{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"TX\" and year = 2024 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-honors-legacy-president-jimmy-carter-champion-humanity", "Congressman Al Green Honors the Legacy of President Jimmy Carter as a Champion for Humanity", "2024-12-30", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Al Green", "G000553", "algreen.house.gov", "algreen", "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(Houston, TX) \u2014 On Monday, December 30, 2024, Congressman Al Green released the following statement on X/Twitter:\n\nCongressman Al Green stated, \u201cOur nation has lost a great citizen. The world has lost a great humanitarian. Humanity has lost a great human being whose life made a difference for many who were among the homeless, the helpless, and the powerless. Rest in peace President #JimmyCarter, you have earned it.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-castro-celebrates-2024-congressional-app-challenge-winner-for-the-20th-district-of-texas", "Congressman Castro Celebrates 2024 Congressional App Challenge Winner for the 20th District of Texas", "2024-12-30", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaquin Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", "castro", "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "SAN ANTONIO \u2014 Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement to recognize the achievements of Neha Hariharaprasad, a Brandeis High School freshman who won the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for the 20th District of Texas. Neha\u2019s winning app, \u201cEczema Ease,\u201d was inspired by her own struggle with eczema and is designed to help users understand and manage their condition.\n\n\u201cEvery year, the Congressional App Challenge allows San Antonio students to showcase their tech skills and creativity by building innovative and impactful apps,\u201d said Congressman Castro. \u201cThis year\u2019s winner, Neha Hariharaprasad, combined her experience with eczema and her interest in coding to create a practical, useful, and important application. I\u2019m excited to see San Antonio students using their coding skills to advance the public good, and I look forward to seeing Neha\u2019s app displayed in the U.S. Capitol. Congratulations to all the students who participated in this year\u2019s challenge!\u201d\n\nNeha Hariharaprasadand her family. Neha\u2019s older brother Rishi (pictured to the right) won the 2022 Congressional App Challenge with his app \u201cDisabled Health,\u201d which helps people with disabilities search for online information about at-home injuries.\n\n\u201cGrowing up with eczema has been challenging, not just physically but emotionally as well. However, what made it even more challenging was the uncertainty surrounding the condition\u2014trying various treatments, visiting numerous doctors, and still not having a clear, consistent way to manage the symptoms. Over the years, my family and I have tried countless treatments, from prescription medications to home remedies. While some provided temporary relief, nothing seemed to offer a long-term solution,\u201d Neha wrote in her application, \u201cEczema Ease was born out of the desire to make life easier for people like me who live with eczema. I wanted to create an app that not only educates users about their condition but also empowers them to take control of their health.\u201d\n\nEstablished in 2013, the Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition designed to encourage middle and high-school students to develop and apply their computer science skills. Winners from each Congressional District will have their apps featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol and are invited to attend a #HouseOfCode Demo Day Reception in Washington, D.C.\n\nCongressman Castro\u2019s Congressional App Challenge is judged by a nonpartisan panel of subject matter experts. This year\u2019s competition was judged by Dr. Gregory White, Professor Emeritus, Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security Director, Computer Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Dr. Christopher Combs, Dee Howard Memorial Endowed Faculty Fellowship in Mechanical Engineering, Graduate Advisor of Record: M.S. Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Ms. Marcae Bryant Omosor, an Air Force veteran and software developer at AT&T.\n\nAll middle and high school students who live or attend school in TX-20 are eligible to participate in the App Challenge for the 20th District of Texas. To learn more about Congressman Castro\u2019s student programs, visit Castro.House.gov/students.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2348", "Social Security Fairness Act, Co-Sponsored by Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz, Heads to President\u2019s Desk", "2024-12-30", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Monica De La Cruz", "D000594", "delacruz.house.gov", "delacruz", "https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz celebrates the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) through the Senate. The legislation, which Congresswoman De La Cruz co-sponsored and championed as one of her first acts after taking office, is now headed to President Biden to be signed into law after passing the Senate this month. It passed the House on November 12th.\n\nThe Social Security Fairness Act repeals the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), two outdated policies that unfairly reduced Social Security benefits for teachers, first responders, and other public service employees who earned additional Social Security benefits through part-time work or careers prior to or after entering public service. These changes will ensure that retirees receive the benefits they earned.\n\n\u201cFor too long, public servants\u2014our teachers, police officers, and firefighters\u2014have been penalized for dedicating their lives to serving our communities,\u201d said Congresswoman De La Cruz. \u201cListening to teachers and public employees in my district, I understood the inequities they faced. That\u2019s why I co-sponsored this legislation early in my tenure, and the bill\u2019s passage reflects our commitment to fairness and respect for those who serve. This is a victory for fairness and justice, and I am thrilled to see the hard work of so many finally come to fruition.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5587", "Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Releases 2024 Annual Report for Texas\u2019 Seventh Congressional District", "2024-12-30", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lizzie Fletcher", "F000468", "fletcher.house.gov", "fletcher", "https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) released her 2024 Annual Report detailing her work representing Texas\u2019 Seventh Congressional District this year. The report highlights some of Congresswoman Fletcher\u2019s work on legislation, events in the district, and constituent matters in 2024.\n\n\u201cI am honored and proud to represent Texas\u2019 Seventh Congressional District, and to bring the voices of those who live and work here to the national conversation about the challenges and opportunities before us,\u201d said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. \u201cI am glad to share some of the highlights of this work in my 2024 Annual Report, and I look forward to continuing my work for our community and our country in the year ahead.\u201d\n\nHighlights of the 2024 Annual Report include:\n\nLegislation: Congresswoman Fletcher has introduced several bills in the House of Representatives this year, including:\n\nthe Pink Tariffs Study Act, H.R. 7927, to require the U.S. Department of Treasury to conduct a study on potential gender bias within the U.S. tariff system;\n\nthe Heirs Empowerment and Inheritance Rights (HEIR) Act, H.R. 8117, to allow heirs\u2019 property owners to use alternate forms of documentation to prove property ownership to receive disaster aid; and\n\nthe LNG Coordination Act of 2024, H.R.7556, to establish a working group to improve the safety of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities and to make federal oversight of LNG facilities more efficient.\n\nConstituent Advocacy: This year, Congresswoman Fletcher\u2019s office resolved more than 2,000 constituent matters before federal agencies, and reached the milestone of resolving more than 15,000 constituent matters since she assumed office in 2019.\n\nCommunity Funded Projects: The Community Funded Projects process in Congress allows members of Congress to request funding for specific projects in their districts through a transparent process. Congresswoman Fletcher secured nearly $16 million in project funds this year. These include:\n\n$5,782,558 for the Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority\u2019s Southwest Community Campus for redevelopment of a community senior center, expanding the existing facility and laying the groundwork for future work that promotes health and resiliency;\n\n$1,000,000 for renovations to the City of Houston Metropolitan Multiservice Center for People with Disabilities on West Gray;\n\n$963,000 for the City of Houston Forensic Science Center\u2019s Forensic Evidence Data System to meet the volume of requests for evidence analysis and to improve the collection, tracking, management, and processing of forensic evidence through the criminal justice system.\n\nTo view the full 2024 Annual Report, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-sylvia-garcia-statement-on-the-passing-of-president-jimmy-carter", "Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Statement on the Passing of President Jimmy Carter", "2024-12-29", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Sylvia R. Garcia", "G000587", "sylviagarcia.house.gov", "sylviagarcia", "https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "HOUSTON, TX \u2013 Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) issued the following statement on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States:\n\n\u201cI am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of President Jimmy Carter. President Carter was a statesman in the truest sense, with his greatest gifts to this country and the world coming after his term. He found his true calling not as a public official, but as a private citizen, where he continued the mission he started in the White House to bring peace, dignity, love, and justice to every corner of the earth.\n\n\u201cAs City Controller of Houston, I had the honor of traveling with President Carter as part of the official U.S. delegation to return the Panama Canal to the people of Panama. On that trip, I saw firsthand that man he was: a champion of human rights, democracy, international partnership, and prosperity for the poor. He proved that doing the right thing pays off in the end and that peace must always be our goal. In later years, he won the Nobel Prize as his foundation, the Carter Center, played a key role in rooting out deadly parasites and dictatorships across the globe.\n\n\"His passion for service to others continued by building homes with Habitat for Humanity, understanding the security and stability a home provides. With his decision to enter hospice care, he showed us that the end of our lives can be gentler and fuller, sparking many family discussions across the country on this profound subject.\n\n\u201cPresident Carter and his wife Rosalynn, his thought partner for decades, embodied the teachings of Jesus, focusing on justice and love. Our world is kinder, safer, and humbler because of his leadership. My prayers are with the Carter family, their community of Plains, and all those around the world who mourn his passing but find hope in his legacy as he is reunited with his beloved Rosalynn Carter in heaven.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-joins-c-span-discuss-federal-spending-deadline-and-issues", "Congressman Al Green Joins C-SPAN to Discuss Federal Spending Deadline and Issues Impacting the 2024 Election", "2024-12-27", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Al Green", "G000553", "algreen.house.gov", "algreen", "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2014 On December 19, 2024, Congressman Al Green discussed the federal spending deadline, issues impacting the 2024 election, and the congressional news of the day on C-SPAN's Washington Journal with host Mimi Geerges. You can access C-SPAN\u2019s online streaming of the news segment by clicking here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-issues-statement-recent-shootings-sunnyside-resulting", "Congressman Al Green Issues Statement on the Recent Shootings in Sunnyside, Resulting in the Loss of Lives", "2024-12-24", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Al Green", "G000553", "algreen.house.gov", "algreen", "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(Houston, TX) \u2014 On Monday, December 23, 2024, Congressman Al Green issued a statement regarding the recent shootings as reported by news sources that resulted in the death of two men on Sunday night in Sunnyside, located in Congressman Green's district.\n\nCongressman Al Green stated, \"I am saddened by the loss of life in our community and extend my deepest sympathies to the victims\u2019 families during this tragic time. We must prioritize the safety and security of our neighborhoods by taking action to hold those responsible for this brutality accountable, while also enhancing our efforts to prevent any future occurrences of violence. My heart goes out to the families of the many lives lost to gun violence during this holiday season, it will not be as enjoyable as it could have been. Violence that impacts any one of us directly has an adverse impact upon all of us indirectly. This indirect impact is evidenced in the need for more law enforcement, greater security infrastructure, and the need for more physical and mental health resources. We must unite to end gun violence.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://jackson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2243", "Rep. Jackson Applauds Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA Being Signed into Law", "2024-12-24", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Ronny Jackson", "J000304", "jackson.house.gov", "jackson", "https://jackson.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Today, Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) issued the following statement after the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was signed into law. Jackson\u2019s leadership on this critical legislation includes provisions that enhance servicemembers' quality of life, modernize our military, support our allies, and strengthen national security.\n\nJackson said: \u201cEnsuring the U.S. military remains the most lethal fighting force in the world and that Texas\u2019 Thirteenth Congressional District continues to play a vital role in national security are among my top priorities in Congress. I\u2019m proud this year\u2019s NDAA includes many provisions to modernize the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, strengthen the workforce at Bell in Amarillo, improve the quality of life for service members and their families at Sheppard Air Force Base, and bolster our defense-focused workforce. These provisions will benefit our dedicated servicemembers and hardworking Texans who are important to the security of our nation. Thank you, Chairman Rogers, for your steadfast leadership in the passage of this year\u2019s NDAA, and I look forward to continuing to support America\u2019s national defense priorities under President-elect Trump\u2019s leadership soon!\u201d\n\nJackson serves on the House Armed Services Committee. For additional details on the NDAA provisions Jackson led, click here.\n\nJackson spoke on the House Floor in favor of the FY25 NDAA prior to the House vote.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://vanduyne.house.gov/2024/12/rep-van-duyne-introduces-legislation-to-secure-our-elections-and-cities-from-illegal-immigrants", "Rep. Van Duyne Introduces Legislation to Secure our Elections and Cities from Illegal Immigrants", "2024-12-23", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Beth Van Duyne", "V000134", "vanduyne.house.gov", "vanduyne", "https://vanduyne.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne recently introduced the Voter Eligibility Verification Act and the No Congressional Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act to push back on Democrats\u2019 attempts to overwhelm our nation with mass illegal immigration.\n\n\u201cThe open border policies we\u2019ve seen for the last 3.5 years from Democrat leadership have made our nation less safe and our elections less secure,\u201d said Rep. Van Duyne. \u201cFrom sanctuary city mayors refusing to honor our nation\u2019s immigration laws, to Washington, D.C. bureaucrats unlawfully withholding citizenship data from states, Democrats\u2019 willful disregard is evident and those responsible must be held accountable.\u201d\n\nTheVoter Eligibility Verification Act requires U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to respond to state inquiries regarding citizenship data within 30 days of receiving the request.\n\n\u201cAfter Texas requested necessary data from USCIS to verify voter citizenship and clean the voter rolls, USCIS failed to respond, leaving Texas struggling to ensure only eligible voters could vote,\u201d said Rep. Van Duyne. \u201cThe Voter Eligibility Verification Act will fix this by requiring USCIS to respond to state requests for citizenship data within 30 days. I will continue working with state leaders to ensure they have the tools needed to protect our elections.\u201d\n\nThe No Congressional Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act would prohibit the use of Congressionally-appropriated community project funds from cities that have sanctuary city policies\u2014such as laws, ordinances, regulations, or practices that obstruct immigration enforcement or shield individuals from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).\n\n\u201cPresident Trump's deportation plan relies on cooperation from local law enforcement and sanctuary city policies compromise those efforts,\u201d said Rep. Van Duyne. \u201cMy proposal to withhold community project funds from sanctuary cities would pressure local governments to allow greater cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Van Duyne was joined by Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02) in introducing the Voter Eligibility Verification Act.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nRep. Van Duyne recently launched a new effort to deport criminal aliens from our communities by empowering our mayors and local law enforcement to work with ICE.\n\nThe No Congressional Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act will ensure that cities that refuse to cooperate with ICE to protect their citizens will be held accountable.\n\nAfter finding and removing 6,500 potential noncitizens from its voter rolls, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson requested citizenship data from USCIS to verify the eligibility of voters before the November 5th election. USCIS failed to comply with Texas\u2019 request.\n\nIn October 2024, Rep. Van Duyne joined her colleagues in demanding immediate action from USCIS to release the citizenship data so Texas could ensure eligible voters were allowed to cast a ballot.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-doggetts-statement-avoiding-musk-trump-shutdown", "Rep. Doggett\u2019s Statement on Avoiding a Musk-Trump Shutdown", "2024-12-21", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", "doggett", "https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Contact: Alexis.Torres@mail.house.gov\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) released the following statement:\n\n\u201cGood news that Congress approved legislation to maintain government funding instead of permitting another damaging shutdown as happened three times during the last Trump Administration. It\u2019s also great that Musk and Trump failed in their attempt to force Congress to take action now to facilitate their planned tax bill, which would provide even more benefits to America\u2019s billionaires.\n\n\u201cWith 34 Republicans voting against the resolution, a shutdown was avoided because of a unanimous Democratic vote. The government is funded only through mid-March when we will likely experience another threatened government shutdown. Happy holidays but a challenging New Year ahead.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2523", "Arrington Votes to Deliver Funding to WTX Farmers, Clear the Way for Trump\u2019s America First Agenda", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Jodey C. Arrington", "A000375", "arrington.house.gov", "arrington", "https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement after House passage of a funding bill:\n\n\u201cAs a result of Democrats\u2019 reckless spending and Biden\u2019s failed economic policies, our farmers have been walking the high wire of production agriculture with effectively no safety net.\n\n\u201cWithout passing emergency Farm Bill supplemental funding to address the catastrophic effects of historic drought and record inflation, we threaten our food supply, jeopardize our young farmers, and put entire rural communities at risk.\n\n\u201cAs Budget Chairman, I\u2019m proud to have worked with Speaker Johnson and my colleagues to ensure these necessary resources were a part of any year-end funding bill.\n\n\u201cGoing forward, it is imperative for farmers and taxpayers alike that we move away from un-budgeted, ad hoc emergency spending by fixing the Farm Bill\u2019s broken safety net.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m honored to have worked with Speaker Johnson and the GOP House leadership to deliver disaster relief, clear the way for President Trump\u2019s America First agenda, and secure a commitment to significantly reduce deficit spending through reconciliation next year.\n\n\u201cRepublicans are uniting under the leadership of President Trump and Speaker Johnson to close out the disastrous four years of the Biden-Harris administration and pave the way for a safer and more prosperous future for America.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://crenshaw.house.gov/2024/12/rep-crenshaw-helps-secure-hurricane-and-federally-declared-disaster-funding", "Rep. Crenshaw Helps Secure Hurricane and Federally-Declared Disaster Funding", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Dan Crenshaw", "C001120", "crenshaw.house.gov", "crenshaw", "https://crenshaw.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Crenshaw issued a statement on the bipartisan government funding bill that includes more than $100 billion in disaster relief for states and communities hit by natural disasters, including Texas during Hurricane Beryl and the Houston Derecho:\n\n\u201cFunding that provides critical resources for my constituents in Harris and Montgomery County as they continue to recover from the impact of Beryl and the Houston Derecho is one of my main priorities,\u201d said Rep. Crenshaw. \u201cI'm proud to have worked alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this funding approved.\u201d\n\nWhile specific funding levels for states and communities will be based on need, the legislation approves the following funding nationally:\n\nNatural Resources Conservation Service \u2013 $920 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program for debris removal, watershed stabilization, and cleanup efforts related to recent natural disasters.\n\nFood and Nutrition Service \u2013 $25 million in infrastructure funds for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to assist food banks damaged by natural disasters.\n\nEconomic Development Assistance Programs \u2013 $1.5 billion for economic development assistance to communities impacted by tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters occurring in 2023 and 2024.\n\nArmy Corps \u2013 $1.5 billion for the Corps of Engineers for rehabilitation and repairs needed due to natural disasters, to expedite studies and projects to reduce the risks of future disasters, and to address water infrastructure needs due to disasters.\n\nSmall Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans Program \u2013 $2.2 billion to support the subsidy needs of SBA disaster loans to small businesses and individuals, including funding for the SBA Office of Inspector General for audits and reviews of disaster loans.\n\nU. S. Coast Guard \u2013 $312.7 million for the response to disasters, including the hurricanes, and to make repairs to shore facilities and aids to navigation.\n\nFederal Emergency Management Agency, Disaster Relief Fund \u2013 $29 billion for response, recovery, and mitigation activities related to Presidentially declared major disasters. Includes a $4 million transfer to DHS\u2019s Office of Inspector General for oversight activities related to the funds.\n\nGovernment Accountability Office \u2013 $10 million to support audits and investigations related to disasters declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.\n\nFederal Highway Administration \u2013 $8.1 billion for the Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Program to reimburse states for highway and bridge repairs.\n\nCommunity Planning and Development Fund \u2013 $12 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development\u2019s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program to help local, state, and Tribal governments recover from Presidentially declared disasters.\n\nBackground:\n\nCongressman Crenshaw has been pushing for federal assistance since both Hurricane Beryl and the Houston Derecho hit the 2nd District. For months, the Congressman has worked with Congressional leadership and appropriators to deliver on the $100 billion appropriation.\n\nOn July 8, 2024, Congressman Crenshaw released a resource page for constituents impacted by Beryl.\n\nLater in July and August, 2024, Congressman Crenshaw provided additional information on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan resources.\n\nOn October 3, 2024, Congressman Crenshaw joined a bipartisan Texas Delegation letter to Congressional Leadership on the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl and the Derecho, and the urgent need to pass an appropriations package to support constituents affected by the disasters.\n\nOn December 20, 2024, Congress passed critical disaster aid legislation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2347", "Continuing Resolution Passes, Maintains Critical Block Grant Aid for South Texas Farmers Secured by Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Monica De La Cruz", "D000594", "delacruz.house.gov", "delacruz", "https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz announced Friday that the Continuing Resolution (CR), which passed the House tonight, maintains language to fund critical block grants to provide economic relief for South Texas farmers. This measure will address significant economic losses caused by Mexico's ongoing failure to meet its water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty.\n\n\"South Texas farmers have endured immense hardships due to Mexico's continued violations of the 1944 Water Treaty,\" said Congresswoman De La Cruz. \"Securing and maintaining these block grants was a top priority because our agricultural producers urgently need this support to recover and rebuild. This victory ensures they have the resources to overcome the challenges caused by Mexico\u2019s treaty violations and continue to thrive. This helps our local farmers and is a win for Texas and the entire nation.\"\n\nThe block grants allow the Secretary of Agriculture to provide targeted economic aid to agricultural producers in South Texas. These grants reflect provisions of Congresswoman De La Cruz's South Texas Agricultural Assistance Act, introduced in November, which directed similar relief to mitigate the impact of Mexico's failure to meet its treaty-mandated water deliveries.\n\nUnder the 1944 Water Treaty, Mexico is required to deliver a set amount of water to the United States. Persistent noncompliance has led to severe water shortages for farmers in South Texas, devastating crops, costing jobs, and threatening the local economy. Key agricultural sectors, including citrus growers and sugar producers, have been hit particularly hard.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-doggett-reacts-samsung-receiving-billions-chips-science-act-funds", "Rep. Doggett Reacts to Samsung Receiving Billions in CHIPS & Science Act Funds", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", "doggett", "https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) released the following statement:\n\n\"Having joined the Chamber of Commerce's successful effort long ago to encourage Samsung to bring its first American fab to Austin, I have appreciated Samsung as a creator of great products and great jobs. Now, through this significant federal investment, Samsung is expanding in both Austin and Taylor. For both our local economic prosperity and our national security, the Chips & Science Act is a win for America. Congratulations to all those who have made Samsung such a success.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1755", "Congresswoman Escobar, El Paso County, Community Leaders and Partners Announce DWI Rideshare Webpage", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Veronica Escobar", "E000299", "escobar.house.gov", "escobar", "https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Following the roundtable the Congresswoman convened last month, today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, and community leaders announced the launch of a new webpage aimed at preventing DWIs and promoting responsible celebrations during the holiday season.\n\n\u201cThe risk and danger created by people who have had too much to drink and make the decision to get behind the wheel is not a new challenge for El Paso,\u201d said Congresswoman Escobar. \u201cAs El Pasoans go out and celebrate the holidays over the next two weeks, we know that this risk will only grow. As the stakeholders I recently convened continue meeting and discussing solutions, I\u2019m thrilled about this webpage that includes vouchers for El Pasoans to act responsibly after celebrating during the holiday season.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis County resource page is intended to serve as destination where El Pasoans can go to utilize vouchers for safe transportation and get information on how to celebrate responsibly,\u201d said El Paso County Judge Ricardo A. Samaniego. \u201cDrinking and driving is dangerous and always preventable. I encourage El Pasoans to set an example this holiday season and plan ahead.\u201d\n\n\"As the holiday season approaches, this webpage is an important step in keeping drunk drivers off the road,\" said Oscar Ugarte, El Paso County Sheriff-Elect. \"Drunk driving is preventable, and offering sober ride options gives everyone a chance to celebrate responsibly. I'm committed to doing everything I can to keep our community safe.\"\n\n\u201cThe DA office\u2019s grant in partnership with TxDOT provides ride share vouchers to people who download them. There are a limited number of $20 vouchers available every month, and it is important for people to plan to use them and decide not to drive after drinking any amount of alcohol,\u201d said James Montoya, District Attorney-Elect.\n\n\u201cAs a distributor of alcoholic beverages, we take our part in drinking and driving prevention seriously. While we understand that our beverages will be a part of celebrations and friendly gatherings, it is never okay to drink and drive. That is why we are proud to stand behind Anheuser-Busch\u2019s \u2018Decide to Ride\u2019 program with Uber,\u201d said Lisa Piesen, L&F El Paso Managing Partner.\n\n\"It\u2019s incredibly important that we all do our part to ensure El Pasoans are celebrating the holidays responsibly. We\u2019re proud to join the coalition of leaders in our community to ensure we all do our part to make sure El Pasoans have other options than to get behind the wheel after a night out,\" said Johnny Escalante, Managing Partner for J&K Hospitality.\n\n\u201cStatewide, 26% of fatal crashes involve alcohol. During the holidays that number is 28%, and TxDOT urges drivers to plan ahead for a sober ride. Drunk driving is 100% preventable,\" said Tomas Trevino, El Paso District Engineer for TxDOT.\n\nThe DWI Rideshare webpage can be found here. It was one of the proposed solutions that arose from a roundtable and press conference convened by Congresswoman Escobar on November 26th. Participants at her roundtable included local leaders from all parts of the El Paso government, Fort Bliss leadership, law enforcement, and more.\n\nAs she continues to convene this group, Congresswoman Escobar encourages El Pasoans to share this webpage and spread the word. If you have ideas or suggestions you\u2019d like for her and the group to consider, please submit them at her website: https://escobar.house.gov/contact/", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1756", "Congresswoman Escobar Votes to Avoid Government Shutdown Ahead of the Holidays", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Veronica Escobar", "E000299", "escobar.house.gov", "escobar", "https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), released the following statement after casting her vote to continue funding the government through March 2025:\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to have cast a vote to continue funding the government and ensure our 20,000 federal employees in El Paso and the 90,000 soldiers and their families at Fort Bliss are paid for the next three months and ahead of the holidays.\n\n\u201cRepublicans have set a dangerous precedent by allowing an unelected billionaire to spread misinformation and hijack weeks of negotiations to fund our government.\n\n\u201cAlthough the latest version of the funding bill does not include many of the critically needed funding provisions that were in the original bill, a bipartisan agreement was reached.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5578", "Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher on Potential Government Shutdown", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lizzie Fletcher", "F000468", "fletcher.house.gov", "fletcher", "https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) released the following statement ahead of a potential government shutdown.\n\n\u201cShutting down the government is not governing,\u201d said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. \u201cEarlier this week, House and Senate leaders agreed on a bipartisan spending deal to keep the government funded and functioning that included more than $100 billion in disaster relief funding and assistance programs to help people across the country, including in Texas\u2019 Seventh Congressional District. House Republicans abandoned their own agreement, and they chose to bend to the will of Elon Musk and President-elect Trump. This is no way to govern. And it raises deeply troubling issues about how the Republican majority will try to govern next year. This was entirely avoidable and is not a responsible way to govern.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-votes-avoid-government-shutdown", "Congressman Gonzalez Votes to Avoid Government Shutdown", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", "gonzalez", "https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) released a statement following his vote on the second continuing resolution:\n\n\u201cThis continuing resolution is not perfect,\u201d said Congressman Gonzalez. The new plan laid out by House Republicans still does not include bipartisan agreements on crucial funding for cancer research initiatives or provisions to further lower prescription drug pricing.\u201d\n\n\u201cHowever, federal government shutdowns negatively impact the lives of South Texans and millions of people in our country. They harm working families and our national security alike. This stopgap bill keeps our government open, delivers a vital $100 billion in supplemental emergency aid throughout our country, extends the 2018 Farm Bill, and provides economic assistance to our farmers until Congress can pass a new Farm Bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cAfter House Republicans took back their word on the previously agreed upon funding bill our trust is damaged. It is my hope that in this next Congress, we are able to rebuild that trust and work together in a bipartisan manner to deliver for our constituents.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://nehls.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-troy-e-nehls-votes-pass-american-relief-act", "Rep. Troy E. Nehls Votes to Pass the American Relief Act", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Troy E. Nehls", "N000026", "nehls.house.gov", "nehls", "https://nehls.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) released the following statement after voting for the American Relief Act:\n\n\u201cToday, I proudly voted for the American Relief Act, which is an important piece of legislation for the America First agenda,\u201d said Congressman Nehls. \u201cThis legislation provides funds for our nation\u2019s hardworking farmers who feed, fuel, and clothe the world. Additionally, this legislation provides relief for those who were affected by the catastrophic hurricanes earlier this year. The American people gave us, the Republican Party and President Trump, a mandate to make America great again, and this bill paves the way for us to do so. I look forward to President Trump\u2019s historic return to the White House. January 20th can\u2019t come soon enough.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roy-issues-statement-hr-10545", "Rep. Roy issues statement on H.R. 10545", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Chip Roy", "R000614", "roy.house.gov", "roy", "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 On Friday, Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement on H.R. 10545:\n\n\"Today, notwithstanding significant progress over the last few days, I voted against H.R. 10545, the 3rd version of the government funding 'CR.'\n\nWhile this bill was a marked improvement on the 1,547 page 'cramnibus' that was released earlier this week, it still included $110 billion in supplemental funding with no offsets or pay-fors, which I cannot support. While supporting Americans impacted by recent hurricanes and our nation\u2019s farmers is a worthy cause, we must pursue those ends in a fiscally responsible way or we risk losing our country altogether.\n\nMy efforts this week along with House 'fiscal hawks' resulted in two important things: 1) avoiding $5 trillion being added to our existing $36 trillion national debt with zero spending cuts or structural reforms; and 2) delivering for President Trump a path to stop Chuck Schumer from abusing the debt ceiling to roil financial markets by delivering a framework for substantial and necessary spending cuts.\n\nI look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure we do just that in the 119th Congress.\n\nOnward.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://sessions.house.gov/2024/12/congressman-sessions-votes-yes-on-the-continuing-resolution", "Congressman Sessions Votes YES for American Relief Act", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Sessions", "S000250", "sessions.house.gov", "sessions", "https://sessions.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) released the following statement regarding the passage of the American Relief Act of 2025:\n\nCongressman Sessions said, \u201cToday, I voted YES for the American Relief Act of 2025. This bill was supported by President Trump and PASSED. From the outset, I made it clear that I would only support a Continuing Resolution that includes vital assistance for our agricultural community. This legislation delivers on that promise by supporting farmers and ranchers, providing critical disaster relief for those impacted by recent hurricanes, and ensuring government funding through March 14, when President Trump will be in office. These three priorities were my focus going into these discussions, and I am pleased we were able to address these essential needs of the American people. I look forward to getting back to work in the 119th Congress.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-veasey-releases-statement-averting-government-shutdown", "Congressman Veasey Releases Statement on Averting Government Shutdown:", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Veasey, Vice Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to avert a government shut down:\n\n\u201cDemocrats once again acted in good faith to prevent a government shutdown, ensuring that tens of thousands of workers, veterans, service members, seniors, and farmers receive their pay and benefits this holiday season,\u201d said Congressman Veasey. \u201cBut make no mistake, this was a Democratic effort to keep food on the table for the American people. Republicans, however, went back on their word at the behest of an unelected oligarch, Elon Musk. They stripped funding for children's cancer research, slashed resources for the opioid epidemic, dropped measures that would have made prescription drugs more affordable, and abandoned initiatives that would have saved taxpayers billions. Despite the broken promises, Democrats did the right thing\u2014we voted to put food on families\u2019 tables. However, in the new year and new Congress we (Democrats) will continue to fight for the average American and the critical measures Republicans left behind.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2511", "Arrington Slams Politically-Motivated, Anti-LNG Study", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Jodey C. Arrington", "A000375", "arrington.house.gov", "arrington", "https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) releasing its final study aimed at restricting President-elect Trump\u2019s ability to unleash U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports when he returns to office in January:\n\n\u201cBiden's DOE released a blatantly biased study on the environmental impact of U.S. LNG exports - a resource that produces significantly fewer carbon emissions than other types of energy sources,\u201d said Chairman Arrington. \u201cThis purely political move is an effort to restrict future exports of American energy and roadblock President Trump's pro-growth agenda.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2515", "Arrington Introduces \u2018America First Act\u2019 to Prevent Illegal Immigrants from Accessing Federal Benefits", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Jodey C. Arrington", "A000375", "arrington.house.gov", "arrington", "https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) was joined by Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) in introducing H.R.10469, the America First Act, legislation to prevent illegal immigrants paroled into the United States from accessing billions of dollars in welfare and other benefits intended for American families. President Biden\u2019s unprecedented abuse of parole for foreign citizens illegally entering our country has resulted in millions of illegal aliens being supported and subsidized by struggling American families through their tax dollars, worsening the border crisis. The bill has also been introduced in the Senate by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT).\n\n\u201cOver the last four years, the unprecedented and unmitigated crisis at the southern border has devastated our communities. As long as we provide taxpayer funded social services to illegal immigrants, there is no physical barrier or number of border patrol agents that will stop them,\u201d said Chairman Arrington. \u201cTo add insult to injury, we\u2019re paying $9,000 per illegal immigrant - more than we spend on Medicaid for our most vulnerable Americans or military retirement benefits for our soldiers. Today, I am proud to join Chip Roy and Mike Lee in introducing the America First Act, which would cut off federal benefits for illegals and save over $177 billion.\u201d\n\n\u201cMillions of illegal aliens are exploiting U.S. welfare and aid programs that are meant to help struggling Americans,\u201d said Rep. Roy. \u201cThis is inexcusable. Continuing to hand out welfare to illegals only acts as a magnet for them to keep flooding our communities. That\u2019s why we introduced the America First Act to end illegal aliens\u2019 ability to profit off of American taxpayer dollars once and for all.\u201d\n\n\"For years, Americans have been told that illegal immigrants are barred from receiving federal benefits to distract from Washington\u2019s complete failure to secure our borders,\u201d said Senator Lee. \"This is a lie. Millions of illegal immigrants \u201cparoled\u201d into the United States, many for fraudulent asylum claims, have gained the ability to access welfare and aid programs originally designed to help American families, not attract and support massive populations of foreign citizens. The America First Act pulls the plug on this criminal redistribution scheme forced upon the American people by Joe Biden and generations of dishonest politicians.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nIn July of this year, the Congressional Budget Office found that the Biden administration\u2019s failure to secure the border will add \u201c$0.3 trillion to outlays for federal mandatory programs and net spending for interest on the debt over the 2024\u20132034 period.\u201d\n\nFurther, CBO found that \u201c[m]ost of those outlays are for premium tax credits, other refundable tax credits, and Medicaid\u201d while \u201cSNAP, child nutrition programs, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security, Medicare, and assistance for higher education account for smaller amounts.\u201d\n\nThe Foundation for American Immigration Reform has estimated that the combined cost of federal, state, and local assistance to non-citizens is at least $150.7 billion a year.\n\nBill Specifics:\n\nSection 2 \u2013 PRWORA Requirements\n\nAmends PRWORA to exclude illegal aliens, asylees, parolees, and those withheld from deportation from receiving welfare, including SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, CHIP, and certain housing benefits. This significantly reduces eligibility for most federal benefits for illegal aliens who have been wrongfully paroled into the United States by the Biden-Harris administration.\n\nSection 3 \u2013 Head Start\n\nRemoves Head Start eligibility from illegal aliens, asylees, parolees, temporary protected status (TPS) recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those withheld from deportation.\n\nSection 4 \u2013 Federal Health Care Benefits\n\nEliminates Medicare eligibility and Medicaid subsidies for illegal aliens, asylees, parolees, TPS recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those with deportation withheld.\n\nProhibits Federally Qualified Health Centers from providing non-emergency care to illegal aliens.\n\nSection 5 \u2013 Housing\n\nRestricts federal housing assistance to only U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and would make asylees, parolees, TPS recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those withheld from deportation ineligible for federal housing programs.\n\nProhibits illegal aliens, asylees, parolees, TPS recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those withheld from deportation. from living in a housing unit financed by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.\n\nSection 6 \u2013 Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit\n\nRequires all taxpayers who claim the EITC, CTC, and/or the $500 \u201cother dependent\u201d tax credit to have a valid Social Security Number in order to claim either credit.\n\nSection 7 \u2013 FEMA Reform\n\nEliminates the Shelter and Service Program (SSP), which has funneled $640 million to sheltering illegal aliens in FY24 and ensures that FEMA disaster funds are only provided to American citizens and lawful permanent residents.\n\nSection 8 \u2013 FAFSA Eligibility\n\nRemoves FAFSA eligibility for non-citizens.\n\nSection 9 \u2013 ESEA Funding for Sanctuary Jurisdictions\n\nRestricts ESEA funding for sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to comply with federal immigration authorities.\n\nSection 10 \u2013 Limitations on Services for Haitian Immigrants\n\nRemoves the special benefit designation for Haitian entrants under PRWORA.\n\nSection 11 \u2013 Limitations on Reasonable Opportunity Periods (ROPs) for Medicaid Enrollment\n\nRequires individuals to provide proof of citizenship before receiving Medicaid benefits.\n\nLimits the number of ROPs for individuals unable to provide proof of citizenship when applying for Medicaid.\n\nSection 12 \u2013 Verification of Citizenship for WIC and School Meal Programs\n\nRemoves eligibility for WIC and School Meal Programs for illegal aliens, asylees, parolees, TPS recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those withheld from deportation.\n\nSection 13 \u2013 Restrictions on the Use of Community Development Block Grants\n\nRestricts Community Development Block Grant Program recipients from using funds to provide illegal aliens, asylees, parolees, TPS recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those withheld from deportation with monetary contributions or in-kind goods or services.\n\nRestricts 501(c)(3) organizations from using federal grant funding, appropriated funding, or any other federal funding source to provide illegal aliens, parolees, TPS recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those withheld from deportation with monetary contributions or in-kind goods or services.\n\nSection 14 \u2013 Regulations and Guidance\n\nDirects the head of each appropriate agency to promulgate necessary guidance and rulemaking to carry out the provisions of the Act.\n\n###\n\nHeritage Action for America:\n\n\u201cHeritage Action supports the America First Act, important legislation designed to rein in the vast abuses of taxpayer dollars being used on illegal aliens. The America First Act is a critical step toward stopping the main attractor of illegal immigration, and restoring fiscal sanity by closing these loopholes and prohibiting welfare eligibility for individuals who should not be here in the first place. Now is the time to restore order, protect American workers, and secure the future of our nation\u2019s fiscal stability.\u201d\n\n\u2013 Ryan Walker, Executive Vice President, Heritage Action for America\n\nImmigration Accountability Project:\n\n\u201cThe border crisis of the last four years has devastated the country and cost American taxpayers billions of dollars as illegal aliens have gained access to public benefits. During this crisis, the Biden-Harris Administration systematically abused its authority under immigration law to grant amnesty to millions, putting them on the path to direct welfare access. If nothing is done to change loopholes in the law, the coming cost will be catastrophic. The America First Act would put a stop to this magnet for illegal immigration, preserve benefits for American citizens, and cut off funds from states that actively hinder immigration enforcement. The Immigration Accountability Project commends Senator Lee and Congressmen Arrington and Roy for introducing this critical piece of legislation and is proud to support it.\u201d\n\n- Grant Newman, Director of Government Relations, Immigration Accountability Project\n\nEconomic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) for America:\n\n\u201cThe open borders policies of the Biden-Harris Administration have caused chaos and encouraged a dramatic increase in illegal immigration. The Congressional Budget Office says that the Biden-Harris surge of illegal immigration costs American taxpayers billions in welfare benefits for illegal aliens every year. The America First Act would close the loopholes. I thank Senator Mike Lee, Chairman Jodey Arrington, and Representative Chip Roy for their important work.\u201d\n\n- Paul Winfree, President and CEO, Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC)\n\nFederation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR):\n\n\"Illegal immigration now costs American taxpayers over $150 billion each year, and without meaningful change, the border crisis of the last four years will only continue to rack up costs at the federal, state and local levels. Congress must make it a priority to roll back the failed policies of the Biden administration and ensure that Americans are not forced to shoulder the burden of uncontrolled illegal immigration. FAIR is proud to support the America First Act, and we encourage all members of Congress to support the safeguards found in this legislation that help ensure illegal aliens cannot take advantage of public benefits.\"\n\n- Julie Kirchner, Executive Director, Federation for American Immigration Reform\n\nTexas Public Policy Foundation:\n\n\"The America First Act addresses critical problems our nation is facing. Out of control numbers of illegal aliens taking advantage of our welfare system and bloated overspending by the federal government are things that do not help Americans. The Texas Public Policy Foundation applauds this legislation and will always support putting Americans first.\"\n\n- Greg Sindelar, CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation\n\nEagle Forum:\n\n\u201cThe United States still stands as in exceptional beacon of freedom and opportunity. Sadly, the Biden administration has opened the floodgates by declaring illegal immigrants as \u201cparolees\u201d and therefore eligible for billions of dollars in taxpayer benefits. Not only have they ignored the dangers of mass illegal immigration, but are subsidizing it by providing otherwise ineligible illegals with federal benefits. Congress must act in order to deter this abuse of the system and protect the fiscal integrity of our current welfare programs designed to assist Americans in need. The America First Act is a crucial step to ensure that our laws and taxpayer dollars are respected by those who exploit immigration laws. Eagle Forum is please to endorse the America First Act and encourages Congress to enact it now.\u201d\n\n- Kris Ullman, President of Eagle Forum\n\nTea Party Patriots Action:\n\n\u201cThe \u2018America First Act\u2019 addresses the Biden administration's misuse of the alien parole law, which has allowed 1.6 million illegal aliens to enter the country. The bill aims to prevent further abuse by blocking these individuals from accessing taxpayer-funded welfare and tightening federal welfare eligibility to safeguard taxpayer funds. On behalf of our three million members and supporters, I strongly support this legislation and urge its quick passage and enactment.\u201d\n\n- Jenny Beth Martin, Honorary Chairman, Tea Party Patriots Action\n\nCatholicVote:\n\n\u201cThe Biden administration and Democrats have abused our nation's laws and our generosity, creating a growth in drug and human trafficking, resulting in a dangerous environment for American citizens. Sen. Lee, Budget Chairman Arrington, and Rep. Roy\u2019s America First Act makes it very clear: we can welcome the stranger with open arms, but we will not reward criminal activity.\"\n\n- Tom McClusky, Director of Government Affairs for CatholicVote\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2518", "Arrington Leads Bicameral Resolution to Repeal Biden Natural Gas Tax", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Jodey C. Arrington", "A000375", "arrington.house.gov", "arrington", "https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) joined Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11) and Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) in introducing a bicameral Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to block implementation of the Biden administration\u2019s Natural Gas Tax, which was passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats\u2019 reckless tax-and-spend legislation in 2022.\n\nNew fees or taxes on energy companies will raise costs for customers, creating a burden that will fall most heavily on lower-income Americans. The Natural Gas Tax would also hurt small and independent energy producers by stifling production, innovation, and capital investment.\n\n\u201cThe Waste Emissions Charge is just another unnecessary and wasteful regulation levied by the EPA to go after oil and gas - the lifeblood of our economy,\" said Chairman Arrington. \"I\u2019m proud to join my colleague and neighbor, Rep. August Pfluger, in preserving reliable, low-cost energy produced by our independent oil and gas companies by fighting to repeal this burdensome regulation, and getting a head start on President Trump\u2019s pro-growth, energy DOMINANCE agenda.\u201d\n\n\u201cPresident Biden\u2019s promise to end fossil fuels hurt the hardworking energy producers of my district who have worked diligently to increase production while fueling our allies abroad,\u201d said Rep. Pfluger. \u201cIf implemented, the ill-conceived natural gas tax will handicap technological innovation, reduce supplies of affordable energy, and increase both costs and emissions. I am proud to lead this CRA to rescind implementation of the natural gas tax.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerican households and businesses depend every day on access to affordable and reliable energy,\u201d said Senator Hoeven. \u201cThe best way to bring down prices for U.S. consumers is to increase supply. That\u2019s why we\u2019re working to rescind policies like the Natural Gas Tax, among the many other costly and burdensome taxes and regulations imposed under the Biden administration. Doing so will help unleash our domestic energy production and make our nation energy dominant once again.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2520", "Arrington Introduces Bill to Repeal Electric Vehicle Tax Credits", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Jodey C. Arrington", "A000375", "arrington.house.gov", "arrington", "https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced legislation to end the federal electric vehicle and charging stations tax credit. The Eliminating Lavish Incentives to Electric (ELITE) Vehicles Act would stop taxpayer money from subsidizing the purchase of luxury electric vehicles for high-income individuals and corporations. Companion legislation has been filedin the Senate by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY).\n\n\u201cFueled by the climate-crazed Left, Democrats jammed through legislation that provided tax subsidies for expensive electric vehicles, which has worsened inflation for working families and stuck the American people with the bill - to the tune of billions of dollars,\u201dsaid Chairman Arrington. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join Senator John Barrasso and lead my colleagues in the House to repeal this wasteful and heavy-handed tax law.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe ELITE Act repeals the $7,500 tax credit for new electric vehicles, eliminates the tax credit for purchasing used electric vehicles, ends the federal investment tax credit for electric vehicle charging stations, and closes the \u201cleasing loophole\u201d that has allowed certain taxpayers and foreign entities like China to evade restrictions on electric vehicle incentives.\n\nThe Joint Committee on Tax originally scored these electric vehicle tax credits to cost $14 billion over 10 years, but private firms later estimated the real cost would be over $390 billion.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2521", "Arrington to Vote Yes on Short-Term Funding Bill", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Jodey C. Arrington", "A000375", "arrington.house.gov", "arrington", "https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement ahead of voting in support of tonight\u2019s short-term funding bill:\n\n\u201cThe purpose of the debt ceiling has always been to force our nation\u2019s leaders to deal with our unsustainable national debt and the out-of-control spending that\u2019s driving it,\u201d said Chairman Arrington. \u201cI believe President Trump when he says he\u2019s committed to using reconciliation to rein-in deficit spending and reignite economic growth. Our children\u2019s future depends on it, and failure is not an option! Tonight, I will be voting to clear the way for President Trump and our unified Republican leadership to restore our nation\u2019s fiscal health, secure our children\u2019s future, and make America prosperous again.\u201d\n\nTonight, President Trump said on Truth, \u201cThe United States will cut Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in spending next year through Reconciliation!\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-castro-celebrates-268-million-grant-for-via-funded-by-the-infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act", "Congressman Castro Celebrates $268 Million Grant for VIA Funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaquin Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", "castro", "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement to celebrate a $268 million grant he secured from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support the VIA Green Line project \u2013 the first Advanced Rapid Transit corridor in the region, which is expected to deliver convenient, high-frequency service by late 2027.\n\n\u201cOver the last four years, Democrats in Congress and the White House have invested billions of dollars to build the great infrastructure that San Antonio deserves. This grant \u2013 which is one of the largest investments in public transit in South Texas \u2013 will make huge strides to reduce traffic and congestion, improve our air quality, and help San Antonians get where they need to go. My office was proud to help VIA make the case for this funding, and I\u2019m excited to see the benefits that the new Advanced Rapid Transit corridor will bring to San Antonio,\u201d said Congressman Joaquin Castro.\n\n\u201cI want to thank Congressman Castro for his steadfast support of VIA Metropolitan Transit. His work was instrumental in finalizing and signing the Capital Investment Grant with the Federal Transit Administration. The VIA Rapid Green Line will revolutionize transit in San Antonio and Bexar County,\u201d said Jeff Arndt, President & CEO VIA Metropolitan Transit.\n\nIn 2021, Congressman Castro voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to fund major transit projects, including San Antonio\u2019s Green Line project. Over the last several years, he has led several letters of support to the Federal Transit Administration to advocate for additional resources to support VIA\u2019s expansion in the San Antonio area.\n\nAs part of his efforts to support public transit investments in San Antonio, Congressman Castro has also led Congressional efforts to secure annual appropriations for the FTA Capital Investment Grants Program, commonly known as New Starts, Small Starts, and Core Capacity, to support the projects under construction or in the CIG pipeline, with a special focus on resources for VIA\u2019s ART North/South corridor and ART East/West corridor. On Wednesday, his office joined leaders from the FTA and VIA for a signing ceremony to formalize the $268 million grant announcement.\n\nThe Green Line project is designed to improve transportation options for the nearly 54,000 residents and 108,000 jobs located in the 10.35-mile corridor. The grant represents the largest federal investment in VIA\u2019s history. The project will connect riders from the San Antonio International Airport, through Downtown, and south to the historic Missions area.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://crenshaw.house.gov/2024/12/rep-crenshaw-joins-e-c-republicans-request-for-hhs-watchdog-to-investigate-the-promotion-of-gender-transition-procedures-for-children", "Rep. Crenshaw Joins E&C Republicans Request for HHS Watchdog to Investigate the Promotion of Gender Transition Procedures for Children", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Dan Crenshaw", "C001120", "crenshaw.house.gov", "crenshaw", "https://crenshaw.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 In a new letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General Christi Grimm, Rep. Crenshaw joined House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans in requesting an investigation into the strength, quality, and types of evidence-based scientific and pediatric medical literature relied on by the department to promote gender transition procedures for children.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re witnessing a dangerous trend: children being pushed into irreversible gender transition procedures. This isn\u2019t science\u2014it\u2019s radical ideology,\u201d said Rep. Crenshaw. \u201cYet Biden\u2019s Department of Health and Human Services continues to cave to the demands of the woke left. The Office of Inspector General must step in and hold them accountable.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nUnder the Biden administration, HHS has advocated for gender transition procedures on minors, including the use of serum puberty blockers, which have historically been used to treat children with precocious puberty (i.e., early onset puberty affecting about one percent of U.S. children) and sex offenders.\n\nPuberty blockers, however, are known to stunt normal childhood development in children unaffected by precocious puberty.\n\nHHS officials contend that gender transition procedures on minors are an unanimously accepted medical practice.\n\nHHS Secretary Becerra testified before Congress that \u201cevery major medical association,\u201d \u201cmedical journals,\u201d and \u201cscientific and medical evidence\u201d has demonstrated the benefits of transitioning children\u2019s biological sex.\n\nWhen asked, via a Freedom of Information Act request, for the underlying scientific or medical basis for its position, HHS was only able to produce a two-page brochure that was already publicly available.\n\nIn contrast to HHS, a growing body of literature from medical experts and authorities around the world, including those in Europe, caution against performing such procedures on minors.\n\nCourts and government health agencies responsible for determining child welfare have sought to limit child gender transition procedures.\n\nOther countries have banned these interventions and surgeries on minors altogether.\n\nAn article published in the British Journal of Medicine found \u201cthere is great uncertainty about the effects of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries in young people.\u201d\n\nA court in the United Kingdom noted the obvious about administering puberty blocking chemicals onto children: \u201c[i]t is highly unlikely that a child aged 13 or under would be competent to give consent to the administration of puberty blockers. It is doubtful that a child aged 14 or 15 could understand and weigh the long-term risks and consequences of the administration of puberty blockers.\u201d\n\nIn April 2024, the Cass Review, an independent review of gender identity services for children and young people, commissioned by the National Health Service England, found \u201c[w]hile a considerable amount of research has been published in this field, systematic evidence reviews demonstrated the poor quality of the published studies, meaning there is not a reliable evidence base upon which to make clinical decisions, or for children and their families to make informed choices.\u201d\n\nThe Cass Review also found that \u201c[t]he rationale for early puberty suppression remains unclear, with weak evidence regarding the impact on gender dysphoria, mental or psychosocial health,\u201d as well as unknown effects on cognitive and psychosexual development.\n\nIn August 2024, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) became the first major U.S. medical association to express caution on the use of gender surgery for gender dysphoria in adolescents. In its formal statement, the association stated: \u201cASPS currently understands that there is considerable uncertainty as to the long-term efficacy for the use of chest and genital surgical interventions for the treatment of adolescents with gender dysphoria, and the existing evidence base is viewed as low quality/low certainty. This patient population requires specific considerations.\u201d\n\nThe letter was signed by Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH), Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), and Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL).\n\nCLICK HERE to read the letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases/oversight-democrats-demand-briefing-after-texas-maternal-mortality-committee", "Oversight Democrats Demand Briefing After Texas Maternal Mortality Committee Abandons Review of Pregnancy-Related Deaths Amid Abortion Ban", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Jasmine Crockett", "C001130", "crockett.house.gov", "crockett", "https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, and Rep. Summer Lee sent a letter demanding answers from the Texas Department of State Health Services after the state\u2019s maternal mortality committee decided not to review pregnancy-related deaths between 2022 and 2023\u2014the period after Texas imposed a strict abortion ban. The Members raised concerns that the state is abandoning this data review as fewer Texas women have access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare in the wake of the state\u2019s abortion ban, and amid public reporting on several tragic and preventable maternal deaths in Texas.\n\n\u201cWe write to express our deep concerns regarding the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee\u2019s (MMMRC) recent decision to forgo a review of pregnancy-related deaths between 2022 and 2023, contrary to Texas state law. In September 2021, Texas enacted a law\u2014Senate Bill 8\u2014that effectively banned abortion after six weeks gestation followed by an even stricter ban in June 2022 in the wake of the Supreme Court\u2019s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health Organization. We are concerned that the MMMRC is choosing to forego data review for the period after Texas imposed these restrictions on abortion due to a chilling effect on reproductive care in Texas that means fewer women are able to access emergency, life-saving reproductive health care services,\u201d wrote the Members.\n\n\"Josseli Barnica. Navaeh Crain. Porsha Ngumezi. These are just a few of the names of Texas women who would be alive today if not for Texas' abortion ban. These three women\u2014some who were already mothers, and one who was only 18 years old at the time of her death\u2014could have been saved if they were treated with the proper medical care. But rather than repeal the law and save lives, Texas legislators decided to bury the truth and silence these family's stories and losses, said Rep. Crockett. \"Texas Republicans know there is nothing \u201cpro-life\u201d about the stories of these women and the broken families they leave behind. I and my fellow House Oversight Democrats will not allow Texas Republicans to hide the consequences of their deadly law. Today, we are demanding the Texas Department of State Health Services explain its reasoning behind its decision to stop reviewing maternal mortality deaths in the years following their abortion ban. The people of Texas deserve the truth.\"\n\nAccess to abortion care has sharply declined due to abortion restrictions upheld and enabled by the U.S. Supreme Court in the wake of the Dobbs decision, which stripped Americans of the constitutional right to abortion. In September 2021, Texas enacted an abortion ban that prohibited abortion after approximately six weeks and incentivized private citizens to sue those who seek or provide abortions. Immediately following the Dobbs decision in 2022, Texas enacted a sweeping \u201ctrigger law\u201d that prohibits nearly all abortions and makes providing an abortion a felony punishable by up to life in prison.\n\nOver the past two decades, maternal deaths\u2014particularly in Texas and other states with severe restrictions on abortion care\u2014have risen. According to MMMRC\u2019s most recent report, in 2020 the number of women in Texas who experienced a pregnancy-related death rose sharply to the highest numbers since Texas began tracking maternal deaths in 2013, jumping from 17.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019 to 27.7 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020.\n\nWhile MMMRC refuses to analyze pregnancy-related deaths from 2022 to 2023, surveys of obstetricians and gynecologists, as well as patient stories, illuminate how strict abortion restrictions in Texas are a barrier to necessary care. More than 70% of practicing Texas obstetricians and gynecologists reported that Texas\u2019 laws negatively affected their work and prohibited them from providing high quality, evidence-based care for their patients. Amid these challenges, Texas is also experiencing an exodus of reproductive healthcare providers leaving the state.\n\nMMMRCs are critical to helping understand the drivers of maternal mortality. As the first and largest state to implement a strict abortion ban, Texas can offer important insight into the effect of abortion bans. Given this urgent importance, the Members called on the Texas MMMRC to provide a staff-level briefing to the Committee by January 2, 2025.\n\nClick here to read the letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/doggett-delauro-whitehouse-and-coalition-urge-removal-trade-provisions-abused", "Doggett, DeLauro, Whitehouse and Coalition Urge for Removal of Trade Provisions Abused by Corporations Against Sovereign Nations", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", "doggett", "https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Contact: Alexis.Torres@mail.house.gov\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014Today, Representatives Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) led 34 of their colleagues in urging Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai to proceed with reported plans to address ongoing harms attributable to investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms in U.S. free trade agreements. Specifically, the members call for the elimination, or drastic reduction, of the ability of powerful multinational corporations to use ISDS tribunals to extract unlimited sums from sovereign countries over laws, actions, or court rulings that allegedly conflict with corporate investments.\n\nThe ISDS mechanism is a private, undemocratic extrajudicial arbitration system that allows corporations to sue foreign governments serving as U.S. trading partners, often resulting in high costs to a country\u2019s taxpayers and weakened human rights and policy regulations.\n\nIn the bicameral letter, the lawmakers write, \u201cWe commend your efforts to address ongoing ISDS liabilities in existing U.S. trade and investment agreements. We appreciate that throughout your tenure you have upheld the Biden administration\u2019s commitment to exclude ISDS from all U.S. trade negotiations. Taking further action now would build on the Trump administration\u2019s elimination of the North American Free Trade Agreement\u2019s (NAFTA) ISDS regime between the United States and Canada and significant scale-back of NAFTA ISDS with respect to Mexico.\u201d\n\nThrough a pressure campaign to obstruct progress on removing the ISDS mechanism from new and existing trade agreements, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently released two Freedom of Information Act requests to assert a disconnect between Congress and the executive branch. Yet, ISDS reform has generally experienced bipartisan support, with reform efforts spanning several administrations.\n\n\u201cHowever it is implemented, we support extending to other countries the approach taken by the U.S. government with Canada in the context of the 2020 U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was to eliminate ISDS tribunals\u2019 authority to override the views of signatory countries,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cWe have witnessed ISDS tribunals ignore countries\u2019 Interpretive Notes, such as that issued by the NAFTA Commission in 2004, and thus request robust safeguards to prevent ISDS tribunals from disregarding any immediate-term efforts the United States may be considering with willing trade partners to ensure that ISDS tribunals enforce views jointly endorsed by countries through an exchange of formal letters so as to reduce the damage of ongoing ISDS cases.\u201d\n\nSince May 2023, Congressional lawmakers have requested intervention on the ISDS mechanism in existing U.S. trade deals including, on behalf of the people of Honduras in a case brought forth by U.S. company Honduras Pr\u00f3spera seeking almost $11 billion, or nearly two-thirds of the country\u2019s national budget; the use of all tools like the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP) framework to coordinate with regional foreign partners; and, the removal of such provisions from the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).\n\nAdditional signers of today\u2019s letter include Representatives Judy Chu (CA-28), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), John Garamendi (CA-08), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Cori Bush (MO-01), Greg Casar (TX-35), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda (IL-04), Ra\u00fal Grijalva (AZ-07), Johnathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Marcy Kaptur (OH-06), Dan Kildee (MI-08), Summer Lee (PA-12), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez (NY-07), Alexandia Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Veronica Escobar (TX-16and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1753", "Congresswoman Escobar Announces $2,000,000 Transportation Award", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Veronica Escobar", "E000299", "escobar.house.gov", "escobar", "https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $2,000,000 in funding to the City of El Paso for innovation and development at the six international ports of entry in the El Paso through the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant program.\n\nCongress provided $100 million annually for SMART grants in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Congresswoman Escobar was the only Representative in the region to vote in favor of this historic piece of legislation.\n\n\u201cThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to send millions of much-needed federal dollars into our community,\u201d said Congresswoman Escobar. \u201cI am so proud to have fought to secure this critical investment as our community focuses on upgrading our outdated infrastructure with particular care given to innovation and customer service. So many El Pasoans \u2013 including businesses \u2013 use our land ports of entry, I\u2019m glad the federal government is putting money toward their improvement.\u201d\n\nThe SMART Grant Program was established to fund public infrastructure projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems in order to improve transportation efficiency and safety.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5574", "Following Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher\u2019s Advocacy, Congress Orders Completion of  Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lizzie Fletcher", "F000468", "fletcher.house.gov", "fletcher", "https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "The bipartisan Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, S. 4367, which authorizes water infrastructure studies and projects across the country, passed the U.S. Senate. This bill includes language to instruct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to complete the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study (BBTRS) that Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07) and Congressman Wesley Hunt (R-TX-38) requested. The completion of the BBTRS will allow for the full evaluation of an underground water conveyance tunnel concept to alleviate the potential for flooding around the Addicks and Barker reservoirs and along Buffalo Bayou. Last week, S.4367 passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a bipartisan basis, by a vote of 399-18. After the bill\u2019s favorable passage through the Senate today, it now heads to President Biden\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cSince my first term in Congress, I have prioritized protecting our community from flooding by supporting water infrastructure studies and projects\u2014including the Buffalo Bayou Tributaries and Resiliency Study (BBTRS),\u201d said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. \u201cThis study is an important opportunity to find a project that aligns with community objectives, minimizes adverse environmental and community impacts, and prioritizes resilience. I am glad that after years of advocating for the completion of this study and collaborating with community leaders across Texas\u2019 Seventh Congressional District and with Congressman Wesley Hunt, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 will include language to complete the BBTRS so that the identified solution in the study can be authorized in the future, and I was glad to vote for this bipartisan legislation.\u201d\n\nSince her first term in Congress, Congresswoman Fletcher has advocated for the completion of the BBTRS. Following her advocacy, language that instructs USACE to complete BBTRS was included in WRDA package that passed the House in July. In January of this year, she testified before the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and urged the Committee to include language to complete the BBTRS.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5577", "Congress Votes To Protect  Social Security and Ease Burdens on Working Families", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lizzie Fletcher", "F000468", "fletcher.house.gov", "fletcher", "https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "This week, the Senate passed the Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82, which repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)\u2014both of which reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for millions of Americans, including teachers, firefighters, police officers, and federal employees. Congresswoman Fletcher is a co-sponsor of H.R. 82 and recently supported a measure to force a vote on this bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 82 passed the House by a vote of 327-75-1.\n\n\u201cThe Social Security Fairness Act rectifies unfair parts of Social Security law that are long overdue,\u201d said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. \u201cFor decades, public servants in Texas\u2019 Seventh Congressional District and across our country who contributed to Social Security throughout their careers and began second careers have been stripped of their retirement benefits. Those who pay into Social Security should be guaranteed their full benefits upon retirement, but the WEP and GPO created offsets and penalized workers. That is why I am glad to have helped pass the Social Security Fairness Act to protect Social Security and ease burdens on working families.\u201d\n\nCurrently, the WEP reduces the earned Social Security benefits of an individual who also receives a public pension from a job not covered by Social Security. For example, educators who do not earn Social Security in public schools but who work part-time or during the summer in jobs covered by Social Security have reduced benefits, even though they pay into the system just like others. Likewise, the GPO affects the spousal benefits of people who work as federal, state, or local government employees \u2014 including police officers, firefighters, and educators \u2014 if the job is not covered by Social Security. The GPO reduces by two-thirds the benefit received by surviving spouses who also collect a government pension.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-votes-against-republican-attempt-hurt-south-texas", "Congressman Gonzalez Votes Against Republican Attempt to Hurt South Texas Families and Older Americans", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", "gonzalez", "https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) released a statement following his vote on the continuing resolution:\n\n\u201cIt is the job of elected officials to cooperate, collaborate, and compromise on the important issues our constituents care about. Over the past 24-hours, we have seen the opposite from the Republican House Majority,\u201d said Congressman Gonzalez.\n\n\u201cI am incredibly disappointed with my Republican colleagues\u2019 sloppy and insincere attempt at the 11th hour to abandon a bipartisan deal that would have provided vital emergency aid to disaster-stricken areas, delivered for our farmers and included bipartisan provisions to lower prescription drug pricing, fund important cancer research initiatives, and maintain vital healthcare funding for our older Americans while protecting their nutrition programs, caregiver support, and in-home services.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis new version raises drug prices for hardworking families and cruelly hurts our older Americans. We must do better to deliver for South Texans and the American people. That is why I voted against tonight's continuing resolution.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cardenas-leads-introduction-bipartisan-care-behavioral-health-act-2024", "C\u00e1rdenas Leads Introduction of Bipartisan CARE for Behavioral Health Act of 2024", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Tony C\u00e1rdenas (CA-29), Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-1), Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) introduced the bipartisan Crisis Care Access and Response Expansion for Behavioral Health Act or the CARE for Behavioral Health Act of 2024. As we continue the vital work of addressing our nation\u2019s mental health needs, this bill is a crucial next step for improving the delivery of behavioral health services.\n\nThis legislation would create a pilot program through Medicare for the provision of crisis stabilization services. Currently, crisis response facilities face fractured funding mechanisms that deter expansion and investment in community-based crisis response services and result in increased burden on emergency departments. This program lays the groundwork for expanding the crisis care continuum and bringing the vital behavioral health services these facilities provide to those in need.\n\n\"In the fight for mental health parity, the CARE for Behavioral Health Act of 2024 is a crucial and necessary step to address our nation's ongoing mental health crisis,\" said Congressman C\u00e1rdenas. \u201cDuring my time in Congress, I have remained committed to finding effective solutions for those in crisis in their moment of need. I have been inspired by the growth and strengthening of the crisis care continuum in America, which is why I am proud to introduce this bipartisan effort to build on that progress and further improve access to critical mental health care. Families across the country deserve access to essential behavioral health services, and we have a responsibility to break down the barriers they face.\u201d\n\n\u201cArizona continues to be a leader in combating the mental health crisis,\u201d said Congressman Schweikert. \u201cI am grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who remain committed to expanding access to care\u2014 especially for those who need it most.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs our nation grapples with an ongoing mental health crisis, the CARE for Behavioral Health Act of 2024 represents a critical first step in ensuring that every American in crisis has access to the care they need,\" said Congressman Veasey. \"This bipartisan legislation will lay the foundation for a stronger, more effective and accessible crisis care continuum. I am proud to join my colleagues to advance this effort to deliver compassionate, community-based behavioral health care to those who need it most.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur nation is in the midst of an escalating mental health crisis, and we cannot afford to stand idle. Bold, decisive action is needed to ensure those in crisis receive the compassionate, effective care they deserve,\u201d said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Task Force. \u201cThe bipartisan CARE for Behavioral Health Act of 2024 is a critical part of my ongoing efforts to tackling this crisis head-on. It will expand access to lifesaving crisis response services, ease the burden on overstrained emergency departments, and provide high quality, specialized care for my PA-1 community and beyond.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis pilot will dramatically improve access to behavioral health crisis care, help prevent unnecessary trips to hospital Emergency Departments and reduce overall spend and strain on our healthcare and legal systems. We applaud the co-sponsors for ensuring the program evaluates the effectiveness of crisis systems across the country while also measuring how it improves behavioral health outcomes and satisfaction with care. We look forward to working with them on its enactment\u201d said Connections Health Solutions CEO Colin LeClair.\n\n\u201cThe 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has been a lifesaving resource for those in crisis for more than two years, but more resources are needed to bring to life the full vision of a crisis care continuum nationwide. The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) strong supports the leadership of Congressman C\u00e1rdenas, Congressman Veasey, Congressman Schweikert, and Congressman Fitzpatrick to ensure that Medicare recipients have access to crisis receiving and stabilization services.\u201d \u2013 Brian Hepburn, M.D., Executive Director, NASMHPD\n\n\u201cOn behalf of Recovery Innovations, we applaud the introduction of the CARE for Behavioral Health Act of 2024. All individuals in crisis should have access to appropriate services no matter their insurance coverage, and we proudly support this bill which establishes access to community-based crisis stabilization centers for Medicare recipients.\u201d\u2014David Covington, LPC, MBA, CEO & President, Recovery Innovations\n\n\u201cAs we build out 988 and the crisis continuum, it is critical that we ensure those in crisis have access to the appropriate level of services. This legislation is an important step forward in strengthening the behavioral health system and connecting people to life-saving care.\u201d Jonah C. Cunningham, President and CEO, the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-veasey-releases-statement-funding-government", "Congressman Veasey Releases Statement on Funding the Government", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Marc Veasey has released the following statement following news that Elon Musk and President Elect Trump have urged Republicans shut down the government:\n\n\"Democrats have, in good faith, worked across the aisle to ensure that tens of thousands of workers get paid, while providing real support for farmers and veterans this holiday season and beyond,\" said Congressman Marc Veasey. \"Yet, without considering the far-reaching consequences this would have on the lives of everyday Americans, Elon Musk and President-Elect Trump have disrespected the needs of the average worker by urging Republicans to reject the agreed-upon bill. Musk, an unelected and out of touch oligarch, has shown time and again that he is a threat to both the democratic process and the well-being of Americans across the country.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases/news-casar-leads-20-members-congress-calling-administration-withhold-offensive", "NEWS: Casar Leads 20 Members of Congress Calling for the Administration to Withhold Offensive Weapons from the Israeli Government, Follow Own Standards", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Greg Casar", "C001131", "casar.house.gov", "casar", "https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Greg Casar (D-Texas) and Summer Lee (D-Penn.), along with 18 other Members of Congress, are calling on the Biden Administration to adhere to and uphold U.S. law by suspending offensive military transfers to the Israeli government.\n\nThe letter follows the Biden Administration\u2019s Oct. 13, 2024 letter to Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer that correctly identified steps the Israeli government must take in order for continued transfers of offensive weapons to be in accordance with U.S. law and policy. The Israeli government has failed to meet those humanitarian standards. Casar, Lee, and their colleagues ask U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to follow their own standards that they publicly established.\n\n\u201cWe believe continuing to transfer offensive weapons to the Israeli government prolongs the suffering of the Palestinian people and risks our own national security by sending a message to the world that the U.S. will apply its laws, policies, and international law selectively,\u201d the members wrote. \u201cFurthermore, a failure to act will put Israeli lives in danger by prolonging Netanyahu\u2019s war, isolating Israel on the international stage, and creating further instability in the region\u2026 While Israel made nominal progress in some areas, it overwhelmingly failed to meet the minimum standards laid out in the Administration\u2019s own letter.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe urge your Administration to adhere to and uphold U.S. law by suspending offensive military transfers to Netanyahu and his government. Failure to do so not only risks our leverage in ceasefire negotiations, it undermines our country\u2019s own national security and weakens America\u2019s commitment to human rights as a cornerstone of our foreign policy,\u201d the members continued. \u201cWe remain committed to saving Palestinian and Israeli lives. This means doing everything possible to prioritize the release of hostages, secure a lasting ceasefire deal, and move toward long term peace.\u201d\n\nStandards in the Oct. 13, 2024 letter included:\n\nHumanitarian Aid Trucks:\n\nU.S. demand: \u201cEnable a minimum of 350 [humanitarian aid] trucks per day to enter Gaza.\u201d\n\nReality: Since then, an average of 42 aid trucks have entered Gaza daily, with as few as six trucks on some days.\n\nHumanitarian Pauses:\n\nU.S. demand: \u201cInstitute adequate humanitarian pauses across Gaza as necessary to enable humanitarian activities.\u201d\n\nReality: The third phase of Gaza\u2019s polio vaccination campaign was delayed in moving forward because of escalating violence. When the vaccinations did begin, medical professionals were not provided with access to northern Gaza and a vaccination center was attacked by the Israeli military during a humanitarian pause.\n\nEnd the Isolation of Northern Gaza\n\nU.S. demand: Reaffirm \u201cthat there will be no Israeli government policy of forced evacuation of civilians from northern to southern Gaza\u201d and ensure \u201chumanitarian organizations have continuous access to northern Gaza.\u201d\n\nReality: The leading humanitarian organizations reported last month that not only did the Israeli government fail to meet the Biden Administration\u2019s criteria, but that it \u201cconcurrently took actions that dramatically worsened the situation on the ground, particularly in northern Gaza.\u201d According to the United Nations, the Netanyahu government has denied 82 out of 91 attempts since Oct. 6, 2024 to deliver aid to cut-off areas in northern Gaza. During the 30-day time period provided to Israel, roughly 100,000 people were displaced from northern Gaza.\n\n\u201cSimply put, the Netanyahu government has not complied with the United States\u2019 repeated requests to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered safely to innocent people. Under U.S. law, the United States government must suspend offensive weapons to any nation that fails to meet these basic standards,\u201d the members wrote.\n\nThe letter is authored by U.S. Representative Greg Casar (TX-35), co-led by U.S. RepresentativeSummer Lee (PA-12), and signed by U.S. Representatives Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Cori Bush (MO-01), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda (IL-04), Al Green (TX-09), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).\n\nThe full letter can be viewed here.\n\n###\n\nCongressman Greg Casar represents Texas\u2019s 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio. A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 118th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Committee on Agriculture.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-castro-celebrates-the-addition-of-five-new-latino-led-films-to-the-national-film-registry-at-the-library-of-congress", "Congressman Castro Celebrates the Addition of Five New Latino-Led Films to the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaquin Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", "castro", "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), the former chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a longtime advocate for Latino representation in media and entertainment, released the following statement to celebrate the addition of five new Latino-led films \u2013 including four of his nominations \u2013 to the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress:\n\n\u201cFor thirty-five years, the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress has worked to preserve movies with an enduring impact on American society. During this year\u2019s nomination process, my office received hundreds of suggestions from movie fans who were excited to share their favorite films. I\u2019m thrilled that four of our nominations: Mi Familia (1995), American Me (1992), Up in Smoke (1978), and Spy Kids (2001) have been included among this year\u2019s inductions.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m also pleased that the National Film Preservation Board selected Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), which features the iconic Latino actor Ricardo Montalb\u00e1n. Earlier in his career, Montalb\u00e1n, who was dismayed by widespread stereotypical depictions of Latinos on screen, founded Nosotros, an organization that since the 1970s has argued for greater Latino representation in media and entertainment.\n\n\u201cThe new Latino-led films added to the National Film Registry tell complex and sometimes difficult stories, featuring Latinos as heroes and villains, hard-working immigrants and goofballs, space travelers and so much more. Together, these films represent a unique cross-section of Latino contributions to American cinema and showcase the talent Latinos bring to the screen.\n\n\u201c2024 is a record-breaking year for Latinos and the National Film Registry, with the most inductions of Latino and Hispanic-led films in the Registry\u2019s history. Overall, the National Film Preservation Board\u2019s 2024 selections are commendably diverse, showcasing a wide array of American communities and experiences.\n\n\u201cCongratulations to all the inducted filmmakers, cast, and crew for this prestigious acknowledgement of their work, and thank you to the Librarian of Congress, Library staff, and members of the National Film Preservation Board for their dedication to American history and culture.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nSince 1989, the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress has worked to preserve films with cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance to life in the United States. Films, which must be at least ten years old to be considered, are chosen by the National Film Preservation Board with input from media leaders and members of the public. Twenty-five additional films are added on an annual basis.\n\nAs chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressman Castro successfully advocated for the Selena Quintanilla biopic Selena (1997) to be added to the National Film Registry, arguing that the film \u201chas become a beloved icon of Latino culture and has found widespread mainstream success, proving once and for all that Latino stories are American stories.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases/crockett-edwards-moskowitz-introduce-tax-bill-incentivize-businesses-hire", "Crockett, Edwards, Moskowitz Introduce Tax Bill to Incentivize Businesses to Hire Disaster Victims", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Jasmine Crockett", "C001130", "crockett.house.gov", "crockett", "https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congresswomen Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11), and Rep. Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) introduced a bill, the HIRE CREDIT Act, aimed at easing the difficulties faced by victims of federally-designated disasters who are forced to temporarily relocate and find work outside of their community or state. Specifically, this bill would create a new category under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (\u201cWOTC\u201d) for \u201cdisplaced disaster victims\u201d\u2014a class of individuals who have, and will continue to, face significant barriers to employment in the aftermath of federally declared disasters. Businesses that hire individuals who satisfy the requirements of this new category will be eligible to receive a tax credit of up to 40% of up to $6,000 of wages paid to this new employee.\n\n\u201cIn the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, hundreds of thousands of Americans across the Southeast have been displaced \u2013 including 375,000 households in North Carolina alone. As a Texan, I have seen that the pain of being forced to flee your home during a disaster goes far beyond structural damage \u2013 even if you are lucky enough to be able to rebuild, you are still forced to scrape out a living for weeks or even months away from home, often far away from your workplace and without easy access to transportation,\u201d said Rep. Crockett. \u201cOur HIRE CREDIT Act addresses this problem by incentivizing businesses to hire temporarily displaced workers in the communities providing them refuge, easing the burden on disaster victims while simultaneously boosting local economies.\u201d\n\n\u201cHurricane Helene destroyed homes, businesses, and jobs across Western North Carolina. Now, as we look to pick up the pieces, it\u2019s become clear that finding a job to replace the one folks have lost from hurricane damage is historically more difficult to do,\u201d said Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11). \u201cThe HIRE Credit Act will give employers in our mountains a tax credit to hire dislocated hurricane survivors, giving businesses the federal support they need to hire new staff during this difficult time while keeping our people in our mountains.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs Florida\u2019s former emergency management director, I know that one of the biggest challenges faced by communities impacted by hurricanes is finding work when businesses are destroyed or damaged,\u201d said Rep. Moskowitz. \u201cThis commonsense legislation will incentivize companies to hire people whose lives have been upended by disasters. The HIRE CREDIT is a necessary step toward helping these communities get back on their feet, and I\u2019m proud to be supporting it with Congresswoman Crockett.\u201d\n\nWHAT THE HIRE CREDIT DOES\n\nCreates a new eligible class of persons \u201cdisplaced disaster victims\u201d under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (\u201cWOTC\u201d) for part-time employment by an employer.\n\nWOTC is an established tax credit program that provides employers with a federal tax credit available for hiring and employing certain American job seekers who have consistently faced barriers to employment.\n\nTo qualify as a \u201cdisplaced disaster victim\u201d an individual must be certified by the designated local agency as:\n\nHaving a principal residence (as defined in section 1033(h)(4)) in a qualified disaster zone which was rendered uninhabitable as a result of the qualified disaster with respect to such qualified disaster zone,\n\nBeing employed (immediately prior to the incident period with respect to such qualified disaster) at a location in such qualified disaster zone which was rendered inoperable as a result of such qualified disaster, and\n\nBeing in a period of unemployment.\n\nThe term \u201cqualified disaster zones\u201d are areas where:\n\na major disaster was declared by the President, on or after January 1, 2024, under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and\n\nwas determined by the President, on or after January 1, 2024, to warrant individual or individual and public assistance from the Federal Government under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of the qualified disaster with respect to such disaster area.\n\nEmployers will be eligible to receive a tax credit for a certain amount of money based on the wages paid to the employee:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases/crockett-releases-statement-smirnov-guilty-plea-false-allegations-against", "Crockett Releases Statement on Smirnov Guilty Plea for False Allegations Against Bidens", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Jasmine Crockett", "C001130", "crockett.house.gov", "crockett", "https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congresswomen Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) released the following statement responding to news that ex-FBI informant and Russian agent Alexander Smirnov had pleaded guilty to providing false information to federal authorities about Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden months before the 2020 presidential election.\n\n\"For nearly two years, House Republicans have used the false testimony of a Russian foreign agent, Alexander Smirnov, as a way to try and improve their electoral prospects by spreading lies about President Joe Biden and his family. Smirnov\u2014whom the U.S. government itself has described as someone with 'an amalgam of otherwise unremarkable business meetings and contacts,'\u2014 began this political smear job by going to the FBI and spreading disinformation, which was then recorded on an FBI FD-1023 form. The extent of his lies was wide ranging. He lied about his wealth, his profession, his background, and importantly, he lied about purported illegal and corrupt actions involving President Biden and his son Hunter Biden\u2014none of which ever occurred.\n\n\"In spite of the attempts by my Democratic colleagues and I to verify the information given by Smirnov, Republicans used the uncorroborated claims in the document as their smoking gun to justify impeaching President Biden. Our concerns into the claims\u2019 veracity turned out to be well-founded: in February 2024, after thorough investigations by lawyers, the FBI, and the Department of Justice, Alexander Smirnov, the so-called confidential human source behind the false Biden corruption story, was arrested, criminally charged, and has entered a plea of guilty for providing false statements to the FBI and creating a false and fictitious record. Unfortunately for democracy and the American people, the damage was already done. By platforming and broadcasting these unfounded and baseless accusations against our President from within the House Oversight Committee, House Judiciary Committee, and House Ways and Means Committee, Republicans wasted millions of taxpayer dollars to fund an outright lie propagated by Smirnov and praised by our Russian adversaries.\n\n\"With yesterday\u2019s guilty plea, Mr. Smirnov is admitting what Democrats have been spelling out for months: these claims are lies and there is no basis for impeachment of President Biden. This was nothing more than an attempt by Russia and other foreign adversaries to undermine President Biden and tip the scales of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. The success of Russia\u2019s efforts to advance Mr. Smirnov\u2019s work tarnishing an honorable, law-abiding president in favor of Putin\u2019s dictator-loving, 34 felony-indicted close friend, Donald Trump, should alarm everyone. For nearly two years leading up to one of the most influential presidential elections in modern history, House Republicans quickly spread Russian-sourced misinformation about an American President and his family\u2014an American President that has been steadfast in his firm opposition to Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine and who has tirelessly worked to strengthen America\u2019s commitment and partnership to our NATO allies, to the displeasure of America\u2019s foreign adversaries.\n\n\"This is not the first time we have seen foreign countries attempt to infiltrate our political process, and based on recent statements by the incoming President and his administration officials, I am worried this will not be the last. As we anxiously brace for the devastating implications of a second Trump presidency with a Republican-controlled Congress rubber stamping his every whim, it is vital that every American\u2014regardless of party\u2014remember that American national security must be placed above partisan politics. If this ordeal has taught us anything, it is that we must enact stronger guardrails to stop malicious foreign agents from influencing those at top levels of our government. To do that, we need accurate answers to the following questions before it is too late: How did not a single House Republican or their staff catch the significant inconsistencies and lies within Mr. Smirnov\u2019s story in nearly two years of congressional investigations? And if they did indeed know Mr. Smirnov\u2019s account was fraudulent, why did they allow it to guide their work and influence their judgement for so long?\n\n\"What this entire facade has proven is that if we are to effectively oversee the federal government, it is incumbent on us to oversee how we as members of Congress do our jobs\u2014because the level of due diligence conducted by the Republican leadership these last two years has clearly failed the American people.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2328", "Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz Secures Relief for South Texas Farmers in Continuing Resolution", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Monica De La Cruz", "D000594", "delacruz.house.gov", "delacruz", "https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) today announced a critical victory for South Texas farmers with the inclusion of language in the Continuing Resolution (CR) granting the Secretary of Agriculture authority to provide block grants for economic relief to agricultural producers in South Texas. This measure addresses significant economic losses caused by Mexico's ongoing failure to meet its water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty.\n\n\"Our farmers are the backbone of South Texas, and they have faced tremendous hardship due to Mexico's refusal to fulfill its treaty obligations. These water shortages have devastated crops, cost jobs, and threatened our local economy,\" said Congresswoman De La Cruz. \"By securing this relief, we are delivering real solutions to the families, businesses, and communities who rely on agriculture to thrive.\"\n\nThe relief language mirrors provisions in Congresswoman De La Cruz's South Texas Agricultural Assistance Act, introduced in November, which directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide targeted economic aid to South Texas agricultural producers impacted by the water delivery shortfall.\n\nUnder the 1944 Water Treaty between the United States and Mexico, Mexico is required to deliver a set amount of water to the United States. Persistent noncompliance has led to severe water shortages for farmers in South Texas, impacting citrus growers, sugar producers, and other key agricultural sectors.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://hunt.house.gov/media/press-releases/immediate-release-rep-hunt-introduces-carla-walker-act", "For Immediate Release: Rep. Hunt Introduces the Carla Walker Act", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Wesley Hunt", "H001095", "hunt.house.gov", "hunt", "https://hunt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "This legislation is named after Carla Walker, who was abducted in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1974 before being found dead three days later.\n\n\"This is an issue that transcends party lines and unites the American public. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, the ability to identify perpetrators and prevent future crime is fundamental to ensuring the safety of our nation. Supporting innovative companies like this, based right here in Houston, Texas, is something I wholeheartedly stand behind,\" said Congressman Wesley Hunt.\n\n\u201c46 years after Carla Walker\u2019s tragic murder left her family desperately seeking answers, her killer was finally identified and brought to justice thanks to advanced FGG DNA analysis,\u201d said Sen. Cornyn. \u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce this legislation in Carla Walker\u2019s honor so that we can provide the resources needed to give more families in Texas and across the country the peace, healing, and resolution that comes through the power of a case solved.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mccaul-urges-support-his-bill-renaming-bastrop-post-office-sergeant", "McCaul Urges Support for His Bill Renaming Bastrop Post Office in Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh\u2019s Honor", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Michael T. McCaul", "M001157", "mccaul.house.gov", "mccaul", "https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) spoke on the House Floor in support of his bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1106 Main Street in Bastrop, Texas, as the \u201cSergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Post Office,\u201d which passed by unanimous consent.\n\nImage\n\nClick to watch\n\n\u2013 Remarks as Delivered \u2013\n\nMr. Speaker,\n\nYou and I just returned from Luxembourg to honor the veterans of WWII who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.\n\nI was there on behalf of the House of Representatives, at the Speaker\u2019s request, to honor the Greatest Generation and their sacrifices to defeat evil and ensure that freedom would persevere.\n\nThose soldiers that braved the Nazi onslaught and the frozen forests of the Ardennes to liberate Europe are known as \u2018The Greatest Generation.\u2019\n\nSergeant Major Billy D. Waugh was part of that great generation.\n\nThe service website military.com, using the colloquial name for Special Forces made famous during the Vietnam War, called Mr. Waugh, \u2018The unparalleled godfather of the Green Berets.\u2019\n\nFor his long years of service and numerous missions with them, he led a lifelong commitment to his country from a young age. He understood, as [President] Reagan did, that \u2018Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for and protected.\u2019\n\nSergeant Major Waugh was born in 1929 and raised in Bastrop, Texas, in my district.\n\nAnd in 1945, after meeting two local United States Marines who returned from fighting in World War II, [the] then 15-year-old Mr. Waugh was inspired to enlist in the Marine Corps.\n\nKnowing that it was unlikely that he would be allowed to enlist in Texas due to his young age, Waugh decided to hitchhike to Los Angeles, where he believed he only had to be 16 years old.\n\nHe got as far as Las Cruces, New Mexico, before being turned around and sent back to Bastrop by a local police officer. That shows you the amount of patriotism this young 15-year-old had.\n\nLater, in 1948, he enlisted and served his country as an Army paratrooper and Special Forces soldier until 1972.\n\nSergeant Major Waugh was no stranger to the front and served seven years in combat during the Korean and Vietnam wars, where he was shot multiple times.\n\nWhile in combat, he was part of a high-altitude, low-opening, or HALO parachute assault, the first of its kind in military history.\n\nFor his service, Sergeant Major Waugh received dozens of military awards and medals, including the Silver Star, four Bronze Stars, a Presidential Unit Citation, and eight Purple Hearts for his combat wounds \u2014 placing him third on the list of most Purple Hearts ever received in the history of the United States military.\n\nAfter retirement, he joined the United States Postal Service \u2014 before again serving his country as a paramilitary operations officer in the Central Intelligence Agency \u2014 where he pursued terrorists, including Carlos the Jackal and Osama Bin Laden.\n\nMr. Waugh never lost his sense of duty, patriotism, and his enduring love of freedom.\n\nAnd at the age of 71, Mr. Waugh participated in Operation Enduring Freedom from October to December 2001 as a member of the CIA's Northern Alliance Liaison Team, which went into Afghanistan to work to topple the Taliban regime and Al Qaeda at the Battle of Tora Bora.\n\nSergeant Major Billy D. Waugh passed away last year at the age of 93.\n\nHe epitomized the American values of courage, patriotism, and self-sacrifice.\n\nThrough his unparalleled life of service, he undoubtedly saved countless American lives and pushed back terrorism and evil around the world.\n\nAfter a life of service to his country, it is only fitting that the post office located at 1106 Main Street in Bastrop, Texas, be named after him.\n\nNaming this post office after him is a testament to a life well-lived and an opportunity for all Texans to pay homage to this great American hero.\n\nI am inspired by him and \u2026 that he\u2019s from Texas.\n\nI support this measure, and may God hold Sergeant Major Waugh in the palm of His hand.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this measure.\n\nI yield the balance of my time.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/roy-cruz-fight-ensure-texas-gets-fair-share-infrastructure-funds", "Roy & Cruz fight to ensure Texas gets a fair share of infrastructure funds", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Chip Roy", "R000614", "roy.house.gov", "roy", "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 On Tuesday, Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) introduced the House companion to Senator Ted Cruz\u2019s (TX) Highway Formula Fairness Act, which would help ensure that Texas and other states receive a fairer share of infrastructure funding via the federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF).\n\nHistorically, Texas has received a less than 95 percent rate of return on its contribution to total deposits paid into HTF via the federal gas tax. The legislation introduced Thursday would establish a minimum guarantee for fuel tax revenue received by states tied to the percentage of total monies paid into the fund.\n\nRepresentative Roy said, \u201cThe Highway Trust Fund has repeatedly shortchanged Texas, even though our state contains more interstate miles than any other state of the union. All while Texas bears massive infrastructure burdens associated with being the 8th largest economy in the world, energy production, and countless illegal border crossings.\n\nThat\u2019s why Senator Cruz and I have introduced this legislation to help states like Texas keep more of what we pay into the fund to improve our critical infrastructure.\u201d\n\nCo-sponsors of the bill include Dan Crenshaw (TX-21), Jake Ellzey (TX-6), Brian Babin (TX-36), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), and Randy Weber (TX-14).\n\nRead the full piece of legislation here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases/crockett-leads-letter-calling-clemency-americans-convicted-federal-crack", "Crockett Leads Letter Calling For Clemency for Americans Convicted On Federal Crack Cocaine Offenses", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Jasmine Crockett", "C001130", "crockett.house.gov", "crockett", "https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswomen Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and 18 members of the House Democratic Caucus sent a letter to President Joseph R. Biden calling for him to use his clemency power to commute those individuals serving longer sentences due to the crack cocaine versus powder cocaine sentencing disparity that was established during the 1980\u2019s \u201cWar on Drugs.\u201d\n\n\"With roughly one and half months left in your administration, we call on you to continue the progress of your administration and use your constitutional clemency power on individuals impacted by misguided sentencing disparities between crack cocaine and powder cocaine who are serving sentences that would be substantially lower if sentenced today. Specifically, we urge you to commute the sentences of individuals convicted of crack cocaine offenses to sentence lengths had they been charged with powder cocaine offences,\" wrote the members.\n\n\"The heightened sentencing for crack was premised on the belief that crack cocaine was more chemically dangerous than powder cocaine, and that crack users were more violent. However, medical research as early as the 1990s has shown that the physiological and psychoactive effects of cocaine are the same, regardless of the form. Additionally, 2020 U.S. Sentencing Commission data showed more federal offenders charged with powder cocaine offenses carried weapons, 490, than those charged with crack cocaine offenses, 468\u2014meaning those convicted of powder cocaine offences were more likely to have weapons and be violent thank crack cocaine offenders,\" continued the members.\n\n\"The disparate impact of the higher sentencing for crack cocaine users for communities of color is also telling. After analyzing data by the Bureau of Prisons from January 2024, the U.S. Sentencing Commission estimates there are 5,351 individuals federally incarcerated for crimes which crack cocaine was the primary or only drug involved. The U.S. Sentencing Commission estimates that, of that number, roughly \u201897.8 percent\u2019 or \u20185,234\u2019individuals would be eligible for a reduced sentence, and \u201862.5 percent\u2019 or \u20183,268\u2019 individuals would be eligible for immediate release if crack cocaine was sentenced the same as powder cocaine. Today, those currently serving crack cocaine sentences are roughly 78.9% Black, 14.3% Hispanic, and 6.4% White\u2014meaning that the majority of those serving longer sentences because of this crack cocaine distinction are people of color,\" the members continued.\n\nThe members conclude, \"Given the misguided and disproven theories surrounding the antiquated sentencing disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine, as well as the disproportionate harm this disparity has had on communities of color, we respectfully request that you use your clemency power to commute the sentences of individuals convicted of crack cocaine offenses to sentence lengths had they been charged with powder cocaine.\"\n\nA full copy of the letter can be found here, with text appearing below.\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe first write to extend our gratitude for your tireless work in addressing longstanding inadequacies within our federal criminal justice system. Since taking office, your administration has implemented several new policies that have created positive changes for countless citizens.\n\nWhether it was advancing effective, accountable policing and criminal justice practices to enhance public trust and safety, or pardoning thousands of individuals convicted of simple use or possession of marijuana, your administration has dedicated itself to rectifying systemic wrongs which have impacted certain communities for countless decades. Now, with roughly one and half months left in your administration, we call on you to continue the progress of your administration and use your constitutional clemency power on individuals impacted by misguided sentencing disparities between crack cocaine and powder cocaine who are serving sentences that would be substantially lower if sentenced today. Specifically, we urge you to commute the sentences of individuals convicted of crack cocaine offenses to sentence lengths had they been charged with powder cocaine offences.\n\nAs our country began to wage a \u201cwar on drugs\u201d in the 1980\u2019s, Congress sought to address the rise in drug addictions, overdoses, and deaths through legislation. Its solution, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, contained several provisions, including establishing mandatory minimum sentences for crack cocaine and powder cocaine. Specifically, the law set forth a minimum 5-year prison sentence for possession of 5 grams crack cocaine compared to a 5-year minimum prison sentence for every 500 grams of powder cocaine. Reports at the time noted that \u201cpublic officials and government agencies [were] reacting to crack and cocaine use in the United States\u201d\u2014but these \u201cpoliticians recognize[d] that antidrug statements and actions [we]re unlikely to be scrutinized or challenged by opponents, for no one in public life th[o]se days wants to appear soft on drugs.\u201d Hence, Congress differentiated crack cocaine and powder cocaine, suggesting that crack, compared to powder cocaine, \u201c[wa]s easily obtained,\u201d and given its \u201caccessibility and affordability, . . . crack threatened to tear apart the nation\u2019s social fabric.\u201d Members also argued that crack cocaine, unlike powder cocaine, led to greater violence and therefore stronger sentences were needed. Accordingly, Congress sought to go \u201cbeyond saying that we are going to get tough. . . . We have very strong penalties, mandatory sentences for the use of crack in small amounts; we distinguish crack and make it one of the most dangerous drugs.\u201d\n\nYet, as early as the 1990\u2019s, scientific and medical research questioned the assumed different physiological and psychotropic effects of crack cocaine compared to powder cocaine that helped justify the sentencing disparity at its time of creation. For example, a prominent medical study in 1996 showed that the \u201cphysiological and psychoactive effects of cocaine are similar regardless of whether it is in the form of cocaine [powder] or crack cocaine.\u201d10 Then in 2002, the U.S. Sentencing Commission (\u201cUSSC\u201d) issued a report to Congress noting that \u201c[c]cocaine, in any form produces the same physiological and psychotropic effects. . . . [Also,] [t]he negative effects of prenatal crack cocaine exposure are identical to the negative effects of prenatal powder cocaine exposure and are significantly less severe than previously believed.\u201d Thus, what became evidently clear was that \u201c[s]ome of the information available to Congress in\n\nretrospect proved not to be empirically sound.\u201d\n\nDespite this mistaken understanding, the continual application of this policy caused disproportionate harm to communities of color. As USSC\u2019s 2002 report noted, the \u201coverwhelming majority of offenders subject to the heightened crack cocaine penalties [we]re black . . . [which] contributed to a widely held perception that the current penalty structure promote[d] unwarranted disparity based on race.\u201d13 In fact, demographic sentencing data for federal crack cocaine offenses showed that in 1992, 91.4% of individuals sentenced were Black and 3.2% were White\u2014in 2000, 84.7% were Black and 5.6% were White. Concerned about the impact of this trend, USSC stated that \u201ceven the perception of racial disparity problematic because it fosters disrespect for and lack of confidence in the criminal justice system.\u201d\n\nIt was not until 2010 that efforts to have defendants \u201csentenced for what he or she actually did, not [because] the form of cocaine involved\u201d achieved partial success.16 Under the Fair Sentencing Act which President Obama signed into law, the 100-to-1 sentencing disparity for crack cocaine offenses was reduced to 18-to-1.17 When debating the bill, Congress reiterated what many already knew\u2014that \u201cthere is no pharmacological difference between the two forms of cocaine\u201d and that at that time, \u201c80 percent of the crack defendants [we]re black.\u201d Although the bill codified the new sentencing requirements for those sentenced after its passage, the bill\u2019s 18-to-1 ratio did not apply to individuals already sentenced under the 1986 disparity. Following legal challenges and proactive efforts by USSC promoting retroactive application, Congress in 2018 passed a sweeping criminal justice reform bill\u2014the First Step Act19\u2014which codified retroactive application of the 18-to-1 sentencing standard for those previously sentenced under the 100-to-1 regime.20 Roughly five years after its passage, the impact of the law was nothing short of astounding. USSC reported that between the enactment of First Step Act to September 30, 2021, 4,226 incarcerated persons received retroactive reductions, of which 3877 were Black (92.0%), 170 were Hispanic (4.0%), 131 were White (3.1%).\n\nWhile the 2010 and 2018 laws have produced positive change in our criminal justice system, efforts to completely eliminate the crack versus powder disparity continue to grow with broad support. In 2021, Congress introduced legislation establishing 1-to-1 sentencing for crack cocaine and powder cocaine. This bill overwhelmingly passed out of the House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support, 361-66. Bipartisan consensus for change also been seen in the U.S. Senate. During a 2021 Senate Judiciary Hearing, both Republicans and Democrats noted that the current sentencing disparity is unmerited and that it has disproportionately impacted communities of color. Republican Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson testified before the committee, noting that \u201cthe sentencing disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine was fundamentally unfair and caused disproportionate harm, particularly in communities of color. . . . Congress now has the opportunity to build on the bipartisan successes of the Fair Sentencing Act and the First Step Act by eliminating the\n\nsentencing disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine once and for all. The strength of our justice system is dependent on the perception of fundamental fairness.\u201d One Republican senator also stated that \u201cI think there is widespread agreement on this committee that the disparity is difficult to defend.\u201d The Democratic Chairman repeated this sentiment, stating that although the 2010 and 2018 laws have addressed \u201cinequities in our criminal justice system . . . the task that now lies before us is finishing the job we started, by eliminating this disparity, altogether. It has no basis in science. It\u2019s done nothing to make us safer. It serves only to undermine trust in our system of justice, especially, among Black Americans, who are six times . . . more likely to be imprisoned on drug charges than white Americans, even though the drug use is at a similar rate between them.\u201d Senators also dispelled the notion of greater violence acts by crack cocaine offenders compared to powder cocaine offenders when one Democratic senator, citing USCC data, noted that \u201cmore federal offenders charged with powder cocaine offenses carried weapons, 490, than those charged with crack cocaine offenses, 468. . . . The data shows that powder cocaine folks are more likely to have weapons.\u201d\n\nIt is also telling that even your administration has also called for eliminating the crack versus powder disparity equal sentencing. Indeed, in 2022, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a department memorandum that addressed the crack versus powder sentencing disparity. In it, Attorney General Garland stated that the \u201cJustice Department supports elimination of the crack-to-powder sentencing disparity . . . \u2018First, the crack/powder disparity is simply not supported by science, as there are no significant pharmacological differences between the drugs: they are two forms of the same drug, with powder readily convertible into crack cocaine. Second, as documented by the Sentencing Commission, the crack/powder sentencing differential is still responsible for unwarranted racial disparities in sentencing. Third, the higher penalties for crack cocaine offenses are not necessary to achieve (and actually undermine) our law enforcement priorities, as there are other tools more appropriately tailored to that end.\u2019\u201d In an effort to \u201cpromote the equivalent treatment of crack and powder cocaine offense,\u201d Attorney General Garland then set forth guidance for prosecutors to use to achieve this goal, such as supporting \u201cvariance[s] to the guidelines range that would apply to the comparable quantity of\n\npowder cocaine.\u201d\n\nWhile Congress today works to pass the EQUAL Act to establish equal sentencing for\n\ncrack cocaine and powder cocaine, we recognize the unique power vested to you that can right the wrongs of our criminal justice system and build on your legacy of ensuring equitable and restorative justice. In analyzing data by BOP from January 2024, USSC estimates there are 5,351 individuals federally incarcerated for crimes which crack cocaine was the primary or only drug involved. USSC estimates that of that number, roughly \u201c97.8 percent\u201d or \u201c5,234\u201d individuals would be eligible for a reduced sentence, and \u201c62.5 percent\u201d or \u201c3,268\u201d individuals would be eligible for immediate release if crack cocaine was sentenced the same as powder cocaine.\n\nToday, those currently serving crack cocaine sentences are roughly 78.9% Black,\n\n14.3% Hispanic, and 6.4% White\u2014meaning that the majority of those serving longer sentences because of this crack cocaine distinction are people of color.\n\nOver the last three years, you have exercised your constitutional clemency power for\n\nindividuals who have had certain drug-related federal and D.C. convictions. In issuing these pardons and reprieves, you emphasized the need to address these wrongs given that communities of color \u201chave been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at disproportionate rates,\u201d compared to others.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://gonzales.house.gov/2024/12/rep-tony-gonzales-statement-on-abundant-life-christian-school-shooting", "Rep. Tony Gonzales Statement on Abundant Life Christian School Shooting", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Tony Gonzales", "G000594", "gonzales.house.gov", "gonzales", "https://gonzales.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan School Safety and Security Caucus, issued the below statement following the tragic school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin is devastating\u2014no parent, family, or community should ever have to experience a tragedy like this. It\u2019s shameful for lawmakers to stand by while mass violence continues to plague school campuses. We need a national strategy to detect and prevent this kind of terrorism from taking place across our nation,\u201d said Congressman Tony Gonzales.\n\nThe Bipartisan School Safety and Security Caucus is focused on moving past partisan gridlock in Congress to advance school safety and security solutions. Earlier this year, Congressman Gonzales introduced the National Strategy for School Security Act, which seeks to prevent mass shootings on school campuses by requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a comprehensive plan to combat these threats. For more information, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-passes-legislation-honoring-local-fallen-hero-first", "Congressman Gonzalez Passes Legislation Honoring Local Fallen Hero, First Lieutenant Andres Zerme\u00f1o", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", "gonzalez", "https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass Congressman Vicente Gonzalez\u2019s (TX-34) legislation, H.R. 6244, to rename the U.S. Post Office located at 1535 East Los Ebanos Boulevard, Brownsville, Texas, in honor of fallen soldier and Brownsville native, First Lieutenant Andres Zerme\u00f1o.\n\nFirst Lieutenant Andres Zerme\u00f1o answered the call to serve in 2008 by commissioning into the United States Army where he served overseas during \u201cOperation Enduring Freedom (OEF)\u201d. In 2011, First Lieutenant Zerme\u00f1o was tragically killed in action while on patrol in Shekhabad, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered from a rocket-propelled grenade. He is survived by his wife and two children.\n\n\u201cIt was my honor to introduce H.R. 6244 and pay tribute to Lieutenant Zerme\u00f1o\u2019s extraordinary legacy. He is the true definition of an American hero who bravely laid down his life to protect his family, his hometown, and his country,\u201d said Congressman Gonzalez. \u201cMay this legislation serve as a lasting reminder to South Texans of his sacrifice and courage.\u201d\n\nDuring his funeral mass at St. Mary\u2019s University, Lieutenant Zerme\u00f1o\u2019s friends, family, and colleagues remembered him as a true leader, a caring friend, and a devoted family man. He was laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston.\n\nCongressman Gonzalez took to the House floor urging his colleagues to support passage of the bill, which can be viewed here.\n\nH.R. 6244 currently awaits Senate action.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://gooden.house.gov/press-releases?ID=396AF15D-1872-4985-8FF7-49A8BD4B1A93", "Release: House Passes Rep. Gooden's  Bipartisan Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Lance Gooden", "G000589", "gooden.house.gov", "gooden", "https://gooden.house.gov/press-releases", "page_html", "Washington - Today, Congressman Lance Gooden applauded the passage of his bipartisan Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act (FJSA), legislation introduced alongside Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA), Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI). This important bill transitions 10 existing temporary federal judgeships to permanent status, providing much-needed stability and efficiency to America\u2019s federal court system.\n\n\u201cThe Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act is a commonsense solution to ensure the efficient operation of our nation\u2019s courts,\u201d said Congressman Gooden. \u201cBy making these judgeships permanent, we allow our judicial system to function without unnecessary disruptions. This legislation doesn\u2019t create new judgeships or shift the balance of power\u2014it simply ensures our courts can serve the American people effectively and fairly. I am grateful for Senator Cruz\u2019s support on my bill and look forward to this becoming law in the coming weeks.\u201d\n\nThe 10 affected judicial districts include:\n\nAlabama-Northern\n\nArizona\n\nCalifornia-Central\n\nFlorida-Southern\n\nHawaii\n\nKansas\n\nMissouri-Eastern\n\nNew Mexico\n\nNorth Carolina-Western\n\nTexas-Eastern\n\n\u201cThese judgeships are vital to addressing backlogs and ensuring timely access to justice,\u201d Gooden continued. \u201cI\u2019m proud to have worked to advance this bipartisan bill, which strengthens our judiciary and serves the needs of every American, regardless of party or state.\u201d\n\nRead the full bill", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T11:08:25Z"], ["https://sessions.house.gov/2024/12/sessions-and-mfume-send-bipartisan-letter-requesting-gao-to-review-persistent-issues-with-dod-s-vetting-system", "Sessions and Mfume Send Bipartisan Letter Requesting GAO to Review Persistent Issues with DOD\u2019s Vetting System", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Sessions", "S000250", "sessions.house.gov", "sessions", "https://sessions.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce Chairman Pete Sessions (TX-17) and Ranking Member Kweisi Mfume (MD-7) continue their bipartisan oversight of the Department of Defense\u2019s personnel vetting practices. The lawmakers remain concerned about delays and issues with the National Background Investigation Service (NBIS) program. In a letter to the U.S. Government and Accountability Office (GAO) Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro, they requested a GAO review of NBIS citing longstanding concerns about missed deadlines and cost overruns associated with developing a modernized security clearance vetting system that facilitates appropriate and secure access to our nation\u2019s most sensitive materials.\n\n\u201cThe Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce remains concerned with the status of the Department of Defense\u2019s (DOD) personnel vetting practices, especially given the ongoing problems with the National Background Investigation Service (NBIS) program, overseen by DOD\u2019s Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA),\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cWe are further concerned that national security personnel are not undergoing all required record checks, non-sensitive personnel have not been enrolled in a continuous vetting system, and there are indications that there are challenges implementing continuous vetting across the federal government.\u201d\n\nIn 2015, cybersecurity incidents on information technology (IT) systems that supported personnel vetting compromised the data of more than 22 million federal employees and contractor personnel. Subsequently, DOD established NBIS to replace and improve upon the compromised IT systems. However, GAO has repeatedly reported on significant delays with NBIS\u2019 system and included the government-wide personnel security clearance process on its High-Risk List. In June 2024, the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce held a hearing to examine how DOD has fallen short in its mission to modernize the IT infrastructure of NBIS. At the hearing, lawmakers expressed bipartisan concern about the continued delays with the NBIS system and potential cascading effects on our nation\u2019s national security.\n\n\u201cContinuous vetting involves reviewing the background of a covered individual through automated record checks in various areas, including criminal records, terrorism, and financial issues, during an individual\u2019s period of eligibility. Unfortunately, these changes have not occurred as planned due to continued NBIS delays,\u201d continued the lawmakers in their letter to GAO. \u201cGiven the importance of a timely, accurate and comprehensive personnel vetting process, we request that GAO conduct a review on continued NBIS development and continuous vetting.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-sylvia-garcia-introduces-bill-to-protect-intersex-children-in-the-foster-system", "Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Introduces Bill to Protect Intersex Children in the Foster System", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Sylvia R. Garcia", "G000587", "sylviagarcia.house.gov", "sylviagarcia", "https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) introduced the Protect Intersex Children Act to prohibit medically unnecessary surgeries on intersex children under six years old in the foster care system.\n\nApproximately 1-2% of newborns are born intersex. These children\u2014those born with natural variations in physical sex characteristics\u2014are often subjected to medical interventions to modify their bodies to conform to typical male or female genitalia. As many as two-thirds of these irreversible surgeries occur on infants under the age of two, before they are old enough to understand the implications or give consent. They often result in long-term physical and emotional harm, including chronic pain, loss of function, and psychological trauma.\n\n\u201cEvery child deserves to grow up feeling safe, loved, and valued for who they are\u2014not subjected to unnecessary medical procedures that take away their autonomy and identity,\u201d said Congresswoman Garcia. \u201cThis is about protecting children from harm and ensuring they have the chance to make decisions about their own bodies when they\u2019re ready. This legislation is a crucial first step toward empowering intersex children and supporting an often-overlooked community.\"\n\n\"Children in state care who are born with variations in sex characteristics are frequently subjected to medically unnecessary cosmetic genital surgeries intended to define their gender, often without their consent or involvement in the decision,\" said The Houston Intersex Society co-founders and TX-29 constituents Mo Cortez and Koomah. \"This was our experience as children in state care and the consequences of these procedures are devastating. We commend Congresswoman Garcia for her continued dedication to these impacted communities and her unwavering advocacy.\"\n\n\"Children with intersex variations have never had sufficient legal protection against violations of bodily autonomy. Currently, they are arguably at greater risk than ever as states that ban transgender youth from accessing necessary, affirming care are simultaneously encouraging unnecessary and harmful surgeries on intersex infants and young children through the same legislative instruments,\" said InterACT Legal and Policy Director Sylvan Fraser Anthony. \"Federal action is needed to preserve bodily self-determination against these deplorable abuses of state power.\"\n\nThe Protect Intersex Children Act would require that states receiving federal funding for foster care and adoption assistance programs to prohibit specified surgeries from being performed on foster children under the age of six who are born with variations in the development, appearance, or function of their physical sex characteristics, unless required to address a life-threatening medical emergency.\n\nA growing number of medical and human rights organizations, including the World Health Organization and the United Nations, have condemned these early interventions. In 2017, three former US Surgeon Generals that served in both Republican and Democratic administrations issued a statement calling for a moratorium on medically unnecessary surgeries on intersex children too young to participate in the decision.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-sylvia-garcia-leads-24-colleagues-in-bicameral-call-for-usps-to-protect-the-safety-of-mail-order-medications-from-extreme-temperatures", "Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Leads 24 Colleagues in Bicameral Call for USPS to Protect the Safety of Mail-Order Medications from Extreme Temperatures", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Sylvia R. Garcia", "G000587", "sylviagarcia.house.gov", "sylviagarcia", "https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) led 24 colleagues in the House and Senate in sending a bicameral letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, United States Postal Service (USPS) leadership, and the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) urging immediate action to address the risks extreme temperatures pose to the efficacy of mail-order medications.\n\nThis letter comes after alarming reports detailing how unsafe temperature conditions during delivery compromise the safety of medications that millions of Americans depend on.\n\nThe letter, citing investigative reporting and research, highlights the vulnerability of essential medications\u2014such as insulin, epinephrine injectors, and rescue inhalers\u2014to extreme heat or freezing conditions during shipping.\n\n\"Receiving medications by mail is a crucial lifeline for many, particularly for those who are homebound, elderly, or living in rural areas. As extreme temperatures continue to affect communities across the United States, these patients receiving essential medications via mail are increasingly at risk of receiving compromised products,\" wrote the members to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.\n\nThe letter further raises concerns over the lack of consistent temperature monitoring and oversight during the delivery process, pointing out that delivery trucks can reach temperatures of up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. The lawmakers also reference cases where patients faced life-threatening consequences from receiving damaged medications.\n\nThe letter outlines specific questions for USPS and PRC leadership to address, including:\n\nHow many complaints has the Postal Service received related to patients experiencing harm, serious injury and/or death resulting from complications linked to prescriptions delivered that were outside of their safe temperature zones?\n\nHow does the agency ensure that medications are monitored for temperature exposure during shipping, and what protocols are in place to identify and replace compromised products?\n\nWhat actions is your agency taking to ensure the safe storage and transportation of perishable medications? What regulations, guidelines, or protocols does your agency have in place for perishable prescriptions? How does your agency enforce these regulations?\n\nThe lawmakers have requested a detailed response by January 17, 2025, and urged USPS to take immediate steps to mitigate the risk to public health by mail-order medications that are exposed to extreme temperatures. The effort is part of Congresswoman Garcia's continued commitment to combatting the effects of extreme temperatures on communities across the nation and ensuring all Americans have access to reliable and safe healthcare services.\n\nJoining Congresswoman Garcia as cosigners on the letter are Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), as well as Reps. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY-09), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Henry C. Johnson, Jr. (D-GA-04), Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-CA-44), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Barbara Lee (D-TX-12), Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Val Hoyle (D-OR-04), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), and Erica Lee Carter (D-TX-18).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-veasey-releases-statement-school-shooting-abundant-life-christian", "Rep. Veasey Releases Statement on School Shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Marc Veasey has released the following statement regarding the news coming out of the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison Wisconsin after the shooting that has occurred on December 16, 2024:\n\n\"Today's tragic news of the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin is deeply Distressing,\" said Congressman Marc Veasey. \"There are no words that can fully capture the pain of those affected or begin to health the trauma experienced by the victims, their families, and all those who risk their lives to protect us. Moving forward, it is critical that we take every necessary step to ensure that our schools remain safe spaces for learning and growth.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://sessions.house.gov/2024/12/congressman-sessions-statement-of-support-for-our-agricultural-community", "Congressman Sessions Statement of Support for Our Agricultural Community", "2024-12-14", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Sessions", "S000250", "sessions.house.gov", "sessions", "https://sessions.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 In response to news that the government funding Continuing Resolution expected to reach the House floor this week will not include economic aid to farmers and ranchers, Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) issued the following statement:\n\nCongressman Sessions said, \u201cFarmers and ranchers rely on Congress to provide necessary economic support before the new year. Now, with the end of this Congress approaching, we are failing the agricultural community. We cannot allow our rural areas to disappear; the work of our farmers is the backbone of our nation. Thousands of farm families who have worked our American soil for generations are at risk of insolvency. The 17th Congressional District of Texas is one of the largest agricultural districts in the nation. I will not abandon them. As a 28 year member of the Texas Farm Bureau and a lifetime member of the Texas Forestry Association, I have stood with the agricultural community for years. I plan on voting NO to any Continuing Resolution that does not include economic support for our farm and ranch families.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-and-congresswoman-sylvia-garcia-host-press-conference-0", "Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Host Press Conference to Address Mail Delays and Fatal Shooting After Touring USPS North Houston Regional Processing Center", "2024-12-13", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Al Green", "G000553", "algreen.house.gov", "algreen", "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(Houston, TX)\u2014On Friday, December 13, 2024, Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia will host a press conference after touring the United States Postal Service (USPS) North Houston Regional Processing Center. During the press conference, they will discuss issues related to mail delivery delays and concern about the upcoming holiday rush, including a test letter and check sent by the Congressman that has not yet been delivered to its intended recipient. They will also discuss the lack of security leading to the recent fatal shooting of a postal service employee at the Missouri City facility on December 9, 2024. The press conference will take place at Iglesia Cristiana Pan De Vida located at 4623 Aldine Bender Road, Houston, Texas 77032 at 12:30 p.m. CT.\n\n\"For far too long, Representative Green and I have been visiting our processing facilities to demand action and accountability from USPS. Every day these facilities aren't fully operational means prescriptions are delayed, checks are lost, and gifts go missing\u2014that is unacceptable for our families,\u201d said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. \u201cUSPS has tried to dodge responsibility, but let me be clear: we're not letting up. North Houston has installed new sorting machines to help with processing, but the real test is just around the corner this holiday season. We're holding their feet to the fire until every issue is fixed, sealed, stamped, and ready to go.\"\n\n\u201cIn light of the tragic shooting involving a postal service employee, my heart goes out to their family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and the impact it is having on our community. This incident raises serious concerns about security at our facilities, especially at the South Houston Distribution Center,\u201d stated Congressman Al Green. \u201cI had a visit scheduled at the South Houston facility on this Friday, December 13, 2024. However, out of respect for those grieving, it has been postponed to a later date to be announced. Instead, I and Congresswoman Garcia will meet with high level postal officials, and thereafter hold a press event following the tour at the North Houston Regional Processing Center on Friday, December 13, 2024, to discuss postal issues, including the shooting.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2503", "Arrington Urges Trump to Boost WTX Cotton Exports", "2024-12-13", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Jodey C. Arrington", "A000375", "arrington.house.gov", "arrington", "https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) led 15 of his colleagues in a letter to President-Elect Donald Trump urging his administration to pursue favorable trade deals that boost exports of American cotton. Seeking new trade agreements expanding cotton exports would increase commodity prices and restore U.S. market dominance after the Biden administration\u2019s failed policies have caused the U.S. to fall behind Brazil in global sales for the first time.\n\n\u201cRecord droughts, soaring input costs, and falling commodity prices have posed significant challenges for these producers, causing many to accrue skyrocketing levels of debt and even go out of business. The absence of an updated Farm Bill has only exacerbated this dire situation, as producers face a lack of certainty and outdated federal support that has not adjusted to the historic inflation of the early 2020s,\u201d the letter reads. \u201cNegotiating the removal of foreign trade barriers would expand export opportunities for the cotton industry, helping American exporters regain their global market dominance and adding a much-needed boost to the industry following the challenges of the last few years. As you take office on January 20th, we strongly encourage you to keep the priorities of our country\u2019s farmers and ranchers in mind and expand market access for American cotton.\u201d\n\nClick HERE to read the full letter.\n\n\u201cWe appreciate Congressman Arrington for recognizing the challenging economic landscape facing U.S. cotton and for his call to remove foreign trade barriers that restrict market access for U.S. exports,\u201d said Gary Adams, President and CEO of the National Cotton Council.\n\n\u201cAs U.S. cotton consumption has drastically shifted to the export market and global competition continues to intensify, establishing meaningful market access is critically important,\u201d saidBuddy Allen, President and CEO of the American Cotton Shippers Association. \u201cThe American Cotton Shippers Association commends Congressman Arrington for recognizing this in his recent letter to President-elect Trump. Amid severe droughts, depressed markets, and record-high input costs, Congressman Arrington is taking essential steps to ensure the continued viability of cotton production in Texas and across the nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cI would like to thank Congressman Arrington and his colleagues for reaching out to President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance urging them to work on, enforce, and enhance our agricultural trade agreements,\u201d saidBrad Heffington, Cotton Producer and Past President of Plains Cotton Growers. \u201cTrade is so important to many agricultural commodities we produce and has a direct impact on prices. As a cotton producer, exports are imperative to our success in being able to grow crops profitably. Trade should be a top priority to help producers not have to be dependent upon the farm safety net. Thank you greatly for your efforts on behalf of producers.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2506", "Arrington Applauds Passage of National Defense Funding Bill, Including Two of His Amendments", "2024-12-13", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Jodey C. Arrington", "A000375", "arrington.house.gov", "arrington", "https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement after passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\n\n\u201cThis year\u2019s NDAA roots out radical ideology in the military \u2013 like removing Green New Deal climate footprint restrictions from our weapons systems \u2013 and puts America First by bolstering our southern border, supporting our allies, and deterring our adversaries,\u201d said Chairman Arrington. \u201cI am especially proud to have secured two provisions in the NDAA to honor the life of Lubbock native Private Caleb Smither, who died needlessly while on active duty at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This legislation helps ensure tragedies like the passing of Caleb Smither never happen again while adequately equipping our military to be the most lethal fighting force in the world.\u201d\n\nThe NDAA includes two of Chairman Arrington\u2019s provisions, honoring 19-year-old Lubbock native Private Second Class Caleb \u201cSmitty\u201d Smither, who died on active duty at Fort Bragg, North Carolina:\n\nTo direct the Army to report to Congress on the implementation and enforcement of the \u201cSmitty Check\u201d protocol that was developed in response to Caleb Smither\u2019s death, requiring the Army to thoroughly monitor service members following an injury; and\n\nTo require the Department of Defense (DoD) to disclose on medical records whether a service member received care from a DoD doctor or a civilian doctor.\n\nOther provisions also included in the NDAA:\n\nAffirm DoD support of law enforcement operations along the southwest border and maritime borders.\n\nFully supports deployment of National Guard troops to augment Border Patrol activities at the southwest border.\n\nAuthorizes $90 million for construction of a new Command and Control Facility to detect and interdict illegal migrants and narcotics.\n\nImprove servicemember quality of life to address military recruitment, retention, and readiness.\n\nAuthorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% pay raise for all other servicemembers.\n\nAuthorizes $176 million for construction of new childcare centers.\n\nRoot out woke ideology from the military.\n\nBanned critical race theory in the military, gutted DEI at the DoD, and included the Parents Bill of Rights to ensure military parents\u2019 right to review curriculum, meet with teachers, and provide consent before any medical exams or screenings at school.\n\nPermanently bans DoD from funding transgender medical treatments for children.\n\nProhibits new climate change rules that give preference to weapon systems with lower climate impacts or hamper the defense industrial base.\n\nDeter Chinese Communist Party aggression:\n\nAuthorizes $15.6 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to enhance U.S. deterrence and defense posture in the Indo-Pacific.\n\nProhibits contracting with subsidiaries of any Chinese civil-military companies, sharing of sensitive missile defense information with China, and Chinese nationals from being admitted to nuclear facilities.\n\n###\n\nRelated News", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5572", "Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Delivers Winter Wishes to Senior Citizens in Texas\u2019 Seventh Congressional District", "2024-12-13", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lizzie Fletcher", "F000468", "fletcher.house.gov", "fletcher", "https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) delivered holiday cards to senior citizens across Texas\u2019 Seventh Congressional District. Local students, teachers, and Seventh District constituents created and delivered more than 1,257 cards to Congresswoman Fletcher\u2019s Houston office this month to be shared with area seniors.\n\n\u201cI was thrilled to deliver holiday cards to seniors across our district on behalf of our community members,\u201d said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. \u201cWe had an incredible response from our TX-07 community, and I am grateful to everyone who participated and helped spread holiday cheer.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Fletcher started the Winter Wishes program in 2021. This is her fourth year delivering Winter Wishes in TX-07, and she visited Brookdale Galleria and Tarrytowne Estates.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://keithself.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-keith-self-leads-letter-urging-texas-republicans-hold-line-against", "Congressman Keith Self Leads Letter Urging Texas Republicans to Hold the Line Against Democrat Committee Chairs", "2024-12-13", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Keith Self", "S001224", "keithself.house.gov", "keithself", "https://keithself.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Keith Self led a letter with Congressman Wesley Hunt, Congressman Michael Cloud, Congressman Tony Gonzales, and Congressman-elect Brandon Gill to the Republican Members of the Texas House of Representatives. The letter urged each Member to support the Texas Republican Caucus Speaker nominee and stand firm against appointing Democrats to chair Texas House committees.\n\nThe letter reads, \u201cThere is no justification for any Republican Texas House Member to work with Democrats to elect a Speaker who will appoint Democrats to chair committee positions in exchange for political support. As you know, a committee chairman wields significant power\u2014 they determine what is considered by a committee, committee schedules, and what will ultimately be brought to the House Floor for a vote. Ceding that power to Democrats is an abdication of the authority granted by the people who elected you. For several years, crucial conservative priorities and legislation have been blocked by Democrat Chairmen\u2014including the critical Resolutions Calendar Committee, which determines which resolutions are considered on the Floor.\u201d\n\n\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s November 5th mandate sent a clear signal that Republicans at both state and federal levels need to deliver conservative policies,\u201d said Congressman Keith Self. \u201cTexas House Republican Members should not kneecap their own majority by ceding committee positions to Democrats. Congress does not operate that way\u2014the Texas House should not either. Fight, fight, fight!\u201d\n\n\u201cPresident Trump overwhelmingly won a mandate to make America safe again. In Congress, Republicans only elect Republicans to chair committees and deliver on our agenda of closing the border, protecting our Second Amendment rights, and fighting for freedom of speech. As Texans, we expect Texas to do the same,\u201d said Congressman Tony Gonzales.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://crenshaw.house.gov/2024/12/reps-crenshaw-presses-the-congressional-budget-office-to-estimate-the-cost-of-gender-transition-for-minors", "Rep. Crenshaw Presses the Congressional Budget Office to Estimate the Cost of Gender Transitions for Minors in Federal Programs", "2024-12-12", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Dan Crenshaw", "C001120", "crenshaw.house.gov", "crenshaw", "https://crenshaw.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC\u2014On December 12th, Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) sent a letter to the Congressional Budget Office requesting a budgetary score on the total cost of gender transitions for minors in federal programs.\n\n\u201cCosmetic self-harm for minors is not medicine. Children\u2019s hospitals offering gender-transition procedures should be stripped of their federal funding.\u201d said Congressman Crenshaw. \"To eliminate support, we must first expose the full extent of government complicity in this ideological fantasy, paving the way to cut it during budget reconciliation next Congress.\u201d\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nWhat they are saying:\n\n\u201cChildren are held hostage for the rest of their lives by the irreversible nature of sex change treatments. Do No Harm applauds Rep. Crenshaw for holding the Biden administration accountable for misusing tax dollars to fund these harmful procedures. Every American should be alarmed by this malpractice, especially when every American is financing this malpractice. Between 2019 and 2023, nearly 14,000 minors underwent sex change treatments. Yet we continue to see a rise in these patients expressing deep regret for their treatments\u2013treatments that manifest as physical and emotional scaring for decades to come.\u201d \u2013 Stanley Goldfarb, MD, Board Chair of Do No Harm.\n\n\"Family Policy Alliance commends Rep. Crenshaw for this hard work. Kids are not experiments. The Federal government should not be funding these barbaric sterilization and mutilation procedures. This is the right step toward further understanding how deep this insidious problem goes so we can tackle it head on. FPA believes that this should be investigated with same rigor as the Tuskegee experiments. Our federal government has not been honest with their experimentation on children and adults.\" \u2013 Craig DeRoche, President and CEO of Family Policy Alliance.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crockett-applauds-biden-admin-clemency-nearly-1500-americans-including-tx", "Rep. Crockett Applauds Biden Admin for Clemency of Nearly 1500 Americans, Including TX-30 Constituent", "2024-12-12", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Jasmine Crockett", "C001130", "crockett.house.gov", "crockett", "https://crockett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Today, December 12, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) released the following statement in response to the news that the Biden Administration has granted clemency for nearly 1500 Americans, including her constituent and Arlington resident, Lashundra Tenneal Wilson.\n\n\u201cI applaud President Biden\u2019s actions today in granting clemency for nearly 1,500 individuals, including 39 pardons for individuals who had been convicted of non-violent offenses. One of the individuals who has received a second chance is Lashundra Tenneal Wilson, a 49-year-old constituent of Texas\u2019 30th congressional district who has turned her life around after a non-violent conviction as a teenager.\n\n\u201cSince then, Lashundra has dedicated herself to her community. She has pursued her education, has worked in healthcare, and volunteers at health fairs and raises funds for nonprofit organizations. Lashundra\u2019s story is a powerful reminder of our ability for growth and redemption, and is living proof that we are not defined by our past but rather how we live our lives when we get a second chance.\n\n\u201cAs a former public defender and civil rights attorney, I know firsthand how rare it is for people to receive these types of life changing pardons and clemencies. President Biden\u2019s actions today illustrate a commitment to restorative criminal justice through rehabilitation and reintegration into society. With close to one month left in his administration, I urge President Biden to build on this legacy and continue to utilize his presidential pardon power in these last few weeks in office.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mccaul-leads-bipartisan-congressional-delegation-commemorate-80th", "McCaul Leads Bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge", "2024-12-12", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Michael T. McCaul", "M001157", "mccaul.house.gov", "mccaul", "https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Luxembourg \u2013 Starting today, Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) \u2014 chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee \u2014 is leading a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Belgium and Luxembourg on behalf of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.\n\nOn Friday, December 13th, and Saturday, December 14th, the delegation will take part in observances of the anniversary along with veterans and their families, active duty servicemembers, government and military officials, and foreign dignitaries.\n\n\u201cThe memory of the Battle of the Bugle reinforces the moral clarity to defend freedom at all costs,\u201d said Rep. McCaul. \u201cMy father\u2019s generation fought to eradicate evil, and we must never forget their sacrifices. This battle serves as a reminder that freedom is never free, and democracies around the world must rally together when it comes under attack. I am proud to lead this bipartisan delegation to honor our heroes and reaffirm our commitment to protecting the freedoms for which they fought.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn the early hours of December 16, 1944, 80 years ago, Nazi Germany waged a surprise attack against the Allied powers. Now known as the deadliest battle fought by the United States in the entire war, the Battle of the Bulge exemplified the tenacity and determination of U.S. and Allied forces who were willing to sacrifice everything in service of total victory over the Nazis,\u201d Speaker Johnson said. It is my honor to host this Congressional delegation to the site of the Battle of the Bulge and join the world in celebrating the heroic contributions of the young men who fought and died on the battlefield and ultimately changed the course of human history.\u201d\n\nThe Members of the Congressional Delegation are:\n\nThe Honorable Michael McCaul, Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs\n\nThe Honorable Gary Palmer, Chair, House Republican Policy Committee\n\nThe Honorable Mike Bost, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs\n\nThe Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita\n\nThe Honorable Mark Takano, Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs\n\nThe Honorable Joe Wilson\n\nThe Honorable Salud Carbajal\n\nThe Honorable Neal Dunn\n\nThe Honorable Lloyd Smucker\n\nThe Honorable John Joyce\n\nThe Honorable Andrew Clyde\n\nThe Honorable Scott Fitzgerald\n\nThe Honorable Scott Franklin\n\nThe Honorable Mariannette Miller-Meeks\n\nThe Honorable Thomas Kean Jr.\n\nThe Honorable Nathaniel Moran\n\nThe Honorable Keith Self\n\nThe Honorable Derrick Van Orden\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://nehls.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-troy-e-nehls-applauds-passage-judges-act", "Rep. Troy E. Nehls Applauds Passage of JUDGES Act", "2024-12-12", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Troy E. Nehls", "N000026", "nehls.house.gov", "nehls", "https://nehls.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) released the following statement after the United States House of Representatives passed S. 4199, the bipartisan Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act of 2024:\n\n\u201cToday, I proudly voted to pass S. 4199, which would add desperately needed federal judgeships to resolve understaffed and backlogged federal courts,\u201d said Congressman Nehls. \u201cI am pleased to have led this necessary effort in the House alongside three of my colleagues. Currently, federal district courts are experiencing severe backlogs, causing many Americans, including Texans, to be denied access to our nation\u2019s justice system. I\u2019m proud to see this reformative legislation overwhelmingly pass the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration has threatened to veto this commonsense legislation that would address a widespread issue that affects millions of Americans across the country, including my constituents. I encourage President Biden to stop playing political games and sign this bill into law.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nCongressman Nehls, alongside Congressmen Darrell Issa (R-CA-48), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), and Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), introduced the JUDGES Act in the United States House of Representatives in September 2024. If signed into law by the President, this bill would add critically needed federal judgeships to resolve currently understaffed and backlogged courts. Congress last authorized new district court judgeships more than two decades ago.\n\nThe bipartisan JUDGES Act would:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-chip-roy-issues-statement-judges-act", "Rep. Chip Roy issues statement on JUDGES Act", "2024-12-12", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Chip Roy", "R000614", "roy.house.gov", "roy", "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement on the JUDGES Act:\n\n\"I voted against S. 4199, the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act. This legislation would authorize 66 new federal judgeships in districts nationwide.\n\nWhile Texans benefit from the additional judges, I voted against the bill as a matter of keeping my word. In a letter I sent on December 19, 2022, I pledged to vote against any legislative priority put forward by any senator who voted for the fiscal year 2023 omnibus, which \u2014 among its myriad problems \u2014 was passed in a lame-duck Congress controlled by Democrats and perpetuated the federal government\u2019s war on the liberty and security of the American people.\n\nAdditionally, as I highlighted in two separate letters in October, the Judicial Conference\u2019s pursuit of eliminating single-judge divisions while simultaneously asking for the JUDGES Act passage has remained unresolved. I remain committed to ensuring Texas has all the legal tools available to fight federal overreach in court.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roy-issues-statement-fy25-national-defense-authorization-act", "Rep. Roy issues statement on the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act", "2024-12-12", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Chip Roy", "R000614", "roy.house.gov", "roy", "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement on the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5009):\n\n\"I voted NO on the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5009).\n\nI was very happy to see that the NDAA adhered to spending caps in law and made some strides to restore mission focus at the Pentagon, primarily through language banning Critical Race Theory and prohibiting taxpayer funded sex-change procedures for minors under Tricare. I also commend Speaker Johnson and House GOP leadership for holding the line against the female draft language that the Senate tried to inject into the bill.\n\nIt is important to note that many Democrats opposed this bill simply because it prohibits taxpayer-funded child mutilation, which is truly emblematic of how radical and out of step their movement has become.\n\nHowever, I could not ultimately support the final product in its totality, as I did the House version of the legislation earlier this year. Unfortunately, it did not go far enough. The final NDAA failed to eliminate DEI positions, such as the Chief Diversity Officer, and did not end Pentagon-funded sex-change surgeries for servicemembers. There is more work to be done. I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump to restore the readiness and lethality of our military.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://weber.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2176", "Rep. Weber Introduce Securing Every Vector, Enhancing Networks Act", "2024-12-12", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Randy K. Weber, Sr.", "W000814", "weber.house.gov", "weber", "https://weber.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Reps. Randy Weber (TX-14) and August Pfluger (TX-11) introduced the Securing Every Vector, Enhancing Networks (SEVEN) Act, a bill designed to strengthen America\u2019s defenses against cyber threats targeting the Signaling System 7 (SS7) telecommunications protocol. The legislation aims to address these vulnerabilities by coordinating efforts across the government and creating a task force of cybersecurity experts to develop solutions.\n\n\u201cFor far too long, foreign adversaries have exploited critical weaknesses in the SS7 telecommunication protocol to track, spy on, and steal from Americans,\u201d said Rep. Weber. \u201cThis cannot stand. The SEVEN Act delivers a decisive path forward to shut these vulnerabilities down and ensure our communications systems are secure\u2014all without disrupting our networks. This is about protecting our citizens and safeguarding our national security, and we must act now.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur adversaries around the globe are exploiting vulnerabilities in the digital backbone of our telecommunications infrastructure to spy on everyday Americans,\u201d said Rep. Pfluger. \u201cThe SEVEN Act will ensure the safety of U.S. networks by establishing a dedicated task force to address this issue head-on. We must act swiftly to protect our national security.\u201d\n\nRead the bill here.\n\nBackground:\n\nSS7 is a global telecommunication protocol that facilitates call routing, billing, and messaging. It is a crucial backbone of modern communication systems but has significant vulnerabilities. Hackers with access to a SS7-specific license (known as a \u201cGlobal Title\u201d) can exploit SS7 to intercept calls, read messages, and track locations. In June, Reps. Weber and Pfluger sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This letter was prompted by a CISA employee\u2019s claim that unauthorized attempts to access user location data through SS7 and related protocols have occurred in the U.S. By addressing these vulnerabilities, the SEVEN Act seeks to protect Americans' communications and bolster national security.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://williams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-williams-cheers-passage-national-defense-authorization-act", "Chairman Williams Cheers Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act in Victory for Veteran Entrepreneurs", "2024-12-12", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Roger Williams", "W000816", "williams.house.gov", "williams", "https://williams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5009, the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes the full authorization of the Small Business Administration\u2019s (SBA) Boots to Business program for four years. Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, issued the following statement.\n\n\u201cThe SBA\u2019s Boots to Business program has provided assistance to tens of thousands of veterans starting their entrepreneurial journey,\u201d said Chairman Williams. \u201cAmerica\u2019s service members put their lives on the line for us, and we owe it to them to provide the resources they need to be successful in civilian life. The Boots to Business program does just that, capitalizing on service members\u2019 unique skills to help them to become successful entrepreneurs and fully achieve the American Dream.\u201d\n\nThe text of the bill can be found here.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe National Defense Authorization Act includes one of the first bills the House Committee on Small Business passed in 2023, of which Congressman Williams was an original cosponsor, codifying the SBA\u2019s Boots to Business Program. Originally beginning as an initiative in 2012, every Congress since 2013 has attempted to codify the Boots to Business program. The Boots to Business program has proven to be successful in assisting prospective veteran entrepreneurs to be successful in civilian life. Part of the Transition Assistance Program, Boots to Business has grown to help nearly 24,000 returning service members annually.\n\n###\n\nCongressman Roger Williams is the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and member of the House Financial Services Committee. He proudly represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2507", "Arrington Celebrates Key Wins for Dyess Air Force Base in NDAA", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Jodey C. Arrington", "A000375", "arrington.house.gov", "arrington", "https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement celebrating critical wins for Dyess Air Force Base in this year\u2019s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\n\n\u201cAt a time when the world is more dangerous and U.S. military funding is dwindling, this defense bill provides our troops with the resources they need to be safe and successful in the first and most important job of our government. Furthermore, this year\u2019s NDAA roots out radical ideology in the military \u2013 like removing Green New Deal climate footprint restrictions from our weapons systems \u2013 and puts America First by securing our southern border, supporting our troops, and deterring our adversaries, like China,\u201d said Chairman Arrington. \u201cI am especially proud to have delivered over $30 million \u2013 the largest investment in a National Defense Authorization bill in Dyess history \u2013 for infrastructure and resources to support the B-21\u2019s arrival. This investment will maintain Dyess as the tip of the spear of our air arsenal, ensuring our airmen\u2019s safety and success in their most important mission \u2013 to provide for the common defense.\u201d\n\nTo support the B-21 beddown at Dyess Air Force Base, the NDAA includes:\n\n$12.8M for a B-21 Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Admin Lab\n\n$18.5M for a B-21 Refueler Truck Yard\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1749", "Congresswoman Escobar Votes to Bolster Quality of Life for our Servicemembers, Pass FY 25 NDAA", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Veronica Escobar", "E000299", "escobar.house.gov", "escobar", "https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted for the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA). This bipartisan legislation significantly increases quality of life improvements for our servicemembers and their families in El Paso and beyond, invests historic amounts in Fort Bliss, strengthens our national security, and advances our leadership in the world.\n\nWhile the FY25 NDAA is not a perfect piece of legislation and reflects the realities of a divided government, it was heavily guided by the final report of the Quality of Life panel. Congresswoman Escobar was privileged to be one of only eight members of Congress to serve on the bipartisan Quality of Life panel, which focused on pay and compensation, housing, health care, childcare, and spousal support, in an effort to ensure the United States continues to recruit and retain the most talented military and civilian workforce in the world. All the recommendations in her report were adopted in the FY25 NDAA.\n\nThroughout 2023, the Congresswoman held listening sessions on Fort Bliss to inform her work on the panel and ensure servicemembers and their families had their voices heard in the NDAA process. The result is a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and a 4.5% pay raise for all other servicemembers. Moreover, it authorizes over $17.5 billion in military construction projects, to include $44 million to complete the Rail Yard at Fort Bliss (which Fort Bliss leadership and Congresswoman Escobar have been working toward for years), and an additional $2.5 million for Minority Serving Institutions like UTEP to partner with the military services. This comes after Congresswoman Escobar and Under Secretary of the Army, Gabe Camarillo, announced a new initiative to create an expanded talent Pipeline with UTEP, a commitment of over $6.5 million to link El Paso students with Army opportunities in 2022.\n\n\u201cHaving had the privilege to serve as one of only eight members on the Quality of Life panel, I\u2019m proud to share that the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 is a truly bipartisan culmination of the nearly two-year long effort spearheaded by our panel for the men and women of our military and their families,\u201d said Congresswoman Escobar. \u201cThe provisions we included invest in our military\u2019s most critical asset - its people. From compensation, military spouse support, and childcare to housing and healthcare, we\u2019re ensuring our military can recruit and retain the best our country has to offer.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m also excited to announce that we\u2019ve built on our work of securing $74 million for the Fort Bliss rail yard last year by bringing an additional $44 million to fully fund that project in this year\u2019s budget.\u201d\n\nBelow is an overview of some key FY25 NDAA provisions authored and championed by Congresswoman Escobar:\n\nInvests in Fort Bliss and El Paso\n\nAuthorizes allocation of $44M to Complete the Rail Yard at Fort Bliss in addition to the $74 million the Congresswoman secured last NDAA.\n\nAuthorizes $10 million over the President\u2019s Budget request for Low-Cost Missile Systems Development in collaboration with El Paso Makes\n\nAllows the Secretary of the Army to convey land to El Paso Water for the purposes of stormwater flood control for Fort Bliss and the surrounding areas.\n\nInvests in People\n\nPay and Compensation\n\n14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members (E-4 and below) and 4.5% basic pay increase for all other service members.\n\nRequires the evaluation of the current calculation methods for Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) to ensure that it offsets the costs of service members\u2019 meals.\n\nRaises the threshold for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) to 200% of federal poverty guidelines.\n\nReevaluates how cost-of-living allowances are calculated so they include the appropriate costs of location-specific items such as food, tolls, and other fees that may be charged in the continental United States or outside the continental U.S.\n\nAllows service members and families to ship and store up to two privately owned vehicles during a permanent change of station move to certain overseas locations.\n\nAllows civilian employees to stay in their positions overseas longer than the previous limitation of 5 years.\n\nExpands the Junior Reserves Officers\u2019 Training Corps (JROTC) program.\n\nHealth Care\n\nEliminates co-pays for TRICARE beneficiaries for for contraceptives acquired through retail pharmacies and the national mail-order pharmacy.\n\nDirects the Joint Service Committee on Military Justice to conduct a review and make recommendations to enhance patient privacy protections as it relates to diagnoses and treatment information, especially important for victims of sexual assault and violence.\n\nContinues the expansion and oversight of DoD\u2019s Defense Warfighter Brain Health Initiative.\n\nExpands efforts to mitigate and treat blast overpressure-related injuries.\n\nExpands license portabilty for health care providers who provide medical services to reservists.\n\nEstablishes a program to prevent and manage perinatal mental health conditions.\n\nImproves medical recruiting through an increase in the Health Professions Scholarship bonus.\n\nHousing\n\nRequires toe DoD\u2019s annual budget to identify the cost to fully fund the Facility Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM) accounts \u2013 which provide the funds to keep DoD facilities in working order \u2013 and reduce the backlog of required maintenance.\n\nSets a statutory minimum level of investment for each military department to ensure adequate investment in facilities maintenance, sustainment, restoration, and modernizations.\n\nAdds $177 million in military construction design funds to accelerate replacement of poor and failing vacant housing and barracks.\n\nChildcare\n\nFully funds childcare fee assistance programs to eliminate fee assistance wait lists for eligible families.\n\nAuthorizes $50 million for local educational agencies with military dependent students and $20 million for local educational agencies eligible to receive payment for children with severe disabilities.\n\nTo recruit and retain DoD childcare personnel the FY25 NDAA:\n\nEnsures pay for childcare staff at DoD childcare centers is competitive with private industry.\n\nImplements additional benefits for childcare providers, including requiring all military services to provide free childcare to the first child of a childcare provider in a DoD Child Development Program and authorize the services to cover up to 100% of childcare fees for any additional children.\n\nRequires local educational agencies to provide military recruiters with the same access provided to any prospective employer, institution of higher education, or other recruiters.\n\nSpousal Support\n\nExtends the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot which provides employment support to military spouses through a paid fellowship with employers across various industries.\n\nPermanently grants authority to DoD to make transferring professional licenses between states easier for military spouses.\n\nExpands eligibility for DoD Child Development Programs \u2013 both on and off installation \u2013 for unemployed military spouses actively seeking employment.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://gonzales.house.gov/2024/12/rep-tony-gonzales-advances-legislation-to-raise-servicemember-pay-and-support-texas-military-bases", "Rep. Tony Gonzales Advances Legislation to Raise Servicemember Pay and Support Texas Military Bases", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Tony Gonzales", "G000594", "gonzales.house.gov", "gonzales", "https://gonzales.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) voted for the final passage of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, also known as the FY25 NDAA in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation will raise junior enlisted servicemembers\u2019 pay by 14.5% and provide all servicemembers across the board with a 4.5% pay raise\u2014a priority that Congressman Gonzales has strongly advocated for in Congress. Additionally, the FY25 NDAA will improve military housing, support law enforcement operations at our nation\u2019s borders, prioritize quality of life initiatives for military families, and equip our armed services to defend against America's adversaries.\n\n\u201cAddressing cost of living issues and improving the quality of life for our men and women in uniform is a top priority of mine. When I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the \u201890s\u2014I brought home less than $900 a month. Today, E-1s make just over $24,000 a year. It\u2019s beyond time we give our junior troops a much-needed raise. The FY25 NDAA will kick in a 14.5% pay raise for our junior enlisted servicemembers and a 4.5% pay bump for servicemembers across the board in 2025. The FY25 NDAA will also fund much-needed infrastructure projects to ensure our troops have safe living arrangements and are prepared, trained, and ready to defend our nation when the call arrives. As a part of the FY25 NDAA, I helped secure over $260 million to improve military housing and infrastructure for military installations across South and West Texas,\u201d said Congressman Tony Gonzales. \u201cThe men and women who answered the call to serve are vital to our nation\u2019s national security mission. This issue is deeply personal to me; I served for 20 years in the military. Putting our servicemembers and military families at the front of the line will always be a top priority, and the passage of the FY25 NDAA is a win for our troops.\u201d\n\nTX-23 Wins Advanced by Congressman Tony Gonzales:\n\n$60 million in authorized construction to support Rep. Gonzales\u2019 Community Project Funding Request for Basic Military Training Classrooms and a Dining Facility at Lackland AFB (San Antonio).\n\n$77 million for barracks at Fort Sam Houston Medical Education & Training Campus (San Antonio).\n\n$24 million to support family housing at Lackland AFB (San Antonio) (roofing, Heating, Ventilation and Cooling units, repairs, and whole-house renovations).\n\n$38 million for the T-7 Ground-Based Training System at Laughlin AFB (Del Rio) This provides for an adequate Flight Simulator Facility for pilots to train and maintain proficiency in the T-7A aircraft.\n\n$18 million for the T-7 Unity Maintenance Training Facility at Laughlin AFB (Del Rio) This facility will have the tools and classrooms needed to train students on the maintenance and repair of the T-7A aircraft.\n\n$44 million for the completion of the Rail Yard at Fort Bliss (El Paso). This will eliminate current infrastructure bottlenecks, prevent mission-critical delays, and ensure the installation meets its 72-hour deployment turnaround requirement, safeguarding its role as a key Power Projection Platform for Army operations.\n\nPermits the Secretary of the Army to transfer 65 acres of land at Fort Bliss to El Paso Water for Stormwater flood control purposes\n\nKey Priorities Advanced by Congressman Gonzales:\n\nImproves servicemember quality of life to address military recruitment, retention, and readiness:\n\nAuthorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% pay raise for all other servicemembers\n\nAddresses chronic underfunding of housing maintenance to address poor conditions like sewage overflows, gas leaks, and mold\n\nEnsures access to medical care, including mental health services and specialty providers\n\nIncreases access to childcare by authorizing $176 million for the construction of new childcare centers\n\nSupports military spouses by making it easier to find and maintain employment\n\nImproves DoD schools by authorizing over $110 million to build new schools for children of servicemembers\n\nEnhances career transition assistance, including ensuring the Transition Assistance Program includes a pathway to aid retiring members of the reserve components\n\nAddress the Biden-Harris\u2019 administration\u2019s failure to reach annual recruiting goals by extending military recruitment bonuses, increasing funding and support for JROTC programs, and expediting the processing of medical records to get recruits into the service quicker\n\nContinues DoD support of law enforcement operations along our southwest and maritime borders\n\nFully supports deployment of National Guard troops to augment Border Patrol activities at the southwest border\n\nAuthorizes $90 million for the construction of a new Joint Inter-Agency Task Force South (JIATF-S) Command and Control Facility to detect and interdict illegal migrants and narcotics\n\nIncreases funding by $10 million for DoD counternarcotics activities\n\nExpands DoD\u2019s authority to assist law enforcement in the interdiction of narcotics traffickers\n\nImproves military readiness, strengthens our industrial base, and supports the deployment of innovative and new technologies to ensure our warfighters are prepared for whatever lies ahead\n\nBlocks the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s plan to reduce the number of U.S. Special Forces and request to divest certain aircraft\n\nIncreases funding to develop and procure counter-drone systems\n\nSupports investments in shipyard infrastructure and industrial base\n\nIncreases oversight and accountability of the DoD\n\nSaves taxpayers $31 billion, or 4%, of current DoD spending levels by cutting inefficient programs, obsolete weapons systems, and unnecessary Pentagon bureaucracy\n\nRequires all DoD components to undertake an annual independent audit and reduces funds available to such components by 1.5% if it fails to undertake the audit\n\nDeters Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Aggression\n\nIncreases funding for innovative new technologies needed to deter the CCP, including hypersonics and AI\n\nPrevents Chinese espionage by prohibiting contracting with the subsidiaries of any Chinese civil-military companies to include any subsidiaries, the sharing of sensitive missile defense information with China, and Chinese nationals from being admitted to nuclear facilities\n\nBolsters Taiwan\u2019s defense and supports our Indo-Pacific allies and partners", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-secures-key-wins-south-texas-water-resources-development", "Congressman Gonzalez Secures Key Wins for South Texas in Water Resources Development Act", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", "gonzalez", "https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013Yesterday, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) voted to pass S. 4367, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024(WRDA), which contains two key provisions for the 34th Congressional District of Texas.\n\nThe first provision authorizes $40 million for the City of Brownsville for water and wastewater infrastructure development. While funding has yet to be allocated, this marks a significant step forward in addressing the city\u2019s infrastructure needs.\n\nThe second provision highlights the importance of Resaca Restoration in Brownsville and directs the Secretary of the Army to evaluate state and local partners\u2019 ability to pay for key projects.\n\n\u201cPassing the Water Resources Development Act will create a safer and more resilient South Texas,\u201d said Congressman Gonzalez. \u201cOur region faces frequent flooding and persistent droughts. The provisions in the bipartisan WRDA bill are an important step in helping Brownsville address these issues.\u201d\n\n\"We are grateful for the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, which will improve our water and wastewater infrastructures,\" said Marilyn D. Gilbert, General Manager & CEO of the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB). \"We thank Congressman Vicente Gonz\u00e1lez for his leadership in securing essential funding as well as federal support for projects like the Resaca Restoration and Falcon Lake, to make certain we can better serve the greater Brownsville area for generations to come.\u2019\u2019\n\nEarlier this year, Congressman Gonzalez submitted the provisions through the Member priority provisions process for the Water Resources Development Act. This system allows Members of Congress to directly advocate for their districts\u2019 unique needs.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://luttrell.house.gov/media/press-releases/luttrell-scores-big-wins-final-passage-fy25-ndaa", "Luttrell Scores Big Wins with Final Passage of FY25 NDAA", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Morgan Luttrell", "L000603", "luttrell.house.gov", "luttrell", "https://luttrell.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 11, 2024\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), achieved several key victories in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This critical legislation, which establishes funding levels and policies for the Department of Defense, passed with bipartisan support in the House of Representatives. Congressman Luttrell's provisions underscore his commitment to bolstering defense capabilities, supporting servicemembers, and advancing national security priorities for Texas and the nation.\n\n\u201cAs a combat veteran, I know that military success depends on preparation, resources, and undeterred focus on the mission. The FY25 NDAA is shaped to ensure our warfighters have the support they need to win on any battlefield,\u201d said Congressman Luttrell. \u201cFrom investing in advanced technology like AI and hypersonics to providing our troops with better medical care, housing and pay, this NDAA will keep America strong and secure. The FY25 NDAA also breaks new ground on treatments for veterans by funding innovative therapies for PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.\n\n\u201cWhile I\u2019m disappointed that my amendment to evaluate the need for a Cyber Force was scaled back, the NDAA provides vital resources for our military and strengthens our defense capabilities. Cybersecurity is one of the most critical challenges we face in ensuring the safety and security of our nation, and I\u2019m committed to further advancing cybersecurity as part of our national security strategy.\"\n\nThe FY25 NDAA includes critical provisions that align with Congressman Luttrell\u2019s mission to recognize cyberspace as a critical warfighting domain, boost hypersonic research and development, and support service members and veterans, such as:\n\nA requirement for an independent study on the establishment of a Cyber Force\n\nInvestments to advance the Department of Defense\u2019s (DoD) ability to develop and deploy hypersonic technologies\n\nDirection to DoD to improve the data in our service members\u2019 medical records, ensuring the best and most through care possible\n\n$20M increase in funding for counter-narcotics support across the DoD\n\nOversight and improvement of DoD\u2019s Transition Assistance Program\n\nSupport for initiatives that strengthen our alliance with Israel\n\nProvisions that leverage the work, research, and ingenuity of Texas\u2019 universities and businesses to strengthen our national security\n\nStrengthened prohibitions to make sure our nation\u2019s enemies cannot access our military\u2019s education and training resources\n\nA briefing from DoD\u2019s Chief Digital and AI Officers on efforts to support Replicator\n\nA provision that directs research into tools, including leveraging artificial intelligence models, to prevent veteran suicide\n\nThe FY25 NDAA also:\n\nAuthorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% pay raises for all other servicemembers\n\nProvides billions in funding for housing and barracks improvements\n\nImproves servicemember healthcare through streamlining bureaucratic systems and providing more healthcare professionals\n\nIncreases access to childcare across the Force\n\nSupports military spouses by ensuring their ability to work and thrive alongside their partners wherever they are stationed\n\nBans transgender medical treatments for children\n\nBans critical race theory\n\nCuts DEI across the Force\n\nCounters antisemitism through prohibitions on organizations that refuse to do business with Israel to do business with the DoD\n\nProvides $15.6 billion for deterrence of Chinese aggression\n\nTakes corrective actions on the F-35 program to ensure responsible government spending\n\nCuts $3.9 billion in wasteful DoD spending\n\nRequires the Secretary of Defense to notify Congress when unable to perform their duties\n\nProvides support to our ally Israel\n\nProhibits the reduction of Special Forces\n\nProvides extensive resources to bolster counter drug interdiction and security at the Southern border\n\nProvides $895 billion in total for American military preparedness", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mccaul-votes-fund-us-military-support-servicemembers-and-restore-dod", "McCaul Votes to Fund U.S. Military, Support Servicemembers, and Restore DoD Lethality", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Michael T. McCaul", "M001157", "mccaul.house.gov", "mccaul", "https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) issued the following statement after voting for the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement Act and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.\n\n\u201cThe world is on fire, our adversaries are on the move, and the United States cannot afford to fall behind,\u201d said Rep. McCaul. \u201cI was proud to support this year\u2019s National Defense Authorization Act to restore the focus of our military back to lethality, give our warfighters the tools they need to combat our adversaries, and counter the increased aggression of the Unholy Alliance. But most importantly, this bill improves the quality of life of our brave men and women in uniform. It authorizes a pay raise, improves housing, and provides adequate healthcare to ensure these heroes have access to the resources they earned.\u201d\n\nRep. McCaul also supported many other conservative victories in the FY25 NDAA, which:\n\nAuthorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% pay raise for all other servicemembers;\n\nConstructs new housing and childcare facilities for military families;\n\nExpands access to medical care, including mental health providers for servicemembers;\n\nRestores the focus of our military on lethality by ending radical Democrat policies, strengthening the United States defense industrial base, and supporting innovation;\n\nDeters the Chinese Communist Party by providing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, preventing Chinese espionage, and supporting Taiwan;\n\nDefends our ally Israel by supporting it with the weapons it needs to counter Iran-backed terrorist groups;\n\nSecures our southern border by supporting law enforcement operations; and\n\nCuts wasteful spending within the Department of Defense, saving taxpayer dollars.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://nehls.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-troy-e-nehls-releases-statement-after-voting-pass-fy25-ndaa", "Rep. Troy E. Nehls Releases Statement After Voting to Pass FY25 NDAA", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Troy E. Nehls", "N000026", "nehls.house.gov", "nehls", "https://nehls.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) released the following statement after voting \u201cYES\u201d to pass the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025:\n\n\u201cToday, I voted \u2018YES\u2019 to pass the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025,\u201d said Congressman Nehls. \u201cThis legislation authorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% raise for all other servicemembers. Additionally, this critical legislation combats the Left\u2019s woke and radical ideology by banning our defense department from providing transgender medical treatments for children. Additionally, this legislation prohibits critical race theory in military academies.\n\n\u201cFurther, this bill increases oversight and accountability of the Department of Defense (DOD).\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://sessions.house.gov/2024/12/after-dod-fails-its-seventh-financial-audit-sessions-asks-gao-to-address-waste-fraud-and-abuse", "After DOD Fails its Seventh Financial Audit, Sessions Asks GAO to Address Waste, Fraud, and Abuse", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Sessions", "S000250", "sessions.house.gov", "sessions", "https://sessions.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce Chairman Pete Sessions (TX-17) is requesting the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) continue to support efforts to conduct oversight of U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and its failure to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse within the Department. In a letter to GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, Subcommittee Chairman Sessions requests GAO\u2019s ongoing assistance in analyzing the results of DOD\u2019s fiscal year 2024 audits which provides Committee investigators insight to progress in reducing waste, fraud, and abuse within the DOD.\n\n\u201cIn September 2024 the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce held a hearing to examine DOD\u2019s financial management practices and progress towards achieving a clean audit opinion,\u201dwrote Subcommittee Chairman Sessions. \u201cDuring that hearing, we released a DOD Financial Management Scorecard with DOD earning mostly failing grades across the board. The Committee was significantly informed by the scorecard developed with GAO\u2019s support.\u201d\n\nIn fiscal year 2024, DOD underwent its seventh financial statement audit, and again received a disclaimer of opinion. For the seventh time consecutively, auditors were unable to \u201cobtain sufficient, appropriate audit evidence to support an opinion.\u201d GAO continues to designate DOD\u2019s financial management and business systems modernization efforts as high risk because of pervasive deficiencies in the department\u2019s business processes, internal controls, financial reporting, and financial management systems.\n\n\u201cTo continue informing this Committee\u2019s oversight of DOD financial management, and given GAO\u2019s extensive work in this area, we are requesting GAO\u2019s ongoing assistance in analyzing the results of DOD\u2019s Fiscal Year 2024 audits,\u201dcontinued Subcommittee Chairman Sessions. \u201cThis will allow us to track DOD\u2019s progress toward achieving a clean audit opinion as well as progress in key areas that support a clean audit\u2014the status of DOD financial management system modernization efforts and compliance with relevant legislative requirements. This analysis and the updated scorecard will provide the Committee with a valuable monitoring tool to effectively inform the DOD oversight work of this Committee.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-sylvia-garcia-statement-on-vote-against-fy-2025-national-defense-authorization-act", "Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Statement on Vote Against FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Sylvia R. Garcia", "G000587", "sylviagarcia.house.gov", "sylviagarcia", "https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) issued the following statement following passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act:\n\n\"Tonight, the House voted on the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). I am proud the bill secured a historic 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and 4.5 percent pay raise for all other servicemembers. It also included many other provisions I've long supported\u2014like eliminating copayments for contraceptives and making critical improvements in housing, health care, childcare, and spousal support.\n\n\"Ultimately, with profound disappointment, I voted against the NDAA. The bill failed to include a single mention of combatting sexual assault in our armed forces, following the progress we made with the I Am Vanessa Guillen Act. This NDAA also failed to include my SAYFE Act, which would require the Department of Defense to provide annual sexual abuse prevention training for high school students participating in the military's JROTC program.\n\n\"And to add insult to injury, Speaker Johnson and MAGA Republicans injected partisan politics into what should be a unifying, bipartisan piece of legislation by adding a provision to deny healthcare for transgender children of our servicemembers. This poison pill is unnecessary and divisive. On top of that, the bill also fails to address key priorities like expanding access to IVF treatment. Our defense policy should focus on supporting those who serve and their families, not fueling partisan culture wars at the expense of our military readiness and national security.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-veaseys-statement-national-defense-authorization-act-ndaa", "Rep. Veasey\u2019s Statement on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Marc Veasey voted against the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act on December 11, 2024. In the past, Congressman Veasey has worked in a bipartisan manner to put forward an NDAA free of partisan influence, one that ensures national security while also addressing the needs of the nation\u2019s servicemembers. With the recent politicization of the National Defense Authorization Act by the current Speaker, Congressman Veasey released the following statement regarding the NDAA:\n\n\u201cEver since President Harry Truman integrated the military, our country\u2019s armed services have been a place that welcomes families of all backgrounds. My \u2018No\u2019 vote today reflects a growing concern I have had since last year that the NDAA is becoming a venue for fighting the so-called \u2018culture war.\u2019 That presents a national security concern for me, and therefore, I voted \u2018No,\u2019\u201d said Congressman Veasey. \u201cThe bill undermines the readiness of our troops by drawing political lines in what should be an apolitical process. It is not DEI that harms our national security; it is the politicization that targets minority members of our military that does.\u201d\n\nDemocrats worked tirelessly in a bipartisan manner to craft an initial version of the bill that would provide for our national security and improve the quality of life for our servicemembers. The bill that was presented today on the floor achieved neither.\n\nThe Congressman will always support our nation\u2019s servicemembers and seek ways to improve their quality of life. He strongly condemns the politicization of the NDAA, in which Speaker Johnson treats our servicemembers like pawns. Congressman Veasey urges his colleagues across the aisle to work in a bipartisan manner on future bills to that focus solely on the nation\u2019s security rather than becoming a battleground for a culture war.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-watson-coleman-veasey-wagner-and-miller-meeks-send-letter", "Reps. Watson Coleman, Veasey, Wagner and Miller-Meeks Send Letter Encouraging HHS to Expand Access to Colorectal Cancer Screenings", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Wasshington, D.C. \u2013 Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Ann Wagner (MO-02), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) sent a joint letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra encouraging the Department to take steps to expand access to colorectal cancer screenings.\n\n\u201cWe are writing to urge you to ask the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) to commence an expedited review and update process of its 2021 colorectal cancer screening guidelines to reflect the availability of new, innovative FDA approved non-invasive colorectal cancer tests,\u201d the Members write in their letter. \u201cUSPSTF should already have initiated its colorectal cancer screening guideline update process; however, there is no indication as to when the agency will begin this important work.\u201d\n\nColorectal cancer is the deadliest cancer for men under the age of 50, and the second-deadliest for women in the same age group, according to the American Cancer Society. More than 53,000 Americans are expected to die from colorectal cancer in 2024.\n\n\u201cFortunately, colorectal cancer can be prevented through regular screenings, but unfortunately tens of millions of eligible Americans go unscreened often due to limited access or reluctance to undergo invasive methods including colonoscopies,\u201d write the Members.\n\nUSPSTF-recommended treatments must be covered by insurance, which significantly improves access to life-saving preventative care.\n\n\u201cNew, innovative, and accessible screening tests are essential to increase colorectal cancer screening rates \u2013 across the eligible population \u2013 with a particular need among Americans aged 45-49 and individuals from underserved and rural communities,\u201d the letter continues. \u201cHowever, due to the way the 2021 recommendation test categories were framed, without an update or amendment, these new tests fall outside the guidelines and might not be covered by insurers.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-issues-statement-fatal-shooting-united-states-postal", "Congressman Al Green Issues Statement on Fatal Shooting at the United States Postal Service (USPS) Facility in Missouri City", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Al Green", "G000553", "algreen.house.gov", "algreen", "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(Houston, TX) \u2014 On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, Congressman Al Green issued the following statement regarding the recent fatal shooting at the United States Postal Service (USPS) South Houston Distribution Center in Missouri City, Texas, located within his congressional district:\n\n\u201cIn light of the tragic shooting involving a postal service employee, my heart goes out to their family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and the impact it is having on our community. This incident raises serious concerns about security at our facilities, especially at the South Houston Distribution Center,\u201d stated Congressman Al Green. \u201cI had a visit scheduled at the Missouri City facility on this Friday, December 13, 2024. However, out of respect for those grieving, it has been postponed to a later date to be announced. Instead, I and Congresswoman Garcia will meet with high level postal officials, and thereafter hold a press event at the North Houston Regional Processing Center on Friday, December 13, 2024, to discuss postal issues, including the shooting.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://babin.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=13999", "Babin Selected to Chair House Science, Space, and Technology Committee in 119th Congress", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Brian Babin", "B001291", "babin.house.gov", "babin", "https://babin.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) released the following statement on his selection as the next House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman for the 119th Congress by the Republican Steering Committee:\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s an incredible honor to be chosen to serve as the next House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman,\u201d said Babin. \u201cBetween our nation\u2019s booming science, space, and tech sectors and the growing threat posed by adversaries like Communist China, there has never been a more important time for this committee. Falling behind in any of these critical arenas is not an option.\n\n\u201cThe SST Committee has a unique opportunity to chart a course that will produce a generational impact. We must ensure our nation is not tethered to Earth by red tape \u2013 industry should operate at the rapid speed of innovation rather than the sluggish pace of bureaucracy. Under my chairmanship, our committee will continue America\u2019s legacy of shepherding the human race to new celestial heights and leading the world in new discoveries. I\u2019m looking forward to hitting the ground running in the 119th Congress.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-castro-secures-full-ecosystem-restoration-for-martinez-creek-on-san-antonios-westside", "Congressman Castro Secures Full Ecosystem Restoration for Martinez Creek on San Antonio\u2019s Westside", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaquin Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", "castro", "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement on the House passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which includes language he secured to authorize a full aquatic ecosystem restoration of Martinez Creek on San Antonio\u2019s Westside.\n\n\u201cDecades ago, San Antonio paved over miles of creeks in an effort to prevent deadly floods on the Westside. Today, modern urban planning and design techniques make it possible to restore the creeks without the flood risks we faced generations ago. Today\u2019s passage of the Water Resources Development Act will allow San Antonio to fully restore Martinez Creek \u2013 revitalizing the aquatic ecosystem and creating beautiful outdoor spaces for families to enjoy. The underserved neighborhoods surrounding Martinez Creek deserve a larger share of our community investments and I\u2019m proud to bring this progress to the Westside,\u201d said Congressman Castro.\n\nIn 2021, Congressman Castro voted to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provided $75 million to fund the federal share of the design and subsequent construction of the Westside Creeks Ecosystem Restoration Project. The project aims to transform 11 miles of Alaz\u00e1n, Apache, Martinez, and San Pedro Creeks by restoring the aquatic ecosystems with native grasses, wildflowers, and trees. When completed, the project will improve environmental and water quality conditions in densely populated urban areas, promoting comprehensive watershed management, advancing neighborhood transportation safety, providing access to outdoor recreation activities in the Westside core, and reconnecting residents to urban creekway systems through an outdoor living classroom for students.\n\nIn 2022, members of the San Antonio delegation secured an additional $2,340,000 in federal funding to support the project. Under the language included in the WRDA, Martinez Creek will be eligible for the full range of restoration measures that are currently available for Alaz\u00e1n, Apache, and San Pedro Creeks.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1746", "Congresswoman Escobar Leads Letter on Removal of Downed Pigs to Protect Public Health", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Veronica Escobar", "E000299", "escobar.house.gov", "escobar", "https://escobar.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) led eight of her colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to implement regulatory policy to remove downed pigs from the food supply. This reform would protect the public and farm, slaughterhouse, and meatpacking workers from contact with zoonotic diseases.\n\nThe lawmakers wrote: \u201cAs members of the United States House of Representatives with a vested interest in the health, safety, security, and effectiveness of our nation\u2019s food system, we write to respectfully urge you to implement regulatory protections for nonambulatory, or \u201cdowned,\u201d pigs, and to require their removal from the food supply. As you may recall, on June 29, 2023, a coalition of 45 nonprofit organizations, farms, businesses, and veterinarians sent you a letter with the same request. We seek to reiterate and strongly affirm the contents of that letter.\n\n\u201cWe cannot emphasize enough that the slaughter of downed pigs for human consumption constitutes a significant food safety and public health hazard. A study of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that each year, pork containing pathogens leads to about 525,000 infections, 2,900 hospitalizations, and 82 deaths in humans. Downed pigs are more likely to be infected than ambulatory ones\u2026 Because downed pigs are unable to rise, they are held for long periods in these filthy pens, making exposure to harmful pathogens more likely. Currently, consumers have no way to determine whether the pork products they consume originated from downed pigs. This is increasingly important considering the 2024 transmission of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) from poultry to dairy cattle, dairy milk, and dairy workers, and recently swine (this being the first detection of HPAI in swine in the U.S.).\n\n\u201cIn addition to protecting the public from contaminated pork products, removing downed pigs from the food system will also reduce farm, slaughterhouse, and meatpacking workers\u2019 risk of contact with zoonotic diseases. These workers already face serious workplace hazards, with reported rates of illness and injury higher than those in manufacturing overall,\u201d the lawmakers continued. \u201cBut to make matters worse, studies show that pig slaughter plant workers have a higher risk of infection from zoonotic pathogens, such as H1N1 and MRSA. Humans have little to no immunity against the common flu viruses that spread among pigs, as exemplified by the 2009 H1N1 swine flu pandemic, which is thought to have originated in pigs raised for food and killed between 151,700 and 575,400 people in its first year.\n\n\u201cGiven the serious public health threats discussed above, it is prudent to take action now to address the problem of nonambulatory pigs. If we wait, this country could soon face another crisis like the one that occurred in 2003 with the first detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in North America, which caused mass panic and cost the cattle industry an estimated $6 billion. Or the crisis in 2008, when footage of downed cow abuse at Westland/Hallmark Meat Company, due to inadequate food safety inspection, resulted in the nation\u2019s largest beef recall ever. USDA must get ahead of the problem and prevent future pandemics by applying the same rules to downed pigs as it has done to downed cows.\n\nThey concluded: \u201cAs President, you have the distinct opportunity to implement this regulatory policy during your final months in office to protect our nation\u2019s food system. We respectfully request that you use your power to listen to American voters and ensure your administration addresses this important issue.\u201d\n\nIn addition to the Congresswoman, the letter was signed by Representatives Julia Brownley (CA-24), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Henry \u201cHank\u201d Johnson (GA-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Mike Quigley (IL-05) and was endorsed by Mercy For Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animals Are Sentient Beings Inc, Chilis on Wheels, Church Women United in New York State, Farm Forward, Farm Sanctuary, Food System Innovations, FOUR PAWS USA, GMO/Toxin Free USA, Humane Farming Association, New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets, Our Honor, Pasado's Safe Haven, Social Compassion in Legislation, Voters For Animal Rights, Animal Welfare Institute, Crate Free USA, New Roots Institute, and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-announces-over-1-million-additional-federal-funding", "Congressman Gonzalez Announces Over $1 Million in Additional Federal Funding for Valley International Airport in Harlingen", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", "gonzalez", "https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "HARLINGEN, TEXAS \u2013Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34)announced $1,128,000 in additional federal funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the ongoing replacement of the ADA-compliant air traffic control tower at Valley International Airport (VIA).\n\nThis follows two additional federal funding awards for VIA that Congressman Gonzalez announced earlier this year, totaling over $7 million in federal funding for this project.\n\nFunding for this grant comes from the FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congressman Gonzalez supported. The grant will fund portions of interior construction of the new contract tower to ensure facilities and workspaces are accessible for air traffic controllers and other personnel.\n\n\u201cThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is continuing to deliver results for South Texas,\u201d said Congressman Gonzalez. \u201cThe construction of this tower is a critical investment not just for Valley International, but for South Texas, as it will allow our region to meet today\u2019s commercial travel demands while preparing for the future.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://jackson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2225", "Rep. Jackson Leads Letter Demanding Prohibition of Funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Ronny Jackson", "J000304", "jackson.house.gov", "jackson", "https://jackson.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Yesterday, Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) sent a letter to House and Senate leadership urging the prohibition of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in any upcoming fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill. This action addresses UNRWA's repeated hostility toward Israel and its appeasement of terrorist organizations such as Hamas.\n\nJackson said: \u201cUNRWA, which had numerous employees participate in the horrific October 7th attack on Israel, is more interested in fueling terror and supporting Hamas than it is in helping innocent civilians. The United States cannot be subsidizing an entity that unapologetically supports terrorist organizations like Hamas and works to destroy Israel. Our greatest ally in the Middle East took action against UNRWA, and the United States must stand with Israel at this decisive moment by taking similar action. America must lead with principle and strength, and I thank my colleagues for their support in working to ensure that our taxpayer dollars are not supporting corrupt, terror-supporting organizations like UNRWA.\u201d\n\nJackson\u2019s letter is supported by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA).\n\nThe full letter can be found here.\n\nAdditional background from Jewish Insider can be found here.\n\nCo-signers include Representatives Randy Weber (TX-14), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Keith Self (TX-03), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Joe Wilson (SC-02), and Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://nehls.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-nehls-bill-increase-transparency-within-amtrak", "House Passes Nehls\u2019 Bill to Increase Transparency Within Amtrak", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Troy E. Nehls", "N000026", "nehls.house.gov", "nehls", "https://nehls.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014Today, Chairman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials announced that his bill, H.R. 8692, the Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act, passed the United States House of Representatives.\n\nThis bill would require Amtrak to be subject to the same requirements of the Government in Sunshine Act, also known as the Sunshine Act, as other federal agencies and government-sponsored style entities. The Sunshine Act requires meetings of certain federal agencies to be open to public observation. Under the Sunshine Act, there are ten exemptions to open meeting requirements. While Amtrak is not deemed a federal agency, Amtrak is considered a government entity and receives funding from American taxpayers. Despite receiving funding from American taxpayers, meetings of the Amtrak Board of Directors (\u201cthe Board\u201d) are often conducted without any opportunity for the American public or stakeholders to observe or comment.\n\nChairman Nehls\u2019 bill would require Amtrak to notify the public of the time, place, and location of pending meetings and allow for public observations unless closed under an exemption of the Sunshine Act. If a meeting is closed for observation, Amtrak would be required to produce a set of minutes providing a full and accurate summary of matters discussed and actions taken to the public.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to announce my bill, the Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act, has passed the United States House of Representatives,\u201d said Chairman Nehls. \u201cSunshine is the best disinfectant. Opening up Amtrak\u2019s Board meetings to the American public will better ensure that their decisions are made in the best interest of the People. I encourage the Senate to swiftly consider my legislation to provide the American people with the transparency and accountability they deserve.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://weber.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2171", "Rep. Weber Applauds House Passage of the Water Resources Development Act", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Randy K. Weber, Sr.", "W000814", "weber.house.gov", "weber", "https://weber.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, a bipartisan measure to improve the nation\u2019s water infrastructure. This legislation includes critical projects advocated by U.S. Rep. Randy Weber to bolster ports, improve waterways, and drive economic growth in Texas\u2019 14th District. The 2024 WRDA features high-priority authorizations for TX-14 that will enhance the region\u2019s infrastructure, promote economic development, and improve the safety and functionality of vital waterways.\n\nProjects included in WRDA 2024 for Southeast Texas:\n\nGalveston Harbor Channel Extension - This project authorizes modifications to the Galveston Harbor Channel, including further deepening and extending the Federal channel and Turning Basin 2. These upgrades will enable fully loaded vessels to safely navigate to Texas International Terminals, while the expanded Turning Basin will accommodate the new Oasis Class cruise ships at the Royal Caribbean terminal. The new terminal is expected to generate 800 jobs and $1.4 billion in local economic activity annually.\n\nSabine-Neches Waterway Widening Feasibility Study- Authorization was secured for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to expedite the review and coordination of the feasibility study for widening the Sabine-Neches Waterway. This critical navigation improvement project will address constraints impacting the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic in one of the nation\u2019s busiest waterways.\n\nGalveston Bay Ship Channel Feasibility Study - A feasibility study was authorized to evaluate improvements to ship channels and barge lanes in the Galveston Bay area, including the Galveston Bay entrance, Houston, Galveston Harbor, and Texas City ship channels. These enhancements are vital to maintaining the region's role as a cornerstone of America\u2019s energy security, supply chain, and economic development.\n\nCedar Port Deep-Water Navigation Study - The legislation authorizes USACE to expedite a feasibility study for developing a new deep-water federal navigation channel between the Houston Ship Channel and the Cedar Port terminal facilities. This project aims to reduce vessel congestion and increase operational capacity to support growing container volumes, benefiting industries throughout the Gulf Coast.\n\n\u201cSoutheast Texas is home to seven ports\u2014more than any other district in the nation\u2014and vital waterways that power both our local and national economies,\" said Rep. Weber. \"Our region plays a critical role on the global stage, and these investments are key to sustaining its leadership in energy, commerce, and job creation while improving the safety and efficiency of our waterways. I was proud to advocate for these projects in WRDA and will continue working to ensure they become a reality.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-casar-and-warren-urge-military-to-improve-access-to-medical-debt-relief-for-civilian-patients", "Castro, Casar, and Warren Urge Military to Improve Access to Medical Debt Relief for Civilian Patients", "2024-12-09", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaquin Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", "castro", "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "\u201cWe are deeply concerned the proposed rule inappropriately restricts DoD\u2019s authority to waive these [debts], as intended by Congress.\u201d\n\nText of Letter (PDF)\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA) have submitted a comment letter urging the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to strengthen a proposed rule to create a Military Health System Modified Payment and Waiver Program that would limit costs for civilian patients at military hospitals, including at San Antonio\u2019s Brooke Army Medical Center.\n\nBrooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) is one of two Level I Trauma Centers in San Antonio. The facility treats thousands of civilians annually under a special agreement with the Bexar County Hospital District designed to allow military providers to strengthen their battlefield medical skills through hands-on trauma care. Despite this agreement, BAMC\u2019s payment systems have not been optimized to work with civilian insurers, and the hospital does not maintain a charity care program for patients in need. As a result, civilian trauma patients in San Antonio have faced five-, six- and seven-figure medical bills after treatment at BAMC.\n\nIn response to these concerns, Congressman Castro and Senator Warren authored a 2020 amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to provide the Department of Defense (DOD) with the authority to waive civilian medical bills incurred at BAMC or other military hospitals. Despite this authority, a 2022 report from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that military hospitals do not consistently use or communicate options for financial relief for civilian emergency patients. To address these concerns, Congressman Castro secured an additional amendment to the FY2023 NDAA requiring DHA to implement a modified payment plan based on a sliding-scale discount program for patients. The comment letter released today urges DHA to strengthen the proposed implementation of this FY2023 amendment, expressing concerns that the current iteration of the proposed rule would \u201cimproperly narrow [DOD\u2019s] authority to provide relief to civilians, contrary to Congressional intent.\u201d\n\nIn the letter, lawmakers specifically press DHA to:\n\nAmend the proposed rule to prioritize debt waivers, expand debt relief options for civilians, and reduce bureaucratic hurdles that prevent patients from receiving financial relief.\n\nAlign DOD financial assistance programs with state-level programs by providing free care for patients with income at or below the 300% federal poverty line (FPL) and reduced fees for patients with income up to 600% FPL, while simplifying the process for patients to request and receive financial aid.\n\nSuspend collections of debt while patient relief applications are pending and continue debt suspension during the rule implementation process.\n\nWork with the Treasury Department to prevent patient medical debt from being considered taxable income.\n\nThe lawmakers note that waiving patient fees would be more cost-effective for DOD. Currently, the DOD is required to refer delinquent bills to the Treasury Department, which has historically recovered just one percent of such debts.\n\nOnce finalized, the proposed rule will apply to non-beneficiary patients who received medical care provided on or after June 21, 2023.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/more-unacceptable-faa-delays", "More Unacceptable FAA Delays", "2024-12-09", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", "doggett", "https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) released the following statement:\n\n\u201cYesterday, the FAA implemented another ground delay at Austin Bergstrom-International Airport (ABIA) on short notice, which affected numerous flights. Inbound flights on Sunday were delayed as much as two and a half hours. Travelers returning home and Central Texans meeting incoming passengers at the airport can expect more FAA-mandated delays during this busy holiday season. Best to check ahead as much as possible.\n\n\u201cAs a frequent traveler, while I am concerned about the inconvenience caused by such persistent delays, I am even more concerned about the traveling public\u2019s safety at an airport that has experienced six near-catastrophes in the past two years.\n\n\u201cOver a year ago, the FAA Administrator sat in my Washington office and stated that Austin\u2019s understaffing of air traffic controllers was, \u2018as bad as it gets.\u2019 Yet as I told the Administrator today, despite my continued efforts to seek action and answers, our situation is worse. The number of air traffic controllers at the AUS control tower has decreased, not increased, as the tower struggles to keep staffing at even half the level recommended by the FAA.\n\n\u201cUntil it prioritizes action to expand Austin\u2019s controlled airspace and staff our understaffed and overworked airport control tower with an adequate number of air traffic controllers, the FAA continues to expose ABIA travelers to an inadequate margin of safety. Reports of near-catastrophic incidents like the small Cessna plane coming within 350 feet of a packed American Airlines flight in October have happened too often. I continue urging the FAA to act before lives are lost.\u201d\n\nBackground on near catastrophes at ABIA:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roy-calls-accountability-daniel-pennys-prosecution-you-cant-do-american", "Rep. Roy calls for accountability on Daniel Penny's prosecution: \u2018You can't do this to American heroes\u2019", "2024-12-09", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Chip Roy", "R000614", "roy.house.gov", "roy", "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 9, 2024\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2014 On Monday, Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) joined Cavuto Coast to Coast on Fox Business to discuss Daniel Penny\u2019s vindication.\n\nKey quotes from the interview are below and the interview clip is available here:\n\n\u201cThe Department of Justice under President Trump should be looking into the civil rights abuses against Daniel Penny\u2026 I want our DOJ to hold New York accountable \u2013 you can\u2019t do this to American heroes.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe fact that an American jury stood against the crazy, tyrannical lawlessness of the New York prosecutor's office, and Alvin Bragg, and stood up and said that this man, this American hero, should be let free. God bless. That means things are heading in the right direction.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt's a great step for justice in America. Let's hope that our Justice Department can now get it right going forward.\u201d\n\nCongressman Roy is a former federal prosecutor and former First Assistant Attorney General of Texas.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-sylvia-garcia-statement-on-the-tragic-death-of-milby-high-school-student-in-southeast-houston", "Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Statement on the Tragic Death of Milby High School Student in Southeast Houston", "2024-12-09", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Sylvia R. Garcia", "G000587", "sylviagarcia.house.gov", "sylviagarcia", "https://sylviagarcia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Houston, TX \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) issued the following statement after a Milby High School student was hit and killed by a Union Pacific train this morning at 2000 Broadway Street near Galveston Road:\n\n\"I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of a student near Milby High School this morning. My heart goes out to the family, friends, and community as they grieve this devastating loss. Please keep them in your prayers.\n\n\"I am closely monitoring the situation and have been in contact with Mayor Whitmire and officials at the local, state, and federal levels, including the Federal Railroad Administration.\n\n\"I am calling for a full investigation to understand what led to this tragedy and to identify ways to enhance safety in our communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/i-agree-pete-hegsethwoke-ism-destroying-united-states-military", "\u2018I agree with Pete Hegseth\u2026woke-ism is destroying the United States military.\u2019", "2024-12-06", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Chip Roy", "R000614", "roy.house.gov", "roy", "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 6, 2024\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2014 On Thursday, Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) delivered remarks on the House floor to urge Republicans to deliver on their promises starting with confirming President-Elect Trump\u2019s cabinet nominees.\n\nKey quotes from the interview are below and footage is available here:\n\n\u201cI agree with Pete Hegseth that wokeism is destroying the United States military. I agree with Pete that we don't need to have endless wars. I agree with Pete that we ought to have somebody who's served in battle and understands it, who's at the top of the top of the Pentagon, rather than the brass, who, frankly, often like their ribbons more than actually doing the work that is necessary to defend this country.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe president was elected by the American people to change this town. He has nominated people who want to change this town. If you want to go overturn every rock of everybody's past and then say that they are not capable or they don't deserve to serve in a position like Secretary of Defense, as is currently occurring with the targeted attacks on Pete Hegseth. Well, maybe you should take the board out of your eye.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe President also is deserving of the courtesy and the respect of his own party, in particular, of the individuals he's nominating to change the town. He was elected to change it.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur job between now, first week of December, and the first week of January is to get our heads in the right places. They currently aren't there. We are not structured right now to deliver, and we have one month to do it. That is my calling. We are not here to take breaks. We are not here for CODELs. We are not here for trips. We are here to get the job done.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith all due respect to the senator from Iowa, you're not where the American people are. President Trump is, and Pete Hegseth is.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roys-question-congress-if-you-cant-print-moneywhat-would-you-do", "Rep. Roy's question to Congress: \"If you can't print money\u2026what would you do?\"", "2024-12-06", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Chip Roy", "R000614", "roy.house.gov", "roy", "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 6, 2024\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2014 On Friday, Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) joined WMAL to recap Congress\u2019 meeting with DOGE\u2019s Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy and how Republicans must unite to cut swamp spending.\n\nKey quotes from the interview are below and the interview clip is available here:\n\n\u201cBut the point I made yesterday in the meeting to my colleagues and I made it to Elon\u2026You\u2019ve been looking for the problem, look no further than this room, because Congress has been the one that has been funding this nonsense. Congress is the one that's supposed to do oversight.\u201d\n\n\"I've said to my colleagues: if you can't print money \u2014 if literally it was banned today \u2014 what would you do?\"\n\n\u201cWe need the [spending] waste cutting, but we need Congress to grow a spine.\u201d\n\n\u201cRepublicans need to look in the mirror. They need to look at their constituents and they need to deliver\u2026 There's no more money. We can't keep printing.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/roy-biggs-demand-doj-and-fbi-preserve-all-evidence-targeted-abuse-pro-lifers", "Roy & Biggs demand DOJ and FBI preserve all evidence of targeted abuse of pro-lifers", "2024-12-06", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Chip Roy", "R000614", "roy.house.gov", "roy", "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 On Thursday, House Judiciary Subcommittee Chairmen Chip Roy (TX-21) and Andy Biggs (AZ-5) instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to preserve all existing and future records and materials related to the Biden-Harris Administration's weaponized enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.\n\nThe Chairmen wrote in a letter,\u201c\u2026we remain concerned with the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s continued weaponization of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act against pro-life Americans. In addition, we are troubled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation\u2019s (FBI) lack of response to the Committee\u2019s requests for data on FACE Act enforcement.\u201d\n\nChairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government Roy\u2019s letter, joined by Chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Biggs, serves as the second official notice to the DOJ and FBI to preserve all records related to FACE Act prosecutions. Like many other members of President Biden\u2019s cabinet, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Director Christopher Wray have consistently and intentionally resisted Congressional oversight.\n\nThe Congressmen wrote, \u201cCongress has a sacred duty to preserve the rights of the American people, including the First Amendment, against any overreach by the Executive Branch. As we examine how to best protect Americans\u2019 fundamental freedoms, the Subcommittees must first understand how the DOJ and FBI enforce the FACE Act. As our country transitions to a new administration, it is imperative that the DOJ and FBI preserve all documents and communications relating to enforcement of the FACE Act.\u201d\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases/news-greg-casar-elected-congressional-progressive-caucus-chair", "NEWS: Greg Casar Elected as Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair", "2024-12-05", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Greg Casar", "C001131", "casar.house.gov", "casar", "https://casar.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas) was elected as the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), the highest-ranking leadership position for progressives in the U.S. House. CPC Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) has reached her term limit. Term limits were championed by Jayapal and added to the caucus bylaws during her term. The new leadership will begin their terms on Jan. 3, 2025.\n\n\u201cThe Members of the Progressive Caucus know how to fight billionaires, grifters, and Republican frauds in Congress. Our caucus will make sure the Democratic Party stands up to corporate interests for working people,\u201d said Chair-Elect Greg Casar (D-Texas). \u201cI\u2019m honored to build on the legacy of Chair Jayapal. I\u2019ve fought back against extremist, egocentric autocrats in Texas for my entire adult life. The Democratic Party must directly take on Trump, and it\u2019ll be CPC Members boldly leading the way and putting working people first.\u201d\n\nVIDEO of the press conference here.\n\nCasar, a former labor organizer, believes that the future of the Democratic Party is dependent on winning back the votes of workers across the country \u2014 across race, geography, and ideology \u2014 while not letting injustice and oppression go unchecked. Democrats must be able to both hold a political majority and defend all people\u2019s rights.\n\nCasar ran unopposed for the position and will lead the CPC alongside Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) as Deputy Chair and Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda (D-Ill.) as Whip. Casar previously served as the CPC Whip for the 118th Congress.\n\nThe Congressional Progressive Caucus is composed of nearly 100 members of Congress standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and advance civil liberties.\n\nFormer Progressive Caucus Chairs include:\n\n1991-1999: Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)\n\n1999-2003: Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio)\n\n2003-2005: Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.)\n\n2005-2009: Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) - Co-chair\n\n2005-2011: Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) - Co-chair\n\n2009-2019: Rep. Ra\u00fal Grijalva (D-Ariz.) - Co-chair\n\n2011-2017: Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) - Co-chair\n\n2017-2021: Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) - Co-chair\n\n2019-2025: Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) - Co-chair, then Chair\n\n\u201cIt is my great honor to pass the torch to the next class of elected leadership of the Progressive Caucus: my dear friends and trusted colleagues Reps. Greg Casar, Ilhan Omar, and Chuy Garc\u00eda,\u201d said Chair Pramila Jayapal. \u201cI was proud to establish term limits when I became Chair in 2018, and have full confidence in the abilities of our new class to lead this Caucus in the fight against the worst of the incoming Trump administration while rebuilding our party with a focus on economic justice for working people. I will be cheering these three new leaders and our new vice chairs at every turn as Chair Emerita come next year, and my heart is very full knowing we will have them at the helm of the CPC.\u201d\n\nJayapal was elected to serve as CPC Chair in 2018 during her second term in the House representing Washington\u2019s 7th District. She is the first South Asian American woman elected to the House, and the first to lead the CPC. Upon becoming Chair, she implemented new bylaws restructuring the Caucus and a bloc voting strategy that allowed progressives to act as a more cohesive fighting force for working people.\n\nDuring her tenure, she also created and scaled fundamental new infrastructure to support progressives in elected office through the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center (CPCC) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus Political Action Committee (CPC PAC).\n\n###\n\nCongressman Greg Casar represents Texas\u2019s 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio. A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 118th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Committee on Agriculture.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2288", "Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz Celebrates Passage of Her 6th Piece of Legislation, the Bipartisan Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act", "2024-12-05", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Monica De La Cruz", "D000594", "delacruz.house.gov", "delacruz", "https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) announced the bipartisan passage of H.R. 7480, the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act. It is her sixth piece of legislation to pass the House of Representatives.\n\nDe La Cruz\u2019s legislation, which passed Wednesday, ensures that service-connected disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs is excluded from income calculations when requesting assistance under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.\n\n\u201cOur veterans have sacrificed so much for our nation, and this legislation removes barriers to housing assistance for those with service-connected disabilities,\u201d De La Cruz said. \u201cThis is about ensuring equity and access for our heroes.\u201d\n\nH.R. 7480 will:\n\nEnhance Housing Accessibility: Veterans with disabilities can more easily qualify for housing programs.\n\nPromote Equity: Aligns the treatment of veteran benefits across the CDBG program.\n\nProvide Accountability: Requires a report to Congress on how service-connected disability compensation is treated across HUD programs to improve access for our veteran populations.\n\n\u201cThis is a victory for our veterans and reflects our nation\u2019s values,\u201d said Rep. De La Cruz. \u201cI am grateful to my colleagues for their support in advancing this important bill.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-chip-roy-demands-dhs-preserve-all-records-and-data-related-bidens-border", "Rep. Chip Roy demands DHS preserve all records and data related to Biden\u2019s border crisis", "2024-12-05", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Chip Roy", "R000614", "roy.house.gov", "roy", "https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 On Wednesday, Congressman Chip Roy (TX-21) instructed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Biden administration to preserve all information related to the border crisis and illegal aliens they have released into American communities.\n\nRepresentative Roy wrote in a letter,\u201cSince February 2021, Members of Congress, including myself, have sent you countless requests for information about DHS\u2019s policies and actions related to border security, immigration, and national security, only to receive \u2013 at best \u2013 delayed and insufficient responses or \u2013 at worst \u2013 no response from your office at all.\u201d\n\nUnder the Biden administration, we have seen record-breaking illegal alien encounters at our borders, millions of aliens released into the interior, scores of criminals and other bad actors infiltrating our communities, endangering Americans and aliens alike, and much more.\n\n\u201cIt is imperative DHS preserve any and all information related to the border crisis and mass influx of aliens into the interior so the incoming Trump administration can deliver on its mandate to undo the damage done,\u201d said Representative Roy, \u201cThis request is to withstand any administration transition and future directives to destroy evidence related to DHS policies and actions taken as of January 20, 2021.\u201d\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-al-green-questions-witnesses-ais-threat-jobs-and-risk-racial-bias", "Congressman Al Green Questions Witnesses on AI\u2019s Threat to Jobs and the Risk of Racial Bias", "2024-12-04", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Al Green", "G000553", "algreen.house.gov", "algreen", "https://algreen.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2014 On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, participated in a Financial Services Hearing entitled, \u201cInnovation Revolution: How Technology is Shaping the Future of Finance.\u201d\n\nYou can access and listen to Congressman Al Green\u2019s remarks here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-pressure-from-texas-democrats-usps-drops-controversial-plan-to-shift-mail-operations-in-south-texas", "After Pressure from Texas Democrats, USPS Drops Controversial Plan to Shift Mail Operations in South Texas", "2024-12-03", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaquin Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", "castro", "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced that it would drop a much-criticized plan to shift McAllen mail processing operations to San Antonio:\n\n\u201cAs the holiday season begins, this is great news for San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. The proposal to move McAllen\u2019s mail processing to San Antonio would have created new burdens for already-overworked letter carriers and slowed mail service across South Texas. Earlier this year, I led a push with other Texas lawmakers to make sure USPS understood how mail delays would hurt our constituents. Texas families rely on USPS for everything from paychecks to holiday cheer, and they deserve on-time mail delivery. As we look ahead to the new year, I urge the USPS to make similar guarantees to protect reliable mail service in Corpus Christi and across Texas.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://hunt.house.gov/media/press-releases/protecting-americans-russian-litigation-act-passes-house", "The Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act  Passes the House", "2024-12-03", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Wesley Hunt", "H001095", "hunt.house.gov", "hunt", "https://hunt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Congressman Wesley Hunt's legislation H.R. 9563 - The Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act of 2024 passed the House of Representatives by Voice Vote. H.R. 9563 marks Wesley's third piece of legislation that has been passed favorably out of the House of Representatives in the 118th Congress.\n\nBackground information:\n\nThe following members from the House Judiciary Committee cosponsored this bipartisan legislation: Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), and Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL).\n\nH.R. 9563 will protect U.S. businesses and ensure that they are not unfairly punished for complying with U.S. sanctions and export controls. Currently, Russia is pursuing spurious legal action against American companies who have ceased to continue business with Russian entities due to their compliance with U.S. sanctions and export controls. The United States has no provision that would protect U.S. companies from this type of lawsuit. This legislation closes the legal loophole countries like Russia are exploiting and will protect U.S. companies from unfair litigation.\n\nStatements:\n\n\"Russia's use of this Title 28 loophole to impose fines on American companies and workers is abhorrent,\" said Hunt. \"Let us recall that sanctions against Russia were only instituted after they made the deliberate decision to invade Ukraine. Protecting America and our business interests should be a top priority for Congress and I'm profoundly grateful for the bipartisan support this legislation has garnered.\"\n\n\u201cThe Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act will ensure that Americans will not be punished for good faith compliance with U.S. sanctions, including those placed on Russia following Putin\u2019s unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine. Russia should not benefit from its own wrongdoing,\u201d said Rep. Ivey. \u201cI am pleased this important and necessary legislation passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.\n\n\u201cToday, the House sent a clear message to our adversaries \u2013 including Russia and others \u2013 that they will not be allowed to retaliate against U.S. sanctions by attacking American businesses using bad-faith litigation. The sweeping bipartisan support for the Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act demonstrates our commitment to protecting American enterprises from unjust legal attacks for complying with U.S.-imposed sanctions\",said Rep. Issa.\"I am proud to co-lead this effort with Rep. Hunt and my Judiciary colleagues to protect the sovereignty of American businesses.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://williams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-williams-leads-letter-secretary-yellen-and-director-gacki", "Congressman Williams Leads Letter to Secretary Yellen and Director Gacki Concerning Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements", "2024-12-03", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Roger Williams", "W000816", "williams.house.gov", "williams", "https://williams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), led 11 members in a letter to U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Director, Andrea Gacki, expressing deep concerns regarding the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which will impose burdensome regulations on small businesses nationwide.\n\n\u201cOnly 14.2% of small businesses in Texas have submitted compliance with the BOI rule. This alarmingly low compliance rate highlights this critical problem: many small business owners are unaware of these reporting requirements or are struggling to navigate BOI\u2019s complexity,\u201d Congressman Williams wrote. \u201cInstead of threatening to penalize law abiding mom and pop shops, FinCEN should consider repealing the BOI requirements all together or take immediate steps to ensure small businesses are adequately informed or equipped to comply.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn less than a month, tens of millions of law-abiding small businesses face the threat of significant fines and prison time for not complying with a law they have never heard of. These penalties from the Corporate Transparency Act will hammer small businesses that are still suffering from high inflation and energy costs, pervasive workforce shortages, and $1.8 trillion of new regulatory costs. Congress must provide small businesses with relief by repealing this burdensome new mandate.\u201d - NFIB\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nThis letter was also signed by representatives Monica De La Cruz, Pete Sessions, Dan Crenshaw, Jake Ellzey, August Pfluger, Keith Self, Randy Weber, Chip Roy, Kay Granger, Ronny L. Jackson, and Jodey Arrington.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is requiring small businesses to report their beneficial owners to the agency on or after Jan 1, 2024.\n\nAs of recently, only 14% of small businesses in Texas have sent in their compliance paperwork to FinCEN.\n\nThe duty of educating business owners falls on FinCEN, and these low numbers show that they have fallen short in their duties.\n\nWilliams urges they extend the compliance date, restructure the requirements, or repeal them altogether.\n\n###\n\nCongressman Roger Williams is the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and member of the House Financial Services Committee. He proudly represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 1321, "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": "TX", "p2": "2024"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=TX&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 785, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=TX&year=2024&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 536, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=TX&year=2024&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=TX&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 1321, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=TX&year=2024", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=TX&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "TX", "label": "TX", "count": 1321, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2024", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=TX&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "2024", "label": "2024", "count": 1321, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=TX", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2024-12-03,https~3A~2F~2Fwilliams~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fcongressman-williams-leads-letter-secretary-yellen-and-director-gacki", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=TX&year=2024&_next=2024-12-03%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwilliams~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fcongressman-williams-leads-letter-secretary-yellen-and-director-gacki&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 710.2567409165204, "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"}