\n\n$1,016,000 \u2013 Michigan City Harbor\n\nFunding allocated will allow the USACE-Chicago District to address the needs of Michigan City Harbor and support operations and maintenance. Improvements made will support economic development within the City of Michigan City driven by its proximity to Lake Michigan and the availability of the harbor.\n\n$400,000 \u2013 Porter County Sheriff\n\nFunding will assist the Porter County Sheriff\u2019s office in its efforts to invest in equipment upgrades to increase and improve efficiencies in the apprehension of subjects, locate missing persons, and to reduce property crimes.\n\n$215,000 \u2013 Whiting Police Department\n\nFunding will assist the Whiting Police Department to obtain license plate readers to assist officers in their ability to protect the community.\n\n$1,000,000 \u2013 Gary Police Department\n\nFunding will assist the Gary Police Department to obtain body-worn and in-car cameras to assist officers in their ability to protect the community.\n\n$1,500,000 \u2013 St. Catherine Hospital\n\nFunding will assist St. Catherine Hospital pursue its Cardiovascular Catheterization Table Project. The advanced technology elevates the care and image quality the hospital provides for diagnostic and interventional heart and vascular procedures to residents in the community.\n\n$1,000,000 \u2013 Valparaiso University School of Nursing\n\nFunding will assist Valparaiso University College of Nursing and Health Professionals upgrade its Skills Lab and Simulation Modernization Project, which supports the effort to create a strong pool of trained medical technologists to serve the region\u2019s health needs while laying the foundation to address the greater health care professional shortage.\n\n$100,000 \u2013 United Way of LaPorte County\n\nFunding will allow United Way of Greater LaPorte County to initiate a Youth Mental Health-Substance Abuse Assessment, to better address unmet needs in the community.\n\n$4,000,000 \u2013 Gary Chicago International Airport\n\nFunding will assist the Gary Chicago International Airport expand and construct a heavy cargo logistics apron for multiple users.\n\n$2,360,000 \u2013 Portage/Central Avenue\n\nFunding will assist the City of Portage to pursue additional phases of its Central Avenue Reconstruction Project.\n\n$750,000 \u2013 Fair Haven/Acquisition and Renovation\n\nFunding will assist Fair Haven in its efforts to provide safe and stable housing for adults who are fleeing or attempting to flee from dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking.\n\n$310,000 \u2013 Opportunity Enterprises\n\nFunding will assist Opportunity Enterprises to acquire equipment and technology to enhance the quality of services provided through the Lakeside Respite Center, improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families.\n\n$1,525,000 \u2013 Paladin\n\nFunding will assist Paladin with the rehabilitation and repurposing of its facility, including accessibility alterations, modernization of classrooms to provide appropriate engagement activities to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ADA updates and sensory-friendly spaces to support the community.\n\nFor additional information on the final appropriations law, click here, and for additional information on Congressman Mrvan\u2019s requests, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://neguse.house.gov/media/press-releases/president-biden-signs-rep-neguse-led-ethics-bill-law", "President Biden Signs Rep. Neguse-led Ethics Bill into Law", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Joe Neguse", "N000191", "neguse.house.gov", "neguse", "https://neguse.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington D.C.\u2014Today, President Biden enacted Congressman Joe Neguse\u2019s bill, the Strengthening Ethics Act of 2021, to foster government accountability and oversight. The legislation makes technical changes to Title 5 of the U.S. Code and elevates the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Inspector General Act of 1978, and the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 officially into the United States Code.\n\n\u201cThis bill makes substantial steps towards increasing government accountability and oversight, enshrining several good governance bills into the base text of the U.S. Code Title 5. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I am proud to have spearheaded this effort to promote ethics in government,\u201d said Congressman Joe Neguse.\n\nBy moving these statutes into the base text of the U.S. Code Title 5, the Strengthening Ethics Act of 2021 helps the Judiciary Committee promote good governance and conduct continued oversight over the branches of government. From requiring financial disclosures from public officials to maintaining independent avenues for probing misconduct, the Act and the provisions it elevates are central to upholding the highest possible standards of government accountability.\n\nRead the bill text HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-panetta-announces-15-million-hhs-grants-expand-local-covid-19", "Congressman Panetta Announces $1.4 Million in HHS Grants to Expand Local COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Panetta", "P000613", "panetta.house.gov", "panetta", "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "SALINAS, CA \u2013 Today, Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced nearly $1.4 million in Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to expand local COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Funding will support health centers across the congressional district to administer updated COVID-19 vaccines. Salud Para La Gente in Watsonville will receive a $298,093 HHS grant, Monterey County will receive a $432,157 HHS grant, Santa Cruz County will receive a $174,595 HHS grant, and Clinica de Salud Del Valle De Salinas will receive a $491,628 HHS grant to bolster COVID-19 vaccination, particularly among underserved populations across our congressional district.\n\n\"Widespread, up-to-date vaccination against COVID-19 is how we protect ourselves, families, and friends and keep on going forward. This federal funding is critical to expanding the work of our community health care workers who have worked tirelessly to vaccinate our communities and leave no one behind,\" said Rep. Panetta. \"I'm proud that the federal government continues to play its part so that we at the local level can get vaccinated and get back to work, get together, get on the road to travel, and, ultimately, get back to living our normal lives.\"\n\n\"This supplemental award of $298,093 from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services allows us to continue to keep our patients and community safe through the winter and into the new year, by supporting expanded Covid-19 vaccine activities,\" said Dori Rose Inda, Chief Executive Officer of Salud Para La Gente.\n\n\"The County of Monterey Health Department is appreciative of receiving additional federal funding in the amount of $432,157 to support the continuation of COVID-19 vaccination efforts for our Medi-Cal and uninsured County residents who continue to be most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19,\" said Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of the Monterey County Health Department Director. \"The Health Department operates 10 Federally Qualified Health Centers in Salinas, Marina, and Seaside and serves approximately 40,000 patients. This HRSA funding will be used to expand COVID vaccination efforts which will support a broad range of activities aimed to boost COVID Vaccination confidence. For e.g., the funding will be used to conduct outreach and education to increase vaccine confidence and demand, continue to increase vaccination efforts, and provide enabling services.\"\n\n\"We are so grateful for this funding as it will allow us to continue to reduce disease in our community, work towards equity, and provide outreach to our most vulnerable populations,\" said Amy Peeler, Chief of Clinic Services in Santa Cruz County.\n\n\"We are extremely grateful that our Nation has provided these resources so that our families, all American Families, can protect themselves against these new viruses. We will make strong efforts to get the vaccines distributed throughout our community,\" said Dr. Max Cuevas, Chief Executive Officer at Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://stansbury.house.gov/media/press-releases/new-report-rep-stansbury-celebrates-2022-accomplishments", "New Report: Rep. Stansbury Celebrates 2022 Accomplishments", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Melanie A. Stansbury", "S001218", "stansbury.house.gov", "stansbury", "https://stansbury.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Helped steer over $1 billion in federal grant funding to N.M.-01 to build critical infrastructure, invest in lower healthcare costs, stimulate economic development, and more.\n\nSecured over $18 million in FY2023 Community Funded Projects to address New Mexico\u2019s biggest challenges surrounding public safety, housing, hunger, behavioral health, and economic development.\n\nSecured over $10 million for FY2022 Community Funded Projects to address public safety and gun violence, support firefighters and rural communities, fund youth programs, and invest in economic development.\n\nSecured $84.5 million for critical New Mexico water infrastructure investments to help our communities navigate our biggest water challenges through sustainable water projects and programs.\n\nJoined New Mexico\u2019s Congressional Delegation to secure $3.95 billion to support New Mexicans impacted by the devastating Hermit\u2019s Peak/Calf Canyon wildfires.\n\nPassed the Honoring our PACT Act to extend coverage to nearly 3.5 million veterans nationwide \u2013 marking the biggest expansion in veterans\u2019 benefits in generations.\n\nPassed the Inflation Reduction Act to cut the cost of health insurance premiums, expand healthcare coverage, reduce prescription drug costs, and make the largest-ever investment in climate.\n\nSupported New Mexico\u2019s STEM economy through her Partnerships for Energy Security and Innovation Act, which was signed into law by President Biden in July as part of the CHIPS and Science Act.\n\nIntroduced nine pieces of original legislation to stimulate New Mexico\u2019s economy, protect our public lands and waters, act on climate change, and improve education.\n\nFought alongside the Democratic Women\u2019s Caucus to protect abortion rights by passing the Women\u2019s Health Protection Act in the House.\n\nJoined Senator Heinrich and members of the New Mexico Delegation to introduce legislation to authorize New Mexicans\u2019 historic investment in early education from the state Land Grant Permanent Fund. The legislation passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Budget.\n\nCosponsored over 445 pieces of legislation to act on New Mexico\u2019s priorities, from caring for our veterans, to improving healthcare, to defending our democracy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://stanton.house.gov/2022/12/stanton-southwest-ceo-must-account-for-second-episode-of-nationwide-flight-cancellations-testify-before-congress", "Stanton: Southwest CEO Must Account for Second Episode of Nationwide Flight Cancellations, Testify Before Congress", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Greg Stanton", "S001211", "stanton.house.gov", "stanton", "https://stanton.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Rep. Greg Stanton said that Congress must hold hearings for Southwest Airlines\u2019 chief executive officer to explain why the airline has had two major episodes of flight cancellations within 14 months\u2014leaving tens of thousands of travelers stranded in airports throughout the nation.\n\n\u201cTwice now over just 14 months, Southwest\u2019s negligence has forced it to cancel an extraordinary number of flights and leave tens of thousands of passengers stranded without answers,\u201d Stanton said. \u201cIt\u2019s apparent failure to adequately prepare for or respond to foreseeable circumstances has created a paralyzing system-wide collapse. Southwest\u2019s leadership, including CEO Robert Jordan, must explain to the American people and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee why it has failed to invest in its IT infrastructure, adequately staff airline operations, or to learn hard lessons from past challenges.\u201d\n\nAs of Tuesday afternoon, two-thirds of Southwest flights nationwide were cancelled. At Phoenix Sky Harbor, one of Southwest\u2019s busiest hubs, the airline cancelled more than 90 percent of its flights.\n\nIn October 2021, Southwest was forced to cancel thousands of flights over a four-day period\u2014blaming a combination of bad weather, a brief problem with air traffic control in the Florida area and a lack of available staff to adjust to those problems.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2720", "POTUS Signs Trahan\u2019s Bipartisan Youth Suicide Prevention Bill into Law", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Lori Trahan", "T000482", "trahan.house.gov", "trahan", "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "LOWELL, MA \u2013 Last week, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee\u2019s Health Subcommittee, secured passage of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Reauthorization Act through the House and Senate. The legislation, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Friday, was included in the year-end omnibus package.\n\n\u201cAs a mom of two young girls, supporting our kids\u2019 mental health has been a top priority for me, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. That\u2019s why, alongside a bipartisan coalition of members, I introduced legislation to extend and strengthen key youth suicide prevention programs with a long track record of success,\u201d said Congresswoman Trahan. \u201cWith the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act reauthorized, we are ensuring science-backed suicide prevention programs can continue saving lives. I\u2019m grateful for the partnership of Congresswomen Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Cindy Axne, and Young Kim for their commitment to getting this done.\u201d\n\nThe Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Memorial Reauthorization Act ensures the continuation and strengthening of community-based youth and young adult suicide prevention efforts that were set to expire on December 31st. Studies have found that GLS has been effective in lowering the rate of youth and young adult suicides:\n\nFrom 2006 to 2015, counties with GLS initiatives had lower rates of youth suicide for a longer period of time compared to counties without such programs.\n\nCounties implementing GLS programs had significantly lower suicide rates for youth and young adults following implementation, which averted an estimated 79,000 suicide attempts.\n\n\u201cThe Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Reauthorization Act included in the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus package will save lives. By making suicide prevention programming available for students and supporting families in securing means used in suicide, we are taking critical steps forward in protecting our young people,\u201d said Mark Barden, co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. \u201cWe thank Representative Lori Trahan (D-MA), and Representatives Cindy Axne (D-IA), Young Kim (R-CA), and Ranking Member McMorris Rogers (R-WA) for their bipartisan leadership to ensure increased funding for youth suicide prevention.\u201d\n\nTrahan originally introduced this bipartisan legislation with Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05) and Congresswomen Young Kim (R-CA-39), and Cindy Axne (D-IA-03) in March 2022. It was passed in the House in June as part of a larger bipartisan mental health and addiction package, but had stalled in the Senate until its passage last week.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-06T14:24:52Z", "2026-04-06T15:54:45Z"], ["https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-vargas-statement-on-supreme-court-blocking-termination-of-title-42", "Rep. Vargas\u2019 Statement on Supreme Court Blocking Termination of Title 42", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Juan Vargas", "V000130", "vargas.house.gov", "vargas", "https://vargas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C (December 27, 2022) \u2014 Congressmember Vargas released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court\u2019s decision to delay the termination of Title 42, a Trump-era immigration policy that blocks migrants from seeking asylum in the United States:\n\n\u201cThe conservative-controlled Supreme Court\u2019s decision to block the end of Title 42 is outrageous,\u201d said Rep. Vargas. \u201cOver the last two and a half years, migrants have been cruelly expelled from our country under the guise of Title 42. It should have never been implemented in the first place, and it is long overdue to expire. Title 42 was never about public health\u2014it was always about denying due process to asylum seekers fleeing persecution and extreme famine. Seeking asylum is legal in the United States.\n\n\u201cImmigration has been used as the scapegoat of partisan attacks for far too long. Delaying the end of Title 42 will only create more chaos and place further strain on our already dysfunctional immigration system. I urge the Biden Administration to continue fighting to restore humanity and justice to our broken immigration system. It is time to end this cruel Trump-era policy once and for all.\u201d\n\n###\n\nVargas represents California\u2019s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California\u2019s entire U.S.-Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his fifth term in Congress. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-announces-15-million-for-community-projects-in-new-jerseys-12th-district", "Rep. Watson Coleman Announces $15 Million for Community Projects in New Jersey\u2019s 12th District", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced more than $15 million in federal community project funding for 15 organizations in New Jersey\u2019s 12th Congressional District. This funding comes as part of the omnibus government funding legislation that Congress passed on December 23.\n\nThe projects receiving funding include public facility restorations, flood mitigation initiatives, youth programs, and more.\n\n\u201cAs New Jersey\u2019s sole congressional appropriator, I take great pride in making sure my constituents\u2019 federal tax dollars come right back to their communities,\u201d said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. \u201cThis year, I\u2019m proud to announce that I secured funding for 15 community projects across the 12th District. From mental health services to infrastructure improvements, these investments will make Central Jersey a better place to live, work, and raise a family.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the omnibus funding bill provides funding for the following community projects in New Jersey\u2019s 12th District:\n\n\u25cf $2,000,000 for the Assunpink Greenway Active Recreation Corridor\n\n\u25cf $1,000,000 for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson Union Counties, Newark, NJ for mentoring and student support\n\n\u25cf $750,000 for the Coalport Neighborhood Revitalization Planning\n\n\u25cf $750,000 for the East Brunswick Public Library Building Infrastructure\n\n\u25cf $813,600 for the Henry J. Austin Health Center, Trenton, NJ for a mobile health unit and staffing\n\n\u25cf $350,000 for the Manville Veterans Freedom Plaza Creation\n\n\u25cf $715,000 for the River Basin Commissions (Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions: Delaware River Basin Commission)\n\n\u25cf $2,600,000 for the South Brunswick Signalized Intersection Improvements\n\n\u25cf $1,112,175 for the Southern Middlesex County Flood Mitigation and Resilience Project\n\n\u25cf $500,000 for The Center for Great Expectations, Somerset, NJ for mental health services and treatment\n\n\u25cf $631,500 for The Children's Home Society of New Jersey, Trenton, NJ for employment training and related expenses for low income women to improve health and economic outcomes\n\n\u25cf $100,000 for the United Way of Greater Union County, Elizabeth, NJ for addressing food insecurity, access to transportation and healthcare, and financial stability\n\n\u25cf $2,443,000 for the Van Veghten House Restoration\n\n\u25cf $750,000 for the Trenton Wireworks\n\n\u25cf $750,000 for the Witherspoon Street Improvements", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-supreme-courts-title-42-order", "Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Supreme Court's Title 42 Order", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released a statement following today\u2019s unsigned Supreme Court order temporarily extending Title 42, a destructive and flawed Trump-era measure that was set to expire this month.\n\n\u201cThe Supreme Court\u2019s order today is a destructive one based purely on politics. As Trump-appointed Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in his dissent, this order was made, \u2018because policymakers have failed to agree on adequate measures to address [increased border crossings]... We are a court of law, not policymakers of last resort.\u2019 At a time when the American peoples\u2019 faith in the Supreme Court\u2019s impartiality is at an all-time low this decision further erodes the Court\u2019s credibility.\n\n\u201cThe order endangers the lives of people fleeing violence in their homelands; those seeking freedom, safety, and opportunity in the United States. Title 42 was put in place as a measure to protect public health during the height of the spread of COVID-19. It is not a substitute for comprehensive immigration reform.\n\n\u201cInstead, Republican Governors have prioritized political stunts including sending desperate asylum seekers to northern cities that are experiencing severe weather.\n\n\u201cRepublican politicians have been quick to eliminate or circumvent nearly all COVID protocols meant to protect Americans. Their sudden interest in supporting covid measures at this point is based entirely on an effort to exclude legal asylum seekers. They have cynically found this one issue, the issue of Title 42, to cling to not because they seek to protect public health, but because their own caucus is incapable of coming to the table with Democrats on comprehensive immigration reform.\n\n\u201cI only hope they see the light between now and the time of the Court\u2019s final ruling on this case. Bipartisan immigration reform is possible but only if Congressional Republicans can put aside their partisanship and work with Democrats on finding a solution that prioritizes fairness and security.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-wilson-s-american-teacher-act-to-raise-the-minimum-teacher-salary-to-60000", "Congresswoman Wilson's American Teacher Act to Raise the Minimum Teacher Salary to $60,000", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee, introduced the American Teacher Act to incentivize states to increase the minimum K-12 teacher salary to $60,000 and provide adjustments for inflation. This financial incentive supports ongoing state efforts to provide competitive wages for teachers and address the national teacher shortage.\n\n\"Teachers deserve a raise. Our nation's teachers have been underpaid, overworked, and deprived of resources for too long. That's why I'm filing the American Teacher Act today, to give our nation's teachers the raise they have earned and deserve,\" said Congresswoman Wilson. \"Teachers are the backbone of our education system and economy, playing a foundational role in the development of our children. For seven hours a day, they help shape and inspire young minds as well as nurture students academically and socially. As the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, teachers continued to play a critical role in our recovery, underscoring their indispensability. I am proud to introduce the American Teacher Act, a critical first step in the fight to support a livable, competitive wage for America's educators.\"\n\nTeacher shortages are among the most pressing threats to education access today, with districts across the country forced to radically adjust school offerings to respond to turnover and prolonged vacancies. Every day, stories surface of schools shortening their weeks, canceling courses, increasing student-teacher ratios, and placing underprepared or temporary substitute staff in core instructional roles. Such adjustments disrupt learning, take a sustained toll on teacher morale, and harm student achievement. In August, the White House issued a fact sheet renewing attention to the weak teacher pipeline and calling upon legislators to use federal, state, and local resources to strengthen teaching career pathways and ensure competitive, livable wages.\n\n\"While teachers have never received the wages and respect commensurate with the work they do to help all children reach their promise and potential, the culture wars and stagnant wages of the last few years have made this worse. Recruiting and retaining a diverse teaching force has become increasingly difficult\u2014indeed, most parents say they wouldn't want their kids choosing teaching as a career,\" said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers. \"Rep. Frederica Wilson's bill, the American Teacher Act, addresses these challenges directly by providing states with federal funding to incentivize school districts to create a minimum starting salary of $60,000 for teachers. It also funds a national campaign highlighting the value of the teaching profession and encouraging young people to become teachers, using many of the recommendations in the AFT's Teacher and School Staff Shortage Task Force report \"Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?\" for recruiting the best candidates into teaching, including increasing compensation. This bill says put your money where your mouth is. We thank Rep. Wilson for her bold legislation addressing the low starting salaries that have plagued the teaching profession for generations, and we are proud to support this legislation.\"\n\n\"Students of every color, background and ZIP code deserve qualified and caring educators dedicated to connecting with them and given the resources to nurture their passions and potential. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the educator staffing crisis that had been brewing for more than a decade,\" commented Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association. \"Fueled by insufficient teacher salaries and chronic underfunding of our public schools, our leaders need to immediately adopt solutions to the educator shortage, including treating educators with the respect and competitive compensation these dedicated professionals deserve. The American Teacher Act is an encouraging step forward, and NEA applauds Congresswoman Frederica Wilson for introducing legislation to enact long-term solutions to this longstanding, systemic issue.\"\n\n\"Teachers are vital to our democracy and economy because we need them to maximize all young people's potential. We must take advantage of this moment\u2014with the devastating learning loss and enormous and historic teacher shortages\u2014to pay teachers what they are worth to us, to young people, and our shared future,\" said Ninive Calegari, Co-Founder of The Teacher Salary Project. \"Imagine what would happen if teaching were the sustainable and prestigious profession it deserves to be.\"\n\nFailing to invest in our teachers properly perpetuates shortages by devaluing the profession and diverting current and prospective educators. Currently, the Economic Policy Institute reports an enduring pay penalty for teachers, meaning that those in the profession earn lower weekly wages and receive lower overall compensation for their work than their similarly college-educated peers. This penalty reached a record high of 23.5% for public school teaching in 2021, making it increasingly difficult for our nation to recruit, train, and maintain qualified educators. These concerns are even more significant among teachers of color, who are more likely to teach in schools with fewer resources.\n\nThe American Teacher Act centers education as a national priority and addresses teacher shortages by supporting states in better insulating teaching as a valued and viable career. The bill would authorize funding to support the following:\n\nAward grants for the purpose of enacting and enforcing legislation to establish a statewide teacher salary requirement of $60,000 minimum, with 15% allocated to states and 85% to local educational agencies;\n\nInclude a cost-of-living adjustment to ensure that minimum teacher salary keeps pace with inflation;\n\nInclude a maintenance-of-effort provision to ensure states and districts do not replace currently committed allocations with federal government funding;\n\nInclude a part-time teacher provision that adjusts required minimum salary proportional to workload (e.g., a 60% FTE teacher would have a minimum salary of $36,000);\n\nInclude a provision that existing salary schedules or structures (i.e., the number of steps and lanes) remain as is with additional qualifications accruing the same salary increases as before, with step 1 as $60,000 and further steps adjusted accordingly.\n\nProvide a funding device that supports states and districts in closing the gap between current starting salaries and the $60,000 minimum over the course of 4 years.\n\nPrioritize local educational agencies qualifying as low or moderate-income.\n\nInvest in a national campaign to expand awareness of the value of teaching and encourage secondary and college students to consider teaching as a career;\n\nSupport state efforts to ensure competitive wages for teachers\n\nGrantees would be required to establish a statewide teacher salary schedule or otherwise with a minimum threshold of $60,000 and annual increases congruent with the inflation rate. This financial incentive supports ongoing state efforts to ensure competitive wages for teachers.\n\nThe American teacher Act is strongly supported by leading advocacy organizations, including the Teacher Salary Project, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), The National Education Association (NEA), The Education Trust, Teach for America, The New Teacher Project (TNTP) National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Educators for Excellence, Council for Exceptional Children, Center for Black Educator Development, Alliance for Excellent Education, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Network of State Teachers of the Year, National Center for Grow Your Own, National Equity Project, Black Teacher Project, Teach.Org, Open Way Learning, The Million Dollar Teacher Project, American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, University of San Francisco School of Education, 826 Valencia, Tall Poppy, LLC, New Jersey Teacher Corps, Public Advocacy for Kids, Center for Curriculum Redesign, New Mexico Association for the Education of Young Children, Hispanic Association of College and Universities, and American Consortium for Equity in Education.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-wilson-s-statement-on-markenzy-lapointe-s-senate-confirmation-for-us-attorney-for-the-southern-district-of-florida", "Congresswoman Wilson's Statement on Markenzy Lapointe's Senate Confirmation for U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida", "2022-12-27", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica S. Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", "wilson", "https://wilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Markenzy Lapointe, longtime government lawyer and Miami-based litigator, to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) issued the following statement regarding Lapointe's Senate confirmation:\n\n\"Markenzy Lapointe represents the American Dream! After more than two years of relentless advocacy and pushing for the confirmation of Markenzy Lapointe as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, I am overjoyed the Senate has confirmed his nomination.\n\n\"As a former U.S. Marine, ex-federal prosecutor, and product of Miami-Dade, Markenzy Lapointe shares a unique perspective on the issues plaguing our communities and brings a clear vision along with a wealth of experience to lead this critical office. Confirmed to serve as the first Haitian American U.S. Attorney, Mr. Lapointe is shattering glass ceilings.\n\n\"I am confident in his ability to uphold the rule of law and dedication to fighting for a more equitable criminal justice system. I know his extensive experience, unquestionable conviction, and home-grown commitment to our diverse community will guide his success as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.\n\n\"With this appointment, I am proud to see that the office of U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida will finally seat a trusted and seasoned litigator to take the helm in one of the nation's most diverse regions.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-secures-maine-priorities-in-omnibus-spending-bill", "Golden Secures Maine Priorities in Omnibus Spending Bill", "2022-12-26", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) successfully secured the inclusion of a wide range of priorities for Maine\u2019s Second District in the omnibus spending bill that passed Congress Friday.\n\n\u201cWorking across the aisle and with my colleagues in the Maine delegation, I\u2019ve been pushing for months to ensure that this end-of-year spending bill makes responsible investments and delivers for my constituents,\u201d said Golden. \u201cI\u2019m proud to have helped ensure our lobstermen can keep fishing, protect good jobs at Bath Iron Works, and help Mainers keep their families warm. Importantly, we are also bringing federal funds to bear in small towns across the state, improving local infrastructure and services, strengthening Maine\u2019s heritage industries, and supporting economic growth in rural Maine.\u201d\n\nThe provisions Golden worked to secure in the final bill include:\n\nRegulatory Pause for Maine Lobstermen:\n\nWorking with his colleagues in the Maine delegation, the congressman helped secure a six year pause before new regulations are imposed on the lobster fishery, providing the time necessary to collect data and determine the best policy to protect both right whales and Maine lobstering communities. Without the provision, the regulations slated to go into effect would likely have decimated the state\u2019s lobster fishery.\n\nProtecting National Security and Shipbuilding Jobs at Bath\n\nAs a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Golden worked to authorize the construction of three DDG-51 destroyers in the upcoming fiscal year and a multi-year contract to produce up to 15 of the ships over the next five years. The omnibus spending bill appropriates money for the three DDG-51 destroyers, a significant win to protect shipbuilding jobs at Bath Iron Works over the next several years and bolster American naval power.\n\nInvesting in Small Towns and Maine\u2019s Heritage Industries\n\nThe congressman secured funding for each of the fifteen Community Project Funding requests he sought. Those include:\n\n$726,000 to improve health care and STEM career training by creating one new laboratory, upgrading six existing laboratories, and adding needed equipment for health science simulation spaces at Husson University.\n\n$8 million to establish three Manufacturing Training Innovation Centers across the state through the University of Maine system.\n\n$3,000,000 to provide much needed support for the Maine Veterans Homes in Caribou and Machias to prevent their closure while a long-term solution to maintain the homes is secured.\n\n$1,642,000 to renovate the paramedic station at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway, ME. The hospital\u2019s PACE paramedic service provides EMS coverage to 18 local communities in the Oxford Hills region, seasonal coverage of Sunday River Ski Resort, and back-up coverage for four other communities that have services of their own.\n\n$1,774,075 to upgrade Ellsworth\u2019s High Street Pump Station to mitigate potential adverse impacts of heavy rainfall events and to ensure that the sanitary sewer system can support vital economic growth for the City of Ellsworth and Downeast region.\n\n$1,000,000 to rehabilitate wastewater collect system components on the Loring Commerce Center to help alleviate problems with the Limestone Water and Sewer District\u2019s ability to sufficiently treat wastewater at their wastewater treatment facility and help with treatment costs.\n\n$1,000,000 to contribute to immediate capital improvement needs for the Blue Hill Wastewater Treatment Facility that is located on Blue Hill Bay, a tidal arm of the Gulf of Maine.\n\n$514,400 to upgrade the only wastewater pumping station in the area, which is currently experiencing severe age-related deterioration issues that, unaddressed, could result in increased sewage treatment costs for residents and businesses in the area.\n\n$1,600,000 to construct a new hangar at Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport.\n\n$1,000,000 to improve affordable housing for the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township.\n\n$750,000 to build a paramedic garage to serve Jackman and Moose River, Maine.\n\n$1,167,036 to create a wellness and fitness space for the use of RSU16 students and staff, as well as members of the Rumford community.\n\n$2,041,160 to help construct a 336-foot multi-use bridge connecting the 14-mile long Whistle Stop Trail to the center of Farmington.\n\n$750,000 to construct a sawmill operations training facility to be located at the Dwight B. Demeritt Forest, where at least 200 students and forest professionals would train each year in support of in-demand industry workforce needs.\n\n$3,031,769 to support Maine Preservation\u2019s work to rehabilitate the Wayne Masonic Hall and the First Congregational Church of East Machias to once again serve as community hubs for economic stimulus in rural communities.\n\nHelping Mainers Heat Their Homes\n\nFollowing months of advocacy from Congressman Golden, the bill contains $5 billion in LIHEAP funding. The funding will help struggling families keep their houses warm amid high fuel costs and increased demand for LIHEAP funds.\n\nSafeguarding Access to Prescription Information and Jobs in Madawaska\n\nGolden worked to ensure a provision was included in the bill to preserve the requirement for drug manufacturers to include printed inserts containing drug information when they ship their products to pharmacies. The provision would help ensure that rural Americans, seniors, and their pharmacists have access to important information about their prescription medications and protect jobs at the Twin Rivers Paper facility in Madawaska, Maine.\n\nUnfortunately, the omnibus bill did not include a measure introduced by Congressman Golden and cosponsored by Congresswoman Pingree (ME-01) to grant the Wabanaki tribes in Maine the same access to federal laws and programs as nearly every other federally-recognized tribe in the country. The measure passed through the House after being included in its spending bills but fell out of the final bill during negotiations with the Senate. Congressman Golden released the following statement on the bill\u2019s exclusion:\n\n\u201cI\u2019m disappointed that this provision, which we passed through the House on a bipartisan basis, fell out of the omnibus funding bill during negotiations with the Senate. Ensuring the Wabanaki tribes have the same access to future beneficial federal laws and programs as nearly every other federally recognized tribe in the nation would have a meaningful impact on both tribal members and the surrounding communities in our state. This issue is not settled and I look forward to continuing to partner with the tribes to make headway on this important matter.\u201d - Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-johnson-votes-pass-fy-2023-omnibus-appropriations-funding", "Congressman Johnson Votes to Pass FY 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Funding Package", "2022-12-26", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Henry C. \"Hank\" Johnson, Jr.", "J000288", "hankjohnson.house.gov", "hankjohnson", "https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) voted to pass the FY 2023 government funding legislation. The bill delivers historic investments in American families and workers while strengthening Democracy at home and abroad. This legislation was passed by the Senate yesterday \u2013 and was passed in the House today. It will now head to the President\u2019s desk for signature. It funds the federal government until Sept. 2023.\n\nThe bill also includes local projects known as Community Project Funding (CPF). Congressman Johnson is proud to secure funding for 14 CPFs in his district totaling $15 million, including investments in transit, workforce development, walkable communities, fighting homelessness, affordable housing and renovations along Memorial Drive.\n\n\u201cIt is my job to fight for our district in Congress, and I am proud to secured funding for these critical projects from Clarkston to Conyers, Covington to Tucker and everywhere in between,\" Rep. Johnson said. \"I will continue to fight for our district to ensure that we get the federal funding we need to make our community stronger.\u201d\n\nThe 14 CFPs secured by Rep. Johnson that will directly benefit GA-04 residents include:\n\n\u2022 Department of Energy Projects Regional Clean Electricity Plan for Local Governments in Metro Atlanta; Atlanta Regional Commission: $750,000.\n\n\u2022 Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Easter Seals North Georgia, Inc., Clarkston, GA for early childhood workforce development $200,000.\n\n\u2022 Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Rockdale County Georgia, Conyers, GA for a workforce development initiative: $300,000.\n\n\u2022 Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Wellroot Family Services, Tucker, GA for housing and services and supplies, including the purchase of food, to improve economic outcomes of young adults transitioning out of foster care or experiencing homelessness: $286,500.\n\n\u2022 Department of Education Higher Education Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA for programs to expand access to postsecondary education, including English language proficiency support: $400,000.\n\n\u2022 Department of Transportation Highway Infrastructure Programs Michelle Obama Trail \u2014 PATH Trail Project DeKalb County Government: $3,617,500.\n\n\u2022 Department of Transportation Transit Infrastructure Grants Stonecrest Transit Hub Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority: $1 million | Department of Transportation Transit Infrastructure Grants Safe Routes to Transit in GA04 Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority: $1 million.\n\n\u2022 Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Fund Westside Youth Facility Newton County Government, Commissioner Alana Sanders: $4 million.\n\n\u2022 Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Fund Village at Legacy Affordable Housing Development City of Decatur: $750,000.\n\n\u2022 Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Fund Safe Housing for Domestic Violence Survivors in DeKalb County, GA Women Moving On, Inc.: $585,000.\n\n\u2022 Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Fund Memorial Drive Gateways Project DeKalb County Government: $1.5 million.\n\n\u2022 Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Fund Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.: $250,000.\n\n\u2022 Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Fund Safe and Stable Housing for Youth Aging out of Care Wellroot Family Services, Tucker, GA: $913,500.\n\nThis omnibus package includes a significant increase in non-defense discretionary funding \u2013 larger than the boost won in last March\u2019s government funding bill for Fiscal Year 2022. This funding was a top Democratic priority and will go toward supporting critical social programs that invest in our families, workers and communities.\n\nOther Key Democratic victories on health care include:\n\n\u2022 Ensuring permanent, mandatory and continuous coverage for the 40 million children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.\n\n\u2022 Record Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico and permanent enhanced Medicaid funding for all other territories, helping expand affordable, quality care to more Americans.\n\n\u2022 Historic funding for the critical Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting initiative, which improves health outcomes for pregnant people and young families who live in underserved communities.\n\n\u2022 Strong guardrails to prevent disruption to families\u2019 health coverage, as states resume Medicaid recertifications next year.\n\n\u2022 New investments in mental health services, which will improve access to medication-assisted treatment, expand our mental health workforce and increase coverage of mental health services.\n\n\u2022 Improving diversity in FDA clinical trials and providing FDA regulation of cosmetics.\n\n\u2022 Passing the PREVENT Pandemics Act, which uses lessons learns from COVID-19 to improve our preparedness for future public health emergencies.\n\nTo honor our sacred duty to our veterans, the bill secures $21 billion increase for veterans\u2019 health care. This will include supporting the VA as it implements the landmark PACT Act.\n\nThis legislation also includes robust defense funding, which will increase pay for our heroic troops and meet the basic needs of our military families. This includes another consequential round of security, economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, as we continue to support their fight for Democracy.\n\nAdditional key Democratic victories include:\n\n\u2022 Creating a nationwide permanent Summer EBT Program so that 29 million kids can get healthy, nutritious meals throughout the summer.\n\n\u2022 For the first time in more than a decade, more funding for the National Labor Relations Board, which helps defend the right to organize.\n\n\u2022 Emergency disaster support to help victims of hurricanes and wildfires throughout our country, to address the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, and $1 billion for Puerto Rico\u2019s electrical grid.\n\n\u2022 Reforming the Electoral Count Act of 1887, which will help thwart future attempts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power like we saw on January 6th.\n\n\u2022 Critical Community Project Funding, to support vital projects that meet the needs of our families in our districts.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-ro-khanna-secures-funding-projects-ca-17-and-other-critical-investments", "RELEASE: RO KHANNA SECURES FUNDING FOR PROJECTS IN CA-17 AND OTHER CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN THE GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL", "2022-12-26", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ro Khanna", "K000389", "khanna.house.gov", "khanna", "https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Santa Clara, CA \u2013Today, Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), announced that $24,351,000 in Community Project Funding that he previously secured for California's 17th District in the House spending bills has been included in the final 2023 appropriations government funding package. This funding responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in Silicon Valley. Rep. Khanna also worked to secure $459 million for regional tech hubs in the CHIPS and Science Act, $42 million for implementation of the Department of Defense's Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan, and $300 million for the National Labor Relations Board in the spending bill that passed the House and Senate.\n\n\"I am proud to have secured $24,351,000 in Community Project Funding in this bill to strengthen education, housing, public health, infrastructure, and our response to climate change in California's 17th District,\" said Rep. Ro Khanna. \"I'm grateful to have worked alongside my colleagues in the South Bay to include these investments that will create good-paying jobs and benefit our community for years to come. The bill includes funding for programs in the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act to lower costs for working families across America. It also gives the National Labor Relations Board the first increase in funding since 2014 to help protect workers' rights. Finally, it sets aside significant funding for reducing civilian casualties in U.S. military operations, including $17 million above the amount authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act.\"\n\nRep. Khanna championed funding for 14 projects that will directly benefit California's 17th District residents. These include:\n\nCity of Cupertino, De Anza College - California Youth Leadership Corps at De Anza College ($351,000)\n\nCity of Fremont - Commercial District Wi-Fi Access Expansion ($1,500,000)\n\nCity of Milpitas - Carbon Neutral Homes Incentive Program ($3,000,000)\n\nCity of Newark - Thornton Ave Alternate Route Corridor Pavement Rehabilitation ($2,000,000)\n\nCity of San Jose - Gap Year Funding for the SureStay Emergency Interim Housing Site ($2,500,000)\n\nCity of Santa Clara - Anna Drive Neighborhood Flood Protection Project ($3,000,000)\n\nCity of Sunnyvale - Stevens Creek Trail Extension Project ($3,000,000)\n\nConstruction Trades Workforce Initiative - Establishing Union Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Pathways and Programs ($1,000,000)\n\nCounty of Santa Clara - Bridge to Self-Sufficiency ($3,000,000)\n\nEast Bay Community Energy - Fremont Municipal Critical Facility Resilience ($1,000,000)\n\nGardner Family Health Network, Inc. - Alviso Health Center Solar Panels and Energy Storage Initiative ($500,000)\n\nSanta Clara Valley Transportation Authority - VTA Operations Control Center ($2,000,000)\n\nSecond Harvest of Silicon Valley - Second Harvest of Silicon Valley Consolidated Operational Facility ($750,000)\n\nSunnyvale Community Services - New Roof and Solar Energy System ($1,500,000)\n\nThe twelve-bill government funding package will create good-paying American jobs, grow opportunity for the middle class and small businesses, and provide a lifeline for working families. Taken together, the funding for California's 17th District and the funding increases for critical government programs will continue to reverse decades of disinvestment in our communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2719", "Trahan\u2019s Bipartisan Addiction Legislation Signed into Law", "2022-12-26", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Lori Trahan", "T000482", "trahan.house.gov", "trahan", "https://trahan.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "LOWELL, MA \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee\u2019s Health Subcommittee and a member of the Bipartisan Working Group on Addiction, announced that the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act, her bipartisan addiction legislation, cleared the House and Senate last week and was signed into law by President Joe Biden.\n\n\u201cWhether it's an empty seat at the dinner table, a friend who was lost too soon, or a neighbor we didn\u2019t know was struggling until it was too late, the addiction crisis has impacted every single family here in Massachusetts and across our nation. We have to take serious steps to address the root causes of this epidemic, and that starts with removing the stigma,\u201d said Congresswoman Trahan. \u201cThe MATE Act will ensure that every physician with the ability to prescribe highly addictive medications has the training they need to spot, treat, and prevent addiction so no one fighting this disease is told their doctor can\u2019t help. This is a commonsense step in the right direction and getting this bipartisan legislation across the finish line is long overdue.\u201d\n\nFirst introduced by Trahan in 2019, the MATE Act will standardize substance use disorder training to ensure that all prescribers of addictive medications possess baseline knowledge in evidence-based addiction prevention and treatments. The legislation has broad bipartisan support, including key bipartisan co-leads Representatives David Trone (D-MD-06), Buddy Carter (R-GA-01), Annie Kuster (D-NH-02), and David P. McKinley (R-WV-01), and Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Susan Collins (R-ME). Once law, the MATE Act will:\n\nCreate a one-time, non-repetitive requirement for all DEA controlled substance prescribers (Schedule II, III, IV or V) to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders, unless the prescriber is otherwise qualified.\n\nAllow accredited medical schools and residency programs, physician assistant schools, and schools of advanced practice nursing to fulfill the training requirement through a comprehensive curriculum that meets the standards laid out in statute, without having to coordinate the development of their education with an outside medical society or state licensing body.\n\nNormalize addiction medicine education across certain professional schools and phase out the need for these future practitioners to take a separate, federally mandated addiction course.\n\nThe idea for the MATE Act came from a 2019 meeting between Trahan and Dr. James Baker, a pain management expert in Massachusetts. During their conversation, Dr. Baker shared the tragic story of his 23-year-old son Max who died from an overdose. While seeking treatment for Max\u2019s addiction, Dr. Baker asked his primary care physician for a recommendation on addiction care but was told that they did not have the expertise necessary to assist.\n\n\u201cOn her first day in Congress, Rep. Lori Trahan started her tireless effort to reduce overdose deaths in America. She and her team worked with experts on addiction and families who lost a loved one to overdose, and with understanding and insight she then wrote the MATE Act,\u201d said Dr. Baker. \u201cWith diplomacy, grace, and courage Rep. Trahan overcame every obstacle and she has now achieved success that will change the course of addiction care in our country. Her unbreakable efforts will save many lives. I remain deeply honored to work with Congresswoman Trahan as she helps families find effective care for every form of substance use disorder.\u201d\n\nThe MATE Act is also endorsed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, Shatterproof, Live4Lali, The Kennedy Forum, Well Being Trust, National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, SMART Recovery, American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine, Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, American College of Medical Toxicology, National Council for Behavioral Health, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, Faces & Voices of Recovery, Young People in Recovery, National Alliance for Medication Assisted Recovery, National Safety Council, and American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.\n\n\u201cThe American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) praises the inclusion of the bipartisan Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act in the end-of-year omnibus,\u201d said William Haning, MD, President of ASAM. \u201cASAM has long stood for mainstreaming addiction medicine education throughout the medical community and medical professional schools. We see a future where addiction prevention, treatment, remission and recovery are accessible to all.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe addiction crisis and the corresponding increase in drug-related deaths is the most pressing public health crisis currently facing our country. All medical professionals must have a baseline knowledge of how to prevent addiction and how to identify, treat and manage patients who have substance use disorders,\u201d said Gary Mendell, Founder and CEO of Shatterproof. \u201cThe MATE Act normalizes and standardizes addiction care and empowers providers to better address the addiction crisis our nation is facing. Addiction medicine education will save lives, enabling evidence-based care for this chronic, treatable disease. We thank Congress and have immense gratitude for our legislative champions, Reps. Lori Trahan (D-MA), Buddy Carter (R-GA) and David Trone (D-MD) and Senators Bennet (D-CO) and Collins (R-ME).\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-06T14:24:52Z", "2026-04-06T15:54:45Z"], ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/3-million-for-maine-veterans-homes-secured-by-collins-and-golden-in-funding-bill", "$3 Million for Maine Veterans\u2019 Homes Secured by Collins and Golden in Funding Bill", "2022-12-24", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Susan Collins and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced that they secured $3 million for renovations and upgrades at Maine Veterans\u2019 Homes (MVH) in the Fiscal Year 2023 Health & Human Services appropriations bill.\n\nThe omnibus funding package passed the Senate by a vote of 68-29 and passed the House today by a vote of 225-201-1. It will now head to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cMaine Veterans\u2019 Homes provides compassionate, quality long-term care to the brave men and women who served our country,\u201d said Senator Collins and Congressman Golden. \u201cAt a time when there is already a severe shortage of nursing home beds, MVH\u2019s facilities in rural parts of our state fill a critical need and allow Maine veterans to remain close to their loved ones. These investments will help MVH perform necessary maintenance and upgrades to ensure that these homes remain safe for residents.\u201d\n\nThe funding will support needed renovations and life-safety upgrades at Maine Veterans Homes, such as HVAC improvements, sewer pipe installation, and fire alarm system replacements.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-sends-government-funding-package-president-bidens-desk-be-signed-law", "House Sends Government Funding Package to President Biden's Desk to be Signed into Law", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Adam Smith", "S000510", "adamsmith.house.gov", "adamsmith", "https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Government Funding Package Will Bring Millions of Dollars Back to Washington's Ninth District\n\nSEATTLE, WA - Today, Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the $1.7 trillion government funding package, sending it to President Biden's desk to be signed into law. The government funding package provides historic investments for workers, families, and communities across the country. Importantly, this package includes over $24 million for projects that Rep. Smith successfully secured in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 appropriations process, which will help fund 15 community projects across Washington's Ninth District.\n\n\"This year's government funding package not only allows us to make good on our commitments to keep the government open and running smoothly, but also provides additional funding to bolster important social and economic programs that make us stronger as a nation. In negotiating this package, we were able to secure many important victories on health care which will expand access to affordable, quality health care, expand mental health care services, and advance research and development that will lead to future scientific breakthroughs. This funding package will also allow us to send more crucial military, humanitarian, and economic aid to Ukraine as they continue their fight for democracy. There are many things to be proud of in this bill, but I am especially excited about the funding that will go directly towards community projects in the Ninth District. These projects will invest in affordable housing and health care, workforce development, public safety, small business, local economy, and more and will uplift the most vulnerable and underserved individuals and families in our region. Thanks to the tireless work of community leaders and organizations in our district, these projects will undoubtedly make our community a better place to live. I look forward to these federal dollars coming to Washington's Ninth.\"\n\nSee below for more information about the FY 2023 government funding package.\n\nNinth District Community Projects\n\n$4 million for El Centro de la Raza, Pattison's West Community Campus Property Acquisition in Federal Way\n\n$4 Millionfor Somali Health Board, Somali Community Cultural Innovation Hub in the Rainier Valley\n\n$675,000 for Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Employment for Women (ANEW), Pre-Apprenticeship Commercial Driver's License Program in South King County\n\n$1 Millionfor Plymouth Housing, Eastgate Permanent Supportive Housing and Health Clinic in Bellevue\n\n$4 Million for Friends of Little Saigon, Little Saigon Landmark in Little Saigon, Chinatown-International District\n\n$750,000for Low Income Housing Institute, Skyway Affordable Housing and Early Learning Center in Skyway\n\n$750,000for African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest, African Business Innovation Center (ABIC) in Tukwila\n\n$2.2 Millionfor Sea Mar Community Health Centers, Kent Medical Clinic and Affordable Housing Mixed Use Facility in Kent\n\n$1 Millionfor Central District Community Preservation and Development Authority (CD CPDA), McKinney Center Capital Project in the Central District\n\n$750,000for Southeast Seattle Senior Foundation, Southeast Seattle Affordable Housing and Home Ownership in the Rainier Valley\n\n$500,000for Congolese Integration Network, Washington Refugee Healing Center in SeaTac\n\n$500,000for UTOPIA, Mapu Maia Clinic in Kent\n\n$1.5 Millionfor Public Defender Association, Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program in Chinatown-International District and Southeast Seattle\n\n$1.5 Millionfor City of Renton, Logan Place Market in Renton\n\n$1 million for Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Cowlitz Tribal Health Clinic in Tukwila\n\nFind more information about the FY 2023 Community Project Funding Requests, including project descriptions, here.\n\nAdditional Selected Projects Benefiting the Ninth District\n\n$750,000 for Byrd Barr Place, Minority-Owned Small Business Emergency Assistance Program\n\n$4.4 million for Public Defender Association, JustCare Program\n\n$900,000 for Tabor 100, Minority and Women Business Enterprises Support Services Program\n\n$2 million for African Community Housing & Development, Affordable Homeownership Cooperative Pilot\n\n$2.23 million for Americans for Equality, MLK-Gandhi Empowerment Initiative\n\n$225,000 for South Seattle Women's Health Foundation, Rainier Valley Birth & Health Center\n\n$4 million for Food Lifeline, South Seattle Community Food Hub\n\n$1 million for City of Seattle, El Barrio Small Business Development\n\nThese are just some of the projects that received funding in the government funding package at the request of Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell that will benefit the 9th District.\n\nFind a summary of Democratic funding priorities here.\n\nFind a full summary of the appropriations-related provisions of the package here.\n\nOther Key Provisions\n\nProvides another consequential round of security, economic, and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine to support them in their fight against Russia's unlawful invasion.\n\nProvides increased funding for the National Labor Relations Board for the first time in more than a decade.\n\nIncludes the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, helping ensure pregnant workers are not discriminated against and receive the reasonable accommodations they deserve.\n\nIncludes emergency disaster support to help victims of hurricanes and wildfires throughout our country, to address the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, and $1 billion for Puerto Rico's electrical grid.\n\nReforms the Electoral Count Act of 1887, which will help thwart future attempts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power like what we saw attempted leading up to January 6, 2021.\n\nKey Health Care Wins\n\nRequires all states to cover children on Medicaid and CHIP for 12 months regardless of changes in income, reducing unnecessary coverage loss for the 40 million children on Medicaid and CHIP.\n\nMakes permanent the option for states to provide women with uninterrupted Medicaid coverage for 12 months postpartum, which will help address the maternal mortality crisis that has been especially devastating for communities of color.\n\nExtends COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities for two years, through December 31, 2024.\n\nFunds 200 new graduate medical education residency positions, with 100 specifically going towards psychiatry or psychiatry subspecialty residencies.\n\nProvides payment stability for physicians through a 2.5 percent increase in the physician fee schedule conversion factor for 2023, and a 1.25 percent increase for 2024.\n\nStrengthens, expands, and establishes more programs that collectively aim to provide crisis care coordination and response, and support mental health care and substance use disorder prevention, care, treatment, peer support, and recovery support services in communities across the nation.\n\nIncludes the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act of 2021, which eliminates the X-waiver and lifts the patient cap on practitioners registered to dispense buprenorphine for opioid use disorder maintenance or detoxification treatment.\n\nIncludes funding for Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to accelerate the pace of scientific breakthroughs for diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and cancer.\n\nProvides an increase in funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support a wide range of biomedical and behavioral research.\n\nFind a summary of the health care provisions included in the package here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-secures-funds-nearly-50000000-local-houston-area-projects", "Congressman Al Green Secures Funds for Nearly $50,000,000 In Local Houston Area Projects as Part of Bipartisan, Bicameral Omnibus Bill", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Al Green", "G000553", "algreen.house.gov", "algreen", "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 On Friday, December 23, 2022, Congressman Al Green released the following statement:\n\n\u201cI am proud to announce that the passage of today\u2019s Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill will benefit the American people by, among other things, fostering clean energy, creating good-paying jobs, and supporting our military. Additionally, this omnibus package includes nearly $50 million in funding for a number of community projects in our Ninth Congressional District of Texas.\u201d Congressman Al Green shared. \u201cAn investment in our local community is an investment in our future. These projects will make a difference for working families, improve the health of residents, and help make our communities safer. I thank President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Schumer, and Senator McConnell, as well as all who voted for this legislation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-auchincloss-secures-district-wins-in-passage-of-federal-budget", "RELEASE: Auchincloss Secures District Wins in Passage of Federal Budget", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Jake Auchincloss", "A000148", "auchincloss.house.gov", "auchincloss", "https://auchincloss.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "\u201cOmnibus\u201d Funding Bill Includes Auchincloss Community Project Funding Requests\n\nWashington, DC \u2014 Today, Congress passed a government funding bill that will now be signed by President Biden and includes key wins for the Fourth District. Included in passage was funding for 15 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests sponsored by Congressman Auchincloss.\n\n\u201cThe Massachusetts Fourth, from Fall River to Brookline, is a powerhouse of talent and work ethic,\u201d said Auchincloss. \u201cThese critical funds will make our communities cleaner, stronger, and safer. Investing in infrastructure and getting localities the funds they need to reach their full economic potential will help our District and Commonwealth reach the next level.\u201d\n\nAuchincloss Projects Included in Passage:\n\nBeacon Street Historic Bridle Path Restoration Project, Brookline\n\nAmount Received: $2,000,000\n\nReplacement of the Pleasant Street Bridge over Muddy Cove Inlet, DIghton\n\nAmount Received: $2,750,000\n\nCentre Street / Central Avenue Bridge, Dover\n\nAmount Received: $2,000,000\n\nEdward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, Inc., Worcester, MA for facilities and equipment\n\nAmount Received: $1,000,000\n\nFall River Waterfront Stormwater Corridor, Fall River\n\nAmount Received: $3,452,972\n\nFeasibility Study to Dredge Hopedale Pond and Daylight the Mill River for Community Resilience and Water Quality Improvements\n\nAmount Received: $444,870\n\nFoxborough Sewer Design Route 1\n\nAmount Received: $400,000\n\nPFAS Treatment for Dustin/Prescott Wells, Mansfield\n\nAmount Received: $2,000,000\n\nReconstruction of the West Street / Route 27 Intersection, Medfield\n\nAmount Received: $1,300,000\n\nSouth Street East Bridge Replacement Project\n\nAmount Received: $5,000,000\n\nMillis Water Supply PFAS treatment planning, design, construction, Millis\n\nAmount Received: $3,452,972\n\nNewton Commuter Rail Stations Accessibility Improvements, Newton\n\nAmount Received: $7,000,000\n\nTen-Mile River Dredging, Town of North Attleborough\n\nAmount Received: 1,482,900\n\nTown of Sharon\u2019s PFAS Water Treatment Plant, Sharon\n\nAmount Received: $3,452,972\n\nHot & Cold Lane Tank THM Removal System, Somerset\n\nAmount Received: $3,200,000", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/beatty-banking-bill-signed-into-law", "Beatty Banking Bill Signed into Law", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "OH", "Joyce Beatty", "B001281", "beatty.house.gov", "beatty", "https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, President Biden signed H.R. 7776, the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023. The bill included legislation authored by U.S. Congresswoman and Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Joyce Beatty (OH-03), the Fair Hiring in Banking Act (H.R. 5911).\n\nThe bipartisan Fair Hiring in Banking Act would expand job opportunities in banking and financial institutions to certain justice-involved individuals. Under current law dating from the 1950s, people with criminal records are prohibited from working in a federally insured financial institution like a bank or credit union unless they can get a waiver from the government, even for misdemeanors like shoplifting or minor drug possession. Beatty\u2019s legislation would shorten the lifetime ban to a more effective and inclusive seven-year ban. This exemption would not apply to individuals convicted of major financial offenses like bank fraud or money laundering.\n\n\u201c78 million Americans have a criminal record \u2013 that\u2019s one out of every four of our neighbors, friends, and family members,\u201d said Beatty. \u201cUnfortunately, even long after paying their debt, these millions of justice-involved individuals are often shut out of employment opportunities. My soon-to-be law will provide access to quality jobs in the financial services industry, while giving banks and credit unions access to a previously unavailable workforce. This is not just an economic issue; it is a social justice issue, as Black American are incarcerated at a rate five times higher than their White counterparts and are disproportionately kept from working in the financial sector.\u201d\n\nSupported by the National Bankers Association, the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), the Bank Policy Institute, and the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU), the bill included in the NDAA now signed into law by President Biden.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/beatty-delivers-for-central-ohio-in-time-for-the-holidays", "Beatty Delivers for Central Ohio in Time for the Holidays", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "OH", "Joyce Beatty", "B001281", "beatty.house.gov", "beatty", "https://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "December 23, 2022\n\nSecures over $18.5 million for healthcare facilities, transportation projects, community centers, workforce training, and other projects throughout Franklin County\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, U.S. Congresswoman and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Joyce Beatty (OH-03) joined bipartisan colleagues in passing a historic omnibus appropriations package for Fiscal Year 2023 (H.R. 2617). Included in the legislation was $18.5+ million in funding for fifteen community projects located in Franklin County.\n\n\u201cI am tremendously proud to have secured key federal dollars for community projects that will directly benefit the people of Ohio\u2019s 3rd District,\u201d said Beatty. \u201cOver the past year, my office has worked closely with community stakeholders to determine where investment would be maximized across Franklin County, and today that work finally bears fruit. Over $18.5 million is set to go to protect the most vulnerable, provide more economic opportunity, and improve quality of life in our communities. These funds are proof that Democrats don\u2019t just promise, we deliver.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, Beatty secured the investment of:\n\n$510,000 for A Kid Again, Columbus, OH for increasing access to therapeutic events for children, including the purchase of equipment\n\n$4,500,000 for the Battery Innovation Laboratory and Education Center at the Ohio State University\n\n$750,000 for Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio - J. Ashburn Jr. Boys & Girls Club Renovations\n\n$1,585,000 for the City of Reynoldsburg - East Main Street Phase II\n\n$1,000,000 for Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority for informational and financial resources to assist residents and achieve economic self-sufficiency\n\n$1,000,000 for Directions for Youth & Families - Crittenton Community Center\n\n$2,000,000 for Franklin County - Ferris Road Corridor\n\n$975,000 for LifeCare Alliance for facilities and equipment\n\n$3,000,000 for Rickenbacker Area Mobility Center\n\n$475,000 for Service! Relief Effort for Hospitality Workers for job skills training and supportive services\n\n$400,000 for the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio Outreach and Education at OhioHealth\n\n$650,000 for the Solar Workforce Training Lab\n\n$500,000 for The Edna Building Renovation\n\n$204,800 for the National Veteran Memorial and Museum Operating Corporation, Columbus, OH for graduate-level instruction to veterans, including scholarships\n\n$1,000,000 for Zora's House\n\nOther legislative priorities contained in the omnibus bill include:\n\n$388 million to create 21,500+ affordable housing units for low-income families, survivors of domestic violence, veterans, and the elderly and disabled.\n\nA $500 increase to the maximum Pell Grant award.\n\nA record $118.7 billion to provide medical care to our nation\u2019s veterans.\n\nThe first funding increase for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) since FY10 with $299 million, +$25 million over FY22.\n\n$700 million for Violence Against Women Act prevention and prosecution programs, a 21% increase over the previous year.\n\n$207 million, $27 million over FY22, each for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-thompson-secures-18789100-local-projects-final-government-funding-package", "Rep. Thompson Secures $18,789,100 For Local Projects in Final Government Funding Package", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, Representative Bennie G. Thompson announced$18,789,100 in Community Project Funding that he previously secured for Mississippi\u2019s 2nd District in the House spending bill, which has been included in the final 2023 appropriations funding package.\n\nThis funding represents a Christmas surprise to many of the entities awarded, and Congressman Thompson is elated to announce the funding because it responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in Mississippi. \u201cI am proud to have secured $18,789,100 in Community Project Funding in this bill, which meets long overdue community needs in Mississippi\u2019s 2nd District,\u201d said Rep. Thompson. \u201cThese investments will create jobs with better pay, strengthen our communities, and start to tackle climate change.\u201d Rep. Thompson championed funding for 13 projects that will directly benefit Mississippi\u2019s 2nd District residents. These include the following allocations:\n\n$2,000,000 for the Bolivar County Utilization Project\n\n$3,200,000 for the City of Clinton for a Regional Wastewater Project\n\n$1,125,000 for the City of Fayette Municipal Safety Complex\n\n$2,000,000 for the City of Greenville, MS for facilities and equipment\n\n$600,000 for the City of Rolling Fork Community Utilization Complex\n\n$1,664,100 for the Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, MS for campus safety\n\n$500,000 for the Coffeeville's Recreational Park\n\n$375,000 for the Emmett Till Historic Intrepid Center Project\n\n$750,000 for the Emmett Till Tutwiler Museum Welcome Center\n\n$2,250,000 for the Mississippi Delta Community College Training Academy\n\n$2,000,000 for the Sunflower County Business Improvement District\n\n$225,000 for the Rev George Lee Museums Project\n\n$2,100,000 for the Union Station Transit Hub Project\n\nMayor Simmons of Greenville, MS; Dr. Valmadge Towner, President of Coahoma Community College; and Dr. Tyrone Jackson, President of Mississippi Delta Community College, all offered their gratitude for the funding with the following quoted messages.\n\n\u201cThanks to the Biden-Harris Administration and Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, for supporting the economic vision of Greenville, Mississippi through the delivery of federal funds for facilities and equipment,\u201d said Mayor Simmons. \u201cThis announcement highlights the continued importance of federal and local partnerships in spurring economic growth.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are appreciative of the support given to Coahoma by Congressman Thompson and the federal government,\u201d said President Towner. \u201cSafety of our students, staff and constituents is of foremost importance. We are eager to use resources from this grant in a way that will enhance our capacity to continue having safe campuses. It is uplifting to know that we can always count on our Congressman to partner with us as we provide educational services to our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cMississippi Delta Community College sincerely appreciates the support of Congressman Bennie G. Thompson and the federal government for supporting our law enforcement training academy (LETA) through this funding opportunity,\u201d said President Jackson. \u201cMDCC has been committed to training law enforcement officers from across our state since 1998. This funding opportunity will have tremendous impact on our LETA training program by providing additional space to house more cadets and offer more advanced training courses annually.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5749", "House Passes Omnibus Bill With Key Democratic Priorities, Local Wins For Northern Virginia", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Donald S. Beyer, Jr.", "B001292", "beyer.house.gov", "beyer", "https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today hailed passage of the omnibus funding bill in the House. The bill was negotiated on a bipartisan basis between Senate Democrats and Republicans and House Democrats, passed the Senate yesterday, and now heads to President Biden for signature.\n\nThe bill contained Beyer-authored and co-authored legislation as well as community project funding and other Northern Virginia wins secured by Beyer. Among Beyer\u2019s legislation in the bill: the Legacy IRA Act, legislation to promote charitable giving, and legislation to support the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.\n\nBeyer said:\n\n\u201cThe bill we passed today funds robust military and economic assistance to Ukraine and our NATO allies, keeping our promise to stand with our friends in defense of democracy. And we take care of our own too, with major funding boosts that will support health care, education, child care, clean energy, scientific research and development, and much more.\n\n\u201cThe bill contains significant funding to implement the authorized but previously-unfunded science titles of the CHIPS and Science Act, much of which we drafted in the House Science Committee. And it contains bipartisan legislation, SECURE 2.0, written by the Ways and Means Committee to strengthen retirement savings.\n\n\u201cThere are major policy wins, most importantly in the Electoral Count Reform Act, Congress\u2019 best bipartisan effort to prevent anyone from trying to follow in Donald Trump\u2019s footsteps in an attempt to overturn a presidential election. And it contains the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, to prevent workplace discrimination during pregnancy.\n\n\u201cI am also thrilled by the inclusion of legislation I led to support charitable giving, suicide prevention, and the honoring of a beloved Northern Virginia letter carrier who we lost to Covid. And I delivered millions in funding to local community projects in Northern Virginia that will have a positive impact on our region.\n\n\u201cThis bill did not contain everything I wanted, and I am particularly disappointed at the lack of action on the federal debt limit, the absence of an extension of the enhanced Child Tax Credit, and missing protections for wildlife and endangered species. But this bill provides robust funding for domestic and foreign policy priorities and will fund the government and prevent a shutdown all the more important with an incoming Republican House majority.\u201d\n\nBeyer serves on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the House Committee on Ways and Means. He is the outgoing Chairman of Congress\u2019 Joint Economic Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-bishop-supports-fiscal-year-2023-appropriations-package-including-25-million-for-middle-and-southwest-georgia-projects", "CONGRESSMAN BISHOP SUPPORTS FISCAL YEAR 2023 APPROPRIATIONS PACKAGE INCLUDING $25 MILLION FOR MIDDLE AND SOUTHWEST GEORGIA PROJECTS", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", "bishop", "https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, supported the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations package which funds the full range of defense and domestic programs that keep Georgians safe and improve their quality of life. The bill includes nearly $25 million for 15 projects in the Second Congressional District that will improve public safety, health care, job training, education, water and wastewater systems, and high-speed Internet services. The bill was approved by a bipartisan vote of 225-201 and now heads to President Biden for his signature.\n\n\"It is our responsibility to keep the government open so that it can serve and protect the American people. Democrats and Republicans have come together to pass this vital bill which funds our national defense and makes sure that federal programs are there to support families, businesses, and local communities,\" said Congressman Bishop. \"As part of today's bill, I secured funding for 15 projects in Middle and Southwest Georgia. They help our law enforcement and first responders, make sure families and businesses have access to clean water and high-speed internet, as well as improve health care, education, and housing for our communities.\"\n\nCongressman Bishop is also the Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs as well as a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government. Working across the aisle, he supported dozens of projects across Georgia in districts represented by both Democrats and Republicans as well as federal programs vital to the state.\n\nProtecting & Improving the Lives of Americans\n\nThe Fiscal Year 2023 bill funds federal programs that affect all aspects of Americans' lives from the country's national security and military to its housing, healthcare, education, workforce, and businesses programs. It invests in the roads, railways, bridges, airports, ports, and telecommunications infrastructure vital to the U.S. economy. Some highlights from the bill include:\n\n$4.4 billion for grants to state and local law enforcement\n\n$1.7 billion for Job Corps which supports workforce development programs across the country, including at the Turner Job Corps Center in Albany, Georgia\n\n$9.2 billion for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based in Atlanta, Georgia\n\n$118.7 billion for Veterans medical care which will serve the 7.3 million patients expected to be treated by the VA in fiscal year 2023\n\n$3.8 billion for agricultural research, education, and extension \u2013 including 1890s, improvements for the Fruit and Tree Nut Research facility in Byron, Georgia (and other ARS facilities), as well as increases for whitefly, peanut, pecan, and floriculture research crucial to Georgia's economy\n\n$3.5 billion for rural development \u2013 including the Rural Housing Service and rental assistance, Rural Business programs, Rural Utilities Service and broadband infrastructure, and the Rural Community Facilities program\n\n$188.5 billion for domestic nutrition programs \u2013 includes full funding for SNAP, WIC, and Child Nutrition programs and $40 million for the Summer Electronic Benefit program as well as $30 million for school kitchen equipment grants\n\n$3.1 billion for farm and conservation programs\n\n$2.7 billion for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds\n\nThe bill also contains language authored by Congressman Bishop that urges CMS to delay its policy preventing Medicare patients from using ambulance transportation to kidney dialysis and diabetes-related wound care.\n\nHelping Communities in Middle and Southwest Georgia\n\nCongressman Bishop also secured funding for 15 projects in Georgia's Second Congressional District. These include:\n\n$1,000,000 to Albany Technical College for recruitment efforts in its service area in Georgia to identify and transition interested students into allied health professions, with the overall goal of addressing the nursing shortage throughout Southwest Georgia\n\n$2,000,000 to Augusta University's Southwestern Regional Campus of the Medical College of Georgia in Albany to provide for longitudinal workforce training and workforce expansion for graduate students, to ultimately increase the number of medical professionals in Southwest Georgia\n\n$1,500,000 to the City ofBainbridge for Phase 2 of the Downrange Industrial Park Water and Wastewater Project\n\n$1,850,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, Inc., for facility renovations and upgrades necessary to provide safe, positive, and innovative programs for 25,000 youth when they are out of school in Albany (Dougherty County), Montezuma (Macon County), and Plains (Sumter County)\n\n$1,187,200 to the City of Colquitt for a wastewater pollution control plant project\n\n$562,490 to the City of Donalsonville for broadband internet infrastructure improvement and expanding service to over 1200 households\n\n$949,146 to the City of Leesburg for a sewage and clean water infrastructure project\n\n$4,000,000 to Columbus State University for engineering, design work, and start-up construction costs to build a STEAM Collaboration Center with the Muscogee County School District for students to learn more about robotics, engineering, coding, and 3D design/fabrication technologies by creating a space specifically tailored to the needs of educating the community in the field of STEAM\n\n$161,167 to Miller County for improvements to its Emergency Operations Center communications system\n\n$1,000,000 to the Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council, in Dawson, for equipment & workforce training of heavy equipment operators\n\n$400,000 to Keryx Ministries, Inc., to support a community-based, Mercer University medical student-run clinic in the poverty-stricken Unionville Community in Macon, Georgia, which will improve the healthcare of children, senior citizens, and homeless individuals who desperately need medical and mental health attention\n\n$5,000,000 to the Mt. Olive Community Outreach Center, Inc., in Albany, to help replenish housing lost due to Hurricane Michael and tornadoes\n\n$367,362 to the Southwest Georgia Children's Alliance, Inc., in Americus for child abuse treatment and prevention programs\n\n$3,941,986 to the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission, in Camilla, to meet public safety needs for multiple counties (Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth) by replacing obsolete and outdated radio equipment critical to ensuring that police, fire, and EMS can communicate within and across counties to respond to crime and natural disasters\n\n$1,020,047 to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, in Americus, to increase awareness of Alzheimer's Disease programs & resources for caregivers", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-votes-appropriations-funding-package", "Scott Votes for Appropriations Funding Package", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert C. \"Bobby\" Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", "bobbyscott", "https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, voted to pass the government funding appropriations package for FY 2023. This legislation includes funds to invest in jobs, education, the environment, shipbuilding, national security, as well as a number of important community projects in Hampton Roads.\n\n\u201cThis appropriations package makes critical investments in our communities and will be a big boost for Hampton Roads,\u201dsaid Congressman Scott. \u201cThis bill will make important increased investments in theJustice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, which I just helped lead the re-authorization of with bipartisan legislation. The funding package also includes investments in our national defense and shipbuilding and will provide necessary aid to Ukraine, as well as providing critical funds to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. Additionally, I was proud to have secured over $35.6 million in funding for community projects across Virginia\u2019s third congressional district that will improve the quality of life for many residents in Hampton Roads.\u201d\n\nThe legislation includes funding for the following community projects secured by Congressman Scott that will directly benefit Virginia\u2019s Third Congressional District:\n\n$1,594,355 for An Achievable Dream, Newport News, supplemental recovery supports\n\n$11,250,000 for the removal of toxic sediments at Money Point, Chesapeake\n\n$1,000,000 for mental health programming at the Children\u2019s Hospital of the King\u2019s Daughters,\n\n$3,000,000 for the City of Norfolk LED Streetlight Upgrades\n\n$3,000,000 for the Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Community Center Aquatic Facility, Chesapeake\n\n$2,500,000 for the City of Franklin to reconstruct the Armory to serve as a community center\n\n$760,000 for the Gun Violence and Violent Crime Reduction Initiative in Newport News\n\n$4,600,000 for the Hampton Gun Violence Intervention Program\n\n$850,000 for the Hampton Roads Workforce Council Training System\n\n$2,200,000 for Hampton University\u2019s Workforce Development and Allied Health Services Program\n\n$807,137 for the Portsmouth Community Health Center for a Traveling Vehicle for Good Dental Health\n\n$677,000 for the Soundscapes to expand access to arts education to more students\n\n$687,680 for the STEMConnect: NASA STEM Literacy & Community Enrichment at the Virginia Air and Space Center\n\n$750,000 for the Tyler's Beach Harbor/Marina Facility Improvements in Isle of Wight\n\n$2,000,000 for infrastructure improvements for the YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas\n\nFor full descriptions and amounts requested from these projects, please clickHERE.\n\nAs Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, Congressman Scott celebrated provisions of the omnibus that will improve the lives of students, workers, and families.\n\n\u201cI am particularly pleased the package makes sizable investments in early childhood through post-secondary education,\u201dnoted Congressman Scott.\u201cThe bill seeks to improve access to early learning and child care programs by increasing funding for Head Start programs and the Child Care and Development Block Grant. Additionally, the package includes an $850 million increase in funding for Title I schools to help address long-standing inequities in education, and permanently repeals a law that restricts the use of federal funds to promote school integration. And finally, by raising the maximum Pell Grant award by $500 and increasing investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and Minority Serving Institutions, more students will be able to reap the benefits of a college degree.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe were also able to take steps to address child hunger,\u201dcontinued Congressman Scott. \u201cImportantly, the bill includes a provision from theHealthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act, that permanently authorizes the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program, which will help 29 million children access healthy meals throughout the summer. Although this proposal falls far short of the comprehensive reauthorization that America\u2019s children and families deserve, I am grateful we will be able to make some progress toward our ultimate goal of eliminating child hunger. Also, of note, for the first time in more than a decade, we were able to secure an increase in funding for the National Labor Relations Board, which helps defend workers\u2019 rights to organize and bargain for higher pay, better benefits, and safer working conditions. Although this increase is not nearly enough to fully recover and scale back from the previous decade of flat funding, it staves off layoffs and permits the NLRB to continue its important work. Moreover, the omnibus includes a notable increase in funding for our nation\u2019s workforce development programs, such as Registered Apprenticeships. These types of investments are not only good for workers, but also employers and our economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cFurthermore, the omnibus includes proposals to protect the health and well-being of pregnant workers and working mothers,\u201dconcluded Congressman Scott. \u201cThe first is the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act, which ensures mothers have the privacy and time to pump at work. And the second is the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which will ensure pregnant workers have a clear pathway to receiving reasonable accommodations in the workplace. Unfortunately, the Senate incorporated a religious entity exemption from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to PWFA that I strongly oppose. My concern is this language may be interpreted as allowing religious employers to justify other discriminatory actions against pregnant workers beyond denying them accommodations. And, finally, this package includes the SECURE 2.0 Act, which incorporatesprovisions that the House passed and our Committee approved. These provisions make several sensible improvements to our nation\u2019s retirement system and will help more Americans prepare for and achieve the secure retirement they deserve.\u201d\n\nFurther information on the FY23 Omnibus Appropriations Act can be foundHERE.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/bonamici-helps-fund-government-sends-bill-355m-community-projects-nw-oregon", "Bonamici Helps Fund Government; Sends Bill With $35.5M for Community Projects in NW Oregon to Biden\u2019s Desk", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. [12/23/22] \u2013Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici announced that all 15 of the Community Projects she recommended were included in the government funding bill passed by the House and Senate, sending more than $35 million for NW Oregon to President Joe Biden\u2019s desk.\n\nThe Community Project Funding was passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 to fund the government for the next year. The package also included provisions led by Bonamici to protect retirement savings, help students access meals in the summer, and fund child care.\n\n\u201cThis funding package is great news for Oregonians,\u201d said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. \u201cIt will deliver more than $35 million for 15 projects I advocated for in NW Oregon to support affordable housing, make our roads safer, improve equity in our health care system, and more. These projects will be complemented by robust funding for child care, increased access to summer meals for students, protections for pregnant workers and retirement savings, and other efforts I championed. I look forward to seeing how the funding from this legislation helps our communities thrive, and I am committed to continuing to work on these important issues.\u201d\n\nThe 15 community projects funded in the bill are:\n\nBeaverton Downtown Loop\n\nCity of Beaverton\n\n$4,000,000\n\nBehavioral Health Paraprofessional Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship\n\nUnited We Heal Training Trust\n\n$892,000\n\nCapacity Building Affordable Housing\n\nWest Tuality Habitat for Humanity\n\n$750,000\n\nColumbia County Advanced and Additive Manufacturing Small Business Incubator\n\nColumbia County Economic Team\n\n$814,000\n\nDartmouth Crossing South-Tigard Triangle Affordable Housing\n\nREACH Community Development Corp\n\n$1,500,000\n\nFairfield Apartments\n\nCity of Portland\n\n$2,000,000\n\nHall Boulevard Pedestrian Safety Improvements at Hemlock & Spruce\n\nOregon Department of Transportation\n\n$3,200,000\n\nHealth Center Facilities and Equipment Upgrades\n\nOregon Association of Relief Nurseries\n\n$5,055,844\n\nHealth IT Workforce Development\n\nOCHIN Inc.\n\n$2,001,642\n\nMain Avenue/OR 104 Pedestrian Route\n\nCity of Warrenton\n\n$1,360,000\n\nMerlo Bus Garage Zero Emission Retrofit\n\nTriMet\n\n$5,000,000\n\nNewberg Dundee Bypass Corridor Safety and Intersection Improvements\n\nOregon Department of Transportation\n\n$4,000,000\n\nSemiconductor and Advanced Manufacturing Workforce\n\nPortland Community College\n\n$910,000\n\nTreatment Foster Care Oregon Model with LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group\n\nOregon Community Programs\n\n$1,000,000\n\nWillamette Water Supply System\n\nTualatin Valley Water District\n\n$3,000,000\n\nUnder the rules of the House Appropriations Committee, Members of Congress could each submit up to 15 Community Project Funding requests for consideration during the fiscal year 2023 appropriations legislative process. The reformed and transparent Community Project Funding process allows Members of Congress to advocate for specific community financial support in a local, highly competitive process. You can find more information on Bonamici\u2019s website about the Community Projects she supported: Bonamici.House.Gov/CommunityProjects\n\n\u201cThe City of Portland thanks Rep. Bonamici first and foremost for championing the $2 million special appropriation to support redevelopment of the Fairfield Apartments,\u201d said Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan, who Oversees the Portland Housing Bureau. \u201cThe Fairfield provides dedicated affordable housing for very low-income residents who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. These funds help us preserve a critical housing type in our streets-to-housing continuum. The project will also preserve a historic building and generate opportunities for small-scale, neighborhood-serving retail in the downtown core where many other low-income tenants reside in regulated affordable housing. We are grateful to the Congresswoman and our congressional delegation for their support of this much-needed project.\u201d\n\n\"I'm thankful to Congresswoman Bonamici for her tremendous support of our Downtown Loop Project,\" said Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty. \u201cThese active transportation investments will improve mobility and access for the Central Beaverton neighborhood, an area that has been historically disenfranchised and directly impacted by redlining. Guided by extensive community input, our Downtown Equity Strategy, and our Climate Action Plan, these improvements will emphasize safety for all while proactively addressing harmful historical practices. Beaverton is deeply grateful to Congresswoman Bonamici for making this investment in our community.\u201d\n\n\"Oregon has some of the highest rates in the country for drug addiction and negative mental health outcomes,\u201d said Stacy Chamberlain, Chair of United We Heal Training Trust. \u201cThese funds will help rebuild the workforce with a focus on innovative apprenticeship programs built upon collaboration between employers and workers. A stable workforce is the only way to improve client care and make Oregon a healthier place for all. Thank you to Rep. Bonamici for her work bringing creative solutions to our addiction crisis.\"\n\nThe Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2023 also included Bonamici\u2019s Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act, which will establish an Office of the Retirement Savings Lost and Found to help workers who move between jobs track, consolidate, and grow their retirement savings accounts. It also includes a portion of Bonamici\u2019s Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act to establish a permanent, nationwide Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program that expands access to school meals during summer breaks.\n\nThe package increased funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) by 30 percent, following a request led by Bonamici to use appropriations to address the nation\u2019s child care crisis. It also includes the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, legislation Bonamici has long championed to provide pregnant workers with reasonable accommodations on the job without facing discrimination or retaliation in the workplace.\n\nBonamici\u2019s full statement for the record on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1317", "Carbajal: Final Bipartisan Defense Policy Bill Includes Key Support for Central Coast Military Families, Vandenberg SFB", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Salud O. Carbajal", "C001112", "carbajal.house.gov", "carbajal", "https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "President Biden signed measure crafted with help of Carbajal to raise pay and housing allowances for servicemembers, expand research partnerships with local universities, extend support for FireGuard program\n\nToday, Congressman Salud Carbajal shared that the final version of the Fiscal Year 2023 defense policy bill, which passed the House of Representatives earlier this month and was signed into law by President Biden today, includes important support for the Central Coast\u2019s military families and numerous provisions that he pushed to include in the new law.\n\nThe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23 NDAA) includes multiple provisions championed by Congressman Carbajal in his role on the House Armed Services Committee that will support operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base, promote the welfare of U.S. servicemembers and military families, and invest in research partnerships with Central Coast colleges and universities.\n\n\u201cOver my past three terms in Congress, I\u2019ve had the privilege to work every year with my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee to craft bipartisan legislation that invests in keeping Americans safe today and in the future; and that is what we have done again this year,\u201d said Rep. Carbajal. \u201cI\u2019m proud that this bill also reflects the values and priorities of the Central Coast, its communities, and its servicemembers. It supports our cornerstone installation, Vandenberg Space Force Base, and the military families that call our area home\u2013as well as the research institutions that are innovating to keep the United States on the cutting edge and protecting its interests around the globe.\u201d\n\nIn addition, the new law includes standalone measures previously co-authored by Rep. Carbajal to support and reauthorize Coast Guard operations, expand health benefits for federal firefighters, and update maritime liability laws in the wake of the Conception boat fire.\n\nThe following provision are included in the 2023 NDAA:\n\nSupport for Vandenberg Space Force Base Operations and Future Endeavors on the Central Coast\n\nLanguage supporting the \u2018Range of the Future\u2019 initiative at Vandenberg, which will expand commercial space launch opportunities and provide economic benefits to the region, expressing Congress\u2019 support for the need to build on the report secured by Carbajal\u2019s efforts in last year\u2019s NDAA.\n\nRep. Carbajal also commissioned a study to ensure that military airspace routes can interact safely with on and offshore wind installations, including the future sites off Morro Bay sold at auction earlier this month.\n\nPromoting the Welfare of Servicemembers and Central Coast Military Families\n\nThe FY23 NDAA supports a historic $4.6% pay raise for U.S. servicemembers.\n\nAdds funds for the DoD to increase service member housing allowance by 2% and requires a report on a more transparent, fair, and flexible way to calculate the basic allowance for housing.\n\nIncreases funds for the commissaries to help offset higher prices.\n\nEstablishes a five-year pilot program to reimburse members of the Armed Forces for certain childcare costs incident to a permanent change of station or assignment; and authorizes childcare fee reductions for children of military child development center employees\n\nRequires independent trained investigators outside of the immediate chain of command to investigate claims of sexual harassment, and places sexual harassment and other offenses under the jurisdiction of the Special Trial\n\nRequires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General, in coordination with the Department of Defense, to report on procedures being followed to assist veterans in obtaining or reconstructing service and medical records that were damaged or destroyed in the July 1973 fire at the National Records Processing Center.\n\nThis report builds on Carbajal\u2019s efforts to support veterans whose records were lost in the fire.\n\nEnhances Wildfire Safety\n\nExtends the National Guard support for the FireGuard program until 2029.\n\nThe FireGuard program utilizes Department of Defense resources to help local jurisdictions detect and monitor wildfires. Rep. Carbajal successfully fought to provide a long term authorization of the program in 2021. Previously, the program had to be reauthorized on a yearly basis.\n\nLanguage to allow the Department of Defense to transfer aircraft to other departments for the purposes of aiding search and rescue operations or emergency operations related to wildfires\n\nSupport for Partnerships with Local Universities\n\nUCSB: Rep. Carbajal secured increased funding for research programs that are conducted in partnership with U.C. Santa Barbara and other universities: an additional $4 million for biotechnology research, and a $9 million increase for cold and complex environment-sensing research.\n\nCal Poly SLO: Carbajal also supported a $10 million increase for aerospace engineering research, which is done in partnership with Air Force Research Lab and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.\n\nOther Measures Included in FY23 NDAA\n\nThe defense policy package signed by President Biden today also includes the following bills co-authored by Rep. Carbajal:\n\nThe Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022, crafted in part by Rep. Carbajal in his role as Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee\n\nThe Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, which ensures federal firefighters receive the same access to job-related disability and retirement benefits as state, county, and municipal firefighters.\n\nThe Small Passenger Vessel Liability Fairness Act, which updates maritime liability laws to help victims of boating disasters, a reform inspired by the 2019 Conception boat fire.\n\nThe FY23 NDAA also:\n\nAuthorizes $800 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides support and assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces\n\nAuthorizes the Secretary of Defense to establish a voluntary pilot program to promote the safe storage of personally owned firearms\n\nRequires transition of non-tactical vehicle fleets at the Department of Defense to electric or zero-emission vehicles by 2035\n\nAdditional details and a summary of all the provisions included in the FY23 NDAA can be found here.\n\nRelated News\n\nCarbajal, Bacon Reintroduce Bill to Expand Benefits for Veteran Survivors of Sexual Assault\n\nMarch 18, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nCarbajal to Support Bill to Rein in Trump\u2019s Military Powers\n\nMarch 4, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nCarbajal Statement on Trump Administration Strikes in Iran\n\nFebruary 28, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nCarbajal Raises Environmental and Community Concerns Over Vandenberg\u2019s Proposed Super Heavy Launch Pad\n\nJanuary 13, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nCarbajal Co-Leads Bill to Protect Military Families from Deportation\n\nJanuary 8, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1318", "Biden Signs Carbajal\u2019s Maritime Liability Reforms Inspired by Conception Boat Fire", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Salud O. Carbajal", "C001112", "carbajal.house.gov", "carbajal", "https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, President Joe Biden signed legislation that includes a measure authored and championed by Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) that updates maritime liability laws to help victims of boating disasters, a reform inspired by the 2019 Conception boat fire.\n\nThe Small Passenger Vessel Liability Fairness Act, first proposed by Carbajal and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), changes an 1851 law that can prevent maritime accident victims and their families from receiving compensation from those responsible for the accident.\n\nThe new law signed today requires owners of small passenger vessels to be held legally responsible for damages in future boating accidents and incidents, regardless of the value of the boat. The period of time during which victims can file a claim is also increased from 6 months to 2 years.\n\n\u201cAs Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, I\u2019m proud to see important reforms that I\u2019ve fought for signed by President Biden today \u2013 including long-overdue updates to maritime liability laws that have denied victims\u2019 families compensation for wrongful deaths at sea,\u201d said Congressman Carbajal. \u201cThis is an important change, inspired by the families of the 34 precious lives lost on the Conception in 2019, that will ensure families of future maritime disasters do not face the same antiquated laws when seeking the support they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe originally drafted language to update maritime liability rules in the wake of the Conception boat fire because current law is fundamentally unfair to victims of maritime tragedies,\u201d Senator Feinstein said. \u201cBasing current maritime liability rules on a law written in 1851 is ridiculous. Owners of small passenger vessels who are found to be legally responsible for damages should be required to make those payments, and that\u2019s what our bill does.\u201d\n\nThe measure was included in the final Fiscal Year 2023 defense policy bill, which passed the House and Senate in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote over the past few weeks.\n\nDue to changes made to the bill prior to initial passage out of the House in March, the new law only applies to future liability claims.\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, in the course of bipartisan negotiations earlier this year on our bill, there were some that felt that making this change retroactive for all past maritime accidents, as I had proposed, would go too far,\u201d said Rep. Carbajal. \u201cAs I have made clear since March, I completely disagree with that line of thinking, especially when it comes to getting justice for victim\u2019s families\u2014but I believe fixing our laws for the future will be the best case for proving them wrong. I am actively exploring the pathway to building on today\u2019s success by enabling restitution for the families of Conception victims that I have worked with and gotten to know over the past three years.\u201d\n\nBackground on the Small Passenger Vessel Liability Fairness Act:\n\nThe Limitation of Liability Act of 1851 stipulates that the owner of a vessel may not be held financially liable for any losses incurred as a result of the fire \u2013 including loss of life \u2013 because the boat had no value after it was destroyed.\n\nThis meant that the families of the 34 persons killed in the 2019 Conception boat fire could not seek damages from the boat owner in the aftermath of the incident.\n\nIn September 2021, Carbajal and Feinstein introduced the Small Passenger Vessel Liability Fairness Act to reform the 1851 law. The measure was drafted in consultation with the Coast Guard and the Justice Department and with the support of Representative Julia Brownley (D-CA) from Ventura County.\n\n\u201cWe must ensure passengers and their families can recover just compensation for wrongful deaths and injuries that result from vessel owner negligence. I appreciate the good work that Senator Feinstein and Congressman Carbajal have done to advance the Small Passenger Vessel Liability Fairness Act, and I am so pleased to see this important legislation signed into law by President Biden,\u201d said Congresswoman Brownley.\n\nAdditional Background:\n\nToday\u2019s liability reform measure is the second new law championed by Carbajal, Feinstein, and Brownley in the aftermath of the Conception boat fire.\n\nIn the months following the fire, the lawmakers introduced the Small Passenger Vessel Safety Act to raise the safety standards on vessels similar to the Conception.\n\nThis bill became law in January 2021.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1319", "Carbajal\u2019s Federal Firefighter Fairness Act Signed into Law", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Salud O. Carbajal", "C001112", "carbajal.house.gov", "carbajal", "https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, President Joe Biden signed into law a measure authored by Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) to improve disability and retirement benefits for federal firefighters by ensuring they receive the same access to job-related disability and retirement benefits as state, county, and municipal firefighters.\n\n\u201cFederal firefighters have been on the front lines in California fighting wildfires as we experience longer and more extreme fire seasons, but their threshold to prove work-related illness is much higher than their state or local counterparts here in California and around the nation,\u201d said Congressman Carbajal. \u201cThat\u2019s why I have worked for years to get this bipartisan commonsense bill to improve federal firefighters\u2019 health and retirement benefits across the finish line. I\u2019m proud today, after five years sponsoring and advocating for this bill, to see it signed into law by President Biden.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful to my House and Senate colleagues who saw the importance of this bill and who helped me in pushing it through, including Speaker Pelosi, Leader Hoyer, Chairman Adam Smith and Chairman Bobby Scott, Congressman Bill Johnson, my original co-leads Chairman Takano and Congressmen Bacon and Fitzpatrick, and the champions of our Senate companion bill Chairman Tom Carper and Senator Susan Collins.\u201d\n\nThe Federal Firefighters Fairness Act creates the presumption that federal firefighters who become disabled by serious diseases, including heart disease, lung disease, certain cancers, and other infectious diseases, contracted the illness on the job.\n\nFederal firefighters do not have the presumption that many local firefighters have \u2013 and are forced to identify specific exposures that may have caused their illness. This burden of proof makes it extraordinarily difficult for federal firefighters to qualify for workers comp and disability benefits related to their work.\n\nThe International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) estimates this measure would improve benefits for more than 10,000 firefighters across the U.S.\n\n\"Cancer is the number one killer of fire fighters and eliminating this threat is the IAFF's highest priority. Our sisters and brothers employed by the federal government face the same dangers and exposures as all our members, but they have long been denied their hard-earned worker's compensation benefits. The IAFF applauds Senators Tom Carper and Susan Collins and Representatives Salud Carbajal and Don Bacon for leading the fight to make sure federal fire fighters can keep their health insurance, salary, and other benefits so that they can focus on their treatments and recovery from cancer,\" said IAFF General President Edward A. Kelly. \"Supporting our brother and sister fire fighters in their battles against cancer goes right to the core of what we do as a union and what our nation owes to fire fighters. Thank you to all elected leaders who have corrected this long-standing disparity and we appreciate the shared commitment to protecting those who protect others.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe applaud Representative Salud Carbajal and Senator Tom Carper for the inclusion of the Federal Firefighter Fairness Act in the NDAA,\u201d said Everett Kelley, National President to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). \u201cThis bill will help federal firefighters\u2019 access to health and safety benefits in the workplace. Specifically, this bill creates an automatic presumption of disability for federal firefighters who develop heart disease or certain forms of cancer so that they can qualify for workers\u2019 compensation.\u201d\n\n\"For decades, occupational illnesses have been medically and scientifically proven to occur at exceptionally higher frequencies among all firefighters across our nation. This 24 year battle was long overdue for our federal firefighters who serve on our federal installations as well as the frontlines of wildland fires. This law will not only positively affect our firefighters, but also their families at home,\u201d said Charlie Martinez, Vice President of the California Professional Firefighter's Fifth District, which represents the federal firefighters in California including Vandenberg Space Force Base, IAFF Local F-116. \u201cI cannot begin to describe the many lives that will be affected by this! All federal firefighters owe a huge thank you to Congress for recognizing and passing this legislation.\"\n\nThe Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2021 was introduced by Carbajal and Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE), Mark Takano (D-CA), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) in April 2021.\n\nThe measure, which Carbajal has sponsored since his first year in Congress, first passed the House in May 2022, and again as a part of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act.\n\nSenators Tom Carper (D-DE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are the lead sponsors of a bipartisan companion bill in the U.S. Senate.\n\nBackground on the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act:\n\nFederal firefighters are regularly exposed to injury, disease and stress while protecting our national interests at military installations, nuclear facilities, VA hospitals, and other federal facilities. Numerous studies have found heart disease, lung disease, certain cancers, and other infectious diseases to be occupational hazards of firefighting.\n\nIn order to receive disability benefits under current federal law, federal firefighters are required to pinpoint the precise incident or exposure that caused a disease for it to be considered job-related. This burden of proof is extraordinarily difficult for firefighters to meet because they work in such a wide variety of environments and conditions.\n\nCalifornia was the first state to pass a firefighter\u2019s presumptive illness law in 1982. In 2019, Montana and Florida passed the same law making it 48 out of 50 states with health presumption laws for state and local firefighters. These laws do not cover federal firefighters.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1321", "Carbajal Delivers Nearly $16,700,000 for Santa Barbara County Community Projects", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Salud O. Carbajal", "C001112", "carbajal.house.gov", "carbajal", "https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Salud Carbajal announced that $16,651,540 in direct federal funding for community projects that benefit residents of Santa Barbara County is set to become law after passing both chamber of Congress this week.\n\nRep. Carbajal has been advocating for these federal funds since April 2022, and helped ensure they were included in the omnibus spending package crafted over the past six months and sent to President Biden\u2019s desk by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier today.\n\nThe funds secured by Carbajal will help fund expand U.S. Highway 101 carpool lanes, support upgrades to public spaces in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, and Santa Maria.\n\n\u201cAs the Central Coast\u2019s Representative, my first and foremost responsibility is to deliver real results for our communities and its residents \u2013 and today I\u2019m proud to do that again by delivering nearly $17 million for Santa Barbara County to support projects that will improve our quality of life,\u201d said Rep. Carbajal. \u201cWith these funds, we will be able to make critical upgrades that will reduce traffic, renovate public spaces, and improve access to food and clean water across the Central Coast.\u201d\n\nRep. Salud Carbajal specifically requested and pushed for funding for these and other Central Coast projects through the House Appropriations Committee.\n\nIn total, Rep. Carbajal secured $22,466,540 for 14 projects across all three counties that he represents in Congress.\n\nThe full list of projects secured for Santa Barbara County can be found below:\n\n$7,000,000 to support construction of one of the two remaining sections of carpool lane expansion on U.S. Highway 101 between Santa Barbara and Ventura. Once completed, these carpool sections will complete 30 continuous miles of three-lane traffic between Ventura and Goleta.\n\nConstruction of the remaining HOV lane sections is expected to begin in March 2023 and be completed by summer 2026.\n\n\u201cWe are incredibly grateful to Congressman Carbajal for including $7 million of federal funds for the Highway 101: Montecito project in the congressional budget process,\" said Marjie Kirn, executive director of Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). \"This much-needed funding is essential for the high-priority regional project. With these funds, we can look forward to seeing the reinvestment of tax-payer dollars go to safety and congestion relief that will have a significant positive impact on the economy, interregional bus service efficiencies and quality of life for countless residents and visitors alike across our community.\"\n\n$2,000,000 to help fund the acquisition and retrofit of a new building to serve as an upgrade location for the Orcutt Branch Library in Orcutt.\n\nUnlike most library facilities in Santa Barbara County which are owned outright, the Orcutt branch is reliant on a leased facility, and the current space is no longer adequate to serve the growing community.\n\n\u201cFunding for a permanent library and community center will greatly benefit the residents in and around Orcutt,\u201d Santa Barbara County Supervisor Bob Nelson said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a pleasure working with Congressman Carbajal throughout this process, and thanks to his advocacy, coupled with the work of library staff, supporters and residents, the largest unincorporated area in the County has made major strides in establishing an educational and constructive home for our families and youth.\u201d\n\n$1,500,000 to fund part of the total costs of the full-scale renovation of Dwight Murphy Field in Santa Barbara, including a brand new 36,000 square-foot playground.\n\nCosts of the project, for which construction is expected to begin as early as summer 2023, are shared by the City of Santa Barbara, the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, and private donors.\n\n\u201cThe City of Santa Barbara is tremendously grateful for Congressman Carbajal\u2019s support for the revitalization of Dwight Murphy Field. The new amenities, including the multi-sport field, youth baseball and community green space, outdoor fitness gym, and inclusive playground, will bring vital upgrades to serve youth sports, recreation enthusiasts, neighborhood residents, and families from all over Santa Barbara. Gwendolyn\u2019s playground, Santa Barbara\u2019s first inclusive play space, will ensure that all children, regardless of ability, will be able to play together,\u201d said Parks and Recreation Director Jill Zachary.\n\n$1,500,000 to support the retrofitting of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County\u2019s new south county warehouse in Goleta. Once completed, the warehouse will have the capacity to store more than 750,000 pounds of food. Retrofit construction on the facility is estimated to be completed in June 2023.\n\n\u201cThe Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, our staff, Trustees, supporters and volunteers are thrilled with this vital grant that will allow us to complete key elements of our new Sharehouse \u2013 comprising both a warehouse and an education center, which will allow us to bring significantly increased amounts of food and food literacy education across the whole of SB County,\u201d Foodbank of Santa Barbara County CEO Erik Talkin shared. \u201cThanks so much to Representative Carbajal and his staff to working tirelessly to make this happen.\u201d\n\n$1,384,040 to help Santa Barbara County stabilize roughly 975 feet of railing roadway on San Marcos Road, a key fire suppression and emergency access road during closures of State Route 154. Funding will also help restore embankments and shoulders that are prone to landslides and other roadway failures.\n\n\u201cThe County greatly appreciates Representative Carbajal\u2019s leadership on this project, which will protect a vital transportation link between the Eastern Goleta Valley and State Route 154 and the Santa Ynez Valley beyond,\u201d said Scott D. McGolpin, Director of the County of Santa Barbara Public Works Department. \u201cOver the last twenty year,this roadway and slopes adjacent have been severely impacted by several storm-related disasters. These much needed roadway improvements will not only protect access for those who use the road during detours of State Route 154, but also for the people who live in the area and rely on a safe roadway everyday.\u201d\n\n$1,267,500 to fund renovations and upgrades for the City of Lompoc\u2019s Pioneer Park, including the construction of a new playground and baseball fields.\n\nFederal funds secured by Carbajal would cover roughly a third of the expected cost, with additional funds provided by the City of Lompoc and Community Development Block Grants.\n\n\u201cI want to thank Congressman Carbajal for investing in Lompoc with this funding for Pioneer Park,\u201d said Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne. \u201cHis support will make it possible for the City of Lompoc to move forward on a park long overdue for improvements. This park is located near a large number of apartment complexes, so it is the outdoor space used for a variety of purposes, from weekend barbecues to baseball games and birthday parties. Partnerships such as this with our federal officials make a real difference locally.\u201d\n\n$1,000,000 to support construction and equipment needs of Marian Regional Medical Center\u2019s Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) Residency Program Clinic in Santa Maria.\n\nThe funds approved today cover part of the costs associated with the construction of a new 8,700 square-foot clinic for the OB-GYN clinic.\n\n\"Marian Regional Medical Center is tremendously grateful to Congressman Carbajal for prioritizing the health of the Santa Maria community and for advocating to secure funding for the hospital's much-needed OB/GYN Residency Program Clinic,\" said Sue Andersen, President & CEO of Marian Regional Medical Center. \"Marian's OB/GYN Residency Program has flourished over the past four years and the hospital is now at a crucial point where there is the need to expand and open a standalone OB/GYN Residency Program Clinic. This will allow Marian to expand its prenatal and postpartum care for the community's underserved and medically-vulnerable OB/GYN patients.\"\n\n$500,000 to support the construction of the Santa Maria Japanese Community Center to honor the original Japanese settlers to the Santa Maria valley.\n\nThe 10,000 square foot facility would feature memorabilia documenting the lives of the Issei first generation immigrants, part of the 7-acre Smith-Enos History Farm House project supported by the City of Santa Maria and local community groups.\n\n\u201cWe are excited about this additional funding for the future community center, which builds upon the $350,000 donation from the Santa Maria Japanese Community Center, and other funding. The structure and grounds will serve as a gathering spot for all cultures within our community, and honor the Issei generation and its contributions to the agricultural industry in the Santa Maria Valley,\u201d Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino said.\n\n$500,000 to help water districts reliant on Lake Cachuma to respond to record drought by supporting an emergency pumping facility project that is needed to allow Lake Cachuma\u2019s water to continue supporting its surrounding regions.\n\nLake Cachuma provides more than 70% of the water supply to 200,000 residents of Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Carpinteria, but record low levels in the reservoir make normal gravity-feed methods of extracting water difficult.\n\n\u201cOn behalf of the Member Agencies of COMB and the COMB Board of Directors, an expression of sincere appreciation is extended to Congressman Carbajal for his efforts in securing community project funding for a vital project that will provide water to more than 200,000 people on the South Coast of Santa Barbara County. This lifeline infrastructure project is critically needed during unprecedented drought conditions and will serve to sustain health and safety in our community,\u201d said Janet Gingras, General Manager of the Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board.\n\nAdditional Background\n\nThe full list of projects secured by Carbajal for Fiscal Year 2023, as well as more information on the rules governing what projects could be requested, can be found here.\n\nThis is the second year that Rep. Carbajal and his colleagues have been permitted to request specific Community Project Funding (CPF). In Fiscal Year 2022, Rep. Carbajal delivered nearly $18 million for nine community projects on the Central Coast.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1322", "Carbajal Delivers Over $4,000,000 in Funding for SLO County Projects", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Salud O. Carbajal", "C001112", "carbajal.house.gov", "carbajal", "https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Salud Carbajal announced that over $4,000,000 in direct federal funding for community projects that benefit residents of San Luis Obispo County is set to become law after passing both chamber of Congress this week.\n\nRep. Carbajal has been advocating for these federal funds since April 2022, and helped ensure they were included in the omnibus spending package crafted over the past six months and sent to President Biden\u2019s desk by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier today.\n\nsults for our communities and its residents \u2013 and today I\u2019m proud to do that again by delivering more than $4 million for San Luis Obispo County to support projects that will improve our quality of life,\u201d said Rep. Carbajal. \u201cWith these funds, we will be able to make critical upgrades to our roads and highways, bridges and piers to keep commerce and people moving smoothly throughout our region.\u201d\n\nRep. Salud Carbajal specifically requested and pushed for funding for these and other Central Coast projects through the House Appropriations Committee.\n\nIn total, Rep. Carbajal secured $22,466,540 for 14 projects across all three counties that he represents in Congress.\n\nThe full list of projects secured for San Luis Obispo County can be found below:\n\n$2,065,000 to help fund the Prado Road Bridge Replacement project in the City of San Luis Obispo, which includes improvements and modifications to the adjacent intersection of Prado Road/South Higuera Street to provide additional capacity to serve existing and future traffic demands.\n\nThe planned replacement would not only widen the bridge, but also add bike lanes and lighting to improve pedestrian and public safety.\n\n\u201cWe greatly appreciate Rep. Carbajal\u2019s work to secure funding for the Prado Bridge replacement project in the recently passed budget. Replacing this 70-year-old bridge with a structurally sound bridge that includes bike lanes, improved lighting, and pedestrian walkways will make the intersection safer and prepare the intersection for the future Prado Road overpass,\u201d said San Luis Obispo Mayor Erica Stewart.\n\n$500,000 for the rehabilitation and retrofit of the Swinging Bridge in Arroyo Grande, which connects residential neighborhoods with the downtown commercial district known as The Village.\n\n\u201cThe City of Arroyo Grande and I sincerely thank Congressman Carbajal for his support in securing funding for the Swinging Bridge Project. Through the Congressman\u2019s efforts, $500,000 was recommended by the Appropriations Committee through the Fiscal Year 2023 Community Project Funding program. This funding will enable the City to rehabilitate its Swinging Bridge, restoring an iconic bridge that provides a vital asset and benefit to the community of Arroyo Grande and the State of California,\u201d said Arroyo Grande Caren Ray Russom.\n\n$1,500,000 to make key replacements and upgrades to Morro Bay\u2019s North T-Pier, which is utilized for Morro Bay\u2019s commercial fishing industry, Coast Guard operations, recreational tourism, and residential communities.\n\nUpgrades are essential to improve the safety of the pier, as it will also serve as the primary hub for operations of any offshore wind infrastructure constructed off the Morro Bay coast.\n\n\u201cThe T-Pier project will ensure safety in and around Morro Bay harbor for our fishing industry, our citizens, and our visitors,\u201d said Morro Bay Mayor Carla Wixom. \u201cThe project will enhance the local and regional economic benefits provided by the T-Pier and harbor. Congressman Carbajal is a strong advocate for our City, and we appreciate his work with his colleagues in Congress to secure funding for the T-Pier \u2013 critically important infrastructure serving our national interests.\u201d\n\nAdditional Background\n\nThe full list of projects secured by Carbajal for Fiscal Year 2023, as well as more information on the rules governing what projects could be requested, can be found here.\n\nThis is the second year that Rep. Carbajal and his colleagues have been permitted to request specific Community Project Funding (CPF). In Fiscal Year 2022, Rep. Carbajal delivered nearly $18 million for nine community projects on the Central Coast.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1323", "Carbajal Delivers Nearly $9,000,000 for Ventura Community Projects", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Salud O. Carbajal", "C001112", "carbajal.house.gov", "carbajal", "https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Salud Carbajal announced that nearly $9,000,000 in direct federal funding for community projects that benefit residents of Ventura County is set to become law after passing both chamber of Congress this week.\n\nRep. Carbajal has been advocating for these federal funds since April 2022, and helped ensure they were included in the omnibus spending package crafted over the past six months and sent to President Biden\u2019s desk by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier today.\n\nThe funds secured by Carbajal will help expand U.S. Highway 101 between Ventura and Santa Barbara, add air conditioning to E.P. Foster Library, and construct a safe beach access for Mondo\u2019s Cove.\n\n\u201cAs the Central Coast\u2019s Representative, my first and foremost responsibility is to deliver real results for our communities and its residents \u2013 and today I\u2019m proud to do that again by delivering nearly $9 million to support projects that will improve our quality of life in Ventura County,\u201d said Rep. Carbajal. \u201cWith these funds, we will be able to make critical upgrades that will reduce traffic, upgrade our public spaces, and make Ventura County an even better place to call home.\u201d\n\nRep. Salud Carbajal specifically requested and pushed for funding for these and other Central Coast projects through the House Appropriations Committee.\n\nIn total, Rep. Carbajal secured $22,466,540 for 14 projects across all three counties that he represents in Congress.\n\nThe full list of projects secured for Ventura County can be found below:\n\n$1,000,000 to cover the costs of designing and installing concrete and metal access stairwells to create a safe beach access at Mondo\u2019s Cove, a popular beach for families and residents of all ages from across Ventura County.\n\nOnce permitted, the construction of this beach access is estimated by the County of Ventura to take between five to seven months.\n\n\u201cI am grateful for Representative Carbajal\u2019s continued support of the Mondo\u2019s Beach Project,\u201d said Matt LaVere, Ventura County Supervisor for District 1. \u201cThis project will address a long-standing need for a stairway that will allow community members and visitors to safely access this popular beach. This destination has been a favorite for families and children across the County.\u201d\n\n$750,000 to help fund installation of air conditioning at E.P. Foster Library in downtown Ventura. Funds will help cover the costs of design, permitting, equipment and labor for the much-needed addition to the 60 year-old library that only has heat and ventilation systems.\n\nOnce completed, the City of Ventura plans to utilize E.P. Foster as a cooling center for older Ventura residents during heat events.\n\n\u201cThe City of Ventura is thankful for Congressman Salud Carbajal\u2019s leadership in securing federal funding for a much-needed air conditioning system at the E.P. Foster Library. This library opened in 1921 at its present location and is in the heart of our historic downtown region,\u201d said Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder. \u201cThe library provides vital educational resources and programming to our children, seniors, veterans, students, and families. This funding will allow us to make upgrades to the facility so that it can also be used as a cooling center during high-temperature events.\u201d\n\n$7,000,000 to support construction of one of the two remaining sections of carpool lane expansion on U.S. Highway 101 between Santa Barbara and Ventura. Once completed, these carpool sections will complete 30 continuous miles of three-lane traffic between Ventura and Goleta.\n\n\u201cWe are incredibly grateful to Congressman Carbajal for including $7 million of federal funds for the Highway 101: Montecito project in the congressional budget process,\" said Marjie Kirn, executive director of Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). \"This much-needed funding is essential for the high-priority regional project. With these funds, we can look forward to seeing the reinvestment of tax-payer dollars go to safety and congestion relief that will have a significant positive impact on the economy, interregional bus service efficiencies and quality of life for countless residents and visitors alike across our community.\"\n\nAdditional Background\n\nThe full list of projects secured by Carbajal for Fiscal Year 2023, as well as more information on the rules governing what projects could be requested, can be found here.\n\nThis is the second year that Rep. Carbajal and his colleagues have been permitted to request specific Community Project Funding (CPF). In Fiscal Year 2022, Rep. Carbajal delivered nearly $18 million for nine community projects on the Central Coast.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-carson-secures-big-wins-indianapolis-omnibus-package", "Rep. Carson Secures Big Wins for Indianapolis in Omnibus Package", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "IN", "Andr\u00e9 Carson", "C001072", "carson.house.gov", "carson", "https://carson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 23, 2022\n\nPackage includes $18 million for local projects and $2.5 billion increase to National Institutes of Health\n\nWASHINGTON, DC\u2014Today, Representative Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07) voted to pass the FY\u201923 Omnibus Appropriations bill, that includes approximately $2.7 billion in Carson-led funding.\n\nThis government-wide funding bill will keep critical services and operations running through the next fiscal year. The package will now head to President Biden for signature.\n\n\u201cAs millions prepare to celebrate the holidays, Congress has been working to ensure critical services remain open through next year,\u201d said Rep. Carson. \u201cI\u2019m proud that several initiatives I led are included in the final package. These appropriations reflect the goals and priorities of my constituents, especially for hardworking, middle-class families who deserve to know their government is looking out for them.\u201d\n\nHighlights include NIH research funds to find cures and treatment for many illnesses; local funding for community-led projects that impact youth and vulnerable populations; protection against natural disasters; and financial literacy education. A breakdown of this funding is listed below.\n\n$18.3 million in local community projects in Indianapolis. Fifteen projects requested from local groups will be funded in total. A full list of the Indianapolis projects can be found here. Projects include:\n\nAfterschool programming\n\nSupport to children and families affected by substance misuse\n\nInvestments in parks\n\nJob training for youth and adults\n\nInfrastructure improvements from the airport to Market Street reconstruction\n\nA $2.5 billion increase to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including research to find cures and treatments for diseases that affect millions of Americans. This bipartisan effort led by Rep. Carson brings the total NIH budget to $47.459 billion. This funding will help spur economic growth, create jobs, and support lower healthcare costs.\n\n$15 million in funding for Pancreatic Cancer Research led by Rep. Carson. Pancreatic Cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, disproportionately affecting Black Americans. This funding is imperative for finding innovative ways for early detection.\n\n$1,500,000 per state for Pre-Disaster Mitigation projects administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) programs to save lives by preventing and mitigating damage from natural disasters and the impacts of climate change. Estimates show that for every $1 invested in these kinds of programs, $11 are saved in post-disaster and related costs.\n\nThe inclusion of financial literacy education for at-risk groups. Rep. Carson led the inclusion of language to ensure Department of Education initiatives will address the low level of financial literacy among the adults, plus primary and secondary students in the U.S. The ultimate goal is to educate and empower consumers to make better-informed financial decisions.\n\n$150,000 for the historic establishment of an interfaith space in the U.S. House, led by Rep. Carson. Space has been available for Members of Congress, but not for staff and House employees, so he worked to create a space for prayer and meditation in House for staff of all faiths.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1020", "Case Secures More Than $94 Million For Local Community Projects In Final Federal Funding Package", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Ed Case", "C001055", "case.house.gov", "case", "https://case.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27&Page=16", "scraper", "(Washington, DC) \u2013 U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), completing his fourth year as a member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, announced today that the final $1.7 trillion Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 omnibus federal funding package approved by Congress and expected to be signed by the President includes billions in assistance for Hawai\u2018i, of which $94,382,465 is directed to his fourteen Community Project Funding (CPF) requests.\n\n\u201cMembers of Congress on both sides of the aisle worked together to avoid a government shutdown and fund programs critical to our country, our communities and our families,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cFor our Hawai\u2018i, I especially worked to include an additional $1 billion of funding, over and above the $1.1 billion we secured for Fiscal Year 2022, to ensure the continued remediation and closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Facility and to address the health concerns related to the water contamination crisis,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cTo address affordable housing for our residents, I was also able to secure funds to assist with a wide range of housing needs, which have worsened for our workforce, k\u016bpuna and veterans.\n\n\u201cI was also able to provide millions for worthy local community projects that would have difficulty being completed if not for specific and direct funding from Congress.\u201d\n\nCase\u2019s CPF projects are listed below:\n\n$4.8 million to the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services to develop a 30-mile active transit corridor connecting East to West O\u2018ahu. (Schatz and Case joint request)\n\n$500,000 to the Institute for Human Services for the Village of Redemption project to support housing for formerly incarcerated individuals.\n\n$1 million for the Clean Energy Wayfinders Program that fosters engagement in local clean energy and energy efficiency policy, programs and projects and in training and deploying the next generation of energy workers in the state.\n\n$2 million for the Honolulu Fire Department to harder fire station doors. (Schatz and Case joint request)\n\n$1.8 million for the Hawai\u2018i Public Health Institute to develop and train navigators to support k\u016bpuna and family caregivers.\n\n$1.7 million for the King Lunalilo Trust and Home to replace and reinforce its leaking roof.\n\n$1.8 million for the Kula No Na Po\u2018e Hawai\u2018i to provide students with academic support and wraparound services.\n\n$250,000 to the Bishop Museum to relocate and preserve its world class ichthyology collection.\n\n$1.7 million for the Hawai\u2018i State Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct forest protection and aquifer recovery activities for the Pearl Harbor watershed.\n\n$1 million for the University of Hawaii\u2019s Office of Strategic Health Initiatives for an indigenous data science hub. (Schatz, Hirono, and Case joint request)\n\n$6.5 million for the University of Hawaii\u2019s Office of Strategic Health Initiatives to fund the construction of an early phase clinical trial unit. (Schatz, Hirono, and Case joint request)\n\n$270,000 for the YMCA of Honolulu to support wellness and mental health services for children and youth.\n\n$38 million to upgrade the Army Medical Center\u2019s failing water system. (Schatz, Hirono, and Case joint request)\n\n$33 million to update Fort Shafter\u2019s failing water system. (Schatz, Hirono, and Case joint request)\n\n\u201cIn preparing my own CPF requests, I consulted with Hawai\u2018i state and county governments and non-profits, applied my own knowledge and beliefs as to district needs, considered whether a project could obtain federal funding through other means, and made some difficult decisions given my limited number of CPF requests.\u201d\n\nThe House\u2019s CPF rules require that each project must have demonstrated community support, must be fully disclosed by the requesting Member, and is subject to audit by the independent Government Accountability Office. Case\u2019s disclosures are here: https://case.house.gov/media/funding-disclosures.htm.\n\nThe FY 2023 omnibus federal funding package includes $858 billion in defense spending, a $76 billion increase over the FY 2022 funding level, as well as $773 billion in non-defense funding, a $43 billion increase over the last fiscal year.\n\nProvisions of special interest to Hawai\u2018i and for which Case also advocated throughout the yearlong FY 2023 appropriations process include:\n\n$46 million for the Native Hawaiian Education Program, a $7 million increase from the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n$36 million for the Agricultural Quarantine Inspections Program to combat invasive species in Hawai\u2018i.\n\n$1.1 billion of military construction projects throughout the state, which will benefit not just the national defense but local businesses. This is almost double the amount requested by the President.\n\n$22 million for the East-West Center, placing the Center on a solid and sustainable foundation from which to build further.\n\n$1.2 billion for the Small Business Administration (SBA), an increase of $188 million above the FY 2022 funding level.\n\n$19 million for the National Trails System, which will benefit the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail.\n\n$2.7 billion for homeless assistance programs for our nation\u2019s veterans, an increase of $531 million above the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n$25 million to support facilities like the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on the Island of Maui, the world\u2019s most advanced solar observatory.\n\nSupport for various elements of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI), which bolsters deterrence and maintains our competitive edge in the Indo-Pacific in recognition of threats posed by China and the need to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.\n\nThe omnibus further includes Case\u2019s proposal to advance creation of Hawaii\u2019s first national forest. It directs the federal government to pursue a formal process led by the U.S. Forest Service of engaging with state and community stakeholders toward identification of the most suitable Hawai\u2018i forests for inclusion as a national forest.\n\n\u201cThe bill will move us toward finally correcting a longstanding omission by adding the best of Hawaii\u2019s unique and endangered forests to our country\u2019s invaluable National Forest System,\u201d said Case.\n\nThe bill also includes $45 billion in emergency funding to support the Ukrainian people and our North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies in their effort to defend global democracy in the wake of Russia\u2019s unprovoked war on Ukraine. The Ukrainian people need these funds to defend themselves against the Russian invasion, liberate occupied territories and provide assistance to those in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.\n\nA summary of other Case-requested and supported provisions in the major sections of the omnibus measure follows:\n\nTransportation-Housing Urban Development\n\nThe Transportation-Housing Urban Development Appropriations section of the bill supports the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Transportation including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Maritime Commission, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, National Transportation Safety Board, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.\n\nThe bill\u2019s discretionary funding level is $87.3 billion, an increase of $6.3 billion over the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n\u201cMy Appropriations Committee confronted the everyday challenges this bill covers across our country and provided the funds necessary to address our crumbling infrastructure as well as the lack of affordable housing,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cWhen it comes to transportation, we must work towards other means of mobility for those who either can\u2019t afford or don\u2019t want to rely on motor vehicles,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cThe $4.8 million in funding I secured to build 30-mile active transit corridor connecting East to West O\u2018ahu complements the City and County of Honolulu\u2019s \u2018complete streets\u2019 approach that seeks to accommodate reasonable access and mobility for all users of public highways and byways by investing in bike and pedestrian paths, thereby reducing traffic congestion while boosting our Hawaii\u2019s efforts to combat greenhouse gases and climate change.\u201d\n\nThe bill also includes $64 million in new federal funding for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project. These funds can be used to cover inflationary cost increases, and they are in addition to the remaining federal funding the Federal Transit Administration has already committed to the project.\n\n\u201cThis bill represents our Appropriations Committee\u2019s commitment to fund the generational investment secured in last year\u2019s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which I fought for,\u201d said Case. \u201cThis funding will ensure Hawai\u2018i can repair and modernize our ports, roads and mass transit systems to keep up with growing use.\u201d\n\nAdditional transportation and infrastructure programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include:\n\n$896 million for the Maritime Administration, including $318 million for the Maritime Security Program, $212 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program and $20 million for Assistance to Small Shipyards like Kalaeloa/Barbers Point.\n\n$62.9 billion for the Federal Highway Administration to improve the safety and long-term viability of our highways.\n\n$16.9 billion for the Federal Transit Administration, including $13.6 billion for formula grants to states to expand their bus fleets and ensure transit systems are in good repair.\n\n$800 million for National Infrastructure Investments.\n\n$19 billion for the FAA, including $1.6 billion for aviation safety.\n\nDirection to the FAA to work with other federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, to participate in community engagement to address noise concerns.\n\nAdditional funding for the FAA\u2019s community engagement capacity and requires the FAA to make aggregated information about noise complaints available to the public.\n\nThe bill further includes the following provisions to improve access to affordable housing:\n\n$3.3 billion for the Community Development Fund.\n\n$3.6 billion for the Homeless Assistance Grants.\n\n$63 million for the Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program.\n\n$58 million for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program and Native American Veterans programs.\n\n$14.9 billion for project-based rental assistance.\n\n$22 million for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG). The NHHBG funds support the building, acquisition and rehabilitation of affordable homes.\n\nA provision allowing up to $28 million in housing loans through the Native Hawaiian Housing Loan Guarantee Program. The Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 established a loan guarantee program for Native Hawaiians who are eligible to reside on Hawaiian home lands and would otherwise face barriers to acquiring such financing because of the unique legal status of the Hawaiian home lands.\n\nA summary of the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations is here.\n\nEnergy and Water\n\nThe bill\u2019s Energy and Water section funds the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 (USACE) civil works programs, the Bureau of Reclamation and agencies focused on nuclear energy. The bill\u2019s discretionary funding level is $54.6 billion, an increase of $1.7 billion over the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n\u201cOur $54 billion Energy and Water Appropriations bill supports the deployment of clean energy technologies to fight climate change and reduce energy prices,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cIt also provides funding for flood and waterway projects through the USACE, to include key areas in Hawai\u2018i like the Ala Wai, Waik\u012bk\u012b and Kalaeloa.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis bill makes the long term investments needed to help lower energy costs by strengthening America\u2019s energy independence,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cAt a time when our country is facing rising gas prices, the bill invests in an all-of-the-above energy strategy that leverages clean solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric technologies while still using our domestic resources, such as the Strategic Petroleum Reserves, to ease current supply and price pressures. Specifically, there is $15.3 billion included for energy and science innovation to support our diversification of energy sources away from foreign adversaries, create new clean energy technology jobs and ultimately save consumers money.\u201d\n\nThe bill also includes Case\u2019s CPF request to fund the Hawai\u2018i State Energy Office\u2019s Clean Energy Wayfinders Program. That groundbreaking program fosters engagement in local clean energy and energy efficiency policy, programs and projects and in training and deploying the next generation of energy workers in the state.\n\n\u201cAs our communities transition to more and more sources of renewable energy, it is critical that we also transition our current energy workforce and train the new generation to take over,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cThe Hawai\u2018i State Energy Office, in conjunction with multiple local partners and stakeholders, has worked tirelessly to deploy their Wayfinders Program, which redefines what community engagement in the energy sector looks like by involving local workers from the start. This funding will secure their much-needed next steps in ensuring that this program continues to grow and become available to more Hawai\u2018i residents.\u201d\n\nThe bill also provides $8.7 billion for the USACE for its civil works programs. Case\u2019s committee provided $173 million for the USACE\u2019s investigations account, which funds studies for projects in Hawai\u2018i like the Ala Wai Flood Zone so it can be evaluated for safety and flood risks. It also provided $5.1 billion for the USACE\u2019s operation and maintenance account, which supports ongoing USACE work in Hawai\u2018i, such as the Barbers Point Deep Draft Harbor.\n\n\u201cAs we in Hawai\u2018i brace each year for \u2018hurricane season\u2019 in the Central Pacific, this bill will assist the USACE with funds to help protect our island communities from severe storms,\u201d said Case. \u201cMy Committee\u2019s investment in the USACE will also help revive our water infrastructure, especially our harbors, to help keep transportation costs low. This funding will supplement state funding to help maintain our harbors in Hawai\u2018i, which are a critical lifeline to and from the world as we receive and distribute more than 90 percent of all of the goods through our harbors.\u201d\n\nOther programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include:\n\n$15 million and report language for the Energy Transitions Initiative (ETI). This program, which aims to advance self-reliant island and remote communities through the development of resilient energy systems, helps recipients who face unique energy challenges due to their remote location, fossil fuel dependency and limited access to affordable infrastructure improvements. This funding supports two ETI projects in Hawai\u2018i - electrical infrastructure resiliency in Honolulu and alternative and autonomous mobility options for Kaua\u2018i.\n\n$366 million for weatherization activities, which will increase energy efficiency of over 40,000 low-income homes nationwide. In Hawai\u2018i, these funds are used to help low-income households reduce their energy costs by providing energy conservation education and funding weatherization measures.\n\n$3.5 billion for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. This funding will go to support many of the renewable energy projects underway across the State of Hawai\u2018i\n\n$470 million for Advanced Research Projects \u2013 Energy and High Energy Physics, which directly supports groundbreaking research at the University of Hawai\u2018i aimed at rapidly developing energy technologies that are capable of significantly changing the energy sector to address the nation\u2019s critical economic, environmental and energy security challenges.\n\n$200 million for Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response. This funding provides for efforts to secure the nation\u2019s energy infrastructure against all hazards, reduce the risks of and impacts from cybersecurity events, and assist with restoration activities.\n\nOther provisions requested and secured by Case include:\n\nEncouraging the USACE to give special consideration to vulnerable coastal communities in their flood risk planning assistance, with specific direction to the Native Hawaiian community.\n\nDirecting the Department of Energy to conduct and provide a report on their plan to recruit more minority populations, such as Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiians and Asian Americans to job positions in the department.\n\nContinuing Congressional support for a previously directed report to examine benefits of dredged materials to non-contiguous states, like Hawai\u2018i.\n\nA summary of the energy and water provisions is here.\n\nCommerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies\n\nThe $84.2 billion Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations section of the bill supports the U.S. Department of Commerce, including the International Trade Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology; the U.S. Department of Justice; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); the National Science Foundation (NSF) and more. Case is in his fourth year of service on the Appropriations Committee\u2019s Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, with jurisdiction over the bill.\n\nThis year\u2019s bill and Case\u2019s efforts focused especially on combating crime, continuing our nation\u2019s leadership in science and protecting our oceans.\n\n\u201cRising crime, both related and unrelated to gun violence, is of great concern to us all, and must be combatted at all levels of government,\u201d said Case. \u201cState and local law enforcement need increased assistance from our federal government to address crime at the state and local level. The more than $700 million to help local and state law enforcement will help not only to investigate and prosecute crime, but will also go to prevention and education programs to stop crime before it happens.\u201d\n\n\u201cMy Committee\u2019s funding comes following this summer\u2019s enactment, with my support, of our bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in nearly 30 years.\n\n\u201cComing after still more horrific mass shootings this year, the omnibus includes provisions to improve mental health and school security and implement stricter controls on gun purchases, all funded by our bill.\u201d\n\nThe FY 2023 funding bill makes major additional investments in federal, state and local law enforcement programs, including greatly expanding gun violence prevention efforts. These include:\n\n$770 million for Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne-JAG), which is an increase of $95 million over the current funding level. Byrne-JAG is the leading federal source of criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The funds can be used to support a range of program areas including law enforcement; prosecution and court; prevention and education; corrections and community corrections; drug treatment and enforcement; planning, evaluation and technology improvement; and crime victim and witness initiatives.\n\n$700 million, an increase of $125 million above FY 2022, for Violence Against Women Act programs. These programs support comprehensive, cost-effective responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.\n\n$324 million for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Grants, which is an increase of $78 million over the current funding level. The COPS program is designed to provide funding directly to law enforcement agencies to hire and/or rehire additional career law enforcement officers in an effort to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.\n\n$50 million for the Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative, which supports partnerships between law enforcement and the communities they serve to address violence intervention and prevention programs, including gang and gun violence.\n\n$125 million for grants to help state governments improve their submissions into the National Instant Criminal Background Check system for gun purchases.\n\n$55 million for Grants to Reduce the Sexual Assault Kit Backlog.\n\n$51 million for the Anti-Methamphetamine and Anti-Heroin Task Forces.\n\n$38.7 billion for the Department of Justice, including $11.3 billion for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and $860 million for the Executive Office for Immigration Review.\n\n\u201cOur funding measure also focuses on our flagship national science programs, which translate into world-leading research and development and science and high-tech engineering projects in our Hawai\u2018i.\n\n\u201cThey also ensures that young people across our country can pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related education to lead innovation and contribute to a better economy back home,\u201d said Case.\n\nThe FY 2023 bill\u2019s investments in science include:\n\n$25 million to support facilities like the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on the Island of Maui, the world\u2019s most advanced solar observatory.\n\nAn increase of $1.2 million to support the maintenance and needed repairs at the Atmospheric Baseline Observatories, including the Mauna Loa Observatory where the famous Keeling Curve proving rapid climate change was developed.\n\n$144 million for STEM Engagement, an increase of $7 million above the FY 2022 enacted level, to inspire young people to pursue future careers in science and engineering. This includes $45 million for NASA\u2019s Minority University Research and Education Project, which funds Hawai\u2019i STEM programs.\n\n$9.5 billion for the NSF, an increase of $700 million.\n\n$7.8 billion for science programs at NASA to continue efforts to explore the solar system, other planets and other solar systems. Among other things, this will support space telescopes and efforts to gain scientific knowledge about the Earth\u2019s changing climate.\n\nCase also highlighted his efforts to boost funding of federal agencies and programs focused on the world\u2019s oceans. Case, who traveled to Lisbon, Portugal in June 2022 as part of a delegation of Members of Congress representing the United States at the United Nations Ocean Conference 2022, said: \u201cOur world\u2019s oceans are in mortal danger from a variety of human-caused factors, including climate change, pollution, debris, overfishing and other over-extraction. We have very limited time to reverse course, and our country and Hawai\u2018i can and must lead the way.\u201d\n\nThe FY 2023 bill\u2019s investments in the oceans and coastal communities include:\n\n$175 million for the protection, research and management of marine mammals, sea turtles and other ocean species.\n\n$80 million for the Sea Grant Program, which supports coastal and Great Lakes communities through research, extension and education. These funds help support the Hawai\u02bbi Sea Grant Program at the University of Hawai\u02bbi that concentrates on promoting healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies and environmental literacy and workforce development.\n\n$68 million for the Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas Program, including the Papah\u0101naumoku\u0101kea Marine National Monument.\n\n$34 million for the Coral Reef Conservation Program.\n\n$4.5 million for the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grants.\n\nThe bill also included Case\u2019s requests for several key U.S. Department of Justice programs, including:\n\n$560 million for the Legal Services Corporation, which helps ensure equal access to justice under the law for all Americans by providing funding for civil legal aid through organizations like Legal Aid Hawai\u2018i to those who otherwise would be unable to afford it.\n\n$175 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program. This public-private partnership has centers in all 50 states, including Hawai\u02bbi, dedicated to serving small and medium-sized manufacturers.\n\n$70 million for the Minority Business Development Agency. This includes $5 million specifically for Native American Business Development Program that awards grants to Tribes and American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian populations to address barriers to economic development.\n\n$455 million for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an increase of $35 million.\n\n$122 million for the International Trade Commission, an increase of $12 million.\n\nA summary of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations funding bill is here.\n\nInterior\n\nThe Interior Appropriations bill funds the Department of the Interior, including the National Parks Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service and various independent agencies including the National Endowments on Arts and the Humanities. The discretionary funding level is $38.9 billion, an increase of $850 million over the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n\u201cWith the support of my Appropriations Committee, we are poised to conserve critical lands for future generations in Hawai\u2018i, including a possible major expansion of Haleakal\u0101 National Park and preservation of precious lands in the K\u0101ne\u2018ohe Pali and Maunawili Valley,\u201d said Case.\n\nThe bill includes the following funding requested and secured by Case:\n\n$1.3 million to safeguard over nearly 700 acres in Maunawili Valley. The proposed forest reserve would be managed by the Hawai\u2018i Division of Forestry and Wildlife in partnership with local nonprofits seeking to steward the land, engage sustainable agriculture and restore cultural sites and lo\u2018i. Maunawili Forest is not only significant for its historic and cultural resources but is the natural habitat for three threatened or endangered Hawaiian damselfly species, a forest bird (\u2018elepaio), and four species of endangered Hawaiian wetland birds.\n\n$1.8 million to assist the State Department of Land and Natural Resources\u2019 acquisition of nearly 1,000 acres of in K\u0101ne\u2018ohe, O\u2018ahu. The K\u0101ne\u02bbohe Pali lands include freshwater springs, famous waterfalls, at least eleven streams and tributaries, native forest which comprises priority watershed, critical habitat for a wide range of native plant and animal species, the historic Luluku banana patches, mountain peaks and other geological formations.\n\n$12.9 million in additional funding for the possible acquisition of Kaup\u014d Ranch on the southern slope of Haleakal\u0101 for the NPS. Kaup\u014d Ranch is a key access point for the popular Kaup\u014d Gap Trail that traverses the crater of Haleakal\u0101 National Park. This funding will help secure a 3,018 acre portion and expand recreational activities and protect important natural resources, watersheds and endangered species.\n\nCase also requested and secured funding to further address the Red Hill crisis, which is in addition to the $1 billion included in the earlier FY 2022 defense and military construction appropriations sections described below. \u201cWe need to pursue every federal resource possible from every source to pursue the continued remediation, defueling and closure of Red Hill and assure our safe drinking water,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cIn this bill we supplemented other efforts by restoring native forests in the Ko\u2018olau Mountains that assist in recharging the Pearl Harbor watershed and increasing funding for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program.\u201d\n\nSpecifically the bill includes:\n\n$1.7 million for the Hawai\u2018i State Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct forest protection and aquifer recovery activities for the Pearl Harbor watershed. Protecting and restoring native forests in the Ko\u2018olau Mountains will help safeguard drinking water supplies and replenish the Pearl Harbor Aquifer.\n\n$93 million for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program, which includes funding to the Hawai\u2018i Department of Health to address Red Hill issues.\n\n$2.8 billion for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, which provide funding to Hawaii\u2019s regulated water systems for Hawaii\u2019s water infrastructure projects.\n\nCase also worked to continue his effort to preserve Hawaii\u2019s historic sites and institutions. For FY 2023, he secured $250,000 for the legacy Bishop Museum to relocate and preserve its world class ichthyology collection through the Save America\u2019s Treasures program.\n\nCase explained: \u201cThe Bishop Museum houses one of the largest collections of coral reef fishes in the world, including the most comprehensive representation of both specimens and color images of fishes from the vast Indo\u2010Pacific region, including Hawai\u2018i and other U.S. territories. With the effects of climate change expected to devastate coral reef ecosystems in the coming decades, the importance of this collection \u2013 which emphasizes the discovery and documentation of species new to science \u2013 continues to increase.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe collection is housed within an aging warehouse building built in the 1970s and designed to last for 10 years, which is suffering severe problems such as a leaking roof and outdated facilities. Moreover, the collection has completely filled all the available shelf space and struggles to absorb newly collected material.\u201d\n\nAdditional programs and provisions secured by Case in the Interior Appropriations bill include:\n\n$5 million for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service State of the Birds Activities to respond to the urgent needs of critically endangered birds that, due to climate change, now face extinction. These funds will help save numerous endemic birds which have been devastated by climate change and avian malaria. The measure also includes $46.6 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program.\n\n$64 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Species Management Research Program, which includes an increase of $500,000 to respond to the needs of critically endangered Hawaiian forest birds.\n\n$31 million for long-deferred maintenance projects at Hawaii\u2019s National Parks.\n\n$2.9 billion for the NPS\u2019s basic operations, an increase of $156 million.\n\n$19 million for the National Trails System, which will benefit the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail.\n\n$38 million, a $7.5 million increase, for the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program. This includes funding for the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, which monitors the active volcanoes in Hawai\u2018i, assesses their hazards, issues warnings and advances scientific understanding to reduce impacts of volcanic eruptions.\n\n$83 million for the U.S. Geological Survey\u2019s Climate Adaptation Science Centers, which includes the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center based out of UH M\u0101noa. These centers provide regionally-relevant scientific information, tools, and techniques to resource managers and communities in Hawai'i in response to our changing climate.\n\n$3 million for the NPS American Indian and Native Hawaiian Art and Culture Grants program.\n\nLanguage instructing the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to expand the federal government\u2019s Native Hawaiian community consultation efforts.\n\n$61 million for state historic preservation offices nationwide, which will help the State of Hawai\u2018i Historic Preservation Division preserve Hawaii\u2019s treasured historic properties.\n\n$5 million for Japanese Confinement Site Grants and funding for the newly authorized Amache National Historic Site, which was one of ten incarceration sites established by the War Relocation Authority during World War II to detain Japanese Americans who were forcibly removed from their communities on the West Coast. The increase of $1.3 million over FY 2022 enacted levels will fund projects to tell the stories of Japanese Americans during World War II, including those interned at Hono\u2018uli\u2018uli in Kunia.\n\n$207 million for the National Endowment for the Arts, an increase of $27 million, which benefits the Hawai\u2018i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts as well as arts projects statewide.\n\n$207 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities, an increase of $27 million, which provides funding to the Hawai\u2018i Council on the Humanities, a nonprofit which supports public programs in humanities disciplines to help express I\u2019s unique culture, stories, histories and people.\n\nA summary of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations is here.\n\nState, Foreign Operations and Related Programs\n\nThe State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations section of the bill funds U.S. foreign policy programs and agencies, including the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. contributions to the United Nations and its agencies and more. Globally, this bill provides for U.S. foreign assistance in public health, basic education, educational and cultural exchanges, climate change and more. The discretionary funding level is $59.7 billion, an increase of $3.6 billion over the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\nThis year\u2019s bill will also implement provisions from Case\u2019s BLUE Pacific Act, which increases overall U.S. engagement throughout the Pacific Islands. The bill also will fund key institutions and programs in Hawai\u2018i, such as the East-West Center and scholarships for Pacific Islanders, while supporting international efforts to combat climate change.\n\nThe bill includes $22 million for the East-West Center, an increase of $2.3 million over the FY 2022 enacted level. This further increase, after years at a lower level and facing an annual zero budget request throughout the Trump Administration, places the Center on a solid and sustainable foundation from which to build further.\n\n\u201cThis bill bolsters our commitments to diplomacy, development and democracy in the Indo-Pacific, and the $22 million for the East-West Center will help cement Hawaii\u2019s role in that effort,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cThe Committee\u2019s funding of major parts of my BLUE Pacific Act and the approval of my request to continue funding the East-West Center send a powerful message to our critical Pacific Islands partners and allies that our country values our relationships and intends to invest further in them and to continue as an active and engaged partner in pursuit of our shared interests and in defense of our shared values.\u201d\n\nPrograms and provisions secured by Case related to the Indo-Pacific and his BLUE Pacific Act include:\n\n$1.8 billion for implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy to counter malign influence and promote peace, prosperity and democracy in the region, an increase of over $100 million.\n\nBill language requiring at least $150 million for the Pacific Islands region, almost double previous spending.\n\nIncreased funding for the Young Pacific Leaders Program, a Department of State program for emerging young leaders from Hawai\u2018i, Guam, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Solomon Islands and other Pacific nations.\n\nReport language encouraging the Department of State to increase the number of scholarships available for Pacific Islanders to study in the United States, many of whom study at the University of Hawai\u2018i.\n\n$431 million for the Peace Corps, an increase of $20 million over the FY 2022 enacted level, along with language encouraging the Peace Corps to prioritize the Pacific Islands in the return of volunteers.\n\nReport language recommending no less than $20 million for climate resilient development and climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in the Pacific Islands.\n\nLanguage in support of expanding the U.S. diplomatic presence in the Pacific Islands and the programming of the U.S. Agency for Global Media in the region.\n\nReport language requiring the Department of State to create a strategy on trade capacity building in the Pacific Islands.\n\nReport language recommending the expansion of the International Law Enforcement Academy to the Pacific Islands, and supporting the Pacific Islands in their efforts to combat transnational crime.\n\n\u201cAs Hawai`i and the rest of our planet confront the very real impacts of climate change, we must act immediately to respond to this global crisis, and small islands in the Pacific are particularly vulnerable as they confront rising sea levels, extreme weather events, protracted droughts and land loss, to name just a few of the impacts brought on by this crisis,\u201d said Case.\n\nThe bill includes $2 billion to address climate change, including:\n\n$150 million for the Global Environment Facility, $1 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level.\n\n$125 million for the Clean Technology Fund.\n\n$270 million for adaptation programs.\n\n$260 million for clean energy programs.\n\nThe bill also sustains or increases funding for several foreign policy programs supported by Case including:\n\n$1.4 billion for contributions to international organizations.\n\n$1.5 billion to support United Nations international peacekeeping activities.\n\n$777 million for educational and cultural exchange programs, which include the Fulbright programs.\n\n$6.7 billion to fight HIV/AIDS, including $2 billion for the Global Fund.\n\n$4.2 billion for maternal and child health programs.\n\n$970 million for basic education.\n\n$6.8 billion for migration and refugee assistance, and $2.5 billion for humanitarian needs in Ukraine and other countries impacted by the war.\n\nA summary of the FY 2023 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations is here.\n\nHomeland Security\n\nThe FY 2023 Homeland Security Appropriations sections of the bill provide $86.5 billion for the Department of Homeland Security to invest in smart, effective border security, meet humanitarian needs of migrants and support federal efforts to keep the country safe. A provision in the bill would secure the nation\u2019s critical infrastructure with dramatically increased funding to prevent cyberattacks and root out cyber intrusions.\n\n\u201cThe bottom line is that we should fully expect and prepare for Russia and individuals and entities associated with Russia to continue to engage in cyber warfare across the world, as they are already doing in Ukraine and have done in our country and elsewhere in the world and as we pursue our critical response through sanctions and other means,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cThis is just as true in Hawai\u2018i as anywhere else in our country. For although we may be physically located on the other side of the world and far from the actual war, cyberattacks do not care about physical locations.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe should also not assume that the targets are just governments and businesses with key infrastructure roles. The intent of cyberwarfare is to disrupt economies and societies across a broad range and so nobody is immune.\u201d\n\nThe bill also supports the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service and more.\n\nThe discretionary funding level is $86.5 billion, an increase of $3.5 billion over the 2022 enacted level.\n\nThe bill includes $101 million for the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, which includes the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPC) at the University of Hawai\u2018i at M\u0101noa. The NDPC, a seven-member professional alliance, is the principal means through which FEMA identifies, develops, tests and delivers training to state and local emergency responders. The NDPC has trained over 2.5 million people throughout the United States and its territories.\n\nOther programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include:\n\n$355 million for the Emergency Management Performance Grants, which support state and local emergency management agencies like the Hawai\u2018i Emergency Management Agency.\n\n$360 million for assistance to firefighter grant programs, which are a major source of funding for county fire departments.\n\n$25 million for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program.\n\nThe measure also:\n\nIncludes Case\u2019s CPF request for $2 million to harden fire station doors for the Honolulu Fire Department.\n\nIncludes Case\u2019s requested report language to support the U.S. Coast Guard in the Indo-Pacific and require the U.S. Coast Guard to examine its assets in Oceania and the facilities in O\u2018ahu.\n\nDirects FEMA to report on its strategies to respond to the unique challenges posed by disasters in Hawai\u2018i and other non-contiguous areas.\n\nRequires the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to brief Congress on resources needed to shorten the wait times for family members of Filipino World War II veterans and more quickly process the permanent resident applications of those enrolled in the Filipino War Veteran Parole Program.\n\nA summary of the FY 2023 Homeland Security Appropriations is here.\n\nLabor, Health and Human Services and Education (Labor-HHS)\n\nThe Labor, Health, Human Services and Education Appropriations sections of the bill provide for significant investments in key federal programs that increase public health research and capacity, expand access to education and childcare, address labor market demands, improve health outcomes and bolster our nation\u2019s responses to current and future public health threats. The discretionary funding level is $226.8 billion, an increase of $15 billion (7.1 percent) above FY 2022 enacted levels.\n\n\u201cOur $227 billion Labor-HHS bill helps families and communities with the high costs of living, trains Americans for American jobs, supports workers, and strengthens our health care infrastructure,\u201d said Case.\n\nThe bill addresses our nation\u2019s labor shortages and supports workers with:\n\n$1.8 billion for Job Corps, an increase of $11.5 million above the FY 2022 enacted level, which provides career development services for youth.\n\n$1.1 billion, for youth employment and training activities, an increase of $20 million above the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n$885 million for adult employment and training activities, which is a $15 million increase above the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n$285 for the Registered Apprenticeship Program, an increase of $30 million above the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n$115 million to provide ex-offenders with training and credentials in fields that prepare them for successful reintegration into society, an increase of $13 million above the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n$105 million for the YouthBuild program, an increase of $5 million above FY 2022 enacted level, to provide at-risk youth with basic education and job skills training in the construction field.\n\n$66 million, an increase of $5 million above the FY 2022 enacted level, for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.\n\n$557 million for AmeriCorps State and National Grants, an increase of $90 million over the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\nThe bill helps Hawai\u2018i and the nation respond to current and future health threats with:\n\n$47.5 billion for the National Institutes of Health, an increase of $2.5 billion above the FY 2022 enacted level, to support a wide range of biomedical and behavioral research.\n\n$1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health within the Department of Health and Human Services, an increase of $500 million to accelerate the pace of scientific breakthroughs for diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer\u2019s disease, diabetes and cancer.\n\n$1.9 billion for Community Health Centers, an increase of $110 million above FY 2022 enacted level, to provide high quality, cost-effective health care to predominantly low-income and medically-underserved communities.\n\n$350 million, an increase of $150 million above the FY 2022 enacted level, for public health infrastructure and capacity nationwide.\n\n$286 million for the Title X Family Planning Program\n\n$75 million to address the health impacts of climate change.\n\n$12.5 million for firearm injury and mortality prevention research.\n\nThe bill invests in public education, school safety and childcare with:\n\n$19 billion for Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (low income schools), an increase of $850 million above the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n$12 billion for Head Start, an increase of $1 billion above the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n$8 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, an increase of $1.9 billion above the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n$2.2 billion for Career, Technical and Adult Education, an increase of $100 million above the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n$1.2 billion for the Federal TRIO Program, $50 million more than the FY 2022 enacted level, to provide academic support to low-income individuals, first-generation college students, veterans and individuals with disabilities.\n\n$315 million for Preschool Development Grants, an increase of $25 million above the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n$70 million for Teacher Quality Partnerships, an increase of $10 million about the FY 2022 enacted level, to support teacher preparation and residency programs.\n\n$130 million for McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program, which provides homeless youth with the health services and academic support they need to succeed in and out of the classroom.\n\n$65 million to continue and expand Strengthening Community College Training Grants, which offer training to workers in in-demand industries at community colleges and four-year institutions to help meet local labor market needs.\n\n$18 million for youth violence prevention.\n\nProvides $24.6 billion for federal student aid programs to provide $7,395 for the maximum Pell Grant award, an increase of $500 above the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\nThe bill supports our Native Hawaiian community with:\n\n$60 million for Native American job training programs authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.\n\n$38 million for Native American Nutrition and Supportive Services grants to promote the delivery of nutrition and home and community-based services to Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Kupuna.\n\n$46 million for the Native Hawaiian Education Program, a $7 million increase from the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n$25 million for the Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Program, an increase of $3 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. These funds will support tutoring, mentorships, internships, faculty development and other activities to support Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students at the collegiate level.\n\n$27 million for the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems, an increase of $5 million above the FY 2022 enacted level.\n\n$3 million for the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity within the Office of Minority Health to advance Indigenous solutions to achieve health equity and encourage the Department of Health and Human Services to partner with universities in these efforts.\n\n$3 million for the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program, which provides grants to Native American-serving organizations and federally-recognized tribes to sustain indigenous heritage, culture and knowledge through museum-related services.\n\n$2 million for the Native Hawaiian Resource Center on Domestic Violence within the Family Violence Prevention Program to provide supportive services for adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence and dating violence and to prevent such incidents in Native Hawaiian communities.\n\n$1.5 million for the Native American Language Resource Centers, which support higher education institutions in teaching and learning languages, including research on new teaching methods for educators and developing instructional materials, among other things.\n\nCase also secured more than $13 million for his CPF requests that specifically focus on local needs in Hawai\u2018i:\n\n$1.8 million for the Hawai\u2018i Public Health Institute to develop and train navigators to support Kupuna and family caregivers.\n\n$1.8 million for Kula No Na Po\u2018e Hawai\u2018i to provide students with academic support and wraparound services.\n\n$1.7 million for the King Lunalilo Trust and Home to replace and reinforce its leaking roof.\n\n$6.5 million for the University of Hawai\u2018i Cancer Center to fund the construction of an early phase clinical trial unit.\n\n$1 million for the University of Hawai\u2018i for an indigenous data science hub.\n\n$270,000 for the YMCA of Honolulu to support wellness and mental health services for children and youth.\n\n\u201cMy Committee provided more funding for federal workforce programs that help develop local talent to address labor shortages and support our local economy,\u201d said Case. \u201cThe measure also provides for major investments in educator recruitment and training, maternal health equity initiatives, home care for seniors and people with disabilities and high-quality childcare and preschool programs.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis year\u2019s funding bill builds on past funding increases I have been able to secure for Native Hawaiian-serving programs plus includes additional provisions to ensure these programs are more accessible to Native Hawaiian Organizations,\u201d said Case.\n\nA summary of the FY 2023 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations is here.\n\nFinancial Services and General Government\n\nThe FY 2023 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations sections of the bill provide funding for the Department of the Treasury, including the Internal Revenue Service; the Executive Office of the President; the federal court system; the District of Columbia; and more than two dozen independent federal agencies including the SBA. The omnibus bill provides $27.6 billion for financial programs to foster community development and help small businesses and middle class families struggling with the high costs of inflation. This is an increase of $1.7 billion (7 percent) above FY 2022 enacted levels.\n\n\u201cAccording to the SBA, there are more than 137,000 small businesses in our state, making up more than 99 percent of all businesses in the islands,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cBut we have seen what the pandemic has done to these companies, and what they are having to deal with now as they struggle with the rising costs of inflation.\n\n\u201cThat is why I worked in this measure and elsewhere to ensure that small businesses remain the backbone of our economy including through financial, technical and emergency assistance, boosting trade opportunities, and ensuring that women-owned and Native Hawaiian-owned businesses get the help they need.\u201d\n\nTo help our small businesses nationwide, the bill provides $1.2 billion for the SBA, an increase of $188 million above the FY 2022 funding level. This includes $320 million, a $30 million increase, for Entrepreneurial Development Programs that provide small businesses with quality training, counseling and access to resources. Another provision highlights Congress\u2019 concern about equal opportunities and directs the SBA to work closely with Congress to provide equal opportunities for Native Hawaiian Organizations.\n\nThe measure includes several of Case\u2019s requests for funding for federal programs and services especially important for Hawai\u2018i including:\n\n$25 million for the Native American Community Development Financial Institution Assistance Program,\n\n$4 million for the Native American Outreach Program,\n\n$4 million for the Historically Underutilized Business Zones Program,\n\n$27 million for the Women\u2019s Business Centers Program,\n\n$24 million for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative,\n\n$140 million for Small Business Development Centers,\n\n$109 million for the Drug-Free Communities Program,\n\n$20 million for the State Trade Expansion Program,\n\n$10 million for the Regional Innovation Clusters Program,\n\n$302 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program, and\n\n$41 million for the Microloan Technical Assistance Program.\n\nThe bill also provided $324 million for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), an increase of $29 million above the FY 2022 enacted levels. CDFIs are specialized community-based financial institutions that promote economic development by providing financial products and services to people and communities underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly in low-income and minority communities. They were especially valuable in delivering COVID-19 emergency assistance funds to communities without ready access to other means.\n\nOne of the provisions in the measure would help to rebuild the Internal Revenue Service\u2019s ability to finally crack down on tax avoiders and to provide better customer service to working families struggling to navigate the tax system. The bill provides $2.8 billion for Taxpayer Services, which includes support for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grants Program, Low Income Taxpayer Clinics, the Taxpayer Advocate and Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program.\n\nThe measure also adopts Case\u2019s requests to:\n\nSupport efforts to improve U.S. Postal Service mail delivery in remote areas.\n\nDirect the Federal Trade Commission to produce recommendations to address the exploitation and inauthentic use of native language and culture in marketing under the Fair Package and Labeling Act.\n\nDirect the Internal Revenue Service to submit a report to Congress on the reasons for the backlog of tax returns and recommendations for preventing future backlogs.\n\nDirect the National Personnel Records Center to provide quarterly reports on its plan to spend emergency money to reduce its request backlog.\n\nA summary of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations section of the bill is here.\n\nDefense\n\nThe FY 2023 Defense Appropriations sections of the bill provide $797.7 billion for federal agencies and programs in the Department of Defense (DOD) and Intelligence Community, including the military branches of services, the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency.\n\n\u201cMy Committee on Appropriations is continuing its full support of our efforts to respond directly on multiple fronts to the Red Hill crisis,\u201d said Case. \u201cThe Committee included my request to create a $1 billion Red Hill Recovery Fund to fix, defuel and close Red Hill as safely and quickly as possible, continue to address the continuing health and other concerns of affected residents and restore our aquifer. An additional $25 million for planning and designing water treatment and distribution facilities are provided through the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies section of the bill.\u201d\n\nThe $1.0 billion included in the FY 2023 Defense Appropriations bill comes on top of $1.1 billion secured by the Hawai\u2018i Congressional delegation on an emergency basis earlier this year for FY 2022.\n\nAdditionally, the bill supports Case\u2019s effort to expand and improve the military\u2019s engagement with local community throughout Hawai\u2018i, directing the Secretary of Defense to work with the Governor of Hawai\u2018i to help address the disconnect between the services and various communities in Hawai\u2018i.\n\nFurthermore, the bill includes Case\u2019s requested funding for various national programs to assist the military in efforts to support local communities, including $80 million for Impact Aid education programs, $175 million for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) that protects environmentally sensitive lands, and $317 million to remediate contaminants and military munitions remaining from past activities at active military installations and formerly used defense sites.\n\nThe measure also includes over $260 million for programs including the National Guard Youth Challenge and Starbase to help troubled youths. All of these programs are fully utilized by the military in Hawai\u2018i.\n\n\u201cThe military must foster a better relationship with the local community to repair the damaged trust caused by Red Hill and build the support needed for various defense initiatives in our state,\u201d said Case.\n\n\u201cA positive relationship between the military and the people of Hawai\u2018i is needed to prepare and respond to the threats posed by China, Russia and North Korea in the Indo-Pacific.\u201d\n\nThe bill directly addresses the risks posed by Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) to Hawai\u2018i and communities nationwide. The bill provides an additional $30 million above the President\u2019s request for PFAS remediation and disposal technology; an additional $15 million for on-site PFAS remediation technologies; and an additional $20 million for Aqueous Film Forming Foam replacement, disposal and cleanup technology.\n\nThe measure also supports PDI, which bolsters deterrence and maintains our competitive edge in the Indo-Pacific in recognition of threats posed by China and the need to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.\n\nA key component of the PDI for FY 2022 is $393 million for the missile defense of Guam, which faces threats from ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles. More importantly, more funds are directed for exercises and activities with our partners and allies in the region.\n\nPrograms and provisions requested and secured by Case include:\n\nFunding for two SSN-774 Virginia Class attack submarines, which are critical to protecting the Indo-Pacific and will be maintained at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.\n\n$317 million for Environmental Restoration, Formerly Used Defense Sites, which is $90 million over the President\u2019s budget request. These funds will help accelerate efforts to remove unexploded ordnance and discarded military munitions in Hawai\u2018i and throughout the nation.\n\n$150 million for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which maintains central facilities and operations at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.\n\nBlocking efforts to change the command and control structure of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. There have been efforts within the department to streamline control of forces under one command structure, which would limit the ability of Navy forces in Hawai\u2018i to respond quickly to changing threats in the Indo-Pacific region.\n\nRetention of the military contracting preference language for Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations.\n\n$164 million for the X-Band Radar, which assists in defending Hawai\u2018i from ballistic missile threats as the DoD pauses funding for Homeland Defense Radar-Hawai\u2018i, and direction to continue a detailed reassessment of how to best protect Hawai\u2018i from missile attacks.\n\n$175 million for REPI, which is $8 million over the President\u2019s request. The DoD created the REPI Program in response to land development and loss of habitat in the vicinity of or affecting military installations, ranges and airspace that can lead to restrictions or costly and inadequate training and testing alternatives. Through REPI, DoD works with state and local governments, conservation organizations and willing private landowners to address these challenges to the military mission and the viability of DoD installations and ranges. For 2022, REPI will provide $19.2 million for three projects in Hawai\u2018i, which will be coupled with $15.1 million in partner contributions.\n\nAn $8 million increase for the Asia Pacific Regional Initiative, a key program supporting the U.S. IndoPacific Command. This program enables the military to execute Theater Security Cooperation activities, such as humanitarian assistance and paying incremental personnel costs of training and exercising with foreign security forces. The initiative is a critical tool for the U.S. military to strengthen relationships throughout the Indo-Pacific region.\n\n$39.2 billion for medical and health care programs, which includes the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), which allocates $583 million for cancer research. The CDMRP fills research gaps by funding high impact, high risk and high gain projects that other agencies may not venture to fund.\n\nThe measure also includes:\n\n$479 million to fully implement the recommendations of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment. In addition, the bill provides $47 million for the Special Victims\u2019 Counsel program.\n\n$2 billion in investments in clean energy and climate adaptation to protect facilities, readiness and global security\n\nFull funding necessary to support a 4.6 percent military pay raise.\n\nOverall, the FY 2023 Defense Appropriations bill reflects an increase of $69.3 billion to combat Russian aggression, protect national security, support servicemembers, address gender-based violence and extremism, and confront the climate crisis\n\nA summary of the defense section of the bill is here.\n\nMilitary Construction and Veterans Affairs\n\nThe FY 2023 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations sections of the bill fund construction and maintenance of our defense facilities throughout the country and world, our national cemeteries and battle monuments, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and various small agencies and programs supporting our nation's some 19 million veterans and their families. The discretionary funding level is $154.2 billion, an increase of $26.6 billion over the FY 2022 enacted level. Case is in his fourth year of service on the Appropriations Committee\u2019s Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, with jurisdiction over the bill.\n\nThis section of the bill includes another $25 million in funding to address the Red Hill Crisis for the planning and design of water treatment and distribution facilities construction. These funds can also be used to design facilities to help remediate the Red Hill shaft. This will augment the $1 billion Case secured in the FY 2023 Defense Appropriations bill and the $1.1 billion the Hawai\u2019i delegation secured in FY 2022.\n\nThere is also $50 million for Indo-Pacific Command planning and design and minor construction to advance critical projects in a strategically vital region of the world. The additional funds can be used by the Navy and the Indo-Pacific Command to begin the planning and design for building new facilities to remove and relocate the fuel currently at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.\n\nThe bill also provides a further $1.3 billion, an increase of $492 million above the FY 2022 funding level, for the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan (SIOP), a $21 billion multi-year effort to upgrade the Navy\u2019s four public shipyards. This includes over $621 million for Dry Dock 5 and $20 million for the planning and design for the Waterfront Production Facility at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Hawaii\u2019s largest industrial employer with some 6,000 local employees.\n\n\u201cKeeping SIOP on track and fully funded is one of my top priorities on my Appropriations Committee,\u201d said Case. \u201cThese additional funds are especially targeted at continuing the massive Pearl Harbor project to build a new $3.5 billion state-of-the-art drydock for the next generation of Navy submarines and surface ships, a project that will contribute tremendously not just to our national defense but to our local economy.\u201d\n\nThe bill funds critical defense infrastructure in Hawai\u2018i. These projects include $87.9 million for a new barracks on Marine Corps Base Hawai\u2018i, $103 million for upgrading the missile magazines at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and $111 million for a new company operations facility on Schofield Barracks.\n\nCase also won approval of his CPF requests for the initial planning, design and construction phase for two water system distribution upgrades serving Fort Shafter and the Tripler Army Medical Center.\n\nThe water systems at both locations have begun to fail and must be replaced to ensure access to clean drinking water. The medical center upgrade will support over 450,000 service members, veterans and their families that use the hospital. These beneficiaries come from not only Hawai\u2018i but from throughout the Indo-Pacific.\n\n\u201cWith some 112,000 veterans in Hawai\u2018i and their families making up one of the largest percentages of any state in our nation including in such key areas like women and minority veterans, I focused especially on the often unique challenges of delivering full veterans\u2019 health and other benefits in a diverse island state.\u201d\n\nIt includes a total of $134.7 billion in discretionary appropriations for VA, an increase of $22.5 billion above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level.\n\nSpecific veterans programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include:\n\n$2.7 billion for homeless assistance programs for our nation\u2019s veterans, an increase of $531 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. This funding will enhance VA\u2019s ability to reach homeless veterans, which is particularly crucial as the most recent homelessness survey showed that on a given night in 2021, an estimated 19,750 veterans nationwide were experiencing homelessness.\n\n$13.9 billion for veteran Mental Healthcare, including $498 million for suicide prevention outreach. This will support the nearly two million veterans who receive mental health services in a VA specialty mental health setting, as well as support suicide prevention services like the Veterans Crisis Line, which is expected to see an increase in demand by over 100 percent this year.\n\n$183 million for Substance Use Disorder programs. This funding will help support care for the over 540,000 veterans who had a substance use disorder diagnosis in 2021. Additionally, $663 million is for opioid abuse prevention, an increase of $41 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level and equal to the budget request. This funding will allow for more targeted funding of pain management and opioid safety programs primarily at the facility level.\n\n$338 million for Rural Health Initiatives, which is $10 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. This will build upon VA\u2019s success in having served 2.9 million veterans at 600 rural serving sites.\n\n$840.4 million to support gender-specific care for women to continue upgrading medical facilities to meet the needs of women veterans.\n\n$5.2 billion for Telehealth and Connected Care. This will continue expansion of telehealth services and includes additional mental health, primary care and rehabilitation services.\n\nThe measure also:\n\nDirects the DOD to address Hawai\u2018i missile defense in the absence of the Homeland Defense Radar-Hawai\u2018i, which has been paused as the department conducts a detailed study to reassess how to best protect Hawai\u2018i from missile attacks.\n\nDirects the DOD to address underfunded and dilapidated Army infrastructure on O\u2018ahu via the Hawai\u2018i Infrastructure Readiness Initiative.\n\nDirects $575 million for Base Realignment and Closure remediation, an increase of $45 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level and $290 million above the fiscal year 2023 budget request. Within this amount, cleanup of PFAS contamination is funded at $200 million.\n\nProvides $653 million for the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program, which is $100 million above the fiscal year 2023 budget request and supports the DOD's investments in energy efficiency, resilience, renewable energy systems, and energy security.\n\nInvests $16 billion in additional VA programs, including support for the Veterans Benefits Administration, medical and prosthetic research, construction programs and the VA electronic health record system\n\nEnsures veterans receive the compensation and benefits that they have earned without unreasonable delays\n\nContinues rigorous reporting requirements to track each regional VA office\u2019s performance on claims processing and appeals backlogs.\n\nDirects the VA to examine the contracts entered into with each state home for nursing home care to determine if adequate compensation is provided for the cost of furnishing care in that location, and that no undue burden is placed on the state governments providing care to veterans.\n\nA summary of the military construction and veterans section of the bill is here.\n\nAgriculture, Rural Development, the Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies\n\nThis bill would provide $25.5 billion, a 3 percent increase, for the Agriculture, Rural Development, the Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations sections of the bill, which support the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Credit Administration, Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Food and Drug Administration.\n\nThe bill includes $3.5 billion, an increase of $175 million from FY 2022, for agriculture research, including pest control and specialty crop health. It also includes over $188 billion for efforts to tackle hunger and nutrition insecurity through the Women, Infants, Children; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; and child nutrition programs like school meals.\n\n\u201cI focused in my Appropriations Committee on supporting our local farmers, farmers markets and food promotion programs, which combined will help our Hawai\u2018i deal with the soaring cost of food, much of which is imported to our islands,\u201d said Case.\n\nSpecific programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include:\n\n$6 million for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.\n\n$8 million for the Micro-Grants for Food Security program, which provides direct farming assistance to Hawaii\u2019s subsistence and small commercial farmers.\n\n$9 million for the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Program.\n\n$26 million for Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which helps address food insecurity with fresh produce and supports local farms.\n\n$5 million for Education Grants for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, the first increase for this vital program in years. This program addresses the educational needs of food and agricultural sciences-related disciplines and prepares low-income students for careers related to the food, agricultural and natural resources.\n\n$2 million to make competitive grants for agricultural research facilities in support of the Research Facilities Act and encourages the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to prioritize facilities that are located at or primarily benefit minority serving institutions when making awards. In addition, the agreement urges NIFA to conduct outreach and grant writing technical assistance prior to issuing any funding awards.\n\n$36 million appropriated for the Agricultural Quarantine Inspections Program, which focuses on preventing introduction of invasive species to Hawai\u2018i.\n\nThe measure also:\n\nEncourages USDA to increase the number of organic research projects funded under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative and the Specialty Crop Research Initiative.\n\nDirects USDA to submit a report to Congress regarding the National Detector Dog Training Center's role in protecting the domestic agriculture sector from pests and diseases.\n\nExpresses concern that states and territories outside the contiguous U.S. are having difficulty participating in USDA broadband programs, and encourages the Secretary to consider grants or loans for satellite, or other technologies, and directs the agency to report back to the Appropriations Committee with recommendations to address these concerns.\n\nA summary of the agriculture section of the bill is here.\n\nOther Provisions\n\nIn addition, the final Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus funding package included these legislative measures:\n\nElectoral Count Reform Act. The inclusion of these provisions, which Case fully supported during earlier House deliberations, is a critical and needed step safeguard the peaceful transition of power following future presidential elections.\n\nSecure Act 2.0. The inclusion of these retirement provisions, which Case fully supported during earlier House deliberations, will provide millions of workers and retirees with significant improvements to the nation\u2019s private retirement system. The provision expands automatic enrollment into retirement plans, raises the age for required minimum disbursements from retirement plans to 75 from 73 and increases the amount that individuals aged 50 and older can put into their retirement account. It also allows employers to contribute matching payments to retirement accounts to match an employee\u2019s student loan payments.\n\nVisit America Act. This measure supports the travel and tourism industry and establishes national goals for international visitors to the U.S. It also establishes an Assistant Secretary of Travel and Tourism within the U.S. Department of Commerce to provide high-level coordinated leadership across the federal government, one of the industry\u2019s highest priorities which Case fully supported as a member of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus.\n\nCase\u2019s Appropriations Committee is responsible for allocating some $1.7 trillion in funding to federal government agencies, departments and organizations on an annual basis. A link to the FY 2023 omnibus is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases/casten-led-legislation-heads-president-bidens-desk-included-omnibus", "Casten-Led Legislation Heads to President Biden\u2019s Desk, Included in Omnibus Appropriations Funding Package", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Sean Casten", "C001117", "casten.house.gov", "casten", "https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "***For Immediate Release***\n\nContact: Jacob.Vurpillat@mail.house.gov\n\nCasten-Led Legislation Heads to President Biden\u2019s Desk, Included in Omnibus Appropriations Funding Package\n\nWashington, D.C. (December 23rd, 2022) \u2014 Today, several key priorities championed by U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) passed the House as part of the FY 2023 government funding package. The omnibus bill\u2019s transformative investments will help working families with the cost of living, create American jobs, and support underserved communities.\n\n\u201cThe investments in this package address some of our nation's biggest challenges while providing much-needed support to Illinois,\u201d said Rep. Casten. \u201cAfter many months spent advocating tirelessly for the priorities of my constituents, I am proud that the legislation President Biden will sign into law next will include my legislative initiatives to supercharge clean energy development in the Midwest and deliver nearly $16 million in Community Project Funding for Illinois' 6th District to make our community healthier, safer, stronger, and even more resilient. This is democracy in action.\u201d\n\nThis government funding legislation includes the following provisions Rep. Casten sought to secure:\n\n$685 million for industrial decarbonization technology R&D, including implementation of the Clean Industrial Technologies Act (CITA),Casten's bill to establish a crosscutting industrial emissions reduction technology development RDDC&A program, create a competitive grant program to help fund promising demonstration projects of decarbonization technologies, and launch a technical assistance program to help states, local governments, and other eligible entities to apply emissions reduction technologies\n\n$540 Million for battery storage technology R&D, including implementation of the Battery Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act, Casten's bill to provide the Department of Energy (DOE) with the energy storage technologies necessary to decarbonize the electricity sector while providing access to affordable, reliable to energy for all Americans\n\nRep. Casten\u2019s EV Grid Act was included in the omnibus package, which directs the Department of Energy to conduct a study and develop a plan related to the ability of the electric system to meet the electricity demand of new electric vehicle charging infrastructure.\n\n$45 Million for renewable grid integration.\n\n$40 million for Urban and Community Forestry\n\n$50 million to modernize the National Tracing Center. This will permit more expeditious firearms tracing as well as increased staffing to support the increased volume of work.\n\nReport language to develop a High Voltage Direct Current converter station moonshot initiative to reduce the costs of HVDC technology and long-distance transmission, including for nascent superconducting technology. These cost reductions would allow for more \u201cpick-up\u201d and \u201cdrop-off'\u201d stations, which would enable more local connections to the grid and expand benefits to communities along transmission\n\nIn addition, the legislation will also:\n\nProtect Health Coverage for Illinois Children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.\n\nEnact the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, cracking down on workplace discrimination, safeguarding Americans' economic security and upholding dignity on the job.\n\nBolster Mental Health Services by expanding access to treatment and investing in Illinois\u2019 mental health workforce.\n\nEnact the PREVENT Pandemics Act, using lessons learned from COVID-19 to improve Illinois\u2019 preparedness for future public health emergencies.\n\nStrengthen Veterans' Health Care through $21 billion in new funding.\n\nProvide Illinois Kids with Healthy, Nutritious Food throughout the summer with a nationwide, permanent Summer EBT Program.\n\nHelp Illinoisans Exercise Their Right to Organize on the Job through new funding for the National Labor Relations Board.\n\nDeliver Emergency Disaster Support to help hurricane and wildfire victims, address the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, and strengthen Puerto Rico\u2019s electrical grid.\n\nAdvance Justice for Americans Impacted by Terrorism with the Fairness for 9/11 Families Act.\n\nRep. Casten also secured nearly $16 Million in funding for projects that will directly benefit Illinois' 6th district:\n\n$2,000,000 for the B.R. Ryall YMCA of Northwestern DuPage County\n\nThis funding would be used to repurpose, modernize, and expand program spaces. Specifically, the funds will be used to increase affordable infant/toddler care; ADA accessibility; and teen-focused areas for STEAM learning, health and social programs.\n\n$1,000,000 for the Battery-electric Paratransit Pace Bus Fleet\n\nThis funding would be used to buy five new battery-electric paratransit buses.\n\n$750,000 for the City of Wheaton Public Library Rehabilitation\n\nThis funding would be used for the rehabilitation of the City of Wheaton's public library. The funding would rehabilitate the entrance of the library and expand it; allowing a greater number of outdoor events that provide additional opportunities for residents engage with and use services provided by the Wheaton Library.\n\n$1,000,000 for the DuPage County Health Department\n\nThis funding will be used for the construction of a Central Receiving Center (CRC). The CRC will be an easily accessible location and single point of entry for law enforcement, emergency personnel or families to bring an individual experiencing a mental health crisis. Once at a CRC, individuals are assessed to identify the most appropriate level of treatment for their needs within 24 hours.\n\n$1,500,000 for the DuPage River Trail\n\nThis request would fund preliminary engineering for a 4-mile section of the East Branch DuPage River Trail that will connect trail users (pedestrians, bicyclists, runners, etc.) from various communities and existing Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trails to local and regional attractions including downtowns, DuPage County Forest Preserves, parks, Morton Arboretum and ultimately to destinations in neighboring counties.\n\n$250,000 for the Glen Ellyn School District 41\n\nThis funding would be used to start up on-site after school mental health support access programs for students and families.\n\n$2,000,000 for the Kerr-McGee Superfund Remediation\n\nThis funding will be used for remediation of the Kerr-McGee Superfund. The Kerr-McGee site is one of four Superfund National Priorities List sites in the West Chicago area that had been contaminated with radioactive thorium wastes.\n\n$54,000 for the Wayne Police Department Law Enforcement Equipment Upgrades\n\nThis funding will be used to purchase new patrol radios and updated computers for department squad cars. This will help the department equip new patrol officers and aid in communication and delivery of police services.\n\n$750,000 for the Prairie Food Co-Op\n\nThis funding will be used to create DuPage County\u2019s first community owned grocery store, creating good-paying jobs and steady revenue streams for over 300 local urban, suburban and rural Illinois farmers and producers.\n\n$1,500,000 for the Village of Hawthorn Woods\n\nThis funding will be used to fund a utilities extension to serve an underserved population currently on well and septic systems.\n\n$2,655,400 for the Wheaton Sanitary District for Secondary Clarifier Upgrades\n\nThis funding will be used for Secondary Clarifier Upgrades that will include the installation of new mixed liquor piping (to alleviate hydraulic bottlenecking & flat watering), a new splitter structure, replacement of all clarifier mechanisms and components, and modifications to the sludge conveyance system to allow for increased return flows.\n\n$2,000,000 for the Willowbrook Wildlife Center Efficiency Improvements\n\nThis funding will be used to help construct and increase the energy efficiency of a new, net-zero 27,000-square-foot wildlife rehabilitation clinic and visitor center that replaces the current 42-year-old Glen Ellyn building.\n\n$200,000 for the WINGS Program, Inc., Rolling Meadows, IL, for facilities and equipment\n\nThe funding would be used for Capital Rehabilitation of WINGS Safe Houses. For 37 years, WINGS has been helping women, men and children to escape domestic violence. WINGS provides safe emergency shelter, housing, counseling, mentoring and other supportive services to ensure that the cycle of violence ends for each family.\n\n$144,800 for the Worry Free Community, Glendale Heights, IL for facilities and equipment\n\nThis funding would be used to make capital improvements to support a larger spectrum of healthcare needs by hosting a community health worker call center and running programs to support data collection and community needs assessment for underserved, uninsured and new immigrant communities in IL District-06 and surrounding areas.\n\nA detailed summary of the legislation is available here.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases/casten-secures-nearly-16-million-local-projects-6th-district", "Casten Secures Nearly $16 Million For Local Projects in 6th District", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Sean Casten", "C001117", "casten.house.gov", "casten", "https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "***For Immediate Release***\n\nContact: Jacob.Vurpillat@mail.house.gov\n\nCasten Secures Nearly $16 Million For Local Projects in 6th District\n\nWashington, D.C. (December 23rd, 2022)\u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) announced $15,804,200 in Community Project Funding for the 6th District has passed the House and will be signed into law by President Biden. This funding responds directly to some of the most pressing needs throughout the 6thDistrict.\n\n\u201cAfter an extremely competitive project submission process and many months spent advocating tirelessly for our community, I am proud to deliver over $15 Million in Community Project Funding for Illinois' 6th district,\u201d said Rep. Casten. \u201cFrom helping locals schools provide mental health support to students and modernizing community centers to speeding up our transition to clean energy and helping our police departments keep our community safe, this funding will make a significant impact in the 6th District.\u201d\n\nSee below quotes from funding recipients:\n\n\u201cWe are so thankful for the Community Project Funding secured by Representative Casten for the B.R. Ryall YMCA,\u201d said Rob Wilkinson, CEO of the B.R. Ryall YMCA of Northwestern DuPage County. \u201cThis much-needed funding will enable our Y to respond to identified critical community needs, which include teen mental health, affordable child care and handicap accessibility in our facility. In addition, the funds will help us modernize, repurpose and expand program spaces\u2014allowing our organization to be more responsive to changing community needs.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are grateful for Congressman Casten\u2019s support of Pace\u2019s funding request,\u201d said Pace Executive Director Melinda J. Metzger. \u201cAs Pace continues to make progress towards our commitment to convert our entire fleet to zero-emissions vehicles by 2040, funding for these electric paratransit buses is a great step forward in that effort. I\u2019m pleased that the Pace Board\u2019s vision of a green energy future aligns with President Biden\u2019s and Congressman Casten\u2019s goals and we look forward to working with our federal partners on additional funding towards this effort in the years ahead.\u201d\n\n\"This funding is crucial to our long-term vision for the Library,\u201d said Betsy Adamowski, Executive Library Director at Wheaton Library. \u201cWith it, we can make much needed repairs to our west entrance and also convert it into a large public gathering space that overlooks the beautiful, historic Adams Park here in downtown Wheaton. We'll be able to bring youth programs outside, host new events like outdoor movies or concerts, and provide a more welcoming destination for any visitors stopping by to read a book. The Wheaton Public Library exists to connect the community to both knowledge and experiences. This project allows us to expand on that tradition in new ways, and we are very grateful for the opportunity to carry it out.\"\n\n\u201cWe are thrilled with this announcement as the DuPage Central Receiving Center will effectively and compassionately reduce hospital emergency room visits and unnecessary incarcerations while providing accessible evaluation and treatment linkage for mental health and substance use crises,\u201d said Karen Ayala, Executive Director of the DuPage County Health Department. \u201cThe funding and logistical problems faced treating substance use disorder and mental illness require a comprehensive multi-jurisdictional funding approach and the funds secured by Representative Casten is an important and necessary component.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis funding package allows DuPage County\u2019s Division of Transportation to advance preliminary engineering studies of the portion of the East Branch DuPage River Trail, from the Illinois Prairie Path south to Illinois Route 56 (Butterfield Road),\u201d said Deborah Conroy, Chair of the DuPage County Board. \u201cThis north-south trail was first conceptualized in the 1990s as a path for runners, walkers, cyclists and nature lovers. It will connect forest preserves with parks, the Morton Arboretum, other natural areas and communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe $250,000 funding that was recommended for Glen Ellyn School District 41 by Representative Sean Casten will provide an additional mechanism for our community to access mental health supports for their children,\u201d said Dr. Melissa Kaczkowski, Superintendent of Glen Ellyn District 41. \u201cBeing able to provide mental health services directly to students in a familiar and safe setting, after school hours, will help students get what they need while maintaining their ability to participate in learning during the school day. District 41 is committed to leading the way in terms of providing wrap-around services to families and this funding will make an immediate impact on our families and community.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe announcement of this funding is a significant moment for our City,\u201d said West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda. \u201cThis site has afflicted West Chicago for decades, and through the development of this new park we can begin looking towards the future. Representative Casten and his team\u2019s advocacy on our behalf has made a tremendous impact on our community, and the City of West Chicago is indebted to them for their continued support.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn behalf of the Village of Wayne, and the entire staff at the Wayne, IL Police Department, we would like to sincerely thank U.S Representative Casten and the Appropriations Committee for their financial support through this grant opportunity,\u201d said Timothy Roberts, Chief of Police at Wayne County Police Department. \u201cWe are a small Village and Police Department, and these funds make a huge impact on the ability to do our job. These valuable funds will allow the Police Department to purchase additional portable police radios, and in-car police computers, which will result in the efficient deployment of police services to the residents of our community. They will also help to keep our police officers safe while performing their duties, at a time when they are facing many challenges.\u201d\n\n\"We are incredibly grateful for the support of Representative Casten in the securing of this funding, as our co-op will have a lasting, positive impact on our community here in Lombard and DuPage County,\u2019 said Kathy Nash, President and cofounder of Prairie Food Co-op. \u2018Our community-owned grocery store will revitalize the area in which it\u2019s located, provide jobs, give families access to fresh and healthy food, keep money local, and give Illinois farmers and small businesses direct access to consumers to sell their products.\"\n\n\u201cThe Village of Hawthorn Woods is extremely grateful to Representative Casten for facilitating our request to bring essential utilities to a section of Hawthorn Woods without water and sewer infrastructure,\u201d said Pamela Newton, COO of Hawthorn Woods. \u201cThis grant will be the catalyst for new economic development opportunities in Lake County, putting more people to work in Illinois. Thank you, Representative Casten, for brining federal funding back home to assist the small communities in your district. \u201c\n\n\u201cClean streams, rivers, and waterways are important to every community and Wheaton Sanitary District takes pride is being able to support this in the communities we serve,\u201d said Matthew Larson, Executive Director of Wheaton Sanitary District. \u201cThe Community Project Funding Rep. Casten secured for Wheaton Sanitary will go directly to providing wastewater treatment infrastructure that will be used to keep our streams, rivers, and waterways clean.\u201d\n\n\u201cThank you to U.S. Representative Sean Casten for helping to secure community project funding for our Willowbrook Wildlife Center master plan project. We are proud to be incorporating renewable energy into the Wildlife Clinic and Visitor Center that will be open for all to enjoy,\u201d said Forest Preserve District of DuPage County president Daniel Hebreard. \u201cThe center will be the District's first net-zero designed building, which means energy produced from renewable resources exceeds the energy consumed by the building. The center helps us care for local native wildlife and wild areas while increasing our District\u2019s sustainability and helping to connect people with nature.\u201d\n\nRep. Casten championed funding for 14 projects that will directly benefit Illinois\u2019s 6th District residents. These include:\n\n$2,000,000 for the B.R. Ryall YMCA of Northwestern DuPage County\n\nThis funding would be used to repurpose, modernize, and expand program spaces. Specifically, the funds will be used to increase affordable infant/toddler care; ADA accessibility; and teen-focused areas for STEAM learning, health and social programs.\n\n$1,000,000 for the Battery-electric Paratransit Pace Bus Fleet\n\nThis funding would be used to buy five new battery-electric paratransit buses.\n\n$750,000 for the City of Wheaton Public Library Rehabilitation\n\nThis funding would be used for the rehabilitation of the City of Wheaton's public library. The funding would rehabilitate the entrance of the library and expand it; allowing a greater number of outdoor events that provide additional opportunities for residents engage with and use services provided by the Wheaton Library.\n\n$1,000,000 for the DuPage County Health Department\n\nThis funding will be used for the construction of a Central Receiving Center (CRC). The CRC will be an easily accessible location and single point of entry for law enforcement, emergency personnel or families to bring an individual experiencing a mental health crisis. Once at a CRC, individuals are assessed to identify the most appropriate level of treatment for their needs within 24 hours.\n\n$1,500,000 for the DuPage River Trail\n\nThis request would fund preliminary engineering for a 4-mile section of the East Branch DuPage River Trail that will connect trail users (pedestrians, bicyclists, runners, etc.) from various communities and existing Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trails to local and regional attractions including downtowns, DuPage County Forest Preserves, parks, Morton Arboretum and ultimately to destinations in neighboring counties.\n\n$250,000 for the Glen Ellyn School District 41\n\nThis funding would be used to start up on-site after school mental health support access programs for students and families.\n\n$2,000,000 for the Kerr-McGee Superfund Remediation\n\nThis funding will be used for remediation of the Kerr-McGee Superfund. The Kerr-McGee site is one of four Superfund National Priorities List sites in the West Chicago area that had been contaminated with radioactive thorium wastes.\n\n$54,000 for the Wayne Police Department Law Enforcement Equipment Upgrades\n\nThis funding will be used to purchase new patrol radios and updated computers for department squad cars. This will help the department equip new patrol officers and aid in communication and delivery of police services.\n\n$750,000 for the Prairie Food Co-Op\n\nThis funding will be used to create DuPage County\u2019s first community owned grocery store, creating good-paying jobs and steady revenue streams for over 300 local urban, suburban and rural Illinois farmers and producers.\n\n$1,500,000 for the Village of Hawthorn Woods\n\nThis funding will be used to fund a utilities extension to serve an underserved population currently on well and septic systems.\n\n$2,655,400 for the Wheaton Sanitary District for Secondary Clarifier Upgrades\n\nThis funding will be used for Secondary Clarifier Upgrades that will include the installation of new mixed liquor piping (to alleviate hydraulic bottlenecking & flat watering), a new splitter structure, replacement of all clarifier mechanisms and components, and modifications to the sludge conveyance system to allow for increased return flows.\n\nRep. Casten toured Wheaton Sanitary District in August of 2021. You can find photos of his tour here.\n\n$2,000,000 for the Willowbrook Wildlife Center Efficiency Improvements\n\nThis funding will be used to help construct and increase the energy efficiency of a new, net-zero 27,000-square-foot wildlife rehabilitation clinic and visitor center that replaces the current 42-year-old Glen Ellyn building.\n\nRep. Casten toured the Willowbrook Wildlife Center in August of 2022 as part of his STEM Scholars program. You can find photos of his tour here.\n\n$200,000 for the WINGS Program, Inc., Rolling Meadows, IL, for facilities and equipment\n\nThe funding would be used for Capital Rehabilitation of WINGS Safe Houses. For 37 years, WINGS has been helping women, men and children to escape domestic violence. WINGS provides safe emergency shelter, housing, counseling, mentoring and other supportive services to ensure that the cycle of violence ends for each family.\n\nRep. Casten toured a WINGS facility in August of 2022. You can find photos of his tour here.\n\n$144,800 for the Worry Free Community, Glendale Heights, IL for facilities and equipment\n\nThis funding would be used to make capital improvements to support a larger spectrum of healthcare needs by hosting a community health worker call center and running programs to support data collection and community needs assessment for underserved, uninsured and new immigrant communities in IL District-06 and surrounding areas.\n\nThe legislation now heads to President Biden\u2019s desk for his signature. A detailed summary of the bill is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://castor.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403998", "Rep. Castor: Year-End Federal Appropriations Package Provides Holiday Cheer for Families, Veterans and Tampa Bay Area Neighbors That Will Last Through the Year", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Kathy Castor", "C001066", "castor.house.gov", "castor", "https://castor.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Omnibus on the way to President Biden to lower the cost of living, creates better-paying jobs, and support our neighbors\n\nToday, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) voted to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act just in time for the holidays to help families, veterans, small business owners, and students now and into 2023. The \u201comnibus\u201d also includes vital aid to Floridians devastated by the costliest hurricane season through emergency supplemental funding to respond to the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Overall, the investments will lower the cost of living for hardworking people, make housing more affordable, create better-paying jobs, combat the climate crisis, and keep our nation and communities safe.\n\n\u201cAs we continue to fight inflation and the rising cost of living, I was proud to vote for critical investments in better health care for kids, more affordable college and greater support for our veterans and military families.\n\n\u201cCommunities like Tampa have felt the pinch of the hot housing market, so I made housing affordability a priority through more robust support for first time homebuyers and increased access to affordable housing, while investing in more housing options for our service members and veterans. We\u2019ll also protect housing assistance for nearly 5 million Americans to ensure they remain in safe, stable and affordable housing. Local communities in Florida will bounce back faster through Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds for recovery from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.\n\n\u201cThis package supports people struggling to make ends meet by strengthening nutrition assistance, fighting urgent health disparities, ensuring expanded access to health care for children, and supporting the health and well-being of our community of veterans.\n\n\u201cI am also proud to share that this package includes grants for a total of $27,699,164 directly to the Tampa Bay area \u2013 from cost-saving energy efficiency upgrades for Feeding Tampa Bay\u2019s new facility to expansion of The Skills Center youth empowerment center in East Tampa to a first-of-its kind Latin Tech Accelerator for Latino entrepreneurs. 2023 is looking bright for our Tampa Bay community, and I look forward to continuing my work with local partners to ensure that our neighbors and small businesses benefit.\u201d\n\nBelow are a few highlights from the government funding bill:\n\nChildren and Families:\n\nInstitutes a permanent Summer EBT program, with grocery benefits to replace school meals for 29 million children in low-income families when schools are closed for the summer\n\nProvides 40 million children with 12 months of continuous eligibility for their coverage in Medicaid and CHIP, reducing churn and ensuring kids have stable access to health insurance\n\nExtends funding for the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for two years\n\nIncreases funding for early childhood education programs by $2.8 billion, affecting Head Start, the Child Care Development Block Grant, and Preschool Development Grants\n\nGrants historic funding for the critical Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting initiative, which improves health outcomes for pregnant people and young families who live in underserved communities\n\nDirects HHS to research the effects of social media and technology on infants, children, and adolescents\n\nIncludes $385 million for Children\u2019s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education, helping children\u2019s hospitals train physician residents across the country\n\nHelps our nation\u2019s elementary and secondary students through $18.4 billion for Title I grants to low-income schools and $15.5 billion for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act programs\n\nHealth:\n\nFive years of increased Medicaid funding for our neighbors in Puerto Rico\n\nNew investments in mental health services, which will improve access to medication-assisted treatment, expand our mental health workforce and increase coverage of mental health services, including specific resources for children and youth\n\nPassage of the PREVENT Pandemics Act, which uses lessons learns from COVID-19 to improve our preparedness for future public health emergencies\n\nStrong guardrails to prevent disruption to families\u2019 health coverage, as states resume Medicaid recertifications next year.\n\nIncrease for every CDC Cancer Program, supporting the Cancer Moonshot Initiative\n\n$25 million to continue firearm injury and mortality prevention research at the CDC and NIH\n\nGuidance on diversity action plans for clinical trials, ensuring manufacturers take different demographic categories into account, including pregnant and lactating women\n\n200 new Graduate Medical Education residency positions, with 100 dedicated to psychiatry residents to address our nation\u2019s mental health emergency\n\n$4 million for the MISSION Zero Trauma Grant program, developing critical partnerships between our military and civilian trauma providers\n\nCollege Affordability:\n\nElevated funding for federal student aid programs for college students, with an increase of $500 for the maximum Pell Grant each year and increases in federal-work study, TRIO, and GEAR UP programs\n\nVeterans:\n\n$21 billion increase for veterans\u2019 health care \u2013 including supporting the VA as it implements our landmark PACT Act\n\n$3.9 billion to administer benefits, including disability compensation benefits, to support the VA\u2019s effort to decrease their claims backlog\n\n$1.9 billion for caregiver support\n\n$35 million for veterans' treatment courts\n\n$337 million to support improved access to care, including expanded access to transportation and telehealth\n\n$840.5 million for women\u2019s health, to include gender-specific healthcare services, and initiatives and improvements to health care facilities treating our female veterans\n\n$13.9 billion for mental health, including $498 million for suicide prevention outreach\n\n$2.7 million for programs to prevent veteran homelessness\n\nAffordable Housing:\n\nGrows opportunity through homeownership and rental assistance, including more than 12,000 new housing choice vouchers targeted to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness and over 2,800 new units for seniors and persons with disabilities\n\nSupports the vulnerable with public housing safety, maintenance and improvement investments, such as the remediation of lead paint and radon\n\nProtects housing assistance with $8.5 billion for the Public Housing Fund, ensuring more than 4.8 million individuals and families continue to remain in safe, stable, and affordable housing\n\nInvests $3.6 billion in efforts to reduce homelessness\n\nIncludes $3 billion in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds for recovery from major disasters occurring in 2022\n\nDirects $1.5 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program - which will lead to the construction of nearly 10,000 new rental and homebuyer units\n\nProvides $350 million for the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative\n\nMilitary Construction:\n\n$2 billion for major and minor VA infrastructure construction\n\n$19 billion in defense spending for military construction and family housing, and funding for other priorities projects addressing resiliency and quality of life\n\n$360 million for the Air Force to continue to rebuild facilities at installations damaged by hurricanes and flooding, including in Florida\n\n$293 million for construction of new child development centers and planning and design for future projects to address insufficient access to childcare facilities and the poor conditions of existing facilities\n\n$90 million for planning and design to enhance military installation resilience\n\nClimate:\n\nCleans up pollution while rebuilding our infrastructure with $2.76 billion for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure through the Environmental Protection Agency grant programs\n\nInvests in historically underserved communities overburdened by disproportionate levels of pollution with $108 million for Environmental Justice activities\n\nFollows the science and develops common-sense standards to curb pollution with $10.1 billion for the EPA, including $4.1 billion for core science and environmental program work\n\nIncludes more than $15.3 billion of transformative investments in clean energy and science, which will help develop and deploy clean, affordable, and secure American energy and create tens of thousands of green jobs in communities across the country.\n\nOther:\n\n$40 billion in emergency disaster funding to help victims of hurricanes and wildfires throughout our country, to address the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, and $1 billion for Puerto Rico\u2019s electrical grid.\n\n$45 billion in security, economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, as we continue to support their fight for Democracy.\n\n$14.1 billion for the Social Security Administration (SSA) for SSA\u2019s administrative expenses, the largest increase in more than a decade\n\nIncreasing funding for the National Labor Relations Board for the first time since fiscal year 2010, a sigh of relief for millions of America\u2019s workers\n\nReforming the Electoral Count Act of 1887, which will help thwart future attempts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power like we saw on January 6th.\n\nDesignating a study of wild and scenic river segments of the Little Manatee River (which passes through Hillsborough County)\n\n$ 500 million for NOAA to repair and replace equipment including hurricane hunter aircraft used to track and respond to disasters.\n\nA detailed summary of the legislation is available here.\n\nRelated News", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-castro-secures-funding-for-key-foreign-affairs-programs-in-2023-omnibus-appropriations", "Chairman Castro Secures Funding for Key Foreign Affairs Programs in 2023 Omnibus Appropriations", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaquin Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", "castro", "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, announced that the 2023 federal omnibus appropriations bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on December 23, 2022 includes significant investments he secured to advance American interests and promote sustainable development around the world.\n\n\u201cFor the past two years, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact has worked to strengthen America\u2019s contributions to a healthier, safer, and more equitable world. As our work concludes for the 117th Congress, I\u2019m very proud that the 2023 omnibus includes funding for many of the critical programs our Subcommittee has championed. I thank my Subcommittee colleagues for their dedicated service and I look forward to seeing how our legislative efforts will continue to improve lives around the world,\u201d said Chairman Castro.\n\nProvisions secured by Chairman Castro in the 2023 omnibus include:\n\nCentroam\u00e9rica Local:\n\n$100 million for USAID to fund locally led development programs in Central America that seek to address causes of irregular migration by strengthening regional governance, promoting economic growth, and improving the rule of law. Chairman Castro secured additional language in the omnibus that allows USAID to use these funds in a flexible and locally responsive manner.\n\nInnovation at USAID\n\n$40 million for USAID\u2019s Development Innovation Ventures program, which promotes innovative approaches to development assistance. This funding represents a $10 million increase from 2022. Chairman Castro secured additional language in the omnibus that removes the limit to how many innovation incentive awards can be provided each year by USAID.\n\nSupporting Global Health Programs for Vulnerable Children:\n\n$30 million for global child health programs, a $2.5 million increase from 2022. This funding supports implementation of the Global Child Thrive Act, legislation authored by Chairman Castro that became law in 2021.\n\nAsia Foundation\n\n$22 million in U.S. contributions to the Asia Foundation, an increase of $500,000 from 2022. The Asia Foundation is a U.S.-based organization committed to improving lives across Asia with a focus on good governance, gender equality, inclusive growth, climate action, and regional and international relations.\n\nBuilding a Diverse Diplomatic Corps:\n\n$18 million for paid student internships at the State Department, a $10 million increase from 2022. This funding supports implementation of the Castro-authored Department of State Student Internships Program, which passed as part of the FY2023 NDAA. The State Department estimates that $18 million in funding will support up to 1,200 paid interns per year, doubling the size of the program.\n\nMekong-US Partnership:\n\n$7 million for rule of law and environment programs in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia. This funding represents an increase of $2 million from 2022.\n\nChairman Castro also worked with his colleagues to secure funding to cover U.S. arrears at the United Nations, as well as an additional $500,000 to support grants, programs, and activities that promote the employment of U.S. citizens by international organizations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-castro-highlights-progress-for-san-antonio-in-2023-ndaa", "Congressman Castro Highlights Progress for San Antonio in 2023 NDAA", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaquin Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", "castro", "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, President Joseph R. Biden signed the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for the Fiscal Year 2023 (Fiscal Year 2023 NDAA) into law, authorizing several provisions secured or supported by Congressman Castro, including new limits to surprise medical billing at Brooke Army Medical Center and new funding for Joint Base San Antonio. The Fiscal Year 2023 NDAA also authorizes a 4.6% pay raise for servicemembers and the DOD civilian workforce, along with improvements to military and dental health care and on-base services.\n\n\u201cEvery year, Congress has important debates about the size of our national defense budget, but federal investments in our servicemembers will always be a sacred priority,\u201d said Congressman Castro. \u201cThis year\u2019s NDAA includes a well-deserved military pay raise and new investments in on-base services for military families to improve their lives and strengthen troop retention. I\u2019m extremely pleased that the NDAA will also enact legislation I wrote to limit surprise medical billing at Brooke Army Medical Center and protect civilians who receive trauma care at the Army\u2019s premier medical training center. As this bill becomes law, I wish all of America\u2019s military families a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year.\u201d\n\nFunding for Joint Base San Antonio in the Fiscal Year 2023 NDAA includes:\n\n$58.6 million for JBSA to construct an Ambulatory Care Dental Center replacement\n\n$29 million for JBSA-Randolph to construct a Child Development Center\n\n$5.4 million for JBSA-Lackland to construct BMT Recruit Dormitories\n\nProvisions secured by Congressman Castro in the Fiscal Year 2023 NDAA include:\n\nLimits to Surprise Medical Bills at Brooke Army Medical Center\n\nThe FY2023 NDAA includes a provision authored by Congressman Castro that requires the Director of the Defense Health Agency to implement a modified payment plan based on a sliding-scale discount program for civilians who are underinsured or at risk for financial harm who receive treatment at Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) including Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio.\n\nThis provision follows an amendment that Congressman Castro secured in the FY2021 NDAA to provide MTFs with the flexibility to waive medical bills for civilians. BAMC is one of two Level 1 Trauma Centers in San Antonio and must treat civilians to maintain its accreditation for graduate medical education. In recent years, civilians have faced high medical bills after receiving trauma care at BAMC, even though their care helps prepare military medical professionals to meet the medical needs of American servicemembers.\n\nInvestments in America\u2019s Workforce and National Security Research\n\nThe FY2023 NDAA also includes provisions authored or co-authored by Congressman Castro in his capacity as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact and as a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence that will:\n\nImprove student internship opportunities at the State Department by providing the Department with permanent authority to pay its interns and requiring it to transition its internships to a paid program in the coming years. The legislation also describes new parameters for the student internship program, including considerations for diversity and requirements for housing and travel costs to be covered for certain interns serving in D.C. or abroad.\n\nSupport the employment of U.S. citizens by international organizations by providing additional authorities and funding avenues to place qualified Americans at UN agencies, including through the Junior Professional Officer program.\n\nRestore U.S. leadership in international organizations by authorizing the State Department to provide housing allowances to nine additional members of the Foreign Service who are serving in New York City at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Under current law, the State Department is only able to provide a housing allowance to 32 members of the Foreign Service who are serving at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, a restriction that has prevented the United States from properly staffing the Mission.\n\nExpand training and professional development opportunities for the civil and foreign service at the State Department by providing authorities to strengthen the Foreign Service Institute, including through additional training offerings, new fellowship programs for Foreign and Civil Service, and other provisions to improve the training of U.S. diplomats.\n\nProvide pay equity for government employees working abroad by requiring members of the Civil Service under a Department Employee Teleworking Overseas (DETO) agreement (most often provided to military/foreign service spouses or dependents) to be paid either at what they would have been paid in the United States or what a member of the Foreign Service at an equivalent level serving overseas is paid.\n\nExpedite the declassification of CIA historical records by requiring the CIA Historical Review Panel to report directly to the Director of the CIA and requiring that the Inspector General of the CIA submit a report to Congress that outlines the CIA\u2019s declassification efforts.\n\nImprove diversity within the Intelligence Community by requiring the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report to Congress that documents barriers or obstacles to promotion for women and minorities, proposals to overcome those barriers, and summarizes existing efforts to strengthen the promotion pipeline for underrepresented populations in the Intelligence Community.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-castro-touts-major-investments-for-san-antonio-in-2023-federal-appropriations-legislation", "Congressman Castro Touts Major Investments for San Antonio in 2023 Federal Appropriations Legislation", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaquin Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", "castro", "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass fiscal year 2023 federal funding legislation with more than $15.6 million that Congressman Joaquin Castro secured for community projects in San Antonio. The bill also includes billions of dollars to fund health care, nutrition, workforce development, and other programs that benefit working people and seniors in San Antonio and across the nation. The legislation passed the U.S. Senate on December 23, 2022 and will likely be signed into law in the coming days.\n\n\u201cSince the beginning of the 2023 appropriations process, I\u2019ve fought to make sure the federal government\u2019s spending priorities reflect the needs of people in San Antonio. I\u2019m pleased that the final federal funding package includes more than $15 million I got for community projects in San Antonio, in addition to nationwide investments in health care, job creation, and other important areas of progress. This bill will improve lives in San Antonio and across the country, and I look forward to seeing President Biden sign it into law,\u201d said Congressman Castro.\n\nCongressman Castro secured funding for the following community projects in San Antonio:\n\nHousing\n\nOur Casas Resident Council, Inc.\n\nThe High Impact Housing Project (HIPP)\n\nThis funding will support efforts to repair the homes of low-income homeowners on the Westside of San Antonio. The rehabilitated homes will be renovated to meet building codes and address safety issues among other concerns to provide better living conditions for the homeowners.\n\nFunding: $1,057,257\n\nCity of San Antonio Westside Development Corporation / Prosper West\n\nCasa Bella Project\n\nThis funding will support a proposal to acquire Westside homes that are chronically vacant, abandoned, or otherwise in a dilapidated condition, and rehabilitate them to modern standards of construction quality and sustainability while also improving their aesthetic contribution to the neighborhood. After a home has been rehabilitated, Casa Bella will sell it to a household that earns 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI), thus presenting an opportunity for homeownership that would normally be out of reach for many on the Westside.\n\nFunding: $1,000,000\n\nHealth Care & Community Well-Being\n\nEl Centro del Barrio / CentroMed\n\nFQHC Renovation: CentroMed South Park Medical Clinic\n\nThis funding will support renovation costs for the CentroMed South Park Medical Clinic, part of ongoing efforts to increase and enhance access to comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary care services and improve health-related outcomes for underserved, vulnerable populations.\n\nFunding: $1,000,000\n\nUniversity of Texas San Antonio\n\nEvaluation and Research Coordinating Center (ERCC) for the Multi-assistance Center (MAC) at Morgan\u2019s Wonderland\n\nThis funding will help seed the ERCC, an evaluation and research center led by the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), at the MAC at Morgan\u2019s Wonderland. The ERCC will collaboratively establish a comprehensive research program to provide timely data and improve patient outcomes for people living with disabilities and their caregivers in the San Antonio area.\n\nFunding: $492,370\n\nGuardian House\n\nGuardian House \u2013 Triple P Positive Parenting Program Expansion\n\nThis funding will support the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, an evidence-based, scalable, and adaptable parenting and family support system. Currently, this program is provided at no cost to the San Antonio community by the City of San Antonio Metro Health and its community partners as part of Metro Health\u2019s ongoing goal of preventing child abuse and breaking generational cycles of family violence.\n\nFunding: $483,963\n\nCHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care Corporation Center for Miracles\n\nSupport Center for Miracles capacity to care for victims of child abuse and neglect.\n\nThis funding will support the Children\u2019s Hospital of San Antonio\u2019s Center for Miracles in their work to provide training and education to members of the South Texas community on identifying and handling possible child abuse cases. This funding will help train future counselors, social workers, medical staff and first responders to identify, assess, diagnose, and treat child abuse and neglect.\n\nFunding: $472,699\n\nTexas A&M University San Antonio\n\nThe Autism Mobile Assessment Bus and Learning Environment (AMABLE)\n\nThis funding will support AMABLE, a mobile unit serving Edgewood ISD and other partner schools in South San Antonio. The mobile unit will assess and develop recommendations for school-based autism services and educational supports; provide training for teachers and parents; and raise awareness of autism-related issues. The AMABLE motorcoach will be a mobile assessment clinic that provides autism assessment services, parent training, community support services, and Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training to the community.\n\nFunding: $300,000\n\nEducation and Research\n\nSt. Mary\u2019s University\n\nConstruction and Equipment for the Innovation Center at St. Mary's University.\n\nThis funding will support the construction of a new Innovation Center and help St. Mary\u2019s University equip seven laboratories related to advanced manufacturing including Robotics and Smart Manufacturing; Measurement and Instrumentation; Human Factors; Additive Manufacturing and Reverse Engineering; Data Science and Machine Learning; Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Supply Chain; and an Engineering Design Studio.\n\nFunding: $5,561,000\n\nUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at SA\n\nCenter for Innovative Drug Discovery in Hepatic Steatosis (CIDD-HS)\n\nThis funding will support a project to provide laboratory equipment and instrumentation for the CIDD-HS to discover novel treatments for hepatic steatosis. By focusing on new treatments for hepatic steatosis, the CIDD-HS will also help prevent liver failure and liver cancer that arise from hepatic steatosis.\n\nFunding: $1,000,000\n\nUniversity of Texas School of Public Health San Antonio\n\nRenovation of the UT Health San Antonio and UTSA shared school for the University of Texas School of Public Health at San Antonio\n\nThis funding will support the renovation of an existing building for a new shared school between UT Health San Antonio and University of Texas San Antonio that will focus on expanding educational outreach and public health access to communities most in need.\n\nFunding: $1,000,000\n\nGuadalupe Cultural Arts Center\n\nGuadalupe Latino Bookstore Education Outreach and Literacy Program\n\nThis funding will support the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore, a valuable new resource in the San Antonio community which provides space and new opportunities to offer expanded, expert-designed, culturally relevant, and locally situated bilingual programs to underscore literacy as a social practice and to support the educational advancement of local children and other Texas constituents.\n\nFunding: $102,250\n\nCentro Cultural Aztlan, Inc.\n\nChicano Arts Curriculum for K-12 Students\n\nThis funding will support Centro Cultural Aztlan\u2019s work with artists, educators, historians, and cultural experts to develop a series of lesson plans with audio-visual resources and age-appropriate arts activities to engage K-12 students in learning about Chicano art, culture, and history.\n\nFunding: $95,000\n\nSmall Business Support\n\nLiftFund Inc.\n\nSA West Small Business Support Program\n\nThis funding will provide LiftFund with capital and administrative support to make grants directly to small businesses to revitalize their business building infrastructure and for LiftFund to identify structures to be purchased for curating small business on the Westside of San Antonio.\n\nFunding: $1,000,000\n\nUniversity of Texas at San Antonio\n\nHUB Government Contracting Academy\n\nThis funding will support the HUB Government Contracting Academy, which offers business development, work history reviews and guidance, ongoing and consistent advising, and access to capital education and collaboration as solutions for HUBs to successfully win and complete government contracts.\n\nFunding: $576,000\n\nTransportation\n\nSan Antonio International Airport\n\nElectric Shuttle Bus (eBus) Program at the Airport\n\nThis funding will allow for the purchase of three electronic passenger buses (eBus), associated chargers, and design and installation of chargers at the San Antonio International Airport\u2019s Consolidated Rental Car Facility (CONRAC).\n\nFunding: $1,500,000\n\nThe FY2022 Federal Appropriations Bill also includes billions of dollars in funding for nationwide initiatives that benefit San Antonio. Key funding and programs are highlighted below and a full summary of the bill can be found here.\n\nFamilies and Communities\n\nProvides $6 billion in funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program to support needy families and maintain expanded access to fresh fruits and vegetables for post-partum mothers and young children.\n\nExtends Medicaid coverage for children who are most at risk of losing care.\n\nExpands workplace protections for lactating mothers to cover salaried employees and provide recourse against employers who break the law.\n\nPublic Safety and Violence Prevention\n\nProvides $20.5 million for the Domestic Violence Hotline, an increase of $5 million from 2022.\n\nProvides $109 million for the Drug-Free Communities Program, an increase of $3 million from 2022.\n\nProvides $95 million for grants to improve the national firearms background check system.\n\nProvides $45 million to prevent and combat hate crimes.\n\nProvides $115 million to prevent recidivism by re-integrating ex-offenders into the workforce. This funding represents an increase of $13 million from 2022.\n\nEducation and Workforce Development\n\nRaises the maximum Pell Grant by $500 to $7,395.\n\nProvides $228 million for Hispanic Serving Institutions, an increase of $45 million from 2022.\n\nProvides $285 million to fund registered apprenticeships, an increase of $50 million from 2022.\n\nProvides $65 million to continue and expand Strengthening Community College Training Grants to help meet local and regional labor market demand for a skilled workforce by training to workers in in-demand industries at community colleges and four-year partners. This funding represents an increase of $15 million from 2022.\n\nHousing\n\nExpands housing choice vouchers to nearly 12,000 low-income individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness nationwide, including survivors of domestic violence and veterans. This increase comes in addition to the 25,000 new vouchers provided in fiscal year 2022.\n\nMilitary families and veterans\n\nProvides a 4.6 percent pay increase for servicemembers in addition to an 11 percent increase in the Basic Allowance for Housing and an 11 percent increase in the Basic Allowance for Subsistence.\n\nProvides $210 million to reduce food prices at commissaries.\n\nProvides $687 million in funding for school construction on military bases \u2014 the highest level of funding ever.\n\nProvides additional funding to help military families cope with rising inflation, including $12.1 million for a basic needs allowance as a supplement to eligible servicemembers with dependents, a $23.5 million increase in the dislocation allowance to help offset personal expenses for change of station moves, and $164.2 million for temporary lodging expenses to expand coverage during change of station moves from 10 to 14 days.\n\nProvides $5 billion in new mandatory funds for the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund, which supports costs related to implementing the Honoring Our PACT Act.\n\nEliminates co-pays for the first three mental health appointments that a veteran attends each year.\n\nSmall Business\n\nProvides $1.2 billion for the Small Business Administration to support investments in programs to help underserved entrepreneurs access capital and contracting opportunities, including:\n\n$140 million for Small Business Development Centers\n\n$41 million for Microloan Technical Assistance\n\n$30 million for the Federal and State Technology Partnership Program, Growth Accelerators, and Regional Innovation Clusters\n\n$27 million for Women\u2019s Business Centers\n\nProvides $324 million for Community Development Financial Institutions for financial and technical assistance grants and awards to help struggling businesses in underserved communities, an increase of $29 million from 2022.\n\nProvides $70 million for the Minority Business Development Agency to support minority-owned businesses, an increase of $15 million from 2022.\n\nImmigration", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-biden-enacts-castro-authored-legislation-to-protect-fair-pay-for-military-and-foreign-service-spouses-", "President Biden Enacts Castro-Authored Legislation to Protect Fair Pay for Military and Foreign Service Spouses", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaquin Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", "castro", "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, President Joseph R. Biden enacted the Civil Service Federal Employee Serving Overseas Pay Equity Act, legislation authored by Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) to ensure that military and foreign service spouses receive fair pay when teleworking for the federal government from overseas. The legislation is included in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on December 8, 2022, and the U.S. Senate on December 15, 2022.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s military and foreign service families make extraordinary sacrifices for their country and Congress should do everything within our power to lessen their burden,\u201d said Congressman Castro. \u201cEvery year, we lose too many of our best and brightest public servants because of the financial strains of overseas assignments. With the enactment of the Civil Service Federal Employee Serving Overseas Pay Equity Act, military and foreign service spouses will no longer be financially penalized for serving their country from abroad.\u201d\n\nDomestic federal civil service employees currently earn a base salary with a locality pay adjustment based on the cost of living of the location they are serving in. The adjustment begins at 16.2% for civil servants living in the lowest cost-of-living areas in the United States and can reach up to 42.74% for those living in the most expensive areas of the country. However, under current law, civil servants working abroad under the Domestic Employee Teleworking Overseas (DETO) arrangements (often military or foreign service spouses who receive permission to telework abroad when their spouse is stationed overseas) cannot receive locality pay, regardless of the cost of living in their telework location. Under the current DETO system, an entry-level human resources assistant making $36,488 in San Antonio, Texas would see their salary fall to $31,083 if they followed their spouse on an overseas assignment.\n\nThe strength of the DETO program also has a significant impact on the ability of the civil and foreign service to retain mid-career workers, who are often tenured employees with institutional knowledge. The sizable pay cuts faced by civil servants who move abroad can push them to leave federal service for the private sector or leave the workforce altogether, especially if they have children or dependents at home who need full or part-time care.\n\nThe Civil Service Federal Employee Serving Overseas Pay Equity Act would require members of the civil service under a DETO agreement to be paid the lower of either what they would have been paid in the United States or what a member of the Foreign Service at an equivalent level serving overseas is paid.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-cherfilus-mccormick-secures-over-14-million-fl-20-community", "Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick Secures Over $14 Million for FL-20 Community Projects & Helps Avert a Potential Government Shutdown", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick", "C001127", "cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov", "cherfilus-mccormick", "https://cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20) announced the inclusion of thirteen integral community projects in the Fiscal Year 2023 funding package, which was passed by the House in time to avert a potential government shutdown.\n\n\"I'm proud to have secured this critical funding for our district within my first 10 months in Congress,\" said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. \"This legislation delivers over 14 million dollars of critical resources for programs in Broward and Palm Beach Counties to provide housing, economic opportunity, and healthcare to those who need it most.\"\n\nIn addition to local community benefits, the legislation includes $772.5 billion for non-defense discretionary programs and $858 billion in defense funding. The funding bill also delivers investments in housing and homelessness prevention, emergency disaster assistance, increases Pell Grant awards, clarifies the role of the vice president while overseeing the certification of the electoral vote, helps with childcare and utilities, provides support for the environment, provides additional aid for Ukraine, and more.\n\nREAD THE FULL TEXT OF THE BILL HERE\n\nCongresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick championed funding for 13 projects that will directly benefit District 20 residents. These include:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-statement-fy23-omnibus-spending-bill", "Rep. Chu Statement on FY23 Omnibus Spending Bill", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", "chu", "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, the House of Representatives voted to pass the Senate amendment to H.R. 2617, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which provides $1.7 trillion to fund the federal government through fiscal year 2023. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) voted in favor of the legislation and issued the following statement:\n\n\"I was proud to vote today for legislation that ensures the government stays open and makes significant and important investments in our national priorities\u2014both at home and abroad. The legislation includes continued support to President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people in their fight against Putin's war of aggression, as well as important safeguards to protect our electoral system and reestablish the peaceful transfer of power in our democracy. I am thrilled that the package also includes over $33 million in community project funding I requested that will go directly to the San Gabriel Valley to support projects that range from expanding access to dental care, increasing outdoor recreation in the San Gabriel Mountains through an Urban Shuttle system, and investing in affordable housing.\n\n\"As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I am also proud that this legislation includes multiple changes to the tax code I championed that will benefit Americans. The Encourage Americans to Save Act, which I authored, will refashion the saver's tax credit into a more generous saver's match\u2014a federal matching contribution up to $1,000 per year into a retirement savings account. Importantly, the Saver's Match will be permanent and refundable, ensuring that it will help countless low- and middle-income Americans achieve a stable retirement in the future. The ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which I proudly co-led, will allow more Americans with disabilities to save for retirement and disability-related expenses in tax-advantaged accounts. Additionally, I am very pleased that this legislation will create a new benefit category for Medicare beneficiaries struggling with addiction by expanding coverage to Intensive Outpatient Services for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders who presently fall in a coverage gap\u2014requiring more care than typical outpatient visits but less care than intensive inpatient services like hospitalization or around-the-clock supervision.\n\n\"However, while I believe this bill includes necessary funding I strongly support, I was frustrated that Republican congressional negotiators refused to include a number of critical priorities for the American people. For instance, even as abortion access faces unprecedented attacks by the Supreme Court and extreme politicians around the country, this bill fails to increase much needed funding for reproductive rights, including the Title X Family Planning Program, and even maintains the dangerous Hyde Amendment which keeps low-income women from being able to access safe abortion care. Further, this bill fails to provide relief to the millions of families stuck in our broken immigration system or extend the expanded Child Tax Credit, which lowered child poverty by nearly 50 percent during 2021. Finally, while I am proud of the increases in domestic spending to support Americans, I remain deeply concerned about the continued, excessive increase in spending for the Department of Defense, which in this package surpasses even the President's budget request.\"\n\n$33,545,000 in Community Project Fundingfor the San Gabriel Valley:\n\n$750,000 for the Charles White Park Renovation in Altadena, CA\n\n$215,000 for the Chinatown Service Center for Expanding Dental Access for Underserved Communities\n\n$900,000 for the Pasadena Outreach Response Team to provide behavioral health and related services to people experiencing homelessness\n\n$3,000,000 for the Claremont Wildlands Conservancy Clara Oaks Acquisition\n\n$3,000,000 for the Colorado Street/Boulevard Corridor Complete Street in Arcadia CA\n\n$480,000 for the Garfield Health Center for Expanding Access to Health Care in Rosemead\n\n$5,000,000 for the Glendora People Movement Project\n\n$750,000 for the LA-San Gabriel Mountains Urban Shuttle System\n\n$1,200,000 for the Multimodal Improvement Project at Valley Boulevard in Alhambra, CA\n\n$500,000 for the Family Resource Center at Pasadena City College\n\n$1,500,000 for the Pasadena On-Street Dining Project\n\n$10,000,000 for the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund\n\n$4,000,000 for the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust's Affordable Housing Project Pipeline\n\n$1,500,000 for the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments' Mobile Crisis Program\n\n$750,000 for the Transitional Housing Units for Reducing Homelessness Among Foster Youth\n\nOther highlights in the omnibus include:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-garcia-delivers-a-record-27-million-for-community-project-funding-in-his-district", "Congressman Garc\u00eda Delivers a Record $27 million for Community Project Funding in his District", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda", "G000586", "chuygarcia.house.gov", "chuygarcia", "https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garcia (IL-04) announced that he secured $27 million for 15 community projects for Illinois\u2019 4th Congressional District as part of the year-end government spending package. This sum represents a record amount of community project funding for the district.\n\n\u201cI came to Washington to deliver for Chicago and the surrounding municipalities in my district, and I\u2019m proud to be doing exactly that by securing a record amount of funding for these projects,\u201d said Congressman Garc\u00eda. \u201cFor too long, communities like the ones I represent have faced federal disinvestment. This year\u2019s Community Project Funding marks another important departure from that legacy. From replacing lead pipes, to expanding healthcare access, improving public transit, and supporting small businesses, schools, and community centers, these federal dollars will immediately benefit working families across our district.\u201d\n\nCongressman Garc\u00eda delivered funding for 15 projects that will directly benefit residents in the 4th Congressional District of Illinois, investing in infrastructure, healthcare and economic development. These include:\n\n$5,000,000 for the Berwyn 34th Street Modernization and Stormwater Management Improvements Project to continue rehabilitating the roadway, sidewalks, and curb/gutter. This project will improve pedestrian and road safety in a community ravaged by pedestrian and roadway tragedies.\n\n$3,000,000 for the Alivio Medical Center to transform the health landscape for residents of Chicago\u2019s Southwest Side by building a new community health care center in LeClaire Courts.\n\n$500,000 for the Association House of Chicago to expand workforce development training, doubling the center's training capacity from 140 to 280 participants. This expansion is estimated to create more than $12 million in new income generated in the Chicago region.\n\n$3,000,000 for the Chicago Puerto Rican Cultural Center-Business Incubation and Support Hub (BIS Hub) to expand resources for small businesses along the Paseo Boricua commercial corridor. This is part of a larger effort to create a state-designated \u201cPuerto Rico Town, a cultural and commercial district in Chicago\u2019s Northwest Side.\n\n$2,000,000 for the Cook County Environmental Infrastructure - Cicero Water Main Replacement to eliminate the potential lead contamination exposure from the public water supply and provide improved fire hydrant flow protection. Lead contamination has caused serious health issues in working-class communities like Cicero. This vital funding will expedite the replacement of lead main lines.\n\n$1,173,900 for the Erie Family Health Centers to expand an existing health care center and use the new space to turn an urgent care center into a holistic clinic that will serve 7,500 patients that live in some of Chicago\u2019s most underserved neighborhoods on the West Side.\n\n$2,000,000 for Expanding Community-Owned Co-op Housing for the Pilsen Neighborhood to expand the Pilsen Housing Cooperative (PIHCO) helping neighbors secure a place to call home amidst gentrification, skyrocketing rents, and massive displacement of Latino communities.\n\n$500,000 to Maximize Year-Round Use of the Rauner Family YMCA by funding the purchase and installation of an air condition system at this Pilsen/Little Village facility, allowing for year-round summer activities like neighborhood soccer leagues, lessons, and summer camps.\n\n$840,000 for the Pace Bus - Harlem Ave. and Cermak Rd. Transit Signal Priority Project to shorten travel times for bus riders across Southwest Suburban Cook County by funding the implementation of Traffic Signal Prioritization (TSP) equipment that allows buses to communicate with traffic signals and prioritize buses over regular auto traffic.\n\n$500,000 for the PODER Headquarters to improve job training and workshop services at the new headquarters and include crucial amenities like free Wi-Fi, event space for community celebrations, shaded paths, and community green space for the Gage Park community and Southwest Chicago region.\n\n$2,000,000 for the Rehabilitation of Cicero Ave. Bridge over Sanitary and Ship Canal which will improve the bridge efficiency and the vital north/south truck route along Cicero Avenue.\n\n$2,000,000 for the Rudy Lozano Branch Library Renovation. Rudy Lozano was the pioneering leader of the labor and immigrant rights\u2019 movements in Chicago until his untimely death. A major renovation of this library would greatly improve the facility's ability to not only honor the legacy of Rudy Lozano, but would also contribute to the cultural welfare of Pilsen, its residents, and all Chicagoans.\n\n$1,000,000 for the Saint Anthony Hospital for pre-construction activities at the new location serving the West and Southwest side of Chicago \u2013 the only major hospital on the Southwest side once completed. This project will expand health access to underserved communities and will play a central role as an economic and employment hub for the Black and Latino communities nearby.\n\n$3,200,000 for the Sanitary Sewer Lining Replacement in Northlake which will replace the lining of a more than 70 year-old clay tile sewer with new infrastructure. This will make our infrastructure more resilient by reducing inflow and infiltration and easing the burden on local sewage treatment plants.\n\n$350,000 for the The LeClaire Hearst Advisory Council (AMCLC) Project to improve the air circulation, cooling, and heating system in the LeClaire Field House serving Southwest Chicago. With this funding, seniors and families will now be able to safely use the space year-round for activities and events.\n\nThis legislation will now go to the President for his signature as part of the FY 2023 Omnibus package.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-garcia-s-statement-on-government-funding-package", "Congressman Garc\u00eda\u2019s Statement on Government Funding Package", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda", "G000586", "chuygarcia.house.gov", "chuygarcia", "https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Congressman Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda (IL-04) issued the following statement after voting to approve the government funding package for Fiscal Year 2023.\n\n\u201cI came to Washington to deliver for people in Chicago and across our district, and on top of the billions it would provide to the state of Illinois, this package includes a record $27 million in funding I helped secure for community projects across our districtthat address a long history of federal disinvestment in our communities.\n\n\u201cThis bill takes important steps to support working people across the country. It makes the government better equipped to fight corporate greed by strengthening antitrust law and bolsters worker organizing by increasing funding for the National Labor Relations Board for the first time in nearly 10 years. Finally, it includes a historic piece of legislation that requires employers to provide accommodations for pregnant workers.\n\n\u201cThe bill includes provisions that drive economic justice. It provides summer food assistance for low-income families, summer meals for rural and low-income schools, and increases the maximum Pell Grant for low-income college students by $500. It provides $27 billion for disaster relief across the country, allocating $1 billion to strengthen Puerto Rico\u2019s electric grid, including assistance for low-income and vulnerable households to purchase and install renewable energy. The bill also funds the replacement of lead pipes across the country. Finally, it preserves Medicaid increases for US territories. These are crucial and overdue investments.\n\n\u201cStill, this bill is far from perfect. It is regrettable that this funding package ignored the urgent need for a path to citizenship for immigrant youth, DACA recipients, farm workers, and other migrants who have been in our country sometimes for decades. Though I am happy this package includes $800 million in aidfor asylum seekers, immigrants and asylum seekers deserve better.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s unconscionable that we were able to allocate nearly a trillion dollars for a bloated defense budget, but we failed to make permanent several programs that provided stability and relief for working families, like the expanded monthly refundable Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The monthly expanded CTC payments reduced child poverty by 30 percent, and the expanded EITC helped an estimated 17 million workers. The failure to extend these expanded programs will leave families without critical economic support at a time when the cost of essential goods and services are near record highs.\n\n\u201cI voted for this funding package because, on balance, it will help create a more equitable future for our country. But I want to make one point clear: there is no reason this Congress should end without a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients or the reinstatement of the child tax credit. When we begin the next Congress in a matter of days, the fight for working people will continue.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/declaracion-del-congresista-garcia-sobre-el-paquete-de-financiamiento-del-gobierno", "Declaraci\u00f3n del Congresista Garc\u00eda sobre el Paquete de Financiamiento del Gobierno", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jes\u00fas G. \"Chuy\" Garc\u00eda", "G000586", "chuygarcia.house.gov", "chuygarcia", "https://chuygarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 El congresista Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda (IL-04) emiti\u00f3 la siguiente declaraci\u00f3n luego de votar para aprobar el paquete de financiamiento del gobierno para el a\u00f1o fiscal 2023.\n\n\u201cVine a Washington para ayudar a las personas en Chicago y en todo nuestro distrito, y adem\u00e1s de los miles de millones que proporcionar\u00e1 al estado de Illinois, este paquete incluye un financiamiento r\u00e9cord de $27 millones que ayud\u00e9 a asegurar para proyectos comunitarios en todo nuestro distrito que ayudan a atender una larga historia de desinversi\u00f3n federal en nuestras comunidades.\n\n\u201cEste proyecto de ley toma medidas importantes para apoyar a los trabajadores de todo el pa\u00eds. Equipa mejor al gobierno para luchar contra la codicia corporativa al fortalecer la ley antimonopolio y refuerza la organizaci\u00f3n de los trabajadores al aumentar los fondos para la Junta Nacional de Relaciones Laborales por primera vez en casi 10 a\u00f1os. Finalmente, incluye una legislaci\u00f3n hist\u00f3rica que requiere que los empleadores proporcionen ajustes laborales a las empleadas embarazadas.\n\n\u201cEl proyecto de ley incluye disposiciones que impulsan la justicia econ\u00f3mica. Brinda asistencia alimentaria de verano para familias de bajos ingresos, comidas durante el verano para escuelas rurales y de bajos ingresos, y aumenta la Beca Pell m\u00e1xima para estudiantes universitarios de bajos ingresos en $500. Proporciona $27 mil millones para ayuda en casos de desastre en todo el pa\u00eds, asignando $1 mil millones para fortalecer la red el\u00e9ctrica de Puerto Rico, incluida la asistencia para hogares vulnerables y de bajos ingresos para comprar e instalar energ\u00eda renovable. El proyecto de ley tambi\u00e9n financia el reemplazo de tuber\u00edas de plomo en todo el pa\u00eds. Finalmente, conserva los aumentos de Medicaid para los territorios de EE. UU. Estas son inversiones cruciales y que deb\u00edan haberse hecho hace tiempo.\n\n\u201cA\u00fan as\u00ed, este proyecto de ley est\u00e1 lejos de ser perfecto. Es lamentable que este paquete de financiamiento haya ignorado la necesidad urgente de un camino hacia la ciudadan\u00eda para los j\u00f3venes inmigrantes, los beneficiarios de DACA, los trabajadores agr\u00edcolas y otros inmigrantes que han estado en nuestro pa\u00eds a veces durante d\u00e9cadas. Aunque me complace que este paquete incluya $800 millones en ayuda para los solicitantes de asilo, los inmigrantes merecen algo mejor.\n\n\u201cEs inconcebible que pudi\u00e9ramos asignar casi un bill\u00f3n de d\u00f3lares para un presupuesto de defensa inflado, pero no logramos hacer permanentes varios programas que brindaron estabilidad y alivio a las familias trabajadoras, como la expansi\u00f3n del Cr\u00e9dito Tributario por Hijos (CTC) reembolsable mensual y el Cr\u00e9dito Tributario por Ingresos del Trabajo (EITC). Los pagos mensuales ampliados de CTC redujeron la pobreza infantil en un 30 por ciento, y el EITC ampliado ayud\u00f3 a unos 17 millones de trabajadores. El hecho de que no se extiendan estos programas ampliados dejar\u00e1 a las familias sin un apoyo econ\u00f3mico cr\u00edtico en un momento en que el costo de los bienes y servicios esenciales est\u00e1 cerca de niveles r\u00e9cord.\n\n\u201cVot\u00e9 por este paquete de financiamiento porque, en general, ayudar\u00e1 a crear un futuro m\u00e1s equitativo para nuestro pa\u00eds. Pero quiero dejar un punto en claro: no hay raz\u00f3n para que este Congreso termine sin un camino hacia la ciudadan\u00eda para los beneficiarios de DACA o el restablecimiento del cr\u00e9dito tributario por hijos. Cuando comencemos el pr\u00f3ximo Congreso en cuesti\u00f3n de d\u00edas, la lucha por el pueblo trabajador continuar\u00e1\u201d.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 9725, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"party\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "Democrat", "p2": "2022"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": 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