{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"CA\" and year = 2025 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases/news-rep-jim-costa-delivers-65-million-federal-funding-central-valley", "NEWS: Rep. Jim Costa Delivers $6.5 Million in Federal Funding for Central Valley Communities", "2025-12-31", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", "costa", "https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 This month Representative Jim Costa (CA-21) has secured $6.5 million in federal funding for four community projects included in the fiscal year 2026 agriculture funding package. These investments will strengthen key infrastructure and public safety initiatives across the Central Valley, helping to improve the quality of life for constituents in California\u2019s 21st Congressional District.\n\nThe four community project funding requests that Rep. Costa secured are as follows:\n\n$3.5 million for the Kaweah River Siphon Project by Tulare Irrigation District. This funding will replace the existing siphon, an underground pipeline that carries water underneath the river, that was damaged by the 2023 winter storms. Replacement of the siphon would boost groundwater recharge, improve the reliability of water deliveries, and enhance flood protection in the City of Visalia and surrounding communities.\n\n$1 million for the Orange Cove Police Department. This funding will enable the City of Orange Cove to build a new, modern police department headquarters to enhance public safety. The new facility will include senior housing and commercial space, a multi-use development that strengthens public services, supports local economic activity, and addresses housing needs.\n\n$1 million for Kingsburg Emergency Operations Center. This funding will enable the City of Kingsburg to build a new Emergency Operations Center, strengthening the region\u2019s ability to respond to weather-related disasters and public safety emergencies.\n\n$1 million for the Parlier Police Department. This funding for this project will help the City of Parlier to fully renovate and modernize its police department. Key improvements include expanding the evidence room, replacing leaking roofs, and adding a public lobby to serve as a community space for outreach.\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nUnder guidelines issued by the House Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funds for up to 15 projects in their community for Fiscal Year 2026. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Congressman Jim Costa submitted funding requests for important community projects in California\u2019s 21st Congressional District to the House Appropriations Committee.\n\nFour out of the fifteen projects requested were approved for funding. The government funding process remains ongoing as Congress continues to negotiate spending packages.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases/correa-announces-anaheim-student-as-congressional-app-challenge-winner", "CORREA ANNOUNCES ANAHEIM STUDENT AS CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE WINNER", "2025-12-30", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "J. Luis Correa", "C001110", "correa.house.gov", "correa", "https://correa.house.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. \u2014 Today, Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) announced Xiong Yi, a student at Fairmont Prep Academy in Anaheim, Calif. as the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge in California\u2019s 46th District. As one of the challenge winners, Xiong will be invited to demonstrate his app to Members of Congress and their staff in the U.S. Capitol.\n\nPhoto of Xiong Yi\n\nYou can watch a walkthrough of Xiong\u2019s app, MathFluent, HERE and by clicking the image below.\n\nScreenshot of Xiong\u2019s app, MathFluent\n\nWhen asked what inspired the creation of MathFluent, Yi said: \u201cThe idea for Math Fluent came from a personal realization: many students can solve math problems, but they don\u2019t always understand why their solutions work. I used to be one of those students. I could follow steps, memorize methods, and get the right answers \u2014 but I didn\u2019t always grasp the deeper meaning or logic. Everything changed when I began questioning the purpose of each step. Instead of rushing to the answer, I practiced asking myself what the problem was teaching, whether my logic made sense, and how I could explain it clearly. My approach didn\u2019t just improve my performance \u2014 it made math enjoyable, empowering, and intellectually satisfying. That insight inspired MathFluent. I wanted to create a tool that trains students to think like mathematicians: curious, analytical, expressive, and independent. Math is a language, and fluency in that language comes from understanding, not pattern-recall. Building this app lets me help others build that skill early, rather than discovering it later by chance.\u201d\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Members of Congress host contests in their districts for middle school and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. Each participating Member of Congress selects a winning app from their district, and each winning team is invited to showcase their winning app to Congress during our annual #HouseOfCode festival. The program is a public-private partnership made possible through funding from Omidyar Network, AWS, Rise, theCoderSchool, Apple, and others. The wildly successful competition continues to impress upon House Members the importance of computer science education and the need to develop a pipeline of diverse, domestic STEM talent.\n\n\u201cI created this app because I believe every student is capable of deep thinking when given the right guidance. When students learn why math works, the subject becomes exciting, not intimidating. It becomes a tool for life \u2014 for engineering, physics, problem-solving, innovation, and even everyday decisions,\u201d Yi added. \u201cMath Fluent is more than an app \u2014 it\u2019s a mission. I want students to feel empowered, capable, and fluent in their thinking. I hope this tool inspires confidence and unlocks the joy that comes from truly understanding math.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-01T05:41:29Z", "2026-04-01T05:42:36Z"], ["https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-jim-costa-announces-2025-congressional-app-challenge-winner", "Rep. Jim Costa Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge Winner", "2025-12-30", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", "costa", "https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FRESNO, Calif. \u2014 Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) today announced Natalie Bonilla as the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for California\u2019s 21st Congressional District.\n\nNatalie Bonilla, a senior at Selma High School, developed Community Support, a mobile app designed for both iOS and Android platforms. The app compiles critical community support resources\u2014including hotline numbers, support groups, phone numbers, and nearby locations\u2014to ensure individuals in the Central Valley can quickly access help during times of need.\n\nInspired by her own personal experiences, Natalie created Community Support to help reduce the stigma around seeking assistance and to make life-saving information more accessible to members of her community. The app provides a user-friendly way for individuals to locate urgent and non-urgent resources in one centralized place.\n\nNatalie built the app using Java and completed most of the coding at home and at school. Through the process, she navigated technical challenges such as adapting the app\u2019s design across different devices and debugging code, gaining a deeper appreciation for the complexity and time required to develop a fully functional application.\n\n\u201cNatalie\u2019s app demonstrates how technology can be used to strengthen communities and support those who may be experiencing difficult moments,\u201d said Congressman Jim Costa. \u201cAs one of America\u2019s future leaders, Natalie has already shown creativity, persistence, and a strong commitment to service. I\u2019m proud to recognize her achievement and look forward to seeing what she accomplishes next.\u201d\n\n\u201cI come from a family deeply involved in social services, which motivated me to continue helping others. I\u2019m very grateful for this opportunity and honored to have been chosen as this year\u2019s winner,\u201d said Natalie Bonilla. \u201cI was completely shocked and didn\u2019t expect it at all. My teacher encouraged me to apply, even though I had a lot of doubts. When I received the news, I was incredibly happy.\u201d\n\nAbout the App\n\nCommunity Support connects users directly to crisis hotlines and local support groups, allowing individuals to quickly find the assistance that best fits their situation. Natalie plans to expand the app in the future by adding additional resources, such as food and transportation services, and enhanced features to improve the user experience.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://liccardo.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-sam-liccardos-first-term-defined-bipartisanship-and-focus-local-priorities", "Rep. Sam Liccardo\u2019s First Term Defined by Bipartisanship and Focus on Local Priorities", "2025-12-30", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Sam T. Liccardo", "L000607", "liccardo.house.gov", "liccardo", "https://liccardo.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Sam Liccardo released his end-of-year report highlighting a first term that balanced a focus on bipartisan problem-solving on housing and other cost-of-living issues with the imperative of responding to lawless, reckless, and harmful actions of the Trump Administration.\n\n\u201cAmid the least productive legislative session in modern history, I came to Congress determined to get things done for our community,\u201d said Liccardo. \u201cNonetheless, I worked to build partnerships on both sides of the aisle \u2013 authoring a bipartisan ACA tax extension to resolve a historic stalemate over health care, garnering committee approval for two bills to accelerate affordable housing, and becoming an original cosponsor of stablecoin legislation that passed the House and ultimately (through the Senate bill) got signed into law.\u201d Several of these proposals\u2013on housing, health care, and tech innovation \u2013gained the attention of national news outlets. \u201cWe\u2019ll build on this momentum, Liccardo observed, and push more legislation to deliver results, particularly on housing and lowering costs.\u201d\n\nLiccardo also highlighted the groundwork laid this year to advance America\u2019s long-term competitiveness. \u201cI crafted and launched an Innovation Agenda to unleash America\u2019s potential to win the 21st century, and I\u2019m proud that this framework earned the support of the largest caucus in Congress, the 116-member New Democratic Coalition,\u201d he added. Liccardo and the NDC are now working to get aligned behind a slate of pro-innovation bills, and he has forged bipartisan support for efforts to counter the Trump Administration\u2019s attacks on high-skill immigration.\n\nLiccardo noted the important work of his team within California\u2019s 16th District as well: \u201cBeyond legislation, our hard-working team enabled the restoration of more than $3 million owed to constituents, and we launched two major regional initiatives\u2014the Wildfire Resilience Partnership and the Partnership for the Coastside\u2019s Future\u2014to strengthen federal, state, and local coordination as our region confronts the inevitable impacts of climate change.\u201d Liccardo concluded, \u201cWe\u2019re entering 2026 with real momentum\u2014rare progress for a first-term member of the minority\u2013 and a mandate to keep pushing.\u201d\n\n2025 Highlights Include:\n\nAdvancing two bipartisan housing bills through the House Financial Services Committee, as part of a package awaiting a vote of the full House in January.\n\nIntroducing the only bipartisan ACA tax credit extension to save taxpayers money, which gained national attention in interviews with cable outlets across the ideological spectrum, from FOX and NewsNation to NBC to CNN and MSNBC.\n\nLeading dozens of colleagues to successfully urge reversal of the Trump Administration\u2019s proposed changes to Continuum of Care funding that would have evicted thousands of extremely low-income families from their homes.\n\nCreating and launching the New Democratic Coalition\u2019s Innovation Agenda, and hosting several bipartisan gatherings of colleagues with AI thought leaders, such as Jensen Huang, Dario Amodei, and Sam Altman.\n\nReturning more than $3 million to constituents and resolving more than 1,400 cases with federal agencies\n\nEstablishing the Wildfire Resilience Partnership and the Partnership for the Coastside\u2019s Future to accelerate and scale infrastructure and risk reduction efforts throughout the district.\n\nAnticipating a future change in leadership, authoring and introducing legislation\u2013and garnering the support of dozens of colleagues as cosponsors\u2013 to combat some of the most severe abuses of the Trump Administration, including efforts to counter:\n\nUnlawful deployment of the military in U.S. cities, through HR 4998, the SUN Act (joined by 56 cosponsors) and HR 6533, The Military in Law Enforcement Accountability Act. (joined by 31 cosponsors)\n\nUnconstitutional executive branch retraction (or \u201cimpoundment\u201d) of federal appropriations for critical federal services and programs, through HR 3454, the Protect Our Constitution and Communities Act (POCCA) (joined by 41 cosponsors)\n\nSelf-enriching actions of elected officials violative of the emoluments clause and longstanding ethic prohibitions, to issue cryptocurrency, securities, and other investment instruments, through HR1712, The MEME Act. (joined by 33 cosponsors)", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://levin.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mike-levin-honors-rev-jason-coker-and-rev-jenell-coker-of-oceanside-as-december-2025-co-constituents-of-the-month", "Rep. Mike Levin Honors Rev. Jason Coker and Rev. Jenell Coker of Oceanside as December 2025 Co-Constituents of the Month", "2025-12-26", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Levin", "L000593", "levin.house.gov", "levin", "https://levin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Oceanside, CA\u2014Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) recognized Rev. Jason Coker and Rev. Jenell Coker, co-lead pastors of The Oceanside Sanctuary, as his December 2025 Co-Constituents of the Month.\n\nThrough their tireless leadership, The Oceanside Sanctuary, one of the oldest churches in North County San Diego, provides critical support to vulnerable neighbors who are hungry, unhoused, or struggling, while expressing the grace and goodness of God to anyone in need. In addition, Rev. Jason Coker and Rev. Jenell Coker are community organizers who advocate for socially-just policies that address the root causes of poverty and inequality.\n\nWhen Rev. Jason Coker started at The Oceanside Sanctuary, the church had fewer than 40 active members and was preparing to close after decades of decline. Today, it is thriving with more than 400 active members and annual contributions exceeding $500,000, making it larger and stronger than at any point in its 150-year history.\n\nRev. Jenell Coker helped grow The Oceanside Sanctuary into what it is today and has been a religious leader for more than 25 years. She is a certified spiritual director through the University of Redlands and San Francisco Theological Seminary, with spiritual formation rooted in the Christian tradition.\n\nUnder their leadership, The Oceanside Sanctuary started a partnership with Feeding San Diego and opened a food panty that provides meals to more than 400 food insecure San Diegans each month. They also joined with other local organizations to offer shelter and aid to asylum seekers who were being dropped off at the Oceanside Transit Center in 2023.\n\nRep. Levin recognized Rev. Jason Coker and Rev. Jenell Coker for their incredible work and dedication to helping people in their community. They are true pillars of Oceanside and have ensured The Oceanside Sanctuary will always maintain its legacy of service.\n\nSee below for Rep. Levin\u2019s statement recognizing Rev. Jason Coker and Rev. Jenell Coaker in the Congressional Record:\n\n\u201cMr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Rev. Jason Coker and Rev. Jenell Coaker as my December 2025 Co-Constituents of the Month.\n\n\u201cRev. Jason and Rev. Jenell Coker are being recognized for their extraordinary leadership, vision, and long-standing commitment to community transformation. Together, they have grown The Oceanside Sanctuary into a thriving, historic congregation that serves as a hub for inclusive, justice-centered ministry in North County San Diego.\n\n\u201cTheir work extends far beyond the church walls through ecumenical and interfaith collaboration, nonprofit leadership, education, and community organizing, and is grounded in a fully LGBTQ-affirming faith that prioritizes dignity, equity, and belonging. Through decades of service, the Cokers have demonstrated how thoughtful, courageous leadership can strengthen institutions, empower communities, and create lasting positive change.\n\n\u201cThey are immensely deserving of this recognition and our district is better off because of their work.\u201d\n\nABOUT THE CONSTITUENT OF THE MONTH PROGRAM:\n\nRep. Levin\u2019s Constituent of the Month program recognizes outstanding North County San Diego and South Orange County residents who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors, give back to their community, and represent the best of our country. Rep. Levin\u2019s November 2025 Constituent of the Month was Mel Vernon, Captain of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians, author, professional musician, and esteemed public speaker and educator. The October 2025 Constituent of the Month was Annalise Aitken, a 17-year-old San Clemente resident, student, and volunteer extraordinaire.\n\n##", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://aguilar.house.gov/2025/12/24/rep-aguilar-2025-report/", "Rep. Aguilar Releases End-Of-Year Report for 2025", "2025-12-24", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Pete Aguilar", "A000371", "aguilar.house.gov", "aguilar", "https://aguilar.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/", "scraper", "Press Releases\n\nRep. Aguilar Releases End-Of-Year Report for 2025\n\nHighlights from 2025 include answering 55,691 constituent letters and calls, returning over $2.5 million in federal dollars to constituents and highlighting nearly $90 million in grant funding for the Inland Empire\n\nToday, Rep. Pete Aguilar issued a report to Inland Empire residents outlining how he fought for California over the course of 2025. Rep. Aguilar prioritized securing resources for the region, lowering costs and fighting back against costly and reckless Republican policies.\n\n\u201cAs 2025 comes to a close, I am proud to share some of the ways I\u2019ve fought to deliver for Inland Empire families and to improve our Californian community,\u201d said Rep. Pete Aguilar. \u201cThis year, I\u2019ve fought for the issues that matter most to the hardworking people I represent: lowering costs, protecting access to quality, affordable health care and strengthening our economy. It is the honor of a lifetime to serve the community that my family has called home for generations, and I will keep fighting for our region in 2026 and beyond.\u201d\n\nDuring 2025, Rep. Aguilar delivered for the Inland Empire in a variety of ways:\n\nCasework:\n\nHelped 647 Inland Empire residents resolve outstanding issues with federal agencies, such as accessing the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\n\nReturned nearly $2.6 million the federal government owed to Inland Empire residents by federal agencies, including IRS refunds, veterans\u2019 benefits and Social Security payments.\n\nCommunity Funding:\n\nAnnounced nearly $90 million in federal funding for the Inland Empire, including funding for public safety, education, transportation, cybersecurity, and public health projects. In total, California\u2019s 33rd Congressional District received more than $190 million in federal funding for 44 grant projects. Specifically, this includes:\n\n$66,032,669 for San Bernardino County\u2019s Head Start Programs to ensure children in the Inland Empire have access to quality early childhood education programs.\n\n$9,360,000 for the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District to hire and train 21 new firefighters, helping to expand the region\u2019s 24-hour on-call fire response coverage and improving safety in the Inland Empire.\n\n$7,397,004 for the San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) Authority\u2019s Airport Improvement Program to reconstruct a portion of the high-traffic taxiway and repaint and slurry the airport\u2019s runways.\n\n$5,306,794 for the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health to expand access to and improve HIV prevention, early intervention and treatment services for underserved communities in San Bernardino County.\n\n$1,000,000 in federal grant funding for California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), in collaboration with the University of California, Riverside (UCR), to expand and enhance artificial intelligence (AI) education and workforce development in the Inland Empire.\n\n$300,000 for CSUSB to enhance its research into the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on the cybersecurity workforce. This funding will enable educators to adapt their curriculum as AI technology rapidly evolves.\n\nLegislative Achievements:\n\nEnacted the University Centers for Growth, Development, and Prosperity (GDP) Act into law. The law codifies the U.S. Economic Development Administration\u2019s (EDA) University Center Economic Development Program and will boost economic development, create jobs and promote innovation and entrepreneurship at schools like Cal State San Bernardino.\n\nPassed legislation in the Appropriations Committee that would allow recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program, also known as Dreamers, to work in the United States Congress.\n\nPassed legislation in the Appropriations Committee allowing DACA recipients to work in the United States federal government. The legislation now awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives.\n\nIntroduced the No Hungry Kids in Schools Act to expand access to meals for every student in America by allowing states to provide no-cost meal programs in public schools.\n\nIntroduced the Housing Stability for Dreamers Act to clarify that DACA recipients can access mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\n\nIntroduced the Affordable Housing Resident Services Act to provide funding to owners of affordable housing properties to offer supportive services for their residents.\n\nIntroduced the bipartisan National GIS Day Resolution to designate November 19, 2025, as National Geographic Information System (GIS) Day and encourage the use of GIS to help drive economic growth and foster a more informed and connected world.\n\nCommunity Outreach:\n\nAttended nearly 300 events throughout the Inland Empire.\n\nHosted community events for constituents. Event highlights from this year include:\n\nHeld five town halls attended by nearly 900 constituents to listen to their concerns and share updates with them about his work in Congress.\n\nHosted a U.S. Post Office dedication ceremony to honor the late Dr. Margaret B. Hill, a longtime educator and community advocate in the Inland Empire.\n\nCo-hosted a Vietnam War Veterans Commemoration to present local Vietnam War veterans with the Vietnam Veterans Lapel Pin provided by the Department of Defense to honor them for their service and provide a lasting memento expressing the nation\u2019s gratitude.\n\nHosted the third annual Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Fair with Fontana Unified School District for students to connect them with local employers providing good-paying career opportunities that don\u2019t require a college degree in the Inland Empire.\n\nHosted an annual Service Academy Night for local high school students interested in attending a United States Service Academy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/nancy-pelosi-san-francisco-examiner-i-believe-san-francisco", "Nancy Pelosi in the San Francisco Examiner: 'I believe in San Francisco'", "2025-12-24", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", "pelosi", "https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "San Francisco \u2013 In a deeply personal holiday reflection published today in the San Francisco Examiner, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi reflected on her nearly four decades representing San Francisco in Congress, expressing gratitude for The City\u2019s people, resilience and enduring spirit. Writing directly to San Franciscans, Pelosi emphasized The City\u2019s history of compassion in moments of crisis and its role in leading the nation with dignity, justice and hope.\n\nAs she prepares for her final year of service in Congress, Pelosi\u2019s message underscored her belief in San Francisco\u2019s future 'as heaven on Earth\u2019, reaffirmed her commitment to democratic participation and called on residents to continue lighting the way with goodness for the country and generations to come.\n\nRead the full letter below:\n\nNancy Pelosi: \u2018I believe in San Francisco\u2019\n\n[By Nancy Pelosi, 12/24/25]\n\nDear San Francisco,\n\nAt this holy time of year \u2014 a season of reflection, hope and gratitude \u2014 my heart is full.\n\nWe are blessed to call this extraordinary city home. Yes, its beauty is breathtaking, but the true wonder of San Francisco has always been its people: the workers and families, the students and veterans, the dreamers and doers who fill our neighborhoods \u2014 from Chinatown to the Mission, from the Fillmore to the Sunset \u2014 with culture, compassion and creativity.\n\nIn every season, I am especially grateful for the spirit that has seen us through triumphs and trials alike. When earthquakes struck, when HIV/AIDS devastated our community, when economic hardship tested us \u2014 San Franciscans met those moments with courage, innovation and an abiding sense of responsibility for one another. Our city proved that progress is possible when compassion leads the way.\n\nAs I wrote recently, America is great when America is good \u2014 and San Francisco has always led with goodness. We show the nation what it means to honor the dignity of every person, to welcome newcomers, to stand tall for justice and to build a future rooted in hope.\n\nFor nearly 40 years, representing you in Congress has been the greatest official honor of my life. You entrusted me to be your voice, to fight for our shared values, and to bring home resources that strengthened our health care, expanded transit, protected our environment, and lifted up families and communities across our city.\n\nAs I prepare for my final year of service as your proud representative, I am filled with gratitude for your confidence, your partnership and your example. And I am filled with optimism in our future. Because I believe in San Francisco. I believe in the goodness of its people. And I believe, as St. Francis teaches us, that we are called always to be instruments of peace.\n\nThis Christmas, my prayer for our city \u2014 and for our country \u2014 is that we continue to offer faith where there is darkness, hope where there is despair and love where there is sorrow; that we remain full participants in our democracy; and that we carry forward our city\u2019s tradition of lighting the way \u2014 for the country and for generations to come.\n\nSan Francisco, know your power. Know your beauty. Know your goodness.\n\nThank you for the blessing of representing the greatest city on Earth \u2014 the place that I will always believe is heaven on Earth.\n\nMay God bless you. And from my family to yours: Merry Christmas and happy holidays.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-and-democratic-colleagues-condemn-vas-decision-to-reinstate-near-total-abortion-ban/", "Brownley and Democratic Colleagues Condemn VA\u2019s Decision to Reinstate Near-Total Abortion Ban", "2025-12-23", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", "juliabrownley", "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Yesterday, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) used the cover of the holiday season to issue an internal memorandum reinstating a near-total ban on abortions and abortion counseling, ripping away access to healthcare from thousands of veterans. This cruel and dangerous move will harm veterans and damages trust in the very system that is supposed to protect them and serve their healthcare needs. Rather than waiting to finalize a proposed regulation on abortion care, VA took this action after receiving a December 18, 2025, Department of Justice legal opinion. This legally suspect policy decision reverses previous steps taken by VA under the Biden administration to ensure veterans received full access to a range of reproductive healthcare.\n\nIn the wake of the Dobbs decision, VA under the Biden administration immediately took regulatory action to preserve veterans\u2019 access to necessary healthcare, publishing a rule that provided veterans access to abortion care in instances of rape, incest, and threat to life or health. VA also lifted a longstanding gag rule\u2014allowing VA providers to discuss abortion with patients who were experiencing unwanted or high-risk pregnancies and pregnancy complications. Because veterans are more likely to experience complicated or high-risk pregnancies due to their service, this regulation was critical to ensuring their health and safety.\n\nHowever, in August of this year, the Trump administration took its first steps to undo this progress, threatening veterans\u2019 reproductive freedom and access to comprehensive healthcare. VA proposed a rule to reinstate a near-total ban on abortions and abortion counseling, with no exceptions in the case of rape, incest, or threat to health. This reversal will mean veterans have less access to abortion care than individuals covered by every other federal healthcare program, all of which at least cover this essential care in instances of rape, incest, and threat to life.\n\nDemocratic members of the House Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs are calling on the Trump administration to reverse this cruel decision and preserve veterans\u2019 access to a full range of reproductive healthcare, including abortion and abortion counseling, through the VA.\n\n\u201cThe Trump administration\u2019s dangerous decision to roll back VA\u2019s already limited abortion access is clearly driven by politics, not patient care,\u201d said Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26), Ranking Member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Subcommittee on Health. \u201cDenying women veterans access to essential reproductive care leaves doctors constrained from acting in their patients\u2019 best interests, and patients at risk of preventable and health-threatening complications. Veterans\u2019 access to health care should not shift with each administration, and women veterans should never be treated as collateral damage in political fights. To stop political interference in critical, life-saving medical care, I introduced the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act to safeguard women veterans\u2019 access to reproductive health services. My Democratic colleagues and I are committed to ensuring that the VA delivers consistent, comprehensive care to all veterans \u2014 based on medical need, not political ideology.\u201d\n\nBrownley\u2019s House Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs colleagues also voiced their staunch opposition to the final rule.\n\n\u201cAs a country, we made a solemn promise to honor veterans\u2019 service and ensure they receive the healthcare they have earned. Veterans should be able to trust that promise and know they can walk into a VA medical center and receive the care they need,\u201d said Ranking Member Takano. \u201cInstead of trusting veterans to make the healthcare decisions that are best for them, VA is allowing political opinion to supplant its duty to veterans. Instead of allowing veterans to discuss all their healthcare options openly and honestly with their providers, VA has decided that the government should be in charge of making healthcare decisions, even in matters of life and death. And instead of fulfilling its duty to provide needed healthcare to veterans, VA has refused to acknowledge the unique and complex healthcare needs of veterans who are more likely to have complex health conditions that can increase the risks associated with pregnancy. Veterans fought for our rights. Now it\u2019s our responsibility to fight for theirs.\u201d\n\n\u201cYou can\u2019t thank a veteran for putting her body on the line for this country, then turn around and take away her right to control it. There is nothing patriotic about denying our nation\u2019s heroes the care they deserve and the ability to determine their own futures,\u201d said Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03).\n\n\u201cThese actions are appalling. Women veterans put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms \u2013 now the Trump Administration is taking these very freedoms away,\u201d said Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-03). \u201cVeterans step up to serve on the promise that we will take care of them when they come home \u2013 and that care should include the full reproductive services that women need to stay healthy. As a member of the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, I will fight back against this dangerous ban.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Trump administration is taking away health care from veterans and their families who have served our country. They\u2019re blocking access for veterans without even providing exceptions for rape or incest, interfering in deeply personal medical decisions,\u201d said Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01). \u201cVA is the only place some veterans can obtain counseling and reproductive care, so I will continue to do everything I can to fight this ban because extreme politicians should stay out of other people\u2019s health care.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor years, our brave women in uniform put their lives on the line to defend the freedoms of every single American, but now the VA is refusing to do the same for them,\u201d said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20). \u201cVA\u2019s new abortion ban is an attack on a woman\u2019s fundamental right to bodily autonomy. But make no mistake \u2013 we will win this fight \u2013 in congress, in the courts, and in our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are seeing yet another heartless decision by the Trump administration to rip away healthcare from the American people, and this time from those who have put their lives on the line for our country. Our veterans deserve full access to timely, comprehensive medical care that allows them to live dignified lives. This abortion ban and any rollback of veterans\u2019 healthcare undermines the mission of the VA, and House Democrats will not stand by and let this administration deny our veterans the care and respect they\u2019ve earned through their service,\u201d said Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26).\n\n\u201cThe Trump Administration is choosing to put veterans\u2019 lives at risk by restricting their access to essential health care. It is dangerous, and it is wrong. This is a betrayal of the promise we make to veterans that we will care for them after they put their lives on the line for us. As an American and as a physician who has cared for patients at the VA, I am outraged. I urge the Trump Administration and VA leadership to immediately reverse this harmful decision and uphold their commitment to veterans,\u201d said Congresswoman Kelly Morrison, M.D. (MN-03), an OBGYN for more than 20 years.\n\n\u201cAs a physician, I trained at the VA, where a sign at the entrance read: \u2018The price of freedom is visible here.\u2019 Our veterans sacrificed everything for this country, and in return, we promised them the best care possible. Denying veterans access to abortion is a profound betrayal of that promise. On the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I will fight relentlessly to reverse this ban and ensure veterans receive the full spectrum of reproductive freedom,\u201d said Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-rep-ro-khannas-statement-latest-epstein-files-released-department", "RELEASE: REP. RO KHANNA\u2019S STATEMENT ON THE LATEST EPSTEIN FILES RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE", "2025-12-23", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ro Khanna", "K000389", "khanna.house.gov", "khanna", "https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), author of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, released the following statement on the newly released Epstein files by the Department of Justice:\n\n\u201cThis release was a bombshell. The files include an email referencing \u201810 co-conspirators\u2019 even though Kash Patel previously testified that there was no credible information to indicate Epstein trafficked women to anyone other than himself. The files also revealed that Trump flew on Epstein\u2019s plane at least eight times between 1993-1996 \u2014 \u2018many more times\u2019 than a federal prosecutor had previously known, according to an email from 2020.\n\nAmericans deserve the truth. DOJ\u2019s refusal to follow the law I passed in Congress and release the full files is an obstruction of justice. They also need to release the FBI witness interviews which name other men, so the public can know who was involved. DOJ is spending more time protecting the Epstein class than the survivors, whose names are required by law to be redacted.\n\nThey had months to prepare for the release of the files and Attorney General Bondi ignored our requests to meet with her. That is why Representative Massie and I are bringing inherent contempt against Bondi. The survivors and the public demand transparency and justice.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://levin.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mike-levin-announces-2025-congressional-app-challenge-winner", "Rep. Mike Levin Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge Winner", "2025-12-23", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Levin", "L000593", "levin.house.gov", "levin", "https://levin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "The Icon for Heart Angel, the Winner of Rep. Levin\u2019s Congressional App Challenge\n\nOceanside, CA\u2014 Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) announced Catherine Wang as the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for California\u2019s 49th Congressional District. The local high school student created Heart Angel, an innovative CPR training and emergency response app designed to guide users through performing life-saving techniques. Catherine was inspired to create this app by her deeply personal recognition of the impact that proper CPR timing and technique have on saving lives.\n\n\u201cI was blown away by all the App Challenge submissions we received. Our district is home to so many bright and talented students creating the apps of the future,\u201d said Rep. Levin. \u201cCongratulations to Catherine on winning this year\u2019s challenge. Her app goes beyond a traditional CPR learning tool by identifying the nearest AED and alerting first responders and nearby CPR-certified volunteers, helping ensure the public is better prepared to respond during an emergency.\u201d\n\nThe second-place winner is Breez, an app created by Advaith Akella, Kiran Musson, and Revanth Akella. Breez allows users to report beach trash in three simple steps.\n\nThe third-place winner is an app created by Arya Balenga and Tyler Kim called Save & Serve. Save & Serve helps limit food waste by providing users with recipes that utilize their soon-to-expire ingredients.\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge was 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, 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", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://matsui.house.gov/media/press-releases/matsui-tokuda-obernolte-hurd-lead-bipartisan-effort-improve-staffing-prevent", "MATSUI, TOKUDA, OBERNOLTE, HURD LEAD BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO IMPROVE STAFFING, PREVENT CUTS AT NATIONAL PARK SERVICE", "2025-12-23", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Doris O. Matsui", "M001163", "matsui.house.gov", "matsui", "https://matsui.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswomen Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02) and Congressmen Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23) and Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03) led a group of 28 total lawmakers in sending a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum urging him to address insufficient staffing levels and refrain from additional employee reductions at National Parks across the country, citing the impact of staffing shortages on park visitors and the economies of neighboring \u201cgateway\u201d communities.\n\nSince January 2025, the National Park Service (NPS) has fired or lost more than 24 percent of its staff, creating significant challenges at National Parks including decreased capacity for emergency response and disruptions to visitor services, infrastructure maintenance, and conservation work.\n\n\u201c[A]t Yosemite National Park, staffing cuts combined with record-setting visitation from January to July led to a 40% increase in search and rescue efforts compared to the same period last year. At Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Montrose, Colorado, the South Rim Fire burned campsites, maintenance vehicles, and other infrastructure, which, when taken along with a one-third reduction in workforce, will impact the local economy as well as park operations such as fire remediation and safety,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cFurthermore, at Joshua Tree National Park, staffing shortages have reduced fee-booth coverage and eliminated evening shifts, limiting visitor safety information, cutting needed fee revenue, and increasing the likelihood of congestion and search-and-rescue incidents. And at Haleakal\u0101 National Park, staffing shortages are delaying critical conservation work and backcountry maintenance, limiting both visitor access and protection of endangered species.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe recognize the importance of efficiency within the federal government. However, reducing National Park Service staff, including positions in supporting offices across DOI, would only intensify the operational challenges parks already face,\u201d the lawmakers continued. \u201cWe respectfully encourage you to work directly with NPS career professionals, including regional directors, associate directors, and Senior Executive Service staff, to identify practical solutions to staffing constraints.\u201d\n\nRecent court filings detail the Interior Department\u2019s plans for further staffing cuts, including reducing an additional 272 positions at NPS in the coming months. The letter also calls on Secretary Burgum to work with Congress to address staffing needs.\n\nThe bipartisan letter is also signed by Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Young Kim (R-CA-40), Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-08), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03), Maria Salazar (R-FL-27), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS-AL), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), David Valadao (R-CA-21), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Kevin Kiley (R-CA-03), Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), James Moylan (R-GU-AL), Becca Balint (D-VT-AL), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02), Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found HERE.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-panetta-and-colleagues-call-president-trump-fulfill-gaza-peace-plan", "Rep. Panetta and Colleagues Call on President Trump to Fulfill the Gaza Peace Plan", "2025-12-23", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Panetta", "P000613", "panetta.house.gov", "panetta", "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and four of his House colleagues are calling on President Trump to take personal action to implement the security and reconstruction pillars of the 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza. Recent reporting indicates that there are serious obstacles to implementing the plan\u2019s security and reconstruction pillars, including militarily-dismantling Hamas and surging humanitarian aid for Palestinians, making the President\u2019s personal and timely engagement urgent.\n\nThe Members wrote, \u201cThe Peace Plan represents the most viable opportunity for necessary security, immediate relief, and long-term stability. The plan rightly recognizes that Hamas must be fully disarmed and play no role in governing Gaza, while calling for a technocratic transitional governing authority. It also prioritizes a surge of humanitarian aid to Palestinians that will be shielded from Hamas; includes a phased withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza based on security conditions; and includes the deployment of an International Stabilization Force.\u201d\n\nThe Members continued to emphasize that the plan\u2019s humanitarian and reconstruction components must be prioritized, stating \u201ca prosperous and rebuilt Gaza would reduce instability, curbing the drivers of extremism, and promoting shared economic growth across the Eastern Mediterranean. Moreover, sustained reconstruction reduces humanitarian dependence on international aid, enabling local governance and private enterprise to take root, demonstrating key pillars of long-term security and regional prosperity.\u201d\n\nThis letter was co-signed by Congressmen Jared Golden (D-ME), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Jim Costa (D-CA), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY), and was endorsed by the Democratic Majority for Israel.\n\n\u201cDMFI is proud to support Rep. Panetta\u2019s letter to President Trump urging him to stay relentlessly focused on implementing the 20-point Peace Plan, including the need to completely disarm Hamas and ensure the terrorist organization plays no role in governing Gaza. With the release of the living hostages and the ceasefire in place, we need strong, sustained American leadership to translate this plan into lasting security and stability. We commend Rep. Panetta for his leadership and his clear-eyed commitment to advancing peace and security for Israel and the rest of the region.\u201d\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found below and here:\n\nDear President Trump,\n\nWe write to express our appreciation for your work on the 20-point Peace Plan for Gaza and request your continued leadership for its full implementation, with immediate prioritization of its security and reconstructions pillars. With the release of all living hostages from Gaza and a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the world has witnessed a moment of profound relief and renewed hope. The United States must take advantage of this moment to implement the plan, ensure Israel\u2019s security, provide relief for innocent Palestinians, and create long-term stability for the region. Accordingly, we urge you to dedicate the full weight of American diplomacy to ensure that Hamas is disarmed and that Gaza is rebuilt as a foundation for implementing the 20-point Peace Plan.\n\nThe Peace Plan represents the most viable opportunity for necessary security, immediate relief, and long-term stability. The plan rightly recognizes that Hamas must be fully disarmed and play no role in governing Gaza, while calling for a technocratic transitional governing authority. It also prioritizes a surge of humanitarian aid to Palestinians that will be shielded from Hamas; includes a phased withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza based on security conditions; and includes the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF).\n\nThe core principles that underpin that Peace Plan, including security for Israel, reducing terrorist strongholds in Gaza, and prosperity for the people of Gaza, enjoy widespread international support. As your Administration has noted, key Arab and Muslim nations, including Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, have endorsed the plan. The Palestinian Authority also has indicated its willingness to cooperate. The United States must continue its good work and involvement to preserve and promote this unprecedented alignment of regional actors. The next phase of the Peace Plan will require your continued personal engagement in the region to hold Hamas accountable to its commitments and work closely with the international community, especially the Arab countries, to exert maximum pressure on Hamas to disarm and agree to the full plan.\n\nNow is the time to prioritize both the security and reconstruction pillars of the Peace Plan. On a recent visit to Israel, Vice President JD Vance noted that the International Stabilization Force will take lead on disarming Hamas. The Administration must maintain oversight and leadership in the effort to disarm and dismantle Hamas and should not defer responsibility solely to the ISF, which has yet to be formed. While international cooperation is essential, the United States must remain fully engaged to ensure that the ISF\u2019s operations align with U.S. security objectives, uphold accountability, and prevent any resurgence of extremist elements. This would not only neutralize immediate threats, but also constrain Iran\u2019s ability to project influence through proxy groups in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.\n\nCentral to the plan\u2019s security provisions includes dismantling Hamas\u2019 capabilities and establishing a multinational stabilization force, both of which would significantly reduce threats from Iran and their regional proxy groups. A comprehensive enforcement framework would bolster Israel\u2019s long-term security and reinforce U.S. coordination with regional partners such as Jordan, Egypt, and the Gulf states. Importantly, fulfilling this engagement could usher regional stability and reduce the influence of Iran and its proxies.\n\nThe plan\u2019s humanitarian and reconstruction components, which include ensuring aid access, rebuilding critical infrastructure, and creating a Gaza Special Economic Zone, would deliver tangible benefits to both Palestinians and the broader region. American participation in these reconstruction efforts could open markets for U.S. companies, expand trade corridors, and strengthen economic interdependence among our regional partners. A prosperous and rebuilt Gaza would reduce instability, curbing the drivers of extremism, and promoting shared economic growth across the Eastern Mediterranean. Moreover, sustained reconstruction reduces humanitarian dependence on international aid, enabling local governance and private enterprise to take root, demonstrating key pillars of long-term security and regional prosperity.\n\nSuccess of the Peace Plan will depend on steady American engagement to translate its points into enforceable steps forward. If this is successful, the plan will provide a pathway to a more stable and prosperous Middle East. We must work together to ensure lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians and establish a region free from terror activities. We thank you, again, for your efforts, urge you to seize this moment, and look forward to working on this Peace Plan together.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://sarajacobs.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-sara-jacobs-celebrates-2025-accomplishments", "Rep. Sara Jacobs Celebrates 2025 Accomplishments", "2025-12-23", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Sara Jacobs", "J000305", "sarajacobs.house.gov", "sarajacobs", "https://sarajacobs.house.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "\u2014 This year, Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) delivered for San Diego by conducting critical oversight of the Trump Administration\u2019s military and immigration policies and working to lower everyday costs.\n\nRep. Sara Jacobs said: \u201cIt\u2019s been a really difficult year for our community and our country. Families are struggling to keep up with rising costs while our own military patrols our streets and our neighbors are being taken without due process. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve pushed back against President Trump\u2019s egregious power grab and overreach \u2013 and demanded answers and adherence to the rule of law. I\u2019ve conducted oversight wherever I could, from Guantanamo Bay to Otay Mesa and our federal building downtown. I\u2019ve also introduced legislation to bring down the costs of child care and IVF so that Americans have the help they need to start and support their families. And I\u2019m incredibly proud that this year, my team helped over 1,400 constituents navigate federal agencies and returned over $1.8 million to their pockets. I know the work is far from over and the challenges ahead are daunting. But I still wake up every day so grateful for the opportunity to deliver for my hometown and amazing community of San Diego, and I will keep working to make you proud next year.\u201d\n\nRep. Sara Jacobs\u2019 Accomplishments in 2025 Include:\n\nHelped over 1,400 San Diegans who needed assistance with federal agencies\n\nReturned over $1.8 million to San Diegans who were entitled to backpay from the VA, IRS tax refunds, Social Security reimbursements, and more\n\nConducted oversight of window safety at Liberty Military Housing after child fatalities and secured window guards and new permanent limiters at the most vulnerable communities in San Diego\n\nNamed by New York Magazine as one of the 25 young Democrats to watch\n\nLed the introduction of the LEGACY Act to bring in more money from the estate tax to create a dedicated funding stream for child care\n\nChampioned parental leave for members of the U.S. House to help ensure that elected officials better reflect the American people\n\nIntroduced a new Insurrection Act to limit President Trump\u2019s authority to deploy the military on American soil\n\nPublicly shared her egg freezing journey with The New York Times, helping reduce the stigma and pave the way for legislation that expands access to fertility services\n\nIntroduced the Delete DOGE Act to defund DOGE and stop Elon Musk from stealing from the American people to fund tax breaks for billionaires like himself\n\nIntroduced the Protect U.S. National Security Act to protect USAID by banning the use of funds to eliminate USAID as an independent agency\n\nQuestioned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and successfully got him on the record supporting transgender service members and commending their service\n\nReintroduced the bicameral Stand Up for Sudan Act to help end the devastating war in Sudan by prohibiting U.S. arms sales to the UAE \u2013 the main funder of the RSF\u2019s genocidal war \u2013 until the UAE no longer provides material support to the RSF in Sudan\n\nIntroduced the Block the Bombs Act to withhold the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel and demand Israel\u2019s compliance with U.S. and international law\n\nPushed to prevent taxpayer dollars from being used for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth\u2019s makeup studio at the Pentagon\n\nIntroduced the Ensuring Military Readiness Not Discrimination Act to prevent discriminatory policies like a transgender military service ban or \u201cDon\u2019t Ask, Don\u2019t Tell,\u201d and protect transgender service members\n\nReduced Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth\u2019s travel budget by 25% until the Secretary provides unredacted videos of all strikes that have occurred in Latin America, as well as copies of all classified Execute Orders (EXORDS) issued by the Department of Defense to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees\n\nIntroduced the Disaster Recovery Efficiency Act to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal government\u2019s disaster recovery efforts following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas\n\nQuestioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the Trump family\u2019s corruption, conflicts of interest, and record of business deals with the UAE and the potential impacts on their policy regarding the UAE and Sudan\n\nIntroduced the IVF for Military Families Act, and passed a version of the bill through the House and Senate, to establish TRICARE coverage of assisted reproductive technology, including IVF, for active duty service members and their dependents\n\nLed oversight of the Trump Administration\u2019s dehumanizing and dangerous immigration practices, including by visiting Guantanamo Bay, the U.S.-Mexico border, ICE detention at Otay Mesa, Border Patrol and CBP holding facilities, the federal building in San Diego, and more; as well as having constant communication with local and federal immigration authorities\n\nReintroduced the My Body, My Data Act to create a new national standard to protect reproductive and sexual health data\n\nIntroduced the bipartisan No Tricks on Treats Act to require the proper labeling of foods that contain dyes, flavoring, and sweeteners\n\nLed oversight of the Trump Administration\u2019s weaponization of the military \u2013 including domestic deployments and illegal strikes in the Caribbean and East Pacific\n\nIntroduced the bipartisan and bicameral AI Talent Act to improve federal agencies\u2019 abilities to recruit and retain the AI and technical talent needed to better compete in the AI race\n\nDemanded answers from Palantir about their plans to build a searchable, mega-database containing sensitive tax and other data about American citizens, likely in violation of the Privacy Act and tax privacy laws\n\nIntroduced a bipartisan resolution condemning antisemitism in all its forms, including the growing proliferation and amplification of antisemitic content on AI platforms, and urging robust, transparent safeguards for AI systems\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://bera.house.gov/news/press-releases/reps-bera-kim-lead-bipartisan-resolution-condemning-china-s-coercion-against-japan-reaffirming-us-alliance", "Reps. Bera, Kim Lead Bipartisan Resolution Condemning China\u2019s Coercion Against Japan, Reaffirming U.S. Alliance", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", "bera", "https://bera.house.gov/news", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2014 This week, Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning the People\u2019s Republic of China\u2019s coercive actions against Japan and reaffirming the United States\u2019 ironclad commitment to its allies in the Indo-Pacific. Bera was joined by Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40), Congressional Study Group on Japan Co-Chairs Andy Barr (KY-06) and Diana DeGette (CO-01), and Japan Caucus Co-Chair Joaquin Castro (TX-20) in introducing the resolution.\n\nThe resolution responds to a series of diplomatic, economic, and military actions taken by Beijing in response to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi\u2019s remarks on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. These actions include military provocations, trade restrictions, travel advisories, and economic pressure aimed at silencing Japan\u2019s sovereign voice.\n\n\u201cAs the PRC intensifies its campaign of economic and military coercion against Japan, the United States must stand shoulder to shoulder with our democratic ally,\u201d said Representative Bera. \u201cI commend Japan\u2019s steadfast commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and fully support Japan\u2019s right to speak up in defense of its own security. This resolution reaffirms the United States Congress\u2019s ironclad commitment to the U.S.\u2013Japan alliance and to upholding the rules-based international order.\u201d\n\n\u201cJapan is one of America\u2019s closest allies and a vital democratic partner in the Indo-Pacific,\u201d said Representative Kim. \u201cAttempts by the Chinese Communist Party to intimidate or punish our allies for speaking out undermine the rules-based international order and threaten regional stability. This resolution sends a clear message that we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Japan and our allies against authoritarian aggression.\u201d\n\nThe resolution condemns China\u2019s coercive behavior, supports Japan\u2019s right to express its foreign policy views without fear of retaliation, and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to strengthening allied cooperation to deter aggression and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. It also highlights the longstanding U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty that applies to the Senkaku Islands, territory administered by Japan, and urges the Chinese government to cease its coercive behavior.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3383", "Carbajal-Backed Bill to Support Firefighters Signed into Law", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Salud O. Carbajal", "C001112", "carbajal.house.gov", "carbajal", "https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) to expand federal death and disability benefits for firefighters was signed into law. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act will expand the Public Safety Officer\u2019s Benefits Program (PSOB) to cover specific cancers linked to firefighting and emergency response, and make the expansion retroactive, so that families can claim PSOB benefits for deceased loved ones.\n\n\u201cFirefighters and other first responders put their lives on the line every day, often facing deadly carcinogens in the process. Expanding the Public Safety Officer\u2019s Benefits Program to cover service-related cancer deaths is the right thing to do to honor the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice. I\u2019m proud this bipartisan legislation was signed into law, and I will keep working across the aisle to support first responders and their families,\u201d said Rep. Carbajal.\n\nToday, cancer is the leading cause of death for America\u2019s firefighters. Currently, firefighters are only eligible for support under the Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program for physical injuries sustained in the line of duty or for deaths from duty-related heart attacks, strokes, mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and 9/11-related illnesses. But this program does not cover service-related cancer deaths, despite a wealth of evidence linking first responder service to developing cancer.\n\nThe bill is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI), the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), and 10 other organizations representing first responders. The bill is co-led by Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL-28), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and Gabe Amo (D-RI-01). Its Senate counterpart is led by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).\n\nMore about the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act:\n\nThe Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act would expand the Public Safety Officer\u2019s Benefits Program (PSOB) to cover certain cancers and cancer-related deaths. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and educational benefits to first responders who are killed or injured in the line of duty and their survivors. Firefighters are frequently exposed to carcinogens during their service and are more likely to develop and die from cancer as a result. Currently, the PSOB program does not cover cancer-related disabilities or death. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act would expand the PSOB program to cover specific cancers linked to firefighting and emergency response, and it would make this expansion retroactive so that families can claim PSOB benefits for deceased loved ones.\n\nThe Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program provides benefits to the survivors of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders who are killed as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty. The program also provides disability benefits for first responders who become permanently or totally disabled. The Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program, a component of the PSOB program, provides higher-education assistance to the children and spouses of public safety officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The PSOB and PSOEA programs are administered by the Department of Justice\u2019s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-criticizes-education-departments-decision-end-funding-minority", "Rep. Chu Criticizes Education Department\u2019s Decision to End Funding for Minority-Serving Institutions Programs", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", "chu", "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 On December 19, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced that the Department of Education would be winding down the Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Programs in response to a Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel opinion calling the programs unconstitutional. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), Chair Emerita of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), released the following statement:\n\n\u201cAs a former community college educator, I know that a quality, affordable college education is one of the most powerful tools to help students succeed and uplift entire communities. Yet far too many students of color, first-generation students, and low-income students face tremendous obstacles in obtaining a college degree. Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), including Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), serve over five million students nationwide and play a crucial role in breaking down these systemic barriers, empowering students, and fueling our next generation of leaders.\n\n\u201cThe Trump administration\u2019s unilateral attempts to terminate MSI funding and shutter these Congressionally-authorized programs are reckless and will have devastating consequences\u2014 not only for students of color, but for all students enrolled in these institutions. I will continue to fight back against these attacks on MSIs and the students they serve. Every student must have an equal opportunity to achieve their American Dream.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-statement-proposed-hollywood-studio-consolidation", "Rep. Chu Statement on Proposed Hollywood Studio Consolidation", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", "chu", "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "PASADENA, CA \u2013 Representative Judy Chu (CA-28), founder and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Creative Rights Caucus, released the following statement regarding the ongoing competition between Netflix and Paramount Skydance for the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery:\n\n\u201cEarlier this month, we learned that two major Hollywood studios would merge in a deal for Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Since then, Paramount Skydance has made multiple attempts to outbid Netflix for this acquisition.\n\n\u201cBoth proposed mergers have the potential to remake the film and television industry and will have an enormous impact on thousands of creative workers in my district and across Southern California. As these negotiations proceed, the parties must recognize their obligation to both the creative workforce and consumers. America\u2019s creative economy supports jobs across the country, and these workers are responsible for creating our most important cultural exports.\n\n\u201cThe parties must engage in robust consultation with Congress throughout this process to account for how their proposals will impact the creative industry. I will continue to work with any of my colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, to stand up for this critical industry. That includes fighting for legislation like my bipartisan, bicameral bill, H.R. 4840 - the CREATE Act, which would strengthen federal incentives for domestic film and television production.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://friedman.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-congresswoman-friedman-announces-winner-2025-congressional-app", "RELEASE: Congresswoman Friedman Announces Winner of 2025 Congressional App Challenge \u2013 SyncRide", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Laura Friedman", "F000483", "friedman.house.gov", "friedman", "https://friedman.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Andrew Oh, Hannah Lee, Ginna Kim, and Aaron Kim\n\nAbove: Logo of the winning app SyncRide.\n\nBURBANK, CALIFORNIA \u2014 Today, December 22, 2025, U.S. Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30) announced the 1st place winner and runners-up for the 2025 Congressional App Challenge. The Congressional App Challenge is an annual contest that encourages middle and high school students to design, code, and present a mobile or desktop app on any theme or topic.\n\nThe 2025 Congressional App Challenge winner is a mobile app called SyncRide, created by high school students Andrew Oh, Hannah Lee, Ginna Kim, and Aaron Kim who represent Crescenta Valley High School, Village Christian School, The Peddie School, and Loyola High School. Inspired by the inconvenience of being able to find affordable and efficient rideshares, they coded an app that helps users plan rides with friends or even strangers who are going towards the same event or locations \u2013 with the aim of saving time, money, and the environment.\n\n\u201cWe had so many wonderful submissions this year but all of them had one thing in common \u2014 the students that created each app wanted to find a way to better their community,\u201d said Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30). \u201cThank you to all of the students that participated. Each of you make this district very proud, and you\u2019ve reminded us that the future of helpful technology is in very good hands.\u201d\n\nThe winner of the Congressional App Challenge from each district will be featured on Congressional App Challenge and House.gov website. In the spring, the winning team will be invited to the prestigious #HouseofCode event on Capitol Hill, where they will have the chance to present their apps to Members of Congress.\n\nFriedman announced the 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mention winners:\n\nSecond-place winner: EatGreen, by Priscilla Ho\n\nThird-place winner: FixMyBlock, by Vladimir Hovhannisyan\n\nHonorable Mention: Crystal, by David Hadi\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-lieu-raskin-demand-doj-investigation-hegseths-strike-targeting", "REPS LIEU, RASKIN DEMAND DOJ INVESTIGATION INTO HEGSETH'S STRIKE TARGETING SURVIVORS CLINGING TO SHIPWRECKED BOAT", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ted Lieu", "L000582", "lieu.house.gov", "lieu", "https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014Today, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding that the Department of Justice (DOJ) open a criminal investigation into the Trump Administration\u2019s lethal military strikes in the Caribbean.\n\nThe Members cite deeply troubling reporting that, on September 2, 2025, following an initial strike on a small vessel in international waters off Venezuela, U.S. forces carried out a second attack on two survivors clinging to the wreckage, raising serious concerns that senior Defense Department officials ordered or condoned conduct that violates both the laws of war and federal criminal law.\n\n\u201cTo be clear, the entire Caribbean operation appears to be unlawful. Congress has never authorized military force against Venezuela; a boat moving towards Suriname does not pose a clear and present danger to the United States; and the classified legal memoranda the Trump Administration has offered us to justify the attacks are entirely unpersuasive,\u201d wrote the Members.\n\nDeliberately targeting incapacitated individuals constitutes a clear violation of the Department of Defense\u2019s Law of War Manual, which expressly forbids attacks on persons rendered helpless by shipwreck. Such conduct would trigger criminal liability under the War Crimes Act if the Administration claims it is engaged in armed conflict, or under the federal murder statute if no such conflict exists.\n\nSecretary Hegseth has offered shifting and contradictory explanations for the September 2 incident, including claims of confusion due to the \u201cfog of war\u201d and assertions that he delegated or did not personally issue an order to kill survivors.\n\nIssuing or executing a general order to kill survivors is unlawful under any circumstances and \u201cacting pursuant to orders\u201d is not a defense when those orders are manifestly illegal. Any suggestion that classified or prior Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) memoranda could immunize the targeting of survivors after an initial strike is legally baseless. Prior OLC opinions were limited to congressionally authorized armed conflicts against enemy combatants posing imminent threats\u2014conditions that are plainly absent here.\n\nEven conservative legal scholar John Yoo, former Deputy Assistant Attorney General and author of the now infamous OLC \u201ctorture memos\u201d which condoned and defended torture by U.S. officials, has said that the Administration violated both federal law and the law of war.\n\n\u201cOutside of war, the killing of unarmed, helpless men clinging to wreckage in open water is simply murder. The federal criminal code makes it a felony to commit murder within the \u2018special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States,\u2019 which is defined to include the \u2018high seas.\u2019 It is also a federal crime to conspire to commit murder,\u201d wrote the Members.\n\nThe Members are demanding that Bondi investigate Secretary Hegseth\u2019s apparent and serious violations of federal criminal law.\n\nClick here to read the letter.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-panetta-kim-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-crack-down-porch-pirates", "Reps. Panetta, Kim Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Porch Pirates", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Panetta", "P000613", "panetta.house.gov", "panetta", "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Ahead of the busy holiday season, United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Young Kim (CA-40) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to address the nationwide increase in mail theft. The Maximizing Agency Integration on Letter (MAIL) Theft Act would crack down on thieves who steal delivered packages from homes by requiring cross-agency coordination on the issue of mail theft and raising it as a priority for federal law enforcement.\n\nWhile the United States Postal Service (USPS) and US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) have increased enforcement and arrests, these crimes are spread out across local communities where police are already stretched thin. According to USPS and USPIS, as of last year, arrests for robbing letter carriers were up 73 percent. Between 2019 and 2022, letter carrier robberies increased sixfold, and high-volume mailbox theft increased 87 percent. Just last month, a housing complex in San Jose was the target of mass mail theft, forcing residents to resort to using P.O. boxes or retrieving mail promptly.\n\nThe MAIL Theft Act requires federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), to work with state and local law enforcement to better protect our communities from postal theft and develop a coordinated federal approach to mail theft which is targeting neighborhoods nationwide.\n\n\u201cToo many delivered packages are being stolen from homes,\u201d said Rep. Panetta. \u201cThe MAIL Theft Act will help investigate and solve these types of crimes by ensuring that federal agencies are backing up our local law enforcement with a coordinated federal response. As more and more people rely on mail order delivery, Congress must play its part to ensure that delivered packages are protected.\u201d\n\n\u201cDuring the holiday season, families should be focused on time together \u2014 not stolen checks and missing packages,\u201d said Rep. Kim. \u201cRising mail theft is hurting communities and putting postal workers at risk. The MAIL Theft Act strengthens coordination across all levels of law enforcement so we can stop these crimes, protect workers, and restore peace of mind for families in California. I\u2019m proud to work alongside Rep. Panetta to help introduce this commonsense legislation, just in time for the holidays.\u201d\n\nLast March, Rep. Panetta wrote to Postmaster Louis Dejoy and USPIS Chief Inspector Gary Barksdale to request assistance in resolving egregious mail theft taking place in California\u2019s 19th Congressional District. Rep. Panetta called on postal leaders to prioritize mail theft deterrence in South San Jose, including the approval of individual curbside mailboxes, new physical security standards for cluster box units, and clarity on a nationwide strategy to address this epidemic. Rep. Panetta is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan Protect Our Letter Carriers Act which would appoint an assistant U.S. attorney to prosecute postal crime, amend sentencing guidelines related to the assault of a postal employee, and replace old mail collection boxes with high-security models.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-panetta-ways-means-members-introduce-american-affordability-act-lower", "Reps. Panetta, Ways & Means Members Introduce American Affordability Act to Lower Costs for Americans", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Panetta", "P000613", "panetta.house.gov", "panetta", "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined Ways and Means Tax Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Thompson (CA-04), Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (MA-01), and other Ways and Means members in introducing the American Affordability Act of 2025. The plan takes a multi-angle approach to lowering the cost of living for working families across the country, with real solutions to expand affordable housing, lower energy bills, cut taxes for the middle class, help student loan borrowers, and protect households from skyrocketing healthcare premiums.\n\nThe larger legislation includes Rep. Panetta\u2019s More Homes on the Market Act, which would increase the supply of available homes by removing barriers that discourage homeowners from trying to sell their properties. The bill would amend an out-of-date provision of the tax code that penalizes those looking to sell or downsize their home with large tax bills. Specifically, it would raise the exclusion from capital gains tax on the sale of a primary residence from $250,000 to $500,000 for single filers and from $500,000 to $1 million for joint filers. These existing thresholds, originally set in 1997, have never been adjusted for inflation, and make it nearly impossible for homeowners to sell without facing significant tax burdens.\n\nThe American Affordability Act also includes Rep. Panetta\u2019s First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Act, to help restore access to the American Dream by establishing a refundable tax credit of up to $15,000 to support first-time buyers. It also includes his Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act, to increase the supply of affordable housing for middle-income families who earn too much to qualify for low-income affordable housing, but not enough to afford housing near where they work.\n\n\u201cIn order to make the American Dream achievable again, we need real solutions that will bring down costs for working families in California\u2019s 19th Congressional District,\u201d said Rep. Panetta. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join my colleagues, who understand that actions speak louder than words, in introducing the American Affordability Act which would take specific, effective action to tackle the affordability crisis and bring down the cost of housing, fuel, food, bills, and more. I\u2019m especially pleased that this legislation includes three of my flagship housing bills, which would increase the supply of affordable housing.\u201d\n\n\u201cFamilies are doing everything right and still falling behind as costs keep rising,\u201d said Rep. Thompson. \u201cThe American Affordability Act is about real relief for families: affordable housing, lower energy bills, more affordable childcare and healthcare, and bigger paychecks. This bill delivers targeted tax relief and smart investments that help families make ends meet and restores the promise that hard work should be enough to get ahead in our country.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhile Donald Trump projects and dismisses affordability fears as a \u2018hoax,\u2019 Democrats have been and always will be at the front of the fight to lower costs for everyday workers and families,\u201d said Rep. Neal. \u201cTax Ranking Member Mike Thompson knows that whether it\u2019s tackling the housing crisis, making childcare more affordable, or lowering health and energy costs, we have so much work to do to ease the minds of the American people and foster opportunity. The American Affordability Act is a blueprint for the next step in our fight for what we are united to deliver: lower costs and easier, better lives.\u201d\n\nThe American Affordability Act would:\n\nExpand Access to Affordable Housing\n\nIncreases the homeowner capital gains tax exemption to encourage more home sales and reduce the cost to buy a home, doubling the threshold to $500,000 for single filers and $1 million for joint filers\n\nCreates the first-ever monthly Renter Tax Credit for individuals and families paying more than 30% of their income on rent and creates a First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit to help low- and middle-income earners\n\nCreates a new tax credit to bridge the gap between the cost of building or repairing a home and the home\u2019s value once it is built, powering the development of 500,000 affordable, single-family homes over the next ten years\n\nIncentivizes the conversion of vacant office spaces and other commercial properties into new housing, reserving at least 20% of new units for low-income residents\n\nLower Energy Costs\n\nCreates a new 30% tax credit for long-range electric transmission to lower the cost of grid modernization projects, taking steps to prevent mass power outages and lower ratepayer bills\n\nRestores tax credits for homeowners to install home energy efficiency upgrades, solar panels, geothermal, and other cost-reducing power sources\n\nSpurs the development of American-made clean energy by providing a tax credit to companies that reduce carbon emissions by producing \"green\" and \"blue\" hydrogen and fuel cells\n\nAuthorizes tax credits to purchase new and used electric vehicles and electric bikes\n\nStop Trump Healthcare Price Hikes\n\nPermanently extends expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, protecting 112,000 Connecticut residents from sky-high premium hikes\n\nPrevents insurance providers from dropping vaccine coverage due to Secretary Kennedy\u2019s anti-science restrictions, including coverage for MMR, COVID-19 and Hepatitis B shots\n\nCut Taxes for Families and Workers\n\nRestores the expanded Child Tax Credit for working parents, providing monthly payments of $300 for each child over the age of six and $360 for each child under the age of six\n\nExtends the Earned Income Tax Credit for adults without children and expands eligibility to cover working young adults\n\nPermanently extends tax cuts for tipped workers, and expands \u201cno tax on tips\u201d to include automatic gratuities\n\nExpands the $250 teacher expense tax deduction to include early childhood educators\n\nMake Childcare More Affordable\n\nIncreases the maximum dependent care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contribution from $7,500 to $10,000, automatically adjusting the contribution limit for inflation\n\nCreates a new $5,000 refundable tax credit to cover startup costs needed to open family childcare centers\n\nMakes the adoption tax credit fully refundable, opening the door for more low-income families to pursue adoption\n\nCreates a new tax credit to support working family caregivers\n\nHelp Student Loan Borrowers\n\nDoubles the student loan interest tax deduction for married couples, to $2,500 per person and makes any forgiven student loans tax-free\n\nExpands eligibility for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, to support students during the first six years of their higher education with up to $2,000 per year\n\nExcludes Pell Grants from income, ensuring aid received through this program is tax-free for students\n\nOther cosponsors of the American Affordability Act include: Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Judy Chu (CA-28), Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny Davis (IL-07), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Dwight Evans (PA-03), John Garamendi (CA-08), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Dina Titus (NV-01).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://whitesides.house.gov/2025/12/22/rep-whitesides-returns-over-15-million-to-constituents-in-2025/", "Rep. Whitesides Returns Over $15 Million to Constituents in 2025", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "George Whitesides", "W000830", "whitesides.house.gov", "whitesides", "https://whitesides.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "AGUA DULCE, CA \u2013 Today, Rep. George Whitesides (CA-27) announced that he had returned $15.4 million back to constituents in his first year in office. Additionally, the Congressman\u2019s team responded to more than 24,000 emails, calls, and letters; attended more than 1,000 community events; and presented over 20,000 Congressional certificates recognizing the work and achievements of students and local leaders.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s the honor of my life to represent our area in Congress, and my top priority this year was putting money back in the pockets of my constituents,\u201d said Rep. George Whitesides. \u201cMy team and I spent the year cutting through red tape and making sure everyone could access their hard earned benefits, all while showing up in every corner of the district to share resources, uplift local businesses, and connect with the community that we are so lucky to serve. As we head into next year, my focus remains on fighting for you, and I will do everything I can to make government work better and more efficiently.\u201d\n\nIn Congress, Rep. Whitesides has fought for legislation that lowers costs, creates jobs, and brings home federal funding.\n\nIn March, Rep. Whitesides was named Vice Ranking member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. In this role, he helps guide the caucus as they consider critical legislation to uplift the scientific community, and successfully passed the DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act, which strengthened the relationship between the Department of Energy and NASA.\n\nAs a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Whitesides was instrumental in passing the National Defense Authorization Act, and helped secure a number of provisions that will bring thousands of jobs and billions in federal funding home to California\u2019s 27th District. Those include:\n\nOver $5.7 billion for the B-21 Raider, Northrop Grumman\u2019s next-generation stealth bomber for the U.S. Air Force, which is built at Plant 42 in Palmdale.\n\nOver $4 billion for the Lockheed Martin F-35, whose center fuselage is built by Northrop at Plant 42.\n\nOver $120 million for the F-15 Eagle, aspects of which have been upgraded at Plant 42.\n\nOver $95 million for Northrop Grumman\u2019s B-2 Spirit, the current strategic stealth bomber in the United States Air Force, which was built in Palmdale and is now upgraded and tested at Plant 42.\n\nIf you need help with a federal agency, please reach out to Rep. Whitesides\u2019 office.\n\n###\n\nThe 27th district is home to more than 700,000 people across the Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and San Fernando Valley. It includes northern Los Angeles County communities like Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, Porter Ranch, Granada Hills, Acton, Agua Dulce, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, and Sun Village. I am honored to serve the people from these communities. Learn More", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://aguilar.house.gov/2025/12/19/rep-aguilar-announces-9-million-for-sbcofd/", "Rep. Aguilar Announces Over $9 Million for San Bernardino County Fire Protection District", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Pete Aguilar", "A000371", "aguilar.house.gov", "aguilar", "https://aguilar.house.gov/category/congress_press_release/", "scraper", "Press Releases\n\nRep. Aguilar Announces Over $9 Million for San Bernardino County Fire Protection District\n\nThe FEMA grant will provide San Bernardino County with over $9 million to hire new firefighters to improve fire response capabilities\n\nToday, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced $9,360,000 for the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District to hire and train 21 new firefighters, helping to expand the region\u2019s 24-hour on-call fire response coverage and improving safety in the Inland Empire.\n\n\u201cAs our region continues to face a worsening, year-round fire season, it is essential that we are equipped with the necessary amount of resources and firefighters to keep Californians safe,\u201d said Rep. Pete Aguilar. \u201cI am proud to announce this grant funding to hire 21 new firefighters for San Bernardino County who will be tasked with stopping fires before they get out of hand, responding to emergencies, and overall protecting our county. I\u2019ll keep fighting to support our first responders in California and across the country to ensure that they have the ability to do their jobs fully.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis SAFER grant represents a meaningful investment in our fire district and the communities we protect,\u201d said San Bernardino County Chairman of the Board Dawn Rowe. \u201cWith the addition of 21 new firefighters across the Fire Protection District, we will be able to enhance our 24-hour coverage, effectively addressing the increasing demands of one of the county\u2019s fastest-growing regions.\u201d\n\nThe funding comes as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security\u2019s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency\u2019s (FEMA) Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program. The SAFER Grant Program provides funding directly to fire departments throughout the country to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, frontline firefighters available in their communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://barragan.house.gov/2025/12/19/press-release-rep-barragan-joins-reps-letlow-schrier-to-introduce-bipartisan-maternal-support-bill/", "PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Barrag\u00e1n joins Reps. Letlow, Schrier to Introduce Bipartisan Maternal Support Bill", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n", "B001300", "barragan.house.gov", "barragan", "https://barragan.house.gov/news", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nDecember 19, 2025\n\nContact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov\n\nRep. Barrag\u00e1n joins Reps. Letlow, Schrier to Introduce Bipartisan Maternal Support Bill\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (CA-44) joined Reps. Julia Letlow (R-LA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) to introduce legislation aimed at increasing critical support for new mothers and infants through the distribution of newborn supply kits.\n\nThe Newborns Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act authorizes an existing pilot program within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide items such as diapers, wipes, breastfeeding supplies, and postpartum mental health resources in areas of need.\n\n\u201cNo mother should have to worry about whether she can afford the basic necessities her newborn needs in those critical first days,\u201d said Congresswoman Nanette Barrag\u00e1n. \u201cThe bipartisan NEST Act builds on proven partnerships to ensure families, especially those in underserved and maternal health desert communities, have access to essential supplies and postpartum support. This legislation is a practical, compassionate step toward improving maternal and infant health outcomes and giving every child a strong start in life.\u201d\n\n\u201cMotherhood is a tremendous blessing and the highest calling of my life. In the days and moments after giving birth, I want all moms to have the support necessary to create a nurturing environment for their child, especially in maternal health deserts and our rural communities,\u201d said Congresswoman Julia Letlow, the primary sponsor of the legislation. \u201cWe will keep working with our local hospitals and private sector partners to expand this program and provide meaningful support for mothers and their babies.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a mother and a pediatrician, I understand the physical, mental, and financial challenges that mothers of newborns often face during the postpartum period,\u201d said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. \u201cMothers need all the support we can provide. That is why I am proud to introduce the bipartisan NEST Act that will ensure mothers have the supplies and resources they need to care for themselves and their newborns.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a healthcare participant in the newborn supply kit program, Woman\u2019s Hospital is proud to provide new mothers in need with essential resources that support a strong start to parenthood,\u201d said Rene Ragas, President & CEO of Woman\u2019s Hospital. \u201cThese kits are game changers for our families, offering the peace of mind that comes with having supplies for those first critical days and weeks at home. The kits remove common sources of stress, allowing parents to focus on bonding with their newborn and navigating the early days of family life with confidence and care.\u201d\n\n\u201cCongresswoman Letlow\u2019s leadership in delivering vital support to new moms represents a bold and innovative step forward in addressing maternal health challenges,\u201d said E.J. Kuiper, President and CEO of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. \u201cMaternal health is the cornerstone to ensuring healthy families and healthy communities, and initiatives like this have the power to save lives. Congresswoman Letlow has been a tireless champion for mothers and families in many policy areas, and we are grateful for her continued focus on ensuring that new mothers receive the care, supplies and support they need to thrive.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe introduction of the NEST Act is a crucial step forward in ensuring new parents\u2019 access to essential resources during one of life\u2019s most vulnerable moments,\u201d said Kay Matthews, Founder and Executive Director at the Shades of Blue Project. \u201cAs someone who has experienced firsthand the challenges of the perinatal period, I know how transformative it can be when families receive the right support at the right time. I\u2019m grateful to Rep. Letlow and Rep. Schrier for their bipartisan leadership on pro-family and cost of living issues\u2014when we invest in moms and babies, we\u2019re investing in American communities, especially those who have been historically underserved.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://barragan.house.gov/2025/12/19/press-release-rep-barragan-reintroduces-bill-to-address-transportation-barriers-to-help-americans-access-vaccinations/", "PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Barrag\u00e1n Reintroduces Bill to Address Transportation Barriers to Help Americans Access Vaccinations", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n", "B001300", "barragan.house.gov", "barragan", "https://barragan.house.gov/news", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nDecember 19, 2025\n\nContact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov\n\nRep. Barrag\u00e1n Reintroduces Bill to Address Transportation Barriers to Help Americans Access Vaccinations\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Yesterday, Congresswoman Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (CA-44) reintroduced the Vaccine Transportation Access Act to support Americans getting vaccinated by creating a grant program for community organizations to address transportation barriers.\n\nGrants can be used to provide on-demand transportation for patients directly or pay for transportation services, such as ride-share companies to bring the patients to and from their vaccine appointments. This bill builds upon Rep. Barrag\u00e1n\u2019s COVID Vaccine Transportation Access Act (H.R. 3013) in 2021, which focused on ensuring that people in communities facing transportation barriers could reach their COVID vaccine and booster shot appointments during the pandemic.\n\n\u201cGetting vaccinated can help protect against preventable illnesses, hospitalizations, and increased health care costs across communities,\u201d said Rep. Barrag\u00e1n. \u201cBut in many communities like mine, patients may lack the financial resources or reliable transportation to get to their routine check-up \u2013 and the closest health center or hospital can be miles away. That is why I\u2019m proud to reintroduce the Vaccine Transportation Access Act to help ensure that Americans can receive the critical preventive care they need, especially at a time when vaccine access and affordability are under attack.\u201d\n\n\u201cTransportation should never stand between a patient and getting a lifesaving vaccine. The Vaccine Transportation Access Act is a smart, practical step that helps communities close that gap. The AAFP is proud to endorse this legislation because it strengthens access, supports evidence-based care and helps ensure every patient \u2014 regardless of where they live \u2014 can get the vaccinations they need to stay healthy,\u201d said Sarah Nosal, MD, FAAFP, President of American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).\n\n\u201cThe American College of Physicians strongly believes that immunizations are one of our most important tools to protect public and personal health. However, in order to realize this protection, patients need to be able to access vaccines. Legislation like the Vaccine Transportation Access Act, which would provide resources to help patients get transportation to vaccine appointments, is key to improving access, getting patients vaccinated and protecting our communities,\u201d said Jason M. Goldman, MD, MACP, President of American College of Physicians (ACP).\n\n\u201cUber is a powerful platform for reducing transportation barriers to healthcare access. We are glad to support Congresswoman Nanette Barrag\u00e1n\u2019s legislation, which would help ensure vulnerable populations can consistently reach the care they need,\u201d said Javi Correoso, Head of Federal Affairs, Uber.\n\nThe Vaccine Transportation Act will ensure that the grant program applies to vaccines, as long as they are recommended by:\n\nThe CDC\u2019s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) as of October 25, 2024; or\n\nEvidence-based clinical care guidelines from U.S. professional medical societies.\n\nOriginal cosponsors of the legislation include Reps. Andr\u00e9 Carson, Steve Cohen, Debbie Dingell, Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda, Dan Goldman, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Darren Soto, Paul Tonko, and Marc Veasey.\n\nThe Vaccine Transportation Access Act is endorsed by theAmerican Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), American College of Physicians (ACP), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), Lyft, Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease (PFID), Uber, and Vaccinate Your Family.\n\nTo view the full bill text, click HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://barragan.house.gov/2025/12/19/press-release-reps-barragan-kean-jr-miller-meeks-auchincloss-fitzpatrick-and-watson-coleman-re-introduce-legislation-to-protect-patients-from-high-prescription-drug-costs/", "PRESS RELEASE: Reps. Barrag\u00e1n, Kean, Jr., Miller-Meeks, Auchincloss, Fitzpatrick, and Watson Coleman Re-Introduce Legislation to Protect Patients from High Prescription Drug Costs", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n", "B001300", "barragan.house.gov", "barragan", "https://barragan.house.gov/news", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nDecember 19, 2025\n\nContact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov\n\nReps. Barrag\u00e1n, Kean, Jr., Miller-Meeks, Auchincloss, Fitzpatrick, and Watson Coleman Re-Introduce Legislation to Protect Patients from High Prescription Drug Costs\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (CA-44) joined Representatives Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) to reintroduce the Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act to make life-saving prescription medications more affordable for patients with rare, serious, and chronic conditions.\n\nThis bipartisan legislation would require insurance companies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to count the value of copay assistance they receive on a patient\u2019s behalf toward cost-sharing requirements. This change ensures that payments, whether they come directly out of a patient\u2019s pocket or with help from non-profit organizations and prescription drug manufacturers, contribute toward a patient\u2019s annual deductible and out-of-pocket limit.\n\nRep. Barrag\u00e1n said, \u201cFor patients living with complex and chronic diseases, access to prescription drugs that help them manage their condition saves lives, plain and simple. But too many Americans are unable to afford the medications they need because the out-of-pocket costs are too high. This is unacceptable. Americans work hard every day to make sure they can feed their families and take care of their loved ones. They should not be priced out of receiving the life-saving medications they rely on. That is why I am proud to co-lead, the HELP Copays Act, with Congressman Kean. This bipartisan bill will help working American families afford their prescriptions by putting a stop to harmful practices by insurance companies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and ensuring that patients\u2019 copay assistance counts towards their cost-sharing requirements. Because drug affordability is not a blue-state issue or a red-state issue \u2014 it is an issue that affects tens of millions across the country and in every state.\u201d\n\nCongressman Tom Kean, Jr. said, \u201cCopay assistance programs help make costly medications attainable for Americans who rely on them. Yet under current law, insurers and PBMs can pocket this assistance without lowering patients\u2019 cost-sharing obligations. Our bipartisan legislation will fix that problem by ensuring those savings are passed on to patients. This solution will protect access to essential prescription drugs, reduce overall healthcare costs for families, and hold these health companies accountable.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Miller-Meeks said, \u201cToo many patients are forced to walk away from the pharmacy counter because their out-of-pocket costs are simply too high. The HELP Copays Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that ensures financial assistance, from nonprofits or drug manufacturers, actually counts toward a patient\u2019s deductible and copay. As a physician, I know how devastating it is when a patient can\u2019t afford the medication they need. This bill puts patients first by lowering their real, day-to-day costs and stopping insurance companies from shifting more of the burden onto families.\u201d\n\nCongressman Auchincloss said, \u201cDrug pricing middlemen want patients to pay deductibles twice. That\u2019s not how insurance should work. With this bill, those schemes stop.\u201d\n\nCongressman Fitzpatrick said, \u201cFor people living with chronic and rare diseases, copay assistance is often the only path to staying on lifesaving treatment. Yet far too many are paying twice, while insurers and PBMs pocket that assistance without ever counting it toward a patient\u2019s costs. That\u2019s wrong\u2014and it\u2019s exactly what the bipartisan HELP Copays Act corrects. This is common-sense, patient-first reform to lower out-of-pocket costs and ensure every dollar intended to help a patient actually does.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the HELP Copays Act would:\n\nClarify the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to require that health plans count payments made \u201cby or on behalf of\u201d patients, including financial assistance offered by non-profit organizations and prescription drug manufacturers, toward cost-sharing requirements.\n\nClose the ACA\u2019s Essential Health Benefit (EHB) loophole to ensure that any covered prescription drug is defined as \u201cessential\u201d so that all related cost-sharing counts towards a patient\u2019s cost-sharing limits.\n\nThe full text of the House bill is available HERE. An identical companion Senate bill (S.864) was introduced by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Tom Kaine (D-VA) in March 2025.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by the All Copays Count Coalition, a group of nearly 90 national patient and provider advocacy organizations. Read their press release HERE and endorsement letter in support of the bill HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fong-announces-us-service-academy-nominations-californias-20th", "Congressman Fong Announces U.S. Service Academy Nominations for California's 20th District", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Vince Fong", "F000480", "fong.house.gov", "fong", "https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "BAKERSFIELD, Calif. \u2014 Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) announced his nominations to the United States Service Academies for students from California\u2019s 20th Congressional District. Nominees were selected through a highly competitive process that included many qualified applicants committed to academic excellence, leadership, and service.\n\n\u201cIt is a tremendous honor to nominate these outstanding local students to our nation\u2019s Service Academies,\u201d said Congressman Fong (CA-20). \u201cTheir dedication, discipline, and commitment to service reflect the very best of our region. They will represent our community with distinction as they pursue careers serving our country. I am grateful to my committee members for their time and expertise throughout this rigorous selection process.\u201d\n\nAs a Member of Congress, Congressman Fong is authorized to nominate candidates to fill up to five vacancies at each Service Academy. For the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Military Academy, Congressman Fong designated one principal nominee per academy and submitted a slate of competitive alternates. Alternate nominees are ranked by each academy\u2019s admissions board and selected at the academy\u2019s discretion. Traditionally, alternates are notified by April if they receive an appointment. Some applicants received nominations to more than one academy based on their stated preferences.\n\nEach candidate was interviewed by Congressman Fong\u2019s Service Academy Interview Committee, which evaluated applicants on academics, leadership, character, and commitment to service before submitting recommendations to Congressman Fong.\n\nSee the 2025 Service Academy Interview Committee Members below:\n\nCam Martin, former External Affairs Director, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center; parent of two U.S. Naval Academy graduates\n\nRear Admiral Keith Hash, Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake; U.S. Naval Academy graduate\n\nJenny Frank, Director of Veterans Services and Programs, Bakersfield College\n\nBlake Zante, Executive Director, Kenneth L. Maddy Institute, Fresno\n\nIsrael Sotelo, Chief of Staff, Tulare County Board of Supervisors, Visalia\n\nSee the nominees to the U.S. Service Academies below:\n\nUnited States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO (USAFA):\n\nPrincipal Nominee: Samuel Chambless, 18, Bakersfield, CA, Heartland Charter School, Son of Mark and Christie Chambless\n\nCompeting Alternates:\n\nLuke Arends \u2014 Buchanan High School, Clovis, CA\n\nDustin Bui \u2014 Sherman E. Burroughs High School, Ridgecrest, CA\n\nRonin Davis \u2014 Liberty High School, Bakersfield, CA\n\nLauren Delgado \u2014 Buchanan High School, Clovis, CA\n\nTyler Diaz \u2014 Buchanan High School, Clovis, CA\n\nCharles Gadbois \u2014 Liberty High School, Bakersfield, CA\n\nLake Ginn \u2014 Paraclete High School, Lancaster, CA\n\nAndrew Haas \u2014 Sherman E. Burroughs High School, Ridgecrest, CA\n\nKairi Hall \u2014 SHAPE American School, Europe West District\n\nHadassah Jackson \u2014 Desert Christian High School, Lancaster, CA\n\nConnor Machado \u2014 Monache High School, Porterville, CA\n\nFranco Martinez-Cortez \u2014 Frontier High School, Bakersfield, CA\n\nPreston Riley \u2014 Liberty High School, Bakersfield, CA\n\nHenry Van Germert V \u2014 Sierra Pacific High School, Hanford, CA\n\nUnited States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD (USNA):\n\nPrincipal Nominee: Luke Arends, 17, Clovis, CA, Buchanan High School, Son of Gary and Julie Arends\n\nCompeting Alternates:\n\nTyler Bridges \u2014 Clovis Community College, Clovis, CA\n\nDustin Bui \u2014 Sherman E. Burroughs High School, Ridgecrest, CA\n\nSamuel Chambless \u2014 Heartland Charter School, Bakersfield, CA\n\nLauren Delgado \u2014 Buchanan High School, Clovis, CA\n\nTyler Diaz \u2014 Buchanan High School, Clovis, CA\n\nLake Ginn \u2014 Paraclete High School, Lancaster, CA\n\nAndrew Haas \u2014 Sherman E. Burroughs High School, Ridgecrest, CA\n\nDeacon Naylor \u2014 Legacy Academy Homeschool, Clovis, CA\n\nMason Rothermel \u2014 Tehachapi High School, Tehachapi, CA\n\nHenry Van Germert V \u2014 Sierra Pacific High School, Hanford, CA\n\nUnited States Military Academy, West Point, NY (USMA):\n\nPrincipal Nominee: Mason Rothermel, 17, Tehachapi, CA \u2014 Tehachapi High School, Son of Jairus and Sarah Rothermel\n\nCompeting Alternates:\n\nTyler Bridges \u2014 Clovis Community College, Clovis, CA\n\nDustin Bui \u2014 Sherman E. Burroughs High School, Ridgecrest, CA\n\nSamuel Chambless \u2014 Heartland Charter School, Bakersfield, CA\n\nLauren Delgado \u2014 Buchanan High School, Clovis, CA\n\nHadassah Jackson \u2014 Desert Christian High School, Lancaster, CA\n\nConnor Machado \u2014 Monache High School, Porterville, CA\n\nPreston Riley \u2014 Liberty High School, Bakersfield, CA\n\nUnited States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY (USMMA):\n\nNote: The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy does not allow Members of Congress to designate a principal nominee. All nominations are submitted as an unranked slate.\n\nNominated Candidates:\n\nDustin Bui \u2014 Sherman E. Burroughs High School, Ridgecrest, CA\n\nLauren Delgado \u2014 Buchanan High School, Clovis, CA\n\nTyler Diaz \u2014 Buchanan High School, Clovis, CA\n\nFranco Martinez-Cortez \u2014 Frontier High School, Bakersfield, CA\n\nMason Rothermel \u2014 Tehachapi High School, Tehachapi, CA\n\nCongratulations to these outstanding students!", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://gomez.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5865", "Rep. Jimmy Gomez Wins Court Fight Against Trump Administration, Conducts Oversight Inspection of Roybal Allard Federal Detention Facility", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Gomez", "G000585", "gomez.house.gov", "gomez", "https://gomez.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "LOS ANGELES, CA \u2014 After successfully suing the Trump administration and winning a federal court ruling restoring individual Congressmembers' right to conduct unannounced inspections, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) today carried out an oversight inspection of the Roybal Allard Federal Detention Facility (B-18) in Downtown Los Angeles.\n\nRep. Gomez was a plaintiff in the lawsuit that blocked ICE from unlawfully denying Members of Congress access to detention facilities. The decisive court ruling forced the administration to reverse its illegal policy and allowed Rep. Gomez to enter the facility after being denied access three separate times earlier this year.\n\n\u201cI fought the Trump administration in federal court and won in order to gain access to ICE\u2019s B-18 detention facility in Downtown Los Angeles to carry out my oversight responsibilities,\u201d said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. \u201cWhat I saw confirms violations of basic standards and the law: people held for up to 72 hours in a facility designed for short-term processing, with no working kitchen, no on-site medical staff, and food limited to chips, cookies, and frozen burritos. For nearly a year, this administration has unlawfully shut out congressional oversight while detentions surged, concealing unsafe conditions inside. As a U.S. Representative, I will continue using every oversight tool available until DHS restores transparency and follows the law.\u201d\n\nUnder federal law (Section 527 of the FY2024 DHS Appropriations Act), Members of Congress are explicitly authorized to visit ICE facilities where noncitizens are detained without providing prior notice. Despite this clear statutory authority, ICE repeatedly blocked Members\u2019 access throughout the year. In response, the Trump administration announced a new policy imposing a seven-day waiting period and barring Members of Congress from entering ICE field offices, effectively preventing real-time oversight.\n\nOn July 30, Rep. Gomez joined several other Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in filing suit against the Trump administration, challenging the policy as an unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight. The lawsuit argued that the administration\u2019s actions violated federal law by denying Members the ability to inspect DHS and ICE facilities, including field offices, without advance notice.\n\nOn December 17, a U.S. District Court ruled in favor of the Members of Congress, temporarily halting ICE\u2019s unlawful policy and restoring Members\u2019 ability to conduct unannounced oversight visits. The court found the policy to be a clear violation of Congress\u2019 oversight authority and federal law.\n\nToday\u2019s inspection marks the first time Rep. Gomez has been permitted to conduct an unannounced visit to the facility since the ruling. The court\u2019s decision restored a critical oversight tool necessary to identify unsafe, overcrowded, or inhumane conditions inside immigration detention facilities.\n\nRep. Gomez will continue conducting inspections and demanding accountability to ensure DHS and ICE comply with the law and protect basic standards of care.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://harder.house.gov/media/press-releases/health-care-harder-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-patients-and-providers-from-shady-contractors", "Health Care: Harder Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Patients and Providers from Shady Contractors", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Josh Harder", "H001090", "harder.house.gov", "harder", "https://harder.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced bipartisan legislation to protect patients and providers from shady contractors that withhold funding in health care claim reviews. Led with Rep. Young Kim (CA-40), Harder\u2019s Contractors Accountability and Transparency (CAT) Act would ensure strong oversight of our health care institutions while stopping third-party contractors from disrupting access to care or forcing legitimate businesses under a mountain of bureaucracy.\n\nMedicare uses a network of third-party contractors to carry out program integrity audits and claims reviews. These reviews are intended to safeguard taxpayer dollars, but suppliers across the country report that vague documentation requests, inconsistent standards, and long delays in reimbursement have created significant challenges. These problems can disrupt care for Medicare beneficiaries and strain small and mid-sized businesses that depend on predictable cash flow and clear rules to operate.\n\n\u201cContractors are supposed to be protecting patients and taxpayers, not creating avoidable obstacles for the legitimate providers our communities depend on,\u201d said Rep. Harder. \u201cThe CAT Act makes the audit process clear and predictable for providers, cuts out disruptions to patients, and stops bad actors from messing with our health care. That\u2019s how it's supposed to work.\u201d\n\nThe CAT Act sets clearer performance expectations for Medicare's auditing contractors, improves communication requirements, and increases transparency throughout the audit process. That ensures a more consistent system that allows suppliers to plan, grow, and invest in their businesses while maintaining strong program integrity.\n\n\u201cPacific Medical supports thousands of patients and a large workforce across California and the western United States,\u201d said Mark Weaver, General Counsel for Pacific Medical. \u201cUnpredictable Medicare audits and delayed reimbursements strain our operations, disrupt patient care, and limit our ability to grow and plan for the future. We appreciate Representatives Harder and Kim for their leadership in introducing the CAT Act and for advancing needed reforms that bring greater transparency and accountability to the audit process.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://liccardo.house.gov/media/press-releases/liccardos-bipartisan-housing-bills-advance-through-committee", "Liccardo\u2019s Bipartisan Housing Bills Advance Through Committee", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Sam T. Liccardo", "L000607", "liccardo.house.gov", "liccardo", "https://liccardo.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 The House Committee on Financial Services advanced the bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act, a legislative package designed to streamline development and make housing more affordable. Congressman Sam Liccardo (CA-16) leads two bills included in the package, both focused on cutting red tape that is constraining growth in America\u2019s housing supply.\n\n\u201cWe are twelve million homes short for both buyers and renters in the U.S., and we won\u2019t meet demand unless we increase supply,\u201d said Liccardo. \u201cMeeting our nation\u2019s housing demand will drive down housing costs, and I\u2019m proud to lead legislation that eases the squeeze on families\u2014perhaps nowhere more acutely than in the Bay Area.\u201d\n\nCongressman Mike Flood, Chairman of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, co-leads both bills with Liccardo, and those bills have made their way into a bipartisan housing package advancing to the House floor in January.\n\nTogether, the bills\u2014H.R. 4810, the BUILD Housing Act, and H.R. 4660, the Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act\u2014reflect growing bipartisan consensus that solving America\u2019s housing shortage requires more nimble federal processes for affordable construction, and stronger partnerships with state and local governments.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases/lofgren-slams-rfk-jr-disgraceful-plan-fund-unethical-research-infants-guinea", "Lofgren Slams RFK Jr. for Disgraceful Plan to Fund Unethical Research on Infants in Guinea-Bissau", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Zoe Lofgren", "L000397", "lofgren.house.gov", "lofgren", "https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Yesterday, it came to light that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to provide funding for a group with proven ties to the U.S. anti-vaccine movement to conduct research on the Hepatitis B vaccine, using infants in Guinea-Bissau as its test subjects. This study comes after the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which now includes several vaccine skeptics, eliminated long-standing recommendations for Hepatitis B vaccines for newborns. The CDC intends to fund a five-year, randomized controlled trial in Guinea-Bissau of the hepatitis B vaccine \u2014 giving some infants the vaccine at birth and others the vaccine at 6 weeks of age. The study is considered highly unethical because it withholds a proven, life-saving vaccine from newborn babies with the goal of promoting Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.\u2019s anti-vaccine agenda.\n\n\u201cThis is a new low for the Trump administration,\" said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren. \"I am absolutely disgusted. To withhold a lifesaving vaccine from babies across the globe to promote your anti vaccine agenda at home is deplorable. How has it come to this? RFK Jr. must be stopped.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://matsui.house.gov/media/press-releases/matsui-and-colleagues-call-trump-administration-stop-targeting-afghan", "MATSUI AND COLLEAGUES CALL ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO STOP TARGETING OF AFGHAN NATIONALS", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Doris O. Matsui", "M001163", "matsui.house.gov", "matsui", "https://matsui.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Congressmen Jason Crow (CO-06), Scott Peters (CA-52), Seth Moulton (MA-06), and Derek Tran (CA-45) led a group of 61 total lawmakers calling on the Trump administration to stop pushing divisive policies that unfairly target Afghan nationals.\n\nIn their letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the lawmakers noted that the Trump administration\u2019s policies will \u201cscapegoat all Afghans and entire nationalities\u201d and put at risk vulnerable Afghans who stood alongside the United States and seek a life free of the Taliban\u2019s repression, discrimination, and violence.\n\nFollowing the shooting of Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and tragic death of Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, the Trump administration moved to close nearly all legal pathways Afghan nationals have to resettle in the United States. Included within that change is the suspension of the longstanding Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, which is open to those who fought alongside American forces in Afghanistan. Their decision is among other deeply troubling actions taken by this Administration like terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan, indefinitely pausing all refugee resettlement, including Afghanistan in a blanket travel ban in June, and eliminating a travel ban exception for Afghan SIV holders effective January 1, 2026\n\n\u201cThe horrific actions of one individual should not be used to vilify every individual from Afghanistan who legally seeks to live in the United States. Afghans who enter the country with a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), with humanitarian parole, through the refugee resettlement process, or who claim asylum, are subject to a thorough vetting process that can take months to years,\u201d wrote the lawmakers.\n\n\u201cExploiting this tragedy to sow division and inflame fear will not make America safer,\u201d the lawmakers continued. \u201cAbandoning those who made the courageous choice to stand beside us signals to those we may need as allies in the future that we cannot be trusted to honor our commitments. That is a mistake we cannot afford.\u201d\n\nWe have seen the fallout of these actions directly in the Sacramento region. In the direct aftermath of President Trump and Secretary Noem\u2019s intensified xenophobic rhetoric about immigrant communities, NorCal Resist and members of the Afghan Community reported multiple Afghan asylum applicants were targeted and detained by ICE. On December 5, Congresswoman Matsui, alongside partners from NorCal Resist and CAIR-SVCC, went to the John E. Moss Federal building in downtown Sacramento to condemn the Trump Administration\u2019s actions and push back.\n\nCongresswoman Matsui and her staff have worked diligently in assisting constituents with Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applications. Earlier this year she led a letter with 42 lawmakers expressing serious concern over the significant and harmful impact of Trump\u2019s executive orders to halt refugee processing and admissions and upend the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for our Afghan allies. Additionally in 2021, the Congresswoman introduced the Afghan and Iraqi Allies Resettlement Improvement Act. This bill would allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to include SIVs as part of its annual survey of refugees, as well as direct the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of State to create programs to employ SIVs.\n\nA copy of the letter isHERE and below.\n\nDear Secretary Rubio and Secretary Noem:\n\nWe write with concern regarding the Trump administration\u2019s response to the horrific shooting of two members of the National Guard on November 26, 2025.\n\nWe share our condolences with the loved ones of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and pray for Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe\u2019s continued recovery. There is no acceptable justification for the use of violence. We wholeheartedly condemn the shooter\u2019s actions and expect that he will be held accountable for his actions to the fullest extent of the law.\n\nThe horrific actions of one individual should not be used to vilify every individual from Afghanistan who legally seeks to live in the United States. Afghans who enter the country with a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), with humanitarian parole, through the refugee resettlement process, or who claim asylum, are subject to a thorough vetting process that can take months to years. Many Afghans continue to face persecution from the Taliban, live in dangerous conditions, or are separated from loved ones as they wait for this process to be completed. Individuals are already vetted through numerous interagency databases including through the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National Counterterrorism Center.\n\nThe decision to immediately cease processing all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals, including those eligible for SIVs, risks the lives of Afghan allies who fought and served alongside American servicemembers. This decision follows actions by the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan, to indefinitely pause all refugee resettlement including Afghans under Priority-1 and Priority-2 categories, to include Afghanistan as one of an original 19 countries on a travel ban, and to seek to deport individuals legally in the country through humanitarian parole programs. Closing every avenue for Afghan nationals \u2013 including those who directly supported our mission and troops on the ground in Afghanistan \u2013 to seek safety in the United States is wrong.\n\nThe administration has further paused all asylum decisions for asylum seekers in the United States, announced it would review immigration applications granted for people from countries included on the travel ban list, including Afghanistan, since January 2021, eliminated a travel ban exception for Afghan SIV holders, and publicly floated calls for \u201cdenaturalization\u201d or \u201cremigration.\u201d Once again, this administration has embraced a sledgehammer rather than a scalpel. Collective blame is dangerous, reactionary, and short-sighted.\n\nExploiting this tragedy to sow division and inflame fear will not make America safer. Abandoning those who made the courageous choice to stand beside us signals to those we may need as allies in the future that we cannot be trusted to honor our commitments. That is a mistake we cannot afford.\n\nWe made a promise to our Afghan allies who bravely stood alongside us during 20 years of war and to those who legally seek a life free of the Taliban\u2019s repression, discrimination, and violence. The administration\u2019s response will put those most vulnerable at greater risk, and we urge you to rescind policies that scapegoat all Afghans and entire nationalities for one man\u2019s actions.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-releases-2025-end-year-update", "THOMPSON RELEASES 2025 END OF YEAR UPDATE", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", "mikethompson", "https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "View the Designed 2025 End of Year Update HERE!\n\nAs 2025 comes to a close, here\u2019s a look back at what my team and I have done\u2026\n\nDelivering for Constituents\n\nSupporting Fourth District residents like you is the cornerstone of all that we do at Team Thompson. Since the start of this year, my staff and I have worked with federal agencies to return $19,942,459.62 to residents of our district and helped 2,215 constituents receive assistance from the federal government.\n\nMy team and I have responded to over 214,498 letters, emails, and phone calls from community members and scheduled 329 White House and Capitol tours for constituents.\n\nI\u2019m pleased to report that my team and I have reached more constituents than ever before through town halls and community events this year. I hosted over 20 town halls, reaching more than 20,000 people in our community in-person and online to answer your questions about my work for our community.\n\nMy team and I were pleased to expand our regular office hours this year, too, to reach people where they live throughout our district and to provide an easy way for community members to speak one-on-one with a member of my staff about any challenges or concerns they face. If you\u2019d like to be notified when my team hosts office hours in your area, sign up for my e-newsletter.\n\nIf you or someone you know needs help with passports and visas, veterans benefits, IRS issues, agricultural issues, small business assistance, immigration, Medicare and Medicaid, or if you are facing any other problem navigating the federal government, my team is ready to help. Click here or call me at one of my offices to get started:\n\nNapa: (707) 226-9898\n\nSanta Rosa: (707) 542-7182\n\nWoodland: (530) 753-3501\n\nWashington: (202) 225-3311\n\nIt\u2019s my honor to serve you, and my team and I are prepared to help in any way we can to ensure you get the support you need.\n\nHear from some constituents we helped this year:\n\nI want to say THANK YOU for all the assistance [Rep. Thompson] provided in helping to resolve my issue with the FAA. I had an accident in October of 2024 and because of that accident, I was unable to retain my pilot privileges until I could get it reinstated. I am a flight instructor and this is how I make my living and support my family. With [Rep. Thompson\u2019s] help and guidance, I was able to get my pilot privileges reinstated. It is my belief that without the assistance of your office, this process would have been significantly delayed.\n\n-\n\nTim from Lake County\n\nThe IRS was mistakenly demanding thousands of dollars from me; for a year I couldn\u2019t get them to admit their error. At my wit\u2019s end, I called Mike Thompson\u2019s office. [His staff] listened, collected all my information and began advocating for me. His persistence and skill made all the difference; finally got resolution and vindication. Many, many thanks for this invaluable service!\n\n-\n\nChristina from Napa County\n\nMy Social Security benefit was incorrectly reduced, and for over a year I couldn\u2019t get a response from the Social Security Administration. My wife urged me to reach out to Congressman Mike Thompson\u2019s office, and I met his staff during office hours in Dixon. Within a week, SSA corrected my benefit and sent $5,000 in back pay. I\u2019m truly grateful for the Congressman and his dedicated staff\u2014they made a real difference.\n\n-\n\nMahdi from Solano County\n\nI am a Navy veteran suffering the health effects of radiation exposure while on active duty. I had fought with the VA bureaucracy for sixteen years for compensation and had my claim denied on my third and final appeal. I had lost all hope. That\u2019s when Congressman Thompson stepped in. Through his tireless efforts this injustice was reversed and I was granted 100% service-connected disability and compensation. I can now focus my energy and attention on my health instead of reams of fruitless paperwork. Thank you Congressman Thompson.\n\n-\n\nPaul from Sonoma County\n\nI am a U.S. citizen, and I applied for my parents\u2019 immigration. After waiting for more than a year without any updates, I wrote to [Congressman Thompson] for help. His team responded to my email quickly and contacted USCIS on my behalf. In less than a month, USCIS approved my parents\u2019 cases. I am truly grateful to the staff for helping me with the difficulties I encountered.\n\n-\n\nDan from Yolo County\n\nLegislative Update\n\nAs we close out the first session of the 119th Congress, I\u2019m proud to report that I have introduced or co-sponsored 216 bills. This includes my legislation to:\n\nLower The Cost of Living: Dignity should not be a luxury. As families in our community are squeezed by higher prices thanks to the President\u2019s tariff war, I\u2019m leading a comprehensive bill designed to make it easier to afford a house, make rent, care for your kids and elderly family members, afford college, and have health care.\n\nStop Rising Energy Bills: I wrote the renewable energy bill that created over $211 million in investments in our district. After the President slashed these investments, I\u2019m once again fighting alongside climate advocates, labor leaders, and local elected officials to reinstate these investments to lower your energy bills and create good paying jobs here at home.\n\nTackle The Home Insurance Crisis: Property insurance has quickly become one of the single biggest issues in our community. People can\u2019t get covered: either the available options are completely unaffordable, or there are no options available at all. That\u2019s why I lead a bipartisan bill to help homeowners and business owners mitigate disaster risks on their property. This will help incentivize insurers back into the market and bring rates back into more affordable territory.\n\nExpand Health Care Access: Since my days in the California State Senate, I\u2019ve been a big believer in telehealth\u2019s ability to save money, time, and lives. That\u2019s why Congress passed my legislation to extend telehealth access for seniors on Medicare. Now, I\u2019m working to make telehealth coverage permanent.\n\nPromote Mental Health Research: Investing in brain research is key to addressing the root causes of mental health conditions, not just managing the symptoms. That\u2019s why I\u2019m working to pass my bipartisan bill to incentivize private companies with financial resources to collaborate with academic or nonprofit research institutions on neurological and mental health research to tackle the root causes of mental health conditions.\n\nEnsure Fire Prevention and Readiness: Our community knows firsthand the impact breathing wildfire smoke can have on our health. As wildfire smoke and extreme heat become more and more common, my Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act will help experts better research the impact of wildfire smoke on our communities and provide communities the resources they need to keep Americans safe.\n\nKeep Our Community Safe: As Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in Congress, I\u2019m leading the charge to pass sensible policies that keep our communities safe. That includes driving policies like expanded background checks for firearm purchases.\n\nIn 2026, I look forward to continuing my work to pass sensible legislation that will deliver for our district and improve your quality of life, and I remain committed to working with anyone who will help get these priorities signed into law.\n\nDelivering Long-Awaited Relief to Wildfire Victims\n\nAs many of you know too well, federally declared wildfires in 2015, 2017, and 2018 devastated entire communities across our district and across the state of California.\n\nWhile the courts eventually created a path to compensation, victims were subjected to unfair taxes on their settlement money. That\u2019s why I worked across the aisle to draft and pass legislation providing tax relief to victims of federally declared disasters who face taxes on settlement money. The relief applies retroactively to qualified victims.\n\nLast year, President Biden signed into law my bill delivering tax relief to wildfire victims. This year, I\u2019m happy to report that I worked with the IRS to ensure this relief was rolled out immediately to qualified survivors.\n\nWhile no fire victim can ever be made truly whole, this law is now providing needed and deserved relief to thousands in our community and across our country.\n\nConnecting With More People Than Ever\n\nOver the past year, we ramped up our digital presence in a big way to ensure our community\u2019s voice is heard nationwide. Across all social media platforms, we\u2019ve shared more than 6,500 posts that have been viewed more than 18 million times. We\u2019ve added over 25,000 new followers to our online community in just one year. And each of you participating aren\u2019t just watching \u2014 you are asking smart questions, sharing ideas, and pushing for sensible policies out of Washington. If you aren\u2019t already part of our online community, you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky, Threads, YouTube, and LinkedIn.\n\nA Look Ahead To 2026\n\nMy priorities next year will remain the same: delivering for our district and helping every American live a healthy and successful life. I am committed to working with anyone in Congress to fight for our democracy and to advance the issues that matter to our district.\n\nI am honored to represent California\u2019s Fourth District in Congress and look forward to continuing to serve our community in 2026.\n\nI wish you and your family a happy, peaceful, and prosperous new year.\n\nSincerely,\n\nMike Thompson\n\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://min.house.gov/media/press-releases/hell-no-representative-dave-min-whether-doj-can-be-trusted-follow-law", "'Hell No': Representative Dave Min on Whether the DOJ can be Trusted to Follow the Law Regarding Epstein Files Release", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dave Min", "M001241", "min.house.gov", "min", "https://min.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, on CNN\u2019s News Central, Representative Dave Min (CA-47), member of the House Oversight Committee and former SEC Enforcement attorney, demanded justice for the survivors of Epstein\u2019s abuse and the full release of the Epstein files from the Justice Department. The DOJ is legally required to release the full Epstein files today, but Rep. Min expressed skepticism, noting Attorney General Pam Bondi and her senior lawyers at the DOJ have \u201cdeveloped a well-earned reputation for breaking the law.\u201d\n\nImage\n\nWATCH REP. MIN ON CNN HERE\n\nOn if the DOJ Attempts to Withhold the Release of the Files\n\n\u201cWe are going to keep fighting for full transparency and disclosure. The survivors deserve that. The American people deserve that. And look, the problem with this Department of Justice and Attorney General Pam Bondi, is that they have now developed a well-earned reputation for breaking the law, for ignoring laws and norms, because of their repeated and flagrant just disregard for the rule of law, including our subpoena earlier this year, but so many other issues that have popped up over the course of the last 11 months. So I hope they do the right thing. I hope they release every responsive document. But are we going to trust them at their word? At this point? I'd say hell no. We have a job to do, and that is to find justice for the survivors.\n\nOn the \u201cSmoking Gun\u201d in the Epstein Files\n\n\u201cI think the smoking gun, as the lead prosecutor, Marie Villafa\u00f1a described it. She described this literally as the smoking gun that would break the case wide open is the computer files. The computer records. Video evidence. We know that Epstein liked to record everything, who was coming in and out of his estates. Apparently, he had cameras in every bedroom and in every room in his homes. That had a lot of potentially incriminating evidence, that maybe he was keeping. And so we need to see that. Apparently the DOJ has that, they have not produced it to anybody. But, that is one of the things that we really need to see. But there's really terabytes of information that they're holding on to that they have not released to date.\n\nOn the Photos Released by the Oversight Committee Earlier this Week:\n\n\u201cI think what these documents show is, again, the wide scope of Epstein's ring like this, how many influential, rich and powerful people were in his orbit, and also how disgusting this was.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-panetta-secures-defense-priorities-ndaa-including-pay-increase-support", "Rep. Panetta Secures Defense Priorities in NDAA, Including Pay Increase, Support for Housing, and Improvements to Recruitment & Retention", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Panetta", "P000613", "panetta.house.gov", "panetta", "https://panetta.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 19, 2025\n\nWashington, DC \u2013 United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced that he had secured several defense priorities for California\u2019s 19th Congressional District in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill was signed by the President into law yesterday.\n\nThe FY2026 NDAA includes several key pieces of legislation championed by Rep. Panetta, including language that supports the district\u2019s military families and installations, and boost innovation and technological development.\n\n\u201cCalifornia\u2019s 19th Congressional District has long been a defense hub, leading critical work in research, naval and maritime innovation, foreign language training, and so much more,\u201d said Rep. Panetta. \u201cI\u2019m proud that this year\u2019s NDAA included so many of our priorities to ensure our local installations and military families remain supported and ready to address any threats to our homeland. By expanding benefits for servicemembers, which includes a pay raise, and making sure America can maintain its technological edge, we\u2019re investing in the personal and familial security of our military men and women and the long-term security of our nation.\u201d\n\nCongressman Panetta\u2019s Legislation Included in Final Passage:\n\nImproving housing, food security, and basic needs.\n\nImprovements to basic allowance for housing. Develops clear documentation explaining BAH rates, and increases reviews/updates to once per year; assesses the adequacy of BAH for military housing areas (MHAs) and directs the Pentagon to conduct a pilot program in an area with fifteen MHAs to evaluate BAH rates using an AI-generated rate model.\n\nImprovements to DoD Housing Requirements and Market Analysis. Creates an increase in BAH rates by expanding the population count used towards overall cost of living by including civilian employees and defense contractors, not just military personnel.\n\nModifications to calculation of basic allowance for subsistence (BAS) for enlisted members. Increases the rates of BAS to cover a \u201cliberal food plan\u201d for the average male in the United States.\n\nImprovements to basic allowance for housing. Assesses the adequacy of current Military Housing Areas (MHAs) calculations used to calculate COLA, including a review of the commuting times and distances of servicemembers and the overall affordability of housing in specific MHAs. The review will focus on high-cost areas in California to determine if BAH compensation is adequate per the MHA.\n\nIncrease in BAH for Enlisted in Impacted Areas. Provides temporary increase to BAH for enlisted servicemembers to areas designated as potential for major disasters or in areas dense with military personnel.\n\nPreserving foreign language training and enhancing education.\n\nLanguage incentive pay for civil service employees. Authorizes special monetary incentives to acquire or retain proficiency in foreign languages to civil service employees who serve in domestic positions.\n\nPromoting reutilization of language skills in the Foreign Service. Increases incentives for learning and retaining foreign language skills among the foreign service, promoting the Defense Language Institute\u2019s foreign language training.\n\nReport on Maintaining Critical Language Proficiency. Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a report on how the Pentagon plans to maintain critical language proficiency for servicemembers and programs that partner with colleges and universities to enhance the pool of skilled future Defense Department personnel.\n\nInclusion of Space Force education programs in definitions regarding professional military education.\n\nImproving recruitment and retention.\n\nSec. 531. Recruiter access to secondary schools. Requires improved military recruiter access to secondary schools and institutions of higher education by increasing on-campus access, establishing timely response requirements for recruiter requests, and expanding the student information that schools provide to the Department of Defense for recruiting purposes.\n\nMedical accession standards for members of the armed forces. Makes available the medical accession standards to applicants for military service to limit disqualifications for medical purposes, and create a review and waiver process for medical disqualifications.\n\nAddressing readiness gaps.\n\nCritical infrastructure compatibility tabletop exercise. Directs a tabletop exercise designed to assess the resiliency of military installations and their surrounding communal capabilities to collaboratively respond to weather disasters or adversarial attacks.\n\nGuidance for military construction projects for innovation, research, development, test, and evaluation. Requires the Department of Defense to issue clear guidance for implementing military construction projects related to innovation and research, design, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E).\n\nKey Highlights in the FY26 NDAA\n\nPay\n\nAuthorizes a 3.8% pay raise for all military personnel.\n\nIncreases oversight of food programs across the Services and of the Basic Allowance for Subsistence to ensure funds are used to provide food for service members.\n\nRequires a pay and benefits education campaign for service members and their families.\n\nExpands access to food on military installations by granting the Services authorities to conduct pilot programs to reform their food programs.\n\nReaffirms the prohibition on privatization of the military commissary system.\n\nCivilian Personnel\n\nStrengthens safeguards against arbitrary or ad hoc reductions of the civilian workforce by requiring DoD to fully justify major reductions with a standardized analysis; provide clear guidance on reductions in force that considers lethality, readiness, operational effectiveness, stress on the military force, and fully burdened costs; and notify Congress of significant reductions.\n\nProtects public shipyard workers from the federal hiring freeze as well as a reduction in force.\n\nProtects childcare workers and DODEA personnel from arbitrary reductions in force.\n\nFixes pay limitations that severely disadvantage federal maritime employment.\n\nHousing\n\nRequires an analysis of alternative methods for calculating the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to better reflect market trends.\n\nIncreases transparency of the calculation of the BAH to include how the rates are determined.\n\nEducation and Childcare\n\nAuthorizes $50 million for the purpose of aiding local educational agencies with military dependent students, and $20 million for local educational agencies eligible to receive payment for children with severe disabilities.\n\nRequires an annual review of the fee assistance program rate cap for eligible community-based childcare providers.\n\nExtends the Child Care In Your Home Pilot Program until December 31, 2029.\n\nHealthcare\n\nEstablishes a military-civilian medical surge program in support of the National Disaster Medical System.\n\nCodifies the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER), which serves as a central repository of occupational and environmental exposure data.\n\nExpands mental health services to meet the unique needs of the Cyber Mission Force.\n\nProhibits the DoD from reducing military medical personnel.\n\nInfrastructure\n\nAuthorizes more than $19.7 billion for military construction projects.\n\n$1.5 billion for new construction of quality-of-life infrastructure including barracks, dormitories, government-owned family housing, and child development centers.\n\n$254 million in design funds to expedite future new construction of barracks and child development centers.\n\nThe full text of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://scottpeters.house.gov/press-releases/peters-evans-garbarino-vasquez-unveil-effort-to-accelerate-federal-permitting-processes", "Peters, Evans, Garbarino, Vasquez Unveil Effort to Accelerate Federal Permitting Processes", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott H. Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", "scottpeters", "https://scottpeters.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Representatives Scott Peters (CA-50), Gabe Evans (CO-08), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) released a discussion draft for the Create Expedited Reviews to Transform American Infrastructure Now (CERTAIN) Act to transform the federal permitting process and meet America\u2019s energy and electricity needs. Reps. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) and Adam Gray (CA-13) have also signed on.\n\nThe CERTAIN Act would address permit certainty\u2014ensuring federal agencies handle project authorizations and environmental reviews fairly and efficiently, with clear timelines, notice requirements, and accountability. This would facilitate the build out of the energy we need to lower costs, create jobs, and protect our environment. It also emphasizes coordinating between different agencies involved in these processes to avoid unnecessary delays.\n\n\"It\u2019s no secret that our surging energy demand is straining our grid and our wallets,\u201d Congressman Peters said. \u201cAs we face the growing challenge of powering our nation\u2019s future, we must act quickly and effectively. Our CERTAIN Act is the comprehensive solution we need\u2014giving us the tools to tackle energy challenges head-on, without unnecessary delays, and ensuring we\u2019re meeting the moment with urgency and responsibility.\"\n\n\u201cAs the representative of a truly all-of-the-above energy district, I hear from oil and gas and renewable energy producers alike that overburdensome permitting processes and lack of permit certainty has plagued investment and delayed innovation. Across the U.S., modernizing how we permit our infrastructure is absolutely vital to meeting our growing energy demand and lowering costs for working families. I\u2019m proud to lead these bipartisan discussions to build upon the work already done in the House to strengthen American jobs, businesses and markets, reduce cost of living, and provide investors greater certainty when allocating capital to current and future energy projects,\u201d said Congressman Evans\n\n\u201cEndless permitting roadblocks hurt communities and drive up energy costs. I\u2019m proud to co-lead the bipartisan CERTAIN Act to bring transparency and accountability to the permitting process and ensure projects that meet their requirements can move forward on time,\u201d said Congressman Garbarino.\n\n\u201cOver the past decade, we\u2019ve seen how shifting policies from one administration to the next lead to stalled energy projects and make long-term planning impossible, and we cannot afford to leave our energy producers exposed to this political pendulum. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to be leading the CERTAIN Act, a bipartisan solution that protects the permitting process for all types of energy projects from undue political interference,\u201d said Congressman Vasquez.\n\n\u201cWe need to build more, fast, if we are going to address the nation's affordability and reliability setbacks,\u201d said Congressman Gray \u201cAchieving an all-of-the-above energy approach is critical for our communities. I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan reform to ensure all projects can move forward without threat once permitted.\u201d\n\n\u201cArizona families and businesses are counting on smart, reliable energy solutions that support growth and opportunity,\u201d said Congressman Ciscomani. \u201cThe CERTAIN Act brings clarity, coordination, and common sense to the federal permitting process so we can responsibly build the energy infrastructure our communities need. We can and should increase energy production while protecting our environment, and this bipartisan effort sets clear timelines and accountability to create jobs, strengthen our grid, and power America\u2019s future responsibly.\u201d\n\nKey provisions of the CERTAIN Act include:\n\nProtection from Political Interference: Provide certainty for infrastructure investment by ensuring that lawfully issued permits that remain in compliance are safeguarded from political interference.\n\nClear Timelines and Deadlines: Set specific deadlines, timelines, and milestones for federal agencies in the environmental review process. This would cover all reviews, under all environmental laws, for all projects.\n\nTransparency and Accountability: Promote transparency and accountability throughout the federal environmental review process, including by empowering decision-makers to resolve disputes.\n\nAddress Workforce Needs: Require agencies to analyze and respond to workforce and technical needs, ensuring they can meet statutory obligations for environmental reviews.\n\nAgency Accountability: Strengthen communication between agencies and project sponsors on any delays, with opportunities to hold agencies accountable in court for missing deadlines and review milestones.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://simon.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-lateefah-simon-brings-over-344-million-home-east-bay-first-year", "Congresswoman Lateefah Simon Brings over $344 Million Home to the East Bay in First Year Representing California\u2019s 12th District", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Lateefah Simon", "S001231", "simon.house.gov", "simon", "https://simon.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 19, 2025\n\nOAKLAND, CA. \u2013 Since being sworn-in in January 2025, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) has secured over $344 million in federal funding for California\u2019s 12th Congressional District. These federal grants have supported scientific research, arts, education, community health care programs, housing programs, infrastructure modernization, small businesses, and more across the East Bay.\n\n\u201cOur district is one of the most vibrant, diverse places in the nation. We have scientists, engineers, artists, educators, community leaders, and many groups who power the East Bay, the nation, AND the future with their work. Since coming to Congress in January, one of my top priorities has been to deliver federal funding back to our district,\u201d said Congresswoman Lateefah Simon. \u201cI am proud to have secured over $344 million for organizations and institutions in our district that not only lift us up now, but that also innovate and send us towards a better future.\n\n\"As federal funding continues to come under attack, I will continue fighting to protect Congress\u2019 power of the purse and ensure that the institutions and organizations that breathe life into CA-12 receive the federal funds they deserve.\u201d\n\nMore details on the grants Congresswoman Simon announced throughout 2025 can be found below:\n\nScientific research at the University of California (UC), Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley Labs and Kaiser Foundation Research Institute received over $76.5 million in federal grant funding this year. This money will fund various types of research including for neurological and aging disorders, cancers, and vision loss diseases. This funding will help to carry us into a future where more families know hope and less people know sickness.\n\n$22 million dollars has gone towards education and vocational training programs at UC Berkeley, Samuel Merritt University, and CiviCorps. Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the City of Oakland also received funding.\n\nThe arts and arts education at the University of California, Berkeley and Kala Art Institute received $35,000 dollars this year. At a time when the Trump administration is devaluing the arts and decimating funding for artistic endeavors, this funding is an important step towards preserving the rich arts and culture of the East Bay.\n\nOver $6 million has gone towards health care programs and initiatives, including for Asian Health Services and Alameda Health System, which both aim to provide and expand accessible care.\n\nHousing programs have received nearly $500,000 in 2025. Organizations like The Unity Council and the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation have been the primary recipients of this funding as they work to expand access to affordable housing in CA-12.\n\nInfrastructure projects in CA-12, including at the Oakland International Airport, have received over $193 million dollars. This funding has gone towards projects that aim to improve safety and efficiency on our roads and in the skies.\n\nPublic safety initiatives at the California Office of Emergency Services, including for survivors of domestic and initiate partner violence, have received $200,000 in 2025.\n\nSmall businesses in the East Bay have received $22.7 million, primarily through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. This funding helps bolster main street businesses and contribute to the strong small business economy in the East Bay.\n\nNearly $12 million dollars in AmeriCorps funding has gone towards East Bay programs like the Senior Companion Program through the City of Oakland, Reading Partners, CivicSpark and community planning projects, the Breakthrough Collaborative teaching fellowship, and Playworks. These programs build community, inspire young minds, and provide resources and opportunities for our children and elders.\n\nVeterans\u2019 services have received $500,000 through Swords to Plowshares, an organization in CA-12 that provides and connects veterans to housing, food, and health care services and resources.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://tran.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-tran-hurd-dean-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-combat-youth", "Representatives Tran, Hurd, Dean Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Youth Substance Use", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Derek Tran", "T000491", "tran.house.gov", "tran", "https://tran.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Representative Derek Tran (D-CA-45), alongside Representatives Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03) and Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), introduced bipartisan legislation to prevent youth substance use. The Youth Substance Prevention and Awareness Act would allow federal grants to fund evidence-based public service announcement (PSA) campaigns designed to educate young people about the dangers of substance abuse.\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would expand the Department of Justice\u2019s Bureau of Justice Assistance Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) to support age-appropriate drug prevention PSAs launched by state and local governments that reach youth in their communities.\n\nRead the full text of the legislation HERE.\n\n\u201cAs online misinformation increasingly impacts young people, it is more important than ever to distribute reliable, factual information about the impacts of substance abuse. My bill would make it easier for children and teenagers to access preventative educational materials about drugs and other harmful substances that are tailored to their age, to help them make informed choices as they grow up,\u201d said Representative Tran. \u201cThis isn\u2019t a partisan issue. The rapidly increasing flow of illicit drugs onto our streets, especially by malign actors like the Chinese Communist Party, is a concern for parents of young children, like me, on both sides of the political aisle. This bipartisan, common-sense legislation takes a meaningful step toward addressing substance abuse in our communities. I\u2019m proud to have strong bipartisan support for this measure that will help keep all of our kids safe and healthy.\u201d\n\n\u201cPreventing substance abuse before it starts is one of the most effective ways we can protect our kids and strengthen our communities. This legislation focuses on evidence based prevention, modern communication tools, and accountability, making sure taxpayer dollars are used to reach young people where they are and with messages that actually work,\u201d said Representative Hurd. \u201cBy investing in smart, research driven public awareness campaigns, we can help give families and local communities better tools to keep kids safe and on a healthy path.\u201d\n\n\u201cSo many young people are confronted with illicit substances \u2014 early intervention can help save their lives,\u201d said Representative Dean. \u201cI come to this work as a mother. My son Harry is now 13 years in active recovery from opioid addiction, a heartbreaking struggle for our family that began when he was a teenager. The Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act will help us more effectively reach our children, to educate them on the severity and dangers of substance use, and to protect them as they grow into the adults they are meant to be.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe must do everything in our power to reduce youth substance use,\u201d said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. \u201cI\u2019ve previously called on Congress to pass the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act because it can help us save lives, and I\u2019m proud to reiterate my support for this important legislation.\u201d\n\nAccording to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), over 5 million young adults reported having a substance use disorder, and nearly 2 million adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 reported using drugs in the last month. The Youth Substance Prevention and Awareness Act would use evidence-based preventative educational initiatives over television, radio, print media, and digital platforms to reach youth where they are and help curb substance use as early as possible.\n\nThis legislation requires reporting on the PSAs funded through the grant, including:\n\nA description of the grant awarded and the public service announcement campaign funded by the grant;\n\nThe research used to inform and develop the public service announcement campaign funded by the grant;\n\nAny regional or geographic-specific messaging used as part of the public service announcement campaign;\n\nA description of how the public service announcement campaign funded by the grant supports the other substance use prevention initiatives or strategy of the grantee; and\n\nAn evaluation of the success of the public service announcement campaign, such as the effectiveness of the campaign at reducing youth drug use.\n\nThe bicameral Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act is also supported by Senators Kelly (D-AZ), Tillis (R-NC), and Coons (D-DE). This legislation is endorsed by the National Association of Attorneys General, Partnership to End Addiction, Drug Policy Alliance, Addiction Policy Forum, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), the National Association for Children Impacted by Addiction (NACoA), the Brent Shapiro Foundation, the Alexander Neville Foundation, National Crime Prevention Council, MATFORCE, the Substance Awareness Coalition Leaders of Arizona (SACLAz), and Gang Free North Carolina.\n\nRepresentative Tran is dedicated to strengthening substance use treatment programs and keeping harmful substances out of our communities. He voted in favor of H.R. 2483, the bipartisan SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025, which helps provide federal support for substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery programs. Tran is also an original cosponsor of H.R. 2964, the Fight Fentanyl Act, and voted to pass the following bills through the House:\n\nH.R. 747, the Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act, which imposes sanctions on Chinese producers of synthetic opioids to hold Chinese officials accountable for the spread of fentanyl in the U.S.; and\n\nH.R. 27, the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently designates fentanyl-related substances as having a high potential for abuse and subjects such substances to regulatory, administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act.\n\nRepresentative Tran also co-led a letter with Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Godlander (NH-02) on a letter urging House Leadership to fully fund the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, which combats drug trafficking in high-risk areas like Los Angeles.\n\n\"The Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions is proud to support the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act, a vital piece of legislation that will help rebuild our nation\u2019s drug prevention infrastructure. In an age where young people are buying drugs and seeing drug promotions on social media, public service announcements aimed at preventing substance use before it starts is critical. We commend Representatives Tran, Hurd, and Dean for supporting evidence-based drug prevention messaging that will save young lives,\u201d said Dr. Kevin Sabet, President & CEO, Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS).\n\n\u201cWhen NACoA was founded in 1983, schools had counselors and student assistance programs equipped to support children impacted by the disease of addiction \u2014 that is no longer the norm. Today, 1 in 5 children in the U.S. live in a household where a parent has a substance use disorder (American Academy of Pediatrics). The National Association for Children Impacted by Addiction (NACoA) supports this vital legislation, because locally driven, peer-centered education can break the intergenerational cycle of this chronic, progressive and fatal disease. Every dollar invested in prevention can save up to $18 in future costs (SAMSHA) \u2014 and it\u2019s always easier to help a child than to heal a broken adult,\u201d said Denise Bertin-Epp RN, BScN, MSA, President & CEO, NACoA.\n\n\u201cThe Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act is a positive step towards stopping youth drug and alcohol use before it starts. Nine of 10 individuals who develop a drug addiction began using drugs as teenagers. Our nation needs to make the protection of our children and their developing brains a top priority. The Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act will provide youth with the information necessary to help them make healthy choices. This legislation can save lives.\u201d said Merilee Fowler, Executive Director, MATFORCE, Community Counts.\n\n###\n\nCongressman Derek Tran represents California\u2019s 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://youngkim.house.gov/2025/12/19/rep-young-kim-leads-resolution-condemning-chinas-coercion-against-japan-reaffirming-u-s-alliance/", "Rep. Young Kim Leads Resolution Condemning China\u2019s Coercion Against Japan, Reaffirming U.S. Alliance", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Young Kim", "K000397", "youngkim.house.gov", "youngkim", "https://youngkim.house.gov/media/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2014 Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40) and Ranking Member Ami Bera (CA-06), Congressional Study Group on Japan Co-Chairs Andy Barr (KY-06) and Diana DeGette (CO-01), and Japan Caucus Co-chair Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced a resolution condemning the People\u2019s Republic of China\u2019s coercive actions against Japan and reaffirming the United States\u2019 ironclad commitment to its allies in the Indo-Pacific.\n\nThe resolution responds to a series of diplomatic, economic, and military actions taken by Beijing in response to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi\u2019s remarks on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. These actions include military provocations, trade restrictions, travel advisories, and economic pressure aimed at silencing Japan\u2019s sovereign voice.\n\n\u201cJapan is one of America\u2019s closest allies and a vital democratic partner in the Indo-Pacific,\u201d said Rep. Kim. \u201cAttempts by the Chinese Communist Party to intimidate or punish our allies for speaking out undermine the rules-based international order and threaten regional stability. This resolution sends a clear message that we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Japan and our allies against authoritarian aggression.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the PRC intensifies its campaign of economic and military coercion against Japan, the United States must stand shoulder to shoulder with our democratic ally,\u201d said Rep. Bera. \u201cI commend Japan\u2019s steadfast commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and fully support Japan\u2019s right to speak up in defense of its own security. This resolution reaffirms the United States Congress\u2019s ironclad commitment to the U.S.\u2013Japan alliance and to upholding the rules-based international order.\u201d\n\nThe resolution condemns China\u2019s coercive behavior, supports Japan\u2019s right to express its foreign policy views without fear of retaliation, and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to strengthening allied cooperation to deter aggression and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. It also highlights the longstanding U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty that applies to the Senkaku Islands, territory administered by Japan, and urges the Chinese government to cease its tyrannical actions.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://harder.house.gov/media/press-releases/mail-theft-harder-s-calls-lead-to-multiple-arrests-in-valley-mail-theft-bust", "MAIL THEFT: Harder\u2019s Calls Lead to Multiple Arrests in Valley Mail Theft Bust", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Josh Harder", "H001090", "harder.house.gov", "harder", "https://harder.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Harder called on Postal Inspection Service in September to expand Project Safe Delivery to Stockton, crack down on criminals\n\nMulti-agency operation recovered hundreds of checks and mail, as well credit cards and postal box master keys\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Today, following his calls for a crackdown on mail theft in the Valley and during the busiest mail delivery season of the year, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced that a multi-agency operation in Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties has resulted in multiple arrests and recovered property. Led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, hundreds of pieces of stolen mail and packages were recovered, including credit cards, checks, and postal box master keys.\n\nMail theft is a surging problem in the Valley \u2013 more than 200 residents have reached out to Harder\u2019s office expressing concern over mail theft in their community, including stolen master keys which cause entire neighborhoods to be vulnerable to systematic attack. In response, Harder sent a letter to the U.S Postal Service and USPIS in September and met with agency leaders in October to call for the anti-mail theft initiative, Project Safe Delivery, to be expanded to Stockton, and this ongoing operation is part of that initiative.\n\n\u201cThis time of year is supposed to be about celebrating with family, not worrying about if your packages, checks, and identity is being stolen,\u201d said Rep. Harder. \u201cThat\u2019s why I called for a crackdown on these criminals and for Project Safe Delivery to be brought to the Valley. I\u2019m grateful for the ongoing efforts of USPIS to make our community a priority, and I look forward to continuing to work with our local and regional partners in delivering the public safety that our families deserve.\u201d\n\nLaw enforcement agencies from across the Valley participated in the operation, which ranged from active patrols, surveillance, interviews, residential searches, and arrests, and included the Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff\u2019s Office, Sacramento County Probation Department, Stockton Police Department, San Joaquin County Sheriff\u2019s Office, San Joaquin County Probation Department, and Rancho Cordova Police Department.\n\n\u201cThis operation demonstrates the U.S. Postal Inspection Service\u2019s dedication to protecting USPS employees, preventing mail theft and violent crimes, and enforcing the law to maintain the safety and security of the U.S. Mail,\u201d said Stephen Sherwood, inspector in charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service\u2019s San Francisco Division. \u201cThe Postal Inspection Service and its law enforcement partners will continue to pursue criminals who victimize and defraud our community.\u201d\n\nKeeping Valley families safe is Harder\u2019s top priority in Washington. Harder is also working to bring more mail security investments to the Valley, including installing high-security electronic locks and improving master key protection and tracking efforts.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:39Z"], ["https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3375", "Carbajal Bill Included in Senator Alex Padilla\u2019s Sweeping Public Lands Package", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Salud O. Carbajal", "C001112", "carbajal.house.gov", "carbajal", "https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Legislation authored by U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, was included in U.S. Senator Alex Padilla\u2019s (D-CA) Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act. The PUBLIC Lands Act would support the conservation of over 1.7 million acres of California\u2019s public lands throughout northwest California, the Central Coast, and Los Angeles County.\n\nThe introduction of this legislation comes as public lands across California are increasingly threatened by the Trump Administration\u2019s efforts to roll back environmental protections and privatize public lands.\n\n\u201cFrom the rugged trails of the Los Padres National Forest to the sweeping Carrizo Plain, the Central Coast is home to some of the most pristine public lands in the country. We must act now to permanently protect these landscapes, which sustain local watersheds, provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, and strengthen both our public health and economy,\u201d said Rep. Carbajal. \u201cI am grateful to Senator Padilla for including my Central Coast Heritage Protection Act in his bill, ensuring these treasures are safeguarded so future generations can continue to experience the natural beauty that defines our region.\u201d\n\nThe Central Coast Heritage Protection Act would designate approximately 250,000 acres of public land in the Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument as wilderness, the highest form of federal protection available. A wilderness designation would protect the land from future oil or gas drilling.\n\nCarbajal\u2019s bill is supported by nearly 500 Central Coast landowners, businesses, elected officials, farmers, ranchers, civic leaders, wineries, recreationalists, and outfitters. The public lands the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act would protect are home to a wide array of plant and animal life, and the bill will help sustain the ecological future of 468 species of wildlife and more than 1,200 plant species.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-chu-smith-introduce-bipartisan-peers-medicare-act-bolster-mental-0", "Reps. Chu, Smith Introduce Bipartisan PEERS in Medicare Act to Bolster Mental Health Care", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", "chu", "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep Judy Chu (CA-28) and Adrian Smith (NE-03) reintroduced the bipartisan PEERS Act to expand access to peer support services for seniors. The Promoting Effective and Empowering Recovery Services (PEERS) in Medicare Act would require Medicare to cover peer support services provided at rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, and certified community behavioral health clinics. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (NV) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (LA) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.\n\nA peer support specialist is a person with \u201clived experience\u201d who has been trained to support those who struggle with mental health, psychological trauma, or substance use. Peer support specialists do not take the place of mental health practitioners like physicians, psychologists, or social workers. Instead, they supplement these professionals as part of a larger care team to help someone struggling with substance abuse or mental health disorders on the road to recovery. Peer support services help reduce hospitalizations and behavioral crises, improve management of co-occurring physical conditions, help restore relationships and social connection, and ultimately save lives.\n\n\u201cSince my first job out of college with the Asian American Drug Abuse Program, I\u2019ve fought for approaches to mental health and substance abuse that not only include prevention and treatment but recovery as well,\u201d said Rep. Chu. \u201cThat is why I am leading this bill with Rep. Smith once again, because we want to help bolster the recovery care workforce in our country and expand peer support for Medicare recipients\u2014to offer acceptance, understanding, and validation not found in many other professional relationships. By sharing their own lived experience and practical guidance, peer support workers help people to develop their own goals, create strategies for self\u00ad\u2010empowerment, and take concrete steps towards building fulfilling, self\u00ad\u2010determined lives for themselves.\u201d\n\n\u201cOne of the greatest mental health care challenges in our state and across rural regions of the United States is the shortage of professional mental health providers,\u201d said Rep. Smith. \u201cThis bill would address this shortage by increasing access to trained and certified peer support specialists with a related or comparable diagnosis. Increasing access to peer support specialists has proven to be a low-cost, high-impact mental health care treatment option, especially in areas with limited or no access to traditional providers. I am glad to co-lead this bipartisan legislation. I thank Rep. Chu for her cooperation and will continue working on bettering mental health in our country.\u201d\n\n\u201cPeer support meets people where they are, offering lifesaving care and connection for people with substance use disorders and mental health conditions,\u201d said Caren Howard, Mental Health America Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy. \u201cExpanding coverage of peer support services in community-based settings fills critical gaps in the health care system, empowering people to access effective, person-centered care that is close to home.\u201d\n\nThis legislation expands on a provision led by Reps. Chu and Smith that was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 that recognizes peer support specialists in Medicare as part of interdisciplinary integrated care teams and mobile crisis teams.\n\nThe PEERS in Medicare Act is endorsed by Mental Health America, the National Association of Rural Health Clinics, the National Association of Rural Mental Health, Faces and Voices of Recovery, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases/costa-bipartisan-specialty-crop-caucus-urges-equitable-relief-specialty-crop", "Costa, Bipartisan Specialty Crop Caucus Urges Equitable Relief for Specialty Crop Producers", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", "costa", "https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Specialty Crop Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Jim Costa (CA-21), Rep. David Rouzer (NC-07), Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02), and Rep. David Valadao (CA-22), joined by 103 Members of Congress, sent a bipartisan letter to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees urging immediate and equitable relief for specialty crop producers.\n\nThe letter comes in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which allocates $11 billion to row crop producers, and $1 billion is reserved for specialty crops and other commodities, with little clarity on payment structure or timing.\n\nSpecialty crops\u2014including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture products\u2014represent one of the most economically significant, incredibly nutritious, and labor-intensive sectors of U.S. agriculture, generating more than $75 billion annually in cash receipts. Yet specialty crop producers continue to face rising costs and market disruptions without receiving proportional relief.\n\nBetween 2020 and 2025, specialty crop growers paid:\n\n25% more for pesticides\n\n31% more for fuel\n\n37% more for fertilizer\n\nNearly 50% more for labor\n\nThese cost increases were not matched by comparable increases in crop prices, placing significant strain on growers across the country.\n\nIn their letter, the Members stress that while USDA has stated that $1 billion will be reserved for specialty crops, details regarding eligibility, payment formulas, and timelines remain unclear. The co-chairs urge the Agriculture Committees to press USDA to ensure these funds are distributed quickly, fairly, and in a manner that reflects the unique structure of specialty crop operations.\n\n\u201cSpecialty crop growers contribute over $75 billion annually to the U.S. economy, yet they continue to face rising input costs, limited access to labor, trade disruptions, and other unprecedented challenges. As USDA rolls out the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, we urge the Agriculture Committees to ensure that the $1 billion set aside for specialty crops is distributed quickly, fairly, and equitably, so growers can continue producing for our nation and remain globally competitive,\u201d said the bipartisan Specialty Crop Caucus Co-Chairs.\n\n\u201cAfter months of uncertainty, specialty crop growers urgently need clarity and meaningful relief, and we appreciate the Specialty Crop Caucus for elevating this issue and making clear that specialty crops must be included in any relief package for American agriculture,\u201d the co-chairs of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance said. \u201cSpecialty crops are both an economic engine and the source of the most nutritious foods in the American diet, but current policies fail to reflect their importance to public health and food security. We strongly support the Caucus\u2019s call for USDA to act swiftly, provide transparency, and build on proven relief models such as the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (MASC) and CFAP-2 to ensure assistance reaches growers quickly and fairly. Specialty crop growers cannot afford further delay, and we urge congressional leadership and the Administration to move immediately to deliver proportional, transparent, and timely relief that reflects the economic significance and unique cost structures of specialty crop agriculture.\u201d\n\nPrevious programs, including the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP-2) and the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program, demonstrated tailored formulas and streamlined delivery systems ensure relief reaches producers efficiently.\n\nThe Members emphasize USDA should build on these proven models as they proceed with implementation of the FBA Program. The Specialty Crop Caucus is calling on congressional leadership and the Administration to prioritize parity, transparency, and urgency, ensuring specialty crop producers receive the support necessary to remain competitive, sustain rural economies, and continue supplying safe, affordable food to consumers nationwide.\n\nBackground: USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Announced December 8, 2025:\n\n$12 billion total in assistance\n\n$11 billion designated for row crops\n\n$1 billion reserved for commodities not covered by the FBA Program; payment timelines and details are still being finalized based on market impacts and economic needs.\n\nPayments for row crops are expected as early as February 28, 2026.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fong-votes-streamline-permitting-and-cut-red-tape", "Congressman Fong Votes to Streamline Permitting and Cut Red Tape", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Vince Fong", "F000480", "fong.house.gov", "fong", "https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) voted to pass the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, H.R. 4776, which amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to ensure a more efficient, effective, and timely federal permitting process. While well-intentioned, NEPA has evolved into a burdensome and drawn-out process that has drastically increased costs and permitting timelines. The SPEED Act streamlines environmental review by clarifying ambiguous statutory provisions, reducing unnecessary delays, and limiting frivolous litigation while preserving standard environmental protections.\n\n\u201cBureaucracy and red tape have stalled critical infrastructure in our communities, a concern I hear repeatedly as I meet with constituents across the Central Valley,\u201d said Congressman Fong (CA-20). \u201cWhether it\u2019s energy, roads and highways, water storage, or housing, these delays drive up costs and cost us jobs. The SPEED Act cuts through the red tape and gets Washington out of the way so we can finally build what our region needs. This bipartisan legislation will create good-paying jobs, strengthen our local economy, and help keep costs down for families. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get the SPEED Act signed into law.\u201d\n\nPlease see more information about the SPEED Act below:\n\nEstablishes a 150-day statute of limitations for filing NEPA claims after a final agency action is made public and requires courts to issue final judgments within 180 days of a case being filed.\n\nClarifies that NEPA is a procedural statute that establishes an administrative framework for environmental review without mandating specific outcomes.\n\nAllows federal agencies to rely on environmental reviews conducted under other federal or state laws when those reviews meet NEPA requirements, eliminating duplicative processes.\n\nNarrows the scope of environmental review to impacts that are reasonably related to, or proximately caused by, the project under consideration, and prevents agencies from delaying final decisions while awaiting new research that is unavailable within established timelines.\n\nReforms judicial review by limiting courts to remanding actions back to agencies with specific instructions for correction, rather than indefinitely halting projects.\n\nOn Background:\n\nNEPA was enacted in 1969 to ensure agencies assess and disclose the environmental impacts of major federal actions prior to decision-making, which can include, but are not limited to, the construction of critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, highways, ports, irrigation systems, forest management, transmission lines, energy projects, broadband and water infrastructure. However, over time, regulatory expansion and litigation have dramatically slowed project approvals. Unfortunately, NEPA has become a tool used by special interest groups to block critical infrastructure across the country, with litigation most often initiated not by communities or individuals, but by national NGOs.\n\nIn fact, NGOs filed more than 70% of all lawsuits filed under NEPA in recent years. Statistics show that litigants lose their challenges 80 percent of the time. But what they lost in court, they made up for in delays. According to the Council on Environmental Quality, environmental reviews for Federal Highway Administration projects take more than seven years on average to complete, and legal challenges add an additional 4.2 years on average. These delays can kill a project even when the litigation against it fails.\n\nThe SPEED Act builds on recent legal clarity from the Supreme Court\u2019s unanimous decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County (2025), which reaffirmed that NEPA imposes no substantive environmental mandates and does not require agencies to consider remote or speculative impacts unrelated to the project under review.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-garamendi-and-maloy-introduce-bipartisan-geothermal-tax-parity-act-2025", "Reps. Garamendi and Maloy Introduce the Bipartisan Geothermal Tax Parity Act of 2025", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", "garamendi", "https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Celeste Maloy (R-UT-02) introduced the bipartisan Geothermal Tax Parity Act of 2025, to promote geothermal projects, one of America\u2019s cheapest and most reliable energy sources, by extending long-standing oil and gas tax provisions to geothermal projects. The bill supports a rapidly growing American energy industry delivering reliable, around-the-clock power. The legislation is co-led by Blake Moore (R-UT-01), Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), and Russ Fulcher (R-ID-01).\n\n\u201cGeothermal energy is one of the most promising, clean energy resources we have. It provides reliable, round-the-clock power, strengthens our energy security, and creates good-paying jobs,\u201d said Rep. John Garamendi. \u201cThe bipartisan Geothermal Tax Parity Act is simple: if oil and gas receive a tax benefit, geothermal should too. By extending long-standing energy tax incentives to geothermal, we can accelerate next-generation clean energy deployment, leverage our existing workforce and engineering expertise, and position the United States as a global leader in geothermal power.\u201d\n\n\u201cGeothermal energy is a reliable resource with enormous potential, especially in the West,\u201d said Rep. Celeste Maloy. \u201cUtah is already proving what next generation geothermal can deliver. This bill removes outdated barriers in the tax code so private investment can keep pace with innovation, strengthen our energy security, and create high quality jobs in rural communities.\u201d\n\nThe Geothermal Tax Parity Act would allow geothermal projects to qualify for the same passive loss treatment long available to oil and gas investments, enabling investors to deduct project losses against other income. The bill would also extend existing tax treatment for geological and geophysical exploration costs to geothermal development, reducing upfront risk and encouraging private sector investment.\n\n\u201cIf our tax code continues to give benefits to big oil and gas, it should at least recognize the value of geothermal energy too,\u201d said Rep. Steven Horsford. \u201cGeothermal offers firm, reliable, low-carbon power that strengthens our energy security and insulates consumers from volatile global markets. Despite this, geothermal does not benefit from long-standing tax incentives that drive investment. I\u2019m proud to co-lead the Geothermal Tax Parity Act to help level the playing field. By extending proven incentives to this emerging technology, we can deliver dependable power for advanced manufacturing, AI, and grid resilience. Nevada is already leading the way with twenty-eight operating and authorized geothermal plants, and this bill ensures the United States leads globally by investing in American resources, American workers, and American innovation.\u201d\n\nThe Geothermal Tax Parity Act is supported by a broad coalition including Geothermal Rising, Clean Air Task Force, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, the Bipartisan Policy Center, Fervo Energy, Greenfire Energy, Quaise Energy, and Eavor.\n\n\u201cQuaise Energy strongly endorses the Geothermal Tax Parity Act. This legislation will help unlock America's vast geothermal potential at exactly the moment we need it most,\u201d said Carlos Araque, CEO and President of Quaise Energy. \u201cBy creating the right investment climate for next-generation geothermal technologies, Representatives Maloy and Garamendi are positioning the United States to command technological leadership in accessing an energy resource that dwarfs all other sources combined, strengthening our national security and economic competitiveness.\u201d\n\n\u201cGeothermal Rising supports the geothermal tax parity bill and appreciates Rep. Maloy and Rep. Garamendi\u2019s leadership in ensuring geothermal technologies are treated equitably under federal energy incentives,\u201d said Bryant Jones, Executive Director at Geothermal Rising. \u201cEstablishing tax parity for geothermal applications will help accelerate deployment, attract private investment, and strengthen America\u2019s energy security\u2014while supporting workforce growth and expanding deployment across the full spectrum of geothermal technologies.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are grateful for Rep. Maloy and Rep. Garamendi\u2019s leadership on the Geothermal Tax Parity Act. The bill will help attract capital to a rapidly growing industry, further positioning enhanced geothermal to meet our nation\u2019s rising electricity demand with clean, baseload power,\u201d said Fervo Energy.\n\n\u201cThe Geothermal Tax Parity Act offers a practical and targeted policy solution to advance U.S. geothermal development by improving early-stage project economics and expanding access to capital,\u201d said Jeanine Vany, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs at Eavor. \u201cI commend the vision to align geothermal with proven financial frameworks long utilized in oil and gas. This approach will help unlock the deployment of sustainable, resilient, and always-available heat and power, supporting energy security and a clean energy future.\u201d\n\n\u201cRep. Maloy\u2019s Geothermal Tax Parity Act will provide an essential market-based tailwind to help ignite an American geothermal boom. By modernizing the tax code to reflect the geothermal's unique value and potential, this bill levels the playing field for investors\u2014attracting private capital and helping secure a future of clean, reliable and American baseload power,\u201d said Zanskar.\n\n\"CRES applauds the introduction of the Geothermal Tax Parity Act, which will accelerate the deployment of geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is an important, home-grown part of the nation's energy mix. By accelerating investments into this industry, America's energy system can become cleaner, more reliable and more affordable,\u201d said Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions.\n\nRead the full bill here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://gomez.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5859", "Congressman Jimmy Gomez Remarks at American Affordability Act Press Conference", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Gomez", "G000585", "gomez.house.gov", "gomez", "https://gomez.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "I really want to just appreciate the work that my colleagues have done. The question about affordability, I don't need statistics to tell me that people are struggling. Because I grew up in a family of immigrant parents for my siblings were born in Mexico.\n\nAnd they came here to work hard and to develop a better life for themselves and their kids. And they were able to buy a home, but still had to work four to five jobs a week to make ends meet, to put food on the table, to pay the mortgage.\n\nUnfortunately, we didn't have health insurance at the time. And we were always one crisis away from going under and losing that house. But here's the thing, my parents thought, you own a home, you've made it in the United States. You own a home, you have security and stability.\n\nAnd then your kids are going to be able to come back if need be, or they were inherent at home to build wealth and stability. So when I was about 39 years old, yes, 39, I bought my first house in Los Angeles. It was a lot of money back then. It's even more today.\n\nBut my mom was more proud that when I bought that home than when I graduated from Harvard University. That's what a home means. It means that the American dream is alive and well. But today, more people know that buying a home is out of reach.\n\nAnd that comes for the fact that it's no longer affordable. More people are renting, paying 30% of their incomes towards rent. More people are trying to buy a home, but then instead of buying it in their late 20s or early 30s or buying it in their 40s.\n\nAnd parents now, because of that, believe that their children are going to be worse off than they were. So no longer is it believe that the next generation is going to inherit the idea that you work hard enough, you will do better, and your kids will do better. So housing and the housing affordability crisis is a big part of that.\n\nThat's why we held the first ever congressional summit on the national housing affordability crisis in September, bringing together advocates from the renters, to the homeowners, to the developers to find a way forward. And this bill, the American Affordability Act, is a part of that moving forward.\n\nBecause it puts into place a lot of different pieces of legislation that we worked on in ways it means over the last several, I would say, last four years, including a bill to convert property, underused commercial and office real estate to housing, to provide down payment assistance to first time home buyers, to provide builders incentives to build starter homes across the country that will be affordable, not be big, but affordable, that they can actually afford to get into that first home.\n\nWe were trying to create a 21st century housing boom that will rival what we saw after World War II. And if we do that, we will bend the cost curve on housing and make America more affordable for everyone.\n\nDonald Trump likes to talk about it, but he's never going to do it. Just like when he talked about the infrastructure week, every week when I first got here, I never delivered. Well the Democrats, when we get back to Gavils, we will deliver and make America not only great again, but affordable again.\n\nWith that, I'll like to hand it over to Jimmy Panetta, who is my colleague in Northern California.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://gray.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-gray-advances-major-permitting-reform-legislation-calls-speedy-review", "REP. GRAY ADVANCES MAJOR PERMITTING REFORM LEGISLATION, CALLS FOR SPEEDY REVIEW OF CALIFORNIA WATER PROJECTS", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Adam Gray", "G000605", "gray.house.gov", "gray", "https://gray.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 This week, the House voted to pass the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, which contained permitting reform deadline provisions negotiated and advanced by Rep. Adam Gray (CA-13). The bipartisan SPEED Act would simplify the permitting process for infrastructure development by cutting unnecessary regulations, shortening approval timelines, and limiting lawsuits that have slowed projects under previous laws.\n\n\u201cWater projects and all infrastructure projects should not take more than a decade to approve,\u201d said Rep. Gray. \u201cThese projects are essential to our communities, and once permitted, they should move forward without the threat of revocation or delay. Bureaucracy must not stand in the way of delivering critical infrastructure to the American people.\u201d\n\nRep. Gray played a key role in the bipartisan group that advanced the bill through the House Natural Resources Committee. Unfortunately, when the bill reached the House floor, Republicans added a provision that significantly weakened permit certainty for energy projects. Rep. Gray looks forward to working with his colleagues in the Senate to re-strengthen the certainty language and bring the bill back toward a more bipartisan final product.\n\nTo watch Rep. Gray's full remarks during the House Natural Resources Committee markup, click here.", 1, "2026-04-29T06:03:53Z", "2026-04-29T06:05:09Z"], ["https://levin.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mike-levins-bipartisan-tier-act-signed-into-law", "Rep. Mike Levin\u2019s Bipartisan TIER Act Signed into Law", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Levin", "L000593", "levin.house.gov", "levin", "https://levin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "TIER Act Will Help Service Members Successfully Transition Back into Civilian Life; Marks Rep. Levin\u2019s 35th Bill to Become Law\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) announced that his bipartisan bill, the Transition Improvement by Estimating Risk (TIER) Act of 2025, was signed into law by President Trump as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This is Rep. Levin\u2019s 35th bipartisan bill to become law. The TIER Act will help target resources for service members to successfully transition back into civilian life.\n\n\u201cMy bipartisan bill, the TIER Act, is now law and will ensure service members across the country receive the right level of support when they leave active duty and transition back into civilian life,\u201d said Rep. Levin. \u201cIt will strengthen the transition process to ensure all service members\u2019 needs are met and the help they receive adequately reflects their circumstances. Our country has a duty to our service members, and our laws must meet their needs. This law is another step in fulfilling our nation\u2019s promise to them.\u201d\n\nThe TIER Act improves the existing Transition Assistance Program (TAP) by adding additional screening factors to more accurately assess the transition risk for individual service members. By focusing especially on child care requirements, spousal employment, and familial obligations of each service member, the law will help us identify the resources each service member needs to succeed in their transition to civilian life.\n\nTAP has three pathways, also called tiers, that screen each service member for potential risk as they go through the transition process in order to determine the level of support they will need. Service members are assigned a tier by counselors based on many factors, such as disability, rank, term of service, educational and employment history, military occupational specialty, and more. The passage of Rep. Levin\u2019s TIER Act into law will add other factors such as familial obligations and spousal unemployment that will then contribute to the tier where they are placed and the level of support they are given.\n\nThe 2026 NDAA, which includes the TIER Act, also includes a pay raise for service members, funding for new military construction projects, and increases in child care financial assistance. It also authorizes $90.4 million in new construction funding to Camp Pendleton.\n\nThe FY2026 NDAA authorizes millions in new funding to Camp Pendleton including:\n\n$23.5 million for the Area 52 Communications Center;\n\n$43.8 million for the Fire Emergency Response Station;\n\n$22.74 million for Area 53 Mess Hall and Armory.\n\nAdditionally, the FY2026 NDAA includes provisions that improve service members\u2019 quality of life:\n\n3.8% pay raise for service members;\n\n$1.5 billion for new construction of barracks and family housing;\n\nFive-year pilot program that will increase maximum childcare financial assistance by 30% for children two years or younger who are located in areas with high child care service costs. Service members on Camp Pendleton are eligible for this program;\n\nRequires the Department of Defense to study alternative methods for calculating Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to better reflect market trends and the true cost of housing, especially in high cost and rural areas.\n\n##", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://lindasanchez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sanchez-espaillat-48-democrats-condemn-trumps-attacks-brazils-democracy", "S\u00e1nchez, Espaillat, 48 Democrats condemn Trump\u2019s attacks on Brazil\u2019s democracy", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Linda T. S\u00e1nchez", "S001156", "lindasanchez.house.gov", "lindasanchez", "https://lindasanchez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. S\u00e1nchez (D-Calif.) and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), along with 48 of their colleagues, today condemned President Trump\u2019s unprecedented attacks on Brazil\u2019s democracy and his attempts to shield former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro from accountability for his role in an attempted coup.\n\nIn a letter to the president, the members said Trump unlawfully misused tariff and foreign policy tools to interfere with Brazil\u2019s democratic institutions and judicial independence. Brazil was the only one of 25 countries to receive a tariff threat letter from the Trump administration despite having a positive trade balance with the United States for nearly two decades.\n\n\u201cYour policies towards Brazil have only damaged U.S. leadership in the region. Since you imposed the Brazil tariffs, your administration has failed to provide any evidence that they would create American jobs or revive U.S. industries,\u201d the members wrote. \u201cInstead, in response to U.S. tariffs, Brazil \u2014 like many countries around the world \u2014 has accelerated efforts to distance itself from the United States, including by pushing for trade deals with Mexico, Vietnam, and others. China has quickly seized on the opportunity to strengthen its ties with Brazil, painting itself as a \u201cdefender\u201d of the Global South against the United States, expanding BRICS cooperation, and turning to Brazil to provide key commodities.\u201d\n\nIn addition to S\u00e1nchez and Espaillat, the letter was signed by Representatives Jonathan L. Jackson (D-Ill.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Terri A. Sewell (D-Ala.), Paul D. Tonko (D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Gwen S. Moore (D-Wis.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Nydia M. Vel\u00e1zquez (D-N.Y.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.), Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (D-Calif.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Herbert C. Conaway, Jr. (D-N.J.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Suzan K. DelBene (D-Wash.), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn.), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D-Va.), Marc A. Veasey (D-Texas), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Robin L. Kelly (D-Ill.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), James P. McGovern (D-Mass.), Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.), Jes\u00fas G. \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda (D-Ill.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Deborah K. Ross (D-N.C.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Pablo Jos\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez (D-P.R.) and John B. Larson (D-Conn.).\n\nThe members continued, \u201cInstead of employing a misguided and self-damaging punitive trade policy with Brazil, we urge you to work with Brazil to pursue a trade agenda that advances sustainable development, environmental protection, and workers\u2019 rights.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter is available HERE and follows:\n\nDecember 18, 2025\n\nPresident Donald J. Trump\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear President Trump:\n\nWe condemn your multiple and unprecedented attempts to undermine democracy in Brazil and your failed efforts to shield former Brazilian President Bolsonaro from being held accountable for attempting a coup.\n\nYour tariffs on Brazil constitute an unlawful misuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). To justify your unlawfulness, you incorrectly asserted that your tariffs on Brazil would address an alleged \u201cunsustainable trade deficits,\u201d despite the United States having a trade surplus with Brazil every year since 2008. Notably, Brazil was the only one of the 25 countries to receive one of your tariff threat letters which has a positive trade balance with the United States.\n\nWe also condemn your use of the tariffs to undermine Brazil\u2019s democracy and judicial independence. In your letter to Brazilian President Lula, you explicitly noted that your tariffs were in response to Brazil\u2019s alleged \u201cattack on free elections\u201d and you demanded that an alleged \u201cWitch Hunt\u201d trial against former President Jair Bolsonaro end \u201cIMMEDIATELY\u201d. The only attack on free elections has been your continued effort to protect your political ally and \u201cgreat friend\u201d, former Brazilian President Bolsonaro, from facing justice for his failed coup attempt in Brazil on January 8, 2023 \u2014 an effort that closely mirrors your own attempts to evade accountability for the January 6th insurrection in the United States. Further, you erroneously asserted the tariffs were needed to allegedly defend \u201cfree speech\u201d in Brazil over Brazil\u2019s attempts to regulate social media accounts spreading hate speech and anti-democratic misinformation, despite a Brazilian Supreme Court ruling finding these measures consistent with Brazil\u2019s Constitution. Launching a trade war with Brazil to settle non-trade issues is unjustified and counterproductive.\n\nWe were also concerned that you announced a Section 301 investigation on Brazil in the same letter where you announced you would impose tariffs on Brazil based on a non-existent trade deficit, and Brazil\u2019s alleged attacks on free elections and free speech. While Section 301 investigations are an important tool to address legitimate unfair trade practices, your tariff threat letter to Brazil indicates you are misusing Section 301 authority to achieve political ends. It is a grave misuse of this tool to protect your political allies or to undermine other countries\u2019 sovereignty and judicial independence.\n\nAlthough you have excluded certain Brazilian products from your tariffs, many Brazilian imports remain subject to the full 50% rate. Troublingly, some of your exclusions appear to benefit corporations with close ties to your administration, including the Brazilian meatpacking giant JBS, which made the single largest donation ($5 million) to your inaugural committee, raising serious concerns that these exclusions may be granted as political payback.\n\nIn addition to abusing IEEPA and Section 301, your administration has misused the Magnitsky Act to sanction and revoke the visas of Supreme Federal Court justices and their families in Brazil. We condemn this explicit attempt to unduly exert pressure on the independent judiciary of another democratic, sovereign nation. We were also deeply concerned to hear remarks from your press secretary implying that Brazil might be subjected to additional military or economic measures in response to the sentencing of former President Bolsonaro. Your weaponization of U.S.\u2019 power, whether military or economic, to protect your political allies, hold American businesses hostage, and undermine Brazil\u2019s democracy and judicial independence is unacceptable.\n\nYour policies towards Brazil have only damaged U.S. leadership in the region. Since you imposed the Brazil tariffs, your administration has failed to provide any evidence that they would create American jobs or revive U.S. industries. Instead, in response to U.S. tariffs, Brazil \u2014 like many countries around the world \u2014 has accelerated efforts to distance itself from the United States, including by pushing for trade deals with Mexico, Vietnam, and others. China has quickly seized on the opportunity to strengthen its ties with Brazil, painting itself as a \u201cdefender\u201d of the Global South against the United States, expanding BRICS cooperation, and turning to Brazil to provide key commodities. For example, in September 2025, China\u2019s soybean imports from Brazil surged by nearly 30 percent, displacing American farmers, who had long been China\u2019s top soybean suppliers.\n\nInstead of employing a misguided and self-damaging punitive trade policy with Brazil, we urge you to work with Brazil to pursue a trade agenda that advances sustainable development, environmental protection, and workers\u2019 rights.\n\nWe believe that Brazil is an important partner for the United States in Latin America and we encourage you to deepen cooperation with Brazil, including in ongoing efforts to level the playing field for American and Brazilian workers. In 2023, the United States and Brazil launched the Partnership for Workers\u2019 Rights, committing to higher labor standards, inclusive economic growth, and sustainability. We urge you to build on this progress to secure tangible outcomes that uplift workers in both countries and take tangible steps to address forced labor issues.\n\nWe further encourage cooperation with Brazil to support efforts to protect the Amazon rainforest and the region\u2019s indigenous peoples, many of which are active in supporting conservation, resource management, and other ecological efforts to defend the Amazon rainforest. Brazil has worked to help reduce deforestation in the Amazon, which has slowed by nearly half since 2023, through enhancing monitoring and enforcement efforts, including by seizing tens of millions of dollars in assets tied to environmental crimes. While we commend these efforts and the effects they have in leveling the playing field for U.S. workers who cannot compete with poor environmental standards abroad, we remain concerned that the Amazon remains at risk without stronger international cooperation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We were disappointed to learn that your administration failed to send an official delegation to Conference of Parties (COP) 30, marking the first time the United States was not officially represented at the annual climate Summit and missing a critical opportunity to advance American climate leadership.\n\nOur trade agenda with Brazil must be grounded in democratic norms and the rule of law, and should work to strengthen supply chains, bolster U.S. competitiveness, and support good-paying jobs for American and Brazilian workers.\n\nWe look forward to your response.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases/lofgren-science-democrats-condemn-illegal-elimination-office-clean-energy", "Lofgren, Science Democrats Condemn Illegal Elimination of the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Zoe Lofgren", "L000397", "lofgren.house.gov", "lofgren", "https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Science Committee Democratic Members sent a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright condemning the illegal elimination of the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED). OCED was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) with the purpose of cultivating the expertise required to provide high-quality, technology-independent management for large, commercially focused energy demonstration projects at DOE. The IIJA explicitly called for the establishment of OCED, and therefore DOE\u2019s elimination of this office is undeniably illegal. Not only that, the dissolution of OCED increases the likelihood of project failures and taxpayer losses related to large-scale energy demonstration projects under DOE\u2019s purview.\n\n\u201cIt is worth remembering why Congress created OCED, for it was not a random or careless decision,\u201d the Members wrote in their letter. \u201cIn the years preceding OCED\u2019s creation, Congress witnessed the existing technology offices within DOE repeatedly struggle to manage large-scale energy demonstration projects, particularly projects related to nuclear technologies and carbon capture and storage technologies. The track records of these offices in managing large demonstration projects were extremely poor.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen the Department of Energy (DOE) eliminated OCED in its reorganization, it did more than jeopardize multi-billion dollar demonstration programs and risk long-term setbacks in the deployment of innovative energy technologies that are crucial for the nation\u2019s energy future,\u201d the Members continued. \u201cDOE broke the law \u2013 brazenly, shamelessly broke the law \u2013 and violated the separation of powers that stands at the heart of our constitutional system. Every day that this defiance continues is a travesty. The only way for DOE to stop offending our constitutional order is to reverse course immediately, reconstitute OCED, and restore the rightful authorities that were assigned to it by Congress.\u201d\n\nThe letter was signed by Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Deborah Ross (D-NC), and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases/response-trump-administrations-attacks-refugees-rep-lofgren-and-sen-markey", "In Response to Trump Administration\u2019s Attacks on Refugees, Rep. Lofgren and Sen. Markey Reintroduce Legislation to Protect Refugee Entry into the United States", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Zoe Lofgren", "L000397", "lofgren.house.gov", "lofgren", "https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) today, on International Migrants Day, reintroduced the Guaranteed Refugee Admission Ceiling Enhancement (GRACE) Act, legislation that would ensure a U.S. President cannot set a Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions\u2014the annual refugee admissions goal\u2014below 125,000 refugees. As the Trump administration\u2019s ramps up its racist and xenophobic attacks on refugees, this legislation would seek to reestablish the United States\u2019 commitment to welcoming refugees. Protecting those fleeing persecution is a fundamental American value. The GRACE Act takes a necessary step toward upholding this value.\n\nUpon taking office earlier this year, President Trump signed an Executive Order suspending the entry of refugees under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), stranding thousands of highly vetted refugees abroad. In October, the Trump administration announced that it would set the Fiscal Year 2026 refugee admissions cap at 7,500 refugees\u2014the lowest ceiling in the history of the refugee program since Congress established the program in 1980. President Trump has destroyed the USRAP\u2019s historic mission and eroded the United States\u2019 moral standing in the world.\n\n\u201cThe Trump administration has been destroying America's lifesaving refugee program,\u201d said Rep. Lofgren, a former immigration lawyer and senior member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration. \u201cSlamming the door on those fleeing persecution is a betrayal of American values, and it comes at a time when refugee numbers are increasing significantly due to instability around the globe. The GRACE Act upholds our country's commitments and grants safety and opportunity to those whose lives have been uprooted, many of whom are children.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Trump administration\u2019s racist and xenophobic attacks on refugees have made it more critical to recommit our country to its promises of safety for those seeking refuge. The GRACE Actreaffirms a simple truth: the United States is strongest when we lead with our values,\u201d said Senator Markey. \u201cAs a country founded by immigrants fleeing religious persecution, the United States has always been a guiding light for those walking in the darkest tunnels. We must recommit to this fundamental American principle and embrace those who fear persecution abroad.\u201d\n\nThe GRACE Act is cosponsored by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (CA-44), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Danny Davis (IL-07), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Henry C. (\u201cHank\u201d) Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).\n\nThe GRACE Act would prevent U.S. Presidents from gutting the USRAP. Specifically, the GRACE Act would:\n\nAutomatically set the annual level of refugee admissions at 125,000 if the President fails to issue a determination before the beginning of each fiscal year;\n\nEnsure that each officer responsible for refugee admissions or resettlement treats the presidential determination as a goal;\n\nEncourage the President to consider the report of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) on global resettlement needs when setting the presidential determination and determining regional allocations; and\n\nMandate quarterly reports to Congress with specific oversight requirements.\n\nSeveral refugee advocates and stakeholder organizations expressed their support for the GRACE Act.\n\n\u201cThe reintroduction of the GRACE Act is a necessary step toward restoring accountability, humanity, and the rule of law to the U.S. refugee resettlement program,\u201d said John Slocum, Executive Director of Refugee Council USA. \u201cAt every turn, the Trump administration has betrayed our nation\u2019s promise as a beacon of refuge for the persecuted, dismantling America\u2019s ability to respond to global humanitarian crises, and discriminating against refugees who are most at risk and left stranded abroad. The GRACE Act would set a minimum refugee admissions goal that no administration could go below \u2013 and strengthen Congress\u2019s oversight role to hold this administration - and future administrations - accountable to operate the refugee program in good faith. This legislation reaffirms a simple but essential truth: welcoming refugees is not optional; it is a legal and humanitarian obligation as much as it is a reflection of who we are as a nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn a tumultuous year for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, we must remember that the Trump administration\u2019s restrictive policies\u2014though agonizing and dehumanizing\u2014do not represent who we are as a people. Today\u2019s reintroduction of the GRACE Act is a vital step towards accountability, the restoration of a compassionate resettlement program that responds to global needs, and stronger protections against future attacks,\u201d said Erol Kekic, Chief Strategy Officer at Church World Service. \u201cThe GRACE Act would establish essential safeguards, including a minimum annual refugee admissions target, to ensure presidents cannot undermine the refugee program and abandon our commitment to welcome. Its passage would help return the U.S. role on the international stage to one of leadership, not xenophobia. We thank Senator Markey and Representative Lofgren for their leadership in reintroducing the GRACE Act and urge their colleagues in Congress to support its passage.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe International Rescue Committee is grateful to Sen. Markey and Rep. Lofgren for their continued leadership to ensure that America\u2019s resettlement goals reflect global humanitarian needs generated by historic levels of displacement,\u201d said Hans Van de Weerd, Senior Vice President of Resettlement, Asylum and Integration, International Rescue Committee. \u201cThe re-introduction of the GRACE Act comes at a pivotal moment with over 117 million forcibly displaced people and 36 million refugees worldwide. It is more important than ever to re-affirm America\u2019s longstanding bipartisan commitment to a resettlement program that protects the world\u2019s most vulnerable refugees regardless of their country of origin.\u201d\n\n\u201cAt this time of global displacement and unprecedented resettlement needs, we are deeply grateful for Senator Markey and Congresswoman Lofgren and all cosponsors\u2019 leadership in reintroducing the GRACE Act. This legislation is more needed than ever to ensure that the United States lives up to its promise of being a safe haven to those in dire need of protection. We know that as a country we can, and more importantly, we must, meet the essential standards set in this legislation to once again lead on the world stage in providing safety to refugees in need of resettlement,\u201d said Robyn Barnard, Senior Director of Refugee and Immigrant Rights at Human Rights First.\n\n\u201cRefugees aren\u2019t just fleeing persecution, torture and inhumane treatment, they are a lifeblood of the United States economy and help make America a more free, safe and secure nation. Senator Markey\u2019s GRACE Act will ensure no President can put partisan politics over human rights and our national interests by recommitting America to its tradition of welcoming refugees through a rational, predictable and democratic process. We commend the Senator and his co-sponsors for authoring this important legislation and hope Congress acts on it swiftly,\u201d said Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition.\n\nThe GRACE Act is endorsed by Refugee Council USA, Church World Service, Human Rights First, National Partnership for New Americans, Advocates for Human Rights, Haitian Bridge Alliance, Refugee Congress, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, African Human Rights Coalition, Witness at the Border, Sojourners, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, MIRA Coalition, Climate Refugees, Refugees International, AfghanEvac, HIAS, the Workers Circle, Refugee Advocacy Lab, Friends Committee on National Legislation, International Refugee Assistance Project, International Institute of New England, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, National Immigration Law Center, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, American Humanist Association, International Rescue Committee, Coalition on Human Needs, Catholic Charities of Boston, Jewish Family Services of Western Massachusetts, Ascentria Care Alliance, Amnesty International USA, American Civil Liberties Union, SIREN, and United Stateless.\n\nYou can read the bill text here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-neal-ways-and-means-democrats-introduce-american-affordability-act", "THOMPSON, NEAL, WAYS AND MEANS DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE AMERICAN AFFORDABILITY ACT TO LOWER COSTS FOR AMERICANS", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", "mikethompson", "https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04),Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee Rep. Richard E. Neal (MA-01), and Ways and Means Democrats held a press conference announcing the American Affordability Act, a comprehensive bill aimed at lowering the cost of living for American families.\n\n\u201cFamilies are doing everything right and still falling behind as costs keep rising,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cThe American Affordability Act is about real relief for families: affordable housing, lower energy bills, more affordable childcare and healthcare, and bigger paychecks. This bill delivers targeted tax relief and smart investments that help families make ends meet and restores the promise that hard work should be enough to get ahead in our country.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhile Donald Trump projects and dismisses affordability fears as a \u2018hoax,\u2019 Democrats have been and always will be at the front of the fight to lower costs for everyday workers and families. Tax Ranking Member Mike Thompson knows that whether it\u2019s tackling the housing crisis, making child care more affordable, or lowering health and energy costs, we have so much work to do to ease the minds of the American people and foster opportunity. The American Affordability Act is a blueprint for the next step in our fight for what we are united to deliver: lower costs and easier, better lives,\u201d said Neal.\n\nThompson and Neal were joined by Representatives Terri Sewell (AL-07), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and Steven Horsford (NV-04) at the press conference. The bill is co-led by 16 Ways and Means Committee Democrats.\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nAs Americans continue to face rising costs for housing, healthcare, childcare, energy, and education, Thompson led Ways and Means Democrats in designing this comprehensive bill to put money back in Americans\u2019 pockets and strengthen our economy.\n\nThe American Affordability Act is designed to lower everyday costs and expand economic opportunity through targeted tax relief and strategic investments.\n\nThe bill does the following:\n\nMakes Housing More Affordable\n\nExpands the supply of affordable housing by modernizing and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.\n\nProvides refundable tax credits for first-time homebuyers and renters to directly reduce housing costs.\n\nEncourages the conversion of vacant offices and commercial buildings into housing, revitalizing downtowns and increasing supply.\n\nPrioritizes developments that serve rural communities, veterans, Native American communities, and extremely low-income households.\n\nLowers Energy and Transportation Costs\n\nRestores clean energy tax credits that lower utility bills and promote domestic energy production.\n\nExpands energy-efficiency credits for home upgrades that permanently reduce heating and cooling costs.\n\nMakes electric vehicles more affordable, including used EVs, charging infrastructure, and electric bicycles.\n\nInvests in grid resilience, water reuse, and disaster mitigation to reduce long-term costs from outages and extreme weather.\n\nSupports Families and Childcare\n\nCreates a fully refundable Child Tax Credit with monthly payments.\n\nExpands the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to make childcare more affordable for working parents.\n\nSupports family caregivers and stabilizes the childcare workforce.\n\nMakes the adoption tax credit fully refundable.\n\nReduces Education Costs and Boosting Workers\u2019 Pay\n\nExpands education tax credits to cover more years of college and workforce training.\n\nReduces the tax burden on student loan interest and forgiveness.\n\nIncreases take-home pay through deductions for overtime, tips, and certain worker expenses.\n\nStrengthens the Earned Income Tax Credit, particularly for workers without children.\n\nLowers Healthcare Costs\n\nExpands health insurance premium tax credits to reduce monthly premiums.\n\nCloses coverage gaps and stabilizes premium increases.\n\nRequires coverage of recommended vaccines to improve access to preventive care.\n\nOriginal Co-Sponsors of the American Affordability Act include: Mike Thompson (CA-04), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Judy Chu (CA-28), Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny Davis (IL-07), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Dwight Evans (PA-03), John Garamendi (CA-08), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), John Larson (CT-01), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Dina Titus (NV-01).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://min.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-dave-min-introduces-first-its-kind-legislation-support-victims", "Rep. Dave Min Introduces First-Of-Its-Kind Legislation To Support Victims of Reproductive Coercion", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dave Min", "M001241", "min.house.gov", "min", "https://min.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014Today, Representative Dave Min (CA-47), introduced first-of-its-kind legislation to address reproductive coercion. The Reproductive Coercion Prevention and Protection Act would ensure that survivors have meaningful tools to protect their reproductive freedom and safety. By explicitly defining reproductive coercion in federal law and creating a pathway for civil enforcement, this legislation ensures that survivors can fight back against their abusers, seek justice, and reclaim their autonomy.\n\n\u201cRecognizing reproductive coercion as a form of domestic violence is long overdue,\u201d said Rep. Dave Min. \u201cSurvivors deserve access to clear, enforceable legal protections that reflect the realities of coercive control and reproductive abuse. I\u2019m proud to continue my work to protect survivors and guarantee they can seek justice.\u201d\n\nAs a California State Senator, then-Senator Min passed five domestic violence prevention bills into law, including a first-in-the-nation bill to recognize reproductive coercion as a form of domestic violence.\n\nThis bill is supported by the Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC), Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA), Jewish Women International (JWI), University of California Irvine Domestic Violence Clinic, Equality California, Laura's House, Community Legal Aid SoCal, Radiant Futures, and California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (CPEDV).\n\nThis bill is cosponsored by Representatives Tokuda (HI-02), Randall (WA-06), Pou (NJ-09), McDonald Rivet (MI-08), McBride (D-At Large), J. Johnson (TX-32), Ansari (AZ-03), Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Walkinshaw (VA-11), S. Garcia (TX-29), L. Simon (CA-12), Scholten (MI-03), Sykes (OH-13), Norton (D-DC), Deluzio (PA-17), Goldman (NY-10), and Ross (NC-02).\n\n\u201cEquality California is proud to support the Reproductive Coercion Prevention and Protection Act of 2025. Reproductive coercion is a devastating form of abuse that strips survivors of their freedom, dignity, and bodily autonomy. By recognizing it as a form of domestic violence under federal law and creating a clear path to justice for survivors, this bill ensures that no one is forced to choose between their safety and their reproductive rights. We applaud Representative Min for his leadership in advancing this essential legislation and for centering the voices of survivors in the fight for equality and justice,\u201d said Tony Hoang, Executive Director of Equality California.\n\n\u201cMany of the domestic violence survivors we represent have experienced forced pregnancy, interfere with contraceptive use, or control over pregnancy outcomes, and we see how reproductive coercion is an extremely pervasive and harmful violation of their safety and trust. Reproductive coercion is often difficult for survivors to speak about and for judges to recognize, legitimize, and remedy \u2013 in part because it\u2019s remained unnamed in federal definitions of abuse \u2013 and, as bill supporters on behalf of our clients, we urge passage of this bill as essential to the solution,\u201d said Professor Jane Stoever, Director of the UC Irvine Law Domestic Violence Clinic.\n\n\u201cReproductive coercion is often sexual violence. It\u2019s about power, control, and denying the victim autonomy over their own body. The Reproductive Coercion Prevention and Protection Act is a critical step toward recognizing and addressing this often-invisible form of abuse. By naming reproductive coercion in federal law, we give survivors the tools and justice they have long been denied,\u201d said Omny Miranda Martone, Founder and CEO of the Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA).\n\n\u201cThe California Partnership to End Domestic Violence supports The Reproductive Coercion Prevention and Protection Act of 2025. As California\u2019s recognized domestic violence coalition, we know that asserting power and control, including power and control over a partner\u2019s reproductive choices, is a form of abuse. This important legislation will formally recognize this abuse and add reproductive coercion to the definition of domestic violence that is in the Violence Against Women Act. Expanding this definition will allow for survivors of reproductive coercion to pursue legal remedies against the person who coerced them in civil courts and establish federal protections for all who may experience coercion in making decisions over their reproductive health. Every person should have the right to control their own reproductive decision-making and the means to access justice and healing if that decision is taken away from them,\u201d said Christopher Negri, Associate Director of Policy at the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-defends-ukraine-house-floor-would-you-trust-putin", "Pelosi Defends Ukraine on House Floor: \u201cWould You Trust Putin?\u201d", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nancy Pelosi", "P000197", "pelosi.house.gov", "pelosi", "https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks during a Special Order Hour hosted by the Congressional Ukraine Caucus on the House Floor reaffirming America\u2019s unwavering commitment to the people of Ukraine as they continue to defend their democracy, sovereignty and right to live free from Russian aggression.\n\nIn her remarks, Pelosi underscored that Ukraine did not choose this war but has chosen courage in the face of Vladimir Putin\u2019s brutal and unprovoked invasion.\n\nPelosi warned that abandoning Ukraine would not bring peace but would invite further aggression from Russia and from autocrats around the world watching closely to see whether the United States and its allies will stand by their word.\n\nWatch Pelosi's Floor remarks here.\n\nRead the transcript of Speaker Emerita Pelosi's Floor remarks below:\n\nSpeaker Emerita Pelosi. I salute Marcy Kaptur and the Ukraine Caucus for inviting Members to come together to raise concerns, to speak frankly about the need for strong sanctions on Russia, and to insist that any peace must be just, durable and centered on the Ukrainian people themselves.\n\nMr. Speaker, for nearly four years the people of Ukraine have stood on the front lines for freedom, defending their democracy, their sovereignty, their right to live in peace on their own land.\n\nBut in fighting for democracy there, they are fighting for democracy writ large.\n\nCongresswoman Kaptur spoke beautifully, historically, geographically, chronologically in every way about placing this conflict in time and place.\n\nI wanted to pick up on two parts of it in the time that I have.\n\nOne is this. In the conversation about peace, we hear people talk about Ukraine giving up land.\n\nNow, what we're saying to Ukraine is: Russia came in, stole your children, as Congresswoman Kaptur mentioned, tens of thousands of your children taking them into Russia. Imagine if that ever happened to your family.\n\nSecondly, they rape the women. They raped the women. Sometimes in front of the children, sometimes in front of their parents.\n\nI said to some Russian friends, 'Isn't it sad how the Russian troops have become brutes and are raping women as a weapon of war to demoralize the people of the country?'\n\nAnd they said, 'Make sure you understand one thing: Russian soldiers follow orders. They are doing that because that is what they are told to do.'\n\nIn addition to that, we've seen evidence of their killing families in front of family members in such a brutal way.\n\nKidnap our children, rape our women, destroy and kill our civilian families and ask us to give you land in return.\n\nWhat a ridiculous, ridiculous request.\n\nThe other thing you hear sometimes people say in our country, 'Well, why should we be spending all that money when in fact we have needs in our own country.'\n\nI don't think people realize that 90% of the security that we send to Ukraine is spent\u2014of the 100%, 90% is spent in the United States creating jobs in our own country.\n\nSecondly, there are other forms of assistance, humanitarian assistance\u2014across the board.\n\nAt least 60% of all that we spend on Ukraine is spent in the United States of America creating jobs.\n\nSo again, Marcy spelled it out, and it's no use\u2014I mean, some things bear repeating, but she said it so beautifully.\n\nBut this is awful. And again, who do you trust? Who do you trust?\n\nThe Congresswoman spelled it out very clearly. The ridiculous notion that Ukraine should trust the Russians after the Budapest Agreement.\n\n'Give up your nuclear weapons, and we will come to your aid should you need that.'\n\nForget about it now. So, Ukraine has been treated with great disrespect. Its people have just been subjected to such horror.\n\nThey have fought valiantly. The least we could do is do the sanctions.\n\nAnd what we should be doing in this House, which has overwhelming bipartisan support and support of the people of Ukraine, is to get some more people to sign the discharge petition.\n\nSo I thank you again, Congresswoman Kaptur, for your relentless, persistent, dissatisfied advocacy for Ukraine and the fact that we know, those who have visited there, that if Putin takes Ukraine, what country is next?\n\nThat's what we hear, the fear we hear from people in the region.\n\nWould you trust Putin? I think the only person who trusted Putin is President Trump.\n\nI don't know what that's about. I know when I had a picture coming out of one of his cabinet meetings pointing to the President, I said, \u2018I'm leaving this meeting because, Mr. President, with you all roads lead to Putin.\u2019\n\nThis is awful. The richest man in the world they say, Putin is. A villainous person and somebody who uses rape, kidnaping, family killings in order to demoralize a country.\n\nWell, you haven't succeeded. And you are a loser because you thought you were going to win on the first week of this war, and now it's four years later.\n\nWith that, I yield back the time to the distinguished Marcy Kaptur.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://rivas.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-luz-rivas-first-bill-signed-law", "Congresswoman Luz Rivas\u2019 First Bill Signed into Law", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Luz M. Rivas", "R000620", "rivas.house.gov", "rivas", "https://rivas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) released the following statement after her bipartisan and bicameral Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act was signed into law. The Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act is Congresswoman Rivas\u2019 first bill to be signed into law and will align multiple timelines for advanced manufacturing initiatives.\n\n\u201cMy bill to remove manufacturing hurdles, lower costs for workers, and create more jobs across the country is now law,\u201d said Congresswoman Rivas. \u201cFrom artificial intelligence to robotics, advanced manufacturing plays a crucial role in making sure the United States can remain a leader in innovation and competitive in the global market. Now that my bill is law, we can continue to work toward revitalizing American manufacturing and boosting domestic competitiveness among manufacturers.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act would amend the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to align the timelines for multiple advanced manufacturing initiatives to every four years on the same cycle.\n\nThe Manufacturing USA Strategic Plan establishes a three-year planning cycle for updating the National Institutes of Standards and Technology Act. Currently, the National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing is updated every four years on a different cycle. This alignment ensures a clear set of goals, synchronized data collection, and reduced bureaucracy for U.S. advanced manufacturing stakeholders.\n\nThe Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act was introduced in the Senate by Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Ted Budd (R-NC).\n\nIt was included as Sec. 8802 in Title LXXXVIII\u2014OTHER MATTERS within S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which passed the House 312-112 on December 10, 2025.\n\nIt passed the Senate 77-20 on December 17, 2025, and was signed into law on December 18, 2025.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://sarajacobs.house.gov/news/press-releases/reps-jacobs-bacon-ciscomani-friedman-lead-bipartisan-resolution-condemning-antisemitic-content-on-ai-platforms", "Reps. Jacobs, Bacon, Ciscomani, Friedman Lead Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Antisemitic Content on AI Platforms", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Sara Jacobs", "J000305", "sarajacobs.house.gov", "sarajacobs", "https://sarajacobs.house.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), the youngest Jewish Member of Congress, led Don Bacon (NE-02), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), and Laura Friedman (CA-30) in introducing a bipartisan resolution which condemns antisemitism in all its forms, including the growing proliferation and amplification of antisemitic content on artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, and urges robust, transparent safeguards for AI systems.\n\nPeople are increasingly turning to AI to ask questions, learn information, and inform their opinions, which is especially concerning given that leading AI tools continue to generate and share grossly antisemitic content. Notably, in July, Grok posted numerous antisemitic comments, praised Adolf Hitler, and repeated conspiracy theories.\n\nRep. Sara Jacobs said: \u201cIt\u2019s never easy being Jewish in today\u2019s world, but the rise of AI is making it even harder with the rapid creation, spread, and amplification of antisemitic content that makes Jewish people actively less safe. In Congress, we have a responsibility to name antisemitism for what it is, eliminate it in all its forms, and keep up with new and evolving ways for it to proliferate \u2013 like through AI and social media platforms. Corporations must play a role too in maintaining standards and safeguards for AI systems that protect human rights and the safety of all people, including Jewish communities. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution so we can stand together in ensuring that AI is not a vehicle for antisemitism.\u201d\n\nRep. Don Bacon said: \u201cEverybody in our country is entitled to respect and not to be the object of hate and scorn. We want to be in a country that makes clear that antisemitism or any kind of racism is repugnant and unacceptable, including when it is generated or amplified by AI. Our bipartisan resolution makes clear that we must hold AI platforms accountable and work with them to ensure these technologies are not weaponized against Jewish communities. I\u2019m pleased to co-lead this important effort with Rep. Jacobs.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis bipartisan resolution sends an important message that we're committed to building AI that reflects our values and protects our communities. We\u2019ve already seen how AI is being used to spread antisemitism and hate. If we want AI innovation to thrive in the U.S., we need commonsense guardrails that protect people, prevent these tools from being weaponized, and support efforts to counter this threat,\u201d said Rep. Laura Friedman.\n\nRep. Juan Ciscomani said: \u201cAntisemitism has no place in our communities or anywhere in America\u2014online or offline. I\u2019m proud to co-lead Rep. Jacobs\u2019 bipartisan resolution condemning antisemitism and calling out the alarming rise of antisemitic content, including content amplified on AI platforms. Hate has no place in our society, and it is our responsibility to stand against it.\u201d\n\n\u201cArtificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how people access and consume information, but these systems are not immune to the age-old scourge of antisemitism,\u201d said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. \u201cOur research has shown that Large Language Models, AI video-generators, and open-source products consistently produce antisemitic and hateful content. When AI platforms fail to recognize antisemitic or generate content depicting harmful stereotypes, they risk distorting public discourse and fueling hate at an unprecedented scale. We\u2019re grateful to Representatives Jacobs, Bacon, Ciscomani and Friedman for their leadership in introducing this important bipartisan resolution. Technology companies must take responsibility for their products and implement stronger protections against bias to prevent their innovations from becoming weapons of hate.\u201d\n\nImran Ahmed, Founder & CEO, Center for Countering Digital Hate, said: \u201cI want to express my deep gratitude to Rep. Sara Jacobs, Rep. Don Bacon, Rep. Juan Ciscomani, and Rep. Laura Friedman for introducing this vital resolution and for taking a stand against antisemitism in all its forms, including its spread through AI platforms, which has caused real harm to American Jews. Earlier this year, CCDH\u2019s research on Sora exposed just how widespread antisemitic content has become and how easily AI can fuel and amplify these dangerous narratives. We cannot look away. Immediate action is essential, with strong, transparent safeguards needed to stop AI from deepening the wounds of antisemitic hate.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhile Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds immense promise to improve human life, it also carries serious risks of spreading antisemitism. The Jewish community has already seen AI-generated antisemitic memes purposefully deployed to evade content moderation, as well as websites and content capable of inciting real-world violence. American Jewish Committee (AJC)'s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report found that 72% of American Jews are concerned that generative AI will spread misinformation about Jews, highlighting a sense of unease in the Jewish community on this emerging technology. AJC thanks Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Laura Friedman (D-CA), and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) for their leadership in confronting the growing proliferation and amplification of antisemitism through generative AI and for urging stronger safeguards to prevent its abuse,\u201d said Holly Huffnagle, Director of Antisemitism Policy, American Jewish Committee (AJC).\n\nThe Jewish Federations of North America\u2019s President & CEO, Eric D. Fingerhut, said: \u201cWe know for a fact that Internet-based communications such as social media and artificial intelligence have been pouring fuel on the flames of antisemitism. Jewish Federations feel it in our communities every day. This resolution calls out the problem for what it is and lays out concrete steps that platforms can take to ensure they are doing their part to combat this pernicious driver of antisemitism.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis resolution demonstrates that we can take antisemitism seriously without sacrificing the democratic values that have historically kept Jewish Americans safe. By calling for transparency, expert consultation, and robust safeguards while explicitly protecting civil liberties and due process, Representatives Jacobs, Bacon, Friedman and Ciscomani have charted a common-sense path that has earned bipartisan support. The Nexus Project is proud to endorse this balanced approach to confronting hate in the digital age,\u201d said Kevin Rachlin, Vice President for Government Relations and Washington Director at the Nexus Project.\n\nThe bipartisan resolution:\n\nCondemns antisemitism in all its forms, including when it manifests and is amplified through AI and social media platforms, tools, and services\n\nAffirms that combating antisemitism is a national priority and urges AI companies to adopt strong safeguards in consultation with antisemitism experts\n\nEncourages standards and tools such as red teaming, risk-identification frameworks, and dedicated data sets to better detect and mitigate antisemitism in AI systems.\n\nCalls for improved data sharing and researcher access to enable evidence-based oversight of antisemitism on AI-enabled platforms\n\nSupports digital literacy, Holocaust remembrance, and public awareness efforts, particularly for youth, to counter AI-driven antisemitic narratives\n\nEncourages collaboration among government, civil society, academia, and industry to develop effective interventions against antisemitic content and harassment\n\nUrges periodic public transparency reporting by AI platforms on antisemitic content and related safety measures\n\nReaffirms that efforts to address antisemitism on AI platforms must protect constitutional rights, including free expression, civil liberties, due process, and privacy, and avoid discriminatory or overbroad enforcement\n\nCalls on all stakeholders to safeguard the dignity of Jewish communities and to advance AI innovation that upholds human rights, safety, and democratic values", 1, "2026-04-02T05:33:17Z", "2026-04-02T05:34:59Z"], ["https://scottpeters.house.gov/press-releases/peters-statement-on-the-speed-act", "Peters\u2019 Statement on the SPEED Act", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott H. Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", "scottpeters", "https://scottpeters.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) released the following statement after voting against the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development or SPEED Act to update the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).\n\n\u201cThe environmental laws of the 1970s were designed to stop projects. The environmental imperative of today is to build. That\u2019s why I support permitting reform and why reforming NEPA is necessary if America is going to remain competitive.\n\n\u201cI was encouraged when Chairman Westerman introduced the SPEED Act. The bill reduces the statute of limitations and ensures that environmental reviews can satisfy federal requirements, saving both time and money. The bill also ensures federal dollars cannot solely trigger federal environmental reviews, streamlining the federal grant process, so that we can get grant money out of the bank and into the ground. These are exactly the types of reforms America needs to build energy infrastructure responsibly and efficiently.\n\n\u201cEarlier this month, I led a letter with 30 Democratic colleagues outlining our support for permitting reform and the specific changes needed to earn additional Democratic support for this bill. In the letter, we emphasized four key areas that must be addressed for broad bipartisan support.\n\n\u201cWe emphasized that projects that comply with the law must be protected from political interference, that courts should have a targeted role to ensure decisions are based on accurate analysis, and that local stakeholders should continue to have meaningful input early in the process. We also highlighted the need to avoid provisions that could backfire, delay projects, or reduce the quality of environmental reviews. Our goal is simple: a permitting process that is efficient, predictable, and fair for investors, communities, and the environment alike.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe urgently need to get permitting reform done this Congress. I remain committed to continuing to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and with the Senate to craft truly bipartisan solutions that can become law and help America build the clean, reliable energy infrastructure we need.\u201d\n\nBackground: Rep. Peters has been a longtime champion of permitting reform in Congress and was encouraged to see the SPEED Act brought up before the House Natural Resources Committee in November. After passing out of Committee, Rep. Peters sent a letter signed by 30 of his House Democratic colleagues, to the Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Bruce Westerman, outlining what they\u2019d like to see in the final bill. These concerns were not addressed before SPEED was brough to the House Floor. Read the text of the letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://tran.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-tran-rejects-legislation-dismantle-federal-environmental", "Representative Tran Rejects Legislation to Dismantle Federal Environmental Protections", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Derek Tran", "T000491", "tran.house.gov", "tran", "https://tran.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) issued a statement following his vote against H.R. 4776, the SPEED Act. This bill would significantly limit the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, one of the most significant pieces of federal environmental policy.\n\n\u201cToday, I voted against the SPEED Act. I agree that we need to get energy-generating projects up and running faster, but that should not come at the expense of cost-saving clean energy and protections for our environment,\u201d said Representative Tran. \u201cWith energy demands reaching new heights and everyday Americans looking for relief from their skyrocketing utility bills, my colleagues in Congress must work in good faith to address delays in the permitting process without gutting federal environmental oversight that protects our communities. This legislation will also limit the clean energy alternatives available to the American people, driving up energy costs and making it harder for families to make ends meet. I\u2019m committed to fighting for forward-looking environmental reforms that bring down costs for everyday Americans and protect the environment for our children.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Tran is dedicated to cost-saving clean energy initiatives and environmental protections in Congress. He has voted against legislation that would raise utility costs for families, and has pushed back against the Trump Administration\u2019s cuts to low-cost clean energy initiatives. Tran has cosponsored several bills imposing restrictions on exploration and leasing for oil and gas drilling on the West Coast, including:\n\nH.R. 2849, the West Coast Protection Act;\n\nH.R. 2882, the Central Coast of California Conservation Act;\n\nH.R. 2862, the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act; and\n\nH.R. 2820, the California Clean Coast Act.\n\nTran is also a cosigner on letters urging EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to uphold high air quality and drinking water standards, and condemning cuts to the EPA\u2019s Solar for All program that was struck down by H.R. 1.\n\n###\n\nCongressman Derek Tran represents California\u2019s 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3407", "Congressman Valadao Advances Essential Permitting Reform Legislation", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David G. Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", "valadao", "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, the House of Representatives passed the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act with Congressman David Valadao\u2019s (CA-22) support. This bipartisan bill streamlines the approval process to advance essential water, transportation, energy, infrastructure, forest management, and flood-control projects by allowing federal agencies to use previously conducted Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the approval of projects with similar impacts.\n\nA portion of Congressman Valadao\u2019s Determination of NEPA Adequacy Streamlining Act (H.R. 6163) was included in the SPEED Act.\n\n\u201cThe Central Valley has no shortage of essential projects ready to move forward, but unfortunately, it\u2019s near impossible to put shovels in the ground due to our outdated, burdensome permitting process,\u201d said Congressman Valadao. \u201cBy allowing federal agencies to rely on previously conducted, scientifically sound environmental reviews, we can cut down on excessive paperwork, reduce delays, and get projects moving sooner. The bipartisan SPEED Act brings much-needed certainty to our permitting process and jumpstarts domestic investment, and I\u2019m proud to have portions of my bill, H.R. 6163, included.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nNEPA is a procedural statute that establishes parameters for assessing and disclosing the environmental impact of all major federal actions. Originally intended to ensure an appropriate balance between protecting the environment and economic development, the NEPA process has become increasingly complex, resulting in massive NEPA documents approaching thousands of pages, drawn-out project timelines, and excessive litigation.\n\nThe SPEED Act simplifies the analysis required in NEPA documents so that agencies aren\u2019t stuck studying never-ending topics without ever reaching a conclusion. The bill clarifies when NEPA is triggered by focusing the definition of \u201cMajor Federal Action\u201d and allows agencies to rely on previously completed NEPA documents for projects. Lastly, the bill establishes judicial review limitations for NEPA claims, including a 150-day deadline for filing claims, and eliminates vacatur and injunction as remedies available to courts.\n\nRead the full bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3408", "Valadao, Bipartisan Specialty Crop Caucus Urges Equitable Relief for Specialty Crop Producers", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David G. Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", "valadao", "https://valadao.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Specialty Crop Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. David Valadao (CA-22), Jim Costa (CA-21), David Rouzer (NC-07), and Sanford Bishop (GA-02), joined by 103 Members of Congress, sent a bipartisan letter to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees urging immediate and equitable relief for specialty crop producers.\n\nThe letter comes in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which allocates $11 billion in economic assistance to row crop producers, and $1 billion for specialty crops and other commodities.\n\nSpecialty crops\u2014including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture products\u2014represent one of the most economically significant and labor-intensive sectors of U.S. agriculture, generating more than $75 billion annually in cash receipts. Yet specialty crop producers continue to face rising costs and market disruptions without receiving proportional relief.\n\nBetween 2020 and 2025, specialty crop growers paid:\n\n25% more for pesticides\n\n31% more for fuel\n\n37% more for fertilizer\n\nNearly 50% more for labor\n\nThese cost increases were not matched by comparable increases in crop prices, placing significant strain on growers across the country.\n\nIn their letter, the Members stress that while USDA has stated that $1 billion will be reserved for specialty crops, details regarding eligibility, payment formulas, and timelines remain unclear. The co-chairs urge the Agriculture Committees to press USDA to ensure these funds are distributed quickly, fairly, and in a manner that reflects the unique structure of specialty crop operations.\n\n\u201cSpecialty crop growers contribute over $75 billion annually to the U.S. economy, yet they continue to face rising input costs, limited access to labor, trade disruptions, and other unprecedented challenges. As USDA rolls out the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, we urge the Agriculture Committees to ensure that the $1 billion set aside for specialty crops is distributed quickly, fairly, and equitably, so growers can continue producing for our nation and remain globally competitive,\u201d said the bipartisan Specialty Crop Caucus Co-Chairs.\n\n\u201cAfter months of uncertainty, specialty crop growers urgently need clarity and meaningful relief, and we appreciate the Specialty Crop Caucus for elevating this issue and making clear that specialty crops must be included in any relief package for American agriculture,\u201d the co-chairs of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance said. \u201cSpecialty crops are both an economic engine and the source of the most nutritious foods in the American diet, but current policies fail to reflect their importance to public health and food security. We strongly support the Caucus\u2019s call for USDA to act swiftly, provide transparency, and build on proven relief models such as the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops Program (MASC) and CFAP-2 to ensure assistance reaches growers quickly and fairly. Specialty crop growers cannot afford further delay, and we urge congressional leadership and the Administration to move immediately to deliver proportional, transparent, and timely relief that reflects the economic significance and unique cost structures of specialty crop agriculture.\u201d\n\nPrevious programs, including the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP-2) and the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program, demonstrated tailored formulas and streamlined delivery systems ensure relief reaches producers efficiently.\n\nThe Members emphasize USDA should build on these proven models as they proceed with implementation of the FBA Program. The Specialty Crop Caucus is calling on congressional leadership and the Administration to prioritize parity, transparency, and urgency, ensuring specialty crop producers receive the support necessary to remain competitive, sustain rural economies, and continue supplying safe, affordable food to consumers nationwide.\n\nBackground:\n\nUSDA Farmer Bridge Assistance Program announced December 8, 2025 provides:\n\n$12 billion total in assistance\n\nPayments for row crops are expected as early as February 28, 2026\n\nRead the full letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://whitesides.house.gov/2025/12/18/rep-whitesides-announces-2025-congressional-app-challenge-winners-from-santa-clarita/", "Rep. Whitesides Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge Winners From Santa Clarita", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "George Whitesides", "W000830", "whitesides.house.gov", "whitesides", "https://whitesides.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "AGUA DULCE, CA \u2013 Today, Rep. George Whitesides (CA-27), announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for California\u2019s 27th Congressional District: the \u201cMathViz\u201d team led by local Academy of the Canyons student, Gautham Korrapati. Gautham was joined by fellow student Eric Lee to form MathViz\u2019s two-person team.\n\n\u201cCongratulations to the MathViz team for their impressive AI-driven platform which will make learning math more engaging and accessible,\u201d said Rep. George Whitesides. \u201cTools like dynamic animations, personalized lessons, and interactive challenges can play a real role in addressing declining STEM proficiency and preparing students for the future. I was so impressed by every student that submitted a project to the challenge, and look forward to seeing all of them continue to make a positive impact in their communities!\u201d\n\nEntries for the Congressional App Challenge were evaluated by a panel of judges representing higher education, K\u201312 education, aerospace, defense, and federal research institutions in California\u2019s 27th District. Judges assessed submissions based on concept, function, user interface, and real-world impact.\n\n\u201cIt was an honor to review the outstanding work submitted to the Congressional App Challenge,\u201d said Dr. Kyu Lee, Computer Science Professor at Antelope Valley College \u201cSeveral projects demonstrated a level of thoughtfulness and technical skill comparable to undergraduate research presentations, and it was remarkable to see such well-organized and creative solutions from these students. Their work shows real potential, and I strongly encourage them to take the next step and share their ideas in future academic and innovation events.\u201d\n\n\u201cThese types of events push our students to learn and create our future,\u201d said Dawn Herbert, CTE Teacher, Section Director at Saugus High School.\n\n\u201cThese student creations embody the same spirit that drives NASA\u2014curiosity, problem-solving, and the courage to imagine a better future. Each app tackles a real problem\u2014whether it\u2019s safety, health, learning, or simply helping people stay organized\u2014 each app shows how innovation begins with a simple question: What if we could make this better?\u201d said David Voracek, Center Chief Technologist at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. \u201cAt NASA, we value curiosity and the drive to keep learning, and I see those same qualities in all of their work. It gives me real confidence in the next generation of innovators.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt was amazing to see the passion and creativity that drove these students to develop such a wide variety of innovative applications,\u201d said Jeffrey Martin, Chief, Test Techniques Development Flight, 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base. \u201cWith such a talented group of future computer scientists willing to tackle the challenges that lie before them, the future is bright!\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m inspired to see the creativity and ingenuity of today\u2019s rising innovators,\u201d said Keith Pedersen, Vice President Skunk Works\u00ae Integration at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. \u201cAt Lockheed Martin Skunk Works\u00ae we live every day by pushing the limits of technology through rapid, bold innovation, and it\u2019s inspiring to see that pioneering spirit reflected in these students\u2019 apps. Congratulations to all the participants\u2014your ideas are vital to the future of our nation.\u201d\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge, a competition aimed at encouraging U.S. students to learn how to code by creating their own applications, is open to all middle and high school students who either reside or attend school in California\u2019s 27th Congressional District. The first-place winner\u2019s app is eligible to be featured in the U.S. Capitol Building and on House.gov. Additionally, the winner is invited to the #HouseOfCode Reception celebration inside the U.S. Capitol.\n\nIf you would like more information on the annual Congressional App Challenge, please click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://youngkim.house.gov/2025/12/18/rep-young-kim-national-security-bills-signed-into-law-by-president-trump-in-fy26-ndaa/", "Rep. Young Kim National Security Bills Signed into Law by President Trump in FY26 NDAA", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Young Kim", "K000397", "youngkim.house.gov", "youngkim", "https://youngkim.house.gov/media/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, President Donald J. Trump signed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (FY26 NDAA) into law, strengthening America\u2019s national security, supporting U.S. servicemembers and military readiness, and enacting key national security legislation led by Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40).\n\nThe FY26 NDAA advances President Trump\u2019s peace through strength agenda by modernizing the U.S. military, strengthening deterrence against adversaries, and ensuring our armed forces have the tools they need to keep America strong and secure. It includes several bills and provisions led by East Asia and Pacific Chair Young Kim to counter the Chinese Communist Party, deepen engagement in the Indo-Pacific, and advance U.S. national security interests:\n\nTaiwan Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 910): Directs the U.S. governor at the IMF to advocate for Taiwan\u2019s membership, participation in surveillance and technical assistance, and employment opportunities \u2014 reinforcing U.S. support for Taiwan amid CCP intimidation.\n\nARMOR Act (H.R. 4233): Cuts red tape to accelerate AUKUS defense cooperation by expediting export reviews, technology sharing, and licensing so the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. can field deterrent capabilities faster.\n\nKorean American Divided Families National Registry Act (H.R. 1273): Establishes a national registry of Korean American families seeking reunification and improves State Department efforts to facilitate reunions with relatives in North Korea.\n\nDFC Modernization and Reauthorization Act Provisions: Updates and reauthorizes the DFC to advance U.S. national security interests in strategic sectors, including critical minerals and energy, promote private-sector led economic growth, and counter the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s economic coercion and debt traps.\n\n\u201cAs China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran deepen their unholy alliance, Congress is committed to rebuilding our military, restoring American strength, and keeping our nation safe,\u201d said Rep. Young Kim. \u201cNow is the time to put peace through strength into action. This critical bill strengthens allied deterrence against adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party, counteracts terrorism and drug trafficking harming American communities, stands with our dedicated U.S. service members who put their lives on the line for our nation, and ensures the United States continues to lead on the world stage for generations to come.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://harder.house.gov/media/press-releases/news-harder-announces-new-bill-to-reverse-financial-aid-cuts-for-doctors-nurses-and-fix-valley-health-care-shortage", "NEWS: Harder Announces New Bill to Reverse Financial Aid Cuts for Doctors, Nurses and Fix Valley Health Care Shortage", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Josh Harder", "H001090", "harder.house.gov", "harder", "https://harder.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "San Joaquin County has 16 health professional shortage areas, statewide shortage of over 500,000 health care workers\n\nGrad PLUS program expiring in July, helps 1,700 Valley students attain medical, law degrees\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced new legislation to reverse devastating cuts to federal financial assistance that helps local students studying to be doctors and nurses. Harder\u2019s Protecting Health Care Workforce Pipelines Act would protect the Grad PLUS program for students in communities with severe health care workforce shortages like San Joaquin County.\n\nThe Grad PLUS program is critical for fixing the health care worker shortage:\n\nSan Joaquin County alone has 16 health professional shortage areas, and more than 500,000 new health care workers are needed across the state to meet demand by 2030.\n\nGrad PLUS allows graduate and professional students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance and supports more than 1,700 students at the University of the Pacific alone.\n\nCuts to the program could turn nearly half a million students away from medical and professional degrees, hitting communities with existing shortages especially hard.\n\n\u201cWe have a devastating health care practitioner shortage here in the Valley, and the last thing we need is to make it harder to train students wanting to enter the medical field,\u201d said Rep. Harder. \u201cMy bill reverses these devastating cuts to financial aid for local students and instead invests in training the next generation here in our community. Our families desperately need more accessible and affordable health care here in the Valley, and this bill is a key piece of making that a reality.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe loss of Grad PLUS loans poses a grave threat to the creation of a highly qualified workforce in California and across the country\u2014especially in underserved health regions such as the Central Valley,\u201d said University of the Pacific President Christopher Callahan. \u201cWe are indebted to Congressman Harder for fighting to retain this critically important and highly successful student loan program.\u201d\n\nHarder\u2019s Protecting Health Care Workforce Pipelines Act protects future doctors and nurses by delaying Grad PLUS program cuts to 2031 for students in graduate programs at universities in either a health care professional shortage area (HPSA) or a medically underserved area (MUA). Harder is also calling on the Health Resources and Services Administration to develop a plan to ensure continued access to graduate medical programs in HPSAs and MUAs.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:39Z"], ["https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/waters-booker-introduce-fair-competition-act-to-safeguard-small-businesses-and-strengthen-antitrust-laws", "Waters, Booker Introduce Fair Competition Act to Safeguard Small Businesses and Strengthen Antitrust Laws", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Maxine Waters", "W000187", "waters.house.gov", "waters", "https://waters.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee, introduced the Fair Competition for Small Business Act of 2025, legislation to protect small businesses from anti-competitive pricing practices that favor large retailers. U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights Subcommittee and a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, introduced the Senate Companion.\n\nIndependent grocers are the backbone of communities across the country, providing jobs, access to food, and stability in both rural and urban neighborhoods. According to the National Grocers Association, they support over 1.1 million jobs and generate over $41 billion in wages annually. Yet large retail chains use their market power to secure discounts and favorable payment terms from suppliers that smaller grocers lack the leverage to negotiate. As a result, independent grocers are often charged higher prices for the same products\u2014costs that are passed on to consumers\u2014making it nearly impossible for them to compete with large retailers and jeopardizing their ability to remain in business.\n\nAlthough the Robinson-Patman Act prohibits suppliers from charging competing buyers different prices, federal regulators have historically failed to enforce the law, leaving small businesses to fend for themselves against large retailers. The law currently allows state attorneys general to enforce it, but their authority is limited to seeking injunctive relief; they cannot obtain monetary damages on behalf of affected businesses. This flaw limits states\u2019 ability to fully protect small businesses when the federal government fails to enforce the law because they cannot recover losses from discriminatory pricing.\n\nThe Fair Competition for Small Business Act protects small businesses and addresses this legal gap by amending the Clayton Act to explicitly authorize state attorney generals to bring civil actions for damages when violating the Robinson-Patman Act, strengthening accountability and deterring anti-competitive practices. This will allow state attorney generals to pursue monetary damages against retailers that engage in unlawful price discrimination, giving states the same enforcement authority they already have under other federal antitrust laws.\n\nBy enabling state attorney generals to seek monetary damages for violations of the Robinson-Patman Act, the legislation gives small businesses a clear legal path to recover past losses and prevent future harms, ensuring fairer competition in the marketplace.\n\n\u201cFor far too long, large retailers have been able to use their market power to demand price concessions from suppliers that smaller retailers are unable to secure, thereby threatening the ability of smaller retailers to remain viable, reducing competition, and increasing prices for consumers,\u201d said Congresswoman Waters. \u201cThe Fair Competition for Small Business Act would permit state attorneys general to seek monetary damages on behalf of their constituents for these discriminatory practices and give them a vital tool to promote marketplace competition, fairness, and affordability.\u201d\n\n\u201cSmall businesses drive our economy, and it is essential that they are not forced to close their doors due to illegal pricing practices that larger retailers continue to exploit,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cBy strengthening the Robinson-Patman Act, state attorneys general would be empowered to hold these retailers accountable, ensuring that small businesses can compete, and succeed, on a level playing field.\u201d\n\n\u201cIncreasing enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act is an essential part of reviving Main Streets across the nation,\u201d said Morgan Harper, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the American Economic Liberties Project. \u201cFor too long, dominant power buyers have used their size and scale to secure unfair prices and terms that shut out smaller businesses and distort market competition in their own favor. The Fair Competition for Small Businesses Act will restore a vital pathway for enforcement by allowing state attorneys general to pursue Robinson-Patman Act damages cases on behalf of their communities. Congress should move quickly to pass it.\u201d\n\n\u201cState Attorneys General are essential partners in enforcing federal and state antitrust laws, but it's equally essential they have the tools necessary to address anti-competitive behavior. NGA supports this common-sense measure to strengthen AG enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act,\u201d said Chris Jones from National Grocers Association.\n\n\u201cSenator Booker's Fair Competition for Small Business Act increases the power of the State Attorney Generals in the fight to hold powerful suppliers and retailers accountable for discriminatory pricing practices that have squeezed farmers and small businesses out of the marketplace. Revitalizing Robinson-Patman enforcement will help level the playing field, ensuring farmers a fair marketplace to sell into,\u201d said Joe Maxwell, Farm Action Fund\u2019s President.\n\n\u201cLeveling the playing field through enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act should be a top priority for all policymakers concerned with the survival of Main Street small businesses,\u201d said Ron Knox, Senior Researcher & Policy Advocate at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. The newly unsealed FTC complaint against PepsiCo shows how megacorporations drive up costs across the economy at the expense of smaller competitors and American consumers. \u201cWe applaud Ranking Member Booker and Representative Waters\u2019 leadership on the Fair Competition for Small Business Act.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur small business coalition has long advocated for federal policymakers to take on the rampant price discrimination in our economy,\u201d said Small Business Rising coalition spokesperson Lauren Gellatly. \u201cBy providing state-level antitrust enforcers greater tools to address price discrimination, the Fair Competition for Small Business Act is a simple and effective remedy to foster fair competition and enforce existing antitrust law.\u201d\n\n\u201c55% of our Lowcountry small business member survey respondents reported in June of 2025 that they are somewhat or significantly impacted by their corporate competitors' access to superior pricing and terms for products and services,\u201d said Jordan Amaker, Director of Advocacy, Lowcountry Local First. \u201cThe under-enforcement of existing antitrust laws, specifically the Robinson-Patman Act (RPA), is just one more tilt of the playing field in favor of big business and billionaires. These tilts too often become the final nail in the coffin for so many neighborhood-serving, community-rooted businesses. Between the uncertainty and skyrocketing costs of the tariff and trade policies and the unchecked monopolistic power of mega-corporations, our local grocers and retailers are being crushed at every turn. Our small businesses don't have time to stand up for themselves on these issues, so we rely on the dedication of leaders like Sen. Booker and Rep. Waters to fight for fair practices and keep our small businesses in place.\u201d\n\nThe Fair Competition for Small Business Act of 2025 is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Jerry Nadler (NY-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-2), Jake Auchincloss (MA-4), Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), Cleo Fields (LA-6), Hank Johnson (GA-4), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Rebecca Balint (VT), Andre Carson (IN-7), Dwight Evans (PA-3).\n\nTo read the full text of the bill, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:39Z"], ["https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-and-sen-padilla-introduce-legislation-protect-more-wilderness", "Rep. Chu and Sen. Padilla Introduce Legislation to Protect More Wilderness in Southern California", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", "chu", "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep Judy Chu (CA-28) introduced the San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills, and Rivers Protection Act of 2025, which would designate 35,335 acres of protected wilderness and 20.2 miles of wild and scenic rivers. In the Senate, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act, a package that includes identical companion legislation to Rep. Chu\u2019s.\n\n\u201cMy district is fortunate to be home to the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains right in our backyard. But, as one of the most park-poor regions in the country, increasing access and expanding protections is critical. That\u2019s why I worked for years with community advocates and the Obama Administration to secure the designation of the San Gabriels as a national monument in 2014 \u2014 and why I continued pushing under President Biden to expand the monument\u2019s boundaries last year to better protect these lands and improve access for millions of Angelenos. Still, more work remains to protect the wilderness and rivers of the San Gabriels,\u201d said Rep. Chu. \u201cI\u2019m so proud to partner with Senator Padilla on his PUBLIC Lands Act, which includes my San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act, to preserve California\u2019s pristine natural spaces and ensure Californians can continue to access these spaces for generations to come.\u201d\n\nIn 2014, President Obama acted on Rep. Chu\u2019s call for permanent protection of the San Gabriel Mountains and declared 346,000 acres as a national monument. The monument designation has helped raise awareness of local recreational opportunities, promoted improved access, and encouraged greater availability of management resources, including enabling the U.S. Forest Service to leverage private-public partnerships to support the stewardship of the monument.\n\nIn 2024, following advocacy by Rep. Chu, Sen. Padilla, and dedicated advocates, President Biden expanded the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument by 105,919 additional acres to include the western Angeles National Forest\u2014protecting the significant natural, cultural, and recreational resources in Southern California. This declaration was also followed by millions of dollars in new investments into the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument including new field staff, enhanced visitor engagement and interpretation resources, trash and pollution mitigation, and more.\n\nThe San Gabriel Mountains\u2019 rivers and natural spaces provide critical habitat for threatened and endangered species including the California condor, Nelson\u2019s bighorn sheep, and the Santa Ana sucker. Ensuring the wildlife and waters of the San Gabriel Mountains are protected is the next step to preserve these natural spaces for years to come.\n\n\u201cOur public lands and natural spaces are some of California\u2019s greatest gifts \u2014 from the Northern California Redwoods, to the Carrizo Plain, to the San Gabriel Mountains,\u201d said Senator Padilla. \u201cAs the Trump Administration tries to sell off our state\u2019s precious public lands and waters, we must protect and restore these areas to mitigate wildfire risk, reach California\u2019s conservation goals, protect our natural resources, and ensure generations to come can enjoy access to the outdoors. I was thrilled to see President Biden heed our calls to permanently protect the entire San Gabriel Mountains last year, and I urge my colleagues to pass this package to protect access to green space for millions of Californians.\u201d\n\n\u201cThank you, Representative Chu, for advancing a decades-long vision to protect our San Gabriel Mountains,\u201d said Bel\u00e9n Bernal, Executive Director of Nature for All Coalition. \u201cDesignating more Wilderness areas and protecting special rivers as Wild and Scenic are important next steps towards achieving this goal. Over 18 million people live within a 90 mile radius of the San Gabriels and depend on these places for access to nature, time outdoors with family and friends, and tribal rituals and ceremonies, as well as for activities like hiking, swimming, picnicking, and more. We are grateful for your ongoing leadership to ensure that more Angelenos, especially historically underrepresented communities, can enjoy access to these beloved places now and into the future.\u201d\n\nThe San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills, and Rivers Protection Act of 2025 is endorsed by: CalWild, The Wilderness Society, and Nature for All Coalition\n\nFull text of the San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills, and Rivers Protection Act of 2025 can be found here.\n\nThis bill is cosponsored by Reps. Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n (CA-44), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud O. Carbajal (CA-24), Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr (CA-31), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Linda T. S\u00e1nchez (CA-38), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Maxine Waters (CA-43).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-chu-carey-and-sens-tillis-hassan-reintroduce-bipartisan", "Reps. Chu, Carey and Sens. Tillis, Hassan Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Family Caregivers", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", "chu", "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28), Mike Carey (OH-15) and U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) reintroduced the Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act.\n\nThis bipartisan, bicameral legislation will assist family caregivers, improve coordination between caregivers and Medicare beneficiaries, and make it easier for caregivers to access pertinent health information.\n\n\u201cFamily caregivers shoulder enormous responsibility while helping loved ones navigate Medicare, yet too often they face confusing systems, long wait times, and language barriers when trying to get basic information,\u201d Rep. Chu said. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m joining Rep. Carey and Sens. Hassan and Tillis to reintroduce the bipartisan, bicameral Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act. Our bill would strengthen Medicare\u2019s support for caregivers by expanding outreach about available caregiver resources, improving training for 1-800-MEDICARE operators, ensuring caregivers can access accurate information when beneficiaries authorize them to do so, and making this information available in non-English languages. By improving coordination and communication, this bill helps reduce unnecessary stress for caregivers and supports better care for seniors.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe can help family caregivers, who already bear other personal, professional, and medical responsibilities and worries, by easing the conveyance of assistance and resources to them through 1-800-Medicare,\u201d Rep. Carey said. \u201cThis legislation is bipartisan, bicameral, and straightforward. I am committed to finding ways to help millions of caregivers coordinate the delivery of benefits and medical care to their loved ones.\u201d\n\n\u201cCaregivers carry a tremendous burden while caring for loved ones, and I know first-hand that caregivers too often face unnecessary barriers when trying to coordinate care,\u201d Senator Tillis said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Senator Hassan to enable caregivers to better advocate for their loved ones and make it easier for caregivers to communicate with Medicare on their behalf.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe 1-800-MEDICARE hotline is a vitally important resource for seniors and caregivers to get information about care options, medical expenses, and more,\u201d Senator Hassan said. \u201cThis bill is a commonsense, bipartisan measure to ensure that the hotline is providing the best and most efficient support possible for seniors and their family caregivers through increased education, training, outreach, and opportunities for feedback.\u201d\n\n\u201cAARP, which advocates for 125 million Americans age 50 and older and their families, is pleased to endorse the Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act. There are 63 million family caregivers in the United States who assist their older parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, adult children, and other loved ones so they can live independently in their homes \u2013 where they want to be. Caregivers provide an estimated $600 billion in unpaid labor each year, saving taxpayers billions of dollars, and without them, America\u2019s health and long-term care systems would collapse. The Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act would help inform people about Medicare\u2019s voluntary option for Medicare beneficiaries to allow family caregivers to access their health information through 1-800-MEDICARE. This is a commonsense solution to make it easier for families to provide care to their loved ones, including at home, where most Americans want to be,\u201d Nancy A. LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer, said.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe bipartisan Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act aims to improve the coordination of care between caregivers and Medicare beneficiaries. It will publicize resources Medicare has for family caregivers, including the voluntary option allowing Medicare beneficiaries to allow family caregivers to access their health information through 1-800-Medicare.\n\nThe legislation also requires Medicare to train 1-800-Medicare operators on how to properly provide family caregivers with all the appropriate information. It further requires that information be provided in non-English languages.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found here.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases/federal-funding-secured-congressman-costa-brings-fresno-airport-terminal", "Federal Funding Secured By Congressman Costa Brings Fresno Airport Terminal Expansion to Life", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jim Costa", "C001059", "costa.house.gov", "costa", "https://costa.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FRESNO, Calif. - Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) today celebrated the official completion and opening of the expanded terminal at Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FYI), marking a major milestone in the airport\u2019s modernization and growth.\n\nFresno Yosemite International Airport, one of the fastest-growing airports in the country, has undergone its largest modernization project to date. The terminal expansion reflects more than four years of planning, coordination, and construction to meet growing passenger demand, expand air service, and support economic growth across the Central Valley. The project was made possible through federal support secured by Congressman Costa, including a $7.1 million grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden in 2021, $5.8 million in Community Project Funding for runway and terminal improvements, funding through the American Rescue Plan Act and CARES Act, and additional federal aviation programs totaling more than $85 million.\n\n\u201cToday is a proud moment for the San Joaquin Valley as we officially open the expanded terminal at Fresno Yosemite International Airport. This achievement reflects the dedication, skill, and hard work of airport staff, construction teams, and local partners who brought this project to life over several years,\u201d said Congressman Costa. \u201cThanks to strong federal support we secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and additional Community Project Funding, this expansion is now a reality and will strengthen the local economy, support businesses, and create new opportunities for residents throughout the San Joaquin Valley.\u201d\n\nCongressman Costa also acknowledged the late Henry Thompson, former Director of Aviation at FAT, whose leadership and collaboration were instrumental in advancing this terminal expansion project.\n\n\u201cWe are deeply grateful to Congressman Jim Costa for his steadfast support in securing critical federal funding that made this terminal expansion possible,\u201d said Interim Director of Aviation Francisco Partida. \u201cThis investment has allowed Fresno Yosemite International Airport to deliver a modern, world-class facility that meets the growing needs of our region and enhances the travel experience for residents and visitors alike. We also honor the late Director of Aviation, Henry L. Thompson, whose strong working relationship with Congressman Costa helped lay the foundation for this project\u2019s success. Congressman Costa\u2019s commitment to aviation and infrastructure has been instrumental in positioning FAT for future growth, and we are proud to celebrate this milestone together.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday is an unforgettable day in the City of Fresno as we unveiled the largest terminal expansion in the Airport\u2019s history,\u201d said City of Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer. \u201cThis new expansion strengthens our region\u2019s future by positioning the Airport as more competitive and attractive facility for growing air service and creating opportunities for a thriving economy. I am extremely pleased that travelers will experience an expanded, efficient and convenient facility that our community can be proud to call their hometown airport.\u201d\n\nThe expanded terminal, part of the FAT Forward plan, is expected to generate an $85 million economic impact for the Central Valley and will feature:\n\nA new terminal concourse with more domestic and international passenger gates and larger boarding areas\n\nTwo additional aircraft parking positions\n\nA new Federal Inspection Station (FIS) for international arrivals\n\nA friends and family plaza area to welcome international travelers\n\nAn expanded Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint screening area\n\nNew concession areas for retail and dining\n\nA new Public Art Program\n\nThe terminal expansion positions Fresno Yosemite International Airport to meet rising passenger demand, improve regional connectivity, and continue serving as a critical hub for residents, businesses, and visitors across California\u2019s San Joaquin Valley.\n\nFederal Grants Supporting Fresno Yosemite International Airport", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://gomez.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5856", "Rep. Gomez, Colleagues Win Court Ruling Preventing Trump-Vance Administration From Blocking Oversight of Immigration Detention Facilities", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Gomez", "G000585", "gomez.house.gov", "gomez", "https://gomez.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Just now, a federal court temporarily stopped the Trump-Vance administration\u2019s policy blocking Members of Congress from unannounced oversight visits to federal immigration detention facilities today. The decision restores Congress\u2019s ability to conduct real-time oversight of how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain individuals \u2014 including U.S. citizens \u2014 and spend billions in taxpayer dollars, while the case continues.\n\n\"This ruling in the lawsuit I helped lead is a win against Trump\u2019s unaccountable DHS and ICE,\" said Rep. Gomez. \"Oversight isn\u2019t optional. It\u2019s our constitutional duty. As your representative, I will inspect detention facilities and make sure these agencies never operate in the shadows.\"\n\nThe lawsuit, Neguse et al. v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement et al., was brought by a dozen members of the U.S. House of Representatives after the administration imposed a seven-day waiting period and barred access to certain field offices, in violation of a longstanding federal law that guarantees congressional oversight.\n\nThe plaintiffs include Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse; Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat; Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bennie G. Thompson; Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jamie Raskin; House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Rep. Robert Garcia; House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Ranking Member Rep. J. Luis Correa; Rep. Jason Crow; Rep. Veronica Escobar; Rep. Dan Goldman; Rep. Jimmy Gomez; Rep. Raul Ruiz; and Rep. Norma Torres.\n\nIn a joint statement, the plaintiffs said: \u201cToday\u2019s decision is a critical victory toward restoring our ability to conduct essential congressional oversight on behalf of the American people. It reinforces the rule of law and reminds the administration that oversight is not optional. Real-time, on-the-ground visits to immigration detention facilities help prevent abuses and ensure transparency. Oversight is a core responsibility of Members of Congress\u2014and a constitutional duty we do not take lightly. We\u2019ll continue standing up for the rule of law.\u201d\n\nThe Members of Congress are represented in this suit by Democracy Forward Foundation and American Oversight.\n\n\u201cThis ruling is a victory for the American people and their elected representatives,\u201d said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. \u201cThis decision makes clear that no president can hide the truth about how people are treated in federal immigration custody. We\u2019re honored to represent these individual Members of Congress in defending accountability, transparency, the rule of law, and human dignity.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s ruling is a clear victory for the rule of law and a clear affirmation that no administration is above it,\u201d said Chioma Chukwu, Executive Director of American Oversight. \u201cMembers of Congress have an unquestioned right to conduct real-time oversight of immigration detention facilities, and the American people have a right to know what is happening in their name. By blocking those visits, the administration wasn\u2019t simply breaking the law, it was trying to conceal the reality inside these facilities from the public: people in overcrowded, inhumane conditions without adequate beds, showers, or medical care. This order restores a critical check on executive power and sends a clear message that abuse cannot be hidden.\u201d\n\nWith this decision, the court reaffirms Members of Congress\u2019s right to access federal immigration detention facilities without prior notice \u2014 a safeguard meant to prevent abuse, protect human rights, and ensure that taxpayer funds are not used to support unlawful or inhumane practices. The ruling sends a strong message that oversight is essential to democracy and that no administration is above the law.\n\nHow did we get here?\n\nFederal law (Sec. 527, FY2024 DHS Appropriations Act) allows Members of Congress to visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sites where noncitizens are detained without prior notice. But increasingly, these representatives have been stopped at the door.\n\nIn response to questions about this, ICE officials announced a new policy requiring a seven-day waiting period and preventing entry to ICE field offices.\n\nOn July 30, a dozen individual Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sued the Trump-Vance administration, challenging the policy as an unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight.\n\nSubsequently, the plaintiffs sought a court order requiring DHS and its Secretary Kristi Noem, as well as ICE and its Acting Director Todd Lyons to comply with the federal law granting Members of Congress the right to visit immigration detention facilities without prior notice during the course of their lawsuit.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://gomez.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5857", "Rep. Gomez Votes to Check Trump\u2019s Unauthorized Military Escalation", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jimmy Gomez", "G000585", "gomez.house.gov", "gomez", "https://gomez.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Tonight, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) released the following statement after voting in favor of two War Powers resolutions to prohibit the President from unauthorized U.S. military action in Venezuela and the Western Hemisphere.\n\n\u201cTonight, I voted for both War Powers resolutions because no president gets to drag this country toward war unilaterally.\n\n\u201cThe Constitution is clear: Congress decides when and where the United States goes to war. If the President believes military action against Venezuela or attacking vessels in international waters is necessary, he needs to ask Congress for authorization. Anything less puts American service members and national security at unnecessary risk.\n\n\u201cThese resolutions aren\u2019t about inhibiting the military from doing its job, they\u2019re about putting a check on a president sidestepping the Constitution.\n\n\u201cAmerica cannot find its way into another conflict because Donald Trump wants to distract from the scandals that affect him at home. I\u2019m voting to reassert congressional authority and stop the President\u2019s unchecked power grab.\n\n\u201cIf Republicans are serious about ending forever wars, it\u2019s time they put their votes where their mouth is and not blindly follow President Trump\u2019s every demand. It\u2019s time to take back control of Congress\u2019s War Powers authority.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://gray.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-gray-helps-limit-government-overreach-regarding-water-availability", "REP. GRAY HELPS LIMIT GOVERNMENT OVERREACH REGARDING WATER AVAILABILITY", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Adam Gray", "G000605", "gray.house.gov", "gray", "https://gray.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Representative Adam Gray (CA-13) voted in favor of passing the Endangered Species Amendment Act of 2025 out of the House Natural Resources Committee. This legislation amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973, making conservation more effective by prioritizing resources, improving transparency, and reducing regulatory obstacles.\n\nProvisions of Rep. Gray\u2019s Valley Water Protection Act were included in the final package passed out of committee. His amendment would allow access to the exemption process to ensure Central Valley farmers and producers receive reliable water deliveries to support their operations.\n\n\u201cThe Valley is a critical agricultural region that depends on reliable water access,\u201d said Rep. Gray. \u201cMy amendment safeguards farmers from national security threats or regional economic harm by ensuring state bureaucrats cannot shut off our water. Consistent water access ensures the Valley can remain a leader in agricultural production.\n\nRead more about Representative Gray\u2019s bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://gray.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-gray-leads-central-valley-lawmakers-push-vote-aca-tax-credits", "REP. GRAY LEADS CENTRAL VALLEY LAWMAKERS TO PUSH FOR VOTE ON ACA TAX CREDITS", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Adam Gray", "G000605", "gray.house.gov", "gray", "https://gray.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Today, Representative Adam Gray (CA-13) led San Joaquin Valley lawmakers in sending a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson urging House leadership to keep the House in session until a vote is held on a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act\u2019s enhanced premium tax credits.\n\n\u201cWith these tax credits set to expire at the end of this month, millions of Americans are facing a sudden and devastating increase in health care costs,\u201d the Members write.\n\n\u201cThis vote would avert a needless disaster by enacting a three-year extension of the tax credits and buying Congress time to come to a sustainable, bipartisan, long-term solution to rising premiums.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers warned that failing to act before the December recess would have serious consequences. \u201cIt is unconscionable that the House would break for December recess without addressing this crisis,\u201d the letter states.\n\nIf the enhanced premium tax credits expire, an estimated 22 million Americans including 5 million small-business owners could see their premiums more than double, and up to 2.2 million people could lose health coverage altogether beginning in 2026.\n\nThe impact would be especially severe in California\u2019s Central Valley. Nearly 85,000 residents would face higher health care costs, and an estimated 172,000 people could lose coverage entirely, driven largely by cuts to Medicaid, known in California as Medi-Cal.\n\nThe letter also notes that 218 bipartisan Members of Congress have already signed a discharge petition to force a vote on the extension and that sufficient legislative days remain to act before coverage losses begin on January 1, 2026.\n\nEarlier this year, Representative Gray introduced the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act of 2025, legislation to restore Medicaid funding and permanently extend the ACA\u2019s enhanced premium tax credits.\n\nThe letter was signed by Representatives Adam Gray (CA-13), Josh Harder (CA-09), and Jim Costa (CA-21).\n\nRead the full text of the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-17T05:47:03Z", "2026-04-17T05:48:33Z"], ["https://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/12/17/2025/huffman-reintroduces-northwest-california-wilderness-recreation-and-working-forests-act", "Huffman Reintroduces Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Jared Huffman", "H001068", "huffman.house.gov", "huffman", "https://huffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Legislation included in Senator Alex Padilla\u2019s Package to Protect 1 Million Acres of California Public Lands\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) reintroduced his Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act, which would increase fire resilience, restore forests and fish habitat, rehabilitate lands impaired by illegal marijuana growing operations, increase recreation opportunities through new trails and visitor centers, and permanently protect many of northwest California\u2019s most spectacular wild places and pristine streams.\n\n\u201cCalifornia has some of the most beautiful, iconic landscapes in America. My district is home to old-growth forests, rugged coastlines, and winding rivers that make up the heart and spirit of the North Coast,\u201d said Huffman. \u201cOur public lands don\u2019t belong to any singular person \u2013 we all depend on the ecological, economic, cultural, and mental health benefits they provide. That\u2019s why I met with folks from all across my district to create a bill that meets Northern CA's diverse land management needs. I\u2019m proud to partner with Senator Padilla on this legislative package that brings all our regions together, charting out a course to be good stewards of California\u2019s treasured spaces so they can endure for generations.\"\n\nHuffman\u2019s legislation was included in U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) sweeping public lands package. The Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act would support the conservation of over 1.7 million acres of California\u2019s public lands throughout northwest California, the Central Coast, and Los Angeles County.\n\n\u201cOur public lands and natural spaces are some of California\u2019s greatest gifts \u2014 from the Northern California Redwoods, to the Carrizo Plain, to the San Gabriel Mountains,\u201d said Senator Padilla. \u201cAs the Trump Administration tries to sell off our state\u2019s precious public lands and waters, we must protect and restore these areas to mitigate wildfire risk, reach California\u2019s conservation goals, protect our natural resources, and ensure generations to come can enjoy access to the outdoors. I was thrilled to see President Biden heed our calls to permanently protect the entire San Gabriel Mountains last year, and I urge my colleagues to pass this package to protect access to green space for millions of Californians.\u201d\n\nThe larger package consists of three bills:\n\nHuffman's Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act, which bill would permanently protect 484,733 acres of public lands and 479.8 miles of wild and scenic rivers.\n\nThe Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, which is led in the House by Representative Carbajal. The bill would permanently protect 385,842 acres of public lands and 199.3 miles of wild and scenic rivers.\n\nThe San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act, which is led in the House by Representative Judy Chu. The bill would permanently protect 35,335 acres of public lands and 20.2 miles of wild and scenic rivers.\n\nBackground\n\nTo develop this legislation, Ranking Member Huffman conducted a sweeping public outreach effort in Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity, and Del Norte counties, consulting with dozens of community leaders, tourism organizations, outdoor recreation groups, restoration specialists, tribes, county supervisors, conservation groups, forestry experts, fisheries scientists, fire ecologists, timber industry, and other business owners. Huffman held four public meetings on the legislative proposal in Eureka, Crescent City, Weaverville, and Ukiah, and has continued to meet with constituents both in California and in Washington D.C. about the bill. The legislation incorporated several changes recommended by constituents, business interests, environmental advocates, landowners, and local elected officials following Huffman\u2019s calls for feedback and based on numerous discussions on the bill throughout the last several years.\n\nThe legislation includes several innovative new programs to increase fire resilience; restore forests and fish habitat, as well as lands impaired by illegal marijuana growing operations; stimulate local economies through forest stewardship programs; enhance recreational opportunities including through trails and visitor centers; and permanently protect many of northwest California\u2019s spectacular wild places and pristine streams. It would not limit hunting or fishing, close any legally open roads or trails to vehicles, or affect access to or the use of private property. The wilderness designations only apply to federal lands, and Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River designations do not impact existing rights and do not limit access. Maps of these proposals, a list of frequently asked questions, a one-page summary of the bill, photographs of the protected areas, and other background information is available .\n\nOriginal cosponsors for the Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act of 2025 include Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.).\n\nWhat Supporters Are Saying\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re grateful to Representative Huffman for proposing to restore National Forest lands in Trinity and Humboldt.? The bill will improve fire resilience for communities and for key wildlife habitat, especially in the South Fork Trinity River and Mad River watersheds,\u201d said Larry Glass of the Northcoast Environmental Center.\n\nKent Collard, Director of the popular Camp Trinity near Hyampom, praised the bill for \u201cProposing to protect the Pattison Wilderness and lower Hayfork Creek, places that are critical to the continued success of our business.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe bill will help restore degraded public lands, and permanently protect wild and scenic rivers and headwater streams, which are critical for the recovery of native salmon and trout in California,\u201d said Curtis Knight, Executive Director, California Trout.\n\n\u201cI support the bill because it will improve fire resilience, protect pristine salmon streams, expand four existing wilderness areas and establish two new ones here in Mendocino County, and lead to the development of new trails closer to communities.? I'm grateful that Congressman?Huffman is continuing the effort to pass this important bill,\u201d said John Haschak, Chair of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors.?\n\n\u201cCongressman Huffman\u2019s?Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act?is a visionary, locally crafted measure that will safeguard the federal lands and waters that make this region an iconic landscape for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. By protecting and restoring forests, rivers, trails, and shorelines, this legislation ensures that future generations of hikers, paddlers, and climbers can continue to enjoy the incredible landscapes in Northern California. It\u2019s time to get this critical measure signed into law and secure these outdoor opportunities for years to come,\u201d said Katie Hawkins, California Program Director, Outdoor Alliance.\n\nJora Fogg, California Associate Program Director said, \"The Conservation Lands Foundation fully supports?The Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation and Working Forests Act?because it helps conserve essential wilderness while ensuring Californians have access to outstanding natural areas and healthy rivers for recreation. By protecting more than 279,000 acres of Wilderness and 479.8 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers, the bill helps sustain local economies and critical habitat for endangered species, restores fire-resilient forests, safeguards water sources, and cleans up public lands that have been damaged by illegal trespass activity such as marijuana grow sites. The legislation is endorsed by the State of California and we encourage Congress to enact it quickly.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor anglers, there is no substitute for good habitat. Some of the best steelhead and salmon waters in California, including sections of the Eel and Trinity Rivers, would be better protected under the Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act. Trout Unlimited has worked for years to reconnect and restore habitat in many of these waters. We are grateful for Rep. Huffman\u2019s commitment to conserving our native steelhead and salmon runs, and to supporting the fishing economies, cultures and communities dependent on them,\u201d Sam Davidson, California Policy Director for Trout Unlimited.\n\n\u201cRepresentative Huffman\u2019s Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation and Working Forests Act is a model of community-based conservation, demonstrating how forest restoration, economic development, habitat protection and recreation can work hand in hand in one of California\u2019s most spectacular landscapes. This bill strengthens the conservation protections communities depend on, protects the freedom to explore and enjoy these lands and ensures these cherished places endure for future generations,\u201d Helen O'Shea, California State Director, The Wilderness Society.\n\nDevin O'Dea, Western Policy & Conservation Manager, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, said, \u201cThe PUBLIC Lands Act delivers the kind of durable, stakeholder-driven conservation solutions that hunters and anglers strongly support. By conserving more than 900,000 acres across California, this legislation safeguards wildlife habitat, clean water, and public access while promoting forest restoration and responsible recreation. BHA has long supported the PUBLIC Lands Act as a balanced, locally driven investment in our public lands and outdoor heritage, and we thank Sen. Padilla for continuing to champion this legislation.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-schiff-introduce-legislation-to-help-america-meet-protein-demand-by-expanding-research-and-domestic-manufacturing-investments-in-protein-innovation/", "Brownley, Schiff Introduce Legislation to Help America Meet Protein Demand by Expanding Research and Domestic Manufacturing Investments in Protein Innovation", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Julia Brownley", "B001285", "juliabrownley.house.gov", "juliabrownley", "https://juliabrownley.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) introduced the Producing Real Opportunities for Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in Nutrition Act (PROTEIN Act), legislation to make a strategic federal investment in protein innovation through boosted support for research, workforce development, and domestic manufacturing capacity. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) is introducing companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.\n\nGlobal demand for meat is projected to double by 2050, but the United States currently lacks the infrastructure, workforce, and research pipeline to meet that exploding demand for protein sustainably. Congresswoman Brownley and Senator Schiff\u2019s bill seeks to ensure the United States doesn\u2019t fall behind and makes critical investments in meeting protein demands for the future through improved and expanded innovation.\n\n\u201cProtein innovation is an emerging but essential pillar of the U.S. bioeconomy that is critical to strengthening food security and addressing the climate crisis,\u201d said Congresswoman Brownley. \u201cWhile the United States has driven important breakthroughs in this field, countries like China and Canada are outpacing our investments in this cutting-edge technology. As global demand for meat continues to grow, we must diversify our protein sources to strengthen domestic supply chains and expand choices for American consumers. By investing in protein innovation, we can create thousands of high-paying jobs, bolster food security, confront the climate crisis, and reassert U.S. leadership in this rapidly growing industry. The PROTEIN Act does exactly that, making it a win-win-win for our economy, our climate, and our future.\u201d\n\n\u201cRight now in America, it seems all anyone can talk about is protein, but the exploding demand for it is not something our current food system will be able to meet. Investing in protein innovation, which is already supporting thousands of jobs in California and across the U.S., will help us meet those needs while investing in a climate-friendly food system and positioning the U.S. as a global leader in a growing market that will create new revenue opportunities for American producers,\u201d said Senator Schiff.\n\nThe United States is falling behind in public investment in protein innovation research and development, with other countries dramatically ramping up their investment in this industry. The plant-based food sector alone already supports over 55,000 American jobs, and the broader protein innovation industry could create up to 10 million jobs globally by 2050.\n\nIn the United States, California is the epicenter of protein innovation\u2014home to more than 150 companies focused on plant-based, cultivated, and other alternatives, making up nearly one-third of the entire U.S. sector. The PROTEIN Act also presents an opportunity to create new markets for Californian and American farmers.\n\nSpecifically, the PROTEIN Act would:\n\nEstablish at least 3 research centers of excellence for alternative protein innovation\n\nCreate a new USDA research program on protein security focused on biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, and converting underutilized biomass into high-value ingredients\n\nLaunch a Food Biomanufacturing Grant Program to build and scale domestic production capacity\n\nEstablish a Bioworkforce Development Grant Program to train workers, fund scholarships, and support regional economic development in this emerging sector\n\nRequire a National Strategy on Protein Security\u2014a whole-of-government plan coordinating various federal agencies\n\nThis legislation is endorsed by Food Solutions Action and the Good Food Institute.\n\n\u201cThe Good Food Institute commends Senator Schiff and Representative Brownley for their strong commitment to securing a more prosperous and resilient future for food and agriculture. The PROTEIN Act would position America as the global leader in food biomanufacturing for generations to come, building on years of groundbreaking innovation happening in the Golden State and across the heartland,\u201d said Pepin Tuma, Vice President, Good Food Institute.\n\n\u201cThe PROTEIN Act takes a proactive, whole-of-government approach to securing America\u2019s food future. By investing in critical infrastructure, expanding domestic production, and increasing consumer choice it positions the U.S. to lead in food innovation for decades to come,\u201d said Mike Ryan, Vice President, Food Solutions Action.\n\n\u201cPBFI applauds Senator Schiff and Representative Brownley for advancing the PROTEIN Act which will maintain the United States\u2019 leadership in food security and innovation. By creating a USDA protein security research program and dedicated protein innovation centers, this bill will generate long-term opportunities for farmers, food workers, and rural communities. Plant-based companies and researchers in particular have been waiting for programs like this to lower the risk of scaling up, build shared infrastructure instead of one-off projects, and move promising ideas from the field to full-scale production here at home,\u201d said Sanah Baig, Executive Director, Plant Based Foods Institute.\n\n\u201cThe PROTEIN Act recognizes that the future of protein is a national food security and competitiveness issue. This bill will help close the gap between promising breakthroughs and real-world deployment in U.S. communities. A significant percentage of the alternative protein industry is currently located in the US with the potential to be a huge economic driver for this country. However, growth and commercialization will be dependent on establishing a vibrant research ecosystem solving the industry\u2019s commercialization hurdles, a highly trained workforce, and a network of infrastructure-rich centers for scale up. For our students, faculty, and the growing US industry, the PROTEIN Act would catalyze this development here at home,\u201d said Professor David Block, University of California-Davis & Center Director, Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein (iCAMP).\n\n\u201cGlobal protein demand is rising faster than our current food technologies can sustainably meet, and the science is clear that we need diversified approaches. The PROTEIN Act\u2019s federal investments in biomanufacturing research and infrastructure will help bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and commercial-scale production,\u201d said Galina Hale, Professor of Economics and Coastal Science and Policy, University of California at Santa Cruz.\n\n\u201cThe evidence increasingly shows that sustainable protein diversification will require coordinated public investment in both research infrastructure and scaling pathways. The PROTEIN Act takes a data-driven approach\u2014funding rigorous science at research institutions while building the commercial bridge that\u2019s often missing between promising findings and real-world food systems impact,\u201d said Maya B. Mathur, PhD, Associate Professor, Stanford University.\n\n\u201cThe scientific fundamentals for creating high-quality alternative proteins are well established, but translating these discoveries into commercially viable products at scale requires significant infrastructure investment. The PROTEIN Act\u2019s focus on research centers, biomanufacturing facilities, and dedicated USDA programs will accelerate the development of next-generation plant-based and hybrid foods. This comprehensive federal strategy addresses the critical bottleneck between laboratory innovation and market-ready products that can actually feed people sustainably,\u201d said D. Julian McClements, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Food Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst.\n\n\u201cThe PROTEIN Act invests in the research and workforce development America needs to lead in next-generation agriculture. This legislation will help universities continue our good work by expanding training pipelines, deepening collaboration with farmers and producers, and advancing technologies critical to food security and supply-chain resilience,\u201d said David Kaplan, Distinguished Professor, Biology, Tufts University.\n\n\u201cThe PROTEIN Act\u2019s comprehensive approach\u2014combining Centers of Excellence, demonstration facilities, and workforce development\u2014creates the essential ecosystem for scaling biomanufacturing innovations from promising laboratory concepts to market-ready solutions that can meet global food security challenges. This isn\u2019t just about supporting research; it\u2019s about building the pathways that ensure discoveries actually reach the people who need them,\u201d said Robert Cunningham, Senior Advisor for Strategic Engagement, Wyss Institute at Harvard University.\n\n\u201cAMPS strongly supports this landmark effort to ensure the United States sustains its strategic leadership in the global bioeconomy and food innovation. Protein diversification is not only essential to modernizing our food system, it is the cornerstone of reducing dependence on foreign markets and securing resilient supply chains. This forward-looking policy lays the foundation for a stronger American economy and lasting food security at home and abroad, positioning the U.S. to lead for decades to come,\u201d said Suzi Gerber, Executive Director, Association for Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Innovation.\n\n\u201cPassing the PROTEIN Act would help ensure that America continues to lead in agricultural and biotech innovation. Other countries are investing heavily in this space, and we need to keep pace,\u201d said Paul Shapiro, Co-Founder, Fungi Protein Association.\n\nRead the full text of the bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-member-lofgren-condemns-trump-administrations-threat-dismantle", "Ranking Member Lofgren Condemns Trump Administration\u2019s Threat to Dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Zoe Lofgren", "L000397", "lofgren.house.gov", "lofgren", "https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases", "page_html", "\"As if we needed more proof that Susie Wiles was right to call Russ Vought a \u2018right-wing absolute zealot,\u2019 here it is,\u201d said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). \u201cThe Trump Administration's threat to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) should disturb every American worried about the dangers of extreme weather. NCAR is a crown jewel of our weather and climate research infrastructure. The laboratory's research is essential for deepening our understanding of natural disasters and improving our weather prediction capabilities. At a time when natural disasters are on the rise, the last thing we should be doing is slashing our own ability to better understand the weather. NCAR's elimination would put every American at greater risk, and Science Committee Democrats will do everything possible to stop it.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-members-lofgren-and-stevens-demand-answers-terminated-smart-usa", "Ranking Members Lofgren and Stevens Demand Answers on Terminated SMART USA Institute", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Zoe Lofgren", "L000397", "lofgren.house.gov", "lofgren", "https://lofgren.house.gov/media/press-releases", "page_html", "WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Research and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Haley Stevens (D-MI) sent a letter to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acting Under Secretary Craig Burkhardt demanding an explanation for the termination of SMART USA Institute, a semiconductor research and development program authorized by Congress through the CHIPS and Science Act.\n\n\u201cWe worry that NIST\u2019s arbitrary and capricious decisions to terminate its financial commitments will shake confidence among its current and future partners, even long after this Administration leaves office,\u201d the Ranking Members wrote in their letter. \u201cNIST has a reputation as a neutral and steadfast partner that can work with any industry and academic organization. This reputation is very much at risk. Few companies would willingly seek partnership with an organization that cancels its obligations on a whim.\"\n\nThe letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://rivas.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-luz-rivas-introduces-bill-support-and-uplift-environmental", "Congresswoman Luz Rivas Introduces Bill to Support and Uplift Environmental Justice Communities", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Luz M. Rivas", "R000620", "rivas.house.gov", "rivas", "https://rivas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) introduced the Environmental Justice Screening Tool Act, a bill that ensures the federal government can properly and equitably prioritize funding to environmental justice communities like the San Fernando Valley.\n\n\u201cFor generations, environmental justice communities \u2013 like mine in the San Fernando Valley \u2013 were forced to store debris and waste from polluters which have harmed the health and well-being of our communities,\u201d said Congresswoman Luz Rivas. \u201cMy Environmental Justice Screening Tool Act gives communities a voice in what happens in their own backyards and a chance for environmental justice communities to push back on the Trump Administration\u2019s polluter-first agenda.\u201d\n\n\"The Environmental Justice Screening Tool Act is critical because it provides the data we need to advocate effectively for our communities,\u201d said Veronica Padilla-Campos, Executive Director of Pacoima Beautiful. \u201cReliable information allows us to highlight environmental inequities, strengthen our case for change, and secure the grants that make our work possible. With this tool, we can turn evidence into action and ensure that environmental justice efforts are grounded in facts and focused on impact.\u201d\n\n\"Correct and appropriately sourced data is a vital tool in affirming lived experiences, helping to visualize the communities living with unjust and outsized levels of harm from environmental pollution and lack of investments, historically and today,\u201d said Leslie Fields, Chief Federal Officer at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. \u201cWE ACT thanks Rep. Rivas for her leadership on environmental justice issues in the 119th Congress, and for aiming to advance access to data that serves as a critical step in addressing environmental racism, informing equitable policies that create healthier, safer lives and environments.\"\n\n\"Environmental justice advocates rely on geospatial tools to understand local conditions, identify toxic hotspots, and advocate for healthier neighborhoods,\u201d said Byron Gudiel, Executive Director at the Center for Earth, Energy, and Democracy (CEED). \u201cThe Trump Administration removed critical datasets and tools, including the EJScreen, that documented toxic releases from polluting facilities in our nation\u2019s industrial corridors. We strongly support Rep Rivas' Environmental Justice Screening Tool Act to create a new tool that can safeguard access to public health data for the most pollution-burdened communities.\"\n\n\u201cThe Climate Justice Alliance is proud to support the Environmental Justice Screening Tool Act \u2013 a common-sense bill that fills a much-needed gap by holistically identifying overburdened communities,\u201d said KD Chavez, Executive Director at Climate Justice Alliance. \u201cWhile giant corporations and big tech continue to get special handouts, and resource-hungry data centers are built right down the road from already overburdened communities, this Act is exactly what we need. It helps pinpoint communities struggling most with pollution, health problems, climate, and economic hardship. By listening to local voices and partnering with expert institutions like Tribal governments, this tool will enable the federal government to direct support, resources, and funding to communities who need it most, especially as vital community programs continue to be on the chopping block.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nCongresswoman Rivas\u2019 Environmental Justice Screening Tool Act requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a publicly available geospatial mapping tool to identify disproportionately burdened communities. The tool incorporates four factors that will help determine the definition for a disproportionately burdened community. Those four factors are: environment, climate change, human health, and the economy. Key considerations like air quality, access to safe drinking water, frequency of natural disasters, asthma rates, and poverty rate are included when EPA considers each of the factors.\n\nThe legislation will solicit feedback and data from higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and state, local, and tribal governments to help inform EPA\u2019s work. The head of each federal department or agency will use this tool to prioritize funding and other resources for disproportionately burdened communities. EPA will submit an annual report to Congress that must contain a description of any updates made to the tool and any new locations that were identified as disproportionately burdened due to the implementation of the tool.\n\nThe Environmental Justice Screening Tool Act is supported by Pacoima Beautiful, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, the Center for Earth, Energy, and Democracy (CEED), and the Climate Justice Alliance. The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Andre Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Jesus \u201cChuy\u201d Garcia (IL-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Pablo Jose Hernandez (PR-AL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Summer Lee (PA-12), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), and Darren Soto (FL-09).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://sarajacobs.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-sara-jacobs-leads-bipartisan-ivf-for-military-families-act", "Rep. Sara Jacobs Leads Bipartisan IVF for Military Families Act", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Sara Jacobs", "J000305", "sarajacobs.house.gov", "sarajacobs", "https://sarajacobs.house.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "After IVF coverage for military families was stripped from the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act last week, Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-01), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced the Bipartisan IVF for Military Families Act to continue the fight to deliver this much-needed and deserved care for active duty service members and their dependents. This legislation mirrors text that was unanimously adopted on a bipartisan basis by the House Armed Services Committee and passed the House earlier this year.\n\nRep. Sara Jacobs said: \u201cLike I said last week, the fight isn\u2019t over. Our military families shouldn\u2019t be denied IVF access just because of politics while bearing the physical and emotional costs of service. Civilian employers are increasingly providing IVF coverage to their employees, and it\u2019s even accessible to every Member of Congress and their staff, but the military is still lagging behind. This is creating an acute readiness and retention crisis because our military families are forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for IVF, forgo having children, or leave the military to get private coverage instead. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to introduce the Bipartisan IVF for Military Families Act to give our service members every opportunity to build their families.\n\n\u201cSince 2023, Congress has rightly focused on strengthening military recruitment and retention by increasing troop pay, improving housing, expanding health care, and investing in quality of life for servicemembers and their families. Now, Congress should expand access to IVF, as many civilian employers already do, to build on that progress and help ensure America maintains the most lethal fighting force the world has ever known,\u201d said Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-01).\n\nRep. Chrissy Houlahan said: \u201cMilitary families already sacrifice so much in service to our country, and they should not be forced to put their dreams of starting a family on hold because TRICARE fails to cover medically necessary fertility care. Servicemembers should never have to choose between serving their country and building a family. This bipartisan bill recognizes infertility as a real medical condition and ensures servicemembers and their families have access to fertility care without unnecessary barriers. Supporting military readiness means supporting the people who serve.\u201d\n\n\u201cMilitary families already sacrifice so much in service to our nation. Access to IVF and fertility care shouldn\u2019t depend on financial means. The Bipartisan IVF for Military Families Act of 2026 is about fairness and keeping faith with the men and women who serve by ensuring TRICARE covers the fertility treatments they need to build their families,\u201d said Rep. Kiggans.", 1, "2026-04-02T05:33:17Z", "2026-04-02T05:34:59Z"], ["https://scottpeters.house.gov/press-releases/rep-peters-slams-gop-s-unserious-health-care-plan", "Rep. Peters Slams GOP\u2019s Unserious Health Care Plan", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Scott H. Peters", "P000608", "scottpeters.house.gov", "scottpeters", "https://scottpeters.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50) released the following statement after voting against House Republicans\u2019 Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, underscoring the urgent need for Congress to prevent the expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits on December 31st.\n\n\u201cI voted no on this unserious GOP health care plan because it won\u2019t actually solve the real health care affordability crisis families across America confront. More than 20 million Americans rely on ACA premium tax credits to cover their health care costs, yet House Republicans propose a bill that ignores that reality instead of preventing these life-saving credits from expiring.\n\n\u201cMoreover, Republicans are also once again trying to make it harder for women to make their own health care decisions by stripping insurance coverage for safe and legal abortion, another attempt at a backdoor abortion ban.\n\n\u201cAmericans are already feeling the pain from Trump and Congressional Republicans\u2019 so-called \u2018One Big Beautiful Bill\u2019, which slashes over $900 billion from Medicaid\u2014the largest cut in history. Combined with these tax credits expiring, millions of Americans, including 28,000 people in CA-50, have seen their health care costs skyrocket.\n\n\u201cLetting these credits expire will make everyone less healthy. Costs will go up. People will forfeit needed care. Uninsured patients will turn to emergency rooms for basic services and insurance companies will raise prices for everyone as those costs get passed along.\n\n\u201cDemocrats are working to expand access and lower costs. But Republicans control the White House, the Senate, and the House. If they can\u2019t enact a solution to prevent this health care price shock, that failure is on them and they will face the consequences of their inaction.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m willing to work with anyone in Congress, Republican or Democrat, to develop a comprehensive solution. I will continue to support bipartisan efforts to find a compromise, because the cost of inaction remains too great to every San Diegan who relies on these credits for their healthcare.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/over-4000-join-congressman-brad-shermans-year-end-telephone-town-hall", "Over 4,000 Join Congressman Brad Sherman\u2019s Year-End Telephone Town Hall", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Brad Sherman", "S000344", "sherman.house.gov", "sherman", "https://sherman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "SHERMAN OAKS, CA \u2013 On December 17th, more than 4,000 residents joined Congressman Brad Sherman\u2019s (CA-32)live Telephone Town Hall, as he reviewed the battles fought over the past year and outlined the priorities and challenges facing Congress in the year ahead.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful that thousands of residents continue to join these town halls,\u201d CongressmanSherman said. \u201cThis was my final town hall of the year, and I\u2019ve held many town halls throughout the year to keep constituents informed during a chaotic and consequential time in Washington. We\u2019ve pushed back against reckless policies that raise costs and threaten basic protections, but there is more work ahead \u2014 and staying connected with constituents is essential to that fight.\u201d\n\nIn his opening remarks, Congressman Sherman reviewed efforts over the past year to counter what he described as President Trump\u2019s reckless policies \u2014 including actions that have driven up everyday costs, threatened health care affordability, and weakened federal protections. He warned that Republican inaction in Congress is setting the stage for sharp health insurance premium increases in the coming year and emphasized the need to protect families from higher out-of-pocket costs.\n\nCongressman Sherman also discussed what he described as reckless actions by the Trump administration on the world stage, including the recent Venezuelan boat strikes. As a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Sherman emphasized the dangers of unilateral military actions without transparency or accountability and warned that such decisions risk broader instability and unintended consequences.\n\nThe Congressman also addressed the recent antisemitic terror attack in Bondi Beach, Australia, placing it within the broader context of a rising tide of antisemitism around the globe. Sherman reiterated that combating antisemitism has been a central focus of his career and stressed the importance of strong international cooperation and moral clarity in confronting antisemitism, hate and political violence wherever and whenever it occurs.\n\nThroughout the event, Sherman answered questions and addressed concerns about the continued and aggressive ICE deportation raids, rising prices, threats to Medicare and Social Security, and the broader direction of the country under the Trump administration. He reiterated his commitment to holding the administration accountable and continuing to fight for working families across our communities.\n\nThe Town Hall also featured California Assemblymember Nick Schultz as a special guest. Schultz discussed priorities in the State Legislature, including efforts to address affordability, protect access to health care, and ensure coordination between state and federal leaders to support communities during a period of economic and political uncertainty.\n\nDuring the Town Hall, Sherman requested input from residents by asking a series of survey questions about their thoughts and concerns.\n\nThe results of the survey questions are as follows:\n\n1) Thinking about your financial situation one year ago, would you say that you and your family are better off or worse off financially TODAY than you were one year ago?\n\n-Better Off: 10%\n\n-Same: 29%\n\n-Worse Off: 58%\n\n2) Do you support President Trump\u2019s unilateral, extrajudicial military strikes against allegedly gang-affiliated Venezuelan drug runners without the approval of Congress?\n\n-Yes: 7%\n\n-No: 91%\n\n-Unsure: 3%\n\n3) Should Congress pass a law requiring nationwide independent nonpartisan redistricting commissions as Prop 50 calls for?\n\n-Yes: 79%\n\n-No: 5%", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/court-rules-trump-vance-administration-cannot-block-members-of-congress-from-conducting-oversight-at-federal-immigration-detention-facilities", "Court Rules Trump-Vance Administration Cannot Block Members of Congress From Conducting Oversight at Federal Immigration Detention Facilities", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Norma J. Torres", "T000474", "torres.house.gov", "torres", "https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "The decision was made in the case brought forth by 12 Members of Congress in Neguse et al. v. U.S. ICE et al.\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Just now, a federal court temporarily stopped the Trump-Vance administration\u2019s policy blocking Members of Congress from unannounced oversight visits to federal immigration detention facilities today. The decision restores Congress\u2019s ability to conduct real-time oversight of how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain individuals \u2014 including U.S. citizens \u2014 and spend billions in taxpayer dollars, while the case continues.\n\nThe lawsuit, Neguse et al. v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement et al., was brought by a dozen members of the U.S. House of Representatives after the administration imposed a seven-day waiting period and barred access to certain field offices, in violation of a longstanding federal law that guarantees congressional oversight.\n\nThe plaintiffs include Rep. Norma Torres; Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse; Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat; Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bennie G. Thompson; Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jamie Raskin; House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Rep. Robert Garcia; House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Ranking Member Rep. J. Luis Correa; Rep. Jason Crow; Rep. Veronica Escobar; Rep. Dan Goldman; Rep. Jimmy Gomez; and Rep. Raul Ruiz.\n\nIn a joint statement, the plaintiffs said: \u201cToday\u2019s decision is a critical victory toward restoring our ability to conduct essential congressional oversight on behalf of the American people. It reinforces the rule of law and reminds the administration that oversight is not optional. Real-time, on-the-ground visits to immigration detention facilities help prevent abuses and ensure transparency. Oversight is a core responsibility of Members of Congress\u2014and a constitutional duty we do not take lightly. We\u2019ll continue standing up for the rule of law.\u201d\n\nThe Members of Congress are represented in this suit by Democracy Forward Foundation and American Oversight.\n\n\u201cThis ruling is a victory for the American people and their elected representatives,\u201d said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. \u201cThis decision makes clear that no president can hide the truth about how people are treated in federal immigration custody. We\u2019re honored to represent these individual Members of Congress in defending accountability, transparency, the rule of law, and human dignity.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s ruling is a clear victory for the rule of law and a clear affirmation that no administration is above it,\u201d said Chioma Chukwu, Executive Director of American Oversight. \u201cMembers of Congress have an unquestioned right to conduct real-time oversight of immigration detention facilities, and the American people have a right to know what is happening in their name. By blocking those visits, the administration wasn\u2019t simply breaking the law, it was trying to conceal the reality inside these facilities from the public: people in overcrowded, inhumane conditions without adequate beds, showers, or medical care. This order restores a critical check on executive power and sends a clear message that abuse cannot be hidden.\u201d\n\nWith this decision, the court reaffirms Members of Congress\u2019s right to access federal immigration detention facilities without prior notice \u2014 a safeguard meant to prevent abuse, protect human rights, and ensure that taxpayer funds are not used to support unlawful or inhumane practices. The ruling sends a strong message that oversight is essential to democracy and that no administration is above the law.\n\nHow did we get here?\n\nFederal law (Sec. 527, FY2024 DHS Appropriations Act) allows Members of Congress to visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sites where noncitizens are detained without prior notice. But increasingly, these representatives have been stopped at the door.\n\nIn response to questions about this, ICE officials announced a new policy requiring a seven-day waiting period and preventing entry to ICE field offices.\n\nOn July 30, a dozen individual Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sued the Trump-Vance administration, challenging the policy as an unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight.\n\nSubsequently, the plaintiffs sought a court order requiring DHS and its Secretary Kristi Noem, as well as ICE and its Acting Director Todd Lyons to comply with the federal law granting Members of Congress the right to visit immigration detention facilities without prior notice during the course of their lawsuit.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://tran.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-derek-tran-votes-preserve-congressional-authority-over-war", "Representative Derek Tran Votes to Preserve Congressional Authority Over War Powers", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Derek Tran", "T000491", "tran.house.gov", "tran", "https://tran.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) voted in favor of H.Con.Res 61 and H.Con.Res 64, two War Powers Resolutions asserting Congressional authority over declarations of war following the Trump Administration\u2019s unsanctioned strikes against alleged Venezuelan cartel vessels in the Caribbean Sea.\n\n\u201cAs a proud Army Veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, I voted in favor of War Powers Resolutions, H.Con.Res 61 and H.Con.Res 64, to ensure that any decision to go to war honors constitutional procedure. The power to declare war rests firmly with Congress, not the President or his unelected advisors in the Office of Legal Counsel,\u201d said Representative Tran. \u201cThe Trump Administration has repeatedly promised to end U.S. involvement in forever wars. In bypassing Congress to conduct military actions in the Caribbean Sea, the President is breaking that promise and abandoning the principles of war enshrined in our Constitution. I\u2019m committed to preserving the separation of powers and fighting for meaningful, humane policies that secure our borders and keep our communities safe.\u201d\n\nOn September 2, 2025, forgoing Congressional authorization, the Department of Defense carried out two strikes against a supposed Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea, during which survivors of an initial bombing were targeted and killed in a second strike that followed shortly after. The Administration has since ordered a total of 25 strikes without Congressional notification or approval, killing 95 individuals whose identities are largely unknown to the public. These unilateral military actions have been justified based on legal judgment from the Office of Legal Counsel, an entity whose authority is not recognized by the U.S. Constitution.\n\nH.Con.Res 61 and H.Con.Res 64 would require President Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities within 60 days of initial military action absent a declaration of war or statutory authorization from Congress. One 30-day extension is possible, but the 90-day period during which executive military action is justified has passed.\n\nServing his first term in Congress, Representative Tran was appointed to the powerful House Armed Services Committee, overseeing the Department of Defense. Following offensive U.S. military actions against Iran conducted without Congressional oversight, Tran cosponsored a Congressional war powers resolution reaffirming that Congress, not the executive branch, reserves the right to declare war. Tran serves as a co-chair of the House Democratic Caucus National Security Task Force, bringing together expertise in Congress to develop policy solutions to the most pressing national security challenges facing our country. Representative Tran enlisted in the Army Reserve at age 18 and served for eight years. He was activated for Operation Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom before earning an honorable discharge.\n\n###\n\nCongressman Derek Tran represents California\u2019s 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://youngkim.house.gov/2025/12/17/rep-young-kim-leads-bill-to-improve-care-for-young-onset-alzheimers-disease/", "Rep. Young Kim Leads Bill to Improve Care for Young-Onset Alzheimer\u2019s Disease", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Young Kim", "K000397", "youngkim.house.gov", "youngkim", "https://youngkim.house.gov/media/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the BRIDGE for Young-Onset Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Act of 2025 to expedite access to Medicare coverage for individuals battling young-onset Alzheimer\u2019s disease (YOAD).\n\nYOAD refers to any stage of dementia diagnosed before the age of 65. Nearly 1 in 1,000 Americans between ages 30 and 64 are affected, and the roughly 200,000 individuals living with Young-Onset Alzheimer\u2019s Disease face significant vulnerabilities\u2014particularly when government delays hinder timely access to care.\n\n\u201cA diagnosis of young-onset Alzheimer\u2019s is devastating enough \u2014 families shouldn\u2019t be forced to wait months for the care they need now,\u201d said Rep. Young Kim. \u201cThe BRIDGE for Young-Onset Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Act eliminates unnecessary bureaucratic delays so patients can access Medicare coverage immediately. This commonsense fix puts patients and families first when every moment matters.\u201d\n\n\u201cThese waiting periods have caused patients to suffer because they cannot access the care they need without the support of Social Security Disability Insurance to immediately access Medicare coverage,\u201d said Rep. Don Bacon. \u201cThis legislation will provide not only relief to those with Young Onset Alzheimer\u2019s Disease, but to their families and caregivers as well.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor people with young-onset Alzheimer\u2019s, any delay in care leaves families with less effective treatments as they face the cruel progression of this terrible disease,\u201d said Congressman Dan Goldman. \u201cThe arbitrary 29-month waiting period for benefits and health coverage is often an insurmountable barrier to quality care, which is unacceptable. I\u2019m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure timely access to care for people with young onset Alzheimer\u2019s.\u201d\n\n\u201cAlzheimer\u2019s does not wait, and neither should access to disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with younger-onset Alzheimer\u2019s. The bipartisan BRIDGE Act for Young-Onset Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Act of 2025 will make sure individuals with younger-onset Alzheimer\u2019s get timely access to care,\u201d said Robert Egge, Alzheimer\u2019s Association chief public policy officer and Alzheimer\u2019s Impact Movement (AIM) president. \u201cThis is a critical step toward meeting the needs of families living with this disease. We are grateful to the bipartisan leaders who introduced this bill and look forward to working together to advance it.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo one should be denied timely access to care simply because of their age,\u201d said Jim Taylor, CEO of Voices of Alzheimer\u2019s. \u201cThe BRIDGE for Young-Onset Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Act will ensure that individuals diagnosed before age 65 aren\u2019t left without coverage from the very moment early intervention could slow disease progression. We\u2019re deeply grateful to our congressional sponsors for championing this critical reform and standing with families racing against Alzheimer\u2019s.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation gives people like me and thousands of others the chance to access the treatments and care we desperately need when we need it,\u201d said Jennifer Puebla, Mission Viejo, CA resident and care partner to Kevin, 52, who is living with Young-Onset Alzheimer\u2019s Disease. \u201cCongress must act now to end this waiting period and put health and dignity first.\u201d\n\nThe BRIDGE for YOAD Act of 2025 reduces government delays and improves healthcare access for individuals with young-onset Alzheimer\u2019s disease by:\n\nAmending title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the waiting period for disability insurance benefits; and\n\nWaiving the 29-month waiting period for Medicare coverage\n\nThis legislation has been endorsed by the Voices of Alzheimer\u2019s, Alzheimer\u2019s Impact Movement, and the Alzheimer\u2019s Association.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://youngkim.house.gov/2025/12/17/rep-young-kim-votes-to-deliver-lower-health-care-premiums-for-all-americans/", "Rep. Young Kim Votes to Deliver Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Young Kim", "K000397", "youngkim.house.gov", "youngkim", "https://youngkim.house.gov/media/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2014 Today, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) released the following statement on her vote for the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act.\n\n\u201cWashington\u2019s one-size-fits-all health care system is broken, and hardworking families are paying the price,\u201d said Rep. Young Kim. \u201cAfter years of skyrocketing premiums and fewer choices under failed Democratic policies, Republicans are taking a proactive step to fix what isn\u2019t working. This legislation lowers premiums, increases transparency, and puts patients and families first.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Young Kim continued, \u201cSmall businesses are the backbone of our communities, yet too many have been squeezed out of affordable coverage. By expanding choice, cracking down on hidden costs, and empowering employers and workers, we can drive down prices and give families more control over their health care decisions.\u201d\n\nThe Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act works to reduce health insurance premiums, expand affordable coverage options for small businesses and workers, and increase transparency in prescription drug pricing. Rep. Kim supported the legislation as part of House Republicans\u2019 broader effort to address rising health care costs and deliver real affordability for Southern California families.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/court-sides-ruiz-and-colleagues-reinstates-real-time-oversight", "Court Sides With Ruiz and Colleagues, Reinstates Real-Time Oversight of Immigration Detention", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Raul Ruiz", "R000599", "ruiz.house.gov", "ruiz", "https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013The decision was made in the case brought forth by 12 Members of Congress in Neguse et al. v. U.S. ICE et al.\n\nJust now, a federal court temporarily stopped the Trump-Vance administration\u2019s policy blocking Members of Congress from unannounced oversight visits to federal immigration detention facilities. The decision restores Congress\u2019s ability to conduct real-time oversight of how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain individuals \u2014 including U.S. citizens \u2014 and spend billions in taxpayer dollars, while the case continues.\n\nThe lawsuit, Neguse et al. v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement et al., was brought by a dozen members of the U.S. House of Representatives after the administration imposed a seven-day waiting period and barred access to certain field offices, in violation of a longstanding federal law that guarantees congressional oversight.\n\nThe plaintiffs include Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse; Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat; Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bennie G. Thompson; Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jamie Raskin; House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Rep. Robert Garcia; House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Ranking Member Rep. J. Luis Correa; Rep. Jason Crow; Rep. Veronica Escobar; Rep. Dan Goldman; Rep. Jimmy Gomez; Rep. Raul Ruiz; and Rep. Norma Torres.\n\nIn a joint statement, the plaintiffs said: \u201cToday\u2019s decision is a critical victory toward restoring our ability to conduct essential congressional oversight on behalf of the American people. It reinforces the rule of law and reminds the administration that oversight is not optional. Real-time, on-the-ground visits to immigration detention facilities help prevent abuses and ensure transparency. Oversight is a core responsibility of Members of Congress\u2014and a constitutional duty we do not take lightly. We\u2019ll continue standing up for the rule of law.\u201d\n\nThe Members of Congress are represented in this suit by Democracy Forward Foundation and American Oversight.\n\n\u201cThis ruling is a victory for the American people and their elected representatives,\u201d said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. \u201cThis decision makes clear that no president can hide the truth about how people are treated in federal immigration custody. We\u2019re honored to represent these individual Members of Congress in defending accountability, transparency, the rule of law, and human dignity.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s ruling is a clear victory for the rule of law and a clear affirmation that no administration is above it,\u201d said Chioma Chukwu, Executive Director of American Oversight. \u201cMembers of Congress have an unquestioned right to conduct real-time oversight of immigration detention facilities, and the American people have a right to know what is happening in their name. By blocking those visits, the administration wasn\u2019t simply breaking the law, it was trying to conceal the reality inside these facilities from the public: people in overcrowded, inhumane conditions without adequate beds, showers, or medical care. This order restores a critical check on executive power and sends a clear message that abuse cannot be hidden.\u201d\n\nWith this decision, the court reaffirms Members of Congress\u2019s right to access federal immigration detention facilities without prior notice \u2014 a safeguard meant to prevent abuse, protect human rights, and ensure that taxpayer funds are not used to support unlawful or inhumane practices. The ruling sends a strong message that oversight is essential to democracy and that no administration is above the law.\n\nHow did we get here?\n\nFederal law (Sec. 527, FY2024 DHS Appropriations Act) allows Members of Congress to visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sites where noncitizens are detained without prior notice. But increasingly, these representatives have been stopped at the door.\n\nIn response to questions about this, ICE officials announced a new policy requiring a seven-day waiting period and preventing entry to ICE field offices.\n\nOn July 30, a dozen individual Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sued the Trump-Vance administration, challenging the policy as an unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight.\n\nSubsequently, the plaintiffs sought a court order requiring DHS and its Secretary Kristi Noem, as well as ICE and its Acting Director Todd Lyons to comply with the federal law granting Members of Congress the right to visit immigration detention facilities without prior notice during the course of their lawsuit.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:39Z"], ["https://bera.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-bera-moves-to-force-vote-on-congressional-stock-trading-ban", "Rep. Bera Moves to Force Vote on Congressional Stock Trading Ban", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ami Bera", "B001287", "bera.house.gov", "bera", "https://bera.house.gov/news", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) released a statement after signing Representative Anna Paulina Luna\u2019s (FL-13) discharge petition to force a vote on the Restore Trust in Congress Act, bipartisan legislation Rep. Bera co-sponsored in September that bans Members of Congress and their spouses and dependent children from trading and owning individual stocks:\n\n\u201cPublic service is a public trust. Members of Congress should not profit from their positions or trade on information we may receive as part of our official duties. I signed this discharge petition to force an up-or-down vote on a stock trading ban and restore confidence in our government. I urge Speaker Johnson to bring this bill to the floor for a vote.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-chu-and-schrier-lead-over-100-members-requesting-gao-study-rfk-jrs", "Reps. Chu and Schrier Lead Over 100 Members Requesting GAO Study on RFK Jr.\u2019s Rollback of Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendation", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Judy Chu", "C001080", "chu.house.gov", "chu", "https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Letter responds to RFK Jr.\u2019s CDC panel\u2019s vote to drop the longstanding recommendation for the universal administration of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) led 108 of their Democratic colleagues in a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting that it conduct a comprehensive study on the public-health, economic, and equity impacts of eliminating the universal hepatitis B birth-dose recommendation.\n\nThis comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), appointed by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, voted 8-3 to eliminate the long-standing recommendation.\n\n\u201cFor more than three decades, the universal birth-dose has been one of the most effective public-health interventions in the United States. Since its adoption in 1991, annual childhood hepatitis B infections have declined by more than 99 percent\u2026The vote to abandon this universal standard raises profound concerns about the health and safety of newborns nationwide,\u201d said the Members.\n\nThey continued: \u201cThese concerns are especially acute for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, who comprise only seven percent of the U.S. population yet account for approximately sixty percent of chronic hepatitis B cases.\u201d\n\nThe letter requests that GAO\u2019s study evaluate projected public-health impacts of increased infant infections, including long-term liver disease and cancer; assess equity impacts, especially for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities; analyze the economic and health-system effects, including downstream Medicaid and Medicare costs; and evaluate ACIP\u2019s evidence and decision-making process.\n\nThe Members concluded: \u201cGiven the magnitude of this policy shift and the risks it poses to public health, a thorough GAO review is essential to ensure transparency, safeguard scientific integrity, and inform Congress as CDC leadership considers whether to implement the ACIP recommendation.\u201d\n\nThe full letter is available here.\n\nThe letter is signed by 108 Members: Reps. Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Nanette Barrag\u00e1n (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Troy Carter (LA-02), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Herbert Conaway (NJ-03), Angie Craig (MN-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny Davis (IL-07), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jes\u00fas Garc\u00eda (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), John Larson (CT-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), John Mannion (NY-22), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Lucy McBath (GA-07), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda S\u00e1nchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Thomas Suozzi (NY-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez (NY-07), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).\n\nThe letter is endorsed by 20 organizations: the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), Hepatitis B Foundation, National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, The Pride Center at Equality Park, Justice in Aging, Protect Our Care, Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO), Doctors for America, American College of Nurse-Midwives, Families USA, Equality California. National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces, National Hispanic Medical Association, American Kidney Fund, Trust for America's Health, Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy and Leadership (APPEAL) Infectious Diseases Society of America\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-garamendi-california-dems-condemn-trumps-plan-pump-water-out-delta", "Rep. Garamendi & California Dems Condemn Trump\u2019s Plan to Pump Water Out of the Delta", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", "garamendi", "https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Today, Representative John Garamendi (CA-08) led Representatives Ami Bera (CA-06), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Josh Harder (CA-09), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Doris Matsui (CA-07), and Mike Thompson (CA-04) in condemning Acting Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Scott Cameron\u2019s plan to siphon additional water out of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.\n\n\u201cI have fought my entire career to defend the Sacramento\u2013San Joaquin Delta,\u201d said Rep. Garamendi. \u201cInstead of implementing science-backed methods that safeguard our water supply, Reclamation\u2019s plan prioritizes partisan politics over California\u2019s communities and farmers. Pumping even more water out of the Delta in the middle of worsening droughts isn\u2019t just reckless\u2014it threatens the livelihoods of the people who live and work here, undermines the region\u2019s fragile ecosystems, and jeopardizes the long-term health of our state\u2019s water infrastructure. Californians deserve better than political stunts masquerading as water policy.\u201d\n\nIn the letter, the Representatives detailed how Reclamation\u2019s proposal would endanger California\u2019s water supply, disrupt coordinated operations between state and federal agencies, and weaken environmental protections across the region.\n\n\u201cManagement of California\u2019s water supply must not choose between winners and losers. All Californians and the vibrant communities that call the Delta home deserve a water supply plan that priorities solutions over partisan games,\u201d said the Representatives. \u201cUnfortunately, rather than striking a fair balance between Californians, farmers, and wildlife, Action 5 could cause irreparable harm to Delta communities and ecosystems.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Delta Counties Coalition appreciates the delegation\u2019s efforts to ensure that changes to federal water project operations in the Delta are thoroughly reviewed and coordinated. Our Coalition continues to support efforts to provide reliable water supplies to Californians while also protecting Delta communities and the Delta ecosystem.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-garamendi-sen-warren-press-energy-secretary-mismanagement-and-taxpayer", "Rep Garamendi, Sen Warren Press Energy Secretary on Mismanagement and Taxpayer Waste in Plutonium Pit Production Program", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "John Garamendi", "G000559", "garamendi.house.gov", "garamendi", "https://garamendi.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 In a new letter, Representative John Garamendi (CA-08) and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), both members of their respective Armed Services Committees and of the Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, are urging Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright to seriously review the scope of and the need for the plutonium pit production program, and pause the program\u2019s Savannah River site until the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has established guardrails to prevent additional waste of taxpayer funds.\n\nIn August, the Department of Energy (DOE) launched a special study into NSSA\u2019s leadership and management of the plutonium pit production mission. The lawmakers believe that, if properly conducted, the study will find that years of mismanagement have put billions of taxpayer dollars at risk with an unrealistic pit production schedule and goals.\n\nFor years I have called for Congress to take action to fix the failing plutonium modernization effort. Congress has continued to pour billions of dollars into efforts to restart production with arbitrary targets,\" said Congressman Garamendi. \"This letter cuts to the core of the matter and asks necessary questions of NNSA, including about the questionable management and faulty assumptions underlying the program. I eagerly await their response, along with the results of the Department of Energy\u2019s 120-day special investigation.\u201d\n\nThe Trump administration is blindly spending tens of billions of dollars to produce plutonium pits for nuclear weapons without a real budget or plan,\u201d said Senator Warren. \u201cThis program is already years behind schedule and over budget, Congressman Garamendi and I are urging the Secretary of Energy to conduct a vigorous review to rein in years of waste and mismanagement.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers raise concerns about how, years into this program, it is still unclear what the pit production program\u2019s schedule and full cost will be. The Government Accountability Office recommended NNSA create a master schedule to comply with its best practices, but the agency has yet to produce one. Additionally, the lawmakers call out the continued pursuit of the Savannah River pit production site as a big driver of the pit production program\u2019s ballooning cost, even as the site\u2019s benefits remain questionable. They argue that without a comprehensive plan and budget for this massive undertaking, the agency is setting itself up for failure.\n\nThe lawmakers pressed for answers by January 9, 2025, about the DOE\u2019s special study on the program, the budget and timeline of the program, and the necessity of new plutonium pits for the United States\u2019 nuclear deterrence.\n\nYou can read the full letter HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://matsui.house.gov/media/press-releases/matsui-warren-and-colleagues-push-fcc-doj-closely-scrutinize-nexstars", "MATSUI, WARREN AND COLLEAGUES PUSH FCC, DOJ TO CLOSELY SCRUTINIZE NEXSTAR\u2019S ACQUISITION OF TEGNA, WHICH WOULD CREATE MEDIA GIANT REACHING 80% OF US TV HOUSEHOLDS", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Doris O. Matsui", "M001163", "matsui.house.gov", "matsui", "https://matsui.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Representatives Summer Lee (D-PA) and Maxwell Frost (D-FL), wrote to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr and Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Department of Justice (DOJ), urging them to closely scrutinize Nexstar Media Group, Inc.\u2019s (\u201cNexstar\u201d) proposed acquisition of Tegna Inc. (\u201cTegna\u201d) and to block this deal if they determine that it violates federal telecommunications or antitrust laws.\n\nThe letter comes amid heightened attention to concerns about media consolidation, with lawmakers already sounding the alarm about large-scale media mergers, including the potential sale of Warner Bros. to Netflix or Paramount Skydance.\n\n\u201cRegulatory approval of the conglomerate would likely raise prices for consumers, accelerate job losses, and weaken the independence and news coverage of local TV stations,\u201d wrote the lawmakers.\n\nIn August, Nexstar announced its intention to purchase competitor Tegna in a $6.2 billion deal. Nexstar is the largest owner of local broadcast television stations in the United States, controlling 201 stations and serving more than a third of local TV households nationally. Tegna owns 64 TV stations in 51 markets. A merger between Nexstar and Tegna would create a broadcast media giant reaching 80% of U.S. TV households. Currently, federal communications law prohibits an entity from owning TV stations that reach more than 39% of all U.S. TV households. If this deal is allowed, the new merged company would surpass that threshold.\n\nIn Sacramento, Nexstar currently owns Fox40, while Tegna owns ABC10. A merger would mean that two of the four English language local TV news stations would be controlled by Nexstar.\n\n\u201cThe company\u2019s proposed acquisition of Tegna is presumptively illegal because it would allow Nexstar to exceed national caps on station ownership, creating a media giant that would far outstrip its competitors,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cThe FCC should abandon its attempt to circumvent Congress to change broadcast ownership rules, and should refrain from issuing a waiver to give Nexstar and Tegna permission to disregard the cap.\u201d\n\nAs a TV market industry expert explains, \u201cownership rules were designed to ensure local voices and limit concentration. Broadcasters were expected to serve their communities because the airwaves are publicly owned.\u201d\n\nAlready, the circumstances around regulatory approvals, potentially including this deal, have been politicized. One month after Nexstar announced its intention to acquire Tegna, FCC Chairman Carr said, with regard to Jimmy Kimmel Live!, that media companies \u201ccan find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.\u201d He added, \u201c[w]e can do this the easy way or the hard way.\u201d Hours later, Nexstar preempted the distribution of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and only returned the show to the airwaves after public pressure.\n\nFor this reason, the lawmakers are pushing for a government process that clearly and transparently enforces laws that protect consumers, free from political influence or backroom deals. Notably, the public is feeling the stakes of media mergers more acutely as this is happening at the same time as the Warner Bros. bidding war, which has garnered a tremendous amount of attention.\n\n\u201cThe industry\u2019s attempt to boost profits for executives through consolidation ultimately comes at the expense of viewers across the country and independent, local TV journalism,\u201d concluded the lawmakers. \u201cWe urge the FCC to carefully review the deal, including by holding public hearings, and block it if Nexstar cannot affirmatively prove that the deal will benefit the public, not just its shareholders.\u201d\n\nThe full letter is available HERE.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/thompson-releases-statement-johnsons-refusal-protect-americans-health-care", "THOMPSON RELEASES STATEMENT ON JOHNSON\u2019S REFUSAL TO PROTECT AMERICANS\u2019 HEALTH CARE", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Mike Thompson", "T000460", "mikethompson.house.gov", "mikethompson", "https://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington \u2013 Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) released the following statement today in response to Speaker Johnson\u2019s announcement that he will not hold a vote to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits that 24 million Americans use to afford health care. Without renewal, these tax credits will expire at the end of the year and families will pay double for their health insurance premiums in 2026:\n\n\u201cAcross our country, American families are being squeezed by higher grocery prices, utility bills, and even soaring costs for holiday gifts. Now, Speaker Johnson has announced he\u2019s delivering the policy equivalent of a sack of coal for Christmas. Republican leadership\u2019s refusal to work across the aisle to extend these credits means millions of families will pay double for their health care premiums next year. This isn\u2019t just bad policy. It\u2019s cruel. The American people deserve better.\n\n\u201cIf only four Republicans joined Democrats, we would have the support needed to force a vote and pass through the House of Representatives a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premium tax credits.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://min.house.gov/media/press-releases/new-rep-dave-min-and-sen-adam-schiff-lead-10-colleagues-doj-probe", "NEW: Rep. Dave Min and Sen. Adam Schiff Lead 10 Colleagues in DOJ Probe", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Dave Min", "M001241", "min.house.gov", "min", "https://min.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Representative Dave Min (CA-47), Member of the House Oversight Committee and Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus\u2019s Fighting Corruption Taskforce, along with Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, led 10 of their Democratic colleagues in demanding answers from the DOJ on a \u201ctroubling pattern\u201d of repeated intervention or dismissals of cases involving Attorney General Pam Bondi\u2019s brother, Brad Bondi, as first reported by Punchbowl News. The letter outlines what appears to be a concerted effort by the Justice Department to favor clients of Brad Bondi and circumvent the rule of law.\n\n\u201cWe write to express serious concerns about a troubling pattern at the Department of Justice (\u201cDOJ\u201d or the \u201cDepartment\u201d): repeated interventions or dismissals in cases involving Mr. Bradley (\u201cBrad\u201d) Bondi\u2014Attorney General Pam Bondi\u2019s brother\u2014that consistently favor his clients,\u201d wrote Rep. Min and Sen. Schiff. \u201cThese concerns are further heightened by the administration\u2019s removal in March 2025 of DOJ\u2019s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) Director Jeffrey Ragsdale, who served as the Department\u2019s senior official responsible for reviewing allegations of professional misconduct. Such a leadership change, particularly during a period in which the Department has taken several unusual actions that appear to benefit Mr. Bondi, underscores the importance of ensuring that DOJ\u2019s internal accountability mechanisms remain fully independent and active.\u201d\n\nThey concluded, \u201cViewed collectively, these actions raise significant broader ethical concerns. The repetition and timing of these interventions suggest coordinated decision-making rather than routine prosecutorial discretion. Such departures from standard DOJ practice\u2014including those required by the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) and incorporated by reference in DOJ Justice Manual\u2014raise serious questions about whether impartiality has been compromised and whether internal safeguards are being bypassed.\u201d\n\nSenators Van Hollen (D-Md.) Hirono (D-HI), and Blumenthal (D-CT) and Representatives Johnson (GA-04), Horsford (NV-04), Ansari (AZ-03), Goldman (NY-10), Tlaib (MI-12), Norton (D-DC), and Subramanyam (VA-10) joined Min and Schiff in signing the letter.\n\nRep. Min, a former SEC Enforcement Attorney and member of the House Oversight Committee, is committed to calling out corruption and holding the lawlessness of the Trump administration in check. This letter is a continuation of his efforts as Chair of the Fighting Corruption Task Force to demand accountability in government and uphold the rule of law.\n\nThe Members pressed the DOJ for answers by January 2, 2026.\n\nRead the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://rivas.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-luz-rivas-statement-antisemitic-attack-australia", "Congresswoman Luz Rivas\u2019 Statement on Antisemitic Attack in Australia", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Luz M. Rivas", "R000620", "rivas.house.gov", "rivas", "https://rivas.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) released the following statement on the antisemitic attack in Australia:\n\n\u201cOn a night meant for celebration, the Jewish community was targeted by an extreme antisemitic attack in Australia. My condolences go out to the families and victims of these attacks and hope that those wounded have a full recovery. Antisemitism \u2013 whether in Australia, the United States, or elsewhere \u2013 has no place in our communities. As Jewish families continue to gather to celebrate Hanukkah, I join leaders from across the globe in standing with the Jewish community and condemning antisemitism, bigotry, and hatred.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://tran.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-derek-tran-releases-statement-hr-4371", "Representative Derek Tran Releases Statement on H.R. 4371", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Derek Tran", "T000491", "tran.house.gov", "tran", "https://tran.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) issued the following statement regarding his vote against H.R. 4371, the Kayla Hamilton Act:\n\n\u201cWhat happened to Kayla Hamilton was horrific, and my heart is with her loved ones, still reeling from her devastating death. Her family and loved ones deserve closure and justice for the horrible tragedy they\u2019ve had to endure,\u201d said Representative Tran. \u201cWhile I strongly believe that anyone who commits violent crimes deserves to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, this bill falls drastically short of this goal and will instead have a harmful impact on the reunification of vulnerable children with their families, especially those who seek asylum because they have fled violent conditions. Our immigration laws should not only seek to prevent violent criminals from crossing our borders, but they should also reflect our fundamental humanitarian values to treat families with dignity. There is no doubt that our immigration system is broken, and American families deserve no less than a thoughtful approach to how we begin to fix it. That is why I will continue to work with colleagues across the aisle to pass commonsense and comprehensive immigration reform that keeps every family safe.\u201d\n\nH.R. 4371 was introduced in response to the rape and murder of 19-year-old Kayla Hamilton by a 16-year-old Salvadoran national who entered the United States as an unaccompanied alien child (UAC). The Kayla Hamilton Act would:\n\nRequire that children over the age of 12 be examined for gang tattoos and criminal affiliation, potentially targeting those fleeing gang indoctrination in their country of origin;\n\nEliminate lawful asylum seekers and H-1B visa holders as sponsors for UACs, keeping children whose parents have sought asylum separated from their families or keep children in HHS custody if they do not have a sponsor who is a U.S. citizen or green card holder; and\n\nRequire HHS to report to DHS the immigration status of every person who lives in an unaccompanied child\u2019s sponsor\u2019s house, devoting law enforcement\u2019s resources to tracking law-abiding families instead of holding violent criminals accountable.\n\nRepresentative Tran is committed to common-sense, bipartisan immigration reform. Tran voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act, which holds violent criminals accountable for assaulting law enforcement officers. On June 12, 2025, Representative Tran, alongside Representatives Gil Cisneros (CA-31) and George Whitesides (CA-27), sent a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding answers regarding the deployment of armed forces to Los Angeles. During a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing, Tran pressed Secretary Hegseth on the militarized response to domestic protests and lack of coordination with state and local law enforcement to keep community members safe. Tran is also a cosponsor of H.R. 3172, the ICE Visibility Act, and H.R. 4176, the No Secret Police Act, which both aim to increase transparency by restricting the use of face coverings and requiring officers to display clear identification of their agency when conducting immigration enforcement operations.\n\n###\n\nCongressman Derek Tran represents California\u2019s 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-raul-ruiz-congresswoman-nanette-barragan-and-congressman", "Congressman Raul Ruiz, Congresswoman Nanette Barrag\u00e1n, and Congressman Troy Carter Call on EPA to Uphold Strong Air Quality Standards", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Raul Ruiz", "R000599", "ruiz.house.gov", "ruiz", "https://ruiz.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, Congresswoman Nanette Barrag\u00e1n, and Congressman Troy Carter sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the Agency to keep the current fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air quality standards in place. The letter calls on the EPA to abandon any efforts, judicial or administrative, to roll back the PM2.5 standards and to safeguard the health of millions of Americans, particularly in overburdened and environmental justice communities.\n\nPM2.5, also known as soot, causes serious health problems and tens of thousands of premature deaths each year, especially harming children, seniors, and vulnerable communities.\n\n\u201cMaintaining strong, science-based air quality protections is one of the most effective tools we have to safeguard the public\u2019s health,\u201d said Congressman Raul Ruiz. \u201cSafe air is not a partisan issue, it is a basic right. We urge EPA to uphold these standards so all communities, including our most vulnerable, can breathe clean air.\u201d\n\n\u201cClean and breathable air is essential to Americans\u2019 lives and health,\u201d said Congresswoman Barrag\u00e1n. \u201cStrong National Ambient Air Quality Standards keep the amount of pollutants in the air down so that Americans can continue to live in healthy environments. But Trump and Zeldin want to weaken these standards \u2014 and put the lungs of Americans across the country at risk and further harm the communities that are already experiencing the consequences of exposure to polluted air. To preserve our air quality, and the health and lives of our communities, we must stop Trump and Zeldin from their selfish plan to lower air quality standards for their corporate friends.\u201d\n\n\"Clean air is a matter of life and death, especially for communities in my district that have been overburdened by pollution for far too long. Rolling back the PM2.5 standards would be a direct attack on public health and environmental justice. The science is clear: stronger soot protections save lives, reduce hospitalizations, and protect our children and seniors. I urge the EPA to do its job, follow the science, and uphold these vital standards so every American\u2014regardless of ZIP code\u2014can breathe clean, healthy air,\" said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).\n\nThe letter is supported by Earthjustice Action, EcoMadres, Moms Clean Air Force, Climate Action Campaign, WE ACT for Environmental Justice; League of Conservation Voters, and, GreenLatinos:\n\n\u201cWhen the Trump Administration\u2019s EPA abandoned its defense of federal protections against soot pollution, it sent a clear message that it values corporate interests far above the health and safety of hardworking families and vulnerable communities,\u201d said Earthjustice Action Senior Legislative Representative Liz Ruben. \u201cIn service of Trump\u2019s deregulatory fever dream, his EPA has once again disregarded scientific evidence, tossed aside community concerns, and turned its back on the possibility of a brighter, healthier future for those who have long faced the disparate impacts of pollution. We thank Representatives Ruiz, Barragan, and Carter for their leadership on this issue and join them in demanding EPA Administrator Zeldin uphold the existing science- and health-based soot pollution standards.\u201d\n\n\u201cSoot is a killer. It\u2019s outrageous that Lee Zeldin\u2019s EPA has moved to abandon protecting people from this incredibly dangerous pollutant. Soot\u2014a.k.a. particle pollution\u2014is a major contributor to chronic diseases like asthma, heart disease, and cancers. It also raises the risk of premature births and low birth weight, putting babies in danger of long-term health harms. This is exactly the opposite of making America healthy, and families and communities around the country will pay the price.\u201d \u2014 Dominique Browning, Director and Co-founder, Moms Clean Air Force\n\n\u201cSoot is making our communities sick, with Latino families often bearing the heaviest burden. It\u2019s unacceptable for EPA to back away from protections against this deadly pollutant. Particle pollution triggers asthma, heart disease, cancer, and even premature births. As a mom, I refuse to accept dirty air as our children\u2019s future. EcoMadres will keep fighting to protect our kids and demand the clean air every family deserves.\u201d \u2014 Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker, Director of EcoMadres\n\n\"We know that communities of color and low-wealth neighborhoods already face higher exposure to tailpipe pollution such as PM2.5, which drives higher rates of asthma, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses for Latinos, who also have greater barriers to access to healthcare. We thank Congressmen Ruiz and Congresswoman Barragan for standing up for our communities by urging the EPA to maintain the current fine particulate matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). \u2014 Juan Roberto Madrid, GreenLatinos Sustainable Communities Program Manager\n\n\u201cThank you, Representatives Ruiz, Barrag\u00e1n, Carter and all the letter signers for urging the EPA not to reconsider its 2024 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Particulate matter causes and exacerbates respiratory conditions and cardiovascular disease, and can lead to premature death, especially for vulnerable communities like children, the elderly and communities overburdened by pollution. We join these members of Congress in calling on the Trump EPA and Administrator Zeldin to stop sacrificing our health and our lives in favor of polluter profits\u201d \u2014 Lizzy Duncan, Government Affairs Advocate, Healthy Communities, League of Conservation Voters\n\n\u201cThe EPA continues to double down on a deregulatory agenda that harms everyone, but especially environmental justice communities. Soot pollution places a heavy burden on our communities. African Americans are nearly three times more likely to be hospitalized or die from asthma than their white counterparts while about 19 million low-income and 80 million people of color live in places with failing grades for soot and smog pollution. Yet, the EPA\u2019s own data shows that the current standard saves lives, prevents asthma attacks, reduces ER visits, and cuts costs. After 55 years, the Agency must live up to its mandate under the Clean Air Act and protect our health, our communities, and our right to clean air. Until it does, we will keep fighting for the dignity and justice every community deserves.\u201d \u2014 Anastasia Gordon, Director of Federal Policy at WE ACT for Environmental Justice\n\n\u201cThe Trump EPA\u2019s decision to abandon protections against soot pollution \u2013 one of the deadliest air contaminants \u2013 is utterly outrageous, gravely dangerous, and scientifically indefensible,\" said Margie Alt, director of the Climate Action Campaign. \"We're grateful for the leaders in Congress who are standing against this attack and we echo their call for EPA to get back to the important work of protecting public health.\"\n\nBackground on the PM2.5 standard:\n\nThe 2024 PM2.5 standard, strengthened from 12 \u00b5g/m\u00b3 to 9 \u00b5g/m\u00b3, is backed by extensive scientific review and is projected to prevent thousands of premature deaths, reduce hospitalizations, and provide $46 billion in annual economic benefits by 2032. Rolling back these standards would endanger public health, reverse decades of progress, and disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, including those already struggling with high rates of asthma and other respiratory conditions.", 1, "2026-06-26T06:29:35Z", "2026-06-26T06:31:46Z"], ["https://issa.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-issa-hudson-reintroduce-hero-act-service-member-victims", "Representatives Issa, Hudson Reintroduce HERO Act for Service Member Victims of Medical Malpractice", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Darrell Issa", "I000056", "issa.house.gov", "issa", "https://issa.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014 Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) today was joined by House colleague Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09) to reintroduce H.R. 6730, The \"HERO Act\" (Health Equality and Rights for Our Heroes Act), which will grant service members who are victims of medical malpractice in a DOD medical treatment facility the right to take their claim to District Court.\n\n\u201cThe HERO Act is about more than opening an avenue to the courts. It\u2019s about recognizing that service members who are victimized by medical malpractice in a DOD facility are deserving of the opportunities to pursue the kind of justice that is currently denied to them,\u201d said Rep. Issa. \u201cCongress has previously worked to correct this obvious wrong within our system, but it isn\u2019t fixed yet. This time, we\u2019re going to set this right.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe law that gave hope to my friend Rich Stayskal and so many military families has been tied up and watered down by bureaucracy,\u201d said Rep. Hudson. \u201cIf preventable medical harm at a military hospital costs a service-member their health or their life, they should have the same right as any other American to take their case to court. The HERO Act makes that clear in federal law so our heroes and their families can finally seek full and fair compensation.\u201d\n\n\"As Americans, we have the right to seek justice if you're a victim of medical malpractice, a right that is currently not extended to active duty servicemembers who are victims of medical malpractice at DoD facilities,\" said Rep. Panetta. \"The HERO Act ensures no servicemember falls between the cracks and cuts through bureaucratic red tape to give our active-duty servicemembers a fair shot at justice if they ever fall victim to medical malpractice. This bill allows us to continue our vigilance in providing proper care and service for the military men and women who serve us.\"", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:39Z"], ["https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/house-floor-remarks-hr-4371-kayla-hamilton-legislation", "House Floor Remarks: H.R. 4371 \u2013 Kayla Hamilton Legislation", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Tom McClintock", "M001177", "mcclintock.house.gov", "mcclintock", "https://mcclintock.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Tom McClintock (CA-05) today delivered remarks during House floor debate in support of H.R. 4371 (Fry). Rep. McClintock is a member of the House Judiciary Committee where he serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement.\n\nExcerpt: During the four years of the Democrats' open border nightmare, some half million unvetted, unaccompanied minors were trafficked into our country by our own government and left with poorly vetted or unvetted sponsors. The government lost track of 150,000 of them. This is a dark chapter in our history that must always be remembered and never be repeated.\n\nClick below to view complete remarks:\n\nRemarks as delivered:\n\nDuring the four years of the Democrat's open border nightmare, some half million unvetted, unaccompanied minors were trafficked into our country by our own government and left with poorly vetted or unvetted sponsors. The government lost track of 150,000 of them. This is a dark chapter in our history that must always be remembered and never be repeated.\n\nSo far, despite the vicious and sometimes violent opposition of the Democrats and their ANTIFA auxiliary, the Trump administration has now rescued 62,000 of these children who had fallen into the underworld of illegal sex and labor trafficking.\n\nBut many of these unaccompanied alien children weren't children at all. Some were gang members or adults pretending to be minors, or both. And since the Biden administration's priority was to traffic as many as possible into our country, they didn't care to check. Biden's HHS secretary compared the processing to an assembly line, and he threatened to fire anyone who slowed it down to ask embarrassing questions like, \"Is this person with gang tattoos a member of a gang? Are they even a child?\"\n\nThis bill is named after Kayla Hamilton. She paid the ultimate price for the Democrats' open borders. She was found in her own bedroom, raped, tied up and then strangled with a phone cord. Her murder was recorded on her boyfriend's voice mail when she desperately called him for help. Kayla was just 20 years old.\n\nShe was murdered by a 17-year-old MS 13 gang member who Biden's administration welcomed into our country. Police investigating her murder noticed that her assailant had gang tattoos and one call to El Salvadorian authorities confirmed he was a known MS 13 gang member \u2013 something that federal officials never bothered to ask as they recklessly placed him in Kayla's neighborhood.\n\nThe Trump administration has stopped this madness thank God, and ICE is now trying to locate every gang member that the Democrats allowed into our country to prevent future atrocities. And ICE is being blocked every step of the way by the Democrats and the violent street mobs that they have incited and encouraged.\n\nBut what if another Democrat becomes President? Their leaders all backed these policies. And that's where this bill is so desperately needed: Not for future presidents like Trump, pledged and determined and to uphold our immigration laws, but for future Democrats who are pledged to undermine or ignore them.\n\nIf this bill had been law, Biden would have been powerless to unleash these horrors upon our people. This bill requires every unaccompanied alien child to be fully vetted and detained if they are suspected to be criminals or gang members. It also requires every sponsor to be similarly vetted, to prevent the rampant child abuse and trafficking that was aided and abetted by the Biden administration with the support of the Democrats in this Congress.\n\nThis must never happen again. This bill assures that whoever is President, it cannot happen again.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:31:39Z"], ["https://barragan.house.gov/2025/12/15/law360-fcc-moves-forward-on-multilingual-wireless-alerts/", "Law360: FCC Moves Forward On Multilingual Wireless Alerts", "2025-12-15", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n", "B001300", "barragan.house.gov", "barragan", "https://barragan.house.gov/news", "scraper", "By Christopher Cole \u2013 12/15/2025\n\nLaw360 (December 15, 2025, 7:22 PM EST) \u2014 The Federal Communications Commission will soon make effective a rule rolling out multilingual alert templates for cellphones during public emergencies following pressure from Democrats on Capitol Hill over alleged delays in the effort.\n\nAmid questions about the technical feasibility of using a variety of language templates in wireless emergency alerts, the agency published a late Biden-era rule updating the alerts in the Dec. 10 Federal Register.\n\nDemocrats claimed this summer that the FCC was dragging its feet in publishing the language templates even though it had been approved by the agency in January.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased to see the FCC take this important first step toward ensuring that immigrants, tourists and other non-English speakers have the information they need to stay safe during emergency situations,\u201d Rep. Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n, D-Calif., said in a statement Monday. \u201cLives are on the line, and I\u2019ll be watching closely to ensure that the FCC and mobile service providers follow through and work in good faith to implement this critical policy.\u201d\n\nThe FCC first agreed to the multilingual alerts rule in fall 2023, but an order in January created templates for use in wireless emergency alerts.\n\nWhen the templates had not been published months later, congressional Democrats decried how much time was going by without putting them into effect. Federal Register publication is a necessary formality to cement the rules into the regulatory code.\n\nAt the time, FCC officials said nothing should be construed as holding up the industry\u2019s provision of multilingual alerts as carriers send out warnings to the public about disasters and imminent dangers.\n\nIn fact, Carr told Barrag\u00e1n in a July response that as designed, the templates \u201cdo not and could not work today or for years to come \u2014 as the FCC itself has conceded.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor another, dozens of groups representing non-English speakers have made clear that the template approach would be \u2018counterproductive\u2019 and uncomprehensible to many non-English speakers,\u201d he said. \u201cPlowing ahead with an approach that does not work technically today and, even if it did work, would leave people without actionable information does not serve the public interest.\u201d\n\nThe FCC has also emphasized that nothing prevented mobile providers from sending out alerts in multiple languages, and that implying otherwise risked misleading alert originators.\n\nThis month\u2019s Federal Register notice sets a June 2028 effective date but reiterates an agency decision that \u201cthe multilingual templates we adopt today are optional for use by alerting authorities.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn the event an alert originator does not find it appropriate to use the template, they are not obligated to,\u201d the agency said.\n\nThe FCC did not immediately respond to a press inquiry Monday.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fong-bakersfield-californian-community-voices-californias-20th", "Congressman Fong in The Bakersfield Californian Community Voices: \"California\u2019s 20th District is essential to America\u2019s national security\"", "2025-12-15", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Vince Fong", "F000480", "fong.house.gov", "fong", "https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "BAKERSFIELD, Calif. \u2013 This weekend, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) published an op-ed in The Bakersfield Californian Community Voices: \u201cCalifornia\u2019s 20th District is essential to America\u2019s national security.\u201d\n\nRead the full text below:\n\n\u201cAt the Reagan National Defense Forum last weekend, I met with senior military, national security and homeland security leaders to assess the challenges facing our nation. Their message was unmistakable: America\u2019s edge in strength and innovation endures, and communities like ours are essential to sustaining it.\n\nOur region is home to irreplaceable military installations: NAS Lemoore is the Navy\u2019s premier strike-fighter base, hosting the F/A-18 and F-35 communities. China Lake drives weapons development and testing that maintain U.S. technological superiority. Edwards AFB, headquarters of the Air Force Test Center, leads cutting-edge research and tests that ensure America\u2019s decisive edge in the skies. The Fresno National Guard Base enables rapid-response homeland defense missions that protect millions of Americans every day.\n\nThese installations and their service members are the key to ensuring our Armed Forces can win against near-peer adversaries such as China.\n\nThe reality is that the threats we face today are more formidable than at any point in the last 20 years. To overcome them, we must strengthen our defense innovation ecosystem and give our warfighters every advantage on the battlefield.\n\nThat\u2019s why I voted for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this week in Congress.\n\nThis legislation is part of a generational investment in America\u2019s national defense, providing $900.6 billion for national defense programs this fiscal year to maintain our capable, lethal fighting force, deter our adversaries and protect our homeland.\n\nIt fundamentally reforms defense acquisition by eliminating burdensome red tape, authorizes a 3.8% pay increase for all service members, improves housing, education and access to childcare for military families, and accelerates innovation by prioritizing cutting-edge capabilities like hypersonics and autonomous technologies.\n\nWithin this legislation, I worked to secure authorization for nearly $98 million for projects at NAS Lemoore and NAWS China Lake in this bill, as well as critical assessments at Edwards AFB. In total, these provisions will provide advanced training facilities for Navy personnel to safely handle and load ordinance on Strike Fighter aircraft, pave the way for a new F-35 Aircraft Maintenance Hangar, and establish a new Child Development Center, replacing an outdated facility and providing Navy families with a safer, modern space to meet growing childcare needs. Our focus is to recruit and retain the best and brightest to answer the call to defend our country.\n\nAs a new member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I will continue working to strengthen our homeland security capabilities. The threats we face are real \u2014 from international criminal organizations to drug cartels that prey on the most vulnerable in our communities.\n\nA recent Homeland Security Committee hearing underscored a reality we cannot ignore: violence against law enforcement is rising. Reckless anti-police rhetoric and destructive policies \u2014 including those coming out of California \u2014 are driving officers away, undermining recruitment, and making our communities less safe.\n\nWe must stand firmly with the men and women who protect us, not tear them down. That is why ensuring our federal, state and local law enforcement have the resources and equipment they need is essential.\n\nWe must also confront Governor Newsom\u2019s energy crisis, which is undermining our military readiness, and protect California\u2019s 20th District\u2019s role as a strategic asset in our nation\u2019s defense.\n\nIt is an honor to represent a community that makes such vital contributions to America\u2019s security. I am committed to ensuring our men and women in uniform \u2014 and the families who serve alongside them \u2014 have the resources they need to carry out their mission and a quality-of-life worthy of their service and sacrifice.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://friedman.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-congresswoman-friedman-speaks-ahnas-5th-annual-hanukkah-celebration", "RELEASE: Congresswoman Friedman Speaks at AHNA\u2019s 5th Annual Hanukkah Celebration", "2025-12-15", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Laura Friedman", "F000483", "friedman.house.gov", "friedman", "https://friedman.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Above: Friedman speaks to a crowd gathered at the AHNA\u2019s Hanukkah Celebration\n\nGLENDALE, CALIFORNIA \u2014 On Sunday, December 14, U.S. Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30) joined local community members and the Adams Hill Neighborhood Association (AHNA) to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. This year marks the 5th year that AHNA has put on a Hanukkah celebration. Earlier in the day, Friedman released a statement condemning horrific attacks of antisemitic violence in Australia and California. Friedman also joined a bipartisan statement from all 25 Jewish House Members condemning the horrific antisemitic attack in Australia.\n\n\u201cHanukkah is a celebration of light over darkness and good over evil. When our communities continue celebrating Hanukkah and practicing our religion \u2014 even in the face of these disturbing acts of violence \u2014 we are living proof that light will always prevail.\u201d said Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30). \u201cI am doing everything I can in Congress to combat antisemitism, because the cost of inaction is unimaginable to me.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn light of the terrible tragedy that ripped through the Jewish community in Australia, we are honored to have so many people come out from our neighborhood and the wider Glendale and Los Angeles area to support the Jewish people. Showing up helps combat Anti-Jewish hatred and unites all of our communities together. We as Jews know all too well that we cannot hide and we must proudly stand hand-in-hand with our neighbors in this time of need.\u201d said Adams Hill Neighborhood Association Member Jeremy Aluma.\n\nBelow: Friedman with members of the community.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lieu-statement-antisemitic-terrorist-attack-australia", "REP LIEU STATEMENT ON ANTISEMITIC TERRORIST ATTACK IN AUSTRALIA", "2025-12-15", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Ted Lieu", "L000582", "lieu.house.gov", "lieu", "https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement on Sunday\u2019s antisemitic terrorist attack in Australia.\n\n\u201cIt is unfathomable that on the first night of Hanukkah, lives were lost, and families were forced to flee because of a horrific terrorist attack in Sydney, Australia. I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Australia and around the world during what is supposed to be a time of peace, light, and joy.\n\n\u201cAntisemitism has been on the rise across the country and abroad. That is unacceptable. Jewish people, and individuals of all faiths, deserve to celebrate and practice their beliefs without fear of violence.\n\n\u201cWe must come together to condemn the scourge of antisemitism in the strongest terms possible \u2013\u2013 and may the lights of Hanukkah shine through this darkness and bring peace and strength to all of us.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 4000, "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 \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "CA", "p2": "2025"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CA&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 3674, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CA&year=2025&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 323, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CA&year=2025&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Independent", "label": "Independent", "count": 3, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CA&year=2025&party=Independent", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CA&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 4000, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=CA&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CA&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "CA", "label": "CA", "count": 4000, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CA&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "2025", "label": "2025", "count": 4000, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2025-12-15,https~3A~2F~2Flieu~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Frep-lieu-statement-antisemitic-terrorist-attack-australia", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=CA&year=2025&_next=2025-12-15%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Flieu~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Frep-lieu-statement-antisemitic-terrorist-attack-australia&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 1460.3504529222846, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}