{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"NC\" and year = 2026 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-adams-brown-lead-house-colleagues-urging-usda-distribute-delayed", "Reps. Adams, Brown Lead House Colleagues in Urging USDA to Distribute Delayed Funding for Urban Agriculture Grants", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 On Thursday, September 24, Congresswomen Alma Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and Shontel Brown (OH-11)sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary Richard Fordyce and Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Colton Buckley, urging the USDA to immediately release a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) competitive grants program. The letter was joined by 24 Members of Congress.\n\nThe UAIP program was created by the 2018 Farm Bill, establishing an office to support and fund urban and innovative farming practices through competitive grants for planning and implementation projects. The program targets areas with limited fresh food access, helping expand efforts by farmers, gardeners, schools, and local governments to build food security, lower local food costs, and support economic development in underserved urban and suburban communities.\n\nUSDA has received $12 million in appropriated funding for UAIP: $7 million in Fiscal Year 2025 and $5 million in Fiscal Year 2026. However, the agency has not released any of the allocated funds, with no explanation for the delay. The letter calls on the USDA to open a 60-day application window no later than December 31, 2026, and requests answers on what caused the delay, when the NOFO will be released, and what the department's regular funding cycle will look like going forward.\n\n\u201cAddressing agricultural needs in North Carolina\u2019s 12th District is one of my top priorities,\u201d saidCongresswoman Adams, a senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture.\u201cUAIP was created to support local family farms and increase access to affordable healthy foods in urban districts across the country; the program must continue to do that. I am calling on the USDA to distribute these funds as they have been directed by Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cCongress created and funded the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production grant program with bipartisan support. We need answers from USDA as to why UAIP grants are not being made available. My Cleveland district has a long and great tradition of urban agriculture, and USDA needs to explain why it is failing to deliver resources Congress intended for these communities,\u201dsaid Congresswoman Shontel Brown, Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture.\n\n\u201cFarmers and communities need federal programs they can rely on. Since 2020, the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production has been one of those programs. However, since 2025, the Office has nearly disappeared. NSAC supports this effort to ensure the Office continues to invest in community-based food systems nationwide as Congress intended,\u201d commented Hannah Quigley, Policy Specialist with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.\n\nEstablished by the 2018 Farm Bill, UAIP supports urban farms, innovative production methods, and municipal composting initiatives while helping address food insecurity in surrounding communities. Since 2020, the program has funded 199 grants and 146 cooperative agreements across 43 states and Puerto Rico, working alongside 27 USDA Urban Service Centers to support incubator farms, workforce development, K-12 education programs, and community gardens.\n\nThe letter follows significant staff turnover and reorganization at USDA, which the lawmakers say should not prevent the department from implementing congressionally funded programs.", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-davis-and-vindman-introduce-legislation-help-fund-childcare-first", "Congressmen Davis and Vindman Introduce Legislation to Help Fund Childcare for First Responders", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Congressmen Don Davis (NC-01) and Eugene Vindman (VA-07) introduced H.R. 10614, Providing Childcare for Firefighters and EMS Act, legislation that would help states fund childcare services for the minor children of firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics during shift work and non-traditional hours.\n\nThe Providing Childcare for Firefighters and EMS Act would authorize the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award competitive grants to help states fund childcare programs tailored to the shift schedules and non-traditional work hours of covered first responders.\n\n\u201cFirst responders across eastern North Carolina work long shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays to keep our communities safe, but finding childcare that works around those hours can be a real challenge,\u201d said Davis. \u201cI am proud to co-lead the Providing Childcare for Firefighters and EMS Act to help communities expand childcare options that reflect the realities of first responders\u2019 schedules. Our firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics are there for us at all hours of the day, so we should ensure their families have the support they need to continue serving our communities.\u201d\n\nGrants would be awarded for three-year periods, with matching requirements increasing over the grant term. Eligible beneficiaries would include career and volunteer firefighters, certified emergency medical technicians, and licensed paramedics who are employed by or affiliated with state, local, tribal, or territorial agencies.", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-davis-urges-caution-nc-12-floods-closures-continue", "Congressman Davis Urges Caution as NC 12 Floods, Closures Continue", "2026-09-26", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "North Carolina - Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) issued the following statement regarding the severe impacts of the Nor\u2019easter on North Carolina\u2019s Outer Banks:\n\n\u201cThe Nor\u2019easter has resulted in severe flooding, dangerous ocean overwash, and has shown once again the challenges facing NC 12. I have been in direct communication with Congressman Greg Murphy\u2019s office, Governor Josh Stein\u2019s office, and county officials. Given the current road closures, I encourage everyone to follow the guidance of state and local emergency officials, avoid closed roads, and monitor road conditions.\n\n\u201cNC 12 is the lifeline connecting our Outer Banks communities. Families depend on it to get to work, take their children to school, and reach the people they love. When the road closes, the impact is felt in homes and businesses up and down the coast. As NCDOT and local officials work to assess the situation, I extend my deep gratitude to all emergency management personnel and our first responders who are working tirelessly to keep everyone safe.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-27T10:23:37Z", "2026-09-27T10:25:08Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/9/congresswoman-ross-senator-blunt-rochester-introduce-legislation-to-protect-seniors-from-surprise-healthcare-bills", "Congresswoman Ross, Senator Blunt Rochester Introduce Legislation to Protect Seniors from Surprise Healthcare Bills", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) introduced the No Surprise Bills for Seniors Act, legislation to protect seniors from losing their Medicare prescription drug coverage because of unexpected or unknown premium increases.\n\nRecent changes to Medicare Part D have left thousands of seniors facing unexpected premiums for prescription drug coverage they previously received at no cost. When beneficiaries do not realize they owe a premium, even one of just a few dollars, they can lose their coverage all together, forcing them to pay for their medications out of pocket or go without until the next open enrollment period.\n\nReporting from KFF Health News found that some beneficiaries lost coverage after owing as little as $8.10 in unpaid premiums. In Durham, a 74-year-old Medicare beneficiary lost his prescription drug coverage after his monthly premium increased from $0 to $3.60. He was ready to pay the premium as soon as he learned he owed it\u2014but was told he could not restore his coverage.\n\nThe No Surprise Bills for Seniors Act would give the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) greater flexibility to create a pathway for individuals to re-enroll in Part D, ensuring seniors do not go without the prescription drugs that Medicare entitles them to.\n\nThis legislation is endorsed by the Medicare Rights Center.\n\n\u201cNo senior should lose access to the medications they depend on because their premium increased \u2013often by only a few dollars\u2013 without them realizing it,\" said Congresswoman Ross. \u201cIf a senior is able and willing to pay what they owe, they should not be forced to go months without life-saving medication because of bureaucratic changes within the Medicare system. I\u2019m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester to give Medicare the flexibility it needs to make sure a surprise bill does not result in the loss of health care for our seniors.\u201d\n\n\u201cMissing a payment on a surprise monthly premium increase\u2014which can be as little as one dollar\u2014shouldn\u2019t cost someone their access to medication. Yet for the thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, it\u2019s a risk they have to take to afford their health care,\u201d said Senator Blunt Rochester. \u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce the No Surprise Bills for Seniors Act with Congresswoman Ross to bring clarity to our complex healthcare system and help seniors and individuals with disabilities maintain access to their medications.\u201d\n\nFull bill text can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/adams-davis-van-hollen-booker-introduce-bicameral-bills-improve-access", "Adams, Davis, Van Hollen, Booker Introduce Bicameral Bills to Improve Access to Care for Americans with Sickle Cell Disease", "2026-09-23", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u00ad\u2014 Today, Representative Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), alongside Representative Danny Davis (IL-07),Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD), and Senator Cory Booker (NJ) reintroduced two bills to improve access to care for Americans living with sickle cell disease (SCD) \u2014 the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act, legislation to grow the national network of care for patients with sickle cell disease, and the Sickle Cell Care Expansion Act, legislation to strengthen the medical workforce that treats SCD. The members are joined in introducing both bills by Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN) and Congressman Glenn Ivey (MD).\n\nIn the United States, approximately 100,000 people are affected by SCD, a rare, genetically-inherited disorder that causes a person\u2019s red blood cells to become deformed and get stuck in their veins \u2013 blocking oxygen flow throughout the body and leading to chronic pain, infections, stroke, as well as kidney, liver, and heart disease. The disease disproportionately affects Black Americans, but people from other racial and ethnic backgrounds, including Hispanic Americans, are also susceptible. Despite the prevalence of the disease and the need for consistent and coordinated treatment, SCD care is most often accessible only in specialized medical centers in metropolitan areas \u2013 resulting in few patients having access to the multidisciplinary care teams and providers they need.\n\n\u201cGrowing up, my sister Linda was in and out of the emergency room because of sickle cell disease. She lost her battle when she was just 26 years old,\u201dsaid Congresswoman Adams. \u201cHer story is one that I do not want to see repeated. That\u2019s why I am proud to introduce the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act and co-lead the Sickle Cell Disease Care Expansion Act to increase access to specialized care for those suffering from this devastating illness.\u201d\n\n\u201cConsidering the significant health challenges that sickle cell disease creates for individuals and families across the United States and around the world, we must invest greater resources in improving awareness, expanding access to comprehensive and coordinated care, advancing better treatments, and supporting research that can lead to new cures,\u201d said Congressman Davis. \u201cFor far too many sickle cell warriors, access to specialized care remains limited, particularly for those who live far from major medical centers. The Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act of 2026 takes an important step toward changing that by strengthening a national network of treatment centers and connecting specialized providers with community health centers and other organizations closer to where patients live.\u201d\n\n\u201cSickle cell disease has claimed the lives of too many people far too soon, including a former staff member of mine, John Amara. For Americans living with sickle cell, access to care and qualified providers can be one of the biggest challenges they face. These bills will increase the size and capacity of the medical workforce trained to treat sickle cell, give existing sickle cell centers the capacity to share resources beyond their walls, and help ensure we can more easily expand specialized care and treatment to the countless communities that don\u2019t yet have it. We will not stop fighting to raise awareness, strengthen networks of care and support, and ultimately make sickle cell disease a thing of the past,\u201dsaid Senator Van Hollen.\n\n\"Sickle cell disease has been historically overlooked and underfunded, and people living with it, who are disproportionately Black Americans, face systemic barriers to the care they need to live full, healthy lives,\" said Senator Booker. \"I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing these bills, which would invest in training and resources for healthcare providers, raise awareness about SCD and the support available, and establish a national network of treatment centers. Together, they move us toward a future where comprehensive, accessible care for everyone living with sickle cell disease is a right, not a privilege.\"\n\n\u201cThe Sickle Cell Treatment Act bill enables the creation of the national coordination of care and advancements for sickle cell disease, which is the most prevalent life-threatening chronic illness affecting most ethnicities and races in this country \u2014 more than 200,000 individuals along with their families and support systems, all types of medical caregivers in over 10 specialties, researchers, and scientists. Data-driven focus and collaboration for best outcomes and practices for the sickle cell community is imperative as we are in the era of curative therapies, new treatments and medicines, and research enabling better understanding of sickle cell. Likewise, the Sickle Cell Care Expansion Act, providing needed funding of education of the sickle cell family of caregivers \u2014 doctors, nurses, researchers, psychologists, social workers, dietitians, phlebotomists, and others \u2014 is crucial for providing excellence in care and opportunities for more progress for individuals and families effected by sickle cell disease. Let\u2019s be clear, Sickle Cell disease has been severely underfunded, under-resourced, and undercounted in all areas. We must all pull together \u2014 there is more than enough work and room for every organization to contribute to the necessary progress for the improved treatment, access, and outcomes for the sickle cell disease family,\u201d said Kimberley Davis, the Executive Director of KMD Advocacy Center and the mother of John Amara Walters, a member of Senator Van Hollen\u2019s legislative staff who passed away from complications of SCD in 2021 at the age of 29.\n\nThe Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act, led by Congresswoman Adams, would address the unmet needs of patients with SCD, sickle cell trait, and other inherited blood disorders through the establishment of a nationwide system of treatment centers, as well as much-needed education, outreach, and social services for patients. It establishes a National Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Center Grant Program, which would enable hospitals that offer specialized SCD care to partner with more accessible community health centers and outpatient centers. This would implement a hub-and-spoke framework for the delivery of care and treatment of patients with SCD. The medical hubs and spokes would be required to partner with community-based organizations to provide education and outreach and help coordinate social services for patients. Additionally, the bill would establish a National SCD Coordinating Center to work in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s (CDC) SCD Data Collection Program.\n\nThe Sickle Cell Care Expansion Act would enable the National Health Service Corps to provide educational incentives such as loan repayment assistance and scholarships for those studying benign hematology, which is the specialty SCD falls under. These incentives are designed to attract more providers to the SCD workforce to meet the treatment needs of the growing number of adult SCD patients. The bill would also create competitive grants to raise awareness of SCD and the resources available to patients and provide additional resources for hospitals to further fund support services for young adults ages 18-29 who are transitioning from pediatric to adult care, as well as research into the needs of this patient population.\n\nBoth bills have been endorsed by KMD Advocacy Center, American Society of Hematology, Children\u2019s National Hospital, Loma Linda University Children\u2019s Hospital, Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association (MSCDA), Sickle Cell Coalition of Maryland, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, the Sickle Cell Disease Partnership, and Sick Cells.", 1, "2026-09-24T09:44:48Z", "2026-09-24T09:45:52Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-adams-introduces-bill-support-faith-based-organizations-development", "Rep. Adams Introduces Bill to Support Faith-Based Organizations\u2019 Development of Affordable Housing", "2026-09-21", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), introduced the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Predevelopment Fund Act, a bill that would help expand the affordable housing supply by addressing a critical early-stage financing gap that prevents faith-based organizations (FBOs) from developing housing on land they already own.\n\nAcross the country, houses of worship are partnering with developers to transform under-utilized land they already own into much-needed affordable housing. Yet many promising projects stall before construction because FBOs lack the resources to cover critical upfront pre-development costs.\n\nThe bill creates a five-year pilot program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to offer competitive grants to states, local governments, nonprofits, and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to fund essential pre-development costs for FBO-led affordable housing projects.\n\n\u201cShelter is a basic human need, and housing is a fundamental human right,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams. \u201cThe average rent for an apartment in Charlotte is over $1,400 a month, a cost that is too high for many families. Faith-based organizations in my district and across the nation want to use their resources to build more affordable housing for their communities, but high upfront pre-development costs can be a major deterrent. My bill would relieve some of that burden on faith-based organizations and help to boost our affordable housing supply.\u201d\n\nThe bill is endorsed by the Faith-Based Housing Initiative, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and Lutheran Services in America.\n\n\u201cAs neighborhoods become increasingly unaffordable, local places of worship across the nation are actively looking to convert their surplus land into affordable homes,\u201d said Eli Smith, Director, Faith-Based Housing Initiative.\u201cYet high upfront predevelopment and exploratory costs often prove insurmountable, stopping congregations before they even get started. This bill helps ease some of those pains, making development more accessible and enabling faith organizations to unlock their land for the benefit of their communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is grateful for Rep. Adams\u2019 leadership in introducing the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Predevelopment Fund Act,\u201d said Ralphine Caldwell, Senior Executive Director, LISC Charlotte. \u201cCharlotte\u2019s affordable housing crisis has been growing, and we know that many faith-based organizations want to use land they own to meet local housing needs. The Faith-Based Affordable Housing Predevelopment Fund Act would provide the predevelopment and technical assistance resources necessary to help houses of worship develop affordable housing, increasing housing options in our community.\u201d\n\nPre-development activities that the grant funding can be used for include:\n\nArchitectural and engineering design\n\nEnvironmental reviews and assessments\n\nFeasibility studies\n\nLegal expenses\n\nFinancing application costs\n\nPerforming market studies\n\nProject consultant fees\n\nOther costs that are deemed appropriate by the Secretary of HUD\n\nYou can read the full bill here.", 1, "2026-09-22T09:42:49Z", "2026-09-22T09:44:35Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/foushee-moylanintroducebipartisansafe-platforms-act-to-protect-consumers-from-online-scams", "Foushee, Moylan\u00a0Introduce\u00a0Bipartisan\u00a0SAFE Platforms Act to Protect Consumers from Online Scams", "2026-09-21", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (September 21, 2026) \u2014 This week, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) and Congressman James Moylan (GU-AL) introduced H.R. 10433, the Stopping Abuse and Fraud Enabled by Platforms Act, or the SAFE Platforms Act, groundbreaking bipartisan legislation that would require online platforms to implement safety-by-design features and hold companies accountable for preventing fraudulent content targeting consumers, helping protect seniors and other vulnerable populations from scams, deception, and financial loss.\n\n\u201cOnline and AI-enabled scams are becoming more sophisticated and more devastating, costing North Carolina families $3 billion in financial losses last year,\u201d said Congresswoman Foushee. \u201cScammers often exploit platform features to target users \u2013 especially seniors, veterans, and other communities \u2013 with few consequences for the platforms that enable and profit from this abuse. The SAFE Platforms Act sets clear guardrails and safety-by-design requirements so digital platforms verify advertisers, protect users\u2019 privacy by default, and take steps to prevent fraud. I thank Congressman Moylan for his partnership on this critical legislation to protect consumers online.\u201d\n\n\u201cOnline scams are becoming more sophisticated, and families should not be left to bear the consequences while the platforms being used to facilitate these schemes face little accountability,\u201d said Congressman Moylan. \u201cFor Guam, where so much of our daily lives, commerce, and communication depend on online platforms, these protections matter. The SAFE Platforms Act puts commonsense safeguards in place to help prevent fraud before it happens, protect consumers\u2019 personal and financial information, and give victims meaningful recourse when they are harmed. I\u2019m proud to work across the aisle with Congresswoman Foushee to better protect consumers in Guam and across the country.\u201d\n\nAmericans are losing a staggering $119 billion every year to online scams. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)\u2019s Internet Crime Complaint Center report also shows that older Americans lost $4.8 billion to internet scams in 2024, a 43 percent increase from the previous year. Social media has emerged as a primary vehicle for these scams, with criminals exploiting direct messaging, fake profiles, recommendation algorithms, and ad-targeting tools to gain victims\u2019 trust and spread deceptive content. The Better Business Bureau\u2019s 2025 Scam Tracker Risk Report found that users primarily engaged with scammers on social media via advertisements, and that social media was the contact method with the highest percentage of reports with a dollar loss. The SAFE Platforms Act will hold platforms accountable when users are knowingly left vulnerable to these costly and emotionally distressing scams.\n\nSpecifically, the SAFE Platforms Act would:\n\nEstablish liability for platforms that knowingly help create or spread fraudulent content.\n\nRequire platforms to configure default privacy-protective settings and prohibits a single \u201cmaster setting\u201d that would weaken all default privacy protections at once.\n\nRequire platforms to detect and prevent the creation of fraudulent accounts and profiles and implement design features to prevent deceptive or misleading advertising practices.\n\nStandardize reporting and require online platforms to establish a fraud reporting system for users to report suspected fraud, including an accessible and clearly visible \u201cReport Scam\u201d button on all content that could contain advertisements, commercial, or promotional material.\n\nRequire platforms to provide users with basic \u201cknow your customer\u201d (KYC) information about advertisers, including their legal name, location, and length of time on the platform, and require additional verification for accounts that will be used for commercial purposes or high-risk categories like financial services, health products, housing, gambling, cryptocurrency, and age-restricted goods.\n\nRequire platforms to implement accessibility and design requirements for advertising content, including minimum font size, clear labeling, and standards for making advertising content accessible to users with disabilities.\n\nLimits the application of section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 so that it does not impair enforcement of the Act.\n\nProvide a safe harbor from liability for platforms that implement reasonable policies and procedures for addressing fraudulent content.\n\nDirect the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce these requirements as violations of its unfair or deceptive acts or practices jurisdiction and empower state attorneys general and victims of platform-enabled scams with a private right of action when harms occur.\n\nThe SAFE Platforms Act is endorsed by Consumer Federation of America, Hispanic Federation, Oregon Consumer Justice, and Public Citizen.\n\n\u201cAs concerns grow regarding the future dangers of unregulated AI, it is also important to highlight the harms it is enabling right now, said Emily Peterson-Cassin, Director of Competition and Market Fairness at the Consumer Federation of America. \"Fraudulent content and scams, supercharged by AI, are taking over social media platforms and costing us billions. We applaud Rep. Foushee for this critical first step towards making our online spaces safer.\u201d\n\n\u201cScammers are leveraging online platforms to find and target consumers, and it is only getting worse with AI super powering this issue. The SAFE Platforms Act recognizes that platforms have a role to play in preventing fraud, especially when their advertising systems, recommendation tools, and other design features help facilitate it. By giving victims meaningful recourse, requiring basic safeguards against scams, and holding Big Tech accountable, this legislation would provide consumers with protections that are badly needed in an era of sophisticated online and AI-enabled scams,\u201d said J.B. Branch, Director of Federal AI Governance and Technology Policy at Public Citizen.\n\n\"Older Americans lost a staggering $7.7 billion to internet scams in 2025, a 59% increase in a single year. The FBI also reported they lost over $352 million to AI-enabled fraud last year, using fake profiles, voice clones, and fabricated video. Losses at this scale are a systemic failure \u2014 the predictable result of platforms allowed to offer fraudulent content and held responsible for none of it. The SAFE Platforms Act would require platforms to verify who is advertising to their users, build fraud prevention into their default settings, and answer for the harm when they materially contribute to it. We applaud Rep. Valerie Foushee's leadership and look forward to working with Congress to fix the system rather than ask older adults to outrun it,\" said Ramsey Alwin, the CEO of the National Council on Aging.\n\nThe full text of the bill can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-22T09:42:49Z", "2026-09-22T10:42:50Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/9/ross-foushee-introduce-bill-advancing-science-to-reduce-warming-from-tropospheric-ozone-a-potent-air-pollutant-and-greenhouse-gas", "Ross + Foushee Introduce Bill Advancing Science to Reduce Warming from Tropospheric Ozone, a Potent Air Pollutant and Greenhouse Gas", "2026-09-21", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2013Today, Congresswomen Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Valerie Foushee (NC-04) introduced the Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026 to fund multi-year scientific research on the warming effects of tropospheric ozone. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced companion legislation in the Senate earlier this year.\n\nUnlike the ozone layer that protects the Earth from UV radiation, tropospheric ozone is a major air pollutant and potent greenhouse gas found near the surface of the Earth. It causes an estimated 500,000 premature deaths and up to 26 percent losses in crop yields globally each year. Tropospheric ozone is also the third-largest driver of climate change after carbon dioxide and methane.\n\nBecause tropospheric ozone lasts only weeks in the atmosphere, cutting tropospheric ozone could significantly reduce temperatures in the near term, alleviating the severity of climate change effects and reducing the risk of crossing climate tipping points.\n\nThe bill would fund a three-year, $10M per year scientific research program on the warming effects of tropospheric ozone. It would also direct EPA to publish a summary report identifying key findings, assessing the costs and benefits of mitigating tropospheric ozone precursors, and providing policy recommendations and future research needs.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by the Clean Air Task Force and the Natural Resources Defense Council.\n\n\u201cFor years, we have known that tropospheric ozone pollution is costing lives and driving climate change, but there is still so much we need to understand to effectively address it,\u201d said Congresswoman Deborah Ross. \u201cThis bill will empower our scientific community to find solutions to reduce tropospheric ozone\u2019s harmful effects and its contributions to global warming. We need research and information in order to act against super pollutants like tropospheric ozone so we can confront the growing climate crisis.\u201d\n\n\"In the wake of continued cuts to climate research funding by the Trump administration, it is now more important than ever to support the efforts at scientific research institutions and universities to better understand the ozone so that municipalities, farmers, and legislatures alike can be better prepared for future events caused by climate change,\u201d said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). \u201cI\u2019m proud to co-lead the Tropospheric Ozone Research Act with Congresswoman Ross to improve scientific understanding of the tropospheric ozone\u2019s warming impacts and inform future strategies to reduce global temperatures.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026 and its House companion bill would advance our understanding of ground-level ozone as a climate super pollutant, said Dr. Richie Kaur, Senior Superpollutant Reduction Advocate at NRDC. \u201cTropospheric ozone is an air pollutant and a fast-acting driver of warming that damages human health, food systems, and ecosystems, with disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities. At the same time, it represents a great opportunity for near-term progress\u2014where stronger science can inform practical policies that deliver rapid public health, ecosystem, and climate benefits. As the world overshoots 1.5 degrees of warming above pre-industrial levels, we need to examine every tool in the climate toolkit to bend the warming curve.\u201d\n\n\u201cTropospheric ozone pollution has been neglected by policymakers despite its contribution to roughly half a million premature deaths a year, billions of dollars in economic damages, and about a quarter degree of present-day warming,\" said Darin Schroeder, Methane Legal and Regulatory Director at Clean Air Task Force. \"The research funded by this bill and its companion in the Senate would create the knowledge base to change that inaction. This scientific investment would improve our understanding of how tropospheric ozone moves through and affects our atmosphere, providing a firm foundation for the US to better develop and target the solutions to drive this harmful pollutant down.\u201d\n\nBill text is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-calls-for-proactive-student-safety-measures-at-unc-chapel-hill-following-two-racial-incidents", "Rep. Foushee Calls for Proactive Student Safety Measures at UNC-Chapel Hill Following Two Racial Incidents", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (September 18, 2026) \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) sent a letter to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee Roberts urging the University to proactively engage with students and strengthen efforts to ensure students of color feel safe on campus following two instances of racially motivated harassment on campus between August 29 and August 31, 2026.\n\nOn August 29, 2026, members of the UNC Taiwanese Student Association and other Taiwanese students were reportedly racially harassed by a group of white men knuckle-walking and making monkey gestures during a campus tour led by the student organization.\n\nOn August 31, 2026, a man reportedly entered a watch party hosted by several Black student organizations in Greenlaw Hall and made racially charged threats while brandishing an aerosol can and a lighter.\n\n\u201cMeetings in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event such as this are a good start, but just that. With that in mind, I sincerely ask that you and the University be as proactive as possible with student engagement to ensure that students of color feel safe on campus moving forward,\u201d the Congresswoman wrote.\n\n\u201cAdditionally, as my office has received significant outreach from UNC students about this incident, it would be very helpful for my office as we respond to this outreach to have some additional insight into the incident and the steps your Administration is taking to respond appropriately,\u201d Foushee continued.\n\n\u201cWe all share the same beliefs and responsibility that UNC should be a place of learning without fear of violence and where respect for others is a core value,\u201d the Congresswoman concluded. \u201cI look forward to hearing from you on this and appreciate your continued attention to this matter.\u201d\n\nThe letter includes the following questions for Charcellor Lee Roberts\u2019 Administration:\n\nWhy did it take 17 minutes for UNC campus police to arrive at the scene on August 31st, and what might be done to ensure faster response times moving forward?\n\nWhen large events take place on campus, particularly ones that are unaffiliated with the University, are there protocols in place to ensure campus police maintain their usual staffing levels elsewhere on campus?\n\nWhat are the concrete steps your administration is taking to ensure that a better and more robust alert system will be in place to notify students of dangers on campus?\n\nHow is your administration working to make sure students, particularly students of color, feel safe on campus?\n\nAre there any plans in place to empower and/or educate students so they know how to best maintain their own safety in the event of a threat of violence when UNC campus police are not yet present?", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-introduces-legislation-todeliverdirectrelief-tofamiliesfacing-higher-costs", "Rep. Foushee Introduces Legislation to Deliver\u00a0Direct\u00a0Relief to\u00a0Families\u00a0Facing Higher Costs", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (September 18, 2026) \u2014 Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) introduced the American Tariff Rebate Act, legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code and provide direct financial relief to working American households through refundable tax credits.\n\n\u201cWorking families across North Carolina and the country continue to face rising living costs,\u201d said Congresswoman Foushee. \u201cThe American Tariff Rebate Act puts money directly back into the pockets of middle-class families by providing swift, direct tax rebates to offset the costs associated with the President\u2019s tariffs and the rising cost of everyday expenses.\u201d\n\nSince taking office on January 20, 2025, President Trump has imposed broad tariffs on U.S. imports using multiple legal authorities. Several trading partners have responded with retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports, putting American workers and farmers in the crossfire, and driving up the cost of everyday goods.\n\nWhile the courts ruled that businesses must receive tariff refunds, there has been no such ruling for American families who have also felt the heavy weight of this administration's reckless tariffs. According to the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, Minority, American families paid more than $231 billion in tariff costsbetween February 2025 and January 2026, an average of roughly $1,745 per family. The Committee projects that number could climb past $2,500 per family in 2026 if current tariff levels hold.\n\nUnder the proposed legislation, eligible taxpayers will receive a refundable tax credit for 2026 of $2,000 for individual filers, $4,000 for married couples filing jointly, plus $600 for each qualifying dependent, providing direct financial relief to American families hit hardest by the Administration\u2019s tariffs.\n\nTo target relief toward middle- and lower-income households, the credit phases out for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes above $75,000 for single filers, $112,500 for heads of household, and $150,000 for joint filers. Nonresident aliens, estates, trusts, and individuals claimed as dependents on another taxpayer\u2019s return would not be eligible.\n\nThis legislation would also authorize advance payments during 2026, allowing eligible Americans to receive the benefit without waiting until they file their 2026 tax returns.", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-adams-ruiz-sen-blunt-rochester-introduce-bill-expand-access", "Reps. Adams, Ruiz, Sen. Blunt Rochester Introduce Bill to Expand Access to Community Health Worker Services", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12),Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25), and Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE) introduced the Community Health Worker Access Act, legislation that would improve Medicare coverage for community health worker services and encourage states to cover these services under their Medicaid programs.\n\n\"One of my core beliefs as a legislator is that healthcare should be affordable and accessible,\" said Congresswoman Adams. \u201cCommunity health workers help provide preventative care, basic health screenings, and frontline medical support in our neighborhoods. This bill will strengthen the community health workforce and close long-standing gaps in access to care for underserved communities, especially in rural areas.\u201d\n\n\"Community health workers are often the first and most trusted connection our communities have to the health care system,\" said Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25). \"In the Coachella Valley, Imperial Valley, San Jacinto Valley, and the Pass area, they close gaps that clinics and hospitals alone cannot. This bill recognizes that work and invests in it, so families get the coordinated, culturally responsive care they deserve.\"\n\n\"Accessing the right care can feel impossible in our increasingly complex healthcare system, but community health workers help bridge the gap. From connecting people with the right providers to serving as trusted advisors, these community-based navigators drastically improve the quality of life for their neighbors,\" said Senator Blunt Rochester. \"I\u2019m proud to introduce the Community Health Worker Access Act to add coverage for community health workers under Medicare and formally acknowledge the vital role they play in keeping our communities healthy and safe.\"\n\nCommunity health workers serve as a bridge between patients and the formal health care system, especially for high-risk, high-need, and underserved populations. Their work includes basic health screenings, chronic disease symptom management, health education, and helping patients navigate complex health systems.\n\nThese programs could save Medicaid an average of $4,200 per beneficiary every year. Every dollar invested in community health worker services is worth over double that amount in savings.\n\nThe bill creates two new categories of reimbursable services under Medicare:\n\nPreventative services to avoid illness, reduce physical or mental disability, and restore body function.\n\nEducational services and referrals to health care and community-based resources to address health-related social needs, including assistance navigating insurance enrollment, easing transportation barriers, and connecting patients to support services.\n\nThe bill also allows state Medicaid programs to cover the same services with an increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage to help offset state costs.", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-davis-mcdonald-rivet-lead-new-push-stop-tax-giveaways-data-centers", "Reps. Davis, McDonald Rivet Lead New Push to Stop Tax Giveaways for Data Centers", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) and Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) led 25 members of Congress in introducing H.R. 10448, the Reverse Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act, which would rein in tax giveaways for data center development.\n\nLast year, H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), significantly expanded tax breaks that have helped spur the construction of AI data centers; that same legislation cut over $1 trillion from Medicaid and SNAP food assistance. The Reverse Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act would exclude data centers from benefiting from those OBBBA tax breaks. Specifically, the bill would exclude data centers from being able to take the 100% bonus depreciation tax deduction, and from being eligible for Opportunity Zone tax benefits.\n\n\u201cWhen families are struggling at the pump, in the grocery store, and with rising utility bills, we cannot give data centers a blank check. We need time to fully understand the costs and consequences of these projects, including their impact on power grids, water systems, and utility costs for rural communities across eastern North Carolina and our nation,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis.\n\n\u201cWashington is giving handouts to Big Tech companies while American families are drowning \u2014 I hear that word, \u2018drowning,\u2019 all the time from working parents back home. Tax cuts need to go to families, not data centers. We absolutely should not cut health care and food assistance for children and seniors to pay for tax giveaways to corporations. We have to fix it,\u201d said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet.\n\nThe bill text can be found HERE.\n\nOther members introducing the bill include Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Mike Levin (CA-49), John Mannion (NY-22), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Norma Torres (CA-35), Derek Tran (CA-45), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25).", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/9/congresswoman-ross-calls-out-trump-administration-s-corrupt-offshore-wind-buyouts", "Congresswoman Ross Calls Out Trump Administration\u2019s Corrupt Offshore Wind Buyouts", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Watch a recording of the press conference HERE.\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Ross joined fellow members of Congress, labor leaders, and environmental advocates in front of the Capitol to call out the Trump administration\u2019s continued attacks on offshore wind and demand accountability for billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded buyouts.\n\nRepresentatives Ross, (NC-02) Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Senator Ed Markey (MA) spoke alongside Kendall Martin, General Vice President of Ironworkers International, and Bob Keefe, Executive Director of E2 | Economy+Environment, to highlight the lack of transparency around the administration\u2019s corrupt, taxpayer-funded offshore wind buyout deals.\n\nSince March, the Department of the Interior has canceled 12 offshore wind leases, including two in North Carolina. In doing so, the Trump administration has made unprecedented use of the Treasury Department\u2019s Judgment Fund to pay developers nearly $4 billion in taxpayer funds to walk away from their offshore wind leases. These cancellations jeopardize clean energy projects that would have delivered affordable, reliable energy to millions of Americans\u2013including over 300,000 North Carolina homes\u2013and created thousands of good-paying jobs.\n\n\u201cMy home state of North Carolina has been a long time leader in clean energy, including offshore wind,\" said Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02). \u201cThe canceled projects would have created thousands of good-paying jobs and powered over 300,000 homes. This is happening when we are already experiencing record-high electricity prices across our state. [...] President Trump and the Department of Energy put their political agenda ahead of North Carolina's economic and energy needs. Families cannot afford to pay the price for that.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat is so outrageous about these buyouts that are now totaling almost $4 billion of taxpayer money that\u2019s just been lit on fire is that we\u2019re going through a time when families are struggling,\" said Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02). \u201cWe\u2019ve got this industry ready to make major investments in coastal communities that will not only create jobs but will provide cheap and reliable clean power that will bring electric rates down. This is exactly what we need at this time.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Trump administration is spending nearly $4 billion in taxpayer funds to cancel 12 offshore wind leases at the same time when Americans' utility bills are rising. Their priorities are completely out of whack,\" said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01). \u201cAs Ranking Member of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I take Congress\u2019s power of the purse seriously. Taxpayers deserve to know who authorized these buyouts, how they were valued, and why the Judgment Fund was used. We need transparency, accountability, and more affordable, reliable domestic energy\u2014not dirty deals that force taxpayers to pay for less of it.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe administration spent nearly $4 billion in taxpayer funds to illegally cancel promising offshore wind project leases across the country, including 2 of 3 in my district off of Morro Bay,\u201d said Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24). \u201cAs families face higher energy costs because of the president\u2019s disastrous war in Iran, these cancellations will just inflict more damage to our economy and family budgets\u2014not to mention the big waste of taxpayer funds. I won\u2019t let this extreme federal overreach go unchallenged, and I will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with all of my colleagues here and our communities affected by these cancelled leases to say yes to wind, no to dirty deals.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat is happening here? It\u2019s just corruption on stilts. We need more affordable, made-in-America, union, ready-to-go power than ever before \u2013 and we need it to be clean, because climate change is getting worse and costing us millions and billions more every single year,\u201d said Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts. \u201cThis is Economics 101. We\u2019ve got a major supply and demand problem: Trump is killing our electricity supply at his donors\u2019 demand. Instead of solving the energy affordability crisis he has created, Trump is blocking offshore wind from the grid. He\u2019s taking union workers out of work by the tens of thousands. And to add insult to injury, he\u2019s spending your money to do it.\u201d\n\n\u201cOffshore wind is here, and it\u2019s working. It\u2019s saving ratepayers money, breaking our dependence on volatile foreign fuel markets, creating cleaner air, and putting thousands of American union members to work,\u201d said Kendall Martin, General Vice President of Ironworkers International. \u201cIt is common sense to keep building this necessary infrastructure at a time of increasing energy demand. Union workers in offshore wind are just trying to do our jobs, pay our bills, and build something that leaves the planet a little better for our kids and grandkids. I ask the Trump administration to stop these senseless attacks on American energy and let us get to work.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt makes no sense to waste billions in taxpayer dollars paying companies not to build new energy sources \u2013 especially at a time when electricity demand and prices are soaring,\u201d said Bob Keefe, Executive Director of E2 | Economy+Environment. \u201cAnd we\u2019re not just losing new made-in-America energy here. We\u2019re losing new jobs, new investments, new tax revenues and new opportunities in coastal communities that could use a break.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhile families face skyrocketing bills and worry about blackouts or power outages, offshore wind provides a cheaper, more reliable, and cleaner energy future for all of us,\u201d said Sierra Club Chief Program Officer Holly Bender. \u201cOffshore wind is here and ready to be deployed in the United States, but Donald Trump is hell-bent on creating obstacles that tip the scales in favor of fossil fuels. It is completely unacceptable that $4 billion of our taxpayer dollars have been wasted on paying off energy companies to cancel renewable energy projects and double down on fossil fuels. We are grateful for the support of our partners in Congress and together we will continue to fight for a healthier, more affordable, and cleaner future.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs if energy costs were not high enough, the Trump administration has spent almost four billion taxpayer dollars to keep our energy costs high by blocking affordable clean offshore wind energy,\u201d said David Shadburn, Legislative Director at the League of Conservation Voters. \u201cTrump is instead directing our tax dollars to new LNG export projects, shipping gas overseas and actually driving prices back home even higher, all while enriching Trump\u2019s fossil fuel donors. We stand with clean energy leaders in Congress who are fighting to hold this administration to account and lower costs for working families.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/9/congresswomen-ross-pressley-leger-fern-ndez-introduce-legislation-to-establish-financial-relief-fund-for-epstein-survivors-survivors-of-sexual-violence", "Congresswomen Ross, Pressley, Leger Fern\u00e1ndez Introduce Legislation to Establish Financial Relief Fund for Epstein Survivors & Survivors of Sexual Violence", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Legislation Addresses Financial Burden for Survivors Whose Rights Were Violated by Federal Government\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 This week, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-NC), alongside Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Teresa Leger Fern\u00e1ndez (D-NM) introduced the Survivors\u2019 Rights Restitution Act, first-of-its-kind legislation that would create a restitution fund in the judicial branch for survivors of sexual violence whose rights were violated by the federal government, including survivors of abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.\n\nThe Survivors\u2019 Rights Restitution Act would make a historic investment to support survivors of sexual violence and hold the federal government accountable when it fails to protect survivors\u2019 rights under the Crime Victims\u2019 Rights Act. Research estimates that rape suvivors face $122,461 in lifetime costs, including medical expenses, lost work productivity, and legal fees. This legislation would help ease some of the financial and personal burden survivors can carry for years, from medical bills and lost income to housing instability and enduring trauma.\n\n\u201cFar too often, we have seen our government fail survivors of sexual violence who have risked everything to come forward,\u201d said Congresswoman Deborah Ross. \u201cTrauma is often just one part of the burden survivors carry, and it is often compounded by lost income, housing insecurity, and economic hardship. We have seen this play out in the administration\u2019s treatment of survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell\u2019s abuse, who have been dismissed and demonized. Now more than ever, we must ensure all survivors receive the justice they deserve. I am proud to introduce this bill to establish a first-of-its-kind economic relief fund for survivors of sexual violence.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe financial, physical, and emotional trauma that survivors of sexual violence carry is a lifetime sentence,\u201d said Congresswoman Pressley. \u201cBy no choice of their own, survivors can incur debilitating costs due to medical needs, lost income, housing instability, and mental health support. Far too often, the federal government has been complicit and failed to meet its moral and legal obligation to fight for accountability and relieve this economic burden\u2014our bill would change that by holding our government, abusers, and their co-conspirators to account and helping our survivors get on a pathway to healing. The ignored burden that survivors carry is a stain in our legal system and must be addressed immediately.\u201d\n\n\u201cSurvivors should never have to pay the price when our government fails to protect them,\u201d said Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fern\u00e1ndez. \u201cFor too long, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell\u2019s horrific abuse were denied justice while powerful people were protected. That failure has real costs: lost wages, medical bills, housing instability, and trauma that can last a lifetime. We cannot undo the harm, but we can make sure survivors are not left to carry the burden alone. The Survivors\u2019 Rights Restitution Act gives survivors that path to restitution.\u201d\n\nTo support survivors of sexual violence and empower survivors who choose to come forward, the Survivors\u2019 Rights Restitution Act would:\n\nEstablish the Survivors\u2019 Rights Restitution Program to provide compensation to eligible victims for harm and losses.\n\nCreate an independent Office of Special Adjudicators for Survivors Restitution within the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to review petitions and determine awards through a streamlined, non-adversarial, and trauma-informed process.\n\nEstablish the Survivors Rights Restitution Fund within the Department of the Treasury to finance awards through federal forfeiture proceeds tied to trafficking and sexual exploitation offenses, voluntary contributions, and authorized appropriations.\n\nThe bill is cosponsored by: Reps. Yassamin Ansari, Becca Balint, Joyce Beatty, Wesley Bell, Brendan Boyle, Salud Carbajal, Andr\u00e9 Carson, Yvette Clarke, Lou Correa, Jim Costa, Madeleine Dean, Maxine Dexter, Debbie Dingell, Maxwell Frost, Robert Garcia, Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Adelita Grijalva, Hank Johnson, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Summer Lee, Stephen Lynch, Sarah McBride, Jennifer McClellan, LaMonica McIver, Christian Menefee, Kweisi Mfume, Gwen Moore, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chellie Pingree, Mike Quigley, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Andrea Salinas, Lateefah Simon, Melanie Stansbury, Shri Thanedar, Rashida Tlaib, Paul Tonko, James Walkinshaw, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Frederica Wilson.\n\nThis bill is endorsed by: Democratic Women\u2019s Caucus; World Without Exploitation; me too. International; Women\u2019s HQ; UltraViolet Action; National Alliance to End Sexual Violence; Safe Exit Initiative; RIA, Inc.; National Alliance to End Sexual Violence; Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA); My Life My Choice; National Network to End Domestic Violence; National Women's Law Center Action Fund; Boston Area Rape Crisis Center; Survivor Justice Network; Equal Rights Advocates; Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA); Victim Rights Law Center; Them Apples Music; Justice for Migrant Women; Esperanza United; National Women's Political Caucus; Feminist Majority; Legal Momentum, the Women's Legal Defense & Education Fund; South Asian SOAR.\n\n\u201cSex trafficking survivors are often asked to take enormous risks to report their abuse and cooperate with the justice system, only to find that the same institutions demanding their trust can fail to protect their rights,\u201d said Becca Zipkin, Vice President of Policy and Programs, World Without Exploitation. \u201cSurvivors of Jeffrey Epstein experienced that failure in one of the most public cases imaginable, but they are far from alone. At World Without Exploitation, we work alongside survivors who know that justice must include changing the systems that allow exploitation to flourish and holding institutions accountable when they fail the people they are supposed to protect. The Survivors\u2019 Rights Restitution Act is an important step toward that goal by giving survivors a meaningful path to redress when the federal government violates their rights. It also recognizes something survivors have long told us \u2014 economic justice is survivor justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a survivor who has worked alongside thousands of survivors I\u2019m clear that the full story of what it actually takes to survive is not often told. Alongside the mental, physical and emotional toll of the violence that we endured is the financial burden of untangling the web that the trauma creates to try and find our way back to ourselves - there is an actual cost to that work and it\u2019s rare that we have support footing that bill. This country and our government has to ask itself what does it owe survivors? Rep. Pressley is doing her part to begin answering that question,\u201d said Tarana Burke, Co-Founder and Chief Vision Officer, Me Too\n\n\u201cSurvivors have been paying the price for their assault for far too long,\u201d said Liz Speakman, Executive Director, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. \u201cWe know that money is not what heals trauma but it goes a long way to providing the space, time and resources to make the path a little easier.\u201d\n\n\u201cSurvivors should not have to spend decades paying for crimes committed against us. When institutions fail us, that failure becomes generational trauma. We deserve privacy, dignity, and restitution\u2014not someday, but now. Congresswoman Pressley\u2019s bill gives survivors a path forward,\u201d said Dani Bensky, survivor and advocate.\n\n\"As a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, I am heartened by the introduction of the Survivors\u2019 Rights Restitution Act of 2026. This vital legislation not only acknowledges our trauma but also provides a pathway to justice with meaningful compensation. It's time for Congress to act swiftly, reinforcing that survivors deserve to be heard, believed, and supported in our healing journey,\u201d said Lara Blume McGee, Survivor and CEO of Team Up World.\n\nBill text is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-urges-action-protect-eastern-north-carolina-soybean", "Congressman Don Davis Urges Action to Protect Eastern North Carolina Soybean Growers", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him to prioritize American soybean producers and secure reliable access to Chinese markets during his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.\n\n\u201cAgriculture is the economic backbone of eastern North Carolina, and our soybean growers stand at the front lines of global trade policy,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis. \u201cAs you prepare for your upcoming summit with President Xi Jinping on September 24, I respectfully ask you to insist on a verifiable, structured timeline for China to fulfill its annual 25-million-metric-ton soybean purchasing commitment for 2026 and its subsequent annual commitments through 2028.\u201d\n\nImage\n\nEastern North Carolina farmers continue to face rising input costs, global competition, and uncertainty in export markets. Congressman Davis emphasized that soybean growers need consistent commercial demand and long-term market certainty rather than relying on sporadic purchases by Chinese state-owned enterprises, especially while soybeans are still subject to a 10% Chinese tariff.\n\n\u201cA stable and mutually beneficial trade relationship requires sustained commercial market access and greater certainty for American agriculture. Farmers have made clear to me they would rather compete in the global marketplace than depend on emergency assistance resulting from trade disruptions. With fair, predictable terms, they can compete with producers anywhere in the world,\u201d continued Davis.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/9/rep-ross-combating-illicit-xylazine-act-passes-house-unanimously", "Rep. Ross\u2019 Combating Illicit Xylazine Act Passes House Unanimously", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 The bipartisan, bicameral Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, introduced by Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), August Pfluger (TX-11), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), and Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives. This bill would list xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance while protecting the drug\u2019s legal use by veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers. The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.\n\nThe Combating Illicit Xylazine Act previously passed the House in the 118th Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) reintroduced companion legislation in the Senate, which advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this year.\n\nXylazine, also known as \u201ctranq,\u201d is an easily accessible veterinary tranquilizer that is being used as a low-cost cutting agent for fentanyl. The legislation would give law enforcement the tools they need to go after traffickers while protecting access for veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers who use xylazine to treat large animals. The bill is endorsed by 41 state attorneys general, major law enforcement organizations, and veterinary organizations.\n\n\u201cFentanyl overdoses continue to take far too many lives, in no small part due to the widespread availability of deadly substances like xylazine,\u201d said Rep. Ross. \u201cThis bipartisan bill will save lives by restricting access to this dangerous substance and giving law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on traffickers, while protecting legitimate uses of xylazine by veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers. I am grateful for the House of Representatives\u2019 bipartisan commitment to passing this legislation, and I will continue working with my colleagues to get this bill signed into law.\u201d\n\n\u201cIllicit xylazine is worsening the deadly fentanyl crisis and tearing through communities across our country,\u201d said Rep. Panetta. \u201cAddressing the illicit spread of xylazine has been a priority under both the Biden and Trump Administrations, and this unanimous House passage demonstrates the broad, bipartisan consensus behind taking action against this dangerous drug. The bipartisan Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would help us fight back by giving law enforcement the tools needed to crack down on traffickers while ensuring that veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers can continue to use the drug safely and responsibly. I urge the Senate to swiftly pass this bill before the end of this Congress so we can get it signed into law and save lives.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to see the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act pass the U.S. House. Xylazine was never meant for human use, and traffickers are increasingly turning to inexpensive products to make street drugs more potent and deadly. This bill takes a direct aim at traffickers and protects the legal use of xylazine by veterinarians and ranchers. I urge the Senate to swiftly pass this bill to keep dangerous drugs off American streets,\u201d said Rep. Pfluger.\n\n\u201cIllicit xylazine is making an already deadly drug crisis even more dangerous, and we must give law enforcement the tools necessary to stay ahead of the criminals who are poisoning our communities. I am proud to have helped lead this bipartisan effort and pleased that the House has taken decisive action to crack down on the illegal trafficking and misuse of xylazine while protecting its legitimate veterinary use. This is an important step toward saving lives, strengthening public safety, and holding those who profit from this deadly trade accountable. I urge the Senate to act quickly so we can get this commonsense legislation signed into law,\u201d said Rep. Bilirakis.\n\n\u201cWe must take action to crack down on dealers who are cutting deadly drugs with the legal animal tranquilizer xylazine, which increases life-threatening impacts. Our bipartisan legislation that has passed the House would track the manufacture of xylazine and ensure law enforcement has the resources needed to crack down on illegal drug traffickers,\u201d said Rep. Pappas. \u201cI urge the Senate to swiftly pass this legislation, and I\u2019ll continue pushing forward comprehensive solutions that will combat our ongoing addiction epidemic.\u201d\n\n\u201cXylazine is a powerful animal sedative that has found its way into the illicit drug supply, making fentanyl and other deadly drugs even more dangerous while padding the pockets of drug traffickers and criminal cartels,\u201d said Rep. Fitzgerald. \u201cThe House took an important step today by passing the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. This legislation gives law enforcement stronger tools to crack down on the illicit distribution of xylazine, while protecting its legitimate use by veterinarians. Now it\u2019s time for the Senate to act and send this bill to the President\u2019s desk.\u201d\n\n\u201cThousands of Americans have died from overdoses of fentanyl laced with xylazine, but law enforcement still doesn\u2019t have the tools it needs to properly combat this crisis. Now is the time for us to address this emergency while ensuring xylazine can still be used for veterinary medicine,\u201d said Sen. Cortez Masto. \u201cI applaud the House of Representatives for passing this life-saving bill, and I urge my Senate colleagues to get this legislation to the President\u2019s desk.\u201d\n\n\u201cI applaud the House for taking decisive action to crack down on xylazine traffickers, equip law enforcement with new tools to combat its spread and protect the drug\u2019s legitimate use by veterinarians, ranchers and cattlemen. Congress has an obligation to protect Americans from the scourge of illicit xylazine and should continue to work in a bipartisan and bicameral fashion to get this lifesaving legislation signed into law,\u201d said Sen. Grassley.\n\nThe Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would:\n\nSchedule xylazine as a Schedule III illicit substance under the Controlled Substances Act;\n\nEnsure veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers can still use the drug for its intended purpose by creating a clear definition of \u201cultimate user\u201d \u2014 someone lawfully permitted to possess a controlled substance for legitimate use;\n\nEnable the DEA to track its manufacturing to ensure it is not diverted to the illicit market; and\n\nRequire a report on prevalence, risks, and recommendations regarding xylazine.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswomen-adams-and-hinson-hold-briefing-introduce-national", "Congresswomen Adams and Hinson Hold Briefing, Introduce National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day Resolution", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswomen Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and Ashley Hinson (IA-02), alongside Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing September 19, 2026, as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day.\n\nIn acknowledgment of the work that needs to be done, and mark the progress made since theMaternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act passed into law, Congresswomen Adams and Hinson, held a briefing inside the Capitol Building today. Advocates, medical professionals, policy leaders, and parents came to discuss clinical innovations in stillbirth prevention and urge support for the National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day resolution.\n\n\u201cIt has already taken way too long for Congress to wake up to the tragedy that is our country's stillbirth crisis,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams, co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. \u201cWe have made some great progress, but there is so much more to be done. We already have many innovative solutions to reduce stillbirth \u2014 our country just hasn't invested in them at a national scale. We can, and we must do better for our moms.\u201d\n\n\u201cImproving prenatal education and access to maternal care \u2014 especially in rural areas where women may travel over an hour to see a provider \u2014 is critical to protecting babies and reducing maternal deaths,\u201d said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. \u201cGetting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was a major step, but more must be done to support expecting moms and prevent stillbirths. I\u2019m proud to reintroduce this resolution recognizing September 19th as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day and will continue working across the aisle to end the tragedy of stillbirth.\u201d\n\n\u201cNearly five thousand babies\u2019 lives could be saved annually through greater focus on stillbirth prevention efforts,\u201d said Healthy Birth Day CEO, Emily Price. \u201cNational Stillbirth Prevention & Awareness Day is an opportunity to address the urgent stillbirth crisis in the U.S. and share free resources and tools like Count the Kicks which are saving lives. Our message to the country: it doesn't have to be this way.\u201d\n\nThe Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act, bipartisan legislationsigned into law in July 2024, clarified that Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant funds could be used to support stillbirth prevention activities and research. This year, Congresswomen Adams and Hinson secured $1 million in a Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations bill for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to provide ongoing assistance to support states\u2019 stillbirth prevention activities.\n\nMedical advances over the last 30 years have led to a decline in late term stillbirths, but the rate of decline is slowing. Stillbirth remains a significant public health crisis in the United States, with tens of thousands of families affected each year and Black, Native, and Hispanic communities experiencing disproportionately higher rates. Research suggests a substantial share of stillbirths may be preventable through improved awareness, screening, and access to care.\n\n\u201cEvery parent who experiences a stillbirth deserves support and clear action. Stillbirth remains a heartbreaking and preventable public health crisis, with Black, Native, and Hispanic families facing disproportionately high rates of loss,\u201d said Senator Merkley.\u201cGetting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was an important first step, but we cannot let up. This National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we must keep pushing for necessary action to save lives and spare families this devastating loss.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery year, more than 20,000 families in the United States experience a stillbirth, and too many of these losses may be preventable,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cLosing a baby to stillbirth is devastating, and on National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we stand with the families who have experienced this profound loss and recommit ourselves to preventing stillbirth wherever possible. By investing in research, improving data collection, raising awareness, and strengthening access to high-quality maternal health care, we can better understand the causes of stillbirth, reduce preventable losses, and support healthier pregnancies.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo family should have to endure the heartbreak of a stillbirth. While states like Iowa have made progress at reducing stillbirths, there\u2019s still much more to be done to strengthen maternal healthcare, especially in rural areas, to help prevent these tragedies. Our bipartisan resolution raises awareness and promotes research to help target contributing factors and save babies\u2019 lives,\u201d said Senator Grassley.\n\nNational Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day serves as an opportunity to recognize affected families, highlight the work of advocacy organizations, and reinforce the need for sustained federal investment in stillbirth prevention efforts and maternal and child health research and services.", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-adams-raskin-introduce-honest-act-protect-colleges-politically", "Reps. Adams, Raskin Introduce HONEST Act to Protect Colleges from Politically Motivated IRS Investigations", "2026-09-10", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) introduced the Higher Education Oversight for Nonprofits Ensuring Standards and Transparency Act, or the HONEST Act, to establish new safeguards for IRS investigations of colleges and universities.\n\nThe bill comes as the Department of the Treasury and IRS move forward with new regulations affecting the tax-exempt status of private schools, including colleges and universities. Under the new proposal, as many as 18,000 schools could be affected, along with roughly 750,000 students who receive scholarships tied to race, ethnicity, or national origin. The rule would reach beyond admissions to scholarships, student programs, and other policies that colleges use to serve their students.\n\n\u201cI spent 40 years as a professor, and I know our colleges and universities should not have to worry about the IRS being used as a political weapon,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams,Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. \u201cThe HONEST Act does not prevent the IRS from enforcing the law, it simply ensures a fair and transparent process before the federal government investigates a college or university.\u201d\n\n\u201cLike other institutions, colleges and universities in the United States are entitled to \u2018Due Process,\u2019 the two most beautiful words in the English language,\u201d said Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08). \u201cI am glad to partner with Representative Adams to introduce the HONEST Act, which preserves important federal tax investigation authorities while ensuring that colleges and universities get the same Due Process protection as houses of worship receive.\u201d\n\nThe HONEST Act mirrors protections that already exist for churches and houses of worship, where the IRS must follow added procedures before opening certain tax inquiries. The bill would bring a similar process to colleges and universities, adding due process without taking away the IRS\u2019s ability to hold schools accountable when they break the law.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).\n\n\u201cThe American Council on Education, the major coordinating body for the nation\u2019s colleges and universities, with nearly1,600 member institutions, related associations, and other organizations in America and abroad, strongly endorses the HONEST Act,\u201d said a representative of the American Council on Education. \u201cThe HONEST Act creates strong guardrails to protect our nation\u2019s colleges and universities, both public and private nonprofit institutions, from the misuse of federal tax-exempt oversight authority by the Department of the Treasury and the IRS. This bill would make important enhancements to protections already in law and we hope it will be swiftly taken up and passed by the full Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cNonprofit organizations, including institutions of higher education, have had their tax-exempt status threatened for no more than failure to operate in accordance with prevailing administrative orthodoxy,\u201d said Dr. Charles L. Welch, President & CEO of the AASCU. \u201cColleges and universities must be able to carry out their missions\u2014advancing academic achievement, research, and workforce preparation\u2014without concern that lawful operations could trigger punitive action. The HONEST Act provides important safeguards to ensure transparency, consistency, and fairness in oversight of nonprofit institutions.\u201d\n\nThe HONEST Act would:\n\nProtect academic decisions from being used as a reason for an IRS investigation: The IRS cannot target a school based solely on its curriculum, accreditation, or other academic policies unless there is a violation of federal law.\n\nMake the IRS explain why it is investigating a school: A senior Treasury official must document evidence of a clear tac regulation violation an inquiry begins.\n\nGive the school a chance to respond: Colleges and universities must be told what the IRS is looking at and have an opportunity to meet with the agency.\n\nPut a time limit on investigations: IRS examinations generally must be finished within two years.\n\nStop the IRS from repeatedly reopening the same issue: After a clean review, the IRS generally cannot come back on the same issue for five years.\n\nRequire another level of review before serious action is taken: The IRS cannot revoke tax-exempt status or take certain other enforcement actions without additional internal approval.\n\nRequire Congress to be notified: Treasury must report these investigations to the House and Senate tax-writing committees.\n\nApply the protections to public colleges and certain university foundations and endowments.\n\nA one pager for the bill can be found here.", 1, "2026-09-11T09:25:29Z", "2026-09-11T09:27:08Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-foushee-thompson-lead-opposition-to-removal-of-bike-safety-resources-and-bike-safety-project-funding", "Reps. Foushee, Thompson Lead Opposition to Removal of Bike Safety Resources and Bike Safety Project Funding", "2026-09-10", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (September 10, 2026) \u2014 Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) and Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Administrator Sean McMaster opposing the removal of programs for road safety, specifically those mentioning bike safety.\n\nIn the letter, the Congressmembers wrote, \u201cThe U.S. is experiencing a roadway safety crisis, with more than 36,000 people killed on our streets in 2025. One in five traffic deaths is a person walking or biking. Since 2010, bicyclist fatalities in the U.S. have risen by 87 percent.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe removal of several PSCM related to protecting vulnerable road users coincides with the USDOT\u2019s recent cancellation of grants that include bicycling facilities and stated intention to limit funding for bike lanes within the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program. Ignoring multimodal transportation networks, rejecting projects that prioritize the safety of people biking and walking, and eliminating funding for bike lanes goes against the express congressional intent for these funding sources. Furthermore, DOT\u2019s actions only make our roads less safe for American families,\u201d continued the lawmakers. \u201cWe therefore strongly urge you to restore all PSCM pages recently removed from the FHWA website, as well as funding eligibility for bike projects within BUILD and any other grant program for which they are eligible. Please provide us with a written response to explain the Administration\u2019s rationale, your process for these actions, and how these actions support the Department\u2019s mission to \u201cAdvance safety.\u201d\u201d\n\nThe letter was signed by 28 Democratic lawmakers, including: Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Andre Carson (IN-07), Dina Titus (NV-01), Ed Case (HI-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Dave Min (CA-47), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Jim Himes (CT-04), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Sara Jacobs (CA-51).\n\n\u201cMy granddaughter Allie was just five years old when she was killed riding her bike through a crosswalk near her home,\u201d said Philip Hart, a Durham resident and constituent of Rep. Foushee. \u201cEvery proven safety countermeasure removed from FHWA's website risks costing lives that could otherwise have been saved. Families for Safe Streets was founded by people who buried loved ones killed by dangerous road design \u2014 we know firsthand that these aren't abstract policy debates, they're the difference between a child making it home from school on a bike lane and a family getting a knock on the door. We're grateful to Representatives Thompson and Foushee for standing up for the data-backed tools that save lives, and we urge the Department of Transportation to restore this guidance and the funding that puts it into practice.\u201d\n\n\u201cBike lanes, road diets, and speed management are called Proven Safety Countermeasures because the evidence is clear: they work to improve safety for everyone. Whether you are walking, biking, taking transit, or in a car, these are safety interventions that save lives. Removing these Proven Safety Countermeasures from engineers' and planners' toolbox signals that this administration is putting political whims over the safety of Americans,\u201d said Bill Nesper, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists.\n\n\u201cRails To Trails Conservancy thanks Representatives Foushee and Thompson for their leadership organizing this letter and standing up for the vast majority of Americans who support trails, walking, and biking infrastructure. Removing the proven safety countermeasures endangers bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers, and denies decades of research and experience in all types of American communities. By limiting funding for bicycle projects through the BUILD program, USDOT is undercutting bipartisan Congressional intent and denying Americans the infrastructure they need to safely and affordably get where they need to go,\u201d said Scott Goldstein, Senior Director of Government Relations of Rails To Trails Conservancy.\n\n\u201cOne of The 6 E\u2019s of Safe Routes to School is evaluation: using evidence-based strategies to improve safety and get kids and families where they need to go. Proven Safety Countermeasures have been rigorously evaluated to show they keep kids and families safe on our roadways,\u201d said Marisa Jones, Executive Director of Safe Routes Partnership. \u201cWe encourage FHWA to follow the evidence on what keeps kids and communities safe, and reinstate all Proven Safety Countermeasures. No family should mourn the death of a child on our roadways over the politics of transportation modes. Communities need every tool available to them to make American streets safer for kids and families.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-11T09:25:29Z", "2026-09-11T09:27:08Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-announces-2026-congressional-app-challenge", "Congressman Don Davis Announces 2026 Congressional App Challenge", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) is proud to announce that the 2026 Congressional App Challenge is now open for middle and high school students in North Carolina\u2019s First Congressional District.\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition designed to encourage middle and high school students to explore coding and computer science by developing their own original apps. The challenge promotes the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education and supports the next generation of tech innovators.\n\n\u201cThe Congressional App Challenge proudly highlights the remarkable creativity and innovation of North Carolina\u2019s First Congressional District,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis. \u201cStudents across eastern North Carolina are gaining the skills and experience needed to lead in an increasingly technology-driven economy. We are excited to see the imaginative projects our bright minds will develop and to celebrate the talent and ingenuity they bring to this competition.\u201d\n\nThe deadline for students to register for the Congressional App Challenge and submit their app online is 5:00 PM on Monday, October 26, 2026\n\nThe winner from the First Congressional District will be recognized on the Congressional App Challenge website and invited to attend #HouseOfCode in Washington, D.C., in spring 2027.\n\nTo learn more about the competition or to submit an app go to:", 1, "2026-09-10T09:25:58Z", "2026-09-10T09:27:09Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/9/reps-ross-bera-introduce-the-service-for-america-act-to-provide-pathway-to-permanent-residency-for-dreamers-documented-dreamers-in-public-service", "Reps. Ross, Bera Introduce the SERVICE for America Act to Provide Pathway to Permanent Residency for Dreamers + Documented Dreamers in Public Service", "2026-09-09", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Last week, U.S. Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) introduced the SERVICE for America Act, which creates a pathway to lawful permanent residency for Dreamers and Documented Dreamers who work in public service.\n\nFor many Dreamers and Documented Dreamers, the United States is the only home they have ever known. They went to school here, built careers here, and contribute to our communities, but despite putting down roots, they continue to face uncertainty about whether they will be able to remain in the country they call home.\n\nThe SERVICE for America Act would give eligible Dreamers and Documented Dreamers who work in public service a pathway to lawful permanent residency. Qualifying public service includes careers in healthcare, education, public safety, military service, social work, early childhood education, government, and nonprofits. It would also expand opportunities for eligible young immigrants to serve through AmeriCorps.\n\n\u201cThose who dedicate themselves to serving our communities and the country they call home deserve the opportunity to build their futures here,\u201d said Representative Ross. \u201cOur country needs more social workers, teachers, servicemembers, and caretakers. Dreamers and Documented Dreamers are stepping up to fill these roles. It\u2019s past time to fix our broken immigration system and give these young people a pathway to lawful permanent residency. I\u2019m proud to introduce legislation to ensure Dreamers and Documented Dreamers can remain in this country and continue using their talents to make our communities stronger.\u201d\n\n\u201cDreamers and Documented Dreamers are already giving back to our country as teachers, healthcare workers, servicemembers, and public servants,\u201d said Representative Bera. \u201cThey are stepping up, serving their communities, and doing their part to make our country stronger. The SERVICE for America Act creates an earned pathway to permanent residency and gives these young people the certainty and peace of mind they deserve as they continue to build their futures in America.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe appreciate the introduction of the Service for America Act, which will allow many long term immigrants who grew up here and are fully contributing to our country, to receive a sense of permanency. Many children of long term visa holders who grew up here lawfully, but age out of their pending green card applications due to backlogs, would be afforded a pathway to stay and contribute in the only country they\u2019ve called home,\u201d said Dip Patel, Founder of Improve The Dream.\n\nThe full text of the SERVICE for America Act can be found HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-10T09:25:58Z", "2026-09-10T09:27:09Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/davis-announces-christian-barber-press-secretary-and-digital-manager", "Davis Announces Christian Barber Press Secretary and Digital Manager", "2026-09-05", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) announced that Christian Barber has joined his team as Press Secretary and Digital Manager for North Carolina\u2019s First Congressional District.\n\nBarber is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte\u2019s Belk College of Business, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Marketing.\n\nBefore joining the congressional office, Barber served as an AmeriCorps Next Step Advisor with the Carolina College Advising Corps at West Charlotte High School, where he helped students prepare for their next steps after graduation through college enrollment, workforce employment, and military enlistment.\n\nHe previously supported marketing and communications efforts at UNC Charlotte, with a focus on photography, digital content creation, and visual storytelling.\n\nIn his new role, Barber will lead the Congressman\u2019s press and digital communications efforts, helping communicate the office\u2019s work to constituents across eastern North Carolina and ensuring residents remain informed about issues and initiatives affecting their communities.\n\n\u201cChristian brings a strong combination of education, communications experience, and a commitment to serving others,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis. \u201cHis work helping young people prepare for life after high school and his experience in marketing and digital content, will be valuable assets to our team. I am excited to welcome Christian aboard and look forward to the energy, creativity, and perspective he will bring as we continue telling the story of eastern North Carolina and the work we are doing on behalf of its people.\u201d\n\nBarber said he is honored to join the Congressman\u2019s team and serve the people of North Carolina\u2019s First Congressional District.\n\n\u201cI am grateful for the opportunity to join Congressman Davis\u2019 team and serve eastern North Carolina,\u201d said Barber. \u201cPublic service has shown me the importance of listening, communicating clearly, and ensuring people have access to the information and opportunities they need. I look forward to helping tell the stories of the East and keeping the people of North Carolina\u2019s 1st Congressional District informed and connected to the work of our congressional office.\u201d\n\nAs Press Secretary and Digital Manager, Barber will work closely with the Congressman, congressional staff, local communities, and media outlets to communicate the office\u2019s legislative priorities, constituent services, district activities, and accomplishments.", 1, "2026-09-06T09:10:48Z", "2026-09-06T09:12:29Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-davis-stands-eastern-north-carolina-cattle-producers-amid-federal", "Congressman Davis Stands with Eastern North Carolina Cattle Producers Amid Federal Move to Expand Foreign Beef Imports", "2026-09-02", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development, spoke on the House floor in support of cattle producers in eastern North Carolina and across the country following the President's August 26 proclamation waiving out-of-quota tariffs on up to 300,000 metric tons of imported lean beef trimmings. Congressman Davis warned that the added volume could pressure cattle prices and further strain American producers and family farms already facing rising costs and market uncertainty.\n\nCongressman Davis recently met with eastern North Carolina cattle ranchers to hear about their concerns and discussed how we can protect family farms, ensure fair competition, and strengthen our domestic beef industry.\n\nCongressman Davis\u2019 floor remarks:\n\n\u201cMr. Speaker, I stand with the cattle producers of eastern North Carolina and those across America who work hard every day to put American beef on our tables.\n\nFamily farmers should not have to compete against a surge of foreign beef that could pressure domestic markets and threaten their livelihoods.\n\nWith as much as 300,000 metric tons of beef entering the United States over the next 90 days, cattlemen have every right to be upset.\n\nI met with eastern North Carolina cattle producers to hear their concerns and discuss how we can protect family farms, ensure fair competition, and strengthen our domestic beef industry.", 1, "2026-09-03T09:29:33Z", "2026-09-03T09:31:32Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-statement-on-the-racially-motivated-harassment-of-black-students-at-the-university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill", "Rep. Foushee Statement on the Racially Motivated Harassment of Black Students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill", "2026-09-02", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (September 2, 2026) \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) released the following statement after an incident at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where students say a man harassed several Black students during a watch party at Greenlaw Hall.\n\n\u201cI am deeply disturbed by the reports that a man entered a campus building at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and yelled racial slurs at Black students during a watch party. No one in our society should ever face harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in school or anywhere else. Yet, all too often, Black students and students of color are made to feel that they do not belong in spaces where they should feel safe and welcome.\n\n\u201cWe must stand firmly with the students who were subjected to this hateful conduct, and we must be clear that racial harassment has no place at the University of North Carolina or anywhere in our state. The UNC community expects accountability, and we must take steps to ensure that incidents like this are addressed appropriately and that students know their university will stand up for them.\n\n\u201cThe University of North Carolina has a responsibility to protect its students and foster an environment where every person feels safe and respected on campus. The University must confront discrimination in all forms head-on, hold those responsible accountable, and take meaningful action to ensure the safety, dignity, and equal treatment of every student.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-03T09:29:33Z", "2026-09-03T09:31:32Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/9/congresswoman-ross-statement-on-voting-to-censure-chuck-edwards", "Congresswoman Ross Statement on Voting to Censure Chuck Edwards", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02), member of the House Ethics Committee, voted to censure Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The vote follows a comprehensive report released by the House Ethics Committee detailing a pattern of unprofessional and inappropriate conduct by Congressman Edwards toward his female staff members.\n\n\u201cAfter a thorough, bipartisan investigation, it is clear that Chuck Edwards repeatedly displayed unprofessional behavior toward women on his staff,\u201d said Congresswoman Ross. \u201cThe Ethics Committee\u2019s report documents a troubling pattern of harassment, abuse of power, and an unwillingness to take responsibility for harm his actions caused to the staff who work hard for him every single day. I voted to censure Mr. Edwards based on these accounts. We must condemn Chuck Edwards\u2019 behavior - in Congress and in any workplace. His conduct is a disservice to his constituents, and North Carolina deserves better.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-03T09:29:33Z", "2026-09-03T09:31:32Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-members-lofgren-foushee-congratulate-nasa-and-partners-after-successful-nancy-grace-roman-telescope-launch", "Ranking Members Lofgren, Foushee Congratulate NASA and Partners After Successful Nancy Grace Roman Telescope Launch", "2026-08-30", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (August 30, 2026) \u2014 Today, NASA, in partnership with SpaceX, successfully launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Named for NASA's first chief astronomer, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, or \u201cRoman,\u201d is NASA\u2019s newest flagship observatory. It is designed to explore the universe, addressing some of the most important science questions identified by the astronomy community. Roman was the top priority large mission of the 2010 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey. One exposure from Roman\u2019s primary instrument will capture over 100 times the area of the sky as an exposure from NASA\u2019s Hubble Space Telescope.\n\n\u201cCongratulations to NASA and its partners on this outstanding achievement,\u201d said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren. \u201cThe Nancy Grace Roman Telescope will give humanity a grand encompassing view of our galaxy and will shape the next generation of space exploration. It is because of sustained federal support that we are able to achieve missions of such magnitude. This launch would not have been possible without the thousands of employees supporting the Roman mission across NASA\u2019s centers who have been working tirelessly to make this mission a success. I thank them for their dedication. Roman will allow scientists to explore never before seen galaxies, investigate dark matter and black holes, and catalogue new planets around stars outside of our own solar system. I look forward to closely following Roman\u2019s journey to its final orbit and the commissioning of the observatory ahead of starting science operations.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-adams-watson-coleman-introduce-black-breastfeeding-week-0", "Reps. Adams, Watson Coleman Introduce Black Breastfeeding Week Resolution", "2026-08-27", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 This week, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Black Breastfeeding Week Resolution to recognize the week of August 25, 2026, to August 31, 2026, as \u201cBlack Breastfeeding Week.\u201d\n\nAccording to the CDC, about 80% of Black mothers breastfeed their infants compared to 88% of white mothers, even though breastfeeding is linked to lower risk of short and long-term illness, stronger immune function, and better early childhood development in infants. Black Breastfeeding Week is a time to recognize the disparities Black women face in their ability to meet breastfeeding guidelines, including unequal access to lactation support, workplace accommodations, and quality healthcare.\n\n\u201cThe science is clear: breastfeeding improves infant health outcomes, but Black women in America face a breastfeeding disparity,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams, Co-founder and Co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. \u201cMaternal leave, accessible healthcare, food security, and racial equity in healthcare are all essential supports that Black women need to breastfeed their children \u2014 supports that are often not available. That is why breastfeeding is a Black maternal health issue, and it\u2019s one we must address to prevent more of our mothers and children from needlessly losing their lives.\u201d\n\n\u201cSoaring prices are making it harder than ever to feed a family. Breastfeeding is healthier and less costly than formula, yet Black mothers are told to feed their babies formula at far higher rates than other women,\u201d said Congresswoman Watson Coleman, Co-chair of the Caucus on Black Women and Girls. \u201cFor generations, racial bias and medical neglect have led to disproportionately worse maternal outcomes for Black women. Breastfeeding support is a major health equity issue and a real hunger issue. All women deserve access to reliable medical advice and competent care to make the best decisions for themselves and their babies.\u201d\n\nThe Office of Minority Health found that, in 2024, the rate of infant mortality for Black babies was double the mortality rate of infants nationwide and Black infants were two and a half times as likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome. Meanwhile, the NIH found that breastfeeding reduced the rate of sudden infant death syndrome in 2009, and the CDC recommends breastfeeding as the best source of nutrition for most infants.", 1, "2026-08-28T17:11:49Z", "2026-08-28T17:13:14Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-adams-secures-1031000-johnson-c-smith-university", "Rep. Adams Secures $1,031,000 for Johnson C. Smith University", "2026-08-22", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "CHARLOTTE, N.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) today announced that Johnson C. Smith University has received $1,031,000 in federal Community Project Funding for its Workforce Skills Enhancement through Equipment Initiative, an investment designed to strengthen STEM education, undergraduate research and career preparation at the university.\n\nThe federal investment will support the purchase and integration of advanced equipment for student training and research in environmental chemistry, biology, agriculture and related STEM disciplines. The project includes laboratory instrumentation, microscopy and molecular analysis equipment, greenhouse enhancements, and drones equipped for geospatial, LIDAR, water-quality and environmental research.\n\n\u201cJohnson C. Smith University has been educating generations of leaders and creating pathways to opportunity in Charlotte and beyond,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams. \u201cAs a longtime educator and champion for HBCUs, I know that our students excel when we invest in our institutions and give them the resources they need to compete. This federal investment will give JCSU students greater access to the technology, research opportunities and hands-on training that will prepare them for high-demand careers and help strengthen our workforce and economy.\u201d\n\nThe funding will also support undergraduate research projects and specialized equipment training, helping students develop practical experience alongside their classroom education. The federal award is intended to strengthen JCSU\u2019s capacity to prepare a new generation of STEM professionals and expand research connected to environmental science and agriculture.\n\nThe investment is particularly significant for the Charlotte region. According to the federal award documentation, approximately 60 percent of JCSU students are from North Carolina, and the vast majority of graduates remain in the state. Seventy-five percent of JCSU students are Pell Grant eligible, and 45 percent are first-generation college students.\n\n\u201cThis funding is about opportunity,\u201d Adams continued. \u201cIt is about ensuring talented students have access to the tools, technology and training that will prepare them to lead in STEM fields while strengthening economic mobility in Charlotte and across North Carolina. I am proud to help bring these federal resources home to North Carolina\u2019s 12th Congressional District.\u201d\n\n***\n\nJohnson C. Smith University is located at 100 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte, in North Carolina\u2019s 12th Congressional District. The federal award is administered through the National Institute of Standards and Technology\u2019s Congressionally Identified Projects program.", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-foushee-jayapal-johnson-williams-ross-statement-on-ices-lies-about-member-oversight", "ICYMI: Foushee, Jayapal, Johnson, Williams, Ross Statement on ICE's Lies About Member Oversight", "2026-08-19", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "LUMPKIN, G.A. \u2014 Congressmembers Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry C. \u201cHank\u201d Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Deborah Ross (NC-02), released the following statement regarding falsehoods put out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the Members oversight.\n\n\u201cOnce again ICE is telling absolute lies. Although ICE is required under the law and court order to admit Members of Congress without any notice, we gave them two business days\u2019 notice, plus two weekend days. ICE\u2019s claim that we arrived an hour early is laughable. We started recording a two-minute video at a gas station 27 minutes away at 10:29 am. We arrived at the facility shortly after 11:00 am and entered at 11:10 am. Once we completed the inspection and met with detained people, we left the detention facility around 2:18 pm on our own accord to go to the immigration court, which has a separate entrance. We had previously made arrangements with an attorney to observe an Immigration Court hearing. As a reminder, the immigration courts are not controlled by ICE, but by a completely separate department. ICE tried to block us even though they have no jurisdiction over the courts. After about 20 minutes of waiting, they allowed us to enter the court and we observed the proceedings for approximately 20 minutes. We left at 3:09 pm and began a press conference outside the facility grounds at 3:20 pm.\n\n\u201cThis is not the first time ICE has attempted to interfere with a congressional inspection and refused to answer basic questions about the number and demographics of the people in their custody \u2014 basic information we would expect ICE to have at their fingertips to ensure appropriate care and safety. Despite these challenges, we will not be deterred from doing our jobs to conduct oversight and hold ICE accountable.\n\n\u201cUnder the Trump Administration, ICE has forced us to go to court to make them follow the law and facilitate congressional inspections. If they lie about these small things, imagine what they lie about for the big things.\u201d", 1, "2026-08-20T05:28:41Z", "2026-08-20T05:29:58Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymifoushee-jayapal-johnson-williams-ross-conduct-oversight-at-stewart-detention-center", "ICYMI:\u00a0Foushee, Jayapal, Johnson, Williams, Ross Conduct Oversight at Stewart Detention Center", "2026-08-19", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "LUMPKIN, G.A. \u2014 Congressmembers Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry C. \u201cHank\u201d Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Deborah Ross (NC-02), conducted oversight at the Stewart Detention Center.\n\n\u201cIt was heart-wrenching to hear detained people talk about their stories and the family members that they have left. We heard from a gentleman whose wife has end stage renal disease, and she's not getting the proper care. For people not to be able to have contact and have to constantly be worried about the conditions of their family members back home is another level of cruelty that has been added to the conditions under which they live. We didn\u2019t get a whole lot of answers, but we saw a lot of things,\u201d said Foushee.\n\n\u201cWe are horrified by the situation here at Stewart,\u201d said Jayapal. \u201cWe believe this detention center should be shut down. What we heard from detained people today was that they are not getting the care, the proper food, or the clean water that ICE says they are \u2014 to the point that we heard from several people who are simply not drinking water that they haven\u2019t bought bottled from the commissary. Stewart is a failure of the promise of America, and I will continue working to get this facility, and all private, for-profit detention centers, shut down.\u201d\n\n\u201cStewart Detention Center has a long history of denying basic human dignity and rights to detainees. Since he took office, the Stephen Miller, Steve Bannon, bandwagon that has been rolling throughout the country collecting immigrants and then depositing them into facilities like Stewart Detention Facility, where they languish for months and even years at a time,\u201d said Johnson.\n\n\u201cWe conducted an oversight visit to Stewart Detention Center because accountability requires seeing firsthand how people in our nation\u2019s immigration detention system are being treated. Some of the people detained in facilities like this came to this country with their parents at two or three years old\u2014this is the only country they have ever called home. Yet they are being held as if they are hardened criminals. I will continue to do this work because everyone in this country, regardless of where they were born or their documentation status, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,\u201d said Williams.\n\n\u201cYou cannot make money off the backs of immigrants and poor people. It is inhumane. It is unjust. And it is your taxpayer dollars, at least $150 a day to hold people who shouldn't even be in detention in the first place. This has got to stop now,\u201d said Ross.\n\nImmigration advocates have criticized Stewart as one of the worst detention facilities in the country and many of its problems have persisted throughout Stewart\u2019s history. Federal agencies, independent watchdogs, facility staff, detained people, and advocates have documented abuses including unsanitary conditions, inadequate and inedible food, medical neglect, poor mental health care, inappropriate and overuse of solitary confinement, and use of force.\n\nStewart has also been consistently overcrowded since Trump came into office. As of the week of July 27, the facility was over capacity by a few hundred. There have also been two suicides at the facility since Trump returned to office.", 1, "2026-08-20T05:28:41Z", "2026-08-20T05:29:58Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/8/congresswoman-ross-secures-new-us-patent-office-at-nc-state-centennial-campus", "Congresswoman Ross Secures New US Patent Office at NC State Centennial Campus", "2026-08-19", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will open a new Community Engagement Office at North Carolina State University\u2019s (NC State) Centennial Campus. Congresswoman Ross called for a USPTO office in the Research Triangle given its institutions that produce world-class research, educate new leaders, and cultivate a steady stream of startups across a wide range of fields.\n\n\u201cNC State and the Research Triangle continue to lead our nation\u2019s innovation ecosystem,\u201d said Congresswoman Ross. \u201cEvery day researchers, entrepreneurs, and institutions are pushing the bounds of science, biotechnology, medicine, advanced manufacturing, and so much more. It is only fitting that USPTO is establishing one of four Community Outreach Offices here in North Carolina. I advocated for this new office because I know our region will continue driving our state and country to new heights. I look forward to seeing the innovations and discoveries that will come from this crucial investment in the Research Triangle.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Ross\u2019 legislation, the Unleashing American Innovators Act, was signed into law by President Biden in 2022. This law requires that USPTO establish at least four Community Outreach Offices throughout the country by the end of 2027, expanding access to the resources and expertise of the nation\u2019s patent system.\n\nIn March, Congresswoman Ross and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) wrote to USPTO arguing that the Research Triangle is an ideal location for a new Community Engagement Office.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-20T05:28:41Z", "2026-08-20T05:29:58Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-davis-and-finstad-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-give-states", "Congressmen Davis and Finstad Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Give States Flexibility to Respond to Local Employment Needs", "2026-08-14", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Congressmen Don Davis (NC-01) and Brad Finstad (MN-01) introduced the H.R. 10085, Lifelong Learning Act, which would update the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to distribute additional resources to workforce training programs that address current talent shortages by upskilling active employees and reconnecting individuals to the job market.\n\n\u201cAcross eastern North Carolina, employers are looking for skilled workers while hardworking people are seeking opportunities to grow, earn more, and build lasting careers close to home,\u201d said Congressman Davis. \u201cThe Lifelong Learning Act gives our local workforce boards greater flexibility to help businesses train and retain employees, prevent layoffs, and reconnect more North Carolinians with the workforce. Strengthening our talent pipeline will help rural communities compete, attract new investment, and grow our regional economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cDeveloping our workforce is critical to the success of our communities and economy. I am proud to join Congressman Davis in introducing the Lifelong Learning Act, which would give our local Workforce Development Boards increased flexibility to meet local needs, invest in incumbent worker and transitional job training, and equip individuals with essential workforce training and skill development, ultimately connecting them with more in-demand jobs,\u201d said Congressman Finstad.\n\nThe Lifelong Learning Act updates WIOA guidelines, allowing Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) to:\n\nUtilize up to 30 percent of their Adult and Dislocated Worker budget for Incumbent Worker Training (IWT), which helps employers equip current employees with in-demand skills that expand career opportunities and avert layoffs. IWT programs have been crucial in helping LWDBs respond to broad labor market issues, such as increased automation since the COVID-19 pandemic. WIOA currently limits LWDBs from investing more than 20 percent of their budget for IWT programs.\n\nExpand the allowable cap for transitional job training opportunities from 10 to 15 percent, allowing LWDBs to offer more programs aimed at recruiting individuals back into the labor force. This includes programs for justice-involved individuals, young adults transitioning out of foster care, and those who have inconsistent work histories.\n\nAllow LWDBs to serve as the one-stop operators in local workforce areas to provide an integrated and coordinated system for the delivery of workforce development programs and services tailored to local needs. WIOA includes a requirement that LWDBs identify and select a one-stop operator via a competitive process.\n\nThe bipartisan Senate companion bill, S. 3870, was introduced this past February by Senators Gary Peters (MI), Ted Budd (NC), and John Hickenlooper (CO).", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-introduceslegislation-toreduce-medical-waste-and-advance-sustainability-in-health-care", "Rep. Foushee Introduces\u00a0Legislation to\u00a0Reduce Medical Waste and Advance Sustainability in Health Care", "2026-08-14", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "DURHAM, NC (August 14, 2026) \u2014 Yesterday, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) introduced the Sustainable Hospitals Act, legislation directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study whether certain medical devices currently designated for single use could be safely reprocessed and reused.\n\n\u201cEvery year, our health care system throws away enormous amounts of material, and we should be looking for smart, safe ways to reduce that waste,\u201d said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee. \u201cIf we can safely reprocess and reuse certain devices, we can cut medical waste, lower costs, and make our health care system more sustainable. I\u2019m proud to introduce the Sustainable Hospitals Act to take a closer look at this opportunity while keeping patient safety at the center.\u201d\n\nHospitals and health care systems generate significant amounts of medical waste, while also facing pressure to control costs and make the most effective use of limited resources. Reprocessing certain medical devices may offer an opportunity to reduce waste and expenses, but any expansion of reuse must be grounded in rigorous safety standards, quality controls, and infection prevention practices.\n\n\u201cDuke Health is committed to delivering expert care in a way that is also fiscally and environmentally responsible. We support efforts to identify opportunities to reduce waste without compromising patient safety, and we believe this legislation establishes the right framework, grounding any expansion of single-use device reprocessing in rigorous FDA evaluation before it reaches the bedside.\" \u2014 Duke University Health System.\n\nThe Sustainable Hospitals Act would specifically direct HHS to examine:\n\nExisting FDA pathways for reprocessing single-use devices, including where current regulations are sufficient and where barriers may exist;\n\nThe role of FDA-cleared third-party reprocessors compared with in-house hospital reprocessing;\n\nThe operational feasibility, including sterile processing capacity, staffing, equipment, chain of custody, tracking, and quality assurance;\n\nPotential financial and environmental benefits, including waste reduction and cost savings, as well as additional labor, capital, and compliance costs; and\n\nLiability and accountability issues if a reprocessed device fails or contributes to patient harm.\n\nThe study would also require consultation with hospitals, supply-chain leaders, infection prevention organizations, sterile processing professionals, clinicians, industry representatives, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.\n\nWithin one year of enactment, HHS would be required to report its findings to Congress, including a list of the single-use devices that may have potential for safe reuse and recommendations for programs and activities to facilitate such reuse. Those recommendations could include the use of FDA-cleared reprocessors, appropriate cleaning and sterilization technologies, quality-assurance and tracking systems, and infection-prevention controls.", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-highlights-north-carolinas-aerospace-future-during-f-35", "Congressman Don Davis Highlights North Carolina\u2019s Aerospace Future During F-35 Lightning II Event in Kinston", "2026-08-13", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) and Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt joined leaders from Lockheed Martin, Lenoir Community College and North Carolina Global TransPark on Wednesday at Lenoir Community College\u2019s Senator Jim Perry Aviation Center for Excellence for an update on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II \u2014 the world\u2019s most advanced fighter aircraft and an important driver of aerospace jobs, education and economic opportunity across North Carolina.\n\n\u201cThe F-35 Lightning II is among the most advanced and capable fighter aircraft in the world. I was excited to get a close-up look at the technology Lockheed Martin provides to our military aviators. As an Air Force veteran, seeing firsthand the capabilities our servicemembers rely on was especially meaningful,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis. \u201cI\u2019m also grateful for the good-paying jobs and opportunities that military aviation is helping create in eastern North Carolina. These are real opportunities for young professionals to build careers, raise families, and live the American dream right here at home. Together, we can help eastern North Carolina soar into the future while strengthening our national security and protecting the American people.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe future of aerospace is being built right here in North Carolina,\u201d said Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt. \u201cWhen we invest in partnerships between our communities and our industries, we create more economic opportunities across our state. The F-35 program represents the kind of innovation and collaboration that keeps North Carolina leading the way.\u201d\n\nUsing the cockpit demonstrator for a virtual flight, Rep. Davis experienced firsthand the jet\u2019s unmatched agility, unparalleled stealth capabilities, and advanced integrated communications systems. The fully interactive cockpit demonstrator provides an unprecedented look at the F-35\u2019s exceptional maneuverability and ability to avoid incoming threats while collecting and providing critical intelligence to support ongoing peacekeeping missions.\n\nNorth Carolina is home to 23 companies that produce components for the F-35. The state\u2019s F-35 supplier base is part of the global supply chain that includes over 2,100 American companies producing various components and tools for the aircraft and delivering substantial economic impact to the United States economy at a pivotal time.", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/8/ross-calls-on-dhs-ice-to-abandon-plans-for-eastern-nc-immigration-detention", "Ross Calls on DHS, ICE to Abandon Plans for Eastern NC Immigration Detention", "2026-08-05", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Raleigh, N.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) demanded that the Trump administration abandon its reported plans to open an immigration detention facility in Hertford County, North Carolina by the end of the year. In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Congresswoman Ross urged the agencies to abandon the proposal, citing the facility's troubling history, the burden it would place on local communities, and the administration\u2019s documented record of mistreating detainees.\n\nThe proposed detention center would be located at the former Rivers Correctional Institution in Winton, a privately operated prison previously managed by The GEO Group. During its years of operation, the facility faced repeated complaints regarding inadequate staffing, poor medical care, unsafe conditions, and other serious deficiencies.\n\nCongresswoman Ross warned that reopening the facility comes amid a pattern of troubling conduct by federal immigration authorities:\n\n\"Reopening the facility under The GEO Group\u2019s ownership as an ICE detention center raises legitimate concerns that the same poor conditions could persist. I am especially concerned given your agencies\u2019 recent practices of detaining and mistreating legal residents and even U.S. citizens,\u201d she wrote.\n\nIn the letter Congresswoman Ross also emphasized that reopening the facility would place additional strain on local law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire departments, health care providers, utilities, and other public services in the surrounding communities, forcing local taxpayers to shoulder the costs created by the Trump administration\u2019s decision.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-06T07:37:31Z", "2026-08-06T07:38:34Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/7/ross-miller-davis-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-expand-virtual-opioid-treatment-for-veterans", "Ross, Miller, Davis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Virtual Opioid Treatment for Veterans", "2026-07-30", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02), Carol Miller (WV-01), and Don Davis (NC-01) introduced the Virtual-Based Opioid Treatment for Veterans Act. This bipartisan legislation would establish a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program that would connect veterans with opioid use disorder (OUD) to community-based virtual treatment providers when the VA cannot provide timely care directly.\n\nThe legislation would expand access to evidence-based treatment for veterans with OUD when distance, long wait times, transportation challenges, or provider shortages make it difficult to receive in-person care at a VA facility.\n\nDespite the effectiveness of treatment, requiring in-person appointments can make it difficult for patients to begin and remain in care. These challenges are especially significant for the more than 4.4 million veterans who live in rural communities, where travel distances are longer and local specialists are often scarce.\n\n\u201cWhen a veteran is ready to seek treatment for opioid use disorder, a long drive, a months-long waiting list, or a lack of nearby specialists should never stand in their way,\u201d said Congresswoman Ross. \u201cMore than 300,000 veterans in North Carolina live in rural areas where accessing care can be especially difficult. The VA has already demonstrated that telehealth can help veterans begin and remain in opioid treatment. My legislation builds on that success by ensuring veterans and their families can access the care they need \u2013 no matter their zip code.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur veterans have sacrificed so much in service to our country, and they deserve timely access to the care they have rightfully earned,\u201d said Congresswoman Miller. \u201cToo many veterans struggling with opioid addiction face barriers to treatment because of long wait times or a lack of access to in-person care. This bill provides a commonsense solution by expanding access to life saving treatment through telehealth, if and only when veterans cannot receive timely care at a clinic. I am happy to support this legislation and urge my colleagues to help get it across the finish line.\u201d\n\n\u201cEastern North Carolina is home to more than 56,000 veterans and generations of servicemembers and military families who strengthen our communities through their service and leadership,\u201d said Congressman Davis. \u201cWhen veterans are seeking treatment, distance, transportation challenges, provider shortages, or long wait times should never keep them from receiving the care they have earned. The Virtual-Based Opioid Treatment for Veterans Act would connect veterans to community-based virtual care when the VA cannot deliver timely treatment, helping to close gaps in our rural communities while preserving the VA\u2019s central role.\u201d\n\nThe legislation would direct the VA to establish a two-year pilot program through the Veterans Community Care Program to connect eligible veterans with qualified virtual opioid treatment providers when VA facilities cannot provide timely care. The pilot would supplement, not replace, care delivered directly by the VA.\n\nVA research supports expanding virtual treatment options. A national study of more than 17,000 veterans receiving buprenorphine found that patients who received at least some care through telehealth were significantly more likely to remain in treatment for at least 90 days than those treated exclusively in person.\n\nThe bill is endorsed by the Veterans Resilience Project of NC, Veterans Life Center of NC, North Carolina Medical Society, Behavioral Health Association of Providers, Project VBOT, Breaking Barriers to Substance Use Recovery, Addiction Professionals of NC, and International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium.", 1, "2026-08-01T07:27:26Z", "2026-08-01T07:28:22Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-fousheeintroduces-seizuresafe-schools-act-topromotestudentseizure-care-inelementary-and-secondaryschools", "Rep. Foushee\u00a0Introduces Seizure\u00a0Safe Schools Act to\u00a0Promote\u00a0Student\u00a0Seizure Care in\u00a0Elementary and Secondary\u00a0Schools", "2026-07-28", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "DURHAM, NC (July 28, 2026) \u2014 Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) introduced the Seizure Safe Schools Act, legislation to promote seizure safety and ensure that elementary and secondary schools can safely care for students with seizure disorders.\n\n\u201cStudents living with seizure disorders can fall behind academically due to the lack of access to academic professionals equipped to safely care for them. Congress has a duty to ensure that every student is receiving the proper support they need, and students diagnosed with epilepsy or other seizure disorders should be no different,\u201d said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). \u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce this legislation to promote seizure safety and safe care in elementary and secondary schools so that students living with seizure disorders can have the future they deserve.\u201d\n\nThe Seizure Safe Schools Act would direct the U.S. Secretary of Education, in cooperation with the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, to issue guidance on how elementary schools and secondary schools can promote seizure safety at school and safely care for students with epilepsy or other seizure disorders.", 1, "2026-07-29T07:41:48Z", "2026-07-29T07:42:57Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-foushee-ross-panetta-introduce-legislation-to-support-foreign-language-and-international-education-programs", "Representatives Foushee, Ross, Panetta Introduce Legislation to Support Foreign Language and International Education Programs", "2026-07-28", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representatives Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Deborah Ross (NC-02), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) introduced the Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act to support foreign language and international education programs at colleges and universities by reauthorizing Title VI of the Higher Education Act. For decades, the Title VI/Fulbright-Hays programs have provided a strong foundation for international, research, and world language studies, especially in less commonly taught foreign languages that hold strategic importance for the United States.\n\nDespite their proven importance, this administration has taken steps to undermine and dismantle these critical programs. The President\u2019s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget proposed zeroing out funding for international education programs at the Department of Education. The department has separately proposed eliminating the regulations governing Title VI and Fulbright-Hays, potentially allowing the administration to eliminate these programs entirely. The Higher Education Act has not been reauthorized since 2008.\n\nThe United States lags far behind European nations and other countries in foreign language proficiency, with approximately 10% of Americans speaking another language proficiently compared to 65% of Europeans. As demand grows for professionals with language skills and cross-cultural expertise in fields such as health, cybersecurity, and engineering, America\u2019s competitiveness depends on our ability to communicate across languages and cultures.\n\n\u201cKeeping Americans prepared to enter the workforce must include access to foreign language education. Continuing to struggle to keep pace with other nations in language education will threaten our global leadership and our ability to equip the next generation with the proper tools to become civil leaders,\u201d said Congresswoman Foushee. \u201cI\u2019m proud to work with Congresswoman Ross and Congressman Panetta on this legislation that will make critical investments in language education to ensure our nation\u2019s continued leadership for years to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn Congress, I\u2019m proud to represent world-renowned universities, colleges, and HBCUs, home to students driving cutting-edge research and innovation,\u201d said Congresswoman Ross. \u201cAt a moment of unprecedented global competition, the United States cannot afford to fall behind in foreign language proficiency or international education. Yet the Trump administration has sought to eliminate funding for critical programs and attempted to dismantle key federal education funding entirely. It\u2019s clear we must invest in the language and international education programs that strengthen our national security, expand opportunity, and keep America competitive.\u201d\n\n\u201cLanguage education can broaden horizons and expand opportunities for Americans within our borders and beyond,\u201d said Congressman Panetta. \u201cAs the co-chair of the America\u2019s Languages Caucus, I\u2019m proud to support the Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act, which would extend language programs that are critical to building a workforce ready to compete around the world. By investing in language and international education programs today, we ensure our nation can continue leading the world and the global economy.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act would:\n\nReauthorize and extend programs for international and foreign language studies, including National Resource Centers, Language Resource Centers, Undergraduate International Studies, and American Overseas Research Centers.\n\nReauthorize Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships, allowing graduate students to receive stipends for studying foreign languages.\n\nExtend and update the International Research and Innovation program, including establishing a national database on international and foreign language education.\n\nReauthorize and update programs for international business skills and education, including renaming and expanding activities in professional and technical training curricula.", 1, "2026-07-30T07:32:48Z", "2026-07-30T07:34:08Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/7/ross-foushee-panetta-introduce-legislation-to-support-foreign-language-and-international-education-programs", "Ross, Foushee, Panetta Introduce Legislation to Support Foreign Language and International Education Programs", "2026-07-28", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) introduced the Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act to support foreign language and international education programs at colleges and universities by reauthorizing Title VI of the Higher Education Act. For decades, the Title VI/Fulbright-Hays programs have provided a strong foundation for international, research, and world language studies, especially in less commonly taught foreign languages that hold strategic importance for the United States.\n\nDespite their proven importance, this administration has taken steps to undermine and dismantle these critical programs. The President\u2019s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget proposed zeroing out funding for international education programs at the Department of Education. The department has separately proposed eliminating the regulations governing Title VI and Fulbright-Hays, potentially allowing the administration to eliminate these programs entirely. The Higher Education Act has not been reauthorized since 2008.\n\nThe United States lags far behind European nations and other countries in foreign language proficiency, with approximately 10% of Americans speaking another language proficiently compared to 65% of Europeans. As demand grows for professionals with language skills and cross-cultural expertise in fields such as health, cybersecurity, and engineering, America\u2019s competitiveness depends on our ability to communicate across languages and cultures.\n\n\u201cIn Congress, I\u2019m proud to represent world-renowned universities, colleges, and HBCUs, home to students driving cutting-edge research and innovation,\u201d said Congresswoman Ross. \u201cAt a moment of unprecedented global competition, the United States cannot afford to fall behind in foreign language proficiency or international education. Yet the Trump administration has sought to eliminate funding for critical programs and attempted to dismantle key federal education funding entirely. It\u2019s clear we must invest in the language and international education programs that strengthen our national security, expand opportunity, and keep America competitive.\u201d\n\n\u201cKeeping Americans prepared to enter the workforce must include access to foreign language education. Continuing to struggle to keep pace with other nations in language education will threaten our global leadership and our ability to equip the next generation with the proper tools to become civil leaders,\u201d said Congresswoman Foushee. \u201cI\u2019m proud to work with Congresswoman Ross and Congressman Panetta on this legislation that will make critical investments in language education to ensure our nation\u2019s continued leadership for years to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cLanguage education can broaden horizons and expand opportunities for Americans within our borders and beyond,\u201d said Congressman Panetta. \u201cAs the co-chair of the America\u2019s Languages Caucus, I\u2019m proud to support the Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act, which would extend language programs that are critical to building a workforce ready to compete around the world. By investing in language and international education programs today, we ensure our nation can continue leading the world and the global economy.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act would:\n\nReauthorize and extend programs for international and foreign language studies, including National Resource Centers, Language Resource Centers, Undergraduate International Studies, and American Overseas Research Centers.\n\nReauthorize Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships, allowing graduate students to receive stipends for studying foreign languages.\n\nExtend and update the International Research and Innovation program, including establishing a national database on international and foreign language education.\n\nReauthorize and update programs for international business skills and education, including renaming and expanding activities in professional and technical training curricula.", 1, "2026-07-30T07:32:48Z", "2026-07-30T07:34:08Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-introduces-bill-to-end-price-gouging-in-federal-prison-commissaries", "Rep. Foushee Introduces Bill to End Price Gouging in Federal Prison Commissaries", "2026-07-24", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (July 24, 2026) \u2014 Yesterday, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) introduced the Stop Prison Price Gouging Act of 2026, legislation to prevent federal prison commissaries from charging prices above fair market value, strengthen oversight of Bureau of Prisons (BOP) contracts, and protect incarcerated people and their families from unfair costs.\n\nThe bill would require the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to set commissary prices at no more than the fair market value of each item in the state where the facility is located. By establishing a clear definition of fair market value and excluding prices from correctional institutions and other captive markets, the legislation would ensure incarcerated people are not charged inflated prices for basic necessities. This also comes on the back of reports that the Trump Administration hopes to privatize food service, commissary, and health care across the BOP.\n\n\u201cPeople in federal custody should not be charged more for basic necessities simply because they have no other place to buy them,\u201d said Congresswoman Foushee. \u201cInflated commissary prices do not just affect incarcerated people\u2014they also place a burden on the families who sacrifice to help their loved ones afford everyday essentials. The Stop Prison Price Gouging Act establishes a clear, commonsense standard for fair pricing, strengthens transparency and accountability, and ensures that federal prison commissaires are not used as a source of unfair profit from a captive market.\u201d\n\nThe legislation would require the Bureau of Prisons to use competitive bidding when awarding commissary contracts and prohibit contracts that include revenue-sharing arrangements. It will also require the Bureau of Prisons to review commissary prices every month, submit an annual report to Congress detailing available goods, prices, and contracts at each facility, and undergo annual audits by the Government Accountability Office to ensure compliance with the bill\u2019s fair-pricing requirements.\n\nThe Stop Prison Price Gouging Act of 2026 is endorsed by Brennan Center for Justice, FAMM, the Prison Policy Initiative, and the Vera Institute of Justice.\n\n\u201cAt a prison commissary, basic necessities like soap and toothpaste should be sold at market value, not at a markup. Unfortunately, that\u2019s not always the case in federal prison. Overcharging for things like reading glasses hurts the people who are incarcerated and, in many cases, their families who fund commissary accounts. It\u2019s time to make it more affordable for the people behind bars to take care of themselves. This bill is about human dignity, and Congress should pass it into law,\u201d said JC Hendrickson, senior policy strategist in the justice program at the Brennan Center for Justice.\n\n\u201cIncarcerated people and their families spend billions of dollars every year on commissary purchases. FAMM is proud to endorse the Stop Prison Price Gouging Act because no one should be exploited by inflated prices for basic needs such as toiletries and phone calls,\u201d said Kevin Hagan, Esq., Federal Legislative Affairs Director with FAMM (formerly Families Against Mandatory Minimums).\n\n\"Prison Policy Initiative is happy to support the Stop Prison Price Gouging Act. People in federal prisons may earn as little as $0.12 an hour from their work assignments and are often among the poorest in the country before their incarceration. Nevertheless, they are routinely forced to pay far more for an item in prison than they would in the community. Families are left to shoulder the burden, spending an average of $4200 each year to support their loved ones during incarceration. This bill recognizes the economic burdens incarcerated people and their families often face and seeks to address them by providing much-needed guardrails for prison contracts and by ensuring that prices in prison reflect fair market value,\" said Sarah Staudt, Director of Advocacy and Policy at Prison Policy Initiative.\n\n\u201cNo one should be forced to pay inflated prices for basic necessities simply because they are incarcerated. When commissary prices are too high, the burden falls not only on incarcerated people but also on the families who often sacrifice to help their loved ones afford everyday essentials. This legislation is an important step toward ensuring that federal prison commissary prices are fair, transparent, and free from profiteering,\u201d said Aiden Cotter, Director of Federal Advocacy, Vera Institute of Justice and Vera Action.", 1, "2026-07-25T07:13:44Z", "2026-07-25T07:15:09Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-introduces-slow-down-act-to-target-repeat-and-extreme-speeding", "Rep. Foushee Introduces Slow Down Act to Target Repeat and Extreme Speeding", "2026-07-23", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (July 23, 2026) \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) introduced the Slow Down Act, legislation designed to provide further federal assistance to states looking to establish and strengthen programs targeting drivers who repeatedly or severely exceed speed limits.\n\n\u201cWhen someone repeatedly chooses to drive far above the speed limit, they put every person around them at risk, especially people walking or riding a bicycle. People should be able to walk through their neighborhood, bike to work, or cross the street without fearing that one reckless driver could change their lives forever,\u201d said Congresswoman Foushee. \u201cStates like North Carolina are already looking for practical ways to slow down their most dangerous drivers before another family is forced to grieve a preventable loss. The Slow Down Act would ensure states have the federal support they need by providing resources to support early intervention, hold dangerous drivers accountable, reduce pedestrian fatalities, and make our roads safer for everyone.\u201d\n\nPedestrian fatalities have risen sharply in recent years, increasing by 72 percent between 2009 and 2024. The Slow Down Act would update existing federal highway safety guidelines to explicitly include super speeder programs that utilize intelligent speed assistance technology as an eligible use of federal funds for states striving to rein in reckless speeders and protect pedestrians in their communities. This will give states like North Carolina a clearer path to use federal funding to deploy and implement these programs\u2014providing more support to states that already have super speeder programs in place while incentivizing other states to develop their own.\n\nSuper speeder programs are designed specifically to rein in repeat and reckless speeders via penalties, fines, license restrictions, driver-safety courses, and intelligent speed assistance technology. In North Carolina, lawmakers are considering a state-level super speeder proposal that would use intelligent speed assistance for certain repeat and extreme speeders. The Slow Down Act would unlock federal funds to bolster this state program should both measures be enacted.\n\nThe Slow Down Act is endorsed by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Families for Safe Streets, and League of American Bicyclists.\n\n\u201cSpeeding is a deadly and preventable threat which contributed to nearly 30 percent of traffic fatalities in 2024. One proven solution is the use of intelligent speed assistance (ISA) programs for repeat and \u2018super speeders.\u2019 The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has called for state ISA laws, and momentum for this policy has been growing with eight states and D.C. having enacted some form of an ISA law within the last two years. The Slow Down Act would expand on this progress by making certain federal highway safety funds available to assist states in establishing and implementing ISA programs. We commend Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) for introducing this lifesaving legislation and urge Congress to enact it.,\u201d said Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.\n\n\u201cFor families like mine, this legislation cannot come soon enough,\u201d said Amy Cohen, Founder & President of Families for Safe Streets, whose 12-year-old son died in a crash. \u201cRepeat and reckless speeders are a known and predictable danger, and we\u2019ve had the technology to stop them for years. Intelligent speed assistance is not about punishing one mistake; it\u2019s about ensuring that after a pattern of reckless, repeated violations, a vehicle simply cannot be driven the same way again. This provision says clearly: if you\u2019ve shown us again and again that you won\u2019t slow down, the law will make sure your car does. We\u2019re grateful to Representative Foushee for helping incentivize states to implement Stop Super Speeders programs before more families like mine lose someone they love in a preventable crash. We urge Congress to move this legislation forward without delay.\u201d\n\n\u201cSpeed kills. We know that all too well, and yet there are too many repeat offenders and super speeders- those going 100 mph and more- on our roads. We thank Representative Foushee for her leadership in supporting states who are working to address this epidemic,\u201d said Bill Nesper, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists.\n\nThe full text of the bill can be found here.", 1, "2026-07-24T07:30:11Z", "2026-07-24T07:31:13Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-foushee-lee-bilirakis-introduce-bipartisan-stealth-bot-prohibition-act-to-increase-transparency-and-combat-deceptive-ai-web-crawlers", "Reps. Foushee, Lee, Bilirakis Introduce Bipartisan Stealth Bot Prohibition Act to Increase Transparency and Combat Deceptive AI Web Crawlers", "2026-07-23", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (July 23, 2026) \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (D-NC-04), Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-FL-15), and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-09) introduced the bipartisan Stealth Bot Prohibition Act, legislation to establish transparency standards for automated web crawlers and crack down on deceptive bots that conceal their identity while scraping online content.\n\nAs artificial intelligence continues to transform the digital landscape, automated bots now account for more than half of all global web traffic, with malicious bot activity increasing at an alarming rate. Many AI-powered web crawlers ignore existing industry standards, disguise themselves as human users, or conceal their identities altogether, making it increasingly difficult for website operators across industries to understand who is accessing their systems and how their content is being used. These deceptive practices can increase cybersecurity risks, impose infrastructure costs, and make it more difficult to distinguish legitimate automated activity from malicious actors.\n\nThe Stealth Bot Prohibition Act requires automated web crawlers to accurately identify themselves and disclose their purpose when accessing websites. It also prohibits deceptive \"stealth bots\" that intentionally misrepresent their identity or impersonate human users in connection with generative AI services. The legislation authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce these requirements through civil penalties against violators.\n\n\u201cStealth \u2018crawler\u2019 bots are being deployed in deceptive ways by data scrapers to access digital platforms and websites without consent, harming creative work by scraping large amounts of unauthorized web data and content. As these bots become more advanced, some bad actors are using them to intentionally misrepresent their nature and appear as human traffic, undermining the standards used to responsibly govern web use and protect consumers,\u201d said Rep. Valerie Foushee. \u201cCongress needs legislation that responds to these risks and protects creative and online content from misuse by requiring bot transparency and authorizing the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to intervene and pursue civil penalties against bad actors. I\u2019m proud to join Congresswoman Laurel Lee on this important bipartisan effort that puts hardworking Americans and creative work over exploitative automated bots and unauthorized use.\u201d\n\n\"As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, we must ensure innovation is accompanied by transparency and accountability. Today, website operators are too often left in the dark about who is accessing their systems and whether automated tools are collecting their content under false pretenses,\u201d said Rep. Laurel Lee. \u201cThe Stealth Bot Prohibition Act establishes commonsense transparency standards that help businesses protect their networks, safeguard proprietary information, and better understand how AI systems interact with online content.\"\n\n\u201cThe rise of artificial intelligence presents incredible opportunities, but innovation must never come at the expense of those who create original content. News organizations invest significant time and resources to produce accurate, reliable journalism that keeps our communities informed. It is simply wrong for AI bots to scrape that content, repurpose it, and profit from it without permission or compensation,\u201d said Rep. Gus Bilirakis. \u201cAs a proud co-lead of the BOTS Act, I am committed to protecting intellectual property, supporting local journalism, and ensuring that emerging technologies are developed responsibly. This bipartisan legislation establishes commonsense guardrails that encourage innovation while safeguarding the rights of content creators and preserving access to trusted news sources for the American people.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Stealth Bot Prohibition Act is a common-sense solution to an urgent problem plaguing news publishers and other industries across the internet. We are drowning in bot traffic that is hurting our ability to serve our readers, and existing technical tools simply aren\u2019t enough to protect our content from malicious foreign actors that can disguise their identity,\u201d said Danielle Coffey, President and CEO of the News/Media Alliance. \u201cWe need transparency and accountability for bad actors, as well as enforcement mechanisms that require the most basic disclosures, the first step in establishing a secure and healthy marketplace and web. The News/Media Alliance thanks Rep. Lee and Rep. Foushee for their commitment to keeping the internet clean, and look forward to working with them and their colleagues in both the House and the Senate to pass this critical piece of legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cStealth bots are the silent scavengers of the internet\u2014phantom parasites that loot legitimate sites and pillage intellectual property. By unmasking these bad boy bots, this legislation performs a vital role in protecting creators and journalists, and safeguarding internet integrity,\u201d said Robert Thomson, Chief Executive, News Corp. \u201cThe rampant proliferation of these malevolent bots has degraded the digital ecosystem, and we are proud to partner with other publishers in ensuring that AI does not stand for Abomination Incorporated.\u201d\n\nThe legislation is supported by the News/Media Alliance, News Corp, Advance Local, Axel Springer US, Cond\u00e9 Nast, Hearst Magazines, McClatchy Media Company, Newsmax, Tampa Bay Times, The New York Times, USA TODAY Co, Vox Media, and Reddit.\n\nThe full text of the Stealth Bot Prohibition Act is available here.", 1, "2026-07-24T07:30:11Z", "2026-07-24T07:31:13Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-votes-house-passage-eastern-north-carolina-defense", "Congressman Don Davis Votes for House Passage of Eastern North Carolina Defense Priorities in FY 2027 NDAA", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "July 22, 2026\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01), Vice Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, sponsored 31 provisions that have advanced through House passage of H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027. He joined his colleagues in voting for the fourth consecutive year to pass the annual defense bill in the House, with a bipartisan margin of 216\u2013212. The package includes a range of priorities championed by Congressman Davis to strengthen military readiness, support servicemembers and military families, and reinforce the strategic importance of eastern North Carolina's defense infrastructure.\n\nThe provisions would bolster key military installations that anchor eastern North Carolina\u2019s defense economy, including Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, while supporting the communities that play a vital role in the nation's defense. The legislation advances investments in military construction, workforce development, quality-of-life improvements, and national security capabilities to help ensure eastern North Carolina remains at the forefront of military readiness.\n\n\u201cBy investing in our military installations, strengthening American manufacturing, and modernizing our military, this legislation helps ensure our servicemembers remain ready to meet evolving global security challenges. These investments will create opportunities for eastern North Carolina, support military families, and strengthen our nation's ability to confront emerging threats and protect the American people,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis.\n\nThe House\u2019s passage of H.R. 8800 means that 31 provisions, including those below championed by Congressman Davis, will advance in the legislative process to the Senate:\n\nImproving Aircraft Mission Readiness at Cherry Point: Supports the artificial intelligence (AI) pilot program initiated through the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) based in Havelock, NC, to address perennial challenges in asset availability, starting with the MV-22B Osprey platform.\n\nF-35 Lightning II Sustainment: Establishes multi-year procurement authority for the fighter platform, further stabilizing spare parts availability, enhancing fleet readiness, and reducing life cycle costs. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point currently hosts F-35 squadrons.\n\nF-35 Aircraft Sustainment Center Authorization at Cherry Point: Authorizes $89 million for additional investments in the Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) East facility.\n\nStanding Up to Drug Cartels: Requires a report on the urgent threat posed by and combat tactics to counter fiber optic-guided and first-person-view unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) employed by Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs).\n\nEnhancing Preparedness for Biological Threats to the Warfighter: Requires the Department of Defense to brief Congress on plans to ensure a stable, secure, and sustainable stockpile of anthrax countermeasures in the event of a biological attack on the homeland.\n\nImproving Biodefense Capabilities: Requires a briefing on the best strategies to further develop effective countermeasures to address the threat that biological agents pose to the warfighter, and the public-private partnerships underway to further such research.\n\nSupporting American-made Textiles: Builds on a provision in the Fiscal Year 2026 NDAA by reiterating the value of the Berry Amendment to the domestic textile industrial base in North Carolina and across America, and requiring a briefing on efforts to strengthen compliance with the Berry Amendment and Buy American requirements for textile and apparel items.\n\nSupporting American-made Drone Hardware: Requires the Secretary of Defense to report on opportunities to accelerate development and acquisition of low-cost, platform-agnostic autonomy modules for small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS).\n\nAdvancing American-made Battery Technology: Requires the Secretary of the Army to report on resilient tactical power and battery safety systems to highlight the critical role of battery separators in stabilizing the battery supply chain and ensuring its security.\n\nExpansion of Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Logistics and Supply Chain Optimization: Directs the Air Force to deploy AI-enabled maintenance data cleansing and correction tools across Air Education and Training Command to improve the quality and usability of maintenance and logistics data.\n\nAI-Enabled Logistics Supply Chain Funding: Authorizes $22 million for a pilot program to deploy AI-enabled technology to predict future aircraft maintenance challenges.\n\nKeeping Troops Safe: Builds on a provision in the Fiscal Year 2026 NDAA to study counter-drone infiltrations on American military bases and supports the $10 million authorization in FY 2026 for base security technology at three Air Force bases.\n\nTobacco Harm Reduction: Allows the Department of Defense to establish a pilot program for servicemembers who smoke by providing them with smokeless tobacco alternatives, including nicotine patches and gum.\n\nTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Research Funding Increase: Provides an additional $5 million for the Physics-based Neutralizations of Threats to Human Tissues and Organs Research (PANTHER) program through the Office of Naval Research to address TBIs suffered by servicemembers.\n\nHealth Data for Troops: Establishes a pilot program to provide servicemembers, prior to separation, with a secure, approved mobile Personal Health Record, giving veterans immediate and permanent access to their information and the ability to securely share records with the Department of Veterans Affairs, private providers, or legal representatives.\n\nPromoting American Battery Production: Supports securing the domestic critical mineral and battery supply chain to prevent influence from the People's Republic of China.\n\nAssessing Name, Image, and Likeness for Service Academy Athletes: Establishes a Military Service Academy Panel to review the impacts of NCAA rules on compensation of athletes, as well as the transfer portal for athletes on the military service academies.\n\nPromoting Military Public Health: Directs the Department of Defense to report on influenza policy changes announced in April 2026, including how the changes compare to the Department\u2019s longstanding prior policies and their impact on force readiness.\n\nAddressing Affordability in the Force: Directs a report on the leading cost-of-living and financial literacy challenges servicemembers and their families are facing to enhance their quality of life.\n\nSlowing Military Equipment Aging: Provides $5.5 million through the Army National Guard\u2019s Controlled Humidity Preservation (CHP) program to utilize specialized technology to prevent moisture-induced corrosion on vehicles, electronics, and weapons.\n\nSuicide Prevention: Requires reporting on emerging virtual reality technology that provides real-time mental health training for servicemembers so they are prepared to assist fellow troops suffering from acute or chronic suicidal ideation.\n\nSimplifying Military Personnel Data: Requires a report on the imperative to shift from siloed legacy data management systems to a single, human capital management platform, therefore enhancing operational success in contested environments.\n\nSaluting Our Canines: Requires a report on best practices to enhance military working dog wellness and long-term sustainability.\n\nCongressman Don Davis is a 1994 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, a member of its Board of Visitors, and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He serves as the Vice Ranking Member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, where he serves on the Readiness and Tactical Air and Land Forces subcommittees.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-votes-against-wasteful-budget-resolution-which-lays-groundwork-for-republican-reconciliation-package", "Rep. Foushee Votes Against Wasteful Budget Resolution Which Lays Groundwork for Republican Reconciliation Package", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (July 22, 2026) \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) voted against H.Con.Res.113, a Republican Budget Resolution which attempts to begin the Reconciliation process.\n\n\u201cWhile over 8 million Americans have already lost health insurance coverage and over 4 million Americans have lost their SNAP access due to Republicans\u2019 funding cuts, Congress is voting on whether we should ship tens of billions in taxpayer dollars abroad for unwanted war. This is completely out-of-touch and is not what the American people sent us to Washington to accomplish,\u201d said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). \u201cIn this third round of reconciliation, Republicans are lying and saying we don\u2019t have enough money for our military while separately trying to pass a $1.1 trillion defense budget. I voted no because the people of North Carolina\u2019s Fourth District are not looking for more funding for war, they want a federal government that actively responds to the rising cost of education, healthcare, housing, and everyday expenses.\u201d\n\nThe reconciliation process begins with a congressional budget resolution. The resolution directs committees to change spending by specific amounts, with the Budget Committee putting together each committee\u2019s bill needed to achieve the target spending limit in one larger reconciliation package like the so-called \"One Big Beautiful Bill\" that passed in 2025. In this case, H.Con.Res.113 allocates over $70 billion in supplemental funding for defense and intelligence operations over the next 10 years.\n\nCongresswoman Foushee is a supporter of the Block the Bombs Act, the Iran War Powers Resolution, the Cuba War Powers Resolution, and the Venezuela War Powers Resolution.\n\nCongresswoman Foushee has voted in favor of every War Powers Resolution brought to the House floor during the 119th Congress. In May, Congresswoman Foushee introduced her own Iran War Powers Resolution.", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/7/congresswoman-ross-statement-on-house-republicans-partisan-ndaa", "Congresswoman Ross Statement on House Republicans\u2019 Partisan NDAA", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) voted against House Republicans\u2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. Republicans attached the SAVE America Act \u2013 an extreme voter suppression bill \u2013 to the legislation before sending it to the Senate.\n\nRepublican leadership also declined to include Congresswoman Ross\u2019 bipartisan amendment with Representatives Greg Murphy (NC-03), Richard Hudson (NC-09), Don Davis (NC-01), Andy Barr (KY-06), and Tim Moore (NC-14), which would update the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 to ensure all veterans\u2019 claims receive a fair and timely judicial review. Despite broad bipartisan agreement, Republicans blocked the amendment from receiving a vote on the House floor.\n\n\u201cThe annual defense authorization should be a bipartisan opportunity to strengthen our national security and support North Carolina servicemembers, veterans, and their families,\u201d said Congresswoman Ross. \u201cInstead, House Republicans turned this year's defense bill into yet another vehicle for their partisan agenda.\n\n\u201cBy attaching the SAVE America Act, Republicans chose to advance an extreme voter suppression measure that could disenfranchise millions of eligible Americans, including active duty servicemembers and an estimated 2 million North Carolina women whose birth certificates do not match their current legal names.\n\n\u201cAt the same time, Republicans refused to consider serious proposals that would fulfill our nation\u2019s promise to the brave women and men who have served in uniform, including my bipartisan Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act. These courageous veterans and their families have waited long enough for justice. They should never become collateral damage in partisan politics.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-30T07:32:48Z", "2026-07-30T07:34:08Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/7/congresswoman-ross-votes-against-republicans-73-billion-handout-for-trump-s-war-in-iran", "Congresswoman Ross Votes Against Republicans' $73 Billion Handout for Trump\u2019s War in Iran", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) released the following statement after voting against Republicans\u2019 partisan budget reconciliation resolution, which would provide the administration $73 billion in funding to continue waging Trump\u2019s illegal war with Iran while doing nothing to lower costs for American families:\n\n\u201cEvery American is feeling the cost of Trump\u2019s war with Iran and his reckless policies that continue to drive up costs across the board. Whether it\u2019s at the gas pump or the grocery store, Americans are stretched too thin. They need relief\u2013not a blank check to fund an illegal war with no strategy or endgame.\n\n\u201cRepublicans\u2019 latest budget comes just over a year after they passed the largest cuts to healthcare and food assistance in our nation\u2019s history. The so-called \u2018Big Ugly Law\u2019 ripped away healthcare coverage for over 8 million Americans and bankrupted rural hospitals across the country. More than 177,000 North Carolina families and children have lost access to food assistance\u2013all so Republicans could fund tax breaks for the richest Americans.\n\n\u201cA budget is fundamentally a statement of values. This budget resolution sends a clear message that Trump and Congressional Republicans would rather bankroll a war of choice in the Middle East than invest in Americans\u2019 healthcare, food assistance, and economic security.\n\n\u201cThe American people deserve better. I will keep fighting this reckless, cruel budget every step of the way.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-30T07:32:48Z", "2026-07-30T07:34:08Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/7/congresswomen-ross-foushee-adams-demand-answers-from-duke-energy-on-trump-admin-deal-to-cancel-offshore-wind-lease", "Congresswomen Ross, Foushee, Adams Demand Answers from Duke Energy on Trump Admin Deal to Cancel Offshore Wind Lease", "2026-07-21", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, North Carolina Congresswomen Deborah Ross (NC-02), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), and Alma Adams (NC-12) demanded answers from Duke Energy after the company accepted $129 million from the Trump administration to abandon the Carolina Long Bay offshore wind lease. As Duke seeks to raise energy prices by 11.6%, this deal appears to send a message that Duke Energy prioritizes the President\u2019s favor over providing clean, affordable energy to North Carolinians.\n\nThe lawmakers outlined how these payments appear to demonstrate a concerted effort by the Trump administration to pay companies to abandon the offshore wind energy market and instead invest in oil and gas production.\n\nThey wrote, \u201cIn recent months, multiple offshore wind projects and lease areas across the country have been canceled by the Trump administration in exchange for payouts to the leaseholders and promises to reinvest those funds into fossil fuel projects and infrastructure. These payouts come on the heels of court orders halting the Trump administration\u2019s attempts to unilaterally block these projects. Your company\u2019s acceptance of this payout from the Trump administration now strikes many observers as a quid pro quo.\u201d\n\nThey went on to outline how Duke Energy\u2019s decision will hurt North Carolina\u2019s economy, workforce, and clean energy goals.\n\n\u201cThe Carolina Long Bay project represented one of the best opportunities to develop offshore wind energy off North Carolina\u2019s coast,\u201d they wrote. \u201cYour company\u2019s decision to terminate its lease will have impacts beyond this single project. It may affect future private investment, workforce development, transmission planning, and public confidence in North Carolina\u2019s ability to develop new sources of clean electricity.\u201d\n\nThe members are demanding answers from Duke Energy about this payment, including all documents and communications related to its withdrawal from the Carolina Long Bay offshore wind lease.\n\nIn May, CongresswomanRoss led her colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump administration about nearly $2 billion in payouts to energy companies to terminate offshore wind projects.\n\nIn addition to being a Co-Chair of the Congressional Offshore Wind Caucus, Congresswoman Ross is the Ranking Member of the Energy Subcommittee on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Offshore wind development has been one of her signature issues in Congress, including successfully pushing to repeal the 10-year offshore wind leasing moratorium off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida through the Inflation Reduction Act.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-22T07:34:13Z", "2026-07-22T07:35:16Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/adams-frankel-leger-fernandez-watson-coleman-blunt-rochester-introduce", "Adams, Frankel, Leger Fern\u00e1ndez, Watson Coleman, Blunt Rochester Introduce Black Women\u2019s Equal Pay Day Resolution", "2026-07-21", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representatives Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12),LoisFrankel (FL-22),Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12),Teresa Leger Fern\u00e1ndez (NM-03), and Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), introduced the Black Women\u2019s Equal Pay Day Resolution, marking July 21st as Black Women\u2019s Equal Pay Day and recognizing the deep, persistent wage gap that Black women continue to face in the United States.\n\nEvery year, the date of Black Women\u2019s Equal Pay Day is set to mark the amount of time Black women would have to work to earn what white, non-Hispanic men earned by the end of the previous year. In 2025, Black women earned roughly 65 cents for every dollar white men earned.\n\n\u201cToday, we confront an unacceptable wage disparity facing Black women, and recommit ourselves to correcting it,\u201d said Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee Ranking Member, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. \u201cFor generations, Black women have been compelled to work twice as hard for half the reward. They have faced entrenched barriers, systemic discrimination, and a persistent denial of opportunity. We cannot ask another generation of Black women to wait months, even years, for the pay they rightfully deserve. I am proud to introduce this resolution, and I call on this Congress to act with the urgency this injustice demands.\u201d\n\n\u201cEqual pay is more than a slogan\u2014it\u2019s about whether women can pay their bills, take care of their families, enjoy a good quality of life, and eventually retire with dignity,\u201d said Democratic Women\u2019s Caucus Chair Emerita Lois Frankel. \u201cIn 2025, for the second year in a row, the gender pay gap widened, and for Black women the disparity is even greater. It\u2019s long past time for Congress to close the wage gap and ensure every woman is paid fairly for her work.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe wage gap has widened for two years in a row - the first time we've seen such an increase since the 1960s,\u201d said Rep. Watson Coleman. \u201cAnd as we navigate a nationwide affordability crisis, Republican policies have stripped away tools to narrow the pay gap and made it harder for black women to earn good-paying jobs. Black women are foundational to the progress and survival of this nation yet for far too long have been prevented from reaping the fruits of their labor. It\u2019s imperative that we address the racist, sexist policies that cause structural economic inequality in America so Black women are paid what they\u2019ve earned.\u201d\n\n\"Women hold this country together. We raise families, care for loved ones, teach our children, heal the sick, grow businesses, harvest our food, and serve our communities,\" said Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fern\u00e1ndez, Chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus. \"Yet, year after year, our work is still valued less than men's. That is not just unfair\u2014it is a choice our country continues to make. Black Women's Equal Pay Day reminds us that while all women continue to fight for equal pay, Black women face an even steeper climb. We are well into Summer before their equal pay day rolls around\u2014that\u2019s too late, it\u2019s too tiring and smothering to fathom the disrespect this late date signifies. Congress must finally pass the Paycheck Fairness Act and make equal pay the law of the land so that Black women, and all women earn the pay they deserve.\u201d \u201cEven in the \u2018land of opportunity,\u2019 Black women must work 50 percent longer to achieve the same earnings as white men,\u201d said Senator Blunt Rochester. \u201cThis resolution sheds light on the challenges facing minority communities across the country and reaffirms our commitment to closing the pay gaps. I\u2019m proud to see all my Senate Democratic colleagues join me in making a concerted effort to improve the quality of life for Black women everywhere.\u201d", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/7/ross-leads-lawmakers-in-calling-for-federal-review-of-russian-election-interference-tactics-ahead-of-2026-midterms", "Ross Leads Lawmakers in Calling for Federal Review of Russian Election Interference Tactics Ahead of 2026 Midterms", "2026-07-20", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) led a bipartisan letter urging the administration to assess how Russia's increasingly sophisticated election interference tactics in Europe could threaten the integrity of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers point to Russia's recent interference campaigns targeting elections in Moldova and Armenia, which relied on coordinated disinformation operations, artificial intelligence (AI), cyberattacks, deepfakes, and other covert influence tactics to undermine democratic institutions.\n\nThey warn that these evolving methods should serve as a warning as the United States prepares for the November 2026 elections.\n\nThe lawmakers wrote: \"Russia has continued to develop its election interference strategy by combining traditional influence operations with coordinated online disinformation campaigns and targeted usage of artificial intelligence. Although these attempts ultimately failed to achieve their apparent political goals, they highlight Russia\u2019s willingness to devote substantial financial and technological resources to invisible influence campaigns against democratic elections.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the lawmakers request that DOJ and CISA review the tactics Russia employed in the Moldovan and Armenian elections, evaluate whether similar threats could target U.S. elections, and assess whether additional safeguards are needed to protect American voters from foreign interference.\n\nCongresswoman Ross serves as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Moldova Caucus, along with Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17). Last year, the Co-Chairs warned of Russian interference ahead of Moldova\u2019s parliamentary elections.\n\nThe letter was cosigned by Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), and Don Davis (NC-01).\n\nFull text of the letter is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-22T07:34:13Z", "2026-07-22T07:35:16Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-adams-legacy-john-lewis", "Rep. Adams on the Legacy of John Lewis", "2026-07-17", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, July 17, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), issued the following statement to mark the 6th anniversary of the death of Congressman John Lewis.\n\n\"Today, on the John Lewis \u2018Good Trouble\u2019 Day of Action, we honor the life, legacy, and enduring courage of Congressman John Lewis\u2014a man who devoted his life to protecting one of the most fundamental rights in our democracy: the right to vote.\n\n\"John Lewis understood that the promise of America is only as strong as the ability of its people to participate in it. He marched, organized, and endured brutal violence so that future generations would have the opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box.\n\n\"The progress we have made did not come easily. Countless Americans sacrificed, struggled, and, in some cases, gave their lives to expand access to the ballot and make our democracy more inclusive. We honor their sacrifices by remaining vigilant in protecting the freedoms they fought so hard to secure.\n\n\"As we reflect on Congressman Lewis\u2019 legacy, we must also recognize that the work of upholding our democracy continues.\n\n\"Every eligible voter deserves an equal opportunity to participate in our elections, free from discrimination, intimidation, or unnecessary barriers. Every community deserves confidence that its voice will be heard and that every legally cast ballot will be counted.\n\n\"That is why I continue to support efforts to strengthen voting rights protections, including the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore and strengthen protections that recent Supreme Court rulings have weakened.\n\n\"The best way to honor John Lewis is through action. I encourage every eligible voter to verify their registration, ensure their information is up to date, learn about voting requirements in our state, and make a plan to participate in upcoming elections.\n\n\"North Carolina voters can check their registration information at https://www.ncsbe.gov/registering/checking-your-registration\n\n\"On this Day of Action, let us recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of building a democracy where every person has the opportunity to participate in free, fair, open, and safe elections. John Lewis called voting 'the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society,' and we must use it.\"", 1, "2026-07-18T06:58:50Z", "2026-07-18T07:00:34Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-adams-statement-massie-amendment-republican-foreign-aid-budget", "Rep. Adams Statement on Massie Amendment to Republican Foreign Aid Budget", "2026-07-16", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), issued the following statement regarding her vote in opposition to the Massie Amendment to the National Security Department of State, & Related Programs Appropriations Bill, which failed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday evening, July 15, 2026.\n\n\u201cI share the deep frustration so many Americans feel about how conflicts in Gaza and Iran have unfolded, and I have not been silent about the need for accountability and lasting peace. That is why I have co-sponsored the Block the Bombs Act to end the shipment of destructive weapons to Israel. However, a vague amendment that jeopardizes humanitarian and diplomatic efforts in the region is the wrong vehicle.\n\n\u201cThe Massie Amendment was broadly written; it included non-military funding cuts that would limit humanitarian aid, cut refugee resettlement support programs, reduce U.S. Embassy operations, and inhibit peacebuilding efforts in the Middle East.\n\n\u201cI could not support a measure this broad, even to make an important point.\n\n\u201cMy opposition to this amendment is a rejection of a blunt instrument that would have caused collateral damage to programs that save lives.\u201d", 1, "2026-07-17T07:15:58Z", "2026-07-17T07:17:05Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/davis-nunn-introduce-bipartisan-bill-put-artificial-intelligence-work-north", "Davis, Nunn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Put Artificial Intelligence to Work on North Carolina Farms", "2026-07-16", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressmen Don Davis (NC-01) and Zach Nunn (IA-03) today introduced the bipartisan Fostering Agricultural Research and Modernization through Artificial Intelligence (FARM AI) Act, legislation to accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) across American agriculture by modernizing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research and workforce programs.\n\n\u201cFeeding America is national security, and the future of agriculture will depend on our ability to innovate,\u201d said Congressman Davis. \u201cWe must strengthen research, expand workforce training, and give producers the tools they need to increase productivity, remain globally competitive, and ensure the United States continues to lead the world in agriculture.\u201d\n\n\u201cIowa farmers have always been the first to put new technology to work when it helps them grow more efficiently, conserve resources, and stay competitive,\u201d said Congressman Nunn. \u201cArtificial intelligence is the next frontier. From yield mapping and precision nutrient application to disease detection and water conservation, AI gives farmers better information to make better decisions in real time. Our bipartisan FARM AI Act builds on the groundbreaking research already happening at Iowa\u2019s universities while investing in the workforce needed to bring these innovations from the lab to the field. The future of agriculture shouldn\u2019t be written by bureaucrats in Washington \u2014 it should be driven by the Iowa farmers who feed America.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the FARM AI Act would:\n\nDesignate artificial intelligence as a priority research area under USDA\u2019s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) and expand AI research through the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA).\n\nEquip USDA Extension with the resources to help farmers responsibly adopt AI technologies and precision agriculture.\n\nExpand USDA grants and fellowships to strengthen the rural workforce and prepare the next generation of agricultural innovators.\n\nNominate a senior USDA official as the AI in Agriculture Advisor to coordinate federal AI efforts, align agency programs, and work with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop national standards for agricultural AI.\n\nThe FARM AI Act is the House companion to bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate by Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Adam Schiff (D-CA).", 1, "2026-07-17T07:15:58Z", "2026-07-17T07:17:05Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-issues-statement-attending-sons-us-army-infantry", "Congressman Don Davis Issues Statement on Attending Son's U.S. Army Infantry Graduation", "2026-07-15", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) released the following statement regarding his absence from votes in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 15 and July 16.\n\nAfter participating in House votes on Tuesday, July 14, Congressman Davis traveled to Fort Benning, Georgia, to attend Family Day, the Turning Blue Ceremony, and the graduation of his son, PFC Justin Davis, from U.S. Army Infantry One Station Unit Training with the 3rd Battalion, 54th Infantry Regiment.\n\nPhoto: Congressman Don Davis with his son, Justin.\n\n\"For every military family, there are moments that become part of a family's history and part of our nation's story,\" said Congressman Davis. \"Placing the Infantry blue cord on my son\u2019s shoulder, watching him earn the title of United States Army Infantryman, and seeing him join the proud tradition of those who have defended our nation was one of the proudest moments of my life as a father. That moment represented months of discipline, sacrifice, perseverance, and Justin's unwavering commitment to serving our country. His achievement is a reminder that the freedoms we enjoy as Americans are preserved by those willing to answer our nation's call to serve.\u201d\n\nCongressman Davis reaffirmed that representing the people of eastern North Carolina remains his foremost responsibility.\n\n\"I will continue working every day to represent the people of eastern North Carolina with integrity, accountability, and dedication,\" Davis continued. \"I am grateful for the courage of every servicemember, every veteran, and every military family whose sacrifice preserves our freedom and strengthens our nation. Their service and sacrifice help preserve the freedoms, security, and democratic ideals that define America.\"\n\nCompletion of Infantry One Station Unit Training marks the beginning of a Soldier's service in one of the Army's most demanding and respected career fields.\n\nNorth Carolina's First Congressional District is home to more than 56,000 veterans, and several critical military installations, including Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, U.S. Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City, and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point are in eastern North Carolina. The servicemembers, veterans, and military families connected to these installations strengthen our region through their service, leadership, and lasting contributions to our communities.\n\nCongressman Don Davis is a 1994 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He serves as Vice Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee and serves on the Readiness and Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittees.", 1, "2026-07-16T07:21:44Z", "2026-07-16T07:23:13Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-member-foushees-opening-statement-at-hearing-on-space-commerces-mission-authorization-proposal", "Ranking Member Foushee's Opening Statement at Hearing on Space Commerce's Mission Authorization Proposal", "2026-07-15", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (July 15, 2026) \u2014 Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology is holding a Space Subcommittee hearing titled, \u201cA Review of the Office of Space Commerce\u2019s Mission Authorization Proposal.\u201d\n\nSpace Subcommittee Ranking Member Valerie Foushee (D-NC) opening statement as prepared for the record is below:\n\nGood morning, and thank you Chairman Haridopolos for holding today\u2019s hearing to review the Trump Administration\u2019s mission authorization proposal. I want to welcome Director Jordan and thank you for being here to testify before the Subcommittee.\n\nMission authorization and a regulatory framework for novel space activities may seem far removed from the concerns most Americans face every day. Families are focused on whether they can afford health care, groceries, gas, housing, and education costs, and whether good-paying jobs and economic opportunities will be available in their communities. Those concerns must remain at the center of our work, and I am fighting to ensure that every American has affordable access to the everyday essentials and the resources they need to build a secure and prosperous future.\n\nSpace policy is connected to that work. Space-based technology and services support communications, navigation, weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, national security, and other systems that Americans rely on every day. In fact, if you used GPS or checked the weather on your phone this morning, you relied on technology in space. Space is, quite literally, in our pockets.\n\nBut space also inspires us to look beyond the everyday and creates opportunities to build the workforce and capabilities that move our country forward\u2014just look at the successful Artemis II mission and the benefits it has already delivered.\n\nThe growing commercial space economy can also create jobs and expand economic opportunity, but those benefits must reach communities across the country, not just a select few. Like other emerging technologies, a mission authorization framework must strike the right balance between expanding economic opportunity and ensuring meaningful oversight, accountability and appropriate guardrails.\n\nThis is a governing challenge with which I\u2019m deeply familiar through my work on artificial intelligence. As I have made crystal clear, technological progress cannot come at the expense of other important U.S. interests, including national security, scientific advancement, foreign policy, safety, privacy, and the environment. That is why we must consider the implications, impacts, and potential unintended consequences of any mission authorization proposal and process.\n\nLarge satellite constellations, for example, can interfere with optical and radio astronomy due to their reflectivity and radio transmission inference. Further, future commercial spacecraft that might land on the surface of Mars, could bring contamination that could affect the search for life, a fundamental scientific pursuit.\n\nWe must also carefully consider how new space technologies and mission proposals could affect orbital debris risks or threaten the sustainability of the space environment. Let me be clear. Supporting technological progress and requiring responsible behaviors from commercial companies are not competing goals. We can do both, and any mission authorization framework must reflect that principle.\n\nI look forward to hearing about the Office of Space Commerce\u2019s mission authorization proposal, and looking ahead, I also hope the Subcommittee will seek input from other federal agencies, industry experts, scientists, and additional stakeholders.\n\nBefore I close, Mr. Chairman, I want to note my disappointment that the Committee was not provided with advanced notice of the Office of Space Commerce\u2019s release of their mission authorization proposal, a briefing on the proposal, or even a briefing on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)\u2019s fiscal year 2027 request for the Office of Space Commerce, despite multiple requests. This is not the transparency we expect as the Committee of jurisdiction.\n\nWith that, I thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back.", 1, "2026-07-16T07:21:44Z", "2026-07-16T07:23:13Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-introduces-grad-student-affordable-housing-act-to-help-graduate-students-access-safe-affordable-housing", "Rep. Foushee Introduces Grad Student Affordable Housing Act to Help Graduate Students Access Safe, Affordable Housing", "2026-07-15", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Data from the Education Data Initiative illustrates the scale of this burden: master\u2019s and doctoral students pay an average of $12,554 and $14,548 for room and board at public universities, and $15,480 and $19,180 at private institutions. These rising costs add financial pressure on students pursuing advanced degrees in fields that serve classrooms, labs, hospitals, and more.\n\nIn North Carolina\u2019s Fourth Congressional District, graduate and professional students play an indispensable role at institutions, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina Central University, and Duke University. These students contribute to classrooms, laboratories, hospitals, public service programs, and community-based research throughout the Research Triangle, even as many face significant housing cost burdens.\n\n\u201cGraduate and professional students are integral to the mission of higher education. While pursuing advanced degrees, they teach, conduct research, provide patient care, and serve their communities in transformative ways. Yet the rising cost of housing continues to outpace many graduate student stipends and trainee compensation rates, creating barriers that can affect recruitment, retention, and student well-being. Expanding conversations around graduate student housing recognizes that affordable, stable housing is fundamental to educational opportunity and to sustaining the talent that will shape the future of research, healthcare, education, and public service,\u201d said Jaden R. Smith, President of the Graduate and Professional Student Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.", 1, "2026-07-16T07:21:44Z", "2026-07-16T07:23:13Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-supports-massie-amendment-rejects-gop-foreign-affairs-funding-bill-with-harmful-riders", "Rep. Foushee Supports Massie Amendment, Rejects GOP Foreign Affairs Funding Bill with Harmful Riders", "2026-07-15", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (July 15, 2026) \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) voted in favor of Congressman Thomas Massie\u2019s amendment to restrict U.S. military assistance to Israel, while opposing the underlying Republican National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP/SFOPS) appropriations bill. Congresswoman Foushee released the following statement regarding the vote:\n\n\u201cCongress has a responsibility to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and that our foreign policy reflects our values, humanitarian standards, and national security interests. Today, I supported Congressman Massie\u2019s amendment because Congress must exercise its oversight role and ensure accountability in how U.S. military assistance is provided.\n\n\u201cAlthough I support this amendment, I do not support the broader Republican funding bill. This legislation weakens America\u2019s national security by cutting critical diplomatic, humanitarian, and development programs that help prevent conflict, respond to crises, and strengthen communities around the world. This bill also includes extreme ideological riders, including provisions targeting women, LGBTQI+ communities, and vulnerable people, as well as the Republican-backed SAVE Act, which would make it harder for eligible Americans to exercise their right to vote. The inclusion of the SAVE Act transforms this already harmful bill into a direct attack on our democracy that must be rejected wholeheartedly and without hesitation.\u201d\n\nAn Appropriations Committee Democrats factsheet on the standalone National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP/SFOPS) appropriations bill can be found here.", 1, "2026-07-16T07:21:44Z", "2026-07-16T07:23:13Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/davis-nunn-introduce-bill-protect-seniors-fraud", "Davis, Nunn Introduce Bill to Protect Seniors from Fraud", "2026-07-14", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressmen Don Davis (NC-01) and Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced H.R. 9668, the Safeguarding Transactions to Outpace Predatory (STOP) Senior Fraud Act, which would help financial institutions protect older adults and vulnerable individuals from financial exploitation by authorizing them to refuse or temporarily delay certain transactions when they reasonably believe financial exploitation has occurred, is occurring, or is being attempted.\n\nIn 2024, Americans over age 60 reported over $4.8 billion in losses to fraud schemes. The actual number of fraud cases is unknown because many incidents go unreported, particularly among older adults. For seniors living on fixed incomes and relying on savings accumulated over a lifetime, such losses can be devastating and difficult to recover from. At the same time, criminals are using increasingly sophisticated tactics that make fraudulent activity harder to detect and prevent.\n\nUnder the STOP Senior Fraud Act, a financial institution may delay a transaction for up to 55 days and extend the delay for an additional 30 days if an internal review supports its suspicion of financial exploitation. The institution may terminate the delay if it determines that financial exploitation will not occur or if directed to do so by a federal court. If a transaction is delayed or refused, the bill would require the financial institution to notify a trusted contact and authorized parties on the account, unless they are suspected of involvement in the financial exploitation. The institution would also be required to report the suspected exploitation to adult protective services, law enforcement, and a federal regulatory authority. Additionally, the bill would require employee training to identify and respond to financial exploitation and provide liability protections for financial institutions acting in good faith under the law. The bill would preserve any state or local law or regulation that provides stronger protections for seniors or vulnerable individuals.\n\n\u201cAcross eastern North Carolina, seniors have spent decades working hard, raising families, serving their communities, and saving for retirement. Every dollar they have earned represents a lifetime of sacrifice, responsibility, and perseverance. No one should lose those hard-earned savings to criminals who prey on older Americans. The STOP Senior Fraud Act gives financial institutions the tools to step in before a scam steals a lifetime of savings. Protecting our seniors means protecting their independence, preserving their dignity, and honoring the lifetime of work that has strengthened families and built communities across eastern North Carolina,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis.\n\n\u201cToday, too many Iowa bankers are forced to watch as seniors unknowingly wire away their life savings to scammers because they lack the authority to intervene. Our bipartisan bill gives financial institutions the tools to temporarily delay suspicious transactions, contact a trusted family member, and notify law enforcement. It's a simple, commonsense way to empower the people who know their customers best to stop fraud before it's too late,\u201d said Congressman Zach Nunn.\n\n\u201cWe applaud Rep. Don Davis and Rep. Zach Nunn for introducing the STOP Senior Fraud Act, which would allow banks to temporarily delay transactions if they suspect financial exploitation has occurred or is being attempted. This important tool will help combat financial fraud targeting older and vulnerable adults and stop many instances of exploitation in their tracks. We urge lawmakers to move this bill forward to protect consumers,\u201d said Rob Nichols, President and CEO of American Bankers Association.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s Credit Unions thanks Representatives Davis and Nunn for understanding the critical role credit unions play in protecting consumers and combatting fraud. As fraudsters continue to innovate, the STOP Senior Fraud Act will allow credit unions to further protect the more than 146 million members across the country by establishing voluntary trusted contact programs. This legislation will help level the playing field and ensure a secure financial services ecosystem,\u201d said Scott Simpson, President and CEO of America\u2019s Credit Unions.\n\n\u201cCredit unions have long been on the front lines of protecting members from financial fraud, particularly older adults who are increasingly targeted by sophisticated scams. The STOP Senior Fraud Act provides financial institutions with additional tools and legal certainty to intervene when financial exploitation is suspected, helping stop fraud before hard-earned savings are lost. The Carolinas Credit Union League is proud to support this bipartisan legislation and applauds Congressman Don Davis for his leadership in advancing commonsense protections for some of our most vulnerable citizens,\u201d said Dan Schline, President and CEO of Carolinas Credit Union League (CCUL).\n\n\u201cThe safety of the American financial system has never been more important. The fraud and scam epidemic stands at crisis levels with billions of dollars being stolen from Americans every single year through increasingly sophisticated scams and international criminal enterprises. Financial institutions should serve as critical gatekeepers in a unique position to protect retirees and vulnerable elderly adults. Congressman Davis' bill is a significant step towards truly prioritizing protecting Americans from fraud and financial ruin,\u201d said Michael C. Bixby, President of Public Investors Advocate Bar Association (PIABA).\n\n\u201cICBA and the nation\u2019s community bankers thank Reps. Don Davis and Zach Nunn for introducing the STOP Senior Fraud Act to help community banks combat the scourge of elder fraud and scams. Allowing community banks to have more flexibility to place temporary holds in cases of suspected elder fraud will help Main Street institutions protect consumers and fight back against financial crimes in the communities they serve,\u201d said Rebeca Romero Rainey, President and CEO of the Independent Community Bankers of America.", 1, "2026-07-15T07:12:08Z", "2026-07-15T07:13:45Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/foushee-mackenzie-secures-passage-of-legislation-to-make-air-travel-easier-for-families-and-fellow-travelers", "Foushee, Mackenzie Secures Passage of Legislation to Make Air Travel Easier for Families & Fellow Travelers", "2026-07-14", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (July 14, 2026) \u2014 Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) and Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07) applauded Monday\u2019s passage in the U.S. House of the Improving Travel for American Families Act. This bipartisan legislation, which was introduced in May of this year, aims to reduce the strain and hassle of airport security screening for families traveling with young children.\n\nThe legislation directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to build on its Families on the Fly initiative \u2014 a pilot program offering dedicated screening lines exclusively for families traveling with children aged 12 and under. In addition to authorizing the program, the legislation directs the TSA to prioritize airports with high volumes of family travel and evaluate ways to improve the passenger experience while maintaining security standards. The TSA is directed to report to Congress on progress and implementation within one year.\n\n\u201cAs more and more families rely on air travel, the bipartisan Improving Travel for American Families Act is an important step to ensure that airport security systems are equipped to move travelers safely,\u201d said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee. \u201cI am proud that the House has passed this legislation to maintain security standards while providing a family-focused approach to TSA screenings to reduce delays and improve the passenger experience. Thank you to Congressman Mackenzie and local advocates for their work in advancing this legislation, and I look forward to continuing our work together to make this bill a law.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the father of two young children, I know that family travel is a challenge,\u201d said Congressman Ryan Mackenzie. \u201cEvery day, families are forced to move their children, bags, and bulky items through the same TSA lines used by solo travelers \u2014 adding an extra layer of stress, hassle, and delays for everyone. That\u2019s why the bipartisan Improving Travel for American Families Act helps to take the pressure off parents by offering expedited access to screening, including by offering screening lanes reserved exclusively for families. Thank you to Congresswoman Foushee and my colleagues in the House for helping to pass legislation that makes life easier for American families.\u201d", 1, "2026-07-15T07:12:08Z", "2026-07-15T07:13:45Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-adams-new-bill-targets-mental-health-service-gaps-criminal-justice", "Rep. Adams\u2019 New Bill Targets Mental Health Service Gaps in Criminal Justice System", "2026-07-14", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, on July 14, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), introduced the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Pilot Program Act.\n\nFACT programs are specialized community-based mental health programs that help people with serious mental illness who have been involved with the criminal justice system get the urgent psychiatric care they need, successfully re-enter their communities, and reduce the risk of being incarcerated again.\n\nThis program model uses a dedicated team that provides around the clock care for clients. The team includes mental health professionals, specialists in psychiatry, substance abuse treatment, employment and housing services, forensic peer support, and a criminal justice system partner.\n\nThe FACT Pilot Program Act would establish a 5-year pilot grant program that provides funding for existing FACT programs to expand and increase capacity to serve more clients.\n\nThis initiative is in direct response to the increased rates of serious mental illness for individuals involved in the criminal justice system, with two in five people who are incarcerated having a history of mental illness.\n\n\u201cMany people with a serious mental health condition leave the criminal justice system with no psychiatric support, no job, and no housing. They are being set up to fail,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams. \u201cFACT programs have been shown to improve mental health outcomes and reduce repeat offenses. If we want to reduce crime rates and address the mental health crisis, expanding this program should be a national priority.\u201d\n\nThis bill would also fund a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) study to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program and provide recommendations for improvement at the end of the five years. The study would also create a framework to help states and localities, especially rural communities, develop and implement FACT programs.\n\nIn 2025, North Carolina invested $9.5 million into FACT teams in high-needs areas across the state. Currently, this funding supports only five county programs, limiting the number of clients who can be served. Additional investment is needed to ensure that FACT programs throughout the state can meet the growing demand for services.", 1, "2026-07-16T07:21:44Z", "2026-07-16T07:23:13Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-honors-major-alexander-davis-house-floor", "Congressman Don Davis Honors Major Alexander Davis on House Floor", "2026-07-13", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives honoring the life and service of Major Alexander \"SMO\" Davis, a Goldsboro native who made the ultimate sacrifice on June 15, 2026, when the B-52 Stratofortress he was aboard crashed at Edwards Air Force Base, claiming the lives of all eight crewmembers.\n\nMajor Davis, who grew up in Goldsboro, embodied a lifetime of service, leadership, and excellence. An Eagle Scout and graduate of Charles B. Aycock High School, he earned an Air Force ROTC scholarship to North Carolina State University, where he received a degree in aerospace engineering before commissioning into the United States Air Force.\n\nThroughout his distinguished career, Major Davis deployed in support of combat operations, graduated from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, and most recently served with the 419th Flight Test Squadron supporting the modernization of the B-52 Stratofortress fleet. His military service earned him the Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal. Friends, family, and fellow Airmen remembered him as a dependable leader who lived the Air Force core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.\n\n\"Alex was a beloved Airman, an exceptional leader, and a true American hero. My heart and prayers are with his parents, Doug and Karen, and the entire Davis family. Alex lived a life of selfless service and made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. May we always honor his memory, cherish his legacy, and strive to live worthy of the freedoms he helped defend,\" said Congressman Don Davis.\n\nCongressman Davis\u2019s floor remarks:\n\n\u201cMadam Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart to honor Air Force Major Alexander Davis of Goldsboro. On June 15, our nation mourned when a tragic B-52 mishap at Edwards Air Force Base claimed the lives of eight brave Airmen. Alex was among them, and his life was defined by selfless service.\n\nFrom earning the rank of Eagle Scout to his time at NC State University and his distinguished military career, he faithfully answered every call to serve. Whether flying missions, modernizing our Air Force, or encouraging those around him, he was dependable.\n\nHe dreamed of one day becoming an astronaut, always reaching for the skies.\n\nEastern North Carolina will always be proud to call him one of our own.\n\nTo Doug, Karen, and his family, we grieve with you, we pray with you, and we will forever remember Major Alexander Davis\u2014a beloved Airman, a leader, and a true American hero. I yield back.\u201d", 1, "2026-07-14T07:08:55Z", "2026-07-14T07:10:52Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/davis-and-fedorchak-lead-introduction-bipartisan-def-act-protect-farmers", "Davis and Fedorchak Lead Introduction of Bipartisan DEF Act to Protect Farmers, Truckers, and Equipment Operators from Faulty Emissions System Shutdowns", "2026-07-13", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 United States Representatives Don Davis (NC-01) and Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL), Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), Jack Bergman (MI-01), and Brad Finstad (MN-01) today introduced the Diesel Engine Flexibility (DEF) Act. The legislation creates a 10-year statutory safe harbor for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance issued in 2025 and 2026, helping reduce unnecessary engine shutdowns caused by faulty DEF sensors while maintaining emissions protections.\n\n\u201cWhen a tractor or truck sits idle, farmers, truckers, manufacturers, and small businesses feel the pain. They rely on reliable diesel-powered equipment every day. The Diesel Engine Flexibility Act would reduce unnecessary downtime caused by faulty emissions sensors while keeping every existing emissions standard in place,\u201d said Davis. \u201cIt's a practical solution that supports jobs, strengthens our rural economy, and helps keep America fed and our communities growing.\u201d\n\n\"Farmers, truckers, and equipment operators depend on reliable equipment to keep our economy moving. They shouldn't be sidelined by faulty sensors or unnecessary shutdowns that have nothing to do with actual emissions,\u201d said Fedorchak. \"The DEF Act brings commonsense certainty by preserving the EPA's updated guidance in law while creating a stable regulatory framework for the next decade. It gives manufacturers, operators, and independent technicians the certainty they need to invest, innovate, and keep equipment running without sacrificing emissions performance.\"\n\n\u201cDue to previous EPA guidelines, our nation\u2019s farmers were required to rely on faulty DEF sensors and mandates. As a fourth-generation farmer, I am proud to join Congresswoman Fedorchak in introducing the DEF Act, which will codify the recently improved EPA guidance for diesel engines and vehicles, providing increased flexibility and clarity for folks in farm country \u2013 no matter the administration,\u201d said Finstad.\n\n\u201cWe appreciate Congressman Davis\u2019 partnership with Congresswoman Fedorchak (R-ND) to address customer concerns in a practical, compliance-focused way. This legislation supports widely accepted, proven technology while providing manufacturers with the certainty and flexibility we need to continue delivering innovative power solutions for our customers, said Jonathan Wood, Cummins Inc. Chief Technical Officer.\n\nThe DEF Act fixes this by strengthening monitoring capabilities, limiting engine shutdown and performance reductions, and giving independent technicians the legal clarity to service their customers\u2019 equipment. Specifically, the legislation:\n\nCreates a 10-year statutory safe harbor for EPA diesel emissions guidance issued in 2025 and 2026.\n\nAllows EPA to continue approving software updates, diagnostic improvements, recalls, and other administrative actions consistent with the guidance.\n\nRequires future emissions standards to include meaningful lead times, including at least three model years of applicability and five years before taking effect.\n\nDirects EPA to consider reducing unnecessary shutdowns, derates, and operational disruptions when developing future emissions regulations.\n\nWithout congressional action, these improvements remain subject to future administrative changes. The DEF Act provides long-term certainty for equipment owners, manufacturers, and technicians.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-14T07:08:55Z", "2026-07-14T07:10:52Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-davis-yakym-introduce-bipartisan-bill-eliminate-taxes-boat-loans", "Congressmen Davis, Yakym Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Eliminate Taxes on Boat Loans", "2026-07-10", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressmen Don Davis (NC-01) and Rudy Yakym (IN-02) introduced the Boat Loan Interest Deduction Act of 2026 (H.R. 9532), bipartisan legislation that would extend the Working Families Tax Cut\u2019s No Tax on Auto Loans provision to boats.\n\nThe bill allows Americans to deduct up to $10,000 in interest relating to loans for qualifying boats that have final assembly in the U.S. The deduction phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income over $100,000 ($200,000 for joint filers), which would lower the cost of ownership for families across the country.\n\n\u201cAs co-chair of the Congressional Boating Caucus, I\u2019m proud to stand with the workers, businesses, and communities that keep America\u2019s boating industry strong. In eastern North Carolina, from the Outer Banks to the Albemarle Sound, boating is more than a pastime, it\u2019s a way of life that supports local jobs, small businesses, and our coastal economy. That\u2019s why I\u2019m committed to strengthening American boatbuilding, protecting skilled manufacturing jobs, and preserving the coastal heritage that defines us,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis.\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s nothing more American than loading up the family and heading out on the lake for a summer afternoon. It\u2019s an important investment, and it should be treated like one,\u201d Congressman Yakym said. \u201cAs the congressman representing a district that builds some of the finest boats in the country, I hear from manufacturers and families alike about what this relief would mean. This bill is simple: if you\u2019re paying interest on a boat loan, you should be able to deduct it.\u201d\n\nThis legislation has gained the support of several members of the boating and manufacturing industries:\n\n\u201cEliminating taxes on boats is a win for American families, jobs, and manufacturing,\u201d said Smoker Craft, Inc. \u201cAs one of the oldest family-owned and operated boat manufacturers in the country, Smoker Craft, Inc. has always focused on value and accessibility. Lowering the cost of ownership puts more people on the water, strengthens our industry, and supports the communities that depend on it. We\u2019re grateful to Representative Rudy Yakym for his leadership in advancing this important effort.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn behalf of Brunswick Corporation, America\u2019s Marine Company and the world\u2019s largest manufacturer of recreational marine products, we applaud Congressman Rudy Yakym and Congressman Don Davis\u2019 bipartisan bill on behalf of American consumers,\u201d said Ryan Gwillim, Chief Financial Officer of Brunswick Corporation. \u201cBrunswick has worked closely with Congressman Yakym and Congressman Davis to advance policies that support access to recreation and strengthen U.S. manufacturing. Boating is an important part of how many middle-class families connect with the outdoors, and America\u2019s waterways are one of our nation\u2019s greatest assets. This legislation helps ensure that more families can continue to participate in the boating lifestyle for years to come.\u201d", 1, "2026-07-11T07:10:48Z", "2026-07-11T07:14:29Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-foushee-casar-introduce-legislation-to-protect-children-and-americans-privacy-from-ai-chatbot-harms-and-require-chatbot-safety-assessments", "Reps. Foushee, Casar Introduce Legislation to Protect Children and Americans\u2019 Privacy from AI Chatbot Harms and Require Chatbot Safety Assessments", "2026-07-09", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "The People-First Chatbot Act is endorsed by: Alliance for Secure AI, Dr. Alondra Nelson, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Security Fund (ASF), Bria, Becca Schmill Foundation, Buckets Over Bullying, Citizens for Decency, Dr. Cynthia Rudin, Common Sense Media, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America (CFA), Data & Society Research Institute, David\u2019s Legacy Foundation, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Erik\u2019s Cause, Fairplay, Institute for Family Studies, Matthew E. Minor Awareness Foundation, Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA), National Consumers League (NCL), Not on Our Watch (NOWTX), Open Markets Institute (OMI), Oregon Consumer Justice, Oregon Consumer League, ParentsSOS, Human Trafficking Survivor and Awareness Advocate Robin Levasseur, Shield North Carolina, SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education), Sharon Winkler, Survivor Parent and Mother of Alex Peiser, Forever 17, Talk More. Tech Less., Trafficking Law Center, UltraViolet, and Virginia Citizens Consumer Council.\n\n\u201cParents deserve to know how and when their children interact with an AI chatbot and that the chatbot is not collecting data to be used against users. The People-First Chatbot Act sets sensible and necessary safeguards to prevent AI companies\u2019 chatbots from targeting children and blurring the line between AI and human interaction,\u201d said Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of The Alliance for Secure AI. \u201cRep. Foushee has taken an important step to address this issue. By setting clear rules on data privacy and safety, users will have greater trust in how AI chatbots collect and handle their information. Congress must act quickly to give users \u2014 especially children \u2014 real protection, and a real remedy when AI chatbots and Big Tech fail to meet these standards.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe pace of the AI revolution has been blisteringly fast, and kids and parents are getting burned. Right now, our students are drowning in tech, and predatory \u2018social companion chatbots\u2019 are exploiting isolation and loneliness to foster toxic virtual relationships. Relationships are a deeply human endeavor; there is simply no algorithm for real trust or empathy. The People-First Chatbot Act builds on the protections in the GUARD Act and establishes the enforceable guardrails we desperately need. By forcing companies to dismantle manipulative design features, requiring strict safety checks for compulsive usage and banning the harvesting of kids\u2019 private data, this bill draws a clear line in the sand,\u201d said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).\n\n\u201cThe People-First Chatbot Act is the guardrail this moment demands. AI chatbots are products, not platforms \u2014 and like all other products, they should be liable when they hurt people. Through liability, as well as transparency and privacy, Rep. Foushee is setting crucial floors for child safety and consumer protection in the age of AI,\u201d said Meredith Potter, Executive Director, American Security Fund.\n\n\u201cWe require a label on imitation crab and on soda that only tastes like fruit, so no one is misled about what they are consuming. Whether the voice answering you is a human or a machine is as important as knowing what is in your drink, and it deserves at least the same honesty. Bria builds this technology, and we are asking Congress to require the disclosure. Trust is the only thing that turns AI from a novelty into an economy,\u201d said Vered Horesh, Chief AI Strategy Officer, Bria.\n\n\u201cThis bill puts control back in users\u2019 hands when interacting with a chatbot,\u201d said Ruth Susswein, Director of Consumer Protection, Consumer Action. \u201cIt reins in use of our personal data, with extra protection for kids, and gives consumers the right to access human assistance when seeking help from a company.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe People-First Chatbot Act rightfully focuses on privacy, safety, and accountability,\u201d said Ben Winters, Director of AI and Privacy, Consumer Federation of America. \u201cIt draws clear lines in the sand, cuts off rampant data abuses by most of the big chatbot providers, and critically has straightforward enforcement mechanisms that allow people to act when they are harmed by careless AI companies putting profit over people.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the deployment of chatbots has already led to devastating harms, it is time for Congress to establish clear safeguards to rein in this technology,\u201d EPIC Counsel Kara Williams said. \u201cThe People-First Chatbot Act tackles the root of the chatbot problem by protecting users from exploitative data practices and establishing a clear framework to hold companies accountable for the harms their products cause. EPIC applauds the bill sponsors for advancing strong legislation that centers privacy and civil rights by putting people\u2014not tech companies\u2014first.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe People-First Chatbot Act is the legislation kids and adults urgently need. AI chatbots can pose a risk of severe harms to young people, including suicide, AI psychosis, compulsive use, and unhealthy emotional dependency. They can also impede children\u2019s healthy development by replacing vital human relationships with parents, teachers, and friends. If we don\u2019t force AI companies to stop designing chatbots for addiction and unhealthy emotional attachment, we could see an unprecedented disaster for the health and well-being of young people in this country,\u201d said Brendan Bouffard, Fairplay Staff Attorney. \u201cFairplay thanks Rep. Foushee for her amazing leadership in introducing the People-First Chatbot Act. We look forward to working with her and her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure this legislation becomes law.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe People-First Chatbot Act represents a pro-human, pro-family approach to AI governance that is needed more than ever today. This bill protects Americans and their families from AI chatbot providers that would prey upon their attention, their personal data, and their emotional vulnerability for profit. We applaud these efforts and Rep. Foushee\u2019s leadership on AI safety,\u201d said Jared Hayden, Policy Analyst, Family First Tech Initiative, The Institute for Family Studies.\n\n\u201cParents agree: a product encouraging children to harm themselves or others is entirely unacceptable. That\u2019s why Rep. Foushee's People-First Chatbot Act is so important,\u201d said Julie Scelfo, founder and Executive Director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA). \u201cWe applaud her commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of North Carolina's kids and urge all state leaders to ensure the swift passage of this critical bill.\u201d\n\n\u201cLike any other product, safety should come first for chatbots,\u201d said Eden Iscil, Senior Public Policy Manager, National Consumers League. \u201cAnd just like any other product, AI developers should be held liable when they harm the public. This bill presents one of the strongest and most comprehensive approaches for AI safety to date. NCL is proud to support the measure.\u201d\n\n\u201cPassing legislation to ensure chatbots are not designed with the same perverse incentives to manipulate people for profit and establishing clear liability standards for injuries caused by products these corporations are rushing to market are essential steps toward ensuring safer and human-centric AI and helping mitigate the power that big tech firms have to render human emotions into data for profit,\u201d said Dr. Courtney Radsch, Director of the Center for Media & Digital Governance at Open Markets Institute (OMI).\n\n\u201cShield North Carolina is proud to support the introduction of the People-First Chatbot Act, a timely federal proposal that ensures human safety, privacy, and accountability are central to AI chatbot development. As an organization dedicated to preventing exploitation and strengthening community safety, we recognize how quickly unsafe chatbot interactions can escalate risk, especially for minors, individuals in crisis, and those experiencing isolation. This legislation takes meaningful steps to prevent those harms,\u201d said Niki Miller, Executive Director, Shield North Carolina. \u201cBy requiring chatbots to be safe-by-design, the Act would help reduce risks such as suicide, compulsive use, emotional dependence, and would better protect users from undue influence. We support this Act\u2019s commitment to safeguarding users, particularly minors, as AI technologies evolve.\u201d\n\n\u201cAt SAVE \u2013 Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, we hear from parents whose children turned to a chatbot in their darkest moment and got engagement instead of help. Rep. Foushee's People-First Chatbot Act meets this crisis head on. It requires safety by design, shuts off features that put minors at risk of suicide, and gives injured users and their families the right to hold chatbot providers accountable in court. It also protects state laws and the families already fighting these companies. This is the accountability framework we have been demanding, and SAVE endorses it wholeheartedly,\u201d said Erich Mische, CEO, SAVE \u2013 Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.\n\n\u201cThe People-First Chatbot Act puts user safety and privacy first. Talk More. Tech Less. is a digital wellness and safety organization working to combat online harms, especially to minors. We have seen an increase in Artificial Intelligence chatbot design manipulating and causing the most tragic harms to users and their loved ones. We endorse this bill because there is no doubt that it will mitigate harms as it requires companies to disable harmful AI chatbot design features for minors. As innovation moves forward, we must require these companies to have commonsense safety and privacy protections for its users. It\u2019s past time to put people ahead of corporate interests,\u201d said Dawn Wible, Founder, Talk More. Tech Less.\n\n\u201cConsumers need the protections this legislation provides. It\u2019s past time to put these protections in place. Among the strengths of this legislation is the requirement for safe-by-design, a strategy all should use,\u201d said Irene E. Leech, Ph.D., President, Virgina Citizens Consumer Council.\n\n\u201cThe People-First Chatbot Act responds in a forceful way to the concerns many Americans rightly have about this powerful technology as generative AI has moved from novelty to infrastructure over the last four years. The bill's boldness rests on a careful foundation. It is built squarely on the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, produced after more than a year of public input and consensus-building across the federal government, academia, and industry, which has held up as a standard as the technology has become omnipresent. The legislation would bring the tools of both federal and state enforcement to protections that should not depend on either alone. And it would clearly articulate the value of human agency: Safe and Effective Systems; Algorithmic Discrimination Protections; Data Privacy; Notice and Explanation; and Human Alternatives, Consideration, and Fallback. Together these describe what it should feel like to live alongside this technology as a person with rights, rather than as a data point in someone else's model,\u201d said Dr. Alondra Nelson, former Acting Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.\n\n\u201cNorth Carolina Central University appreciates Representative Foushee's leadership in advancing important conversations around responsible artificial intelligence, transparency, and consumer privacy. As home to the nation's first artificial intelligence institute at a historically Black college or university, NCCU is committed to advancing AI innovation while promoting ethical, secure, and trustworthy AI that serves the public good and builds public trust,\u201d said Dr. Siobahn Day Grady, Founding Director, Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research.\n\n\u201cI am happy to endorse this important online safety legislation for children and teens. This bill provides critical privacy guardrails and requires essential, timely, safety assessments that are critical to ensuring that ongoing development of these models do not create unintended harms,\u201d said Sharon Winkler, Survivor Parent, Mother of Alex Peiser, Forever 17.", 1, "2026-07-10T08:20:04Z", "2026-07-10T08:21:18Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-calls-for-national-park-service-review-of-belmont-paul-womens-equality-national-monument-exhibits", "Rep. Foushee Calls for National Park Service Review of Belmont-Paul Women\u2019s Equality National Monument Exhibits", "2026-07-08", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "DURHAM, NC (July 8, 2026) \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) sent a letter to the National Park Service (NPS) requesting information on the maintenance and modernization needs of the exhibits at the Belmont-Paul Women\u2019s Equality National Monument in Washington, D.C. and emphasizing that the site should reflect the significance of the history it preserves.\n\nIn her letter, Congresswoman Foushee says the monument \u201cplays an important role in preserving a defining chapter of our nation\u2019s story,\u201d and notes its exhibits must reflect that legacy in a \u201cprofessional, engaging, and well-maintained manner.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor example, concerns have been raised regarding the materials displayed above a desk belonging to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, where a handwritten note currently functions as a plaque. I find this presentation inconsistent with the significance of the site and the standards visitors expect at a national monument,\u201d writes Congresswoman Foushee.\n\nThe letter requests an audit or formal review of the site by a National Park Service curator or appropriate staff to assess the current condition of exhibits and identify areas for enhancement or repair. Congresswoman Foushee also requested an estimate of the costs associated with any needed improvements and asked whether those costs can be covered by the NPS National Mall and Memorial Parks budgetary fund or other applicable funds. Because the Monument offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the promise of equality in the United States, the Congresswoman urged NPS to ensure the site is equipped to educate the public at the highest standard.\n\nRead the full letter here.", 1, "2026-07-09T08:24:13Z", "2026-07-09T08:26:05Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-adams-mcbath-introduce-landmark-legislation-address-extreme", "Reps. Adams, McBath, Introduce Landmark Legislation to Address Extreme Temperatures in Prisons", "2026-07-06", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-6) introduced the Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act, landmark legislation to protect incarcerated people and prison staff from dangerous temperatures in facilities across the country managed by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).\n\nThis bill is a continuation of work that Congresswomen Adams and McBath began last year. In March 2026, they successfully launched a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) study to further understand how the BOP currently tracks and addresses instances of extreme temperatures in their facilities. They also sent a letter of inquiry to the BOP in August 2025 regarding current conditions in their facilities, which informed this bill. In their response letter, the BOP stated that 18,736 incarcerated individuals reported symptoms of heat-related illness and 42 were diagnosed with heat stroke between January 2022 and September 2025.\n\nExtreme temperatures inside federal prisons can pose life-threatening risks. Incarcerated individuals have limited ability to insulate themselves and staff face occupational hazards that are routinely unregulated. Many BOP facilities lack basic climate control, leaving people in cells where temperatures can reach deadly levels during record heat waves and winter freezes. The Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act would establish the first comprehensive, mandatory federal standards to address this crisis.\n\n\u201cThe conditions in our federal prisons are unacceptable,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams. \u201cAcross all 122 BOP facilities, there are more than 138,000 incarcerated people and roughly 34,000 BOP employees who live and work in these conditions every day. No one should be forced to endure dangerous, life-threatening temperatures because of aging infrastructure. The federal government has both a moral and constitutional responsibility to maintain safe and humane conditions for those in its custody.\u201d\n\n\"Incarcerated persons do not lose their rights to basic standards of living and safety in federal prison,\"Congresswoman McBath said. \"As states across the country face record breaking temperatures this summer, it is common sense to require standardized installation and maintenance of HVAC systems in all federal prison facilities. This legislation is another important step towards improving our federal prison system.\u201d\n\nThe Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act will:\n\nAuthorize funding for climate control system installation and upgrades in all federal prisons within five years, with temperature monitors in every cell and workspace.\n\nSet clear health and safety standards for extreme heat and cold across work, recreational activities, and housing.\n\nDirect the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to research how extreme temperatures harm incarcerated individuals and staff and develop extra protections for elderly, pregnant, and immunocompromised individuals.\n\nProvide free cooling and warming supplies \u2014 like cold water, fans, warm clothing, and blankets \u2014 when temperatures reach dangerous levels.\n\nImplement accountability measures regarding staff training for recognizing and responding to heat and cold emergencies\n\nRequire regular public reports on HVAC progress, temperature-related illness and deaths, and annual safety inspections.\n\n\"Incarcerated individuals deserve to live in safe and humane conditions that are conducive to rehabilitation,\" said Kevin Hagan, Esq., Federal Legislative Affairs Director with FAMM (formerly Families Against Mandatory Minimums). \"Unfortunately, too many live in deplorable conditions, facing extreme temperatures that can prove to be life-threatening. FAMM is proud to endorse the Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act. This much needed legislation is a step in the right direction towards accountability and reform within America's prisons.\"\n\n\u201cAs temperatures across the country rise to deadly levels, people in prisons are left without access to air conditioning and with few heat mitigation options,\" said Sarah Staudt, Director of Policy and Advocacy with Prison Policy Initiative. \"Even the most vulnerable are routinely forced to survive the sweltering conditions as best they can. Some will not make it.\u201d Staudt adds, prison Policy Initiative strongly supports the Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act. This urgently needed legislation will ensure that people in prisons have access to air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. Among other things, it also compels the Bureau of Prisons to regularly monitor the temperatures incarcerated people are forced to endure, to develop standards around heat and cold stress, and to ensure that people in federal prisons have access to potentially life-saving temperature mitigation options. Ultimately, a heatwave should not be a death sentence.\u201d", 1, "2026-07-08T07:27:19Z", "2026-07-08T07:28:28Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-adams-introduces-bill-set-standard-wages-federal-contractors", "Rep. Adams Introduces Bill to Set Standard Wages For Federal Contractors", "2026-07-02", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), introduced the Living Wage for Federal Contractors Act, legislation establishing a permanent, predictable minimum wage for workers employed through federal contracts.\n\nThe bill sets the federal contractor minimum wage for employees at $17.00 per hour upon becoming law, rising by $2.00 every year until it reaches $25.00 per hour, at which point it will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Tipped contract workers would see their minimum wage rise from $13.00 per hour to $25.00, at a similar rate.\n\n\u201cContractors who work for the government deserve the same certainty as any federal employee,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams.\u201cThis bill will end the inconsistent wage policy set by the executive branch and put a living wage into law. Without firm policy set by Congress, federal contract workers become an easy target for wage theft, with no regard to the people we are taking advantage of.\u201d\n\nA one pager explaining the bill can be found here.\n\nMillions of Americans work on federal contracts, and hundreds of thousands have seen their wages change inconsistently over the last 10 years. Since 2014, the minimum wage for federal contractors has been raised and lowered by a cycle of executive orders, leaving working people and businesses without a consistent standard from the United States government.\n\nSince 2014, administrations of both parties have used Executive Orders to raise or lower the minimum wage for federal contract workers. Most recently, in 2025, the current administration reduced the federal contract worker minimum wage from $17.75 to $13.65 per hour.\n\nBut Executive Orders are not law. They can be changed or reversed whenever a new administration takes office. Federal contract workers should not have their livelihoods subject to political swings from one administration to the next. They deserve the certainty, stability, and economic security that come with a predictable wage protected by law.\n\nThe Living Wage for Federal Contractors Act will solidify wage protections, extend coverage to independent regulatory agencies and the U.S. Postal Service, and create wage floors for construction, service, and procurement contract workers.\n\nThe bill will also strengthen enforcement by providing liquidated damages, civil penalties, a private right of action for workers, and authority for the Department of Labor to withhold payments from contractors found in violation.\n\nYou can read the full text of the bill here.\n\nReps. Emanuel Cleaver (MI-05), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) have joined the bill as original cosponsors.", 1, "2026-07-03T08:00:00Z", "2026-07-03T08:01:30Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-calls-north-carolina-general-assemblys-25-million", "Congressman Don Davis Calls North Carolina General Assembly's $25 Million Investment to Reopen Martin General Hospital Step in Right Direction, Continues Push for Federal Partnership", "2026-07-02", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01), a longtime champion for reopening Martin General Hospital, calls the North Carolina General Assembly's approval of a $25 million investment in the state\u2019s budget toward restoring emergency medical services to Martin County a significant step in the right direction.\n\n\u201cNo parent, grandparent, or child should have to travel miles during a medical emergency simply because their hometown hospital closed. The investment brings us one step closer to restoring lifesaving emergency care for Martin County and surrounding communities while demonstrating what is possible when leaders come together to strengthen rural health care,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis.\n\nWhile the state's investment marks an important milestone, Congressman Davis has emphasized that additional support will be necessary to fully restore hospital operations. He recently sent a letter to President Trump urging federal support for an estimated $175 million investment to reopen Martin General Hospital and strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure in eastern North Carolina, including support for expanding inpatient bed capacity at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital.\n\n\"In my letter to President Trump, I emphasized that reopening Martin General Hospital is about saving lives, creating jobs, supporting economic development, and ensuring that families are not forced to drive long distances during medical emergencies,\" Davis said. \"Federal and state partnerships are essential to making this vision a reality and strengthening our health care system in eastern North Carolina.\"\n\nSince Martin General Hospital closed in 2023, Congressman Davis has led federal efforts to restore emergency medical services, working with local officials, state leaders, health care providers, and federal partners to pursue designation as a Rural Emergency Hospital.\n\nTo help ensure Martin General Hospital can reopen and remain financially sustainable, Congressman Davis introduced H.R. 4277, the Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act. The legislation would increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for Rural Emergency Hospitals to match outpatient hospital rates, helping such rural hospitals to remain financially stable and continue delivering care close to home. The National Rural Health Association and America\u2019s Essential Hospitals support the legislation.\n\n\"I will continue working with President Trump, Governor Stein, members of our congressional delegation, state lawmakers, local officials, and health care leaders until the doors of Martin General Hospital reopen,\" Davis said. \"The people of Martin County have waited long enough. They deserve reliable emergency care close to home, and I will not stop fighting until that becomes a reality.\"\n\nSince Martin General Hospital closed in 2023, more than 20,000 residents have been left without local emergency medical care, forcing families to travel significantly farther during life-threatening emergencies.\n\nCongressman Davis also secured $1 million for critical infrastructure upgrades at Washington Regional Medical Center, and he is committed to advocating for additional funding.", 1, "2026-07-03T08:00:00Z", "2026-07-03T08:01:30Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-issues-statement-us-supreme-courts-scholastic-sports", "Congressman Don Davis Issues Statement on U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s Scholastic Sports Ruling", "2026-07-01", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) released the following statement today regarding the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s 6-3 decision in West Virginia v. B.P.J., which upheld state laws regulating student-athlete participation based on biological sex:\n\n\u201cThe U.S. Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling affirming that states possess the legal authority to maintain separate sports teams based on biological sex.\n\n\u201cAs I have previously stated, North Carolina has already addressed this issue through the Fairness in Women\u2019s Sports Act, which establishes that athletic teams designated for women and girls in our state's middle schools, high schools, and colleges are reserved for students whose biological sex is female. The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling recognizes that states may enact and enforce policies of this nature consistent with constitutional limits.\n\n\u201cAs a former Division I athlete who played football at the U.S. Air Force Academy, I understand the profound impact organized sports can have on a young person. While I have always believed in a balanced approach to governance, I have listened to many concerns from across eastern North Carolina, and we must remember that the young people at the center of these discussions deserve dignity and respect.\n\n\u201cWe must respect the rule of law while ensuring our athletic policies promote fairness, competitive integrity, and student safety. Title IX has played a vital role in expanding athletic opportunities for women and girls, and we must continue safeguarding those opportunities.\u201d", 1, "2026-07-02T06:20:02Z", "2026-07-02T06:21:32Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/7/congresswoman-ross-leads-nc-delegation-in-introducing-resolution-to-honor-the-carolina-hurricanes-stanley-cup-victory", "Congresswoman Ross Leads NC Delegation in Introducing Resolution to Honor the Carolina Hurricanes\u2019 Stanley Cup Victory", "2026-07-01", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) introduced a House resolution congratulating the Carolina Hurricanes on winning the 2026 Stanley Cup Championship, the franchise's first Stanley Cup title in 20 years, and recognizing the team's extraordinary impact on North Carolina both on and off the ice. She was joined by Representatives Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Addison McDowell (NC-06), Alma Adams (NC-12), Pat Harrigan (NC-10), Don Davis (NC-01), Greg Murphy (NC-03), Tim Moore (NC-14), David Rouzer (NC-07), Mark Harris (NC-08), and Virginia Foxx (NC-05) as original co-sponsors.\n\n\"The Carolina Hurricanes didn't just bring the Stanley Cup back to Raleigh. They brought our entire state together,\" said Congresswoman Ross. \"From inspiring the next generation of hockey players to supporting veterans, raising millions for charitable causes, and standing with Western North Carolina communities after Hurricane Helene, this organization has shown what it means to lead with courage and compassion. This resolution celebrates an unforgettable championship season and recognizes the lasting impact the Hurricanes have had on our state. Congratulations to every player, coach, staff member, and Caniac who helped make history.\"\n\nThe Hurricanes defeated the Las Vegas Golden Knights in six games to capture the Stanley Cup after an impressive postseason that included sweeping both the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers before defeating the Montreal Canadiens to win the Eastern Conference.\n\nBeyond the championship, the resolution highlights the Hurricanes' positive impact across North Carolina, including their support for youth hockey programs, veterans and wounded warriors, disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Helene, and the significant economic boost generated for Wake County during the Stanley Cup Final. It also formally recognizes Raleigh as a hockey town and North Carolina as a hockey state, affirming that hockey belongs in the South.\n\nText of the resolution is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-02T06:20:02Z", "2026-07-02T06:21:32Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-adams-applauds-supreme-court-birthright-citizenship-decision", "Rep. Adams Applauds Supreme Court Birthright Citizenship Decision", "2026-07-01", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) commented on the Supreme Court\u2019s June 30th decision to uphold the constitutional right to birthright citizenship.\n\n\"150 years ago, the 14th Amendment was written into our Constitution to guarantee formerly enslaved Black Americans could never have their citizenship challenged because of their race.\n\n\"150 years later, the 14th amendment stands reaffirmed by the Supreme Court, ensuring that everyone born in the United States is an American Citizen.", 1, "2026-07-03T08:00:00Z", "2026-07-03T08:01:30Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-adams-speaks-bipartisan-housing-bill", "Rep. Adams Speaks on Bipartisan Housing Bill", "2026-07-01", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), released a statement regarding the passage of H.R. 6644, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act in Congress.\n\nWhile this transformative housing bill overwhelmingly passed both chambers in Congress with bipartisan support, the administration has previously refused to make it law until the SAVE America Act had been passed.\n\nSpeaker Mike Johnson sent the bill to the President yesterday, on June 29. If not signed or vetoed within ten days of it reaching the President\u2019s desk, it will automatically become law, as outlined in the constitution.\n\n\u201cOne of the most pressing issues facing North Carolina\u2019s 12th District is the skyrocketing cost of housing in Charlotte,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams. \u201cThis bill will help build new housing, lower mortgage rates and rental costs, and prioritize homebuyers and renters over corporate landlords. Having a space to call your own is an integral part of the American dream; and this legislation will make that dream more accessible for my constituents and Americans across the country.\u201d\n\nThis historic legislation will:\n\nRemove unnecessary regulatory barriers and streamline environmental reviews to expedite the development of affordable housing.\n\nStrengthen the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investments Partnership Program to provide key funding for affordable housing development.\n\nAuthorize disaster recovery housing programs to get money out to disaster-stricken communities faster \u2014 a win for western North Carolina.\n\nPlace restrictions on large institutional investors by capping the number of single-family homes they may purchase.\n\n\u201cWith the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, new regulations will be enacted to restrict corporations from buying homes,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams. \u201cThis issue is important to me, which is why I introduced similar legislation in early 2025.\u201d\n\nCorporate housing ownership is a significant concern for Charlotte. As of 2023, corporations owned roughly 20,000 single-family properties in Charlotte. To combat this, Congresswoman Adams introduced the American Neighborhoods Protection Act to place a limit on corporate homeownership and create a fund to construct new housing.", 1, "2026-07-03T08:00:00Z", "2026-07-03T08:01:30Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/6/congresswoman-ross-statement-on-supreme-court-birthright-citizenship-decision", "Congresswoman Ross Statement on Supreme Court Birthright Citizenship Decision", "2026-06-30", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) released the following statement on the Supreme Court\u2019s ruling to uphold birthright citizenship:\n\n\u201cToday, the Supreme Court upheld one of our nation\u2019s fundamental rights: if you are born here, you are an American citizen and entitled to the rights and protections guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to our Constitution.\n\n\u201cFor more than a year, the Trump administration has repeatedly sought to erode immigrants\u2019 rights by undermining due process, targeting lawful residents, and attempting to redefine who belongs in this country. Its effort to end birthright citizenship was among its most extreme attempts to ignore the plain text of the Constitution and divide Americans based on who they are and where they come from. Today, the Court rejected that effort.\n\n\u201cBirthright citizenship is enshrined in the Constitution and no president has the authority to unilaterally strip it away. The United States has been strengthened by those who come here in search of opportunity, and today's decision reaffirms that our Constitution, not the president, defines who is an American.\u201d", 1, "2026-07-01T06:34:07Z", "2026-07-01T06:35:35Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-led-generative-ai-labeling-frontier-ai-safety-and-data-center-measures-advance-through-house-science-committee", "Rep. Foushee-led Generative AI Labeling, Frontier AI Safety, and Data Center Measures Advance Through House Science Committee", "2026-06-26", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (June 26, 2026) \u2014 Yesterday, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee advanced a bipartisan artificial intelligence package that included Congresswoman Valerie Foushee\u2019s (NC-04) Protecting Consumers From Deceptive AI Act and several Foushee-led provisions focused on generative AI labeling, frontier AI safety, data center energy and water use, and independent testing and evaluation.\n\n\u201cArtificial intelligence is moving quickly, and Congress has a responsibility to meet this moment,\u201d said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee. \u201cMy Protecting Consumers From Deceptive AI Act will help protect creators and creative work and ensure Americans know when they are viewing or interacting with AI-generated content. I\u2019m also proud to have advanced measures that will improve federal capacity to test and evaluate frontier AI systems and measure the real energy and water impacts of data centers on our communities. As the Ranking Member of the Space & Aeronautics Committee and Co-Chair of the House Democratic Commission on AI and the Innovation Economy, I look forward to working with my colleagues to bring these bills to the House floor and pass responsible AI legislation that protects people and puts the needs of hardworking Americans first.\u201d\n\nH.R. 8893, the Protecting Consumers From Deceptive AI Act, introduced by Congresswoman Foushee alongside Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08) and Delegate James Moylan (GU-AL), passed the Committee by a 35 to 0 vote and was reported favorably to the House. This legislation addresses the growing challenges posed by synthetic content by directing the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to facilitate the development and adoption of technical standards and guidelines for provenance, detection, and labeling of content created or substantially modified by generative AI, including text, speech, audio, images, and video. The Protecting Consumers From Deceptive AI Act is supported by the Authors Guild, Adobe, the American Society for Collective Rights Licensing, Bria, Encode AI, IEEE-USA, Jewish Federations of North America, SAG-AFTRA, the Society of Composers and Lyricists, Writers Guild of America East, and the Writers Guild of America West.\n\nH.R. 9363, the AI Security and Innovation Act, introduced by Congresswoman Foushee alongside Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-23), passed the Committee by a 29 to 0 vote and was reported favorably to the House. This legislation authorizes the Center for AI Security and Innovation at NIST, previously named the U.S. AI Safety Institute. The bill directs the Center to measure risks related to frontier AI systems, support information exchange between federal and nonfederal entities, and support continued leadership on AI research, testing, and evaluation. The Center is also authorized to support international collaboration and engagement on AI standards with international organizations and safety institutes established by other countries.\n\nH.R. 9372, the bipartisan Data Infrastructure Energy Measurement and Standards Act, introduced by Congresswoman Foushee alongside Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-23), passed the Committee by a 34 to 1 vote and was reported favorably to the House. This legislation authorizes NIST and the Department of Energy to establish a measurement research program to inform the development of technical standards and best practices for measuring energy and water use by data centers, including for AI training and inference. This legislation is endorsed by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).\n\nAmong the measures approved by the committee were:\n\nH.R. 2385, the CREATE AI Act.\n\nH.R. 5351, the NSF AI Education Act of 2025.\n\nH.R. 5584, the LIFT AI Act.\n\nH.R. 6461, the READ AI Models Act.\n\nH.R. 8893, the Protecting Consumers from Deceptive AI Act.\n\nH.R. 9333, the AI Flaw Reporting and Security Enhancement Act.\n\nH.R. 9334, the Workforce for AI Trust Act.\n\nH.R. 9341, the AI-Ready Federal Data Guidelines Act.\n\nH.R. 9363, the AI Security and Innovation Act.\n\nH.R. 9372, the Data Infrastructure Energy Measurement and Standards Act.\n\nCongresswoman Foushee also offered the following amendments:\n\nFoushee Amendment #083 to the ANS to the AI Security and Innovation Act, to include explainability and interpretability research for frontier AI systems \u2013 passed by voice vote.\n\nFoushee Amendment #081 to the ANS to the AI Security and Innovation Act, to add AI child safety assessments \u2013 offered and withdrawn.\n\nFoushee Amendment #078 to the ANS to the CREATE AI Act, to ensure National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) resources are interoperable \u2013 passed by voice vote.\n\nFoushee Amendment #082 to the ANS to the Protecting Consumers from Deceptive AI Act, to include music and visual-based content \u2013 passed by voice vote.\n\nFoushee Amendment #080 to the ANS to the Workforce for AI Trust Act, to support independent AI testing and evaluation \u2013 passed by voice vote.\n\nFoushee Amendment #079 to the ANS to the NSF AI Education Act, to expand capacity and broaden participation in AI research, education, and workforce development and codify NSF\u2019s ExpandAI program \u2013 not adopted.\n\nThe bills approved by the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee now advance for further consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives.", 1, "2026-06-27T06:16:17Z", "2026-06-27T06:17:30Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-davis-led-legislation-improve-accountability-small-business", "House Passes Davis-Led Legislation to Improve Accountability for Small Business Disaster Loans", "2026-06-26", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) celebrated the U.S. House\u2019s passage of H.R. 4238, Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act (DLARA), legislation to strengthen oversight, transparency, and financial accountability within the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program.\n\nCo-led with Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14), DLARA would require the SBA to provide monthly reports on the status of its disaster loan fund, base budget projections on a ten-year average of disaster assistance needs, and implement funding safeguards when reserve levels fall below critical thresholds. The legislation also directs a comprehensive review of recent shortcomings in the SBA's disaster loan program and requires recommendations to help prevent future funding disruptions for disaster survivors and small businesses.\n\nThis bipartisan legislation responds directly to the failures uncovered during the 2024 disaster loan shortfall, when the SBA's loan account was allowed to run dry for more than two months without warning to Congress. That 66-day lapse meant communities hit hard by Hurricane Helene had significantly delayed access to the support they needed to recover.\n\n\u201cBy bringing greater transparency and common-sense accountability to the Small Business Administration\u2019s disaster loan program, we can help ensure these loans reach the people who need them most, on time and as promised,\u201d said Congressman Davis. \u201cFarmers, small business owners, and aspiring entrepreneurs are still recovering from Hurricane Helene and other disasters, and they deserve a loan program they can count on.\u201d\n\n\u201cHurricane Helene exposed serious weaknesses in the SBA\u2019s disaster loan program,\u201d said Congressman Moore. \u201cWhen disaster strikes, Americans deserve a loan program that is transparent, accountable, and financially sound. This bill makes necessary reforms to strengthen financial safeguards, prevent delays, and improve disaster response when our communities need it most.\"\n\nSenator Ted Budd (NC) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate, which passed out of the Senate Small Business Committee unanimously this past year.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/6/congresswoman-ross-denounces-harmful-supreme-court-ruling-to-end-tps-for-haitians-and-syrians", "Congresswoman Ross Denounces Harmful Supreme Court Ruling to End TPS for Haitians and Syrians", "2026-06-25", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) released the following statement on the Supreme Court\u2019s ruling to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians and Syrians:\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s ruling ignores our nation\u2019s history and values. For centuries, immigrants have come to America for a better life under the threat of violence and persecution in their home countries. The Supreme Court betrayed that tradition and has turned its back on our longstanding commitment to protecting those in need.\n\n\u201cFor no logical or moral reason, the Court has stripped away legal status from thousands of families who played by the rules, worked hard, and have become a part of communities across the country. By siding with the Trump administration\u2019s cruel anti-immigrant agenda, the Supreme Court has made it easier to uproot families and send vulnerable people back to dangerous conditions without making Americans any safer or more prosperous.\n\n\u201cNorth Carolina knows the strength that immigrants bring to our communities. People from all over the world have moved to our state to work hard, strengthen our economy, and build a future for their families.\n\n\u201cThese families deserve certainty, dignity, and the chance to continue calling America home. Congress must pass legislation to provide security and certainty for individuals here under Temporary Protected Status. I will continue to help our immigrant communities.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-26T06:29:35Z", "2026-06-26T06:31:46Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/6/representatives-ross-panetta-delauro-introduce-bill-to-deliver-faster-relief-for-taxpayers", "Representatives Ross, Panetta, DeLauro Introduce Bill to Deliver Faster Relief for Taxpayers", "2026-06-25", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02), Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) introduced a bill to improve transparency between taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax refund claims.\n\nCurrently, there is no requirement that the IRS pay or deny refund claims within a set timeframe. As a result, claims can spend years in the IRS\u2019 queue without a decision, leaving taxpayers with no clear answers or recourse. The bill requires the IRS to respond to tax refund claims within one year of receiving a taxpayer\u2019s return. It also ensures that any refund paid after that period is adjusted for inflation and includes interest to compensate taxpayers for the delay.\n\nIRS employees work diligently to serve taxpayers and process refund claims, but their work has been undermined by staffing cuts under the Trump administration. Thousands of IRS employees have been laid off, resulting in fewer claims processed and growing backlogs. Since 2019, the number of backlogged tax claims has doubled to more than two million. This bill will create a clear process to ensure refund claims are paid or denied in a timely manner, with taxpayers guaranteed a sufficient explanation for any IRS decision.\n\n\u201cAmericans in North Carolina and across the country work hard for every dollar they earn, and they deserve prompt responses when they file their tax returns,\u201d said Congresswoman Ross. \u201cAt a time when too many families are stretched thin by rising costs, they should not be left wondering whether they will receive the money they are owed. This bill will help ensure tax refunds are processed in a timely manner and require the IRS to provide clear explanations of its decisions to the American taxpayers.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are in a cost-of-living crisis,\u201d said Congresswoman DeLauro. \u201cAmericans are living paycheck to paycheck \u2013 if the government is responsible for a late refund, they should ensure that Americans are made whole because of it. I am fighting to put more money in working and middle-class Americans' pockets \u2013 to help them get ahead and thrive.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe backlog in cases at the IRS has left way too many hardworking taxpayers waiting way too long for their hard-earned refunds,\u201d said Congressman Panetta. \u201cOur RETURN Act would help restore accountability, efficiency, and transparency by requiring the IRS to respond to refund requests within one year and explain the reasoning behind any denial. This legislation would help ensure a more responsive tax system so that all Americans can efficiently and effectively receive their tax returns.\u201d", 1, "2026-06-26T06:29:35Z", "2026-06-26T06:31:46Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-davis-honors-eastern-north-carolina-students-receiving", "Congressman Davis Honors Eastern North Carolina Students Receiving Appointments to U.S. Service Academies", "2026-06-25", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) hosted a dinner honoring eastern North Carolina students he nominated to the nation's service academies who recently accepted appointment offers. The event brought together students and their families to celebrate an achievement earned through academic excellence, leadership, character, and a commitment to military service:\n\nUnited States Air Force Academy\n\nReilly Novchich (Wayne School of Engineering)\n\nHarry Gribbin (North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics)\n\nUnited States Naval Academy\n\nEstelle Chafin (The Lawrenceville School)\n\nBrayden Wolford (Gates County High School)\n\nUnited States Military Academy at West Point\n\nJoshua Taylor (North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics) (unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict)\n\n(From Left to Right: Harry Gribbin, Reilly Novchich, Congressman Davis, Estelle Chafin, and Brayden Wolford.)\n\n\u201cReceiving an appointment takes years of hard work, discipline, leadership, and sacrifice. These young men and women represent the best of eastern North Carolina and the values our communities hold dear: commitment, perseverance, and putting others before yourself,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis. \u201cAs a U.S. Air Force Academy alumnus, I am extremely proud of them, their families, teachers, and everyone who helped them reach this moment. I look forward to seeing their leadership, service, and making eastern North Carolina proud.\u201d\n\n(Congressman Davis recognizes the nominees and their families.)\n\nMembers of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.\n\nCongressman Don Davis is a 1994 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, a member of its Board of Visitors, and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He serves as the Vice Ranking Member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, where he serves on the Readiness and Tactical Air and Land Forces subcommittees.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-foushee-casar-introduce-ai-workforce-impact-study-act-to-examine-ais-impact-on-american-jobs", "Reps. Foushee, Casar Introduce AI Workforce Impact Study Act to Examine AI\u2019s Impact on American Jobs", "2026-06-24", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (June 24, 2026) \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) and Congressman Greg Casar (TX- 35) introduced the AI Workforce Impact Study Act of 2026, legislation directing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive, retroactive study on the impact of artificial intelligence on the United States workforce since 2022.\n\n\u201cWorkers should not have to guess how artificial intelligence is affecting their jobs or their futures. As I outlined in my report last year on AI\u2019s impact on American jobs, Congress needs reliable data to better understand these changes. We need to know where jobs are being lost, where new opportunities are being created, and which communities are being hit hardest,\u201d said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee. \u201cThe AI Workforce Impact Study Act will provide the transparency and accountability we need to protect workers, support families, and prepare our workforce for the future.\u201d\n\n\u201cCompanies are already laying off workers citing AI, so we must understand how American workers are at risk,\u201dsaid Congressman Greg Casar. \u201cI\u2019m proud to work with Rep. Foushee to demand answers.\u201d\n\nThis legislation builds on Congresswoman Foushee\u2019s 2025 report on AI\u2019s impact on American jobs. The report found that 54,694 jobs were lost in 2025 with AI cited as a factor, while layoff announcements surpassed 1.1 million job cuts. The report also highlighted rising unemployment among Black Americans and growing concerns that the class of 2026 would graduate into one of the most challenging job markets for new college graduates in recent years. The AI Workforce Impact Study Act of 2026 serves as a direct next step in that fact-finding effort by requiring GAO to examine how AI is contributing to job losses, job creation, changes in work, and gaps in federal data collection.\n\nThe legislation directs GAO to estimate job losses and job gains attributable to AI, examine how AI is changing work, including its use in worker monitoring, and assess the limitations of existing federal data collection methods for measuring AI\u2019s workforce impact. To ensure Congress has a full picture of how AI is affecting workers, communities, and sectors of the economy, the study would disaggregate data on jobs lost and created by geography, industry, occupation, sex, and race. The Comptroller General would be required to submit a report to Congress within one year of enactment.\n\nThe AI Workforce Impact Study Act of 2026 is endorsed by Encode AI and the Future of Life Institute.\n\n\u201cAI is rapidly transforming America's economy and workforce faster than we can track. The AI Workforce Impact Study Act of 2026 takes the critical first step of measuring precisely how AI is impacting everyday Americans. That information will be critical as we consider how government should respond to AI-driven job displacement,\u201d said Adam Billen, Co-Executive Director, Encode AI.\n\n\u201cRepresentative Foushee's AI Workforce Impact Study Act of 2026 is an important step toward understanding how AI is reshaping work and America's economy. Our data on AI's effects is fragmented and incomplete but this bill will help ensure that future decisions are based on the facts, rather than speculation. The Future of Life Institute commends this clear-eyed, empirical approach and encourages Congress to build on it as a foundation for responsible AI governance,\u201d said Michael Kleinman, Head of U.S. Policy, Future of Life Institute.\n\nThe full text of the bill can be found here.", 1, "2026-06-25T06:30:03Z", "2026-06-25T06:31:21Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/6/ross-helps-advance-landmark-housing-legislation-to-lower-costs-and-speed-disaster-recovery", "Ross Helps Advance Landmark Housing Legislation to Lower Costs and Speed Disaster Recovery", "2026-06-24", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) voted to pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a landmark bipartisan package that will help lower housing costs by accelerating housing production, getting homes to the market quicker, and supporting buyers and renters. Now that it\u2019s passed both houses of Congress, the legislation heads to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\nThe updated version of this package includes a major priority for Congresswoman Ross, the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, which would create a disaster recovery fund to allow the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to predictably assist communities after major disasters.\n\n\u201cAs I travel around Wake County, the number one issue I hear about is the skyrocketing cost of housing,\u201d said Congresswoman Ross. \u201cFamilies can\u2019t afford to keep a roof over their heads. The dream of homeownership is out of reach for young people. Seniors living on fixed incomes are struggling to make ends meet. And too many North Carolinians are being priced out of communities they helped build.\n\n\u201cI am extremely relieved that essential disaster support was added back into this legislative package. After Hurricane Helene, Western North Carolina saw homes destroyed, and countless families still haven\u2019t been able to return. This essential provision will help ensure communities can access federal housing assistance more quickly and predictably after disaster strikes.\n\n\u201cThis package is an historic achievement that will increase housing supply, bring down costs, and help more families find an affordable place to call home. I will keep up the fight for affordable housing and work to deliver real and immediate federal support to any community affected by natural disasters \u2013 in North Carolina and across the country.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-25T06:30:03Z", "2026-06-25T06:31:21Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/6/ross-hurd-beyer-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-ai-security-and-vulnerability-reporting", "Ross, Hurd, Beyer Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen AI Security and Vulnerability Reporting", "2026-06-23", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02), Jeff Hurd (CO-3), and Don Beyer (VA-08) introduced the AI Flaw Reporting and Security Enhancement Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen the security of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The bill would create a voluntary federal reporting program through which AI developers can disclose vulnerabilities in their models, enabling coordinated efforts to identify, manage, and responsibly disclose flaws before they can be exploited.\n\nThe National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) operates the National Vulnerability Database (NVD), an authoritative dataset that organizations across the world use to identify and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The AI Flaw Reporting and Security Enhancement Act would direct NIST to create similar processes for the reporting of AI flaws and vulnerabilities. It also directs NIST to engage with the private sector and assist with developing methods for detecting, monitoring, and remediating AI flaws.\n\nThe AI Flaw Reporting and Security Enhancement Act would also direct NIST to bring together stakeholders to study AI flaws and vulnerabilities across sectors and assess the reporting and response infrastructure developed by the bill. NIST would then be required to submit its findings to Congress within three years.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to represent much of the Research Triangle Park, home to organizations and institutions that are driving innovation in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity,\u201d said Congresswoman Ross. \u201cAI is already shaping how we work, communicate, and access information, and we must put appropriate safeguards in place to address the risks that come with this rapidly evolving technology. That\u2019s why I introduced the bipartisan AI Flaw Reporting and Security Enhancement Act. This commonsense legislation will help us better identify and address vulnerabilities in AI systems while advancing the responsible development of this technology.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica should lead the world in artificial intelligence, and that leadership starts with secure and reliable systems,\u201d said Congressman Hurd. \u201cThis bipartisan bill creates a practical framework to identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, helping strengthen trust in AI while supporting continued innovation. I\u2019m proud to work across the aisle to ensure the United States remains the global leader in developing and deploying these technologies.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs AI technologies continue to advance at an unprecedented pace, AI systems face growing threats that can expose sensitive data, create new cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and beyond,\u201d said Congressman Beyer. \u201cCongress cannot afford to fall behind in addressing these emerging risks and ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place. Our legislation would establish a centralized reporting mechanism for potential security and safety vulnerabilities in AI systems, allowing for timely and coordinated action to mitigate risks.\u201d\n\nBill text is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-24T06:25:30Z", "2026-06-24T06:26:49Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-davis-votes-housing-package-benefiting-rural-communities-and", "Congressman Davis Votes for Housing Package Benefiting Rural Communities and Working Families", "2026-06-23", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) released the following statement following the final passage of H.R. 6644, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan housing package that modernizes federal housing programs, expands housing supply, promotes innovative development, and strengthens access to affordable housing.\n\n\u201cAcross eastern North Carolina, too many hardworking families, young people looking to buy their first home, and seniors living on fixed incomes are feeling the pressure of rising housing costs. Solving this challenge means focusing on practical solutions such as cutting unnecessary red tape, removing barriers that slow down development, encouraging innovative partnerships, and expanding the supply of homes families can afford. When we make it easier to build, invest, and grow, we strengthen families and communities,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis. \u201cPeople who work hard should be able to afford a home, raise their families, and build a future in the communities they love. Expanding access to housing strengthens our workforce, supports small businesses, grows local economies, and helps keep our towns strong. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is about commonsense solutions for the communities we serve.\u201d\n\n(Congressman Davis surveys housing initiative in Northampton County)\n\nIncluded in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act:", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-adams-hinson-expand-stillbirth-prevention-efforts-2027", "Reps. Adams, Hinson Expand Stillbirth Prevention Efforts with 2027 Appropriations Bill", "2026-06-17", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) successfully secured the inclusion of a provision providing technical assistance for stillbirth prevention in the Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.\n\nThe provision secures $1,000,000 for Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to provide ongoing assistance to support states\u2019 stillbirth prevention activities, such as the dissemination of stillbirth screening resources and educational prevention tools.\n\nIt will also direct HRSA to provide the Appropriations Committee with a report on what steps the agency is taking to assist states with stillbirth prevention efforts and what the agency needs to provide that support.\n\n\u201cDespite advances in medical technology and federal recognition around this issue, the rate of stillbirth is still high in the United States, and the risk doubles for Black women,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams. \u201cI am proud to see continued progress being made in Congress to combat stillbirth and the Black maternal health crisis. While stillbirth prevention remains under-funded and under-researched, every step forward is a victory for mothers and children in North Carolina and across the country.\u201d\n\n\"My stillbirth prevention bill becoming law in 2024 was a major step forward, but our work is far from finished,\u201d said Congresswoman Hinson. \u201cThat's why I fought to secure targeted funding in this year's Labor-HHS funding bill to help support states\u2019 stillbirth prevention efforts and provide additional resources to prevent these heartbreaking losses. Every family deserves the chance to bring home a healthy baby, and I will continue fighting for policies that strengthen families, save lives, and support all women.\u201d\n\nTwo years ago, Congresswomen Adams and Hinson, alongside Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), passed the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act into law under President Biden. The act clarifies that current funding through the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant can be used for stillbirth prevention activities, expanding what resources state health departments and community programs were able to access. The new provision in the 2027 appropriations package builds on that foundation by explicitly directing dedicated federal funding and technical assistance in support of stillbirth prevention efforts.\n\nStill, an average of 58 babies are stillborn in the United States every day, and a predicted 25 percent of stillbirths are preventable, underscoring the need for greater national attention, federal support, and evolving standards of care for expectant mothers.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-adams-statement-expiration-fisa", "Rep. Adams Statement on the Expiration of FISA", "2026-06-15", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), issued a statement on the expiration of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).\n\nFISA Section 702 authorizes United States intelligence agencies to conduct warrantless surveillance of foreign individuals, providing the government with access to emails, texts, and phone calls. If a U.S. citizen communicates with a foreign individual, their communications are included in accessible data, allowing U.S. intelligence agencies to acquire that citizen\u2019s data without a warrant.\n\nThe House voted to reauthorize FISA on Thursday, June 11, 2026, one day before it expired. It failed 218 to 198, with Congresswoman Adams in opposition.\n\n\u201cMy vote reflects my concerns about the potential abuse of surveillance powers for political purposes,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams. \u201cIn 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation used authority provided by FISA over 200,000 times to search through American data. Racial justice protestors, immigrants, political activists, and members of Congress have all had their privacy violated by this loophole in data warrant requirements. That\u2019s why I supported attempts to amend FISA in 2024 and continue to oppose it today without much needed reforms.\u201d\n\nPresident Donald Trump previously nominated Bill Pulte, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to serve as acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), sparking national pushback.\n\nJay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the permanent DNI and will oversee the application of FISA. The Senate will vote as soon as Thursday of this week on whether to confirm his nomination.\n\n\u201cAt a time when President Trump has signaled a willingness to expand executive authority, strong oversight is more important than ever,\u201d continued Congresswoman Adams. \u201cTrump\u2019s nomination of Bill Pulte as interim DNI despite his lack of government intelligence experience, further undermines my confidence that these authorities will be administered responsibly and with respect for Americans\u2019 privacy rights. I look forward to the Senate\u2019s hearing with Attorney Clayton and hope he will restore some level of confidence that our nation\u2019s intelligence apparatus will be used justly.\u201d\n\nDespite the expiration of FISA\u2019s authorization, Section 702 was certified for a one-year extension by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) on March 17, 2026. Under current law, these certifications remain in effect through March of 2027 and will continue to require private companies to turn over information to the government even without the authorizing statute.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-helps-return-24-million-eastern-north-carolina-families", "Congressman Don Davis Helps Return $2.4 Million to Eastern North Carolina Families, Veterans, and Businesses", "2026-06-15", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) announced that his office has helped constituents across eastern North Carolina recover $2,454,921 from federal agencies since the beginning of 2026. The recovered funds include veterans\u2019 benefits, Social Security payments, tax refunds, Medicare and Medicaid issues, federal retirement benefits, and other cases where constituents needed assistance navigating the federal government.\n\n\u201cOne of my greatest responsibilities is helping families when they have nowhere else to turn and are facing challenges with a federal agency,\u201d said Congressman Davis. \u201cWhether it\u2019s a veteran waiting on the benefits they earned through their service, a senior trying to resolve a Social Security concern, or a family working to access critical federal services, my office is here to stand with them and help find solutions. Constituent service is about people, not paperwork. Every eastern North Carolinian should know they have a strong advocate in Congress who will listen, fight to cut through red tape, and work every day to ensure they receive the answers, respect, and assistance they deserve.\u201d\n\nWhile the office cannot guarantee a specific outcome, staff members are available to help residents navigate federal agencies, obtain information about their cases, and work to resolve issues involving federal programs, benefits, and services. Residents of North Carolina's First Congressional District who need assistance with a federal agency can visit dondavis.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency or call (252) 999-7600.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/davis-tillis-push-relief-north-carolina-tobacco-farmers", "Davis, Tillis Push for Relief for North Carolina Tobacco Farmers", "2026-06-15", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) and Senator Thom Tillis (NC), joined by Congressmen David Rouzer (NC-07), Greg Murphy (NC-03), Pat Harrigan (NC-10), and Tim Moore (NC-14) sent a letter to senior House and Senate appropriators calling for congressional leaders to ensure tobacco producers are included in any future agricultural disaster relief package, citing rising production costs, weakened export markets, drought conditions, and declining commodity prices that have placed significant financial strain on tobacco producers in North Carolina.\n\n\u201cNorth Carolina tobacco farmers are facing a perfect storm of economic pressures, and need urgent relief,\u201d said Congressman Davis. \u201cRising input costs, lost export markets, and lower prices are creating real challenges for farm families who work hard every day to support our agricultural economy. Any agricultural disaster assistance package should recognize the hardships facing tobacco producers and ensure they are not left behind.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers cited an independent analysis by Dr. Jeffrey H. Dorfman, Hugh C. Kiger Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at NC State University, showing that tobacco production costs increased by approximately 30 percent between 2021 and 2025, compared to an 18 percent increase across U.S. agriculture as a whole. According to the analysis, production costs rose from $4,148 per acre in 2021 to $5,398 per acre in 2025.\n\nIn their letter to senior House and Senate appropriators, the lawmakers argued that tobacco growers have faced a unique combination of economic challenges that warrant targeted relief. \u201cWe respectfully urge the inclusion of tobacco in any disaster or supplemental agricultural relief legislation currently under consideration, or that could come together during the rest of the 119th Congress. Specifically, we request that eligibility criteria account for the full scope of losses suffered by tobacco producers, including disproportionate input cost inflation driven by increased labor costs and suppressed prices resulting from reduced export demand,\u201d said the lawmakers. \u201cTobacco farm families have played a vital economic role in rural communities across North Carolina, the Southeast, and beyond for generations. They deserve the same recognition and support being extended to other commodity producers facing hardship.\u201d", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-introduces-bill-to-establish-federal-gun-violence-prevention-database", "Rep. Foushee Introduces Bill to Establish Federal Gun Violence Prevention Database", "2026-06-12", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (June 12, 2026) \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) introduced the Gun Violence Prevention and Public Safety Database Act of 2026, legislation to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish a publicly accessible federal database of gun violence and public safety research.\n\n\u201cCommunities across our country have suffered from the devastating impact of gun violence for far too long. A proper response from our federal government not only requires efforts to take guns off our streets\u2014we must also provide the American people the tools and information that will help keep our communities on the right path,\u201d said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). \u201cThe Gun Violence Prevention and Public Safety Database Act will help ensure that every American has access to credible, data-driven research needed to understand the root causes of gun violence, and support solutions that protect their communities.\u201d\n\nThis legislation builds on Congresswoman Foushee\u2019s National Gun Violence Research Act, introduced earlier this Congress, by ensuring that publicly available gun violence research is centralized, transparent, and accessible.\n\nSpecifically, the Gun Violence Prevention and Public Safety Database Act would:\n\nRequire the Director of the CDC to establish an online database of research relating to gun violence in the United States.\n\nEnsure that the database established includes gun violence-related findings from key public health data systems, reliable research from peer-reviewed journals, studies published by research organizations, and information issued or commissioned by a local, state, or federal government agency.\n\nThe Gun Violence Prevention and Public Safety Database Act is endorsed by Brady, Everytown, and the Safe States Alliance.\n\n\u201cEach day, 320 people in the United States are shot or killed by firearm injuries. In order to fully understand the scope of gun violence and identify the best policy solutions to prevent these deaths, researchers and policymakers require data. The Gun Violence Prevention and Public Safety Database Act of 2026 will further gun violence prevention efforts by establishing a public federal database of research on the epidemic of American gun violence. Brady is grateful to Representative Foushee for her continued commitment to ending the gun violence crisis,\u201d said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy, Brady.\n\n\u201cThe Gun Violence Prevention and Public Safety Database Act of 2026 is a common-sense approach that takes politics out of gun violence by ensuring the best data and research are readily accessible so communities across the country can identify proven strategies that will reduce violence,\u201d said Sharon Gilmartin, Executive Director, Safe States Alliance.", 1, "2026-06-13T06:32:19Z", "2026-06-13T06:34:27Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/6/ross-raskin-khanna-demand-answers-on-secretive-bop-policy-change-following-ghislaine-maxwell-prison-transfer", "Ross, Raskin, Khanna Demand Answers on Secretive BOP Policy Change Following Ghislaine Maxwell Prison Transfer", "2026-06-12", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (MD-08), and Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17) demanded answers on a Bureau of Prison (BOP) policy change that grants the Attorney General new authority over inmate placement decisions. This previously unreported policy change comes after Ghislaine Maxwell was moved to a minimum security prison, often referred to as \u2018Club Fed,\u2019 despite being ineligible for this transfer as a convicted sex offender.\n\nThe lawmakers previously demanded that BOP provide documents outlining who authorized Maxwell\u2019s prison transfer. BOP has failed to turn over this information, which is a direct violation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA).\n\nThe lawmakers outlined the suspicious nature of this policy change following Maxwell\u2019s highly controversial transfer:\n\nThey wrote, \u201cBOP\u2019s inmate classification and designation policies have significant implications for institutional safety, correctional resource allocation, family reunification, program access, recidivism reduction, and compliance with congressional directives. Any modification to these policies, especially in light of Maxwell\u2019s transfer, warrants careful scrutiny by Congress and the public.\u201d\n\nThe lawmakers are specifically demanding answers to the following questions:\n\nWhat prompted this policy change?\n\nSince this policy change was implemented, how many requests for Attorney General review or intervention have been received, considered, approved, or denied?\n\nWill sex offenders, including Ghislaine Maxwell, be eligible for designation or redesignation by the Attorney General to minimum-security institutions under this new policy?\n\nWhen former Attorney General Pam Bondi testified before the House Judiciary Committee, she admitted to Congresswoman Ross for the first time that she did not authorize Maxwell\u2019s transfer and did not know who did. Her testimony prompted the lawmakers' March 2026 probe of BOP on documents related to Maxwell\u2019s transfer.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-26T06:29:35Z", "2026-06-26T06:31:46Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-foushee-introduces-legislation-to-expand-menopause-education-in-medical-schools", "Rep. Foushee Introduces Legislation to Expand Menopause Education in Medical Schools", "2026-06-11", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (June 11, 2026) \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) introduced the Menopause Education for Medical Students Act, legislation to strengthen menopause education in medical schools and better prepare future physicians to care for women across specialties.\n\n\u201cMenopause is not a niche health issue. It is a major life stage that affects millions of women and touches every corner of our health care system,\u201d said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee. \u201cBy ensuring medical students are equipped with menopause education, this legislation will help prepare the next generation of physicians to deliver informed and compassionate care to women across specialties.\u201d\n\nAccording to the National Institutes of Health, more than 1 million women in the United States experience menopause each year, and worldwide, more than 27 million women experience menopause annually. Despite the prevalence, gaps in medical education remain. According to research published in the National Library of Medicine, only 31.3% of responding obstetrics and gynecology residency program directors reported having any type of menopause curriculum as part of residents\u2019 training. Among programs with menopause curricula, all reported offering five or fewer menopause lectures per year, and more than 84% of respondents agreed their program needed more menopause educational resources.\n\nThe Menopause Education for Medical Students Act would help close this gap and ensure the next generation of physicians is ready to meet women where they are, at every stage of life. The legislation would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to require public institutions of higher education that receive grants under the Medical Student Education program to include menopause related training in their medical school curriculum.", 1, "2026-06-12T06:37:16Z", "2026-06-12T06:39:00Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/6/congresswoman-ross-votes-against-70-billion-blank-check-for-trump-s-immigration-policies", "Congresswoman Ross Votes Against $70 Billion Blank Check for Trump\u2019s Immigration Policies", "2026-06-10", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) released the following statement after voting against Republicans\u2019 partisan budget reconciliation package, which would give Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) $70 billion to execute the Trump administration\u2019s cruel immigration agenda.\n\n\u201cInstead of taking action to lower costs for the American people, Republicans have passed a blank check to ICE and CBP, without any of the meaningful reforms that the public supports.\n\n\u201cIn North Carolina and across the country, federal immigration agents have terrorized our communities \u2013 abducting people off the streets, separating families and children, deporting legal residents, violating due process rights, and even killing U.S. citizens. We all want safe communities \u2013 but Trump\u2019s ICE and CBP are operating without regard for the law or the Constitution.\n\n\u201cThis egregious package fails to include any real reforms to rein in Trump\u2019s lawless immigration policies. Instead of helping working families afford housing, groceries, and healthcare, Republicans have chosen to spend billions more empowering a corrupt administration that repeatedly ignores the law and violates fundamental rights.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-11T06:38:38Z", "2026-06-11T06:41:07Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/6/representatives-ross-lawler-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-promote-energy-independence-and-security-in-moldova", "Representatives Ross, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Promote Energy Independence and Security in Moldova", "2026-06-10", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Mike Lawler (NY-17), co-chairs of the Congressional Moldova Caucus, introduced the Promoting Oversight With Energy Resilience for Moldova, or the POWER Moldova Act of 2026. This legislation would help Moldova build more secure and independent energy infrastructure by tracking progress on key energy milestones and encouraging information sharing on new energy technologies. Energy independence in Moldova would improve its security and strengthen its role as a reliable strategic partner to the United States and democratic bulwark against Russian influence and aggression.\n\nMoldova has made large strides in reducing its dependence on Russian energy, including through participation in the Vertical Gas Corridor, a regional initiative to diversify energy supply and reduce reliance on Russia. Moldova\u2019s need for independent energy sources was further highlighted following Russian attacks on Ukraine\u2019s civilian energy infrastructure in March 2026, in which the Moldovan government declared a 60-day state of alert.\n\nThe POWER Moldova Act would encourage the Moldovan Ministry of Energy to work with the U.S. Departments of State and Energy to increase the country\u2019s renewable energy production by instituting a reporting requirement. This legislation follows the introduction of Representatives Ross and Lawler\u2019s legislation, the 2023 U.S.-Moldova Defense Partnership Act, which would help assist Moldova in its defense needs amidst Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine.\n\n\u201cMoldova continues to stand strong in the face of Russian interference and aggression,\u201d said Congresswoman Deborah Ross. \u201cTo protect their sovereignty and the security of the region, we must ensure Moldova can access long-term, reliable sources of energy. My home state of North Carolina has served as a strategic partner to Moldova for over 30 years. Supporting Moldova\u2019s energy independence strengthens democratic partners and creates opportunities for deeper cooperation that benefit both North Carolinians and the Moldovan people. I will continue working with Congressman Lawler to promote a secure future for the people of Moldova and strengthen the U.S.-Moldova partnership for years to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe United States and Moldova have maintained a strong partnership for over three decades, a relationship that has taken on renewed importance amid the Sandu Administration\u2019s work on European integration and Russia\u2019s war of aggression against Ukraine\u201d said Congressman Lawler. \u201cThis legislation will provide Congress with a clearer understanding of where our relationship is strong and where we can be more helpful to our partner to ensure long-term resilience in the face of regional threats.\u201d\n\nBill text is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-11T06:38:38Z", "2026-06-11T06:41:07Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-adams-statement-ice-funding-package", "Rep. Adams Statement on the ICE Funding Package", "2026-06-09", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 On June 9, 2026, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) voted against the passage of the latest Republican reconciliation package that would allocate roughly $70 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).\n\n\u201cI am not blind to the chaos ICE brings to every city it enters,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams. \u201cLives have been lost, businesses closed, and families split apart. When ICE and CBP came to Charlotte, a record 20,000 children were absent from school. There is no chance I would have voted to provide the president with a $70 billion check to continue terrorizing our communities.\u201d\n\nReconciliation is a unique process used to pass certain budget related bills through Congress with a simple majority vote.\n\nFederal appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security were signed into law on April 30th of this year after a historically long department shutdown, but none of that funding was allocated to ICE or CBP.\n\nBefore 2025, ICE maintained an annual budget of roughly $10 billion. House Rule 1, or the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) allocated an extra $75 billion to ICE for the expansion of its workforce, detention facilities, and enforcement operations over the next four years. The new reconciliation package directs another $70 billion ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Office of the Secretary budget over the next 3 years.\n\n\u201cThis reconciliation package is a partisan bill that does nothing to address the needs of American taxpayers,\u201d continued Congresswoman Adams.\u201cNot only will it pave the way for more corruption the bill does nothing to prohibit budget allocations for an \u2018anti-weaponization\u2019 slush fund, but it will give the Trump administration more inhumane deportation power with lower guardrails and less accountability.\u201d\n\nICE has arrested more than 6,000 people in North Carolina since Trump took office last January. 1,300 of those arrests occurred in November of 2025 during Operation Charlotte\u2019s Web, a week-long immigration enforcement campaign in Charlotte, North Carolina.\n\nCongresswoman Alma Adams and other North Carolina officials have demanded answers from DHS over the purpose and results of the raids but have not received a response.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-votes-advance-29-eastern-north-carolina-defense", "Congressman Don Davis Votes to Advance 29 Eastern North Carolina Defense Priorities in FY 2027 NDAA", "2026-06-05", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "June 5, 2026\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Don Davis (NC-01), Vice Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, advanced 29 provisions through committee passage of H.R. 8800, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027. He joined his colleagues in voting for a fourth consecutive year to pass the annual defense bill in the committee, with a bipartisan vote margin of 44-12. The package includes a range of priorities championed by Congressman Davis to strengthen military readiness, support servicemembers and military families, and reinforce the strategic importance of eastern North Carolina's defense infrastructure.\n\nThe provisions would bolster key military installations that anchor eastern North Carolina\u2019s defense economy, including Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, while supporting the communities that play a vital role in the nation's defense. The legislation advances investments in military construction, workforce development, quality-of-life improvements, and national security capabilities to help ensure eastern North Carolina remains at the forefront of military readiness.\n\n\u201cThese essential investments will not only benefit eastern North Carolina\u2019s economy, but also support our military families and safeguard the American people as threats continue to emerge from Iran and other adversaries around the globe,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis. \u201cBy investing in our military installations, advancing cutting-edge technologies, and supporting American manufacturing, these provisions help ensure our servicemembers remain prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. I am proud to advance legislation that supports our troops and delivers for eastern North Carolina.\u201d\n\nThe House Armed Services Committee\u2019s passage of H.R. 8800 means that 29 provisions, including those below championed by Congressman Davis, will advance in the legislative process for a full House vote:\n\nImproving Aircraft Mission Readiness at Cherry Point: Supports the artificial intelligence (AI) pilot program initiated through the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) based in Havelock, NC, to address perennial challenges in asset availability, starting with the MV-22B Osprey platform.\n\nF-35 Lightning II Sustainment: Establishes multi-year procurement authority for the fighter platform, further stabilizing spare parts availability, enhancing fleet readiness, and reducing life cycle costs. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point currently hosts F-35 squadrons.\n\nStanding Up to Drug Cartels: Requires a report on the urgent threat posed by and combat tactics to counter fiber optic-guided and first-person-view unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) employed by Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs).\n\nEnhancing Preparedness for Biological Threats to the Warfighter: Requires the Department of Defense to brief Congress on plans to ensure a stable, secure, and sustainable stockpile of anthrax countermeasures in the event of a biological attack on the homeland.\n\nImproving Biodefense Capabilities: Requires a briefing on the best strategies to further develop effective countermeasures to address the threat that biological agents pose to the warfighter, and the public-private partnerships underway to further such research.\n\nExpansion of Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Logistics and Supply Chain Optimization: Directs the Air Force to deploy AI-enabled maintenance data cleansing and correction tools across Air Education and Training Command to improve the quality and usability of maintenance and logistics data.\n\nAI-Enabled Logistics Supply Chain Funding: Authorizes $22 million for a pilot program to deploy AI-enabled technology to predict future aircraft maintenance challenges.\n\nSupporting American-made Textiles: Builds on a provision in the Fiscal Year 2026 NDAA by reiterating the value of the Berry Amendment to the domestic textile industrial base in North Carolina and across America, and requiring a briefing on efforts to strengthen compliance with the Berry Amendment and Buy American requirements for textile and apparel items.\n\nKeeping Troops Safe: Builds on a provision in the Fiscal Year 2026 NDAA to study counter-drone infiltrations on American military bases and supports the $10 million authorization in FY 2026 for base security technology at three Air Force bases.\n\nTobacco Harm Reduction: Allows the Department of Defense to establish a pilot program for servicemembers who smoke by providing them with smokeless tobacco alternatives, including nicotine patches and gum.\n\nTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Research Funding Increase: Provides an additional $5 million for the Physics-based Neutralizations of Threats to Human Tissues and Organs Research (PANTHER) program through the Office of Naval Research to address TBIs suffered by servicemembers.\n\nHealth Data for Troops: Establishes a pilot program to provide servicemembers, prior to separation, with a secure, approved mobile Personal Health Record, giving veterans immediate and permanent access to their information and the ability to securely share records with the Department of Veterans Affairs, private providers, or legal representatives.\n\nPromoting American Battery Production: Supports securing the domestic critical mineral and battery supply chain to prevent influence from the People's Republic of China.\n\nAssessing Name, Image, and Likeness for Service Academy Athletes: Establishes a Military Service Academy Panel to review the impacts of NCAA rules on compensation of athletes, as well as the transfer portal for athletes on the military service academies.\n\nPromoting Military Public Health: Directs the Department of Defense to report on influenza policy changes announced in April 2026, including how the changes compare to the Department\u2019s longstanding prior policies and their impact on force readiness.\n\nAddressing Affordability in the Force: Directs a report on the leading cost-of-living and financial literacy challenges servicemembers and their families are facing to enhance their quality of life.\n\nSlowing Military Equipment Aging: Provides $5.5 million through the Army National Guard\u2019s Controlled Humidity Preservation (CHP) program to utilize specialized technology to prevent moisture-induced corrosion on vehicles, electronics, and weapons.\n\nSuicide Prevention: Requires reporting on emerging virtual reality technology that provides real-time mental health training for servicemembers so they are prepared to assist fellow troops suffering from acute or chronic suicidal ideation.\n\nSimplifying Military Personnel Data: Requires a report on the imperative to shift from siloed legacy data management systems to a single, human capital management platform, therefore enhancing operational success in contested environments.\n\nSaluting Our Canines: Requires a report on best practices to enhance military working dog wellness and long-term sustainability.\n\nCongressman Don Davis is a 1994 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, a member of its Board of Visitors, and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He serves as the Vice Ranking Member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, where he serves on the Readiness and Tactical Air and Land Forces subcommittees.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-ai-commission-statement-on-ai-discussion-draft", "House AI Commission Statement on AI Discussion Draft", "2026-06-04", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (June 4, 2026) \u2014 Today, the House Commission on AI and the Innovation Economy released the following statement:\n\n\u201cWhile we appreciate the bipartisan effort from Representatives Jay Obernolte and Lori Trahan, their proposed discussion draft on AI does not meet the enormity of the moment. We do not support the discussion draft as it currently stands.\n\nThe House Commission on AI and the Innovation Economy has spent months working closely with our colleagues and key stakeholders from civil society organizations, industry, labor, academia, and others addressing AI issues. Many of those same organizations share our view that this document cannot serve as the basis for productive dialogue.\n\nWe look forward to continuing this discussion and developing thoughtful AI policies that protect the American people and drive American innovation.\u201d", 1, "2026-06-05T06:35:23Z", "2026-06-05T06:36:42Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-valerie-foushee-votes-in-favor-of-lebanon-war-powers-resolution", "Rep. Valerie Foushee Votes in Favor of Lebanon War Powers Resolution", "2026-06-04", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (June 4, 2026) \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.Con.Res.84, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib\u2019s Lebanon War Powers Resolution, to end U.S. participation in Israel\u2019s hostilities in Lebanon.\n\n\u201cThe United States has reportedly assisted with Israel\u2019s killings in Lebanon, including using U.S.-supplied weapons and intelligence. This vote is not a vote in support of Hezbollah, it is a vote against our country\u2019s constant participation in unauthorized wars that compromise our humanitarian standards and put innocent civilians at risk,\u201d said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). \u201cContinuing to support the death and destruction at the hands of Israel in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran is completely out of touch. Congress must stop arms sales to Israel, prioritize funding for much-needed humanitarian relief in these regions, and pass War Powers Resolutions that prevent Trump from further sinking our country into endless wars.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Foushee is a cosponsor of H.Con.Res.84 and has been a cosponsor of a similar resolution introduced by Congresswoman Tlaib, H.Con.Res.83, since April of 2026.\n\nCongresswoman Foushee is also a supporter of the Block the Bombs Act, Iran War Powers Resolution, Cuba War Powers Resolution, and Venezuela War Powers Resolution. In May, Congresswoman Foushee introduced an Iran War Powers Resolution of her own.", 1, "2026-06-05T06:35:23Z", "2026-06-05T06:36:42Z"], ["https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-valerie-foushee-mike-thompson-gun-violence-prevention-task-force-press-ai-executives-on-chatbot-safety", "Reps. Valerie Foushee, Mike Thompson, Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Press AI Executives on Chatbot Safety", "2026-06-04", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Valerie P. Foushee", "F000477", "foushee.house.gov", "foushee", "https://foushee.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC (June 4, 2026) \u2014 Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04), Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, and members of the task force sent a letter to OpenAI and Google DeepMind urging the companies to address the risks posed by online chatbots and requesting information on the steps they are taking to protect consumers and public safety.\n\n\u201cGiven gun violence is the leading cause of death among children and teens, we urge you to acknowledge the serious risks your AI systems may be exacerbating and to take immediate action to address them,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201cWe are particularly alarmed by reports that individuals have consulted your AI chatbots regarding carrying out criminal acts, committing suicide, or confided thoughts incompatible with the safety and welfare of themselves or others.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn these interactions, chatbots reinforced, rather than dissuaded, real-world harm, including mass shootings, wrongful deaths, and suicide,\u201d the lawmakers continued. \u201cThe language generated by these chatbots has undoubtably led to serious harm. By providing information and strategies to shooters, they have contributed to preventable loss of life.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs chatbots become more pertinent to society and individuals\u2019 lives, it is time to address the risks of chatbots providing hazardous information and AI-induced psychosis,\u201d the lawmakers concluded. \u201cWhile we continue to hope that current efforts and future models ensure user safety, we must request a staff-level congressional briefing on these matters, along with written responses.\u201d\n\nThe letter follows reports and legal filings alleging that AI chatbots were used in connection with violent and harmful acts in British Columbia, at Florida State University, and at Miami International Airport. This week, Florida\u2019s State Attorney General filed the first lawsuit by a state against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging that the company\u2019s chatbot failed to adequately protect users.\n\nThe letter demands that OpenAI and Google DeepMind provide written responses regarding:\n\nWhether the companies, their subsidiaries, affiliated entities, or predecessor entities have been subject to any state or federal investigation, regulatory inquiry, enforcement action, fine, penalty, civil judgment, settlement agreement, or consent decree related to allegations of physical harm, mental or emotional harm, wrongful death, homicide, suicide, or facilitation of violence.\n\nWhat user data the companies collect from minors, how that data is used to train models, and how a user\u2019s age affects chatbot behavior.\n\nWhat safeguards the companies tested before releasing products to minors or users with varying mental-health statuses.\n\nWhat policies are in place when users discuss harming themselves or others, or request information about deadly weapons, including whether the companies notify law enforcement or mental-health organizations when a user shares plans to harm themselves or others.\n\nThe letter was signed by Representatives Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Don Beyer (VA-08), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Judy Chu (CA-28), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Marc Veasey (TX-33), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25).", 1, "2026-06-05T06:35:23Z", "2026-06-05T06:36:42Z"], ["https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-adams-house-democrats-force-vote-end-trumps-costly-and-deadly-iran", "Rep. Adams, House Democrats Force Vote to End Trump\u2019s Costly and Deadly Iran War", "2026-06-03", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Alma S. Adams", "A000370", "adams.house.gov", "adams", "https://adams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Wednesday night, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) and House Democrats supported the passage of a war powers resolution to end President Trump\u2019s costly war with Iran. For over 90 days, the Trump administration has waged war on Iran without a defined exit strategy or congressional authorization, dragging our country further into Trump\u2019s self-declared war of choice and a deepening financial crisis.\n\n\u201cThis vote reaffirms the Constitutional principle that only Congress can declare war. Four Republicans joined House Democrats to pass legislation to end Trump\u2019s war in Iran and rein in this president\u2019s risky, expensive war,\u201d said Congresswoman Adams. \u201cWhile families in North Carolina are struggling with climbing costs in grocery stores and gas stations, the Pentagon is estimating that the war in Iran has already cost an estimated $25 billion \u2014 money that could be better spent on SNAP, federal education and job development programs, or medical research. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) costs $7.3 billion annually. We could triple the number of children that program cares for with the amount of money this administration has wasted on this war.\u201d", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-davis-releases-letter-president-trump-advocating-reopening-martin", "Congressman Davis Releases Letter to President Trump Advocating for the Reopening of Martin General Hospital", "2026-06-01", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump requesting federal support to help reopen Martin General Hospital in Martin County and support construction of a new hospital bed tower in Beaufort County. Martin General, the county\u2019s only hospital and Rural Emergency Hospital, closed in 2023 after years of severe financial distress, leaving families across eastern North Carolina without access to nearby emergency care and essential health services.\n\nIn the letter, Congressman Davis highlighted the devastating impact the closure has had on the region. \u201cMore than 8,400 residents, or about 39 percent of the county\u2019s population, rely on Medicaid. The hospital had to abruptly stop accepting all patients, including emergency cases, due to severe financial challenges. Its operator filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy after years of mounting losses, including roughly $30 million since 2016. The closure eliminated the only hospital in Martin County, forcing residents to travel 20 to 30 minutes or more for emergency care. The downstream effects amount to 10,400 emergency visits, 180 jobs, and $33.1 million in economic impact losses.\u201d said Congressman Davis.\n\n\u201cWhen emergencies happen, minutes matter, and long travel times can mean the difference between life and death. Families are being forced to leave their communities to access basic care, putting an added burden on seniors, working parents, and those without reliable transportation. Given this dire scenario in eastern North Carolina, reopening Martin General Hospital and restoring inpatient care to the region through funding for Beaufort Hospital, in some form, is vital,\u201d Congressman Davis continued.\n\nIn addition to the letter, Congressman Don Davis continues fighting to restore health care access in Martin County by introducing H.R. 4277, Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act, legislation designed to help reopen Martin General Hospital and strengthen rural hospitals across eastern North Carolina. The bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for Rural Emergency Hospitals to match outpatient hospital rates, helping providers serving high Medicaid populations remain financially stable and continue delivering care close to home. The National Rural Health Association and America\u2019s Essential Hospitals support the legislation.\n\n(Congressman Don Davis announces the Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act at Martin General Hospital)\n\nThe full text of the lletter can be found below:\n\nDear President Trump:\n\nAs a longtime champion for rural healthcare, I am advocating for $175 million to reopen Martin General Hospital in Martin County, North Carolina, and restore regionwide inpatient care by funding a new bed tower in Beaufort County, North Carolina. The funds would be broken down into a $25 million allocation for Martin General Hospital, which would, combined with $35 million from the state, be sufficient to reopen the facility, and $150 million for the new bed tower in Beaufort County.\n\nLocated in a Tier I county, which the North Carolina Department of Commerce designates as experiencing the highest economic distress, Martin General Hospital could become the first facility nationwide to reopen as a Rural Emergency Hospital after being fully closed. Since its closure in 2023, patients, families, and eastern North Carolina residents have lost access to essential healthcare services that Martin General Hospital provided, and they have been paying a price in the form of long wait times, reduced access to care, and higher mortality rates.\n\nMore than 8,400 residents, or about 39 percent of the county\u2019s population, rely on Medicaid. The hospital had to abruptly stop accepting all patients, including emergency cases, due to severe financial challenges. Its operator filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy after years of mounting losses, including roughly $30 million since 2016. The closure eliminated the only hospital in Martin County, forcing residents to travel 20 to 30 minutes or more for emergency care. The downstream effects amount to 10,400 emergency visits, 180 jobs, and $33.1 million in economic impact losses.\n\nMr. President, by advocating for the necessary $175 million, we can reopen Martin General Hospital as a Rural Emergency Hospital and, in doing so, create a lasting rural healthcare legacy. Despite the Rural Health Transformation Program, which provides $213 million for North Carolina, neither the state nor the county can use those funds to reopen Martin General Hospital. For context, East Carolina Health filed a letter of intent in July 2025 to assume control of the facility, but the next steps are contingent on future funding.\n\nBeyond advocating for $175 million for residents of Martin County and eastern North Carolina, I also wish to make your Administration aware of H.R. 4277, the Rural Emergency Hospital Financial Stability Act, to support the Rural Emergency Hospital model, first established in law during your first term. Direct, unrestricted funding for Martin General Hospital and other truggling facilities is the most immediate way to address the systemic strain on our regional healthcare system.\n\nWhen emergencies happen, minutes matter, and long travel times can mean the difference between life and death. Families are being forced to leave their communities to access basic care, putting an added burden on seniors, working parents, and those without reliable transportation. Given this dire scenario in eastern North Carolina, reopening Martin General Hospital and restoring inpatient care to the region through funding for Beaufort Hospital, in some form, is vital. We can do just that. I look forward to an ongoing dialogue with you and your team.\n\nSincerely,\n\nDonald G. Davis\n\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-hosts-veterans-roundtable-and-resource-fair", "Congressman Don Davis Hosts Veterans Roundtable and Resource Fair", "2026-05-29", "2026", "2026-05", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) hosted a veterans roundtable and resource fair in Rocky Mount, bringing together veterans from across North Carolina\u2019s First District to discuss the importance of advancing H.R. 2102, Major Richard Star Act. The legislation would allow combat-injured veterans to receive both their full military retirement pay and disability compensation without offset or penalty.\n\nCongressman Davis signed Discharge Petition No. 22 to bring H.R. 2102, the Major Richard Star Act, to the House floor for a vote. He was also one of the first members of Congress to cosponsor the bill. The legislation would end what many veterans call the \u201cwounded warrior tax,\u201d a policy that reduces retirement pay for combat-injured servicemembers who are medically forced to retire before reaching 20 years of service. The Major Richard Star Act would allow eligible veterans to receive both their full military retirement pay and VA disability benefits. The bill would support more than 50,000 combat-injured veterans nationwide and is named in honor of Army Reserve Major Richard A. Star, who became seriously ill from burn pit exposure during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.\n\n\u201cEastern North Carolina is home to a proud military community, and far too many veterans across our region have not received their due for the sacrifices they made serving our country,\u201d said Congressman Don Davis. \u201cThe Major Richard Star Act is about ensuring combat-injured veterans receive the full retirement and disability benefits they earned through their service. Veterans and military families in communities from Goldsboro to Elizabeth City have given so much in defense of this nation, and Congress has a responsibility to stand with them long after the uniform comes off.\u201d\n\nAdditional legislation discussed during the roundtable focused on improving veterans\u2019 health care, employment opportunities, and access to earned benefits. Congressman Davis highlighted H.R. 4518, the CARE Act, legislation he introduced to help disabled veterans and their families better navigate the VA Caregiver Program. The measure was later signed into law as part of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits and Improvements Act. H.R. 4518 improves communication and transparency within the caregiver system while helping to ensure that veterans and caregivers have better access to the support and resources they have earned through service and sacrifice.\n\nOrganizations from across eastern North Carolina were also on hand to provide veterans and their families with critical support services, benefits assistance, legal guidance, and community resources. Participants included the Veteran Services of the Carolinas, Edgecombe County Veteran Services, Nash County Veteran Services, and the Greenville Vet Center.\n\nCongressman Don Davis is a 1994 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He serves as the vice ranking member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, where he serves on the Readiness and Tactical Air and Land Forces subcommittees.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:21:02Z"], ["https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-don-davis-welcomes-continued-federal-funding-community-health", "Congressman Don Davis Welcomes Continued Federal Funding for Community Health Centers Across Eastern North Carolina", "2026-05-29", "2026", "2026-05", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Donald G. Davis", "D000230", "dondavis.house.gov", "dondavis", "https://dondavis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) highlighted more than $10.4 million in continued federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) supporting six community health centers in eastern North Carolina.\n\nThe awards continue and supplement existing federal support for the following health centers:\n\nGateway Community Health Centers in Gatesville - $1,394,305\n\nThe Opportunities Industrialization Center in Rocky Mount - $2,034,741\n\nRural Health Group in Roanoke Rapids - $3,364,244\n\nBertie County Rural Health Association in Windsor - $686,214\n\nRoanoke Chowan Community Health Center in Ahoskie - $1,352,298\n\nMetropolitan Community Health Services in Washington - $1,593,032\n\n\u201cCommunity health centers are on the frontlines of the rural health care crisis, providing critical care for families who too often struggle with provider shortages, transportation barriers, and limited access to services,\u201d said Congressman Davis. \u201cInvestments like these help strengthen rural communities by expanding access to care and ensuring families across eastern North Carolina can receive the support and medical services they need close to home.\u201d\n\nLegislative Background:\n\nCongressman Davis has been championing funding for community health centers during his two terms in office, earning the 2026 Distinguished Community Health Center Advocate Award from the National Association of Community Health Centers.\n\nOn February 3, 2026, Congressman Davis voted for H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-75), legislation that included extended funding for community health centers.\n\nIn an October 2025 letter to congressional leaders, Congressman Davis called for fully extending the Community Health Center (CHC) Fund to prevent service disruptions, staff cuts, and site closures. He emphasized that community health centers are a lifeline for rural and economically distressed areas, serving nearly 800,000 North Carolinians and employing more than 6,500 people statewide.\n\nOn August 8, 2025, Congressman Don Davis introduced H.Res.641, a resolution honoring the contributions of CHCs to rural America and the American healthcare system during National Health Center Week.\n\nCommunity health centers serve patients regardless of their ability to pay, with nearly 90 percent living below 200 percent of the federal poverty line. In North Carolina\u2019s First Congressional District, 10 health center organizations operate 93 sites, employing thousands and contributing millions to the local economy.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:21:02Z"], ["https://ross.house.gov/2026/5/ross-carbajal-panetta-scott-lead-investigation-into-trump-admin-s-2-billion-payout-to-energy-companies-to-halt-offshore-wind-projects", "Ross, Carbajal, Panetta, Scott Lead Investigation into Trump Admin\u2019s $2 Billion Payout to Energy Companies to Halt Offshore Wind Projects", "2026-05-28", "2026", "2026-05", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "Deborah K. Ross", "R000305", "ross.house.gov", "ross", "https://ross.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and Bobby Scott (VA-03) led their colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump administration about nearly $2 billion in payouts to energy companies to terminate offshore wind projects. The lawmakers outlined how these payments appear to demonstrate a concerted effort to bribe companies to abandon the offshore wind energy market.\n\nThe lawmakers emphasized Trump\u2019s history of clear favoritism toward the fossil fuel industry as further evidence of his administration\u2019s attempts to undermine the offshore wind energy industry:\n\n\u201cOn your first day in office, you directed agencies not to issue new approvals, rights of way, permits, leases, or loans for onshore or offshore wind projects pending review,\u201d they wrote. \u201cA federal judge later struck down this permitting halt as unlawful and arbitrary, finding that your administration had failed to provide reasoned explanations for these actions. When you were unable to muster a sound legal defense of your administration\u2019s actions, you immediately pivoted to this payment scheme.\u201d\n\nThey went on to outline how these transactions may violate federal law:\n\n\u201cYou have furnished these reimbursements through the Department of Justice\u2019s (DOJ) Judgment Fund, which was created to pay valid judgements and settlements where the United States is the defendant. The details of these agreements make clear that your payment structure does not meet the statutory requirements governing use of the Judgment Fund.\u201d\n\nThe members are demanding answers about these payments, including the following questions:\n\nDid the President personally direct, approve, encourage, or participate in discussions concerning the termination of offshore wind leases or any requirement that leaseholders redirect capital into oil, gas, LNG, or other fossil-fuel projects?\n\nDid any administration official communicate with fossil-fuel executives, trade associations, lobbyists, donors, campaign officials, transition officials, or outside political advisers about using taxpayer funds to cancel offshore wind projects or redirect private capital into fossil-fuel projects?\n\nDid any person or entity that stood to benefit from the agreement make, solicit, bundle, discuss, or promise campaign contributions, political expenditures, inaugural contributions, business opportunities, or other things of value connected to the administration or its allies?\n\nThe letter is also signed by the following lawmakers: Representatives Nanette Barrag\u00e1n, Sean Casten, Joe Courtney, Mike Quigley, Paul Tonko, Jennifer McClellan, Valerie Foushee, John Garamendi, Mike Levin, Chellie Pingree, and Shri Thanedar.\n\nFull text of the letter is available here.\n\nIn addition to being a Co-Chair of the Congressional Offshore Wind Caucus, Congresswoman Ross is the Ranking Member of the Energy Subcommittee on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Offshore wind development has been one of her signature issues in Congress, including successfully pushing to repeal the 10-year offshore wind leasing moratorium off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida through the Inflation Reduction Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-03T06:40:39Z", "2026-06-03T06:42:22Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 246, "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 \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "NC", "p2": "2026"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NC&year=2026", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 246, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=NC&year=2026", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NC&year=2026", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 246, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NC&year=2026&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NC&year=2026", "results": [{"value": "NC", "label": "NC", "count": 246, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2026", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NC&year=2026", "results": [{"value": "2026", "label": "2026", "count": 246, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NC", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2026-05-28,https~3A~2F~2Fross~2Ehouse~2Egov~2F2026~2F5~2Fross-carbajal-panetta-scott-lead-investigation-into-trump-admin-s-2-billion-payout-to-energy-companies-to-halt-offshore-wind-projects", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=NC&year=2026&_next=2026-05-28%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fross~2Ehouse~2Egov~2F2026~2F5~2Fross-carbajal-panetta-scott-lead-investigation-into-trump-admin-s-2-billion-payout-to-energy-companies-to-halt-offshore-wind-projects&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 197.38279795274138, "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"}